ã€ŠSecond Try Idolã€‹


 Chapter 1: Turning Back In Time (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1: Turning Back In Time (1)</h4>

    My manager appeared hesitant after calling me into YMM Entertainment''srge meeting room.

    "We''ve given it serious thought over the past two months..."

    "Yes."

    A bitter smile crept upon my face as I observed my manager''s troubled expression. Although my lips were barely moving because they were grotesquely stuck to my skin, he seemed to grasp my bitterness as he let out a deep sigh.

    "Hyun-Woo."

    "Am I leaving?"

    "...<i>Sigh</i>. I''m really sorry."

    A decade of effort vanished in an instant, but I calmly nodded. I had already braced myself, so there was no sudden surge of anger.

    "It''s not your fault."

    After all, no agency would debut someone with scars covering half their face. I knew it was impossible, but I still stayed, holding on to a foolish hope. Now, I assumed that my chance to debut had gone down the drain.

    Although I had spent a full decade as a trainee at YMM Entertainment, I wasn''t particrly remarkable, so I didn¡¯t enjoy any special treatment. I simply managed to scrape through the end-of-the-month evaluations with my mediocre skills until I made it to the debut group.

    However, the thrill of being in the debut group waned in less than two months. It all changed about two months ago, on the day of our group profile photo shoot.

    "Hey! Get out of there!"

    During our group photo session, an unstable chandelier suddenly crashed down from above one of our group members, Lee Jin-Sung.

    "Shoot."

    Instinctively, I pushed Jin-Sung out of harm''s way. Jin-Sung had always been following me, calling me ¡®hyung[1]¡¯ and listening to me very well.

    In that split second, the lights and chandelier crashed down onto my face, marking the end of my trainee life. On that fateful day, I not only lost my face but also saw my dream shatter to pieces.

    ***

    "Hyun-Woo, we are so sorry. Regarding thepensation..."

    <i>BANG!</i>

    The door swung open, and Lee Jin-Sung stormed in, his eyes bloodshot and filled with rage.

    "Hyung, have you lost your mind?" Jin-Sung red at the manager with the same force he used to open the door. "You''re telling someone who¡¯s trained for ten years to leave? The ident was thepany''s fault."

    "Jin-Sung, get out!" the manager said.

    "You''re being irresponsible! Hyung, say something!"

    While the manager and Jin-Sung argued, I found myself unable to do anything other than lower my head. What could I possibly say in this situation? I wanted to stay, but I understood that my insistence wouldn''t change the inevitable. After all, a facial burn was a death sentence for an idol.

    I clenched my fists. For the first time since bing a trainee, I had to make an important decision.

    "Lee Jin-Sung."

    When I called him, their argument came to a sudden halt, and both of their gazes shifted to me. My voice was resolute, each word dripping with anger.

    "Don''t be rude. Leave!"

    "But hyung!"

    Jin-Sung fumed, his expression asking if I was truly going to abandon everything in that very moment.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to debut with this face either. If even I am disgusted with my appearance, how do you think the public will perceive me? Leave right now. I need to talk to the manager.¡±

    Jin-Sung looked shocked, clearly startled by my unusual outburst. As a result, the room was enveloped in silence.

    Following that, I abruptly stood up and pushed Jin-Sung toward the door.

    "Just listen to me for once¡ª"

    I shut the door on Jin-Sung, cutting him off. Jin-Sung didn''t make any furthermotion as he was shocked by my cold response. Seeing this scene, the manager let out a sigh and briefly nced at the closed door before proceeding to take a seat.

    "I''m truly sorry, Hyun-Woo. I know better than anyone how hard you''ve worked¡ª"

    ¡°Hyung.¡±

    I looked at the manager, who had noticeably lost weight in the past few months, and hung my head weakly. Comforting words felt distant and ineffective to me right now.

    ¡°What should I do now?¡± I asked, my voice tinged with a hint of helplessness.

    For the past ten years, I had always assumed that I would debut one day, so I had locked myself in the practice room, leaving behind school, family, and friends. I did not know what to do besides singing and dancing. Now, everything started to blur as the future I had once dreamed of slowly faded away.

    Yes, tears streamed down my face. Fate had dealt me such a cruel hand, and I was in misery.

    ¡°What should I do now...?¡±

    Burn scars marred my face and scalp, and the fire had scorched away my hair. It wasn¡¯t just the broadcasting world; no ce would wee someone with such an appearance. As a path that I had painstakingly built crumbled in mere seconds, tears became the only way to express my sadness.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo... We have thought about it...¡±

    The manager handed me a tissue and cautiously continued.

    ¡°We have always recognized your talent. We know that this was our fault, and we want to take responsibility, so...¡±

    The manager pushed a set of documents in front of me. With my vision blurred by tears, I made out the words ''Confidentiality Agreement'' and ''Employment Contract.''

    "...Employment contract?"

    ¡°You might not be debuting anymore...¡±

    The manager paused for a moment. His face reddened, seemingly pained by the fact that my debut had fallen apart.

    ¡°But how about working as a trainer? A big agency is looking for one, and I rmended you.¡±

    <i>¡®Trainer?¡¯</i> I examined the contract more closely. It proposed hiring me as a vocal and dance instructor for C-grade trainees.

    ¡°You have the skills you honed for ten years. There''s a sry, incentives... and...¡±

    I barely heard what the manager added. I swiftly read through the contract and grabbed a pen from the table.

    ¡°I''ll do it.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    I didn¡¯t have a choice now, so I quickly signed the papers. If I had been in better condition, perhaps I could¡¯ve dramatically torn up the contract and stormed out. However, with a face that required lifelong treatment, the opportunity to work as a trainer was a relief. It''d be hard to find a better job even if I applied at an employment center.

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo, you seem so calm.¡±

    ¡°Do I look calm? I¡¯m just epting reality, hyung.¡±

    It was the manager, not me, who regretfully looked at the hastily signed contract. I just twirled the pen in my hand, suddenly wanting to escape the room.

    ¡°Please pack my belongings from the dorm, hyung. I can''t face the others right now.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Are you not going back to the dorm?¡±

    ¡°Why should I, when I''m no longer a debut member? I¡¯ll go home for now. Please take care of it, hyung.¡±

    Trying to look unaffected, I left the conference room without looking back at the manager. My tears, however, started flowing again. The sounds from the practice rooms, the cheerfulughter from other meeting rooms, the live broadcasts of senior idols interacting with fans¡ªall of it made me feel utterly wretched.

    ¡°Fuck.¡±

    I raced out of thepany building. From that moment on, those people and I belonged to entirely different worlds.

    ***

    Not long after, my belongings arrived at my family home. Among them, only two boxes contained remnants of my past. I chose to discard them, giving up on my dreams.

    Time passed swiftly, and several years went by.

    While I adjusted to life as a trainer, managing some trainees with a few fans, the colleagues I had once trained with made a decent debut. Their inherent talents,bined with the support of the agency, made them popr for a while.

    Although they were overshadowed by bigbel idols who debuted around the same time, they continued in the industry as entertainers and solo artists. Gradually, we became distant, barely remembering our time together.

    asionally, when we crossed paths at broadcast stations, we would grab some meals together¡ªeither because we were former colleagues or simply because we got along. However, the camaraderie that once defined our interactions had long since faded away.

    ...At least, that was how it felt for them.

    - Mr. Kim, have you arrived yet?

    - The stage is bigger than expected during our rehearsal. The choreography doesn''t quite fit. :(

    - The manager will pick you up when you arrive!

    I smiled as I read the flurry of messages.

    <i>''These kids.''</i>

    They were clearly nervous about their first international tour. The trainees I had once mentored had now risen to be top idols in Korea. They had garnered attention even before their debut and, unsurprisingly, clinched the first ce on music shows with their debut song. Theirebacks dominated the charts, and their concert tickets sold out within seconds. One of them even made headlines for having bought an expensive apartment in Gangnam with cash.

    Nheless, their sess was somewhat expected given that they had debuted from a big agency. I had thought they would forget about me, but to my surprise, they remembered me and generously provided me with tickets and flight vouchers for their first international concert.

    - Nah, your manager is too busy taking care of you guys. I''ll take care of myself, so don¡¯t worry.

    As I sent the message in the group chat, a flood of pleas poured in. I then scrolled through the texts and turned off my phone, proceeding to take a swig of my beer.

    ¡°They have grown so much. I''m proud of them.¡±

    On a ne to New York for their concert, a pang of mncholy hit me as I gazed out the window at the passing clouds.

    <i>¡®I¡¯m envious.¡¯</i>

    Had I not suffered that ident, could I have felt this excitement as well? There had been a time when I shared the same dreams as these kids.

    <i>¡®How did my life turn out this way?¡¯</i>

    While my mentees had be a top-tier group, I still lived in a shabby, cockroach-infested room. After all, the incentives and sry I earned went straight into my skin treatments.

    ¡®<i>How could my life be this miserable...¡¯</i>

    ...Yes, I still could not let go of my lingering attachment to my dream.

    ¡®<i>Why is it only me...¡¯</i>

    The people I had trained with did not achieve great sess, but they had at least debuted. They had even gotten on the concert stage and had a chance to meet those who cheered and loved them.

    I had not expected great sess like the one my mentees had. However, it was so unjust that my dream had ended just because of a single lighting ident.

    ¡®<i>I want to go back.¡¯</i>

    To those challenging times when I was hopeful for the future.

    ¡®<i>I want to go back.¡¯</i>

    <i>¡®Had I not been the one to have that ident instead of Lee Jin-Sung...¡¯</i>

    <i>¡®If I could go back... I would achieve my dream and freely make music.¡¯</i>

    - Ladies and gentlemen, the aircraft is turning around due to strong winds.

    <i>Beep, beep, beep...</i>

    ...Huh?

    - Please lower your head! Head down! Please grab your ankles!

    What?

    - Pull up! Pull up!

    ¡°What the fuck is going on...¡±

    <i>¡®Wait, I didn¡¯t want the aircraft to go crazy. I just wanted to go back in time.¡¯</i>

    <i>Thud!!!</i>

    By the time I realized something was going wrong, it was already toote. After the flight attendant forcibly pushed my head down and made me grab my ankles, thest thing I heard was a deafening explosion before my consciousness drifted far away.

    1. A term used by males to address or refer to older males, typically those within close proximity in age, such as older male friends or older brothers. ?

 Chapter 2: Turning Back In Time (2)

    <h4>Chapter 2: Turning Back In Time (2)</h4>

    <i>¡®Ah, is this perhaps the afterlife?¡¯</i>

    It was calm, quiet, and warm. I wondered if I had ended up dying miserably after struggling and enduring so much in life. If there really was a god in the afterlife, I wanted to grab him by the cor and demand an exnation. Why the hell did he crash the ne when all I had wished for was to return to the past?

    Crazy bastard.

    ¡°Go back... go back...¡±

    ¡°What is wrong with him? Why is he talking in his sleep like that?¡±

    <i>¡®What?¡¯</i> I opened my eyes wide at the familiar voice. ¡®<i>Where is this?¡¯</i>

    Ignoring the gazes of my ex-colleagues who were looking at me, I looked around. Then, a sudden chill coursed through my body.

    <i>¡®Am I... in a car?¡¯</i>

    <i>''What? I''m not dead?''</i>

    Was this a dream? Or was the ne crash a dream? There seemed to be no discernible link between the current situation and my memories. Meanwhile, the sharp gaze of my colleagues, especially Goh Yoo-Joon''s...

    "Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    "What?"

    "...Hey, why are you here?"

    "What are you talking about? Are you out of your mind?"

    Why was Goh Yoo-Jon in front of me? And why was he looking so young? I clearly recalled the ne spinning out of control and crashing.

    Had he undergone some procedure to look younger? He appeared much younger than thest time I¡¯d seen him. His temper also seemed worse.

    <i>¡®Is this a dream? Is heaven a ce that shows me what I wish to see? Or did I somehow survive the ne crash? No, that¡¯s almost impossible.¡¯</i>

    If I had survived a ne crash, I''d be in a hospital, not sitting in a car with the ex-colleagues I hadn¡¯t seen all year. Moreover, my entire body was perfectly fine, without a single scratch.

    When I pinched my cheeks, Goh Yoo-Joon turned his head away, definitely annoyed.

    "Ouch!"

    The pinch stung. After that, when I pped my face and pinched my thigh, it hurt like crazy.

    "Hyung, what kind of dream did you have? You kept saying, ''go back, go back.¡¯"

    I couldn''t answer Lee Jin-Sung''s question. Had I been dreaming? Actually, this situation felt more like a dream.

    "Hyun-Woo, what''s wrong with you? You''ve been acting weird."

    As the traffic light switched to red, the car came to a halt, and the manager looked at me.

    <i>¡®Gosh. ...Oh my god.¡¯</i>

    "Hyung, your hair..." I pointed.

    "Huh? What about my hair?"

    "You have hair..."

    Now that I thought about it, he seemed to have shed some weight since Ist saw him, and his skin looked better too. Hearing my words, the manager frowned and my ex-colleagues started tough and tease him.

    "Hey, I told you to stop making fun of me! I''ve been worried about my receding hairline!"

    "What are you talking about? It''s been receding for the past two years.... Did you get hair imnts?" I asked.

    In truth, thest time I saw him, the top of his head gleamed because of baldness. Myment triggered a burst ofughter from my former colleagues, and the manager, face turning red, gave us the middle finger.

    "Why are you talking nonsense? It''s not noticeable yet! Something''s off with him today. Put him to bed when we get to the dorm."

    "Okay."

    No, this situation was weird. All four members, whom I had rarely seen since I quit training, had ck hair, and they all looked strangely younger. Moreover, their eyes and the way they spoke were as familiar andfortable as before, and even the manager had not lost his hair yet.

    I had been in a ne crash, so this had to be a dream, but the pinched cheek still stung so vividly.

    The car came to a halt.

    "Good job, everyone. Now, get out and take some rest."

    "Yup."

    The members started to get off one by one. Pushed by Lee Jin-Sung, I got out of the car. When I checked the surroundings, I frowned again.

    "This... is Korea. What about New York..."

    "Huh? Why are you suddenly talking about New York?"

    "No, my mentees¡¯ concert..."

    ¡®<i>What is going on? Did I miss something? Why am I here?</i>¡¯

    Lee Jin-Sung tilted his head in confusion.

    Goh Yoo-Joon passed by and said, "Jin-Sung, just drag him inside. He''s acting weird today."

    "Well, the training was tough."

    Joo-Han backed up Goh Yoo-Joon''s words. It seemed like they found my behavior quite weird as they kept saying that I acted strange.

    "Ah, I always have to drag him. Hyung, aren''t youing?" Lee Jin-Sung asked with an annoyed look.

    <i>¡®...Is Jin-Sung annoyed by me?¡¯</i> But hadn''t Jin-Sung been the one taking such good care of me after the incident?

    I almost felt dragged as I headed to the dormitory. Yes, even the dormitory itself seemed strange. I had heard that they had been living separately since they renewed their contracts, but this was the same vi where we, as trainees, had once resided and crammed with about fourteen people.

    Moreover, there were no fans lingering around the vi. It felt as if, unbelievably, I had gone back to the past.

    "Hey, why did you bring me here...?"

    "Good night."

    With a forceful push, Lee Jin-Sung shoved me into the room and left. What on earth was he thinking?

    "The room looks the same as it was back then."

    Two bunk beds and piles of clothes with a musty smell upied every inch of the room, leaving no space to move. I absentmindedly scanned the room and suddenly froze, my eyes locking onto a reflection in the mirror on top of a dresser. It was a face both unfamiliar and hauntingly familiar.

    For a long while, I stared at the reflection and then took a step closer. As I moved, the reflection in the mirror also drew closer.

    "What is this..."

    The face staring back at me was clearly my own from five years ago, or perhaps even earlier, prior to the burns. I touched my face and felt around for the rough scars. However, they were gone, and the same was true for my hair.

    While still looking at my reflection, I instinctively reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.

    <i>''A flip phone.''</i>

    It was a spare phone I used to discreetly carry during my trainee days when smartphones were prohibited. I slowly started to piece the situation together. Upon flipping the phone open, the date and time were disyed.

    "Of course."

    The date was from a distant past.

    The next moment, I burst intoughter and couldn¡¯t resist giving my cheek a hard p.

    "It hurts. It really does."

    It wasn¡¯t a dream. The abruptly severed memories weren¡¯t a product of my imagination. I had truly returned to the past. It was a chance to get rid of the regrets I carried.

    ***

    I scoured through my phone and came to realize that I had gone back in time about six years¡ªtwo months or so before the lighting ident. It was a time when all the trainees were on edge, wondering who would make it to the debut lineup.

    Back then, I had been preupied with choosing the safest song due to my ambiguous ranking in monthly evaluations. Though I wasn''t necessarilycking in skills, I often opted for familiar songs and dances, eventually scoring a spot in the debut group. However, the final evaluation not only determined the debut group but also the positions within it.

    As Iy on the bed, contemting my future, the door swung open, and Goh Yoo-Joon peered inside.

    "Suh Hyun-Woo, are you sleeping?"

    "No, why?"

    "Come eat, dumbass."

    Goh Yoo-Joon approached and started to teasingly poke my thigh.

    "Hey! Stop that."

    "Get up."

    The yful tone in Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice was evident. I giggled and, like any high schooler, reached out to grab his ankle and yfully punched it. It had been a long time since Goh Yoo-Joon and I had joked around like this.

    Before the ident, we had been close friends, but after my facial burns, our rtionship had be distant, marked by his cautiousness around me. If it weren¡¯t for the ident, we would have been still joking around like this.

    ¡°Come eat, you two. I am going to clean it up soon.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±

    As I was joking around with Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han hyung entered and gave us a scolding, just like he used to do in the past. Goh Yoo-Joon giggled at me as if it was my fault and then went to his chair.

    As we sat down for a meal, the atmosphere was filled with nostalgia. While it felt good to reunite with them, being able to chat with themfortably felt even more precious to me.

    "Where are the others?"

    "In the practice room. They rushed in as soon as they heard it was avable. They must''ve been waiting outside," replied Lee Jin-Sung.

    Upon reflection, it urred to me that only four out of the fourteen trainees were left in the dorm. However, it was understandable. The limited practice rooms always led to disputes over ess. We always had to y games of rock-paper-scissors to decide who would use the room first. The four of us had likely just finished our session and returned to the dorm.

    As I ate, casually nodding at their conversation, I caught Goh Yoo-Joon staring at me.

    "What?"

    "You''re unusually quiet today, Hyun-Woo. Just yesterday, you practiced dance moves even while eating."

    Was that so? Iughed awkwardly.

    "Yeah, well, that upset my stomach."

    "Are you practicing in secret?"

    "Leave him alone, Goh Yoo-Joon. Don''t pick on Hyun-Woo," said Joo-Han.

    Back then, I was never assured of my position. After all, the debuting group only had five spots, and I hovered between the fifth and sixth ranks. My middling rank was perhaps due to my conservative song choices, but now was not the time to showcase my vulnerabilities. During this period,radeship had yet to develop between us, as we were consideredpetitors. My nervousness would somehow provide them with relief.

    Picking up on my mood, Joo-Han asked, "You seem off today. Not feeling well? Or is there something else?"

    "No, but I do have a favor to ask."

    "Oh?"

    I had been thinking about the debut audition ever since it was mentioned.

    "I want to change my song."

    ***

    My mindset had undergone a transformation from the version of myself whocked confidence. Regret had transformed into ambition, and my skills had improved immensely during my time working as a trainer. I was now confident to tackle songs I had once deemed challenging.

    I hummed a tune softly, making sure none of the members could hear me, as I rifled through my drawer.

    <i>''I''m sure I left it here.''</i>

    Myck of organization back then made it hard to recall its exact location.

    Back then, I had taken the safe route, debuting with a song I was confident in. However, this safe choice led to a less-than-ideal position within the group. After all, the position of a sub-vocalist was always on the corner of the formation, and I tended to stand out of the spotlight even during practice. Even so, I wasn¡¯t the type to openly voice out myints, so I managed to maintain my position without any major issues.

    Nheless, I often regretted things, thinking deep down, ¡®<i>I should have tried a bit harder.¡¯ </i>Well, after quitting as a trainee, I even cried and missed that position. But now that I had returned as a trainee...

    ¡°Ah, found it.¡±

    I pulled out a transparent CD from the drawer. This signified a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, as the CD contained a song that I had hesitated to pursue and eventually shoved into the corner of the drawer. A smile appeared on my lips. Since I had returned to the past, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to be a bit more ambitious.

 Chapter 3: Debut Team Audition (1)

    <h4>Chapter 3: Debut Team Audition (1)</h4>

    During my time as a trainer, I sometimes served as a judge in debut team auditions. I would spend entire days with the trainees, gaining a deep understanding of their abilities and personalities. That was why I had a clear understanding of what was truly important in the debut team auditions.

    A skill level worthy of the Billboard charts? That was good. Trainees who already had a significant fan base before debuting were also favorable to the team and agency. They were the perfect candidates to stir buzz before their debut, even if they came from a mediocre agency.

    However, YMM was a talent agency that could establish a certain level of recognition even without such standout members. To them, a trainee who stood out too much was actually a hindrance.

    What YMM valued more was how harmoniously a member could blend into a group. Could they deliver powerful dance performances while singing live at this very moment? Were they raw gems with the potential to shine within five years after debut?

    In this context, excessively high notes or shouting were not rmended. Borrowing dance moves from foreign choreographers was eptable, but tryingplex moves that didn''t fit the idol group¡¯s style was discouraged. There were, in fact, specific songs deemed unsuitable for the debut audition.

    The next morning, I handed the CD to Joo-Han as soon as I got up.

    "What is this? I thought you weren''t doing this?"

    "It''s a kind of challenge."

    "Challenge?"

    I nodded at Joo-Han. The song had been a challenge for the neen-year-old me, but the present me felt confident about it.

    "Can you edit this for me? I want to make the dance break part stronger."

    "Wait, you are using this song for the audition? Isn''t that a bit...?"

    Joo-Han looked uneasy, but I nodded again. The CD I handed him contained the title track "Goblin" from the third album of YMM''s gship group, Allure. It was a captivating song with a dark, powerful sound and an addictive chorus.

    I smiled awkwardly. "Does it seem odd?"

    Joo-Han hesitated and then said, "No! Not odd! I mean, it''s not that it''s strange, but..."

    I knew what he wanted to say. One couldn''t simply switch to a song from a senior artist in the same agency without careful consideration, and challenging oneself with an idol group''s title track, especially one that was famous and mainstream, required extra confidence.

    Joo-Han seemed to be giving it a lot of thought. "Hyun-Woo, this song might not fully showcase your talent. How about another track from the same album? I have one in mind."

    "I know what you are worried about."

    "Or the original song you nned to sing is good too. It¡¯s what you do best."

    "Thanks for your concern, but I want to give this a try."

    "Um..."

    Joo-Han kept fidgeting with the CD, looking doubtful. In contrast with how adventurous Goh Yoo-Joon was and how skilled Joo-Han was at selecting songs, I had always valued safety at that time. Hence, it must have been hard for Joo-Han to understand why I, out of nowhere, was being so stubborn for an important audition.

    Joo-Han reluctantly said, "If you are going with it, I can help with the arrangement and editing. But I''m not so sure if it''s a good idea."

    "Thank you. I have a n in mind. This might be myst chance at debuting, so I have to give it my all."

    I mustered a bitter smile, and finally, Joo-Han seemed convinced.

    "Yes, if it could be thest time, you should y all your cards."

    Being selected for the debut team was a blessing, especially considering I was in my tenth year as a trainee. If I couldn''t debut after a decade of training, it felt as if I might never get the chance. This audition could truly be myst shot. It seemed that Joo-Han thought I was unusually serious because it could be myst chance.

    When Joo-Han and I went to the living room, about ten trainees were gathered there, making a fuss.

    "Ah! Crazy! Why do we have to go at dawn again? Do you guys have any conscience?"

    "Please change it. I might faint like this. All the lessons are packed in the morning, so I can''t sleep or focus!"

    "Too bad. Rules are rules. We''re going in the afternoon."

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    I wondered how on earth thepany had gathered such noisy guys and put them all together in one dorm. Each of them had a powerful voice and great vocal abilities, so when any of them spoke, it was like a piercing assault on my ears. Even worse, the moment all of them chimed in, it created a massive ruckus, and their constant bickering only added to the chaos.

    Joo-Han let out a deep sigh and approached the ten members who were foolishly fighting over a simple game of rock-paper-scissors.

    "It''s a rule in ce to prevent you all from fighting, you know? Fight one more time, and I won''t help with any editing."

    As expected, Joo-Han was impressive. Just the mere mention of not assisting with the song arrangements was enough to silence these energetic boys. Despite theirints about the early morning schedule, they all went silent.

    The lively dorm operated rtively smoothly, all thanks to Joo-Han. He was the oldest and also had a natural leadership quality. Moreover, he was good with people, had a pleasant personality, and was highly respected by the younger trainees.

    Most importantly, Joo-Han''s arranging skills were exceptional. Most trainees relied on him during monthly evaluations or auditions. If someone of his caliber didn¡¯t assist in arranging a song for a crucial event like the debut team audition, it would obviously be a big deal.

    ***

    <i>¡®The agency¡¯s studio looks the same as before...''</i>

    A wave of nostalgia washed over me. I used to frequent this studio during my trainee days, but now it felt somewhat unfamiliar.

    "What are you doing standing there?"

    Lost in my thoughts, I was jolted back to reality when Joo-Han kicked a chair toward me. He was telling me to sit down.

    It was only when I entered the studio that I truly felt like a trainee again. So, even when he offered me a seat, I was momentarily frozen. Joo-Han disregarded my hesitation and yed the CD.

    "We are just keeping the dance part, right?"

    "...Yes."

    This was no time to be lost in nostalgia. Now, my trainee life wasn''t about memories but about reality. I took a seat beside Joo-Han and exined, "No. I mean, I want to emphasize the dance, but I also want to retain other parts."

    "...Are you serious? If you emphasize the entire song, the climax will becking. Are you sure about this?"

    I nodded, rifying my intentions. I was not foolish enough to heavily beat up the entire song.

    "I want to retain the apaniment for the vocal parts, but can we make it softer?"

    "Softer?"

    Joo-Han clicked on the monitor, a habit he had whenever he struggled to understand a trainee''s request. In response, I simplified my exnation.

    "I n to showcase both singing and dancing at once."

    "...Ah."

    Joo-Han finally grasped my meaning and nodded. His typing and clicking became faster.

    "So, during the vocal parts, you want to emphasize your voice, and during the dance break, you want to make sure it''s powerful?"

    "Yes!"

    The song was crafted to highlight every member¡¯s abilities and provide a tform for individual talents to shine. While the option to either dance or sing to the song existed, opting for just one felt like ackluster attempt, something only a person without a sense of urgency would do.

    ¡°No matter how much I think about it, I am not sure if you made the right call, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    I didn¡¯t reply to Joo-Han¡¯s concern. Even though he grumbled with a tone full of worry, he still arranged the song ording to my preferences.

    ¡°I hope you won¡¯t regret it.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, hyung. I will showcase it the way I want, so I won¡¯t have any regrets regardless of the oue.¡±

    It was because I was certain I would ace the audition.

    ***

    During the final stages of our work, there was a knock, and Jin-Sung entered.

    "Are you guys done? It¡¯s our turn to practice."

    Hearing Jin-Sung''s words, we reflexively jumped up and hurried to the practice room. We had about ten minutes of work left, but every second was precious. Getting to the practice room was more important than finishing our tasks.

    "Is Yoo-Joon waiting?"

    "Yes, but other teams are also moving to Room A."

    "That¡¯s obvious. So, you¡¯re saying that Goh Yoo-Joon is waiting alone?"

    "I bet my hoodie that he¡¯s been pushed back."

    I unted my hoodie as I spoke. Would these young men in theirte teens and early twenties really wait patiently? Trainees did not hesitate to physically fight to stand at the front, starting five minutes before the practice room was cleared. It would be impossible for Goh Yoo-Joon to push away other team members and stand at the very front by himself.

    Joo-Han pped Jin-Sung on the back of his head and quickly rushed forward, kicking the closest trainee in the back.

    ¡°Out of the way, assholes!¡±

    There were only two practice rooms avable for trainees: Room A and Room B. However, Room B was practically unusable due to issues like its faulty speaker and a worn-out floorboard. Who would want to practice with their phone ying music ahead of a crucial audition?

    Given this situation, Room A, although old, was the preferred choice and was always bustling.

    "Argh! Isn''t this too much? You are so mean."

    "I¡¯m going to tell the team leader that you always use force. Ugh, this is so frustrating."

    With a kick from Joo-Han, a path cleared before us like the parting of the Red Sea. We then walked leisurely through the parting crowd to secure our spot in front of the practice room. I had thought about it before, but being in the same group as Joo-Han was indeed a blessing. Since joining his group, I never had to practice in Room B.

    Soon, trainees from the previous session started to pour out, and the ones pushed out by our group had no choice but to head to Room B or a nearby park.

    Upon entering the practice room, Joo-Han naturally started to adjust the equipment.

    "First, hand over your CDs. I''ll y each of them once. When your track ys, practice to it ordingly."

    "Okay."

    The members gave their CDs to Joo-Han, and I quickly handed mine over as well. Even though I regretted not having aplete track, it was perfectly fine for practice.

    Then, I suddenly felt an unusual silence enveloping the room, an undeniable tension. ncing around, I realized all eyes were fixed on me. When our gazes met though, they averted their eyes in embarrassment.

    Just how confident was I to change the song with the audition right around the corner? Their mouths, which had been chattering non-stop, were now tightly shut, and they asionally nced at me and the CD in my hand.

    <i>''This is...''</i>

    The tense gazes of my colleagues, something I had never experienced before in my pursuit of safety, sent shivers down my spine. It was just a song change, but they were all tensed up, looking at me.

 Chapter 4: Debut Team Audition (2)

    <h4>Chapter 4: Debut Team Audition (2)</h4>

    The floor of the practice room vibrated heavily. Jin-Sung, who was warming up, stepped forward and started to lightly move his feet as his music streamed from the side speakers. We needed to dance at least six times with the same song today, so it seemed that he was just trying to get into the groove right now.

    The other members also moved around in their corners with headphones plugged in. As I also started to stretch and plugged my wired earphones in, the song flowing through my earphones blended with the one Jin-Sung had chosen. Though it felt a little unfamiliar since it had been a while, with a decade of experience, I quickly adapted, humming along to the song in my earphones.

    Then, it happened.

    "Oh? Isn''t that song from the seniors, Allure?" someone spoke to me.

    "What?"

    I turned around, startled by the unexpected voice, only to see someone who had been standing nearby now stepping back awkwardly.

    "The song you hummed just now... Isn''t it ¡®Goblin¡¯ from their 3rd album?"

    He had a chubby figure with pale skin and a timid look, and it took me a moment to recognize him. As I observed his timid gesture of fidgeting with his sleeves, I eximed with a bright smile. It was Park Yoon-Chan, a fellow trainee who wouldter debut with me.

    <i>¡®Oh, right.¡¯</i> He had struggled with his weight right up to debut, even nearly having his contract terminated. It had been a while since I''d seen him so chubby, which was why I didn''t recognize him immediately. I had thought he only hung out with those who attended early morning sses, so I hadn¡¯t expected to see him before getting into the actual debut team.

    "Hey! Yoon-Chan!"

    "Yes? Oh, hi..."

    While I greeted him cheerfully, Park Yoon-Chan simply responded with a nod, looking a bit awkward.

    ¡®<i>Right, we weren''t close during our trainee days. Wait, did we ever even talk before joining the debut team?¡¯</i> It dawned upon me that my enthusiastic greeting might have been quite excessive.

    "...Sorry. Why are you here, though? Aren''t you usually in the early morning session?" I asked.

    Yoon-Chan let out a soft exmation, scratching the back of his neck.

    "I tend to sleep a lot, so I kept missing the early morning practice time. I actually begged Joo-Han to let me practice with you guys just this once..."

    "Well, it''s good that you can at least practice now."

    "Right?"

    Hadn''t there been simr situations in the past? Some members from the early morning session would asionally join us if they missed their slot, but even then, I hadn''t spoken to Yoon-Chan like this. We probably hadn¡¯t held much interest in each other back then.

    Perhaps my song choice sparked his curiosity enough to start a conversation. Honestly, even after we ended up on the same team, we weren''t exactly close friends until the day I decided to leave the traineeship.

    Park Yoon-Chan sneaked nces at me before opening his mouth again.

    ¡°So, did you choose the song ¡®Goblin¡¯ for the audition?¡±

    ¡°Ah, yeah.¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s impressive. That song has an incredibly challenging dance break.¡±

    ¡°Well, no matter how tough it is, it is nothingpared to what Jin-Sung chose...¡±

    As I said this, I looked at Jin-Sung, and Park Yoon-Chan chuckled in agreement. Even with just a few dance steps, it was evident how intense Jin-Sung''s dance was. He had reduced his focus on vocals and significantly ramped up the dance difficulty. I remembered that due to this, even in the debut album, he had fewer vocal parts but took the main dance break in thetter half.

    Park Yoon-Chan watched Jin-Sung with continuous admiration.

    "He truly has a talent," Park Yoon-Chan said

    "Jin-Sung is amazing, isn''t he?" I agreed.

    "Ah, I''m envious. To be honest, I''ve sort of given up."

    I responded as I continued stretching. "Why give up already? What is the point of being a trainee if you are giving up before the debut audition?"

    ¡°...I didn¡¯t really mean it. I haven''t been here that long, and I''m not even sure if I made a good song choice. Even if I fail, I''ll consider it a good experience."

    <i>¡®No, you''ll make it.¡¯</i>

    Not only did Park Yoon-Chan make it, but he truly shone after the debut. When the group disbanded, he transitioned into acting, secured lead roles, and firmly established himself.

    "But, why did you change your song?" Park Yoon-Chan asked nonchntly while watching a dance video beside me. With all fourteen of us packed into one house, it seemed that news of my song choice had quickly spread to Yoon-Chan''s morning session.

    I casually shrugged as I saw him waiting for my answer with curious eyes.

    "Just wanted to try something different."

    "Ah, I see.¡±

    ¡°I like the song too.¡±

    His somewhat disappointed expression hinted that he had expected a deeper reason. However, I just wanted a change, with no other hidden meanings in mind.

    I then plugged my earphones back in, feigning ignorance. Park Yoon-Chan simply took the hint and returned to his spot without further ado.

    Soon after, Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon''s songs wrapped up, the intense sounds filled the practice room.

    It was now my turn, so I unplugged my earphones and stood up. As I moved forward, every trainee turned their attention to me. They were naturally curious to see a new song from me for the first time.

    I performed with a gentle grace, basically whispering the lyrics to preserve energy. However, the expressions of the members gradually turned serious.

    "Has Suh Hyun-Woo practiced ¡®Goblin¡¯ before?"

    "No... I don''t think so..."

    I could hear murmurs of surprise from all directions, but I ignored them and continued to dance without missing a beat. Jin-Sung, a dance expert, seemed to realize that if I danced with full force, I would perfect the song''s choreography with ease. In fact, mastering this choreography was easier for me than lying down.

    The song ¡°Goblin¡± was something that every C-grade trainer had to try at least once. I had mastered this song to instruct others after the ident, and my moves now were even more fluid than during my trainer days, as my neck muscles were no longer tense due to burn injuries.

    Dancing and singing in the spotlight brought a joy I hadn''t anticipated, as I had only been the one watching others doing so. Now, the other members were not looking at me with sympathetic eyes but rather a sense of alertness as they saw me as apetitor.

    When the song finished and my movement stopped, everyone¡¯s gaze was fixed on me. It was only then that I realized how much I had missed this experience. I regretted the old days when I only tried to survive instead of showing the agency my true potential.

    As my song ended, Park Yoon-Chan''s track immediately followed.

    "...Ah!"

    Yoon-Chan was caught off guard while still staring at me. However, he quicklyposed himself and started his choreography.

    Even though I merely did my usual routine in the practice room, being back as a trainee while doing so made me feel so content.

    I returned to the corner of the room and plugged in my earphones. A held-back smile finally broke free.

    "When did you practice that?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon abruptly took my earphones off and asked a question, and I shot him a re before yanking back the earphone cord.

    ¡°I spent all night mastering the dance when you guys were asleep. What is your problem?¡±

    ¡°You really seem to be sharpening your knife for the debut.¡±

    ¡°Did I appear that way?¡±

    If so, that was a relief. I had been constantly reprimanded by the trainer for appearing dispassionate.

    I had always chosen challenging songs that were trending in the music charts for the monthly evaluation. However, neither criticism nor praise came my way from the judges at YMM. They just scored and moved on. How would they react now that I had unexpectedly chosen the title song of a renowned idol group? Just imagining their reactions brought a smile to my face.

    ***

    At 1:30 PM, Shim Sang-Bok, the CEO of YMM Entertainment, was heading to his office with Supervisor Kim after lunch.

    "How is the debut team''s preparationing along?"

    "Very well, sir. They are all working hard, and a few of them really stand out."

    "Really? Perhaps I should get acquainted with these talents."

    At Shim Sang-Bok''s prompt, Supervisor Kim handed over the documents he was carrying.

    "Kang Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Lee Jin-Sung."

    "Only three?"

    "Yes. Kang Joo-Han has exceptional basics in both vocals and dance. He also disys remarkable leadership and has a knack for arrangement. He is basically guaranteed a spot regardless of the evaluations."

    "I see."

    Kang Joo-Han was a familiar name to Shim Sang-Bok as well, consistently ranking high in monthly evaluations.

    "And about Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung¡ª"

    "Wait."

    CEO Shim raised his hand, stopping Supervisor Kim.

    "Yes?"

    "Shush."

    A singing voice rang out from the end of the corridor¡ªit was ¡°Goblin¡±, the title track of YMM''s gship group, Allure. Someone was passionately hitting the high notes. Though slightly strainedpared to the original, the voice remained powerful and melodious.

    "Is thating from Practice Room A?"

    "It seems so."

    CEO Shim, as if drawn in, made his way to Practice Room A. He saw a young boy dancing to the song through the ss window.

    ''<i>Was he the one hitting those high notes while dancing so passionately?''</i>

    The boy was executing a nearly perfect rendition of ¡°Goblin¡±, known as one of Allure''s most challenging choreographies.

    "Do we have such a trainee?"

    Caught off-guard, Supervisor Kim looked through the window and eximed, "Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    "His name is Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    "Yes, he''s been with us for ten years now, and he''s participating in the uing debut auditions. However, he hasn''t been particrly outstanding till now."

    However, to Supervisor Kim''s surprise, CEO Shim seemed genuinely intrigued by Suh Hyun-Woo.

    "He looks like he could easily be the center of any major group. How has he not debuted yet?" asked CEO Shim.

    "Well, he has never really gotten rave reviews during our monthly evaluations."

    "I can''t understand why."

    "Well, ording to the trainers, he seems tock the passion or intent to debut."

    "Looking like that?"

    The sight in front of CEO Shim was that of a determined Suh Hyun-Woo, dancing as if this was his final chance. It was clear that CEO Shim saw something in him, like a jeweler discovering a new gem.

 Chapter 5: Debut Team Audition (3)

    <h4>Chapter 5: Debut Team Audition (3)</h4>

    There was only one day left until the debut group audition, so thepetition among trainees to secure a spot in the practice room intensified with each passing moment.

    The usually noisy dorm was eerily empty. Feeling that every moment spent in the dormitory was time lost, everyone chose to rest somewhere within thepany building and resumed their practice after short breaks. Every avable space, whether it be parks, conference rooms, and even the seldom-used Practice Room B, had trainees filling them as they devoted themselves to their practice.

    I settled on the second-floor emergency exit as my practice space. After all, it didn''t matter where I practiced as long as I had some space and my phone.

    "Phew, it''s hot."

    Though the emergency exit was cooler than the main practice room, beads of sweat still trickled down my forehead. Afterpleting only three sets of dance, I already felt exhausted. This made me wonder about my level of dedication as a neen-year-old trainee.

    <i>¡®Now, it makes sense that I was given a sub position and fewer parts in the debut song.¡¯</i>

    Reflecting upon it, I felt there wasn''t much toin about.

    As I was about to sit on the stairs to catch my breath, Lee Jin-Sung suddenly peered through the door.

    "Hey, hyung."

    "What¡¯s up? Heading to eat?"

    "No, Supervisor Kim is asking for everyone to gather up."

    Jin-Sung stepped into the emergency exit. I was about to head out after picking up my jacket, but Jin-Sung suddenly stood in front of me with hesitation.

    "Why? Are you not leaving?" I asked.

    "No, I need to have a quick chat with you."

    Without waiting for my response, Jin-Sung sat on the stairs and tugged on my hoodie.

    "What is it? Let''s wrap it up and go."

    Had we ever had a private chat during our trainee days? We were friends, sure, but setting aside time for a private conversation wasn¡¯t something we did often.

    As I sat beside him, Jin-Sung spoke cautiously.

    "You''re using ¡®Goblin¡¯ for both dance and vocal items, right?"

    "Yeah."

    "Should I do the same? Doing vocals separately feels tough."

    "Do you think you can handle both?"

    Jin-Sung shook his head and looked defeated. There was no confidence in him, a stark contrast to his demeanor while dancing. This was no surprise. While he possessed a natural talent for dance, his singing was subpar, to the point where even I found it disappointing. Of course, he improved over time after debut, but that was a matter for after the debut.

    "You can stick to the basics. You''re probably going to make it anyway."

    "What basics? What if they think I''m not trying?"

    Jin-Sung began to sing softly.

    "Go somewhere else if you''re going to sing. Why here?"

    "Hey, you are so mean.¡±

    Jin-Sung grumbled as he stood up.

    "Hyung, I will help you with stretching, so can you maybe check out my singing?"

    "Me?"

    "You always sing songs that are simr, but you sing well. Please help me out."

    That was a subtle dig. Pretending not to hear, I got up and bent forward to stretch. As I did, Jin-Sung came up behind me and ced his hands on my shoulders to push me further.

    ¡°Ouch!¡±

    ¡°You are still quite stiff, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Jin-Sung applied his full weight onto me, causing my upper body to bow deeply. My legs and waist naturally wobbled. Just as he forcibly bent me into this position, he started to sing.

    ¡°Hello, it¡¯s me. How is everything? Are you doing well~?¡±

    ¡°Ah! Are you crazy!? Don¡¯t sing right into my ear!¡±

    Jin-Sung audaciously belted his song right into my ear. In the past, I used to offer him a few words of advice when I saw him trying hard. Hence, it seemed that he was taking this opportunity to get a genuine critique.

    ¡°Help me out a bit. Why am I suddenly not improving?¡±

    ¡°There is no other way except practicing. It is strange if you don¡¯t improve after continuously listening to and practicing the same song for days.¡±

    ¡°But I have not improved.¡±

    In truth, it was not just a few days. I had been applying techniques I learned over several years. Jin-Sung, looking quite desperate, clung to me persistently. Even though we had done sufficient stretching, he kept pressing on my back while singing. Moreover, he wasn¡¯t even singing his audition piece but rather his go-to karaoke track.

    I shook off Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s hand and got up straight.

    "Enough. You''re not bad at singing."

    "My vocal evaluations are always rated D."

    "You don''t need to be the main vocalist. You are a good dancer, so you don''t need to excel at singing."

    He looked hurt by my words.

    "So, are you telling me to give up on singing?"

    I wasn''t implying that. But it was not like Jin-Sung would give up just because someone said so.

    I pressed on Jin-Sung''s forehead as he rubbed his temples out of annoyance.

    "Rx your throat when you sing. You are straining it because you are trying too hard."

    "...Ah."

    Jin-Sung had picked a simple song with no high notes. Although he had chosen it because he was aware of his skill level, he kept making mistakes because he tried too hard every time. I vaguely recalled offering him simr advice in the past.

    Then, a voice echoed from the hallway, calling for us. I then put my earphones in my pocket and stood up.

    "See? We didn''t have time for a long chat. Let''s go."

    "Okay!"

    Jin-Sung looked immensely grateful, even though I hadn¡¯t provided any profound advice.

    "If I have issues in the future, can I ask you again, hyung?"

    "...Sure."

    Although helping him was a tad bit bothersome, I considered Jin-Sung a potential future group member. Helping him didn''t seem like a waste when thinking about our future together.

    ***

    ¡°You guys arete.¡±

    Supervisor Kim grumbled at our bted entrance.

    ¡°I am sorry for beingte.¡±

    Feeling the weight of the gazes directed at us, we apologized and took thest avable seats.

    ¡°Is everyone here now?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow is finally the day of the debut team audition. Everyone is well-prepared, right?¡±

    No one answered his question. Although everyone was practicing tirelessly, some even without sleep, none of us was certain that we would do well.

    ¡°Those who have been practicing with CDs, bring them in a USB by tomorrow morning. If you don¡¯t have one,e to the office. We have extra USBs.¡±

    <i>¡®It is finally tomorrow.¡¯</i>

    Despite having experienced this once before, the sensation felt new and distinct. I couldn''t think of it as a repetition of the past, given that I was striving for bigger goals than my old self.

    "Why are you all looking so tense? You all prepared hard, so expect good results. It''s not yourst chance anyway, so just rx."

    "Ah, I''m seriously so nervous."

    Watching the trainees making a fuss, Supervisor Kim shook his head.

    "If you are nervous, you won''t do well. And, I''m sorry to say this, but tomorrow, the CEO will also be present."

    "What?! Why?"

    "...What?"

    <i>¡®The CEO attending the audition? What the heck?¡¯</i>

    I perked up, not expecting to hear this. To my recollection, the CEO had never attended a debut team audition. Unless my memory failed me, I had never seen the CEO during my time as a YMM trainee.

    Amidst the chaos and confusion of this new information, I happened to meet eyes with Supervisor Kim. Ignoring the other trainees huddled in front, he fixed his gaze, no, <i>red</i> intently at me, even though I was sitting at the far back.

    "...Maybe he just wants to take a look."

    I lowered my gaze, evading Supervisor Kim''s piercing stare. I could sense that I might be the trainee the CEO was interested in.

    ***

    It was the day of the debut team audition. As I and my fellow members reached thepany, we were greeted by an unmistakably tense atmosphere. I tried to rx my tense shoulders and plugged my earphones in.

    <i>¡®Don''t be nervous.¡¯</i>

    I knew the result anyway, and only the position would change. Instead of being anxious, it would be more beneficial for me to go over the modified choreography.

    This audition would be an adventure for both the neen-year-old Suh Hyun-Woo and the twenty-four-year-old me. After all the effort, I had to see a rewarding result.

    "I''m going crazy, seriously."

    Sitting next to me, Goh Yoo-Joon murmured. He had been ying joyfully with the other trainees untiltest night. But now, even he was repeatedly watching his dance video with his lips tightly pressed.

    "Ha..."

    His nervousness was contagious and my heart started pounding fast. I closed my eyes as I hoped the choreography would work as intended. Just like that, trainees were continuously entering the audition room, getting their spirits crushed, and leaving.

    Whether they performed well or poorly in the audition, it was rare for trainees to receive praise. However, never had they expected to face such harsh criticism during the debut team audition, the one they had put the most effort into preparing for.

    "Maybe I should quit being a trainee."

    The trainees facing the debut team audition were all A-grade members. Thus, it was likely hard for these kids, who usually only heard praise elsewhere, to ept such brutally frank feedback.

    <i>''Then again, I passed the audition back then, and they still criticized me pretty harshly.''</i>

    During the monthly evaluations, trainers would simply give scores withoutments. But for this audition, they didn''t hold back their critiques.

    <i>"You seem tock passion, you always choose simr songs. Is that all you know?"</i>

    <i>"To be honest, it looks like you don''t want to debut. You''ve been here for ten years with no ambition. Why?"</i>

    <i>"I don''t know if you can stand out and secure a position with that attitude."</i>

    I remember being devastated for almost a week after hearing those critiques. Iter learned when I became a trainer that they intentionally gave brutally honest feedback on such important days to give trainees a reason to push themselves harder.

    "Hyung, suddenly, I feel something stuck in my throat, what should I do?"

    "Rx your shoulders. It''s not your throat. You are just nervous... Ah!"

    Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon kept rambling to alleviate their nervousness. Even someone experienced like me was this nervous, so I could only imagine how the others felt.

    "It will be fine."

    I took a deep breath as I mumbled to myself. No matter how favorable my position was, my nervousness still was as intense as in the past. I knew I had practiced hard and, though it might sound conceited, I had a solid n. As long as I didn''t make a mistake, I knew I could do well. But then...

    "...I am screwed. Shoot.¡±

    I could not grasp any of the songs ying through the earphones. Just then, the audition room¡¯s door opened, and the members of the early morning team came out with gloomy expressions.

    ¡°Hey, how¡¯s the atmosphere inside?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s harsh as hell. No joke.¡±

    ¡°Brace yourself before you go in. They¡¯re brutal.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon and his friends from the early morning ss whispered among themselves. As they were about to share more about the situation inside, Supervisor Kim intervened, separating the trainees and pushing Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon into the audition room.

    ¡°Next,e inside.¡±

    The auditions started for Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and some trainees of the afternoon session.

    ¡°Are you not nervous?¡± Lee Jin-Sung asked me as he peeked at the audition room through the transparent ss window.

    ¡°Of course I am. Isn¡¯t that natural?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t seem like it at all. In fact, you suddenly seem rxed.¡±

    ¡°Nah.¡±

    ¡°Well, since you have practiced so hard... That makes sense.¡±

    Despite my outwardly calm appearance, I was as nervous as Lee Jin-Sung, even though I was certain of passing. Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Lee Jin-Sung were all carrying the agency¡¯s high expectations, so it was no wonder they would pass. To everyone¡¯s surprise though, Park Yoon-Chan, whom everyone thought would fail, somehow managed to pass as well. Thinking of this, I wondered if I was trying too hard to change the already-determined positions.

    ¡®<i>I should get out of the sub position, and ideally...¡¯</i>

    ...Was Goh Yoo-Joon the center in the past debut album? I sneakily nced inside the audition room and yed the song again.

 Chapter 6: Debut Team Audition (4)

    <h4>Chapter 6: Debut Team Audition (4)</h4>

    The judges¡¯ gazes were sharply piercing through me. With every step I took, their scrutinizing nces seemed to cling on, making me feel like I was treading a thorny path.

    ¡°He has a good visual.¡±

    ¡°His vocals and dance are decent too. Why else would we have kept him for ten years if he wasn¡¯t going to debut? Overall, he is a well-bnced trainee.¡±

    Their voices echoed with tant judgment. No matter how embarrassing it was, the only thing a powerless trainee could do was pretend not to hear and walk to their designated spot. It was a scene that, no matter how often I revisited it, would always feel foreign.

    ¡°Introduce yourselves, then we will start the audition."

    Along with the supervisor''s words, the light on the camera next to the table lit up. In unison, we all bowed at a perfect ny-degree angle.

    "Hello!"

    It was a stiff greeting reminiscent of military trainees. However, there was no response to our greeting.

    <i>''Couldn''t they at least lighten up the atmosphere?''</i>

    Even the month-end evaluations, which were typically harsh, weren''t this intense. I subtly nced at CEO Shim, who sat in the middle of the judges and seemed quite interested in us. He probably was the reason for this tense atmosphere. He ideally should not have been here.

    <i>¡®Is it just me, or did CEO Shim seem to be grinning at us, especially me, in a very malicious manner?¡¯</i>

    "Everyone has good visuals. Park Yoon-Chan? Should we start with him?"

    CEO Shim spoke.

    In response to his words, Park Yoon-Chan, who was visibly nervous, took a step forward.

    "Hmm, don¡¯t you want to be an idol? ...Hye-Ri, how does he appear on camera?"

    "He looks a bit chubby. Yoon-Chan, you won''t debut unless you lose weight. Why aren''t you managing your weight when you''re the best looking?"

    "Uh, well..."

    ¡°Ugh."

    Hearing the manager''s deep sigh, Park Yoon-Chan instantly mped his mouth shut. I had seen this scene before, but revisiting it still felt gut-wrenching.

    Park Yoon-Chan had held a sub position alongside me. If it weren''t for his handsome looks, he might have been dropped right then and there after this audition.

    Park Yoon-Chan''s evaluation began. Despite his disy of both his vocal and dance skills, the judges remained indifferent.

    "Average, without anything particrly notable."

    "Exactly. There is nothing special about him."

    From my viewpoint, I couldn¡¯t help but notice that Park Yoon-Chan''s ears were turning a vivid shade of red. The evaluativements were particrly ruthless, to the point that I thought Park Yoon-Chan would cry.

    "Yoon-Chan, can you lose ten kilograms in a month if you get into a debut team?"

    "Yes...? Yes! Of course, I will starve if I have to!"

    ¡°Hmm, alright. You''ve done well for now."

    Park Yoon-Chan ended his audition without any definitive feedback, and I awkwardlyforted the dejected Yoon-Chan when he returned.

    "It''s okay."

    ¡°...Thanks, but I think I might not make it."

    Park Yoon-Chan refrained from saying more and returned to his seat.

    "Next, Lee Jin-Sung."

    Upon the supervisor''s call, Lee Jin-Sung stepped forward, causing the judges to instantly light up.

    "Is this Jin-Sung the one who has been dancing since he was five?"

    "Yes, he was already famous in the provinces before joining ourpany. He has individual fans and has appeared on broadcasts."

    "I like his vibe."

    Who could reject Jin-Sung after witnessing his dance? It was apparent from the judges'' expressions that Jin-Sung''s eptance was a given.

    "Since you are known for your dancing, let''s see your dance first."

    ¡°Okay!"

    Seeing the friendlier demeanor of the judges, Jin-Sung''s stiff shoulders started to rx. As expected, Jin-Sung perfectly disyed his dance skills and smoothly finished his vocal assessment. He had evidently taken my advice to heart, as he performed significantly better than in previous auditions.

    "He is okay in singing."

    The judges'' evaluations were warm. There was no need to criticize Jin-Sung, who was already a shoo-in.

    "Thank you."

    Jin-Sung had a gleaming expression upon returning, and he even spared a moment to thank me. I gave a slight smile in return and refocused on the audition.

    The trainees following Jin-Sung weren''t bad either, but the interest of the judges seemed to wane. Jin-Sung was the definite pass, and Park Yoon-Chan was a potential candidate with decent skills and looks. It appeared that they didn''t expect to discover more than two notable talents from the same group.

    Once the other trainees'' evaluations ended, Supervisor Kim''s gaze finally settled on me.

    <i>¡®Finally.¡¯</i>

    "Next, Suh Hyun-Woo."

    I took a deep breath. Their somewhat indifferent eyes hazily stared at me. Given that I had been a trainee for a decade, most of them had seen me at least once in the monthly evaluations. Thus, their expressions revealed little expectation from me¡ªexcept for one person, CEO Shim, who continued to look at me with interest.

    ¡°This is Suh Hyun-Woo. He is the trainee with the longest tenure here. Good visuals and as mentioned earlier, an all-rounder.¡±

    ¡°But why has he not made his debut yet? With such an extensive training period, you¡¯d expect him to have debuted by now.¡±

    "Well, he has always been a candidate, but putting him in the debut group was a bit of a risk. It would be problematic if he dropped out midway. There are many others who are more passionate and put in more effort than Suh Hyun-Woo."

    "Frankly, he alwayses with simr songs, so it''s hard to gauge his true skill."

    I felt a pang in my heart hearing their direct feedback. These words, no matter how often I heard them, always hit deep. The only added value I had was being a long-term trainee at YMM. Looking back, my desire to join the debut group might have been due to my decent skills and the notion that after training for so long, I deserved to debut.

    The judges, who had been rifling through documents while evaluating me, turned their eyes back to me. I slightly lowered my head to say hi.

    ¡°I''m Suh Hyun-Woo."

    Their questions sounded apprehensive.

    ¡°Did you prepare only one song?"

    "Are you going to do both vocals and dance at once? You changed your song selection. Why?"

    I gave them an awkward smile.

    ¡°I thought this song would showcase my skills better."

    ¡°Oh, really? Using Allure''s song? Even though it''s challenging, it doesn''t seem like the best choice to showcase your skills."

    "Did you think we''d be lenient since it''s YMM''s gship artist''s song?"

    One prickly question after another came my way, and I responded with a forced grin.

    "My only strength might be stability... I hope you''ll give it a chance."

    "...Alright, let''s hear it then. Hye-Ri."

    "Yes, ying the song now."

    The music that I had heard countless times filled the audition room, and I switched my stance. As the song started, the tension eased significantly.

    <i>''You got this, Hyun-Woo.''</i>

    It was a song that I had practiced hundreds of times, so my body moved in sync with the music almost instinctively. I danced and sang as if I were having a live performance.

    "He seems... passionate?"

    "True... And he has improved significantly. I don''t remember him having this kind of dynamism before."

    As the song progressed, the indifferent expressions of the judges started to show interest. Things were going well, and I smiled faintly. Now, it was time to show them my secret weapon.

    I subtly changed my movements in the middle.

    A momentter.

    "...What is Hyun-Woo doing...?"

    I heard Jin-Sung''s voice. Not only Jin-Sung but also the judges, starting from the dance trainer, started to murmur from the chorus, specifically in the section where each member of Allure had distinct dance moves.

    "Is Suh Hyun-Woo..."

    The judges¡¯ eyes held an intimidating intensity as they gazed at me. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what they were thinking about me. Were they thinking I was arrogant? Or were they just surprised by this different side of me?

    However, one thing was clear.

    "He is good, isn''t he? Good dance and stable vocals despite the intense choreography. He must have practiced a lot."

    CEO Shim was definitely impressed. He drew a big circle on the document with a satisfied smile.

    By the time the second chorus came around, the judges had mixed reactions. Now, I was sure.

    <i>''They all caught onto my intention.''</i>

    "Who said Suh Hyun-Woocks ambition?"

    "He¡¯s notcking ambition... instead, he is overtly showcasing his desire. He is clearly signaling that he wants to be the center."

    Exactly. I had been showcasing dance moves specific to the center part of every member of Allure. My manager, who always urged me to show more passion, couldn''t hide his astonishment as he witnessed me tantly signaling my desire for the center position. CEO Shim and Supervisor Kim were both within my line of sight.

    "Going all out because it''s hisst chance..."

    With a subtle smile toward my manager, I neatly wrapped up the final move. The stage that I had prepared for days finally came to an end. I then took a ragged breath and looked at my manager. Seeing the expression on his face as he sneaked a peek at CEO Shim''s documents, I was certain that my intentions had been clearly conveyed.

    ***

    The audition was over, and the trainees were divided in their feelings. Some felt confident, while others were quite pessimistic even before the results were disclosed. Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Lee Jin-Sung, feeling assured enough to pass, just calmly observed the gloomy atmosphere.

    Soon after, the audition results were announced. The debut group consisted of Kang Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, Park Yoon-Chan, Lee Jin-Sung, and me. Nothing had changed from the past.

    Even though we had all vowed to congratte each other on any oue the night before, there was no sign of celebration. Instead, a depressed and miserable atmosphere prevailed. There were noforting jokes for the teary members, nor were there voices of mood makers trying to lift their spirits.

    ¡°...Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Considering the understandably somber atmosphere, I urged the nearby Jin-Sung to leave. This was no ce for people who passed. Unsure of what to do, he followed me out. Once Jin-Sung and I began walking, the other three members also quietly walked out.

    "Should we leave the other trainees in that state?" Jin-Sung inquired, to which Joo-Han responded with a nod.

    "There''s not much we can do for them now. In fact, it might be better for them if we leave quickly. Hyun-Woo made the right call."

    We headed to the conference room. Though we should have felt joy for making it to the debut group, no one showed their feelings. Perhaps, everyone was struggling with a mix of joy, shock, guilt, and an array of other emotions.

    "Anyway, congrattions to all of us. We did well. Good job, everyone."

    After a brief moment of self-congrattion, we entered the conference room. Inside, the officials were discussing our profiles.

    "Come in. Congrattions on making it into our new debut group."

    Only after the trainers congratted us did we manage to muster faint smiles.

    "Are the other kids not taking it well?"

    "No, they are quite upset."

    "It is heartbreaking, but that doesn''t mean you all should be down. You should feel proud of your achievements."

    Our trainers, who had always been looking out for us, created aforting atmosphere. Once we settled down, Supervisor Kim started outlining the next steps.

    "We haven''t decided on the group''s name yet. We will discuss potential names with youter."

    "We get to choose as well?"

    "It''s the name you will carry, so of course. Also, your amodations are prepared near the office. Just pack up and move in. For any other necessities, just let the manager know."

    The difference in treatment between debut members and regr trainees was stark. Our eyes widened in astonishment at the generous arrangements provided for us.

    "For now, you will use Allure''s practice room. After the debut, we''ll provide you with a separate one."

    "Allure''s practice room?"

    "...Wow, we get our own practice room too?"

    Considering that we had been content with limited food allowance, old furniture, and a dim, outdated basement practice room, this was a pleasant surprise.

    Supervisor Kim continued without reacting to our astonishment.

    "We will start your album work and concept discussionster. For now, focus on practicing. Joo-Han, help the others move to their amodations."

    "Yes, sir."

    With Supervisor Kim''s words, the meeting was over. Despite the overwhelming situation, our team manager couldn''t help butugh at our flustered expressions.

    "Why are you so nervous? The real whirlwind starts now. Anyway, go rest today. You must be exhausted."

    "Thank you."

    Following the manager''s concluding remarks, we left the conference room and headed to our new lodgings. Upon arriving at our dorm, we hesitated at the entrance. Although we had been living in this small vi, the change in circumstances had made it difficult to simply walk in. Seeing us hesitating, our manager took the initiative and led the way.

    "None of the other trainees are here now. They are in lessons. You are afraid of the awkwardness, aren''t you?"

    "...I know we will talk to themter, but right now, I think any words offort or apologies won''t be well-received," Goh Yoo-Joon said. Since he was close with the other trainees, it was definitely harder for him.

    "Let''s not linger here. Let''s go."

    Joo-Han was the first to move, and we naturally followed him. We then quickly packed our belongings. Without any arguments or regrets, our hands moved faster than ever, perhaps fearing an idental encounter with the other trainees.

    "If they look at my empty room, I wonder what they will think."

    Goh Yoo-Joon mumbled as he looked at his emptied bed.

    <i>''What the...''</i>

    I snatched Goh Yoo-Joon''s luggage.

    "They will think we packed while they were in lessons. Don''t overthink it. We will talk to them tonight anyway."

    They were likely upset about their own shorings rather than cing me on Goh Yoo-Joon or other members. It felt a bit overwhelming.

    We then left the dorm together.

    "Let''s go."

    We had just started taking a step toward the top. Although it was cold-hearted, we could not afford to look back.

 Chapter 7: The Future Starts to Change (1)

    <h4>Chapter 7: The Future Starts to Change (1)</h4>

    I would never forget the profound shock I experienced when I first entered our new amodation. The memory of it remained vivid, both six years back and now.

    "Wow,¡± Park Yoon-Chan eximed as he ced his luggage down. The new ce was a stark contrast to the vi we had previously lived in. It was much cleaner and considerably more spacious.

    "There are only four of us now, and we will be living in such a nice ce?" Goh Yoo-Joon pondered aloud, seemingly in disbelief.

    On the other hand, the manager¡¯s enthusiasm was palpable. "Of course! This will be your home for a while before you debut. It has to be clean andfortable."

    Compared to the living situation the other members had experienced after debut, a 605-square-foot apartment didn¡¯t seem exceptionallyrge. However, for us, who had previously resided in the small vi, it was hard to imagine a better amodation than this.

    The manager instructed, ¡°Take a look around and choose your rooms. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to let me know.¡±

    Without paying much attention to the manager''s words, I distanced myself from the others who were eagerly exploring the living room. Then, I wandered around to check out the rooms. This particr room was very memorable to me as it was the first andst ce I had stayed in as part of the debut group. All of a sudden, memories that I desperately wanted to erase flooded back, evoking a tingling sensation of pain on half of my face.

    <i>''I made it back here,'' </i>I thought to myself, a mix of disbelief and nostalgia coursing through me. This was the ce I never thought I''d return to¡ªthe daily life and space I had lost... I was overwhelmed by everything, and a surge of emotions welled up inside me.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, what are you doing here? Are you really nning to stay in this room? Hey, let''s get a bigger room.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon approached, checking out the room while grumbling. I didn''t turn to look at him, unsure of how to hide my emotional turmoil.

    ¡°I like it here," I stated.

    However, Goh Yoo-Joon insisted. ¡°Oh,e on! Let''s get another room. There is a bigger one on the other side.¡±

    ¡°Why are you telling me this? If you want the bigger room, just go,¡± I replied, subtly urging him to make his own decision. After that, I ced my luggage down in the room.

    Goh Yoo-Joon, seemingly resigned, put his luggage on the bed opposite mine. "Hey! We should share a room, of course. Are you nning to room with another member? Are you abandoning your friend, you jerk?"

    Despite his words, I could tell that he was ncing enviously at the other members in the living room. They were now ying rock-paper-scissors to determine who would upy the biggest room.

    All of a sudden, Goh Yoo-Joon suggested, ¡°Hey, should I go represent us in the rock-paper-scissors game? Let''s get the big room if we can."

    ¡°Go ahead, give it a try."

    Honestly, this room was the best in this house. It had a decent size and didn¡¯t feel cramped. I remembered Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sungining about other rooms, mentioning issues like excessive sunlight or the smell of cigarettes wafting up from the apartment below.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the living room. "Hey, Suh Hyun-Woo. Don''t you trust me? Let''s go. I''ll get us the biggest room.¡±

    Following that, I heard Lee Jin-Sung arguing. "To be honest, isn''t it better to have the smallest room all to oneself? Joo-Han hyung can have that room to himself, while Yoon-Chan hyung and I can share the big room."

    "No, Yoon-Chan is quiet, so he and I should share the big room," said Joo-Han.

    "I... I actually want the smallest room for myself, hyung."

    In the living room, Joo-Han and Lee Jin-Sung were squabbling over who would share the big room with Park Yoon-Chan. It was evident to anyone watching that Park Yoon-Chan preferred the small room all to himself, but neither Lee Jin-Sung nor Joo-Han seemed willing to yield orpromise.

    Joo-Han pointed out. ¡°You have never shared a room with Jin-Sung, have you? He snores loudly. I could never get a good sleep with him in the room.¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung retorted, ¡°You think you were quiet when you were asleep? I was just tired, that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°I was tired too, you know.¡±

    Watching their ongoing bickering, I thought to myself that perhaps it would be better to just tell them to take a small room each. But then again, the small rooms didn¡¯t seem very appealing, given theirck of windows for venttion and the lingering musty smell.

    Park Yoon-Chan asked, ¡°Ah... What about Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung? They used to share a room, right?¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung let out a deep sigh after hearing Park Yoon-Chan''s words and shook his head. "Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung will definitely share a room. They are best friends."

    Watching the situation unfold, Goh Yoo-Joon decided to take matters into his own hands. He stepped forward, shoving his hand between them for the rock-paper-scissors.

    "Right. Hyun-Woo and I will take the bigger room. Let''s settle this with rock-paper-scissors. Ready, set, go!"

    Before Lee Jin-Sung and Joo-Han had the chance to protest, the game was already in motion. After a series of ties, a winner finally emerged triumphantly.

    Jin-Sung shouted, "Yes! I got the biggest room with Yoon-Chan hyung!"

    Joo-Han sighed in defeat, clearly disappointed. "Ah! Why?"

    Amidst the mix of emotions, I pulled Yoo-Joon aside.

    Since I wanted to move on from themotion, I suggested, "Let''s just unpack our things."

    Yoo-Joon hesitated, his eyes lingering on the prize he had just lost. "Wait, just hold on a sec."

    "Why wait? Let''s go."

    I gently tugged at his arm, and Yoo-Joon allowed himself to be led away to our designated room. Even though it was the room we got from losing rock-paper-scissors, a sense of gratitude and contentment washed over me as I realized we would be spending the week here.

    We unpacked quickly. Most of our items were hand-me-downs from our seniors, which meant we had only a handful of clothes and personal items to sort through. As we organized the living room, it started to feel more like a real home. When we were all done, we sat side by side on the couch, savoring the quiet atmosphere of our new dorm.

    "It is so quiet here."

    "Yeah, it feels different. Kind of mncholic."

    As we were ustomed to noises and chaos, we would need some time to adjust to this new, tranquil environment.

    After a while, Joo-Han stood up, stretchingnguidly before making his way to his room.

    In a tired and heavy voice, he said, "I am too tired, so I will take a nap first. Wake me up when manager hyung arrives."

    "Okay, have a good rest."

    It dawned on me then just how drained we all were. The excitement and adrenaline from the debut group audition had temporarily overshadowed our fatigue, but now it was catching up to us.

    Once Joo-Han left, Goh Yoo-Joon started to text the other trainees. Meanwhile, Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung switched on the TV and started browsing through channels in search of something to watch.

    As I felt the weight of the day finally settling on my shoulders, I said, ¡°I am going to bed as well."

    "Mmm-hmm."

    I left Yoo-Joon, who was half-heartedly responding to me while glued to his phone, and made my way to my room. As Iy in the dark and silent space, my mind started to race. I was back here, on the cusp of my debut once again.

    The day that changed everything was looming on the horizon, the day when my life took a drastic turn. The day of the lighting ident was approaching.

    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was a way to save both Jin-Sung and myself from harm. If I tried to save Jin-Sung, history might repeat itself. However, if I chose to save myself, I would be leaving him to face a potentially grim fate.

    <i>''I have to prevent that from happening.''</i>

    I needed to devise a n to safely navigate the uing day.

    <i>''How did the light fall that day?'' </i>I pondered, straining to recall the details of that chaotic moment. It felt like that part of my memory was blurry. My anxiety mounted as I mulled over the situation, but eventually, my fatigue took over.

    I closed my eyes while taking deep breaths, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

    <i>''It will be fine.''</i>

    Lying in bed worrying wouldn¡¯t change the situation. I had to stay positive and focus on the present

    ***

    "Wake up. Suh Hyun-Woo, Goh Yoo-Joon, get up."

    <i>¡®When did I fall asleep?¡¯</i>

    Someone was shaking me awake. The touch that roused me was gentle and careful, and the only one with such a touch would be the timid and kind-hearted Park Yoon-Chan.

    "...Huh?!"

    As I slowly opened my eyes, I found a big, rugged face hovering close to mine. I took a sharp breath, quickly pulling my face back and sitting up.

    "Hyung! Ah, seriously! What are you doing?"

    It was the manager, and his face was ufortably close to mine.

    <i>¡®What a grotesque situation to wake up to.¡¯</i>

    "What do you mean, ''what am I doing''? I woke you up. Now Yoo-Joon, wake up too."

    The manager moved toward Yoo-Joon, bringing his face in close and gently shaking him awake.

    "Ah!"

    Yoo-Joon, much like me but with even more intensity, yelled as he woke up.

    "What is happening so early in the dorm, hyung? Ah, I¡¯m blind now."

    "You guys are too much. I came to pick you up, so hurry up and get ready. We have a meeting soon."

    The manager calmly left our room, and judging by the simr screams from other parts of the dorm, everyone was being woken up in the same manner. One of the notable changes since we became the debut group was the increased involvement of our manager.

    In the past, he had felt more like a teacher or an assistant looking after all fourteen of us. But ever since we joined the debut group, there was nowhere we could go without our manager''s intervention.

    ...Honestly, it wasn¡¯t a pleasant change.

    "How was your first night in the new dorm? I wonder if everyone was too tired to enjoy it."

    All the group members in the car red at the manager, their faces full of discontent.

    "The shock of seeing your face up close first thing in the morning has clouded every other thought."

    The manager retorted with a hint of mischief in his voice. "But it did wake you up perfectly, didn''t it?"

    "One of these days, one of us will have a heart attack from the shock. You might want to reconsider this wake-up strategy."

    After being attacked consecutively by Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon, the manager finally offered an apologetic smile. However, thanks to our manager''s unique wake-up call, we avoided rushing to thepany with disheveled hair and groggy faces.

    When we arrived at thepany''s conference room, the A&R (nning) team greeted us.

    "Wee. Did you sleep well? Was the new dorm clean and satisfactory?"

    "Good morning. Yes, it was so nice it took us by surprise," Joo-Han responded, representing our group and conversing smoothly with the nning team leader.

    As all the group members took their seats, the team leader spun the pen in his hand and gave us a light smile.

    "Good. We have been discussing how to best harmonize each of you."

    "Harmonize?"

    "Yes, we believe that assigning roles, even temporarily, will aid in practice and other preparations,¡± the team leader exined, marking a spot on the document he was holding.

    "Roles like the leader, main vocalist, main dancer, and sub-vocalist."

    It was finally the time to determine our roles. I found myself biting my lip, feeling the anticipation rise as I focused on the team leader¡¯s words.

    ¡®<i>Which roles would be assigned to each of us? Wasn¡¯t this the aspect I emphasized the most during my audition?¡¯</i>

    The team leader continued to lecture on the importance of roles as he was seemingly aware of the tension in the room.

    "Leader, main vocalist, main dancer, and sub-vocalist. The roles each of you take on will significantly influence the group¡¯s musical color."

    Even though these assignments were temporary for now, there was a high likelihood that we would debut with these roles. I then nced around the room, noticing the anxious anticipation on my fellow members¡¯ faces as they awaited the announcement.

    "Let¡¯s start with Joo-Han as the leader, and Jin-Sung, you will be the main dancer. Since you dance well, we will push you in that direction."

    "Yes!" Jin-Sung¡¯s face lit up with excitement, thrilled to have secured the role he desired.

    Joo-Han, on the other hand, simply nodded as if he had seen iting. Neither of them seemed overly surprised, likely having anticipated these roles.

    While I was smiling at the excited Jin-Sung, the team leader suddenly shifted his gaze to me.

    "And, um, Hyun-Woo."

    "...Yes?" I replied, caught off guard. Normally, it wouldn''t have been my turn yet; Yoo-Joon¡¯s name should have been called before mine.

    <i>''Could it be?'' </i>I wondered, my heart starting to race as I met the team leader¡¯s ambiguous expression.

    With a reassuring smile, the team leader eventually spoke, ¡°Hyun-Woo, let''s try having you as the main vocalist."

 Chapter 8: The Future Starts to Change (2)

    <h4>Chapter 8: The Future Starts to Change (2)</h4>

    ¡°...Me?¡±

    ¡°You performed exceptionally well during the audition and your ambition shone through. We believe you are an excellent fit for the main vocalist role.¡±

    The employee sitting next to the team leader nodded in agreement, confirming their shared opinion.

    ¡°During the audition, you expressed a strong desire to be at the center, so we are considering you as the main vocalist. You know, as the main vocalist, you will often find yourself in the spotlight.¡±

    I had indeed passionately expressed my desire to be at the center during my audition, almost to the point of screaming. While I did expect a change in my position, I had never imagined I would be the main vocalist.

    The team leaderughed out loud as he saw my speechless reaction. ¡°We are giving you this role because of your passion and abilities. You can hit high notes more impressive than expected. Why have you limited yourself to simr songs until now?¡±

    ¡°Ah, well...¡±

    ¡°If you were like this from the beginning, you would have debuted long ago.¡±

    At that moment, Goh Yoo-Joon draped an arm around my shoulders, his face bright with excitement. "Nice! All your hard work finally paid off! Ah, I am a bit jealous. I wanted to be the main vocalist too!"

    <i>¡®No, that role was originally yours.¡¯</i>

    Guilt washed over me as I realized that I had unintentionally taken the main vocalist role from Goh Yoo-Joon, and his encouragement only intensified my feelings of guilt, as if I had deliberately snatched his spot.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, don¡¯t worry. Even though you are a sub-vocalist, you will have many parts. You will provide the foundation for our songs.¡±

    ¡°As long as I get many parts, I am happy.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon seemed content as long as he got the chance to sing, and he joyfully patted my back. I responded with an awkwardugh and gently shrugged off his hand. Although I wanted this role, I couldn¡¯tpletely shake off the guilt.

    "And then there is Yoon-Chan." The atmosphere shifted as the team leader transitioned to the next topic. When he mentioned Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s name, the atmosphere in the room seemed to momentarily freeze. Moreover, the expressions of the team leader and the A&R team when looking at him were very different from their looks toward the rest of us.

    "Yes..." Sensing this, Park Yoon-Chan appeared even more reserved. While the team leader¡¯s demeanor might seem excessively stern, it was important to remember that we were still trainees. For someone like Park Yoon-Chan, who was struggling with both his appearance and skills, stringent feedback was essential for his growth and debut prospects.

    "Yoon-Chan, you will be a sub-vocalist. Let''s discuss more about your role after you lose some weight."

    "...Yes, I understand."

    Sadness was written all over Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s face as he nodded, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a deep sense of sympathy for him. Beneath the surface, Park Yoon-Chan was a hidden gem, his potential only obscured by his excess weight and shy nature.

    "Do you remember that you promised to lose ten kilograms in a month during the audition? We will be monitoring your weight once a week, okay?"

    "Yes, I am sorry."

    The team leader and the judges could see Park Yoon-Chan''s potential, which was why they ced him in the debut group. However, he indeedcked the necessary passion and persistence to be an idol, as he seemed to already be on the verge of giving up.

    Everyone in the room remained silent and just looked at Park Yoon-Chan. Sensing the tense atmosphere, the team leader tried to lighten the mood with a forced smile.

    "Anyway, Yoon-Chan, you have so much potential. It''d be a waste if you didn''t debut just because of your weight, right? Let''s work hard."

    "Yes, sir."

    "Oh, right, though it is a bit early, we need to start building a fan base before our debut. We have sent out your profiles to broadcasters."

    "...Oh."

    The incident that had previously put me out of the spotlight was about toe. Despite my attempts to appear nonchnt, I couldn''t suppress the slight tremor in my body.

    "One of the producers I know wants to include you guys in their uing show."

    "Us?"

    "UNET is organizing another survival show for new groups that are about to debut."

    UNET stood at the pinnacle of music broadcasting in South Korea and had a history of producing survival shows with various concepts, including rap and dance battles, featuring even entertainers who had debuted. Now, it seemed that they had turned their attention to new debut groups.

    "Haven''t there already been trainee survival shows?" asked Joo-Han.

    "Yes, but this one is more like an agency survival show."

    The team leader handed us a document from the broadcastingpany.

    "Each agency will send a new group that is preparing to debut, and it is an excellent opportunity to showcase your group dynamics, build a fan base, and so on."

    I remembered that back then, everyone had been busy preparing for this very show. Tragically, the ident, which happened on the first day of filming, had led to all of my scenes being cut.

    "Is the show starting soon?" Joo-Han asked.

    "Don''t worry. The main filming starts in a month."

    "But what should we do?"

    While the other members were stunned by the sudden announcement, Joo-Han was quick to grasp the situation and started strategizing with the team leader.

    "For the time being, keep up the hard work in your practice, and lend Yoon-Chan a hand with his diet. They''ll be filming the audition scene in three weeks."

    "Audition? There''s an audition for this show as well?"

    ¡°Yes, the format is somewhat like an audition, with groups being selected to participate. While the final cast is predetermined, this will be your first chance to make an impression on the public. Joo-Han, I¡¯m counting on you to lead and prepare everyone.¡±

    An employee from the nning department chimed in, offering their assistance. ¡°If you need anything specific for the audition, please don''t hesitate to let us know.¡±

    "Another audition right after we''ve just been through one, huh? Ugh..." Goh Yoo-Joon slumped in his seat, clearly exhausted. He had been through many auditions during his trainee days, and now, with the added pressure of being in the debut group, the idea of doing a survival show sounded overwhelming to him.

    "How is the vibe of the audition?" asked Joo-Han.

    The team leader rifled through some papers as he responded to Joo-Han''s question. ¡°There is no specific vibe, but you can expect everyone to be on their A-game. After all, this is everyone¡¯s first performance in front of the public, so they will be aiming to make a strong impression.¡±

    "Will there be a special stage setup, or will it be more like our end-of-the-month evaluations?"

    "It will be simr to our monthly evaluations. There''s no separate stage setup for this."

    Joo-Han handled the news with remarkableposure, showcasing the traits of a true leader, especially considering the suddenness of the situation.

    As my curiosity was piqued, I skimmed through the documents provided by UNET, wondering how the other members had fared back then. After all, I had never watched the show, still haunted by the ident and my departure from the debut group. I did know the winning prize was a reality show slot, but since I had never heard of our group participating in that reality show, I assumed that they hadn''t won.

    "Regardless, your focus should be on figuring out how to best appeal to the public." The team leader seemed excited as he concluded the meeting, seemingly oblivious to the members'' mixed expressions of anticipation and anxiety.

    The car ride back to the house was filled with discussion about the uing survival show.

    "Man, things really are different when you are in the debut group. We already got a television appearance lined up."

    Lee Jin-Sung''sment was met with a proud smile from the manager. "You guys are lucky. Back in Allure¡¯s day, the only way to appeal pre-debut was through showcases. In that sense, this is really great. You''ve got a great opportunity."

    "I hope we can win since we¡¯ve got the chance to be on the show."

    The other members were chattering excitedly, but a heavy atmosphere hung in the air around the seat next to me. When I turned to look, I saw Park Yoon-Chan, who had been on the receiving end of the team leader''s stern words earlier, staring nkly at the window.

    "Hey, Yoon-Chan..."

    When I gently touched his shoulder, Park Yoon-Chan looked up and smiled awkwardly.

    "I might get cut by the agency if I don''t strictly stick to the diet, right?¡±

    "Well...e on, they wouldn''t do that, would they?" I tried to reassure him although I was aware that the entertainment industry could be ruthless. They might even threaten to terminate his contract, but I believed in Park Yoon-Chan''s determination and ability to ovee this hurdle and eventually debut.

    Noticing his fidgeting fingers, I sighed and gave his back aforting pat. "It''s alright. We all have to watch our weights anyway."

    "Thanks, hyung. It just feels like I amgging behind the other members... It is a bit disheartening."

    "Lagging behind?" I knew that my words might not be enough to fullyfort Park Yoon-Chan. The feeling ofgging behind and the indescribable despair that came with it was something I understood far too well, particrly as the skill gap between me and my peers continued to widen.

    Suddenly, our leader Joo-Han spoke up, silencing the noisy members. "Listen up, everyone. Starting today, all members are going on a diet. This is our first broadcast, and we need to look our best."

    He had to have overheard my conversation with Park Yoon-Chan.

    "I can''t really control my diet, so I will just work out more," Lee Jin-Sung dered, prompting Goh Yoo-Joon to click his tongue in response.

    "I''m going to throw away all of Jin-Sung''s carb-heavy food at the dorm," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    "Wow, that''s extreme."

    It wasn''t just Joo-Han. The other members also seemed to naturallymit to the diet after overhearing our conversation.

    "Thank you so much." Park Yoon-Chan expressed his gratitude, which made Goh Yoo-Joon squirm in difort.

    "Please stop saying thank you! Seriously! It''s too cringy."

    "But I really am grateful..."

    Unable to hold it any longer, everyone burst intoughter, our joyful outburst filling the small car.

    ***

    The next morning, I was woken up by the sound of musicing from the living room. I frowned at the low-quality beat and got out of the bed. As I stepped out of the room, I saw Joo-Han sitting on the couch, looking at something on his phone.

    Still groggy from sleep, I mumbled, ¡°Hyung, what are you doing so early in the morning...?"

    "Ah, you are awake?" Joo-Han nced at me and then went back to look at his phone.

    "Are the other members still asleep?"

    "No, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung already went to school."

    "...Oh, school. Right." I was momentarily taken aback, having forgotten that some of us were still juggling school and trainee life. Goh Yoo-Joon and I had shifted our focus to our trainee activities after taking high school equivalency certificates, while Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung were still attending school.

    I sat next to Joo-Han and looked at his screen. "What is this? Videos of Allure seniors?"

    "Yeah, I am thinking about which song to choose for the audition," Joo-Han sighed. It was clear that he felt the weight of responsibility as the leader, especially since this was our first group activity, and he had to n everything from scratch.

    "Considering that we''re under YMM Entertainment, I thought it might be a good idea to choose a song from our seniors. Hyun-Woo, do you have any suggestions?"

    "Me?" I was surprised, not expecting him to seek my input.

    "You seem to have a good sense for song selection. I thought you might have some ideas."

    <i>¡®A good idea, huh...¡¯ </i>I hesitated, unsure of how my suggestion would be received.

    "I do have an idea," I admitted cautiously.

    "Great, let¡¯s hear it. Anything will help."

    "Uh, well..." I faltered, acutely aware of the potential bacsh.

    "Why are you hesitating? Just speak up. If it''s not a great idea, we can just take it as a reference."

    I knew I risked a metaphorical kick in the back if my idea fell t, but after gathering my courage, I decided to speak up.

    "Hyung, please hear me out without getting angry. Try to understand both my point of view and the reason behind my suggestion."

 Chapter 9: The Future Starts to Change (3)

    <h4>Chapter 9: The Future Starts to Change (3)</h4>

    ¡°You guys haven¡¯t even debuted yet, and this is the path you have chosen?¡± asked the manager.

    Upon hearing his words, Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon deeply furrowed their brows and shook their heads.

    ¡°No, it seems that Joo-Han hyung and Hyun-Woo havepletely lost their minds,¡± said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    "That''s what I''m saying." Lee Jin-Sung nodded in agreement.

    The two usually bickered every day, but they seemed to get along best in moments like this. Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung then red at Joo-Han, their faces filled with dissatisfaction.

    "Joo-Han hyung, if it is too hard on you, we can brainstorm together," Park Yoon-Chan suggested.

    Hearing this, Lee Jin-Sung quickly voiced his agreement. "Exactly. The more I think about it, the more I believe that this approach is not suitable for our first shoot."

    "Well, it''s just my opinion," I said, trying not to sound too insistent. I then avoided the members'' gazes as I leaned my head on my arm. I had assumed they might react strongly to my suggestion, and my prediction turned out to be urate.

    To my surprise, Joo-Han considered my proposal with quite a positive attitude. At this moment, he ced a hand on Lee Jin-Sung''s shoulder, encouraging him to sit down, and he spoke calmly, "Calm down, everyone. Nothing is set in stone yet. I just think there''s some merit in what Hyun-Woo has suggested."

    "Uh, establishing the group''s first image with aedic approach seems... a bit excessive," the manager remarked cautiously.

    Goh Yoo-Joon eximed in anger, "Ah! Have you two really lost your minds?"

    "Is this some kind of joke? Especially with such an important shooting up," said Lee Jin-Sung.

    "It''s not a joke," I stated firmly as I sat straight up. I wanted to make it clear that this was a serious strategy I had put thought into. Sensing that I was fighting this battle alone, Joo-Han decided to back me up.

    "Think about it. When we go on the show, which would create a bigger impact and buzz? Performing a serious song by senior idols, or trying the concept that Hyun-Woo has suggested?¡±

    "Well..."

    Obviously, theedic approach would stand out more regardless of our skill level. As Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon hesitated, Joo-Han pressed on.

    ¡°Once we gain attention, we can start showing our true skills on stage. Which group will intrigue the public the most then?¡±

    "...It would be us." Park Yoon-Chan realized, to which Joo-Han nodded in agreement.

    "Exactly. That¡¯s when we can really show them our impressive skills.¡±

    Ah, I wasn¡¯t very eloquent. Despite my numerous arguments, the members seemed to be convinced more by Joo-Han¡¯s words.

    "It''s definitely a risk and mighte off as a lowbrow. But if done right, we wille off as both entertaining and skillful," said Joo-Han.

    However, even with Joo-Han''s great persuasion, Lee Jin-Sung still looked skeptical.

    "But will everything go as nned? What if the viewers think we are not taking the show seriously?"

    I replied, ¡°Who said anything about ying around? We will approach it with utmost seriousness."

    "Seriousness, you say?"

    I nodded earnestly. We would dance more seriously than ever. Though the song hadedic elements, I was thinking of asking Joo-Han to arrange it with dance breaks, shouts, high notes, and even a rap section. It was about showcasing our skills while maintaining aedic element, like the opening of <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>.

    "Have you gone mad? Are you sick?"

    "I''m not sick. I''m serious!"

    "Hmm..." The manager rubbed his stubbly chin, looking deep in thought. After a moment of contemtion, he seemed to agree with this idea.

    "It is a gamble, but it will definitely make headlines. I think it''s a good idea."

    "Oh! Even you are agreeing to it, hyung?"

    "Survival shows are still part of the entertainment industry, and I think they won''t be too strict with idol trainees."

    "...Ah, I don''t know anymore. I just don''t get what you guys are thinking," said Lee Jin-Sung, feeling defeated.

    Amidst the discussion about presenting Cha-Cha, Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly posed a question.

    "But who is going to be in the center for Cha-Cha? I don''t want to. Will Suh Hyun-Woo be the center?"

    "...That''s a good point."

    Who would take the most spotlight in the center as Cha-Cha? Everyone had been very vocal until now, but faced with this question, Joo-Han, the manager, and I looked at each other. None of us were ready to give a direct answer.

    ***

    After Joo-Han decided to go with <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha </i>as our opening song, he seemed relieved and immediately secluded himself in his studio to work. Days went by without much interaction with Joo-Han, and as the date of the shoot drew closer, Park Yoon-Chan ramped up his efforts to lose weight.

    About a week after we chose the song, I was woken up in the early morning by faint noisesing from the living room. Someone was moving between the living room and kitchen. Feeling thirsty, I got up and walked out. Then, I locked eyes with Park Yoon-Chan who was about to leave the apartment.

    Feeling surprised, I called out, "Park Yoon-Chan?"

    "Oh, did I wake you up?"

    "I just heard some noise."

    In the dimly-lit living room, I could barely make out his figure. After all, he was dressed in a tracksuit and had a cap on.

    "Where are you going?"

    "I¡¯m going to work out. To lose weight..."

    ncing at the clock, I questioned, "At this hour?"

    "Actually, I have been doing this every morning. The members are helping me with my diet, but I feel the need to put in extra effort and exercise on my own."

    I turned on the light and sat on the couch, then Park Yoon-Chan hesitantly sat next to me.

    "No wonder you have been losing weight so quickly."

    "If I don''t lose it, I might get fired. I met the supervisor from thepany earlier and... Well, never mind," Park Yoon-Chan stammered, but I understood the pressure he was under even without him spelling it out. The shooting would start in a month, but the camera crew woulde several times to film us for an introductory video before that.

    YMM Entertainment always strived for perfection, so they must have put additional pressure on Park Yoon-Chan due to his excess weight.

    Park Yoon-Chan asked with a voice full of sorrow, ¡°...Hyung, am I that fat?¡±

    Taken aback by his sudden question, I directly responded, ¡°What? No, of course not.¡±

    ¡°Do I look unfit for broadcast?¡±

    "No, I''m not sure. Well... in terms of your weight, aren''t you within the normal range?"

    With a hint of frustration in his voice, he wondered aloud, "That''s what I thought... but how much slimmer do they expect me to be?"

    I didn¡¯t know what to say tofort him. The harsh reality was that the entertainment industry often held artists to unrealistic standards.

    Though I felt uneasy about it, I said, "If thepany says you need to lose weight, then I guess you should try to follow their advice."

    <i>¡®Would I be able to side with Park Yoon-Chan and get angry for him if my mind was as young as my neen-year-old appearance?¡¯</i>

    As someone ustomed to the life of a trainer, I only thought that he had to lose weight in order to debut. Then, Park Yoon-Chan would be more visually appealing without chubby cheeks.

    "...Yes, I have to lose it."

    "They are probably worried that a promising trainee might not get the recognition he deserves on screen because of his weight."

    I ended the conversation quickly. I could notfort him, so what more could I say?

    "Do you think I have a chance to debut?"

    "Huh? Of course, you are already in the debut team."

    Park Yoon-Chan looked like he was about to cry, and it struck me why he felt so sad. His self-esteem had hit rock bottom due to his insufficient skills and thepany''s relentless pressure. He was just like my past self.

    "I haven''t been assigned any significant role or position yet. All I ever hear is that I need to lose weight... Honestly, I don¡¯t even know why I am in the debut team."

    I was not good at consoling... It felt a bit exhausting to find words tofort Park Yoon-Chan. ¡°You''re in the debut team for a reason. Maybe the supervisor is just being tough on you because he sees your potential and wants you to seed. He''s known for being straightforward."

    "But they said my skills were just average even during the audition."

    "Uh... why don''t you go work out first?" I suggested, feeling out of my depth.

    I was really bad at being aforting friend. If I could, I wanted to wake up Joo-Han and pass this task onto him.

    "Just do what you have to do, and don''t throw a tantrum. Go work out ande back. Show them in the uing broadcast that you are someone with both skills and potential."

    "In the broadcast...?"

    "Yeah, I should ask Joo-Han hyung to give all the center positions to you."

    "I don''t want that. I don''t like being the center. Ah, I will go to exercise now."

    What was going on? Park Yoon-Chan, who seemed determined to discuss his concerns, quickly left the dormitory after hearing my suggestion. I thought he was okay with the concept since he hadn''t voiced any objections during the meeting.

    <i>''What''s wrong with being the center for Cha-Cha...''</i>

    I genuinely believed Park Yoon-Chan was the perfect fit for the center position in Cha-Cha. I had been nning to rmend him for that position, as it presented an excellent opportunity for him to shine in a prominent role for the first time.

    <i>¡®...Wait a minute.¡¯</i>

    <i>''What if I end up being chosen instead?''</i>

    That thought was slightly overwhelming.

    It was 6 AM, and the sun was slowly rising. I stared at the door through which Park Yoon-Chan had disappeared, determined to reduce my part and increase Park Yoon-Chan''s part to make sure he became the center for Cha-cha.

    ...Well, I knew I was capable of being the center, but it was for Park Yoon-Chan''s sake.

    ***

    About ten days before the shooting, we had to keep adjusting our rap, dance, and vocals to match Cha-Cha''s opening. It was exhausting.

    Lee Jin-Sungmented, "Joo-Han hyung must not have been in his right mind when he arranged this song."

    "And you are dancing on it. You are no different," countered Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Rubbing my sore lower back, I couldn¡¯t help but agree. "We''re all not in the right mind."

    The absurdity of the situation was not lost on us. Some of us had initially opposed the Cha-Cha concept, but now, even the most resistant among us were starting to enjoy it. Joo-Han''s touch had metamorphosed the once sweet children''s melody into a slow hip-hop tune, unraveling Cha-Cha''s life journey from the tender age of twelve to twenty-two.

    ¡°Full of mistakes, ha! Cute Cha-cha~¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Mysterious magical pendant~¡±

    <i>¡®Look at that.¡¯ </i>Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung, who used to hate the idea, were having the most fun now. All of us started to enjoy the concept and sang the verses of the song with various ad-libs whenever we had the chance.

    ¡°Uh, uh, when we join forces, nothing is impossible! We are the Electron Rangers, yo!¡±

    ¡°Hey, there is no such rap.¡±

    As time went on, the song evolved, giving birth to various versions including R&B, trot, rap, and hip-hop.

    <i>¡®We need to showcase this yful side of ours on broadcast as soon as possible...¡¯</i>

    Our ability to have fun with <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha </i>was something I believed could really set us apart from ourpetition and help us establish our desired group image.

    Just then, the door to the practice room swung open, and our manager walked in.

    ¡°How¡¯s it going, guys? You seem to be making good progress,¡± he said, looking around at all of us.

    We stopped and gathered around the manager as he handed out drinks. He then said, ¡°I just came from a meeting, and we have narrowed down some names for the group. We will discuss it in the conference room in a bit. Also, we have to suddenly schedule a profile shoot due to UNET¡¯s request.¡±

    ¡°Ohhh, a profile shoot?¡±

    As I tried to open my drink, my hands trembled uncontrobly. The lighting ident, which had urred on the day of the profile shoot, was suddenly at the forefront of my mind, casting a shadow over the excitement.

 Chapter 10: The Future Starts to Change (4)

    <h4>Chapter 10: The Future Starts to Change (4)</h4>

    We would be called <i>the debut team </i>until we finally decided on our group name, so the members gathered around the table, closely examining the list of potential names before us.

    Breaking the silence, Park Yoon-Chanmented, ¡°Honestly, I was worried, but the options seem better than I thought.¡±

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement. ¡°True. During Allure¡¯s days, they had some really absurd name suggestions. I am d ours are more sensible.¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung pulled a piece of paper toward him. ¡°Yoon-Chan hyung, how do you read this?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh, this is Azureine, and the one below is ted."

    There were five names in total and all of them were in English, which proved to be a bit challenging for some of us to read. Goh Yoo-Joon, Lee Jin-Sung, and Park Yoon-Chan were more interested in understanding the pronunciation and meaning of the words rather than actually choosing a name.

    ¡°What do you guys like... Oh,e on, you dummies,¡± Joo-Han sighed, feeling exasperated. He ended up writing down the meanings and pronunciations next to the names to help them out.

    ¡°Wow, I really need to study English. Thanks, hyung,¡± Yoo-Joon said, grateful yet slightly embarrassed.

    ¡°Ah, these guys...¡± Joo-Han could only shake his head.

    ¡°Hyung, just because we can¡¯t speak English doesn''t mean we can¡¯t make music, okay?¡± stated Jin-Sung.

    The two desperately defended themselves, but they ended up quieting down after a light smack from Joo-Han.

    ¡°Why are you so quiet, Hyun-Woo? Which name do you like?¡±

    My attention returned to the paper as Joo-Han posed his question.

    The options were:

    ted (Brimming with joy)

    Lyrical (Beautiful and passionate)

    Azurine (Sky-blue)

    Chronos (God of time)

    Chronicle (Record)

    I decided to stick with my original preference in the past. ¡°I think Chronicle would be good. It kind of symbolizes carving out our own history."

    "Ugh, it¡¯s too cheesy, Hyun-Woo!"

    "Shut up, Goh Yoo-Joon."

    Anyway, all the options were a bit embarrassing to say out loud.

    Joo-Han then redirected the conversation. ¡°So, Yoo-Joon. Instead of arguing with Hyun-Woo, how about you tell me your preference?¡±

    ¡°I like Chronos. The pronunciation sounds cool,¡± Yoo-Joon answered.

    Park Yoon-Chan chose Azurine because he liked the color of the sky, and Lee Jin-Sung chose ted, hoping that the group would embody confidence. Surprisingly, we all had different preferences, leading to a lively debate over the names.

    However, the manager and the supervisor intervened as the members seemed to be just ying around.

    ¡°Okay, quiet down a bit. Joo-Han, what about you?¡±

    ¡°I''m fine with anything except Lyrical. Saying ¡®Hello, we¡¯re Lyrical¡¯ sounds weird.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Doesn''t ¡®We¡¯re Chronos¡¯ sound the best?¡±

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, shut your mouth, or you are out!¡±

    Under the supervisor¡¯s stern tone, Goh Yoo-Joon reluctantly shut up.

    ¡°You''ve been quiet since earlier, Hyun-Woo. Not particrly attached to Chronicle?¡± asked a member of the nning team.

    All eyes from the nning team were on me, waiting for my response. Yet, just now, they had been telling the members to be quiet, so I simply gave them a bashful smile.

    ¡°I think any name would be fine,¡± I answered.

    Why bother arguing over a group name that had already been decided in my previous life? Back then, the name had been set as ted after Lee Jin-Sung strongly advocated for it, saying it had a good meaning. Everyone had then agreed to it without any further discussion.

    However, this time around, things were taking a different turn.

    ¡°Wow, what¡¯s up with Hyun-Woo hyung? He¡¯s suddenly looking so mature. When did he be so cool?¡± Jin-Sung eximed, genuinely surprised.

    ¡°What? Lee Jin-Sung, you must need new sses. Ask the manager to order one for you.¡±

    The dynamic had shiftedpletely. I, who should have been advocating for Chronicle, was expressing indifference, and this seemed to influence the others.

    Lee Jin-Sung nodded, following my lead. ¡°I am fine with any name, just not Lyrical. Actually, all the other options seem okay.¡±

    ¡°Actually, me too...¡± Park Yoon-Chan chimed in with his agreement. The atmosphere was drastically different from the past when everyone had aggressively pushed for their preferred option, seemingly without any real attachment to the names.

    Then, Goh Yoo-Joon also shrugged. ¡°Actually, I don''t care either.¡±

    I was at a loss.

    <i>¡®Is the group name really going to change? What? Could something as important as the group name change just because of some conversation? No way.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Well, I like ted.¡±

    I tried to appeal for the original group name, but...

    ¡°Hey, hyung, you don''t need to go out of your way for me. Actually, Chronicle suits us well.¡± Lee Jin-Sung started to advocate for the name I proposed, mistakenly thinking that I was considering his preferences. This wasn''t how it should be. We needed to assert our own opinions, not just yield to each other...

    <i>¡®Why is everyone behaving like this?¡¯</i>

    Supervisor Kim raised an eyebrow, as he seldom witnessed such a considerate side from the group members.

    ¡°Hmm, is that so? Well then, let''s proceed this way. We just need to exclude Lyrical, the name that none of you seem to favor. Then, we''ll make a decision like this.¡± Supervisor Kim started tearing a piece of paper into four and scribbled the other four names. After that, he threw the folded pieces of paper in the middle of the table.

    ¡°The youngest member will take the pick.¡±

    ¡°...It''s not a baby¡¯s first birthday celebration,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled, questioning the process, yet no one dared to voice any objections.

    Seeing no more seniors challenging Supervisor Kim''s approach, I eventually mustered the courage to speak up once more. ¡°It is a name we will be known by. Are we sure we want to decide it so hastily?¡±

    ¡°Then, Hyun-Woo, do you have a better suggestion?¡± responded Supervisor Kim.

    ¡°I think we should take some more time to discuss this together.¡±

    ¡°The names that have been presented were chosen after extensive discussions. I''ve brought them here for you to make the final decision.¡±

    At that moment, Goh Yoo-Joon pped my back and told me to shut up.

    ¡°Quiet down.¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung then stood up, choosing a piece of paper randomly to decide on the name.

    <i>¡®Well, do whatever you want.¡¯</i>

    I leaned back on my chair, feeling defeated. It seemed that my opinion held no real weight now. I couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy about changing a name I had been attached to for nearly six years, all because of a slight shift in my actions.

    All eyes were fixed on Lee Jin-Sung''s hand.

    ¡°I''ve made my choice!¡± Finally, he lifted the paper and unfolded it, only to cry out. ¡°Ah! No way.¡±

    With a disappointed expression, Lee Jin-Sung ced the paper on the table. On the other hand, seeing the name on the paper, Goh Yoo-Joon jumped up excitedly.

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    Everyone could tell the chosen group name by Goh Yoo-Joon''s reaction.

    "It''s Chronos. From now on, you guys are Chronos."

    At that moment, the group''s name was officially established as <i>Chronos</i>.

    ¡°...Haha.¡±

    While everyone was enthusiastically celebrating the new name, I only let out a faint chuckle, not expecting the name to change like this. It was different from the debut audition where I had given my all to change my role; here, the name had changed simply because of a difference in opinion.

    ¡°Now, the group name is set as Chronos. Everyone, go practice.¡±

    Following the manager¡¯s words, the other members started to leave the meeting room, and I followed them while biting my lip.

    <i>¡®Is this okay?¡¯</i>

    Well, changing the group name wasn''t a big deal, but it just felt strange.

    ***

    ¡°Let¡¯s decide it with rock-paper-scissors. Ready? Rock-paper-scissors!¡±

    ¡°Ah, rock-paper-scissors again. Shouldn''t Hyun-Woo be the one to decide since we all agreed on it?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t dump the responsibility on him. It¡¯s a decision we all made together.¡±

    The members collectively sighed. With the audition filming just a week away, our new outfits had arrived for the fitting. I should have sensed something amiss when the stylists entered, chuckling to themselves.

    They made sure our outfits, while adhering to amon theme, reflected our individual personalities through subtle modifications. Some of us wore shorts, while the others had their white aprons enhanced with added frills.

    This was all expected, and we casually picked out our outfits. However, the real issue arose when we saw thest outfit.

    ¡°Come on, it can¡¯t all just be normal outfits. We need a <i>transformed adult </i>outfit<i> </i>as well!¡±

    This was the suggestion from one of the excited stylists, who wasn''t directly involved in our project. The outfit featured a skirt that was above the knees and quite tight-fitting, making it a challenge to wearfortably. This sparked an intense debate among the members about who would end up wearing it.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is the center. He should wear the most eye-catching outfit.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to. The center should wear the normal outfit.¡±

    ¡°Then who will wear this? Should we do rock-paper-scissors?¡± suggested Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Gosh, you really like rock-paper-scissors.¡± Joo-Han clicked his tongue.

    The chief stylistughed as she watched our argument and suggested, ¡°Let the one it suits the most wear it, perhaps the most delicate-looking one. Since we want to showcase the legs, it should be someone with nice legs.¡±

    All eyes turned to one person.

    ¡°...Excuse me?¡± Park Yoon-Chan gasped.

    ¡°Lately, Yoon-Chan has lost weight and looks so much better, right?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon patted Yoon-Chan on the back.

    Joo-Han agreed, ¡°Yoon-Chan, let''s wax your legs. What do they call it again? That day''s <i>visual fairy</i> is you.¡±

    ¡°No, I just want to wear the regr outfit...¡±

    I silently handed the <i>transformed </i>outfit to Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Hyung...¡±

    After all, Jin-Sung, with his muscr legs developed from dancing, yed a crucial role during the dance break. As a result, a short skirt wasn''t a feasible option for him. Neither Goh Yoo-Joon nor I suited the delicate look required, and nobody dared to suggest it to Joo-Han.

    The stylists agreed with our assessment and supported our decision. ¡°Yoon-Chan will look great in it. Since Hyun-Woo is the center, he should stick with the original outfit. We specifically chose pants for Jin-Sung, considering his dance role.¡±

    Jin-Sung offered insincerely, ¡°Hey, Yoon-Chan hyung, if it''s too hard for you, I will wear it. I can wear inner shorts with it.¡±

    After hesitating for a bit, Yoon-Chan firmly nodded. ¡°I will wear it. If it helps the team...¡±

    <i>¡®I''m sorry, Yoon-Chan.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Alright, outfits are decided. Shall we continue practicing?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Had our teamwork ever been this strong before? Joo-Han swiftly resolved the situation, ensuring there were no further changes. Everyone, except Yoon-Chan, promptly returned to practicing.

    ¡°I recently binge-watched <i>Cha-Cha</i>. It was really entertaining.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really? I watched the opening and then ended up getting rmended to watch <i>Angel Thief Neta</i>. Ah, that brings back memories.¡±

    ¡°Enough chit-chat. Jin-Sung, let¡¯s go over your dance break part again. Let''s get to it.¡±

    Under Joo-Han¡¯s directive, the song filled the practice room, and our rehearsal resumed. After a while, Yoon-Chan rejoined us, buoyed by theforting words of the stylists.

    ***

    Up until that moment, I hadn¡¯t touched my coffee, but when I did, the cup started to quiver in my hand. Seeing my trembling hand and the coffee cup, I took a deep breath. If I didn''t consciously focus on breathing, I felt like I would suffocate.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you okay? You look really pale.¡±

    The stylist who was working on my hair expressed her concern. I shook my head, trying to offer a reassuring smile, and looked straight ahead. However, my reflection in the mirror disyed a very tense expression.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo doesn''t look well, right?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The manager approached after hearing the stylist''s call and examined myplexion. I avoided his gaze, attempting to dismiss his concern.

    ¡°I am fine. I just didn¡¯t sleep well.¡±

    ¡°If you are not feeling well, let''s go to the hospital. You will struggle if you''re not in good condition today.¡±

    Other members nced at me from their seats. Unable to bear it anymore, I eventually put down my coffee and stood up.

    ¡°I need to use the bathroom for a moment.¡±

    ¡°Okay, go around the desk and you¡¯ll find it.¡±

    Today was the day scheduled for our profile picture shoot, and it was also the day of the lighting ident that I vividly remembered. I stared intently at my reflection, seeing a young version of myself, unscarred and whole. However, in my mind, the image of my disfigured self ovepped with the reflection.

    ¡®<i>Everything has to go ording to n.¡¯</i>

    I had spent days in bed, pondering how to alter the course of events and protect both Jin-Sung and myself from the ident. The real challenge was to ensure that everything unfolded as I intended.

    <i>¡®It''s going to be alright.¡¯</i>

    I reassured myself, taking another deep breath to steady my nerves and push away the haunting memories of that fateful day.

 Chapter 11: The Future Starts to Change (5)

    <h4>Chapter 11: The Future Starts to Change (5)</h4>

    My debut outfit had changed from the traditional ck suit and tie to a somewhat loose-fitting shirt paired with beige pants. It seemed that changing the roles and songs also called for a change in attire.

    "Wow, you guys look so different up close."

    Our manager lined us up, repeatedly expressing his admiration. Indeed, we usually roamed around in workout clothes and messy hair, but after donning our new outfits, we started to look like true celebrities.

    "Getting dressed really does make a difference."

    Lee Jin-Sung seemed quite pleased with his appearance, continually stealing nces at himself in the mirror, wearing a somewhat arrogant expression on his face.

    "Let''s get going. We are runningte."

    "Okay!"

    The members then got in the car and headed to the filming set.

    "Oh, by the way, there¡¯s supposed to be an articleing out today rted to our survival show." Our manager scrolled through his phone and then passed it to Goh Yoo-Joon who was seated in the front passenger seat.

    "The article is out. Here."

    After skimming through the article, Goh Yoo-Joon had a mix of astonishment and admiration on his face as he passed the phone to the rest of us in the back seat.

    "Wow, they are calling us a prospective group. Like we are promising rookies or something," eximed Yoo-Joon.

    "Even SU Entertainment is participating. I thought their CEO said he wouldn''t send anyone," added the manager.

    While our manager and Goh Yoo-Joon chatted, the phone made its way around and was eventually handed to me.

    <i>[UNET''s next big project: Boy Group Survival! Six teams from each agency will battle in </i>Pick We Up<i>]</i>

    <i>(Picture of the previous </i>Pick We Up<i> logo.jpg)</i>

    <i>UNET is gearing up for a survivalpetition among prospective boy groups. In </i>Pick We Up<i>, six prospective boy groups from various agencies will face off in a reality show.</i>

    Pick We Up <i>is the boy group version ofst year''s </i>Pick We Up<i>, where the girl group Renewal, who were the final winners, made a sessful debut amid much attention. Consequently, the uing actions and cast of </i>Pick We Up<i> are attracting significant attention as well.</i>

    <i>Meanwhile, UNET revealed that filming has already begun, and several top-tier agencies, including the famous YU and SU Entertainments, are participating with their top prospects.</i>

    <i>[emailprotected]</a></i>

    <i><Copyright ? Gogi News. Unauthorized copying and distributing are prohibited.></i>

    There were more articles like this. From its trending status, it was clear that the show was already generating significant buzz.

    "I''ve read all of them." I handed back the phone without much emotion and looked out of the window again.

    "Wait, did you say it''s a reality show? Did we ever discuss this?" asked Jin-Sung.

    "We did at the meeting. You must have missed it while you were distracted, Lee Jin-Sung," said the manager.

    "That''s not it. There''s just been so much informationtely."

    The car was filled with the loud chatter of my group members, but my mind was elsewhere, preupied with the uing profile shoot rather than the audition or the reality show.

    ¡°By the way, I haven¡¯t told you guys yet, but during the profile shoot, UNET will be bringing in cameras to film a brief introduction video," the manager blurted suddenly.

    Yes, my mind was upied because of that.

    "What? Why are you telling us this now?"

    "I just found out a few hours ago. Just act naturally during the shoot. Don''t be too conscious of the camera, but if they approach and ask questions, make sure to respond with enthusiasm."

    Once again, my thoughts drifted back to the moment of the ident. All the footage from that day was discarded due to it... And I couldn¡¯t help but recall that traumatic event.

    "We''re also going to shoot some behind-the-scenes footage on our end. Just try to stay rxed."

    "Why didn¡¯t you mention this earlier? The guys are already quite nervous."

    "Haha, my apologies for the oversight. I should have informed Joo-Han in advance."

    Shortly after our conversation, we arrived at the filming site. One by one, the members and I stepped out of the car, following the manager''s instructions. I paused for a moment to take a deep breath, reminding myself that all I needed to do was stay focused to ensure that the day would proceed without any issues. I was determined not to lose this second chance.

    "Once we''re inside, make sure to greet everyone loudly and mind your manners, okay?" the manager advised.

    "Of course. We''ve gone through three years of etiquette training at thepany."

    "Let''s do this, Chronos," Joo-Han pronounced our group name with a cheeky grin, which drew chuckles from all the members.

    "Wow, I still can''t get used to the name Chronos."

    "It''s not the name we''re not used to. It¡¯s just Joo-Han hyung''s awkward way of saying it that¡¯s weird."

    Everyone continued to chatter about the group¡¯s name until we entered the filming set. Upon arrival, we suddenly became stiff, looking around as if we were neers in Seoul.

    Then, a friendly staff member noticed us and smiled. "Chronos has arrived!"

    All eyes were on us following the staff''s announcement, and we quickly bowed in unison.

    "Hello! We''re Chronos! Nice to meet you all!"

    Our well-practiced greeting elicitedughter and positive responses from the crew on the set.

    "Oh, what great voices."

    "Did you guys practice the greetings as well? Come closer, let us see your faces." The staff seemed very friendly toward us, probably because they found our rookie enthusiasm endearing.

    "You all look handsome. Today''s photos will turn out great."

    "Thank you so much. They are new, so they mightck experience," our manager said.

    "Don¡¯t worry. We''ve got plenty of time for the shoot, so let''s do our best."

    We continued to greet the people on the set. Then, Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung came to an abrupt stop, their faces etched with frowns.

    "Cigarette smoke."

    "Look at that smoke over there."

    Upon hearing them, Goh Yoo-Joon directly covered his nose with an unpleasant expression.

    "Smoking on the set? Are they out of their minds?" Yoo-Joon blurted out.

    "Quiet," Joo-Han hushed Goh Yoo-Joon, "You never know who might overhear."

    Nheless, both Joo-Han and the manager¡¯s expressions became serious.

    ¡°Hello, sir. This is Chronos.¡± The manager approached the smoking man while greeting him, but everyone knew that the manager was trying his best to rx his expression. The smoking man then nced at the members with a weary expression.

    "Oh, they are still kids. I''m the lighting director. Yes, do your best."

    "...One, two, three. Hello, we are Chronos! Thank you in advance for your help!"

    "Ah, you guys are noisy." The lighting director waved his hand dismissively as if we were a bother to him.

    Taking the cue, we all turned away and left the director alone. Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but voice his thoughts, "What¡¯s with him? He¡¯s really unpleasant."

    "I agree. His words are quite off-putting. Is it because we¡¯re just newbies?"

    The behind-the-scenes camera continued to roll, capturing our interactions. However, despite the generally friendly atmosphere on the set, the lighting director¡¯s rudeness was evident.

    <i>''And that man... he was the cause of my ident in the past.''</i>

    After wepleted our round of greetings, UNET cameras had also arrived. When one of the cameras turned toward us, Goh Yoo-Joon, despite his earlierints, managed to put on a smile. Nevertheless, his smile seemed forced and awkward.

    "Hey, rx. Just be natural," I whispered to him.

    "Easy for you to say," he muttered in response.

    As Goh Yoo-Joon and I took our seats, the stylists started to work on fixing our disheveled hair. Seizing the moment, I called out to our manager, "In-Hyun hyung."

    "Yes? What is it? Are you still feeling unwell?"

    "No, not that. When we went to greet the lighting team earlier, the lights seemed a bit shaky. Could you check on that?"

    "Really? I didn''t notice. But sure, I will go and check."

    From the outside, the lighting equipment seemed to be perfectly fine. However, based on my knowledge of the ident, a small screw inside hade loose, and the already unstable equipment had been overheating for a while, which likely caused the screw to loosen even more and fall out.

    If the manager didn''t recheck the equipment, I would probably suffer from a potential ident again.

    "Let¡¯s start shooting!"

    As the photo shoot started, I noticed the manager talking to the lighting director. From their expressions, it was clear that the director was being defensive, insisting that there was no issue with the lighting equipment.

    For a brief moment, the lighting director¡¯s gaze met mine, and he pointed at me sharply.

    "The member in the center! Look straight ahead! How about changing your posture a bit?"

    "Oh, yes!"

    I quickly shifted my focus and concentrated on the shooting.

    ***

    "Did you sleep well?" The UNET camera approached as I was having my individual shoot.

    "Sorry?" I was looking at the chandelier lights above us and was taken aback by the sudden question. The cameraman kindly smiled and asked again, "Did you sleep well?"

    I awkwardly smiled. "Ah... Well, not really."

    "Is it because it''s your first shoot and you''re nervous?"

    "Yes, I couldn''t sleep."

    I couldn''t sleep thinking about the lighting ident. After that, the cameraman didn''t ask any more questions, but the camera kept filming me, making me wonder if I should say something.

    "Hyun-Woo really couldn''t sleep. You were the one walking around the dorm living room in the early morning, right?" Joo-Han recounted as he came over and put his hand on my shoulder. I truly felt relieved by his gesture.

    I replied, "That wasn''t me. It was Yoon-Chan who went to work out. Did you know he hits the gym every morning?"

    "I knew about that. He is reallymitted to his diet."

    When I continued the conversation with Joo-Han in front of the camera, the manager quietly called me from behind the camera.

    ¡°I will go ahead with the shooting,¡± I said.

    As I rose from my chair, the camera¡¯s focus seamlessly shifted to highlight Joo-Han, leaving me to discreetly pull the manager aside to a quiet corner. His expression was one of evident frustration.

    ¡°He got really defensive, insisting that there¡¯s nothing wrong with the equipment. Even when we tried to check it, heshed out, cursing at you guys who haven''t even debuted yet, questioning what you could possibly know about such matters,¡± the manager eximed.

    ¡°...Oh, is that so?¡±

    ¡°This is uneptable. If there¡¯s a potential issue with the equipment, shouldn¡¯t we at least double-check it? His carelessness can lead to serious consequences.¡±

    The manager¡¯s frustration seemed to grow as he thought about the lighting director¡¯s dismissive attitude toward our worries. The manager was particrly upset because it seemed as though the director couldn¡¯tprehend the severe repercussions that could arise from such negligence.

    Lost in my thoughts, I muttered under my breath, "Damn it."

    "...Whoa! Hey! Are you crazy?" the manager eximed, taken aback by my uncharacteristic outburst.

    "Huh? Oh."

    "How can you swear here, of all ces? There are so many eyes on us." The manager¡¯s expression grew stern. Feeling awkward, I looked around and quickly excused myself from the spot.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I''m going to shoot the subunit scene now,¡± I said

    ¡°That guy hardly ever swears, so why did he choose to do it here?¡± I overheard some staff members whispering amongst themselves as they looked at us. Even Lee Jin-Sung was watching me with curiosity.

    With only the unit scene¡ªthe scene of my past ident¡ªremaining, I took a deep breath to steady myself. If I had to face those harsh lights without any assurance of the equipment¡¯s safety, I needed to be fullyposed.

    ¡°Hyung, why does the manager look so upset?¡± Lee Jin-Sung inquired, as his attention was now on me.

    "Ah, I did something."

    "Did you scare him by saying that his hair is getting bald again?"

    "No, it wasn¡¯t that."

    Lee Jin-Sung chuckled and entered the set. I then took my designated seat, adjusted my posture, and looked at the camera.

    "Can you make a slightly dazed expression? Rx your face and tilt your head slightly to the right."

    <i>¡®When did the chandelier fall? Was there any warning before the lights copsed?¡¯</i>

    As I tried to remember the timing, the photo shoot continued. I merely followed the director''s instructions, changing positions and getting ufortably close to Jin-Sung.

    "Wow... it''s creepy to be this close to you," he joked with muffled pronunciation as if he was conscious of his breath.

    I teased, "Didn''t you brush your teeth? You ate a lot during lunchtime."

    "Yes, I did brush my teeth."

    I continued the photo shoot with anxiety as if I were ying Russian roulette.

    "Hey! Hey! Get out!"

    The sudden descent of the chandelier, apanied by the urgent shouts from the lighting crew, immediately captured my attention. The grand light fixture crashed down from above us.

    "Oh." That was all I could utter as I realized the gravity of the situation.

    "...Huh?" Lee Jin-Sung, on the other hand, was momentarily frozen. He could only stare at the falling chandelier with widened eyes.

    <i>¡®Are you out of your mind?¡¯ </i>Adrenaline was surging through my veins. Without a second thought, I clenched my teeth, grabbed Jin-Sung by his cor, and pulled him toward me while I took a swift step back. In the chaos, Jin-Sung toppled onto me.

    "Ah, ah!" he eximed, his voice filled with shock.

    The chandelier and lights crashed to the ground, shattering upon impact. Their fragments were sent flying in all directions, and some found their way to my leg.

    <i>Sssssh-</i>

    The sound of fabric and skin being torn filled my ears.

    "Aaargh!" I couldn''t hold back the cry of pain.

    "What, what happened?!" Panicked screams echoed throughout the set.

    The broken lights, now a pile of wreckage, sparked and ignited the carpet, setting it aze.

    <i>''Damn, was that supposed to fall on my face?'' </i>My mind was in turmoil. It had been a close call, narrowly avoiding what could have been a catastrophic incident.

    "Phew..." I exhaled with a shaky breath as I tried to assess the situation through the thick smoke.

    I then turned my attention to Jin-Sung, who was still on top of me. He looked stunned as he stared at the wreckage.

    "...Hey, are you okay?" I asked. My voice was strained as I started to feel the pain in my leg again.

    "Huh? Oh, yeah, I was scared... but are you okay?" He quickly scrambled to his feet, his concern evident on his face. "Thank you... Hey! Your leg! You''re bleeding!"

    Both of us were not injured to a serious extent. "Phew, that''s a relief," I murmured, as the reality of the situation started to sink in.

    "No, Hyun-Woo! Your leg is bleeding, are you okay?" Jin-Sung''s worry was palpable.

    The staff started to gather around me with concerned expressions. At that moment, the pain in my leg or the possibility of shards embedded in my skin seemed inconsequential. What mattered was that we both emerged from the incident without severe injuries.

    My teammates looked at me with serious expressions as I was carefully helped to my feet and led toward the waiting vehicle. <i>¡®It¡¯s over,¡¯</i> I thought to myself. Everything hade to an end.

    Yes, the shoot was ruined, and I was injured, but the overwhelming relief that we had both narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation made those details seem trivial. Yet, as soon as I settled into the car, a sharp pain shot through my nose, bringing a new wave of difort.

 Chapter 12: The Future Starts to Change (6)

    <h4>Chapter 12: The Future Starts to Change (6)</h4>

    UNET¡¯s cameraman, Han Yi-Soo, let out a deep sigh and raised his camera amidst the chaotic scene unfolding before him.

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s broken. Shit.¡±

    The situation was grave. A chandelier and lights hovered dangerously above the heads of two newbie idols. Acting on instinct, Han Yi-Soo directly ced his expensive camera on a nearby table and rushed over to help.

    Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but one of the trainees involved in the shoot had a leg injury and needed to be transported to the hospital. Once the immediate crisis had been handled and everything had calmed down, Han Yi-Soo returned to find his camera lying on the floor, having tumbled during themotion.

    ¡°Do I have to pay for this? I probably do, right? Oh no,¡± mumbled Han Yi-Soo to himself in frustration as he fidgeted with the camera. At this moment, Chief Producer Director Lee Won-Jae, who had been observing the situation, approached him.

    "Mr. Han, did you manage to capture the ident on camera?"

    "Huh? Oh, um, yes. I think everything was recorded. I¡¯m not entirely sure about the video quality, but the audio should have captured everything. Why do you ask?"

    "Give me the camera." With a sly grin on his lips, Lee Won-Jae took the camera from Han Yi-Soo to review the footage.

    ¡°Umm... Shouldn''t we be careful about using this footage?¡±

    "Just be quiet." Lee Won-Jae¡ªinfamous as the ¡°King of Maniptive Editing¡± and the mastermind behind various hit survival shows starting with <i>Rapstar</i>¡ªwas adept at creating sensational moments for television.

    <i>''It''s also going to be a big hit this time.''</i>

    Despite the trainees not being very well-known yet, he believed that getting involved in this program was the right decision. Furthermore, the footage he had just acquired was priceless: a member and a manager foreseeing a lighting issue, a lighting director scolding them, and an idol swiftly acting to save his colleague. The content was sensational, perfect for boosting viewership.

    Having worked with Lee Won-Jae multiple times, Han Yi-Soo couldn¡¯t help but express his concerns upon seeing the director¡¯s expression.

    "Director Lee, you''re not nning to air this footage, are you? Broadcasting such an ident could lead to a bacsh."

    "Mr. Han, do you really think I¡¯m not aware of that? I have a n."

    "But if this gets out, many people here could lose their jobs," Han Yi-Soo said as he cast a nce at the filming crew. At this moment, Chronos''s manager, Joh In-Hyun, was locked in a heated argument with the director of photography.

    However, it seemed that Lee Won-Jae was already on his phone, presumably discussing with UNET.

    "Director Lee?"

    Lee Won-Jae clicked his tongue after hearing Han Yi-Soo¡¯s call. "Don''t worry. I will handle it. Besides, people like them need to face the consequences."

    Despite almost causing someone''s death, the lighting director would, at best, get a minor reprimand. Lee Won-Jae might not be seeking revenge on behalf of Chronos, but in one way or another, the ipetent filmingpany would get what they deserved through his cunning method.

    Good riddance!

    "Mr. Han, I am going to meet with the entertainment reporters in Seoul. Wrap things up here and head back," Lee Won-Jae said.

    "Uh? Okay, please take care," Han Yi-Soo answered. Following that, Lee Won-Jae left the scene with the broken camera in hand.

    ***

    The whole incident on the set felt surreal; however, as I examined my injuries, I realized that the ss shards had prated quite deeply. Seeing my condition, the road manager who brought me to the hospital looked visibly shaken. Nevertheless, I couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved¡ªa minor leg injury was far preferable to a facial wound.

    "I¡¯m sorry, Hyun-Woo hyung," Lee Jin-Sung said, looking uneasy beside me.

    Hearing his apology, I simply chuckled and shook my head. "Is it your fault? You could have died."

    Joo-Han, who was standing behind Jin-Sung, joined the conversation with a concerned tone. "Both of you were in danger. My heart dropped for a bit there."

    "Thank you for saving me, Hyun-Woo hyung."

    I had to admit that I was lucky as Jin-Sung was lighter than I had expected.

    "So, how did the filming go? And what about manager hyung?"

    "He''s still at the site, arguing. He had warned them about the faulty lights earlier. He even grabbed the lighting director by the cor, causing quite a scene."

    I couldn''t help shing a wry smile at Joo-Han''s description of the events. In reality, there was a good chance the issue would be swept under the rug. Years ago, a simr incident had urred, and although thepany receivedpensation, the lighting director only faced minor disciplinary action before returning to work.

    <i>¡®Would this situation be any different? At most, thepany might face some bacsh because an unknown trainee got injured.¡¯</i>

    "And what about Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan?" I asked.

    "They''re back there, checking the footage. They said they''d check ours too, so they stayed while the rest of us came here."

    "They said we won''t be reshooting since we were thest group."

    "I had to force Yoo-Joon to stay there. He would have created a ruckus if he came," said Joo-Han.

    "Thank you, Joo-Han hyung."

    Had Goh Yoo-Joone, he would¡¯veshed out, even though it was not my fault. He was probably being kept in check by the manager. Well, that was good. I didn¡¯t have the energy to deal with Goh Yoo-Joon''s outburst at the moment. All I wanted was to rest.

    Then, Joo-Han''s work phone rang. "It''s In-Hyun hyung."

    "Is he on his way here?" I asked.

    Looking at his phone, Joo-Han chuckled and then handed it to me. "The photos turned out great. Manager hyung just sent them to me."

    "Oh..." I looked at the phone.

    - We¡¯ve decided these pictures will go up on the official website.

    The pictures our manager sent included two group shots, two subunit[1] shots featuring me, Jin-Sung, and other members, and one solo shot of each of us. As soon as I saw the first picture, I froze. My mind went nk for a moment.

    ¡°...Ah.¡±

    There were almost ten pictures, but my hand was stuck on the first one. I was positioned in the center of the five people in the picture, a ce I had never imagined being in the past.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo?¡±

    "Hyun-Woo hyung, what''s wrong? Why are you reacting like this?"

    It was a photo of five people I thought I would never see together again. My thumb that was hovering over the screen trembled.

    <i>¡®What should I say?¡¯</i> It was an indescribable emotion.

    "Hyung, are you... crying?"

    "No, I am not."

    I tightly closed my eyes and swiped to the next picture. The following photo was a unit shot of me and Lee Jin-Sung, taken just moments before the ident. It was a photo I had never seen before.

    The future had definitely changed. It wasn¡¯t just about changing positions or group names. Now, I had the opportunity to remain a member of this group.

    The overwhelming thought of the future ahead filled me with emotions.

    "Hyun-Woo, you looked calm, but I knew you were scared." Joo-Han''s hand provided aforting warmth on my back. I brushed his hand away, albeit reluctantly, and handed him back the phone.

    I said, "Anyway, thanks for your hard work. Jin-Sung, I''m fine, it''s not your fault, so please shake it off."

    Soon after, the other members and the manager came to the hospital and took us back to our dorm. Due to this big incident, Goh Yoo-Joon caused amotion, gathering everyone while all of us were confined to our dorm.

    "The lighting ident on UNET''s show is ranked third in search rankings?"

    "What? How did the newse out? It''s already leaked. This is insane."

    The news of an idol group involved in a lighting ident while filming a new UNET survival show swept across all portal sites. Details were scarce, as the identity of the idol group wasn''t disclosed. However, the lighting director and the filmingpany quickly issued extensive apologies and temporarily halted operations for equipment inspections.

    "How did this information even get out? The filming was supposed to be confidential."

    "Maybe UNET subtly let the news slip?" I suggested, trying to make sense of the situation.

    "It seems UNET isn''t responding to the media frenzy. They might be using the incident as a form of noise marketing[2]."

    "Using someone''s injury for marketing? That''s just wrong and infuriating," Goh Yoo-Joonmented, clearly upset.

    I shrugged it off, assuming that the news had spread because my injuries were minor. If I had been seriously hurt, UNET would never have allowed the information to go public, unless they werepletely irrational. My injuries were light, yet the situation had garnered enough attention to make headlines, leading to a buzz and some consequential disciplinary actions.

    I felt a twinge of injustice but also a sense of relief as I hade to terms with the situation.

    "Ourpany has decided to sue the lighting director and thepany privately. If this bes public knowledge, it will be clear that we were the group involved," Joo-Han informed us.

    However, everyone found out that Chronos was involved in the incident three dayster¡ªfour days before filming the audition scene where we had to wear Cha-Cha clothes. A video from the incident was leaked on amunity site. It was posted anonymously, but it was obvious that UNET did it.

    In the edited ten-minute video, anyone could hear the manager arguing with the lighting director about the equipment check after the members'' interviews.

    - Manager: One of our members said he saw the lighting shaking. You can just check it once. Isn¡¯t it better than someone getting hurt and being responsible for it?

    - Lighting Director: You are ridiculous. I, for sure, checked it thoroughly this morning. He hasn¡¯t even debuted andcks experience. He doesn¡¯t know anything! Hey, you. I know the most about lighting, so mind your own business and take care of your kids.

    I could barely hear our manager sighing in frustration. The video then skipped to the scene of Joo-Han talking to the manager.

    - Manager: He got defensive, insisting that there was nothing wrong. He imed to have checked the equipment and swore that a trainee without experience did not know anything.

    - Joo-Han: Ah... really?

    - Manager: He should at least check once more when someone says there is an issue with the equipment. It¡¯s a safety concern. This is unbelievable.

    Following this, the video showcased my conversation with the manager as I expressed my concerns about the lighting director''s negligence. Then, came the harrowing scene of the ident.

    - Han Yi-Soo: Ah, fuck! Are you okay?

    The screen jolted, capturing the moment when the cameraman threw his camera aside and rushed over to the ident site. The camera, now on the ground and broken, failed to capture the scene properly, but the audio continued to record. Chaos ensued among the filming crew, and the other group members were left in a state of confusion.

    And then...

    - Hyun-Woo: ...Hey, are you okay?

    - Jin-Sung: Huh? Ah... Umm, yes. I am just surprised... but are you okay, hyung? Thank you... hyung. Your leg! Your leg is bleeding!

    - Hyun-Woo: Phew, that is a relief.

    The video captured my voice, which was filled with concern when checking on Jin-Sung and his shaky response. Hence, the detailed clip of the incident spread like wildfire on social media, once again dominating the search rankings.

    Countless articles spected about the idol group and members involved in the ident. Initially, ourpany''s staff was furious about the leak and considered pursuing legal action. However, as public opinion shifted in our favor, they subtly hinted that the key individuals in this incident were associated with YMM, specifically a member of the newly formed group, Chronos.

    1. A smaller group of idols¡ªa duo, trio, or even more¡ªthates from an existing group. It allows idols to explore more sides of their artistry outside their typical image. ?

    2. A strategy that leverages controversial, provocative, or unexpected actions to gain widespread attention and media coverage. ?

 Chapter 13: Survival - Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha (1)

    <h4>Chapter 13: Survival - Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha (1)</h4>

    ¡°Make sure Hyun-Woo¡¯s leg injury is subtly visible. Okay?¡± the manager spoke with a bright grin to the stylists. Despite my injury and visible scar, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why he seemed so pleased about it. It was ironic that he was trying to capitalize on my injury, yet deep down, I understood the reason behind his behavior.

    For days, the lighting ident had kept portal sites abuzz, catapulting our group Chronos into the spotlight. Even before our broadcast debut, we were already a hot topic on social media. My injury would only take a day or two to heal, but the attention we were garnering was immense. Naturally, this made our manager excited.

    ¡°How about this? Should I make Hyun-Woo wear ankle-length socks while everyone else wears long socks thate up to their knees?¡± the stylist suggested, and the manager nodded.

    ¡°Yeah, and put a bandage on him too. Make sure everyone knows that Hyun-Woo was the victim of the lighting ident.¡±

    ¡°Hyung, this is too much. Do we really need to do this?¡±

    ¡°Come on, Hyun-Woo. Do you think it¡¯smon to receive this much attention? If you were seriously injured, I wouldn¡¯t have suggested this.¡±

    As they continued their discussion, a slightly oversized bandage was ced on my ankle. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if we really needed to do such a thing just to attract attention, especially since YMM Entertainment wasn¡¯t exactly a smallpany.

    ¡°Can I get a bandage on my arm as well? I got hurt too,¡± Jin-Sung chimed in, not wanting to be left out.

    ¡°Sure, put one on Jin-Sung too. Oh, is there anything that can make me stand out more?¡±

    Everyone, except for me, seemed to have thrown their pride out the window. The stylist obliged and ced a small bandage on Jin-Sung¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Are we all set now?¡± At the manager¡¯s prompt, the members started to stand up. Today was the filming day for the <i>Pick We Up </i>audition, a day we all had been working hard for.

    As we got up from the chairs, our unique outfits rustled and drew sighs and gasps among ourselves.

    ¡°...Sigh.¡±

    The loudest sighs came from Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon. They were dressed in red skirts that went down to their knees, coupled with frillyces, yellow twin-tail wigs, red hats, and red socks. It was pitiful to see them, who were considered the stylish ones among the trainees, in such outfits.

    I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon with a twitching face, making him frown deeply. ¡°What are you looking at? You think I look funny? You look hrious too.¡±

    ¡°I know, okay?¡± I admitted as I was well aware of my ridiculous attire. That was why I had been deliberately avoiding mirrors. While they were dressed in socks and frillyces, I was draped in an apron, sporting braided hair, a mask, and thick makeup to match my outfit. Even though it was my suggestion, the thought of appearing on television like this was unnerving.

    We had gotten ready for our television appearance, discussed the leaked video, and prepared for our entry into the broadcast station. Now, we could go. The manager then gave us advice on how to behave, emphasizing humility.

    Jin-Sung couldn¡¯t help but tease, ¡°Hey, guys. At least, you all look better than Yoon-Chan, alright? Now, can we all get in the car?¡±

    Yoo-Joon clicked his tongue in response. "Look at him, acting mighty just because he is wearing pants."

    Yoon-Chan, who was getting up from the chair, hesitated and sat back down, embarrassingly tugging at the hem of his short skirt. Well, everyone was dressed much better than Park Yoon-Chan.

    As soon as Joo-Han got in the car, the manager handed his phone to him and said, "UNET is impressive. They have already released an article announcing our debut shoot today."

    "It''s surprising. Only our group''s name, Chronos, is written in the article," remarked Joo-Han.

    Joo-Han showed the article on the phone to the manager. After a quick nce at it, the manager smiled pleasantly. "Of course, we are the ones making headlines even before the broadcast."

    The headlines that were thought to be dominated by the major entertainment agency became ours¡ªperhaps thanks to the lighting incident. There were negative reactions and rumors of attention-seeking maniption, but we didn''t care.

    <i>¡®What does it matter if our name is known before the broadcast?¡¯</i> I knew that such recognition was rare unless you were part of a major agency.

    "Oh, and the person who leaked the filming was from UNET."

    "Isn''t that a problem?"

    "It is, but what can we do? We can''tin that it was leaked without our permission. It''s not good to go against UNET," the manager exined as he looked at me through the rearview mirror. He was probably checking on my reaction, as I was the most affected by the incident and the leak. However, I pretended not to notice and looked out the window.

    "At least, they said they''dpensate for it by ensuring we get enough airtime."

    "If they take care of the airtime, that''s good enough for me," I mumbled, trying to hide my relief. Only then did the manager avert his gaze from me.

    Despite the situation, I couldn''t help but feel a hint of satisfaction. The UNET-leaked footage had somehow spun the aftermath of the ident in my favor, a wee change from my previous predicaments.

    "Oh, by the way, Hyun-Woo, you will need toe to the officeter. The filmingpany wants to offer their apologies in person."

    "Oh, okay," I responded, a bit surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

    In the past, they would simply depositpensation money into my bank ount without offering a proper apology. But now, with the issue blowing up on social media, the filmingpany felt the need for a face-to-face meeting.

    Of course, I still harbored past grudges and did not intend to ept the apology easily. However, it was clear that they were making an effort to appease me.

    The UNET Broadcasting building came into view.

    "Start getting ready."

    Hearing the manager''s words, all of us who had been chatting while scrolling through the articles on our phones fell silent.

    "As soon as we get out of the car, the cameras will start rolling. Don''t be surprised... Actually, it''s okay to be surprised. Just greet them politely. Remember, don''t be overly conscious and just go inside."

    "Okay."

    "Do you remember what I told you before? From the moment you enter the broadcasting station, you be the most humble person in the world. Don''t wander around, and remember there are cameras in the waiting room too..." The manager continued to list out instructions as he parked, even though he had already briefed us at the hair salon.

    The camera team from the show <i>Pick We Up</i> suddenly spotted our vehicle and started running toward us. Seeing them, the manager hastily finished his instructions and looked at Park Yoon-Chan. "And, and... Yoon-Chan!"

    "Yes?"

    "Yoon-Chan, um-what''s it... uh..." the manager stammered. He then sighed and threw a nket that he brought to Park Yoon-Chan.

    "You have to keep that nket wrapped around your legs throughout the filming."

    "...Okay."

    "If you don''t want your exposed legs and underwear immortalized on TV, be careful. Got it?"

    "...Got it. Let''s stop talking about the skirt now..."

    Hearing their conversation, the other members couldn''t help but chuckle quietly. Despite all of us being in hrious outfits, Park Yoon-Chan''s seemed to be the funniest of all. Yoon-Chan, who had momentarily regained hisposure, started to sink into gloom again.

    ***

    Park Yoon-Chan''s face, still flushed red, didn¡¯t seem like it would return to normal any time soon, even after we arrived in the waiting room. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse.

    He was the only one among us wearing a miniskirt, portraying Cha-Cha, who had transformed into an adult. The stylists had purposely put wigs on the rest of us but only adorned Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s hair with a headpiece.

    Park Yoon-Chan quickly spread out a nket to cover his legs, still evidently mortified. ¡°I... really... am so embarrassed I could die... I feel like... everything will show if I dance in this...¡±

    "You are wearing shorts underneath anyway," I reminded him, attempting to offer somefort.

    "I really can''t bear it."

    "We are sorry. We won''t tease you anymore."

    Was it inappropriate topliment Park Yoon-Chan by saying things like, "Yoon-Chan is pretty" and "He looks feminine¡±? From the perspective of the timid Park Yoon-Chan, thesements mighte across as teasing.

    ...Honestly, he did look good, so I did chime in with ament too. I understood how he felt... but what could I do? I couldn¡¯t back down from a n I had worked hard on.

    Hmm. This was the time for me, as the elder, to say a word to my vulnerable younger friend. I stared at Park Yoon-Chan intently and approached him. Then the camera captured my movement. The camera, the members, and the staff all looked at me and Park Yoon-Chan.

    "Yoon-Chan."

    "Yes?"

    I lowered my voice to set the mood. Looking at Park Yoon-Chan''s fidgeting hands, I said in a serious tone, "Is Cha-Cha just a joke for you?"

    "...Sorry?" Confusion swept across Park Yoon-Chan''s face. The members and staff watched us intently, and the camera outside was ready to capture the moment in the ensuing silence.

    "...Pfft."

    "What is he saying?"

    The membersughed at my not-so-funnyment as expected. But I didn''t falter and channeled my inner ddin''s Genie, crossing my arms before delivering my message again. "Cha-Cha is no joke. We don''t have any other chances. Take this audition seriously. Understand? I am dead serious."

    "Hahaha!" Lee Jin-Sung''s boisterousughter echoed. I had to have appeared quite funny, dressed in a<i> Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i> costume while delivering these words.

    "Don''tugh!" I scolded them, even though I intended to make themugh.

    ***

    The waiting room was chaotic. The members, the manager, three cameras, numerous lights, and many staff members whose names I couldn''t recall¡ªall were moving around in a confined space, making it seem even smaller.

    Perhaps feeling bad about my failed attempt at humor, Park Yoon-Chan threw off the nket and started practicing, no longer concerned about embarrassment under the camera lights. ¡°We are doing this because we want to!¡± That was our shared sentiment as we put all our techniques into practice. As we chanted the magic pendant spell, the producer behind the camera asionally let slip a smile.

    "This group is the most memorable," he remarked.

    After our shooting was over, while preparing to move to another waiting room, the producer casually mentioned, "You''ve got some entertaining stuff prepared, and it doesn''te off as a joke. It will certainly grab the viewers'' attention right from the start."

    The camera was already off, and the producer''s tone became a bit rougher but still hearty. He seemed to really like what we had prepared.

    "How are the other teams?" Our manager gently inquired while aligning with the producer''s mood.

    The producer looked at him and replied, ¡°They are all good. I can''t specify as it''s confidential, but they have prepared well."

    "Ah, I see."

    "But I like this group the most. I like it because these handsome guys aren''t trying to act cool," the producer said jokingly. Our manager instinctively bowed and expressed gratitude at each of the producer''spliments.

    "I have decided to give you ample screen time this time. Well, let''s see how it goes. If it''s good, I might put your group ahead of the majorpanies¡¯ groups and release it as a teaser video." The producer encouragingly pped our manager''s shoulder and left the waiting room. All of a sudden, the crowded waiting room was filled with silence, and the manager muttered under his breath, "...A teaser video?"

    At that moment, a fierce spark ignited in the eyes of Cha-Cha.

 Chapter 14: Survival - Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha (2)

    <h4>Chapter 14: Survival - Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha (2)</h4>

    <i>¡®A teaser video?¡¯</i> Given that three major entertainmentpanies were participating and some groups already had established fandoms, I naturally assumed that they would dominate the preview video.

    I was uncertain whether it was just a figure of speech or if the director was sincerely considering it. However, if the preview video featured us, wouldn''t it provide a golden opportunity to capture the attention of potential fans interested in this show?

    "Hey, hey! Take this seriously! We shouldn''t have dismissed Suh Hyun-Woo''s words as a mere joke. Give it your all, okay?" urged Goh Yoo-Joon. Spurred on by his words, we started practicing our performance with the intensity of heading into battle.

    Everyone¡ªthe members, the manager, the staff, and even thedy filming the video for our UTube channel¡ªhad a battle-ready look in their eyes and didn¡¯t hesitate to point out every mistake we made.

    "Lee Jin-Sung! Bend more there!"

    "Do you want to do a head spin there or what?"

    At that moment, the youngest writer of<i> Pick We Up</i> knocked on the waiting room door and entered. "It''s time for Chronos''s shoot."

    Without realizing it, the auditions for the other groups had ended, and now it was our turn.

    ***

    "Just a moment, please. We should change the tape!"

    Everyone in the judge''s seat stretched out after hearing the director¡¯s words.

    "Oh, I''m tired." The woman yawning widely was Reina, South Korea''s top solo artist. As she leaned over her desk, the head director of the program, Kim Shin-Sik, also yawned.

    "I mean, they are all great, but I don''t know if we need this audition scene." Kim Shin-Sik''s words prompted Reina to turn her head toward him.

    "Wasn''t this your idea?"

    "It¡¯s more like maintaining tradition since most survival shows started this way. It wasn¡¯t something that I desperately wanted."

    The audition scenes used to fill up two episodes and featured participants who had received plenty of airtime, but it became less entertaining starting from thest season of <i>Pick Me Up.</i>

    "Ugh, I don¡¯t even know what they want me to judge. I feel like a praise robot nowadays, always having topliment even if theyck talent," Reina spoke candidly, echoing Kim Shin-Sik''s sentiments.

    The audition scenes had lost their charm because if the traineescked talent, the public would show interest just to criticize them. And if they were already celebrities, they would create a scene. This was evident in the previous show <i>Rapstar</i>, where a male contestant caused chaos during filming simply because he didn¡¯t like one of the other participants.

    "All of that became the talk of the town..." Kim Shin-Sik let out a deep sigh. "Who knows what the future holds for them."

    The potential of these trainees was immense, especially those from renowned entertainmentpanies. However, the trainees with distinctive qualities would hide their unique personalities during auditions, opting instead to present their best image in a gentle atmosphere for the sake of image management.

    Of course, while each group had members with outstanding skills, some were also rtivelycking. However, the judges felt restrained and could not make any provocative critiques, likely fearing the bacsh from fans that would inevitably arise after the trainees'' debut.

    "The directors gave up on stirring any sensation when they decided to feature trainees whose debuts were already confirmed on this survival show."

    There was a limit to how maniptive the editing could be. Back then, the producing team had faced significant bacsh when they applied a malicious edit to <i>Pick Me Up.</i> The repercussions would be even more severe for boy groups.

    In that sense, the show''s direction seemed to convey, ¡°Just watch these kids have fun together. Look at how well they perform on stage. Just be a fan.¡± This stood in stark contrast to the intensepetition implied by the show¡¯s title¡ª<i>survival</i>.

    "We will start filming soon!"

    As the two people were chatting, the preparations for filming werepleted. Reina tapped her cheeks and let out a deep sigh. Immediately, her face then filled with enthusiasm again as the hint of boredom disappeared.

    "But everyone is pretty cool, right?" Reina shook her head. In fact, Kim Shin-Sik knew why Reina seemed so full ofints.

    "They are cool, I admit. But honestly, it''s not fun."

    What Reina mentioned was a problem even during<i> Pick Me Up</i>. Since the groups that were participating were already set to debut, their behavior was prim and not entertaining to avoid controversy. As a result, their performances were <i>only </i>splendid and impressive. The youngsters, who could hardly fill the broadcast time, would only dance and sing. This was definitely not entertaining.

    Of course, the target audience of this show was those who liked idols. However, because of this, the program wouldn¡¯t be able to have mass appeal, just like the original <i>Pick Me Up</i>.

    "Sigh. Next time, they should release <i>Rapstar 2 </i>or something."

    Even if <i>Rapstar </i>was controversial, it was a show that everyone tuned into. The real highlights today were a group from a major agency and another group that had be the talk of every portal site thanks to a recent lighting ident.

    At that moment, the VJ stepped in front of the camera and announced, "We''re starting the shoot! ting!"

    Reina quickly changed her bored expression.

    <i>Click!</i>

    As the camera light turned on, Reina quickly skimmed through the profiles of the participants. Then, she tilted her head with a puzzled look.

    "Cha-Cha?" It was the first time she raised an issue with a song choice.

    "What?"

    "Director, this group. They are the ones involved in the recent lighting ident, right?"

    Looking at the profile list pushed in front of him, the director nodded. "Oh, the YMM kids. The one in the middle is the member who got hurt."

    "Right, but their song choice is Cha-Cha? Like the opening theme from the show we watched as kids?"

    "Huh?"

    It was only then that the director took a closer look at the profile list in front of him. Their pictures were carefully curated, dressed to impress like other groups, like any other groups. While they had be a topic of discussion, a closer inspection revealed that, in terms of appearance, their photos weren''t significantly different from the rest, and they weren¡¯t even from a major agency.

    Because of that, the director hadn¡¯t even looked closely, considering that this group had probably chosen <i>simr </i>songs to those of the previous groups. However, as he now scrolled through the profiles, his gaze stopped at one point like Reina. "<i>Red... Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>?"

    "Yeah. This seems like that cartoon, doesn''t it?"

    "They brought something unique, huh?" The director thought that it might have been mistakenly added, given how drastically different the genre was from what other groups performed.

    "What is their concept, Director?" Reina inquired, her eyes alight with interest. Finally, a group that brought somethingment-worthy. However, the director only responded with a cheeky smile.

    Just as Reina was about to retort...

    <i>Knock. Knock.</i>

    "Excuse us."

    "Chronos ising in."

    Though not looking entirely confident, a group wrapped in red cloaks streamed onto the set.

    "What¡¯s with that look!? Hahaha!" Reina burst outughing, and the director, the judges, and the filming crew all erupted intoughter.

    "Is it really the <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>?"

    "Ah, hello!"

    Chronos stood up, looking somewhat timid as they were dressed in the <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>¡¯s attire. ncing at the judges, they hesitated even to introduce themselves as they saw everyone wasughing.

    The director''s demeanor was now very amicable, a stark contrast to his attitude toward the other groups.

    Finally, a group that could provide some substantial content had arrived. Given that they were already a talked-about group with impressive profile pictures, everyone assumed that they would present a <i>cool </i>concept. But this...this was truly unexpected.

    As the leader of Chronos, Kang Joo-Han nodded, signaling the group. "One, two, three!"

    "Hello! We are Chronos! Pleased to meet you!"

    It didn''t matter what their skill level was at that moment. The popr, handsome group¡ªknown to have a strong bond for saving each other in risky situations¡ªturned out to be unexpectedlyedic.

    The directorughed heartily, very satisfied with the unexpected turn of events.

    "I¡¯m looking forward to this. Let''s watch first and then ask questions," said Reina, her voice more passionate than before. A standout group had finally arrived. How intriguing and wee this was!

    The staff started the music at Reina''s gesture. Following that, Chronos started their performance. The smiles that had adorned Reina and the director''s faces slowly morphed into expressions of surprise.

    ***

    The music started, and it was just the original Cha-Cha tune. Adorably, we called for the magic pendant. For a moment, we let go of our original selves, immersing ourselves in Cha-Cha¡¯s character, unembarrassed by our outfits and dance.

    <i>¡®I am the cute and lovable Cha-Cha. I am the magical girl with a beautiful wand, Cha-Cha.¡¯</i>

    The brainwashing from the waiting room seemed to work as the other members also performed earnestly, embracing the cuteness. Among us, Joo-Han and I undoubtedly stood out. And strangely enough, it started to feel fun after a while.

    Joo-Han seemed to share the sentiment. He twirled his golden curly hair with both hands and winked at the camera, all while singing the song meticulously. As he twisted his waist and turned, Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice subtly started to change.

    Was it just my imagination?

    I observed other members as I moved around. Park Yoon-Chan tried hard, but he couldn''t hide his embarrassment, covering his skirt with his hands every time it fluttered. Lee Jin-Sung didn''tugh, but he performed the cute choreography seriously.

    However, as our humorous performance continued, the onceughing judges seemed to slowly lose their interest in us.

    The real change of pace started here. As the only one among us wearing pants, Lee Jin-Sung moved to the center and dramatically threw off his wig in sync with the changing beat. With Jin-Sung at the center, our performance transformed during the dance break.

    Cute coyness and bubblyughter were still the key. We bent deeply and rotated our upper bodies like clock hands, showcasing all the dance techniques we had learned to the beat.

    The positions changed once again, and I was at the center this time. All of a sudden, the mood that was amplified by the apaniment reached its peak.

    <i>Boom, Boom, Bang!</i>

    Now was the time. I exerted force into my abdomen and belted out the high note that I had practiced like crazy for the past two weeks.

    ¡°Wooah, magic, pendant, Woooah-!¡±

    ¡°...Haah! Magic, pen, pendant!¡±

    Exactly at the high note in ¡°pendant,¡± Reina, whom I''d only seen on TV, started tough hysterically. Honestly, I felt likeughing, too, with everyoneughing. However, Iposed myself and finished the high note with a serious face.

    As the powerful music concluded, my group members and I thrust our fists toward the sky, our faces beaming with pride. We were the best, and we were determined to be the very best!

    Our fists, stretched out high, symbolized our ambition to soar to the sky as the music came to an end.

    ¡°Huff, huff...¡± Still under the afterglow of our performance, we looked toward the judges. Ironically, they had burst intoughter more during our serious dance break and vocal showcase than during our initial cute act.

    Then, as our fists were raised high, the cape fell off my head.

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    At that moment, it hit me¡ªwe were in the middle of a Cha-Cha cosy. Only then did I start to feel embarrassed about getting so immersed in the performance and going wild with a cool expression on my face.

 Chapter 15: Survival - Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha (3)

    <h4>Chapter 15: Survival - Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha (3)</h4>

    After the performance concluded, the judges''ughter led us to exchange awkward nces among us. I adjusted my skirt, which had ridden up during the dance, and also took a moment to fix my wig. It was only then that Reina finally stoppedughing and addressed us.

    "Firstly." She started surveying us with a smile gracing her face.

    Reina was the top solo singer in South Korea, and I never thought I would get the chance to make eye contact with such a superstar. Each of us noticeably flinched whenever our eyes met Reina''s, and I was no exception. With her ten years of experience in the industry, her formidable presence was undeniable.

    "Who chose the song?" she asked, her curiosity evident.

    "Pardon?" Having been maintaining eye contact with Reina, Lee Jin-Sung asked for rification.

    "Who chose the song <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>?"

    "Oh, that..."

    All eyes turned hesitantly to me. Then, Reina''s eyes shifted to me, and I felt a cold sweat running down my spine.

    I swallowed hard and nodded with the gaze of a newbie. "It was... It was me."

    "Oh? Your name is...?"

    "My name is Suh Hyun-Woo."

    Reina and the other judges collectively gasped in recognition as I said my name.

    <i>¡®Why are they reacting like that?¡¯</i>

    Reina smiled when she saw my confused expression. "Ah, the member from that incident?"

    "Excuse me? Oh."

    Reina pointed up at the lights. Ah, she was talking about the lighting ident. I nodded awkwardly, finally getting her hint. "Yes, that''s me."

    "Oh dear, it was quite the situation from the start. Are you okay now?"

    "Yes, I was hurt a bit, but I''m fine now."

    The real danger I had faced in the past was far more severe than this minor injury. Hence, when I spoke in a stoic tone, the judges seemed to look more dramatic as if they had been present at the ident scene.

    I noticed a camera angle changing, probably zooming in on the scar on my ankle. I flinched slightly but let them film.

    "Anyway, back to the main topic." Reina smoothly transitioned, attempting to restore the ambiance that had momentarily been disrupted by the discussion of the lighting ident. Her gaze once again fixed on me. "Why choose this song? Other groups opted for cool songs. Were you trying to be humorous with Cha-Cha?"

    Her voice took on a colder tone, seemingly trying to inject a sense of tension befitting an audition setting. My team members looked at me with worried eyes, but I remained unfazed.

    "Since other groups would likely choose cool songs, I thought we could leave a stronger impact by doing something different."

    "That''s the reason behind your decision?" she pressed, her eyes searching for any sign of uncertainty in mine.

    "Yes."

    <i>¡®Who am I, really?¡¯</i> I was a high schooler auditioning in front of influential people despite having not debuted yet, and I was also a young adult in my twenties who had lived through regrettable incidents in my previous life. Moreover, I had altered my destiny multiple times to reach this point, even if it meant standing here in a Cha-Cha outfit...

    Perhaps surprised by myposure and indifference, Reina seemed taken aback. She had likely expected me to react with bewilderment, simr to the other trainees she had encountered.

    Then, a middle-aged man beside her spoke, "This song seems risky for an audition. Do you consider the audition as a joke? Hmm, it doesn''t seem like it. You''ve shown your skills very well. Well done."

    "Thank you."

    "I''m not looking for your gratitude. I want to know your intention behind this song. This is an audition, after all. What if you were eliminated because of wearing a skirt? Is Hyun-Woo the leader?"

    "No, our leader is right here." I gestured toward Joo-Han. The man I assumed to be the show''s director stroked his beard, appearing somewhat displeased. Hence, the atmosphere grew tense once again.

    "Do you really think you''ll be okay as long as you make an impact, Hyun-Woo? Do the leader and the other members feel the same way?" He framed his question as if he believed we hadn¡¯t taken this opportunity seriously, attempting to create content by nitpicking our choices. However, I wasn¡¯t easily swayed.

    Back when I was a trainer, I had pointed out and critiqued others countless times during monthly evaluations, debut team auditions, and more. Critique was no stranger to me, and thus, I wouldn¡¯t be shaken that easily. I firmly believed their focus was on our performance, not on critiquing us in this manner. Since I was confident, I wouldn¡¯t waver.

    "We didn¡¯t choose this song to joke around. If possible, could you give me a minute to exin?"

    "An exnation? Well, let''s hear it."

    Despite his blunt response, I could confidently say that he was probably pleased to have secured the content. I was certain, speaking from the perspective of someone who worked in the same industry.

    I acted as if I was cautious, seeming to gauge their reactions. However, I spoke with rity, ¡°I understand that our approach might seem like mocking the show, especially since we are auditioning in this attire, singing a song from an animation.¡±

    This aspect had been a concern even before the audition, especially in terms of its potential broadcast content. After hearing this, the judges gestured for me to continue.

    ¡°But from our standpoint, we believed this was the only viable method.¡±

    "The only method?"

    ¡°Yes. Prominent groups from other renowned agencies will undoubtedly present themselves with ir. And given that we are thest in the lineup, we contemted how we, Chronos, could effectively capture your attention.¡±

    ¡°I see your point.¡±

    ¡°We genuinely believe we have showcased our abilities.¡±

    Even if our approach could be perceived asedic, our primary goal was to firmly disy our talents. We might have crafted a somewhat embarrassing narrative for ourselves, but we were confident in our dance and vocal abilities. I trusted that the judges would be able to see and acknowledge our efforts.

    ¡°What if you end up being eliminated from the audition?¡± Reina suddenly interjected, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She then chuckled softly and rested her chin on her hand. It seemed like she already knew we wouldn''t be facing elimination and just wanted to tease me a bit.

    Suppressing my astonishment, I grinned sheepishly. ¡°I am quite confident that we won¡¯t face elimination... My apologies if thates across as arrogant.¡±

    ¡°Why are you so confident?¡± she pressed, curious about my reasoning.

    ¡°Despite our unconventional appearance, we truly gave our all during the performance,¡± I exined earnestly.

    Joo-Han then subtly added to the conversation. ¡°We have great confidence in our skills...¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon cautiously chimed in and broke the brief silence. ¡°Also, we did generate quite the buzz even though it could be considered not ideal...¡±

    ¡°Ah, hyung. Don¡¯t bring that up!¡± Lee Jin-Sung hastily interrupted Goh Yoo-Joon. Park Yoon-Chan tried to hush Goh Yoo-Joon too, but he got distracted adjusting his rising skirt due to sweat. The frosty atmosphere of the audition room gradually warmed up and became friendlier.

    ¡°Director, aren''t they just adorable?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely. They have a point in everything they''ve said.¡±

    The individual I had assumed was the director turned out to be the head director of this particr show. Judging by his facial expression, he seemed to find our antics either amusing or endearing. Throughout our interaction, the director frequently chuckled as he reviewed our documents and asionally nced at our unique outfits.

    ¡°You folks truly know how to entertain people,¡± he remarked with a smile.

    We were quite theedic group, and we hoped that our humorous approach would ensure us a substantial amount of screen time.

    ¡°It''s evident that you took a yful approach with the cartoon music, but it''s also clear that a considerable amount of preparation went into it.¡±

    ¡°...Thank you so much!¡± We all expressed our gratitude, bowing in unison at a ny-degree angle, which was customary for neers in the industry.

    ¡°You all showcased impressive talents. You all haven¡¯t even debuted, yet you managed to do a live performance with such enthusiasm. The one in pants seems particrly adept at dancing.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I was part of a dance team before bing a trainee with the others,¡± Lee Jin-Sung responded, shifting the focus of the conversation not only to me but also to the other members of our group. The judges, including Reina and the director, proceeded to engage in a discussion about the talent show where Lee Jin-Sung had showcased his dance skills.

    Following that, they yfully teased Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s striking outfit andmended my ability to hit stable high notes. Eventually, they directed their questions to Joo-Han, which was to be expected.

    ¡°It seems like all the members have a strong bond. How long did you practice for this performance?¡±

    ¡°We dedicated about a month to practice. As soon as we received news of our broadcast appearance, Hyun-Woo came up with this idea, and we immediately got to work,¡± Joo-Han exined.

    ¡°Were there any conflicts during that period? Given the unconventional song choice, it seems possible that there might have been some disagreements among the members.¡±

    Joo-Han hesitated briefly before responding with augh. ¡°Not at all. All the members trusted in the process and followed through diligently, which allowed us to prepare in time. We''ve been through a lot together over the years, and we''ve be a team that truly understands and supports one another. We always encourage andpliment each other.¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung and I naturally put our hands on Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulders. I urged, "Control your expression."

    "I am..." Goh Yoo-Joon muttered under his breath.

    Joo-Han was obviously lying. There had been disagreements and moments of discord among us: during the initial song selection, multiple times throughout the practice sessions when morale was low, while arranging the song, during wardrobe decisions, and when determining the center position. Recalling the recent arguments and challenges, it was remarkable that we had managed to resolve everything and present a united front.

    True to his nature, Goh Yoo-Joon wasn''t adept at concealing his feelings or making empty promises, so his face involuntarily contorted. I wasn¡¯t certain if the camera had captured that moment.

    As the conversation continued, Joo-Han skillfully engaged with the judges. Eventually, the discussion came to an end, and the director expressed his satisfaction with a nod.

    "Chronos, you are an intriguing group. This audition was quite an experience, and I''m looking forward to seeing you on the main broadcast."

    "Thank you!"

    Our first official shoot concluded. As Joo-Han opened the door and each member exited one by one, we heard a "Cut!" and the audition site suddenly became noisy.

    In the midst of the chaos, I thought I heard the director¡¯s voice. "Who is Chronos''s manager? Tell the manager toe see me for a moment."

    Before I could wonder why our manager, Park Yoon-Chan closed the door as thest one out. Then, my thoughts naturally got distracted.

    "Great job, everyone."

    "Is Cha-Cha really over? Are you sure it''s over?"

    The members had been practicing only Cha-Cha for a month and seemed in disbelief that it was over, so they kept asking Joo-Han. After answering a few times, Joo-Han became exasperated and covered the mouths of Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung.

    After waiting in the waiting room for about thirty minutes, our manager came up to us with an unusually bright expression.

    "Hyung, what''s going on?"

    "Hyung, please don''t smile like that. It''s scary."

    "Right, your face looks like a thug from a crime drama."

    Despite our teasing, the manager kept smiling and said, "Guys, congrattions. I knew you would do well."

    "What are you talking about?" The members looked puzzled but hopeful. I wasn¡¯t the only one who had heard the satisfied director''s voice looking for our manager earlier.

    With an excited voice, the manager said, "Both your audition and profile videos will be pre-released!"

    "Really?"

    "You and one other big agency group are the only ones getting pre-released. You can make a strong first impression. Guys! Well done! Well done!"

    Our survival show journey was going surprisingly well.

 Chapter 16: Survival Show - Cover Song (1)

    <h4>Chapter 16: Survival Show - Cover Song (1)</h4>

    A week had passed since the audition filming day, and anticipation was high among our members. We regrly checked UNET''s UTube channel for any updates on the pre-release of our audition video.

    Despite our expectations, the next filming day arrived without any new uploads from UNET. Instead, a flurry of articles promoting <i>Pick We Up</i> flooded the inte, likely a coordinated effort by UNET and the major agencies involved.

    "Do we really not need to prepare anything?" Joo-Han questioned as we made our way to the filming site for the second shoot.

    The manager chuckled in response. "We did prepare makeup and hair."

    "...Not that kind of preparation. You know what I mean." Joo-Han wasn¡¯t in the mood for jokes. His concern was valid. Unlike the Cha-Cha audition where we had diligently prepared for a month, we were heading into this shoot with no preparation or briefing on the content. Hence, as the leader, Joo-Han¡¯s anxiety was understandable.

    Trying to lighten the mood, the manager said, "Let''s not be in a hurry. Today is just for greetings among the cast and exining the survival format."

    "That''s right, Joo-Han hyung. You have been like this even at the dorm, right? It hasn''t even started yet." Lee Jin-Sung chimed in. Since the audition ended sessfully, Joo-Han had been anxious about not preparing for anything and just having basic lessons. He had never been this nervous, even for monthly evaluations or debut team auditions. Somehow, the survivalpetition against other agency groups in Chronos''s first broadcast appearance seemed to be particrly burdensome for him.

    To give him some reassurance, I said, ¡°Hyung, I watched the showst year, and they really didn''t do much on the first day. Why worry? We''re already on our way."

    "True." Joo-Han conceded, though his concern lingered. He was the type to prepare meticulously, starting a month ahead for any evaluation, and he was notfortable with impromptu tasks. The possibility of an unnned performance was likely at the root of his anxiety.

    As the manager and the rest of us tried tofort Joo-Han, we arrived at the filming location, and the sight that greeted us was awe-inspiring.

    "Wow, what is this ce?"

    The building, a three-story structure made entirely of transparent ss, housed a spacious practice room equipped with thetest sound equipment.

    "You don''t know this ce, hyung?" Lee Jin-Sung teased Goh Yoo-Joon. "It''s the biggest practice room in Hongdae."

    "Really?"

    "I used to rent it often when I was in my dance team. They seem to have renovated it."

    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±

    ¡°The owner changes the equipment every year...¡±

    Just then, a loud cheer echoed, "Aaah!"

    ¡°Tae-Joon!¡±

    ¡°Joon-Woo!!! Aaaaah!¡±

    We all froze, our attention drawn to themotion. A group from a major agency, probably YU Entertainment, was making a grand entrance, surrounded by cheering fans. Their morous arrival stood in stark contrast to our low-key entry.

    "Why are they so popr already?" Goh Yoo-Joon muttered, his expression a mix of awe and frustration.

    I patted his back, offering a dose of reality. "You shouldn''tpare us to them. They''re official trainees from a big agency, and they already have twenty thousand UTube subscribers."

    I sighed internally, recalling the memories of my past life. This group had always overshadowed ted, taking the top spot regardless of how good ted¡¯s songs were. They yed a significant role in ted¡¯s eventual disbandment, and the memory still stung me.

    After I joined theirpany as a trainer, it turned out that they had deliberately cut ted off, knowing ted would be theirpetitor. However, I had never told the other group members about it.

    Watching them nkly, Park Yoon-Chan hesitantly asked the manager, "Hyung, when will our channel be set up?"

    We had been carrying cameras around since our profile shoot, so we had been anticipating thepany to establish our channel.

    As the manager took out the car key and guided the members into the building, he replied, "UNET told us to wait to avoid spoilers. The profile shot has been edited, and it will be uploaded in a couple of days after the pre-release."

    "But when is that pre-release? We have been staring at ourputers for a week because you didn''t tell us."

    "I was nning to ask during today''s shooting because I haven¡¯t heard about it either. UNET is being very secretive. We should n to set up our schedule, but they are not being very cooperative."

    Our manager seemed to harbor a notable degree of dissatisfaction with UNET. However, UNET¡¯s attitude was understandable as they wanted to capture our real reactions for the show and prevented us from practicing in advance.

    "They didn''t even tell us the filming schedule, but they contacted YU Entertainment right after their audition. I cannot tolerate this discrimination," grumbled the manager.

    ¡°Hey, hyung. Stop getting mad and let¡¯s head into the filming set. Those gazes over there are intimidating,¡± Park Yoon-Chan said. Ever since we arrived, fans of the YU trainees had been looking at us with wary eyes. After all, our manager was loudly voicing hisints about the major agency, so it seemed they were listening in case he talked shit about their artists.

    We were sad, but as an insignificant and non-famous group without any fans, what could we do? The only option we had was to keep our mouths shut and quietly enter the building.

    Upon reaching the second floor, we encountered a bustling scene as the cast chatted animatedly in the hallway just outside the practice room.

    "Ah, hello," we greeted somewhat awkwardly.

    "Hi." The tentative responses came from the other trainees and staff whom we didn''t recognize. In return, we nodded shyly in acknowledgment.

    "We are Chronos." Our voices weren''t as loud as usual, but it was not only us. The others also responded timidly.

    ¡°H...hi, we are High Tension.¡±

    Their name caught our attention, leading us to wonder why all the group names seemed to carry a certain... <i>vibe</i>. Despite their high-energy name, the members of High Tension appeared quite subdued. Perhaps this was their first time meeting trainees from another agency, so it was understandable. Nerves could get the best of anyone, regardless of their agency¡¯s size.

    "Hello! We''re The Street! Street Center!" Another enthusiastic greeting rang out.

    The greetings continued as various groups introduced themselves. Some were recording for their official channels, while the others huddled in corners, perhaps too shy to engage in social conversation. The ones in the corners were likely trainees from lesser-known agencies who just barely made the lineup.

    <i>''Have I seen them before?''</i>

    Although I never debuted as an idol, I always monitored all the debuts in the industry, but I didn''t recall ever seeing them...

    "Oh, hello..." My gaze locked with one of the trainees in the midst of their group. Just as I was about to lower my head in greeting, the trainee quickly averted their eyes with a frown.

    "What is his problem?"

    Even the prideful trainees from major agencies came to greet us first. Though it was expected as major agency trainees got rigorous character education, this guy was tantly ignoring or disliking me.

    <i>''What did I do? Who is he?¡¯</i>

    As I was getting upset and forgetting about the cameras around, Goh Yoo-Joon tapped on my shoulder. "What''s up?"

    He followed my gaze, but I quickly looked away. "Nothing. When does the shooting start?"

    "I don''t know. I only saw you zoning out."

    Just then, the door to the practice room opened and a staff member poked their head out.

    "We are starting the shooting. Trainees, pleasee in."

    The trainees shuffled into the practice room with the staff''s instruction. Some confidently said they''d do well, while others, like us, were apanied by a frantic manager.

    "Good luck! I will be watching from outside! Report to me what is going on during the break, Joo-Han. Let me know if you need anything and about thepetition too..."

    "Don''t worry too much. I''ve just managed to calm my nerves," said Joo-Han. He was indeed the leader. He seemed to be the most nervous of us earlier, but he quickly pulled himself together as the shooting was about to start and led our group inside.

    As we entered the practice room, we heard some trainees gasping.

    "Come on in, juniors." The person greeting us with a yful or intrigued voice was Reina, whom we had met at the audition site. The camera was already rolling before we entered the practice room, and she was holding cue cards in her hands.

    We all stood around awkwardly until Reina, wearing her bright smile, started. "Nice to see you all again. I¡¯m Reina, and I will be your host for <i>Pick We Up</i>. I¡¯m so excited to be here."

    "We will do our best!" We all responded in unison, bowing and greeting her. Reina was a role model for every trainee aspiring to be a top idol, and her presence was inspiring.

    She scanned the room, nced at her cue cards, and continued, "It might feel a bit strange for some of you that we are meeting in a practice room and not in a fancy studio."

    "It¡¯s fine," muttered the trainees as they shook their heads. Most other survival shows held their first meetings in studios, so she was probably addressing this difference for the viewers at home. For us trainees, the location didn¡¯t really matter.

    "First, please take a seat where your group¡¯s name is written,¡± Reina instructed. We all quickly found our assigned seats, and she continued while maintaining her smile. "The reason we are starting the shooting in a practice room is..." She paused, looking around at us, even though we could all sense that the pause was meant to build suspense for the show.

    Nheless, it left us feeling anxious.

    "To all of you who will lead the future of K-POP, we are excited to unveil the theme for the first day of thepetition." Reina¡¯s announcement caught everyone off guard. After all, it was too abrupt, and we were not prepared at all, as Joo-Han had mentioned. Unfazed by the trainees¡¯ reaction, Reina read off thest sentence from the script.

    "The firstpetition theme requires you to cover your agency''s representative song."

 Chapter 17: Survival Show - Cover Song (2)

    <h4>Chapter 17: Survival Show - Cover Song (2)</h4>

    The tension I had felt regarding the contest briefly eased as I listened to the details about thepetition.

    "Ah, what was I so nervous about? A cover song from our agency?"

    It seemed that Goh Yoo-Joon was on the same wavelength as me. Probably, it wasn''t just us¡ªmost likely, all the trainees here felt a simr sense of relief.

    <i>''Are they taking it easy on us because it''s the first round?''</i>

    After all, covering a song from a senior artist from the same agency was something we had been doing throughout our trainee lives. It seemed like they aimed to highlight the trainees'' skills with a performance that was both familiar and fresh, setting the stage for more intensepetition in future broadcasts.

    "The choice of artist and cover song is yours to make, but the contest will take ce on a stage with an audience in a week. After that, there will be a week of voting through the UNET streaming channel, and rankings will be determined solely by viewer votes."

    <i>¡®Solely by viewer votes?¡¯</i>

    The room was abuzz with murmurs from the trainees. The only ones who seemed unfazed by this voting method were the High Tension members from YU, who already had a fan base.

    Then, a hand went up. "Excuse me."

    "Yes?"

    The question came from the one who had avoided eye contact with me earlier.

    "What if our agency doesn''t have a senior artist?"

    "Ah, right. Trainees from True Entertainment don''t have senior artists, so you are free to choose a song from any group."

    I already suspected as much since they were relegated to the corner. It seemed like these members were the inaugural artists of their agency.

    <i>''Hmm... True Entertainment...''</i>

    The name of the agency was unfamiliar to me, even though I had been in the industry for a while. Maybe after this broadcast, this group might not garner much attention and fade away. I couldn''t help but feel a bit sorry for them right from the get-go.

    The True Entertainment group didn¡¯t respond to Reina and instead started discussing among themselves. Only I seemed to notice Reina''s momentarily frozen expression.

    "Okay, you have one hour to decide on your song starting from now. Feel free to discuss it amongst yourselves. Go!"

    Arge timer next to Reina initiated a countdown for sixty minutes, and the once-quiet practice room was filled with noise once again.

    "Hey, what song should we choose? Which senior?"

    Following Goh Yoo-Joon''s question, the members gathered, and I casually voiced my opinion. "Wouldn''t a song from Allure be the safest?"

    "Well, true. Honestly, the most famous seniors in our agency right now are Allure."

    "They are the obvious choice but also the best one."

    The rest of the members seemed to agree with my opinion. In this situation, choosing an Allure song was pretty much a given. After all, Chronos was the only group that hadn¡¯t danced to cool music in the auditions.

    Hence, now was our chance to make an impression with our performance amidst all the attention, including that from theedy and lighting mishaps. YMM Entertainment was a small-to-medium-sized agency, and before Allure, it was mostly filled with bad singers, so there was really only one clear option for us to showcase.

    After quietly listening to our opinions, Park Yoon-Chan asked, "Which song of Allure?"

    I replied, "Let''s do ¡®Goblin.¡¯"

    "...¡®Goblin?¡¯"

    At Joo-Han''s questioning, I nodded. "Even if we are familiar with Allure''s songs, preparing something challenging in just a week is too much."

    "That''s true, but..."

    "We auditioned with that song, and only people from our agency know that we are very familiar with that song. So, wouldn¡¯t it be better to practice the choreography with the same arrangement instead of starting from scratch?"

    Our first image to the public would be <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>, so we needed to show a highly polished performance next. After all, oveing an already established image with a single outstanding stage was a challenging feat.

    Jin-Sung also nodded to my words. "I agree. I didn''t mention it at first as I felt I was relying on Hyun-Woo hyung, but the ¡°Goblin¡± arranged by Hyun-Woo hyung and Joo-Han hyung is perfect for the contest."

    The dance break part had been made more powerful, and the vocal parts had been properly highlighted. We only needed to redistribute the parts to fit our group ording to the original song.

    ¡°That is true,¡± Joo-Han said, ¡°I thought of ¡®Goblin¡¯ when thinking about senior group Allure too, but since Hyun-Woo did it not long ago, I hesitated to bring it up.¡±

    Just then, a camera that was filming another group slowly turned toward us. We stiffened but continued our conversation as if nothing was wrong.

    I mentioned, ¡°Actually, it''s easier for me since I don''t have to memorize anything new. But you might have to adjust the song a bit, hyung.¡±

    ¡°Leave it to me.¡±

    Then Lee Jin-Sung raised his hand. ¡°Can I be in charge of the choreography? I want to create something without straying too far from the original choreography.¡±

    ¡°That sounds good. I trust Jin-Sung¡¯s dance skills. I am looking forward to it.¡± Joo-Han emphasized <i>Lee Jin-Sung''s dance skills</i> with a broad¡ªthough somewhat forced¡ªsmile. It seemed he wanted to highlight each member''s strengths, especially since the camera was on us.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, while helping with my arrangement, can you assist Yoon-Chan with his vocals? If you could add some harmonies, that''d be great. Since you have experience and you are the main vocalist, make sure to entuate Yoon-Chan''s unique voice.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what about me?¡± eximed Goh Yoo-Joon. He would have been the main vocalist if it wasn¡¯t for me, so he was surprised that his name wasn''t mentioned in this conversation. Hearing this, Joo-Han responded in a considerate tone as he was very conscious of the camera.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, you have incredible vocal skills, but your role this time is even more important.¡±

    ¡°What role?¡±

    ¡°You are good at writing lyrics, right?¡±

    ¡°...Excuse me?¡±

    What? This was news to me. Neither I nor any other group members had ever seen Goh Yoo-Joon write lyrics. However, undeterred by our shocked expressions, Joo-Han continued to say, ¡°How about you take on the rap section of the song? It¡¯s your debut as a rapper, but I have faith in your versatility.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon whispered, ¡°But I¡¯ve never written rap lyrics before...¡±

    ¡°The choice is yours of course. However, I can''t think of anyone else who could handle the rap section as well as you could.¡± With a gentle voice yet a subtle pressure in his gaze, Joo-Han managed to silence Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°...Alright, I¡¯ll give it a try.¡±

    Only after Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s reluctant nod did Joo-Han''s expression soften. Although his approach might seem somewhat autocratic, it was a calcted move from a trainer¡¯s perspective. He aimed to ensure that each member¡¯s talents were highlighted on camera, even the most seemingly insignificant ones. For example, he wanted the audience to appreciate Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s melodious voice and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s newfound lyrical skills.

    When the camera shifted to another group. Joo-Han finally rxed, letting out a deep sigh. ¡°Since Yoon-Chan''s skills are stillcking, make sure to teach him well, Hyun-Woo. I will mention it to the trainer as well.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°And Yoo-Joon, I will help you, so try to do as much as you can on your own, ande to me if you get stuck.¡±

    ¡°Hyung, you''re putting too much on my te.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon expressed his dissatisfaction with the sudden role but didn¡¯t try to change the decision. It seemed like the result would be way different from the past, but I wasn''t too worried as I trusted each member¡¯s abilities.

    However, Joo-Han¡¯s expression wasn¡¯t very positive, possibly because there was a lot to manage outside of just skill and performance.

    I nced at the remaining time. There was only about ten minutes left. As the members continued chatting, I nudged Joo-Han and whispered, ¡°Hyung, are you going to report to the manager during the break?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I should. He will want an update.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go together. There is something I need to discuss with you guys.¡±

    ¡°Can''t you say it now?¡±

    ¡°Not in front of the camera rolling.¡±

    Perceiving my unease, Joo-Han nodded in understanding.

    ¡°Alright, let''s do that.¡±

    Despite Allure''s fame resting predominantly on ¡°Goblin¡±, we swiftly decided on our song choice. With the remaining time, we delved into the details¡ªfinalizing the arrangement''s mood, deciding on the core performer, and addressing simr issues.

    An hourter, Reina, who had stepped out for a while, returned to the practice room and positioned herself in front of the timer.

    ¡°Has everyone finalized their song choices?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    Reina had a demeanor reminiscent of a high school teacher addressing her students. She nodded in acknowledgment and gestured toward arge board that the staff had brought in.

    ¡°Starting from the group on the far right, I would like the leader of each group toe forward and write down their song choice next to their group''s name. Let¡¯s begin with Street Center.¡±

    Although the broadcast had already introduced the groups through captions or introductory videos, this was an opportunity to learn more about the names of the groups and their respective agencies.

    Street Center''s agency was known for showcasing quality performances with arge number of members, and Street Center itself consisted of fifteen boys. They chose a lively song from their senior group with a simr number of members. Starting with Street Center, most of the groups listed the hit songs of the most famous seniors from their agencies.

    "Ah, of course it¡¯s ¡®Goblin.¡¯"

    When it was our turn, some members of the group next to usmented softly on the ¡°Goblin¡± song that Joo-Han chose. When our eyes met, the member greeted me with a polite smile and a slight nod.

    "Ah..."

    That person. He was a trainee who looked much younger than us, probably around grade seven or eight. I was so struck by the familiar face that I forgot to respond to the greeting and just sighed in amazement.

    "Eh, do you have something to say to me?" he asked as he sensed my intense stare.

    "No..."

    He then turned back to chat with his group members. Yoo On-Sae. I suddenly realized that he was one of the trainees I had mentored when I first became a trainer, before joining a major nning agency four yearster.

    <i>''Now that I think about it, he was originally with another agency before transferring.''</i>

    It was unexpected to encounter my former trainee here. Lost in my thoughts, I continued to stare at On-Sae.

    "...Hmm."

    "Seems like a risky situation."

    The anxious whispers of my group members brought me back to the present, and I refocused my attention. "Ah, the song..."

    I couldn¡¯t conceal my surprise upon seeing the song choice of Air Senior from True Entertainment, a group we had minor altercations with even before the shooting started. They didn''t have any senior artists within their agency, which gave them the freedom to choose any song from the participating agencies'' artists. And the song they had chosen was...

    [Air Senior - Allure, ¡®Goblin¡¯]

    It was ¡°Goblin¡±¡ªthe same song we had chosen and arguably the only hit song from YMM.

 Chapter 18: Survival Show - Cover Song (3)

    <h4>Chapter 18: Survival Show - Cover Song (3)</h4>

    Our hour-long meeting was on the verge of being rendered futile.

    ¡°Control your expressions,¡± Joo-Han whispered. All of us tried hard to rx our faces, but the tension was palpable. Also, it seemed like the broadcast team was specifically aiming to capture this very reaction from us.

    ¡°Do you think they are trying to kick us out?¡± whispered Goh Yoo-Joon as he leaned toward me.

    I nodded in agreement. ¡°Exactly. There are many other agencies, but why did they choose ours?¡±

    If their intention was to choose a quality song, there were numerous options avable from major agencies. Yet, they chose a song from our agency, which only had ¡°Goblin¡± as a notable hit. It seemed as if they deliberately targeted us, deeming us as the most vulnerable group.

    ¡°It looks like they¡¯re nning to get through thispetition unfairly. What a malicious agenda.¡±

    I wasn''t the only one sharing this sentiment. Reina was caught off guard as well and proceeded to confront the leader of Air Senior. "Why did you choose ¡®Goblin?¡¯"

    "Just because we like it," the leader replied casually, promptly returning to his seat.

    <i>¡®What do they mean by like?¡¯</i>

    Of course, ¡°Goblin¡± was good, but there were many other famous songs. Major agencies consistently showcased tracks with dedicated fan bases, and even some smaller agencies had crafted hit songs and sessful boy groups.

    However, our one and only popr artist was Allure. Beyond them, our roster mainly featured mid-tier bad singers. They seemed to be deliberately targeting us because we looked like the easiest prey.

    Reina nced at us and asked the director, "What should we do now? Two groups have selected the same song."

    It would be unfair if we could im the song just because we were from the same agency, so the director couldn¡¯t necessarily take our side.

    After a brief discussion with the staff, the director called for a break. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss this. Someone should have chosen their song more wisely. Take a 30-minute break!¡±

    Even as he spoke, he shot a meaningful nce at Air Senior. With tense expressions, we swiftly exited the practice room to talk with our manager.

    ¡°That¡¯s really underhanded. They obviously know about our internal situation,¡± grumbled Lee Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just calm down and think this through.¡± Joo-Han calmed the grumbling Lee Jin-Sung and led us to a corner table in the lobby.

    "I spoke to UNET yesterday about steering clear of emotional conflicts for the sake of our image, but I guess some low-quality agencies don¡¯t have brains,¡± snapped our manager.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I couldn¡¯t help but interject, trying to calm our frustrated manager. Once the atmosphere had settled a bit, I spoke up, ¡°We need to avoid emotional conflicts as much as possible and try to handle this situation with a clear head. The director will also be seeking a fair solution.¡±

    ¡°But what if they end up taking our song after we¡¯ve spent an hour deciding on it?¡±

    ¡°They targeted us because they think we¡¯re the weakest one here.¡±

    Confronting a disruption to our carefullyid ns wasn¡¯t easy. Even as an adult[1], I felt frustrated. Hence, the younger members likely found it challenging to grasp and ept the situation.

    Having been silent the whole time, Joo-Han finally opened his mouth. "I¡¯ve thought about it."

    "About what?"

    "Let''s give up on ¡®Goblin,¡¯" suggested Joo-Han.

    A momentary silence instantly descended.

    "Why should we?" Goh Yoo-Joon retorted.

    "Hyung, we don''t necessarily have to give up," said Lee Jin-Sung.

    Following that, Joo-Han leaned in closer and said, "I''ve given it some thought. ¡®Goblin¡¯ is a good song, but it might be hard to get a great reaction from it."

    "Why?"

    I was surprised that Joo-Han was contemting the same thing. Despite having suggested the idea, something kept bugging me the entire time.

    I answered, "It''s a song dear to Allure''s fans, so it would be hard to appeal to both them and the public that¡¯s familiar with the original. Moreover, considering that we haven''t even debuted yet, it¡¯s almost impossible for us to do a better cover than the original."

    I could imagine all the hatements that would pop out if we performed using that song.

    - Allure is much better.

    - I am saying this not because I am Allure¡¯s fan, but ¡°Goblin¡± can only be perfectly performed by Allure.

    - They are good, but ¡°Goblin¡± needs the unique vibe from Allure.

    No matter how well we performed, we were bound to face a barrage ofparisons to the wless Allure, and they would likely overshadow any praise that mighte our way. In addition, people who held negative opinions toward reimagined versions of beloved songs existed, not to mention the antis who harbored ill will toward Allure.

    Covering a hit song from a popr artist dide with its perks, but it also necessitated thorough preparation. I believe this was the underlying message Joo-Han was trying to convey.

    ¡°Can we really guarantee that our rendition will live up to the expectations of Allure¡¯s fans?¡±

    ¡°Well, no matter how much effort we put in, we are still trainees who have yet to make our debut on stage.¡±

    "That''s what I''m saying," I chuckled.

    Having received an answer to their doubts, the other members turned their attention to Joo-Han. Joo-Han then took a cell phone from the manager and browsed the ylist. "How about skipping the title song and trying this one?"

    Joo-Han yed a song softly enough for only the members to hear.

    "Oh, I know this song."

    "Me too. I covered it with my dance team before."

    The members started to sway gently to the rhythm. The track that Joo-Han had chosen was a lesser-known song from Allure, a B-side from their debut album. Given that the album hadn''t achieved significant sess, and this particr track wasn''t released as a single, it was rarely performed live outside of concerts. Nheless, it had sessfully attracted a sizable fan base over time, partly owing to a concert clip uploaded to Allure¡¯s official UTube channel.

    ¡°It¡¯s so good!¡±

    Allure''s raw and unrefined energy created a striking contrast with thenguid, mystical melody and fast-paced choreography of this particr song. It was as if our group had discovered a hidden gem.

    "While the general public might not know it, the fans do. It¡¯s a ssic. If there''s no panel of judges and it''s just a public vote, this song might be a better choice."

    "You''re right, hyung."

    Usually, covering songs embraced by both the general public and fans could lead toparisons or resentment. However, covering less popr songs that held a special ce in fans'' hearts was a different scenario.

    "Why don''t people know this great song?"

    "I wish this song would make aeback, please."

    Many fans had probably expressed simr sentiments. Giving a song like this a moment in the spotlight could be seen as a win for the fans. Plus, the song¡¯s concept was well-suited for those interested in idol groups.

    ¡°I¡¯m on board. It¡¯ll be a challenge to master it in just a week, but with hard work, we can pull it off.¡±

    One by one, the members expressed their agreement, letting go of any lingering attachment to ¡°Goblin.¡± Choosing a different song might stir up controversy, but it also had the potential to pave the way to a brighter future.

    ¡°Filming is about to resume! Please make your way back to the set!¡±

    That was when the practice room door opened, and a staff member shouted to us. Unlike us, who had moved on, the manager still looked frustrated, but he gave us a pat on the back, signaling us to do well.

    ***

    Whether or not we secured some screen time, I honestly wanted to avoid this awkward atmosphere on the first day...

    While other groupsfortably upied their seats, our team and Air Senior stood at the front, looking awkward. Both sides looked displeased, reminiscent of kindergarteners fighting over a toy.

    Standing at the center of our group, Reina managed to maintain a professional demeanor. ¡°As it stands, both Chronos and Air Senior have chosen Allure¡¯s ¡®Goblin¡¯ as their song. If neither team is willing to back down, we will need to find an alternative solution.¡±

    <i>¡®If neither team is willing to back down...¡¯</i>

    It was clear that the producers were hoping for a heated dispute over this song, aiming to generatepelling content for the survival show. However, framing the situation this way would make any team unwilling topromise appear obstinate, potentially damaging their image right from the first episode.

    Reina¡¯s tone subtly implied that while they were requesting one team to yield, they were also counting on the teams to provide engaging content for the show.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask once again. Between Chronos and Air Senior, is there any team willing to relinquish their im on the song?¡± Reina posed the question, creating a moment filled with tense silence.

    Just as she was about to proceed with her next scripted line, Joo-Han raised his hand. ¡°Excuse me.¡±

    ¡°...Yes?¡± Reina responded, her script momentarily forgotten as she turned her attention to Joo-Han, awaiting his next words.

    ¡°We will yield it.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Seriously?¡± Reina was indeed a professional. Even though she was caught off guard by the unexpected answer, she immediately regained herposure.

    To answer her question, we all nodded, and I added, ¡°Our seniors sang many other good songs besides ¡®Goblin,¡¯ so it''s okay."

    <i>¡®Where in the world would you find such a gentle and kind response?¡¯</i>

    Internally, both I and the other members were gritting our teeth in frustration. However, outwardly, we presented a resigned demeanor with kind faces, echoing my statement. As a result, our tense facial musclespletely rxed, allowing us to act as well as seasoned actors in front of cameras.

    "Oh dear..." Reina eventually loosened her formal expression and let out a regretful sigh.

    <i>''How can there be such innocent kids...''</i>

    It seemed as if we could hear Reina''s inner thoughts. She gazed at us for a moment before flipping through her cue sheet.

    "Then, Air Senior will cover ¡®Goblin¡¯ as Chronos yielded it to them. Chronos, please write your song on the board up front."

    Following Reina''s instruction, Joo-Han stepped up and wrote our new cover song.

    [Chronos - Allure, ¡®Moon Sea¡¯]

    We had a week to practice. Considering it was a captivating song that had mesmerized many, we would need to practice hard.

    ***

    The filming came to a close. Following YMM¡¯s training, we made it a point to bid farewell to each staff member loudly and clearly, ensuring no one was left out. Aside from the evident rivalry, there wasn¡¯t much interaction today.

    The trainees exchanged polite farewells and quickly dispersed. After the majority had left, as expected, we could hear the loud voices of High Tension fans from outside the building.

    Besides our group, Air Senior was thest to leave the practice room. They were the group that had openly challenged us earlier, and as they left, their members shot us irritated res.

    Our members were also in a considerably sour mood, so when we stared back, their leader stepped forward and bowed slightly, mirroring the gesture of the other trainees. "Thank you for giving in. We appreciate it."

    Responding to the Air Senior leader''s greeting, Joo-Han stepped forward with a polite smile. "You''re wee."

    "We were just greedy for the song, no hard feelings."

    "We know. We seem to be around the same age, so let¡¯s maintain a good rtionship moving forward. See you at the next shoot.¡±

    Just as we were about to leave, one of their members asked, "Hyung, aren''t you leaving soon?"

    "I will be right behind you. I just need to have a quick smoke."

    "Hey, let''s go together."

    The other members from Air Senior quickly exited the practice room, leaving their leader here. We were surprised, watching them take out cigarettes from their pockets before making their departure.

    "...Haha. See you at the next shoot."

    Their leader quickly followed his members with a slightly embarrassed smile, while we just stood dumbfounded for a while.

    <i>¡®What just happened?¡¯</i> At YMM, such behavior would have been unimaginable. Not just me, but all the members looked quite flustered.

    "Did you see them take out cigarettes from their pockets?"

    "How can a trainee smoke? And aren''t they underage?"

    "It''s shocking.."

    "Hey, did you see? None of them even said bye to us except for the leader. Does their agency not teach manners?"

    All of us were throwingments, staring at the door they had just exited.

    "Let¡¯s not dwell on it. There is a chance we will encounter others like them." Joo-Han stopped the members frommenting further and looked around cautiously. When we left the building, frustration enveloped us, and suppressed anger simmered beneath the surface. Personally, I felt a surge of frustration, having been at odds with one of the Air Senior members throughout the day.

    <i>''Stupid bastards.''</i>

    They imed they had no hard feelings about taking our song, yet the behavior of the Air Senior members¡ªparticrly those standing behind their leader earlier¡ªsuggested otherwise.

    I couldn¡¯t fathom why they seemed to harbor such disdain toward us. However, if they thought snagging our title track would guarantee them victory in thispetition, they were sorely mistaken. From the moment we donned those <i>red</i> <i>capes</i>, we were prepared for anything. After all, we knew we couldn''tpete on an even ying field against a group with an already-established fanbase.

    1. Although he is now 19 years old as he went back in time, he still considers himself an adult. ?

 Chapter 19: Survival Show - Cover Song (4)

    <h4>Chapter 19: Survival Show - Cover Song (4)</h4>

    We had a quick lunch at a restaurant near the filming site.

    ¡°You know, in hindsight, it might have been for the best. I realized it after hearing Joo-Han hyung y ¡®Moon Sea¡¯, but I honestly prefer it over ¡®Goblin.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Same here. I really love the serene flow of the dance line, moving gently as if floating in the air. Can we just keep this choreography as it is without making any changes?¡±

    ¡°Actually, wouldn¡¯t <i>dreamy</i> be a more fitting description than <i>floating </i>for that kind of performance?¡± I asked.

    Lee Jin-Sung stuck out his tongue at my correction. ¡°They are the same thing. You must feel good being so smart."

    "We should say <i>dreamy </i>on the broadcast, not <i>floating</i>," I suggested.

    "Isn''t that a given? Anyway, what''s the deal with the team that took ¡®Goblin?¡¯ Just how ambitious are they?" Lee Jin-Sung grabbed two pieces of meat and spoke while chewing.

    Joo-Han shrugged. "I¡¯m not sure. Normally, we''d know the well-performing trainees since they stand out, but I have no idea about them."

    I chimed in. "If a trainee is looking for cigarettes on set, they shouldn''t be famous."

    "True. It was shocking to see."

    It was not like I had something against them because I used to be a trainer, but I had always found it off-putting when trainees didn¡¯t act properly. In my experience, those individuals usually ended up facing setbacks, and they often caused problems for those around them. I really didn¡¯t want to get entangled with them during this show.

    The frustration was palpable among us after the filming. Each of us had our own unique characteristics, but we were always taught to be respectful toward our seniors. Hence, to have our senior¡¯s signature song taken away from us? That hit us somewhat hard.

    I put some fresh pork belly on the grill to change the mood. "Let''s discuss our next steps."

    At that moment, the manager''s smartphone buzzed. He then checked the message, smiled broadly, and handed the phone to Joo-Han.

    "They said they are uploading thepetition stage to UTube, and your profiles just went up on the official website. Check it out."

    "Finally, it''s up?"

    After hearing the manager¡¯s words, all of the other members crowded around Joo-Han, huddling over the phone in excitement. It was a funny sight.

    "Huh? Why did they use this picture? I told them not to because it''s my worst shot."

    "Well, you still look better than me. I look so awkward."

    "Uh... I have lost so much weight since then. Can I ask them to update it?"

    Seeing the members evaluate their profile pictures with dissatisfaction, the managerughed heartily and flipped the meat.

    "I will get it fixed. Also, before the <i>Red Riding Hood</i> premiere tomorrow, behind-the-scenes footage from the profile shoot will be uploaded to Chronos''s official UTube channel."

    "We have a channel now?"

    The manager nodded in response to Joo-Han''s question. "I just heard about it. We got the approval."

    "That''s great. It finally feels like we are making our debut."

    Joo-Han turned to look at the profile photos, joining the other members in theirughter and banter over the less-than-perfect pictures. Observing the scene, the manager nced my way as I turned off the grill.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to check your profile, Hyun-woo?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a lookter after the others have seen theirs.¡± I felt it would be somewhat childish to eagerly check my photo right away. Besides, something was pressing on my mind...

    <i>¡®Yes, I should ask right away.¡¯</i>

    While flipping the meat, I pretended to be calm and asked, "By the way, can I borrow your pher, hyung?"

    "Why do you need my phone?" counter asked the manager.

    "Do you have the numbers of Allure seniors? Da-Win hyung told me to let him know how the shooting went."

    "Da-Win? Well, sure."

    Knowing I had been close with Allure''s Da-Win for a while, the manager casually allowed me to use his phone. I then grinned and joined the other members.

    "Hey, you are heavy!"

    "Let me look at it too."

    If there was no guarantee that we would get the song, it was better to just give it to Air Senior. After all, we had to focus on maintaining our image.

    For my peace of mind... To increase Chronos''s chance of winning...

    ***

    After Chronos finished their lunch and returned to their amodation, a video was uploaded to their newly established official UTube channel.

    The rookie group, Chronos, previously only featured in articles, was veiled in mystery the whole time. However, their behind-the-scenes footage from the profile shoot was finally updated on the <i>Pick We Up</i> channel, showcasing their first real appearances in a video. Except for a few individuals who discovered Chronos¡¯s channel through social media, the majority ofizens flocked to the rtively quiet<i> Pick We Up</i> channel<i>, </i>causing it to explode in poprity after the release of an audition video.

    LoveyouAllure ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    LMAO Reina is watching as if she is looking at a fascinating creature ahahaha

    Likes 200 Dislikes 1

    Comments 2

    ©¸ Da-WinTicktock ¡¤ 30 seconds ago

    AHAHAHAHA! Seems like that one dislike is from YMM''s CEO

    KimNuri ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    When the baby main dancer suddenly threw his wig and bent his body in the middle of the performance, I felt like I was going to be a fan of this group.

    Likes 102 Dislikes 1

    Comments 4

    ©¸ anonymous ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    That''s a crazy point of attraction lol

    RuntoYou ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Who''s the member in the back with the adult Cha Cha outfit? Love you, bro.

    Likes 1.5K Dislikes 31

    OnlyOneWithoutNintendo ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Ahahaha! I just watched the profile pics on this group''s official channel. It''s so hard to adapt to this video after watching that. Lmao!

    Likes 366 Dislikes 1

    Comments 3

    ©¸ YoonHoo ¡¤ 20 minutes ago

    I agree lol. Whoever suggested this is a genius. It''s hrious thinking about them choosing this while others were preparing something cool.

    ©¸ TheHigh ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    It''s different from the YU side''s High Tension haha

    UNET also yed a part in setting Chronos apart from High Tension right from the thumbnail. High Tension''s thumbnail featured a stunning visual with a dramatic ending pose, while Chronos¡¯s thumbnail showed Suh Hyun-Woo with a stoic expression, striking a unique pose. It wasplemented by a bold, ancient-style font that dered, "I''m serious right now." While it might have seemed humorous, it caught the public¡¯s attention, leading to a surge in views and reactions that surpassed High Tension¡¯s.

    Two members, in particr, stood out among the rest¡ªSuh Hyun-Woo and Park Yoon-Chan. Despite his shyness about a short skirt, Park Yoon-Chan showcased a delicate beauty entuated by his recent diet, captivating many. On the other hand, by being featured prominently in the thumbnail, Suh Hyun-Woo also received a lot of attention for his impressive presence.

    MilkyWay ¡¤ 20 minutes ago

    Who''s the member in the center? Totally my type <3 His face looks like he would get money just by breathing, but he seems like a weirdo aww. That''s my ideal type. I like him so much!!!

    Likes 2K Dislikes 1

    Comments 23

    ©¸ SpecialSong ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Crazy lol.

    ©¸ EarnAsMuchAsMySubscribers ¡¤ 3 minutes ago

    While other members sometimes seem to get overwhelmed, this member genuinely seems to enjoy it.

    ©¸ MultiPurposeSpoon ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Agreed. I get an unusual, strong vibe from him.

    IAmWithDobby ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    Who''s the member constantly in the center? Totally my type... So beautiful and handsome, it''s infuriating.

    Likes 174 Dislikes 5

    Comments 17

    ©¸ Whatswrong ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Why are you getting infuriated HAHAHA

    Most were captivated by Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s appearance and the way he seriously danced in a red cape. He seemed to be enjoying it the most, almost like a lunatic.

    However, Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s sleek look matched YMM¡¯s taste and his somewhat contrasting behavior started to draw attention. But after a certain point, he and Chronos gradually became the topic of other discussions, stirring even bigger controversies.

    YoongYoong@gardium ¡¤ 4 hours ago

    With the release of the video, I remembered something. Didn''t someone say Chronos was involved in the lighting identst time? The voice from the ident clip sounds just like him.

    ©¸Roundies @kimda_win ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Replying to @gardium

    Come to think of it, even though it''s blurry, doesn''t the injured member and this guy seem simr????...??????

    Following the spection of a BlueBird user, a renowned photographer and fan of Allure, rumors spread among Allure¡¯s fanbase and other informedizens, suggesting that Suh Hyun-Woo might have been the one involved in the previous lighting ident.

    Simultaneously, as Chronos climbed the real-time search rankings on various portal sites again, Suh Hyun-Woo found himself in a cafe on the first floor of their agency building, meeting with Kim Da-Win, a member of the top-ss idol group, Allure.

    ***

    Being a trainee for a very long time had its downsides, but it also had its perks. One of the best parts was being able to dance and sing all day in the practice room without worrying about what others thought, while another perk was the ability to casually boast about my acquaintance with Allure, proudly dering, "Yeah, we''re from the same agency, so we''re close." This satisfied my craving for attention.

    I, Suh Hyun-Woo, had been a trainee for a decade. When I first joined YMM, I was just an elementary school student, while the members of Allure were still in their trainee phase. During those early days, I addressed them with utmost respect, calling them ¡°hyung, hyung,¡±<i> </i>and they kindly looked after me, much like an older sibling would.

    Now, even though my group members and I called them ¡°seniors,¡± my bond with Allure had endured even as they made their debut, and I reached my tenth year as a trainee.

    At the cafe on the first floor of the agency building, Da-Win, who always wore his sunsses, jokinglyughed and said, ¡°I watched it, and the clip made my day.¡±

    ¡°Ah, hyung.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could doedy too. You should have done it earlier, like that Cha-Cha.¡±

    When I frowned at Da-Win''s teasing, he quickly defused the situation. Of all the Allure members, leader Da-Win was the closest to me. Like Joo-Han, he took care of everyone since his trainee days, making him the mostforting person to meet.

    ¡°The way you danced in that audition, as if it was your only chance to debut, was impressive. It''s just that your outfit was Cha-Cha.¡±

    ¡°Ah, stop teasing me! Every single one of us gave our all in that audition; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.¡±

    I had nearly missed out on that chance, so I simply shared my feelings as I sipped my coffee, prompting Da-Win to yfully tap me on the head.

    ¡°You¡¯ve really grown up, kiddo.¡±

    ¡°But hyung, aren¡¯t you swamped with work these days?¡±

    Da-Win pondered and shook his head in response to my question. ¡°We''re in the midst of preparing for our next album, but I can make some time. What¡¯s up?¡±

    Oh, what a relief. If he had mentioned going overseas again, it would have thrown a wrench in my ns.

    I let out a sigh of relief, smiled lightly, and asked, ¡°Could I possibly ask you for a favor?¡±

 Chapter 20: Survival Show - Cover Song (5)

    <h4>Chapter 20: Survival Show - Cover Song (5)</h4>

    At the bustling cafe filled with people who were enjoying their weekend, some customers recognized Da-Win as a member of the renowned group Allure. However, despite the attention, Da-Win didn¡¯t seem bothered and simply tilted his head in response to my question.

    "A favor? Let''s hear it," he said. Da-Win seemed a bit hesitant and started to fiddle with his phone. Seeing him behaving like this, I immediately got the hint and waved my hand dismissively.

    "I won''t take up too much of your time. I just want some feedback rted to thispetition."

    As the top idol group in South Korea, Allure wouldn''t be able to grant time-consuming requests, even during their downtime. Hence, Da-Win probably fiddled with his phone to adjust his schedule for a challenging favor.

    Hearing my request, he finally stopped fidgeting, wearing a slightly relieved expression. "I can provide feedback at any time. Even if you send me a dance video, I can call you and offer some advice."

    "Thanks. We initially nned on performing ¡®Goblin,¡¯ but the song suddenly changed."

    "Oh, I''ve heard. Another group took it, right?"

    I nodded. Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing to admit. Unlike ¡°Goblin,¡± which we could perform with our eyes closed, ¡°Moon Sea¡± was a song even Allure hadn''t performed often. Thus, we hadn''t been taught this song even during our training days.

    "I''ve skimmed through the video, but it''s hard to study the details like that, and it''s awkward learning dance moves in front of a camera."

    "I see." Da-Win understood my issue.

    While scratching the back of my neck, I awkwardly added, "Also, umm... our manager hyung hinted that it''d be good if Allure members showed close ties with us on screen."

    "Oh, I see. Okay, got it."

    In other words, I was asking for him to appear in front of the camera during our practice.

    Da-Winughed, "That¡¯s not a big deal. I will bring all the members. After all, we practically live at thepany nowadays."

    Being directly under the samepany as Allure, Chronos had garnered significant attention from Allure¡¯s fanbase. However, a considerable number of them reacted sensitively toward ourpany and us on various social media tforms. They expressed their concerns withments like ¡°Just pay more attention to Allure,¡± ¡°How is the agency going to manage another group when they can¡¯t even take proper care of Allure?¡± and ¡°I¡¯m going to be furious if youbel the new group as Allure¡¯s brother group.¡±

    This scenario posed a potential risk in the uingpetitions where votes and viewer reactions were crucial. Therefore, we had to secure the favor of Allure fans, and to do so, we had to demonstrate a strong bond with ourbelmates and receive visible support from them.

    Considering how Da-Win frequently checked social media, he seemed to acknowledge our manager''s concerns. "It''s actually good timing. We are too idle off-stage."

    "Thanks. That''s a relief."

    Da-Win nonchntly nodded and continued texting, probably informing other Allure members to free up their schedules.

    ¡°But seriously, I was surprised watching the audition videos. What happened during these years? Weren''t you filled with determination during your debut audition? You seemed to have a different attitude back then,¡± Da-Win muttered. Well, once someone experienced the harsh realities of life, they changed. Also, changing the future was no easy task.

    "I''ve been practicing for a decade. I have to debut now."

    "Ha, right! Hyun-Woo needs to debut too. I want to start eating meals on your dime."

    I grinned, "Of course, meals are on me next time."

    "Ah, such spirit! Shall we leave?" Da-Win collected his coffee tray and rose from his seat. Heading to the counter, he drew the attention of the crowd. He was ten years older than me. I wondered if it was because he debuted quitetepared to most idols, but his humble way of acknowledging every gaze he met was truly admirable.

    "Let''s go." He put on his sunsses and led me outside the cafe, where a crowd of fans had gathered. Seeing them, I took a step back and lowered my head.

    "You go ahead, hyung. I''ll head straight to the practice room."

    Seeing my visible difort, Da-Win was about to say something but then received a call. After saying bye, he disappeared into the crowd.

    "Whew." Thankfully, the fans followed Da-Win, and they were out of sight.

    I made my way to the second-floor practice room, feeling a slight edge in my nerves after unexpectedly encounteringrge crowds. My unease likely stemmed from past experiences when I still bore a scar on my face. I understood that confronting such lingering trauma posed a considerable challenge, particrly with uing performances on the horizon.

    ***

    When I walked into the practice room, Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan were lightly trying out the choreography for ¡°Moon Sea¡± with Lee Jin-Sung at the center.

    ¡°Have you memorized it already?¡±

    ¡°Nah, I am just watching it once and repeatedly trying to match what I saw,¡± said Lee Jin-Sung in a discouraged tone. Contrary to his expectations, copying the movement seemed quite challenging.

    "I thought it couldn''t be more difficult than the cover song I did for my debut group audition, but it''s really hard."

    "¡¯Moon Sea¡¯ is definitely tough. I''ll help too."

    I rolled up my training suit sleeves and sat in front of theptop. While ¡°Goblin¡±plemented Lee Jin-Sung''s robust dance style, ¡°Moon Sea¡± required a more dreamy andnguid expression. It demanded precise and graceful movements, so even the subtler moves wereplex, making it a challenging piece to master in a short time.

    "Let''s y the song for now and try dancing to it, I guess? Let''s film andpare our dance."

    I took the phone from the manager and started recording. As the song started, Lee Jin-Sung danced around while continuously shaking his head. "Ah, this isn''t it... I''ve covered this before, why isn''t the feeling the same?"

    "Maybe your dance style has be too fixedtely?"

    "Maybe? Hyun-Woo hyung might cover it better."

    Hearing Lee Jin-Sung''s words, Joo-Han nodded. "Hyun-Woo should take the lead; he excels in bringing out this kind of dance style."

    Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon was pulling his hair out while jotting down rap lyrics in the corner of the practice room.

    "What are you doing? I thought you gave up on ¡®Goblin¡¯ and didn¡¯t need to write the rap part anymore?" I asked.

    Hearing my question, Goh Yoo-Joon shouted in frustration, "Exactly! But Joo-Han hyung insists on adding a non-existent rap part!"

    Joo-Han clicked his tongue at the sight of Goh Yoo-Joon, whose hair stood up like a bird''s nest. "Tsk, you make a fuss even when given an opportunity. Didn''t you boast about your lyric-writing skill in front of the camera? Don''t you want to showcase it?"

    "Ah, hyung!"

    "Write a rap that encapstes the pain of a breakup, but keep itnguid to match the song''s mood. Don¡¯t make it too energetic. Write it and then bring it to me for review."

    Despite his frustration, Goh Yoo-Joon went back to his notepad, his determination renewed.

    Meanwhile, Park Yoon-Chan discreetly sipped on a diet shake from his bag. Although Joo-Han had spoken his piece, he still seemed concerned and walked over to nudge Goh Yoo-Joon''s leg gently. Seizing the moment, I subtly shifted the camera¡¯s focus from filming Lee Jin-Sung to capturing the yful interaction between Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han.

    "Why do you guys always start fighting as soon as practice begins? Stop and gather in the middle!" Having observed us for a while, our manager finally lost his patience and gathered us in the middle of the room.

    "You need to practice seriously and cease the idle chatter. You can chit-chat or have an immature fight in front of the camerater. It''s time to bring out your best and break free from the <i>Red Riding Hood</i> image, okay?"

    "Ah."

    Upon hearing this, the members'' eyes red with determination again. I had been slightly rxed after the audition, but I recalled that we were still in the preparation stage for the new song. The thought of being associated with the image of the<i> Red Riding Hood</i> made me tense again.

    Indeed, I couldn''t let people remember me as the ¡°Red Cape Thumbnail Guy¡±.

    "Hey, Jin-Sung. Let''s watch the video again. Let''s master it today and teach the other members."

    "Okay, hyung. As soon as I heard the <i>Red Riding Hood</i> story, it was like some of the choreography memories came flooding back."

    Lee Jin-Sung and I repeatedly yed the dance video of Allure on theptop.

    Meanwhile, the other three started to discuss other arrangements with the manager.

    "The change of positions happens a lot. Since we have fewer members, it might be better to adjust our choreography ording to the movements," I said while trying out the choreography. Lee Jin-Sung nodded, watching the video with determination, and then let out a sigh.

    "Ugh, I need to watch this in slow motion. Not only are there many small moves, but the choreography itself is also really fast."

    "...I agree."

    Come to think of it, the seniors had also said that this song was the most challenging to memorize in their interviews. When selecting songs, I initially believed there could be no better choice than this one. However, considering theplexity of the dance and our rtiveck of experience, mastering it might prove to be a bit challenging.

    It was then.

    "Oh! Look, the kids are practicing!"

    "What are you doing? You just started practicing, didn''t you? Still fresh?"

    The practice room door suddenly swung open, and the members of Allure strolled in, chatting away on their phones. Caught off guard by this unexpected intrusion, we shared quick, confused looks before swiftly getting up to greet them.

    "Hello!"

    "Oh, are you practicing for that? The survival variety show you''re participating in?"

    "Da-Win told us it''s a very difficult song. Can you tell us which song it is yet?"

    "Ah... Not yet. It hasn''t aired yet."

    Laughing heartily, the Allure members enthusiastically shoved their phone cameras in our faces. Intrigued by their unusually lively behavior, I nced at one of the phone screens and saw a flurry of chat messages scrolling by.

    They must be live broadcasting.

    "Everyone, these are our juniors. Can we film for a moment?"

    "Yes? Ah, yes!"

    I nced at the manager, wondering if we could appear on the broadcast now, and he mouthed. ¡°Just do it.¡±

    <i>¡®Why are they here out of nowhere?¡¯</i>

    As the Allure members gathered us in the middle of the practice room, everyone had a clueless expression on their faces. Da-Win smiled as he looked at us in that state.

    ¡°We are doing a live broadcast with the fans, and I happened to see you guys on my way. So, I thought I would introduce you to them. Is that okay?¡±

    ¡°Uh, no. I mean, yes!"

    I wasn¡¯t expecting this at all. It seemed that Da-Win remembered our earlier conversation at the cafe and decided to be considerate before going live. Holding a phone, Tucan spoke up, his eyes on the screen.

    "Everyone, meet our first juniors. Do you know about the survival entertainment show being prepared on UNET? They are the popr ones with the red cloaks."

    "They look handsome without the cloak, right?" As Allure members spoke, our group started to nervously adjust our hair and clothes.

    "Everyone, say hi."

    "Yes! One, two, three!"

    "Hello! We''re Chronos! Nice to meet you!"

    Allure gave each of us a chance to introduce ourselves.

    - They seem more normal than I thought, huh? I thought they would also be noisy in real life.??????

    - The person with the ck tee in the middle is Cha-Cha, the center, right?

    - Sae-Youn, wish me luck for my test tomorrow.

    - ???????? What? They looked so different in the video I saw. This is heartwarming.??????

    - So cute... so young...!

    - (LOVE?emoji) Love uuuuuuuuuuuuuu????????

    - Oppa, it''s my birthday today. Can you wish me a happy birthday?

    - Look at the oppas taking care of their first juniors... A, So sweet.

    It was surprisingly pleasant to see Allure¡¯s fans being so warm and weing to us. While it was somewhat embarrassing, it was also a delightful experience to spot a few of our own fans in the mix.

    Facilitated by the Allure members, our brief appearance on the live-streaming app and the casual conversation were going smoothly until:

    - Can you please do the <i>Magic Pendant</i> part once???

    With that singlement, the stage was set for what wouldter be remembered as Chronos¡¯s most legendary moment.

 Chapter 21: Survival Show - Cover Song (6)

    <h4>Chapter 21: Survival Show - Cover Song (6)</h4>

    A live broadcast suddenly started in the bustling practice room, and the chat room became wild at the request of a fan to perform ¡°Magic Pendant Woooah.¡±

    - ???????????????????? Magic Pendant Woooah!

    - Magic Pendant Woooah!

    - Magic Pendant Woooah!

    - Magic Pendant Woooah!

    - ?????????????????? What? ??????

    - Magic Pendant Woooah!

    The chat room started to be filled with mentions of ¡°Magic Pendant.¡± Meanwhile, Sae-Youn from Allure looked on in confusion as he was unfamiliar with the <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i> phenomenon.

    "What is this ''Magic Pendant Woooah'' thing?" asked Sae-Youn, feeling puzzled.

    "Ma...Magic... Pen...dant... Ahahahaha..."

    Unable to contain theirughter any longer, the previously tense members of Chronos finally burst outughing. This meme was well-known among those who kept up with recent idol trends or frequented UTube.

    ¡°Magic Pendant Woooah.¡±

    It was a viral text representation of the high note I had hit in the popr <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha </i>performance<i>.</i> Recently, thements section of that video had been swamped with cries of "Magic Pendant Woooah," almost like a rite of passage for viewers. It had only been a week since the upload, and I already became aughingstock, relentlessly teased by my fellow group members back at the dorm.

    Thanks to that, my face was turning all shades of red by the time Tucan read the chat.

    "Oh, that! Uh... hy-hyung," I stuttered.

    "Why is everyoneughing? What? What? Tell me!" asked Sae-Youn again.

    The only ones notughing were the clueless Sae-Youn and me.

    "Come on, do it. Hyungs are as-king," said Yoo-Joon.

    "Goh Yoo-Joon, this isn''t the time tough. Do it here...?" I asked.

    <i>¡®We just introduced ourselves so gracefully, didn''t we?¡¯</i>

    The chat that was asionally filled withments about how handsome and heartwarming we were was now flooded with "??" and "Pendant Woooah."

    "... Uh, hyung," I muttered.

    "Why? You should do it, Hyun-Woo. It''s a good opportunity to showcase yourself, so you should."

    "Let''s do it. Come on. Hyun-Woo, step forward."

    "I will get you a full-body shot. Just a moment."

    <i>¡®Seriously, guys!¡¯</i>

    Tucan excitedly moved next to the mirror and inadvertently captured me in his video, who was standing in a daze. However, I couldn¡¯t say anything as the camera was on. Allure members were urging me to quickly try the gesture, saying it would make us more popr. Meanwhile, Chronos members were in the back, shrugging it off as it wasn¡¯t their business and just watching. I was the only one feeling embarrassed.

    What could I do? As the Allure members pointed out, I was just a rookie who had not even debuted. If enduring a bit of teasing was the price to pay for increasing our group''s poprity, then I had to embrace it.

    <i>¡®Ugh, singing high notes makes me feel drained, but oh well!¡¯</i>

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go. One, two, three!¡± On Da-Win''s count, I took a deep breath.

    "Woah, ma, magic, pen-dan-t, woo-ah!"

    Following that, the entire practice room erupted inughter. The Allure members, our manager, and especially my fellow Chronos members were in stitches. Some were even shedding tears from the sheer hrity, and even Sae-Youn, who had been previously clueless, couldn''t resist joining in theughter.

    So, this was the expected oue. Nevertheless, I couldn¡¯t help but find it not funny at all.

    ¡°Ah, dang! I spaced out for a moment there. It¡¯s even funnier seeing it in real life!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s funnier because the most obedient-looking one is doing it!¡±

    With a mild frustration in my voice, I eximed, "Since then, it seems like everyone I meet only talks about that!"

    Even my family would rey the video endlessly and say that my dad had finally found his sense of humor. However, weren¡¯t they allughing a bit too much at my expense?

    I found the whole situation irritating, especially Goh Yoo-Joon''s reaction. He seemed to beughing the hardest, and that irked me the most.

    I then spoke with a slightly disgruntled face as I faced the camera. "But hyung, am I the only one doing this?"

    "Haha, cough... um, what?" Da-Win looked at me while trying to hold back hisughter. It was clear that he found my acting amusing.

    Iined, ¡°Please give my members a chance to showcase their abilities too. It seems unfair for me to do it myself.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right! What about the other members? Jin-Sung took off his wig and danced, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes! That!¡±

    ¡°What else was there?¡±

    As Da-Win recalled the memorable moments from the video, I quietly suggested, ¡°How about we all do it together here?¡±

    ¡°All together?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but just for a minute so as to not disturb your livestream,¡± I said.

    My request to not disturb their livestream seemed to be well-received, as indicated by the chatroom¡¯s positive response. Thankfully, they didn''t see us as a nuisance, which brought me a sense of relief. Da-Win also seemed on board with the idea.

    "Wow, I want to see. Let''s see why our fans are so enamored with <i>Cha-Cha</i>." When Sae-Youn supported me, Da-Win nced at the chat and nodded. ¡°Alright, I do want to see it in person as well. Dear Perfume (name of Allure''s fanbase), we will sit in the front and react to it.¡±

    Multiple chat messages followed.

    - OMG, are they performing without the red cape????? OMG ??????

    - I¡¯mughing so much that I feel like I am going to die! ??????

    - This group is as funny as Allure. ??????

    - Does Chronos usually call the seniors ''hyung''?

    - Okay... but only a minute! Not more! The rest of the time is for Allure, juniors.

    - LOL, never expected to see<i> Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i> here! ??????

    Throughout the live broadcast, we performed various yful acts while feeling embarrassed. Our expressions must have given away our awkwardness even if the viewers couldn''t see our faces clearly.

    Fortunately, Allure was adjusting their camera and didn¡¯t show our full expressions. Also, I could feel the intense stares from my fellow Chronos members, but I chose to ignore them and just grin.

    "Come on, hurry up and get ready, guys." My voice was light and yful as I called the members forward. Hence, they joined me, albeit reluctantly.

    "I heard the second verse is better than the first. Let¡¯s start from there. However, just one minute."

    Our members started to do the <i>Cha-Cha</i> dance in casual attire. At first, they moved awkwardly, but they got into the groove when the song started. While they didn''t want to do it, they knew that this was a golden opportunity to appeal to Allure''s fans.

    The moment the catchy beat yed, the <i>Cha-Cha</i> stage, led by Jin-Sung, had Allure members rolling on the floor,ughing at ourical points. Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been ring at me earlier, was now enjoying himself and showing off cute dance moves with his hips. As the only member of Chronos with a rugged image and buff body, it was an entirely unexpected and amusing transformation for him.

    After the one-minute performance, the members of Allure took a moment to tidy up the floor where they had beenughing, while Chronos was trying to catch their breath andpose themselves.

    ¡°Ah, this was hrious. I am going to watch that program from now on.¡±

    "I didn''t know you guys are like this. Every time we passed by, you looked so gentle and naive.¡±

    After spending ten minutes introducing their junior group to their fans, the Allure members left the practice room. However, before that, they didn¡¯t forget to say, "Please support Chronos."

    A minute of awkward silence then ensued, with fellow members shooting me nces. However, didn''t we effectively appeal and please the fans?

    "What are you all looking at? Let''s get back to practicing ¡®Moon Sea.¡¯"

    I quickly went back to myptop.

    "Seriously, we just said we were going to break theedic image this time. How are we going to do that if you eagerly reenact <i>Red Riding Hood</i>?"

    "He must have wanted us all to be embarrassed. Geez."

    "Forget it. Yoo-Joon, you were the most excited one back there. Why are you ming Hyun-Woo? Let''s spread out and practice again."

    We immediately went back to our preparations with the lingering excitement of the live broadcast.

    ***

    We practiced the choreography tirelessly all night, and the unexpected ten-minute stint on the live broadcast resulted in an overwhelmingly positive response. Fans who had initiallye for Allure started embracing us warmly, and our performance spawned a flurry of shared clips, GIFs, and photos that were humorously titled ¡°the Red Riding Hood guys.¡± Finally, Chronos was starting to carve out its own niche in the fanmunity.

    Bbyorong @bb_wrong2 ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    When we get serious, we flip the red hood over.

    (Pic of a serious face in Red Riding Hood audition.jpg)

    Retweets 912 Likes 1.2K Dislikes 302

    Monstar @pigonhe ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    This video is going to be my favorite for the next ten years

    (Training wear choreography video.gif)

    Retweets 332 Likes 250 Dislikes 3

    Tucan @twokan ¡¤ 2 hours ago

    (Video of Suh Hyun-Woo saying ''Sunbaenim[1]¡¯ to Kim Da-Win.gif)

    Are Allure and Chronos close in private? Looks like he wanted to call him ''bro'' but quickly changed it to ''senior''

    Retweets 288 Likes 40 Dislikes 1

    HotSix @hotsix_32 ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    I''m mad. I found these fresh rookies secretly y-fighting and couldn''t help but smile... darn...

    (GIF of Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon y-fighting during the live broadcast.gif)

    Retweets 2K Likes 697 Dislikes 2

    ©¸ChewingGum @wang_dog ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    Replying to @hotsix_32

    What? Was there a live broadcast today? Did they appear? I''m clueless but they''re so cute anyway.

    ©¸HotSix @hotsix_32 ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Replying to @wang_dog

    Right? Reminds me of when my baby Allure were rookies. I didn¡¯t n to watch those UNET jerks'' broadcasts, but I''ll give it a try now.

    CrackTile @kaka0_0 ¡¤ 3 hours ago

    What, so cute. I''m taking them in.

    Motive

    (Photo of a clueless but polite greeting.jpg)

    Reason for Obsession

    (GIF of Chronos innocently smiling then suddenly dancing yfully in training wear.gif)

    Fans quickly fell for us, thanks to Allure¡¯s live broadcasts and the <i>Red Riding Hood</i> clip. Even the unofficial footage helped gather momentum, and soon a dedicated fan channel for Chronos appeared on UTube.

    Chronos became the second group among the <i>Pick We Up</i> cast to have fan channels established before their real debut. However, due to <i>unspoken</i> fan rules about a certain incident involving Chronos, these channels predominantly featured our humorous moments, which had recently be a hot topic.

    (Video where Suh Hyun-Woo gradually involves all members)

    Comments 2,539

    Feelings ¡¤ 30 mins ago

    LOL! Hyun-Woo will never go down alone! Ta-ha! Chronos is one body!

    Likes 4 Dislikes 0

    Reply 2

    ©¸DarwinTicktock ¡¤ 1 min ago

    Party is starting with Hyun-Woo

    Savice ¡¤ 6 mins ago

    As expected, my Hyun-Woo is the craziest...? Love you, hyung.

    Likes 400 Dislikes 30

    Reply 7

    ©¸SuhlA ¡¤ 1 min ago

    Why are you calling him ¡®hyung¡¯? That''s weird...

    ©¸TwinkleYuri ¡¤ 1 min ago

    Excuse me, are all Chronos fans this crazy...?

    ©¸WantSomeTanghulu ¡¤ 1 min ago

    LOL! Of course not!

    RunToYou ¡¤ 4 hours ago

    The way that member talks is so witty!

    Likes 240 Dislikes 1

    FromTodayChaCha ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    But why is there only mention of Hyun-Woo here? Please notice our youngest members in the background. Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung, big sis loves you so much <3

    Likes 333 Dislikes 1

    Some also edited and posted profile shots from the official Chronos channel, but the only videos suitable for promoting Chronos in the short term were the <i>Red Riding Hood </i>and Allure''s livestream videos.

    To make matters worse...

    UNET recently realized that videos uploaded under Chronos''s name had been receiving positive attention, so they uploaded another video with this title.

    [The man in the Red Cloak. Betting his life on Cha-Cha]

    It was a video of Suh Hyun-Woo looking at Park Yoon-Chan and asking, "Is Cha-Cha a joke?"

    StraightforwardPerson ¡¤ 40 mins ago

    Cha-Cha is a joke. If not, what is it?

    Likes 3.2K Dislikes 32

    Reply 37

    ©¸Natural ¡¤ 5 mins ago

    AHAHAHAHHA that is true

    AllianceRecruitment ¡¤ 3 mins ago

    As expected, Suh Hyun-Woo is the funniest guy.

    ©¸WantSomeTanghulu ¡¤ 1 min ago

    LOL. How did this group be aedic group even before their debut?

    ©¸SoSleepy ¡¤ 30 seconds ago

    Is their direct senior not Allure? They are so different from them. Their agency must be so nervous.

    In their journey, Chronos would build a unique fan base that would significantly sway future viewer votes¡ªthough that was a tale for another asion. The group was known for their lighthearted and humorous approach, radiating an endearingly quirky vibe that contrasted sharply with Allure¡¯s serious demeanor. Over time, Chronos¡¯s image would continue to evolve, bing even more pronounced andedic.

    This was how fans, media outlets, and the general public saw Chronos. Little did they know, the group was gearing up to surprise everyone with a dramatic shift, showcasing their versatility through a sensual and poetic track titled ¡°Moon Sea.¡±

    1. ???. Refers to a senior or someone with more experience in a particr setting, such as school, work, or within industry. ?

 Chapter 22: Survival Show - Cover Song (7)

    <h4>Chapter 22: Survival Show - Cover Song (7)</h4>

    It was nearing eleven o¡¯clock at night.

    <i>Squick, squick.</i>

    The sound of sneaker soles scraping against the floor resonated through the practice room, creating an irritating noise.

    ¡°Huff... huff... Ugh, huff...¡±

    ¡°...That¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s call it a day,¡± said Joo-Han.

    Simultaneously, we all copsed, our shaky legs and arms making it challenging to support our own weight.

    ¡°Ah... I feel like, huff, I''m going to die...¡±

    We took long, ragged breaths while lying haphazardly on the practice room floor. Thepetition was less than a day away. If we didn''t practice to the point of soaking our clothes with sweat, theplex choreography would be impossible to master.

    ¡°And we are singing on top of this dance, right?¡±

    ¡°...Sigh, everyone, get up,¡± Goh Yoo-Joonmanded, rising to his feet with a groan. Jin-Sung also sighed but got up nheless. Staggering back to hisptop, he resumed ying the music. Despite the weariness written all over our faces, we obediently stood up and returned to our positions.

    I forced my wobbling legs to lift me up as well and took my ce in the middle of the room.

    <i>¡®It''s so hard that I feel like I am going to die.¡¯</i>

    I could now understand why this popr fan-favorite song was rarely performed live.

    <i>¡®They said it would be easier than Goblin.¡¯</i>

    Because the choreography demanded maximum use of our body lines, it drained our energy drastically with every run-through.

    ¡°Okay, let''s try again. Yoon-Chan and Yoo-Joon''s beats are still a bit slow.¡±

    ¡°Alright, let''s do it again.¡±

    The music filled the room once more, and we lifted our heavy heads to resume our practice session. Jin-Sung was impressive as he tirelessly reyed the song until our movements were perfect, but the other members also showedmendable resilience by immediately getting into their positions without breaks.

    ¡°Remember what Tucan hyung said earlier about bending your waist more. Keep that in mind.¡±

    The dance routine started again. At first, they had been able to sing along with the dance, but now, that was impossible. Conserving their energy, they went through the already perfected moves efficiently and put their full effort into the sections they were unsure about.

    When the full song was finallypleted...

    ¡°Huff, Heave... Okay...¡± Atst, Jin-Sung signaled that it was alright.

    ¡°Ah...¡± I copsed onto the floor, exhausted. We had pushed ourselves to our limits, driven by the desire to deliver a wless performance.

    ¡°You guys worked really hard. I can see now that you all are doing well, even without my constant supervision. I''m proud of you all,¡± our manager praised as he handed out water bottles to each of us.

    ¡°We''d be embarrassed if we couldn''t do it after Allure seniors personally taught us,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    Earlier today, Allure had visited our practice room before the <i>Pick We Up</i> camera crew left, instructing us for nearly three hours despite their busy schedule. If we couldn''t dance well after all that, it would be the ultimate disgrace. We had to repay the seniors with a perfect performance, especially after they had dered their support for us on a live broadcast.

    Joo-Han, who had been lying on the floor staring at the ceiling, casually asked, ¡°Yoo-Joon, you don''t need to revise the beginning rap part anymore, right?¡±

    ¡°No. It finally sounds decent now,¡± answered Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Since Jin-Sung approved of the choreography, let''s review it once more before the shooting tomorrow,¡± urged Joo-Han.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°...Whew.¡±

    Joo-Han exhaled and sat up. ¡°Let''s head back to the dorm.¡± After that, we started to gather our belongings.

    ¡°Make sure to rest and stretch before sleeping.¡±

    ¡°...Hyung, I''m too drained to even respond, so please don¡¯t talk to me.¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Our manager helped the staggering members into the car. Once we arrived at the dorm, we poured all the ice from the fridge into a tub like we had been doing this whole week.

    ¡°An article already came out about Allure seniors appearing on the show,¡± said Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Were the survival series that famous?¡± Yoo-Joon asked.

    Joo-Han nodded at their words. ¡°Exactly. So, we must perform better than anyone else tomorrow. Especially since we are the most anticipated group on that famous show.¡±

    Gathering in the living room, we gave our overworked feet a much-needed break by soaking them in ice. Already familiar with this routine, Goh Yoo-Joon turned his back to me.

    ¡°Hey, I saw how flexible you were earlier. Why don¡¯t you try massaging it yourself this time?¡± I teased.

    ¡°Yo, we are friends. This is the meaning of friendship. I will do it for youter.¡±

    I reached into a drawer next to the couch, pulled out a patch, and pped it onto Goh Yoo-Joon''s back.

    ¡°Ouch!¡±

    ¡°Does it sting and feel cold? Stay still!¡±

    As I repeatedly applied and removed the patch from Goh Yoo-Joon''s back, he attempted to swat my hand away with his heel.

    "Joo-Han hyung, they are fighting again."

    "Don''t they ever get tired? It''s so exhausting," grumbled Joo-Han.

    Looking at us disdainfully, Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan then wiped their feet and went back to their room.

    "I will clean up the ice, so you guys should go to bed first," Lee Jin-Sung said respectfully. It seemed he wanted to soak his feet a little longer, so we quietly went back to our room.

    As Iy down in the dark room, I felt like I''d fall asleep before I could even think. Just as I was about to doze off...

    "Hey." Goh Yoo-Joon called me.

    "What? I was about to sleep."

    "Do you want to wake up early tomorrow morning and practice with me? It''s ourst chance.¡±

    "...Alright, sure. Good night," I replied

    He seemed anxious because he had been continuously pointed out for being a beat slow. I then quickly drifted off to sleep.

    After a whirlwind of a week, the day of thepetition was just around the corner.

    ***

    The sound of hair dryers filled the room, and my face was covered inyers of heavy makeup. Draped in a silk shirt, I had a choker ced around my neck. The fatigue on my face was disappearing, reced by makeup and costumes befitting ¡°Moon Sea.¡±

    I then heard Lee Jin-Sung scolding Park Yoon-Chan.

    "Why is your beat slow again? If I had known you were this anxious, I would''ve joined you and Yoo-Joon hyung for early morning practice,"ined Lee Jin-Sung

    "Sorry! I''ll get it right before the live show," said Park Yoon-Chan. Having finished preparing, Lee Jin-Sung was ying the role of a strict teacher as he instructed Park Yoon-Chan.

    "Yes, yes. The bed on the stage should be slightly diagonal. So, after the center member gets up, it can be quickly removed. Yes... No, we never mentioned changing members." Our manager was continuously on the phone, discussing with the stage director of UNET. Despite the chaos, cameras were rolling, capturing behind-the-scenes footage.

    Soon, the makeup artists finished their work and took a step back. ¡°Is everyone ready? In-Hyun oppa, do we need to go?"

    "Ah, we should. Everyone, let''s head down."

    Following the stylist leader''s words, our manager left for the first floor. We then wrapped ourselves in nkets to prevent any costume spoilers and headed for the car.

    Once everyone got in, the car immediately departed for UNET. All the members plugged in their earphones, listening to ¡°Moon Sea¡± and visualizing their performance.

    Inside the quiet car, which was unusual for Chronos, our manager spoke loudly, "We will be using the stage for a music broadcast. It''s a different vibe from the Cha-Cha we did before, but don''t be too nervous."

    "..."

    "They will bring cameras into the waiting room to capture reactions for each stage, so don''t be shocked and respond well, got it? Why is no one replying?"

    "Oppa, they are all wearing earphones. They probably can''t hear you."

    "Ugh."

    "Talk to themter, don''t disturb them now." The stylist calmed the manager down. In fact, we all heard him. His voice was naturally loud, so we couldn''t miss it even with the music ying. However, no one replied because our car had just entered the broadcasting station''s parking lot.

    Cameras waiting at the entrance directly rushed over to capture our arrival.

    "Wrap yourselves well in the nkets so the costumes aren''t visible!"

    "Okay."

    After the manager said this, the camera captured the members'' faces as Joo-Han opened the car door.

    "Hello. We are looking forward to today." We politely greeted the VJ and moved to the waiting room, surrounded by the manager and stylists.

    "Wow! A moving camera!"

    "This waiting room is huge."

    Compared to our first official shoot, the treatment we received for the second shoot seemed significantly better. The waiting room we were provided with was spacious, a stark contrast to the cramped audition hall we were previously in. Only three unmanned cameras were installed here, which allowed for easy movement for both our staff and us.

    "This is quite rare. It''s not often that trainees get such a pristine waiting room. It seems like you guys have generated some positive buzz," our managermented with a hint of pride in his voice.

    Recently, UNET uploaded preview videos for all the participating groups, and Chronos received the most positive response. Whether it was the audition clip or the preview clip, our view counts were off the charts. Our manager shared how the growing interest in Chronos among idol fans had resulted in us receiving better amodations than other groups.

    "Hyung, can we take off the nkets now? We need to practice."

    "Oh, take them off now. The shoot starts at 1 PM, so we have about thirty minutes left."

    We eagerly took off the nkets and started practicing. It was a physically demanding song, so we danced lightly to ensure we wouldn¡¯t get tired on stage, but we gave it our all in singing to adapt ourselves into different speeds of dance while singing.

    "Yoon-Chan, can you do the hand movements a little faster?¡±

    ¡°Ah, sorry. Is it still slow?¡± Park Yoon-Chan responded, looking somewhat discouraged.

    It was said that geniuses often found it difficult to teach others, and at this moment, Lee Jin-Sung seemed to embody that saying. He struggled to understand why Yoon-Chan was unable to keep up with the choreography.

    Seeing this, I stepped in and ced my hands on Jin-Sung''s shoulders, gently pulling him back just as he was about to be even more agitated. "Yoon-Chan, the arm movements don¡¯t have to be perfectly urate. Just focus on matching the speed, okay?" I suggested.

    ¡°...Just the speed?¡±

    ¡°Yes, all the attention will be on the center of the stage anyway, so as long as you match the speed, it won¡¯t feel out of ce. Let¡¯s do it this way for now since we don¡¯t have much time left.¡±

    We couldn¡¯t afford topletely fix Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s choreography before the stage. Even if we forced him to speed it up for now, Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s move would likely slow down again after shooting the opening and watching the performances of other groups one by one.

    ¡°I am worried people would say that I am dancing half-heartedly.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°They won¡¯t. Making our move in sync is more important, okay?¡±

    Through my trainer life, I learned that every group had its weak links. In cases where one member¡¯s skills were not up to par, or when someone had strong vocals but weak dance skills, attempting to perform the exact same moves as everyone else could lead to misalignment and ack of precision in the choreography.

    The best short-term solution was to ce that member at the back and focus on synchronizing the speed of their movements with the rest of the group. This approach would create the illusion of a well-coordinated performance, at least at first nce, unless someone was scrutinizing each individual¡¯s moves.

    ¡°...We don¡¯t have time right now. Please, Yoon-Chan hyung.¡± Lee Jin-Sung didn¡¯t seem entirely satisfied with my suggestion, but he reluctantly agreed and let Park Yoon-Chan go. As a result, Park Yoon-Chan felt disheartened even more but decided to ept it for now. Reassurance woulde after everything was over. For now, he turned and went back to the couch where Goh Yoo-Joon was sitting.

    At that moment, the waiting room door opened, and a staff member stuck his head in. ¡°Chronos! We are going in for the opening shoot! Please gather in Studio A!¡±

    The first official shoot was about to begin.

 Chapter 23: Survival Show - Cover Song (8)

    <h4>Chapter 23: Survival Show - Cover Song (8)</h4>

    We arrived at a spacious studio set up behind the stage. As the main host, Reina was in the center of the room, and we could see chairs of various colors arranged on either side for each group. We took our seats on the chairsbeled ¡°Chronos.¡±

    The atmosphere was bustling, and every so often, the sound checks of therge screen and speakers behind Reina would jolt us as the crew made final adjustments to the stage conditions. Amidst the chaos, we trainees could only be silent, merely observing and trying to gauge the situation.

    "Wow, the tension here is something else," Lee Jin-Sung whispered.

    "I know, right? I wasn¡¯t this nervous when we were in the waiting room," Goh Yoo-Joon added, sharing his feelings.

    This was our first performance in front of other groups in apetitive setting. Moreover, all of the day''s performances were set to be streamed live andter uploaded as video clips. Given the extensive practice every trainee must have undergone, our level of nervousness was beyond words.

    "Okay, everyone, rx your faces! We are about to start shooting! Ready! Five! Four...! Hi, cue!"

    Reina, who had been looking at the script expressionlessly, abruptly lifted her head and smiled at the director''s cue.

    "Time to meet the future K-POP stars all in one ce! Wee to <i>Pick We Up</i>! I am Reina, the host of the program."

    Reina skillfully hosted the show, mentioning the hot topics rted to <i>Pick We Up</i> over the past week. Among them, our group Chronos was the highlight, but High Tension, who came from a major agency, and Street Center, who presented a group dance in a musical style, also received a lot of attention.

    "You will all present songs that you have been practicing hard on to the audience, and they will be streamed live exclusively on UNET¡¯s official UTube channel. Thirty percent of the scores will then be determined by audience votes, thirty percent by live streaming text votes, and forty percent by fan votes on the official<i> Pick We Up</i> website."

    In other words, our rankings were entirely in the hands of the fans and viewers. It wasn¡¯t just about the ratings; the broadcastingpany would also use this as a measure of poprity that would influence their editing.

    "Based on the rankings, the first-ce team will receive a reward, while thest-ce team will face a penalty. So, give it your best shot. Before we start the performances, please note, as is customary in survival shows, there will be no rehearsals. Now, shall we decide on the performance order? Can each group''s leader pleasee forward?"

    Following Reina¡¯s instructions, our leader Joo-Han, stepped forward to draw the lot. Ideally, thest performance slot was the most coveted as it left asting impression on the audience.

    Historically, Joo-Han wasn¡¯t known for his luck in draws. Even before we debuted, he consistently lost at rock-paper-scissors for practice room reservations, so he often delegated the task to either Lee Jin-Sung or me. His streak of misfortune even extended to the room selection draw for our dorms, where he ended up in a cramped, stuffy single room.

    Surely, our team leader couldn¡¯t have the worst luck out of all these leaders, right?

    <i>¡®Eh, what does it matter if it''s not thest? As long as it''s not the first, it¡¯s all good.¡¯</i>

    ...That was what I thought until I saw Joo-Han, looking panicked and turning to us while holding a stick. No way, right?

    "Ah, there''s no way, hyung..."

    "Even if he''s unlucky, he can''t be that unlucky, right?"

    Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung seemed to share the same thoughts as they spoke with trembling voices. And then, we heard Reina''s voice.

    "Chronos, number one. Chronos has drawn number 1. Please prepare for the stage right away."

    "Number one Chronos, prepare the stage. Goodness me. Their group life is like a si."

    At this moment, we had no choice but to listen to the <i>Pick We Up </i>staff making fun of us.

    "Since it hase to this, let''s give it our all as if our lives depend on it."

    "Alright. Well, what can we do? We''ve been ready to give it our all since the audition anyway."

    "...Well, some people are certainly looking forward to our performance."

    "That''s right, hyung. So throw away that signboard now."

    I took the number one signboard from the dazed Joo-Han and handed it to our stylist.

    Joo-Han said, "I''m sorry. I did my best. You should draw next time, Hyun-Woo. I really can''t do this."

    "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Now, hurry up and get to the front." Feeling a mix of pity and amusement, I gave Joo-Han a gentle push toward the front. His apologetic expression was typical of someone not well-versed in handling pressure. With assistance from the staff, we equipped ourselves with microphones.

    ¡°Thank you for your patience, everyone. Chronos''s performance, the first act of <i>Pick We Up</i>, willmence shortly. We kindly ask for a bit more of your time.¡±

    The audience erupted in cheers at announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan''s words. He was our stage host for the program. Shrouded in ckout curtains, the stage held the props for our performance: a bed for me, a chair for Goh Yoo-Joon, and a standing microphone. Shifting my gaze, I noticed Allure and other artists from various agencies seated as guests near the stage, close to announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan.

    <i>¡®So this is really happening.¡¯</i>

    <i>Thud, thud.</i>

    My heart started pounding. I thought that I wasn''t nervous. However, it was the stage I had been yearning for since the ident, so it was understandable that I was nervous.

    In just five minutes, Chronos and I would step onto that stage, ready to showcase the performance we had diligently rehearsed over the past week.

    "Shall we all count down together? Five, four, three, two, one! The protagonists in <i>Red Riding Hood</i>! Chronos!"

    With the introduction by announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan, the introduction video of Chronos was yed, and we headed toward the stage.

    ***

    ¡°Chronos? Who is Chronos again?¡±

    ¡°They are the ones who did the Cha-Cha.¡±

    ¡°Oh, the pendant thingy? Those funny guys, right?¡±

    The audience stirred as they watched the introduction video of Chronos. The videos showed footage from our profile shoot, some practice videos, and <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>. Although there were some serious moments in the clip, most of them matched the funny image that the public knew.

    ¡°What have they brought this time? It''s not another weird joke, is it? Haha!¡±

    ¡°Come on, surely not¡ª it¡¯s only funny once. Well, maybe they brought something bright and cute this time?¡±

    Asughter filled the air, it was clear that the audience was expecting anotheredic performance. It was understandable though. For them, it was hard to picture Chronos in a serious light even if they were to showcase an intense performance, such as Allure¡¯s song, that carried a serious vibe.

    However, among the audience, some Allure fans were seriously flipping between the introduction pamphlet and the video, their expressions thoughtful.

    ¡°¡®Moon Sea?¡¯ Really?¡±

    ¡°Doesn''t ''Moon Sea'' seem a bit mismatched for them?¡±

    The ones speaking were Allure¡¯s fans. They hade to watch Allure, who were now among the audience, observing the performance. After all, unless the general audience were particrly fond of idols, they wouldn''t be very familiar with Allure''s ¡®Moon Sea.¡¯

    On the other hand, the fans of Allure knew that no matter how you rearranged the song, you couldn''t erase its unique sexiness andnguidness.

    ¡°Them, doing this song?¡±

    Those kids who looked clueless and didn¡¯t know what to do on the live broadcast? They were even less experienced and younger than Allure, so it would not be easy for them to cover this song.

    The Allure fans became somewhat quiet, while the other fans and a small group of excited Chronos fans remained noisy.

    The introduction video finally ended. Following that, the hall went dark, and the ck curtains rose. With everyone''s anticipation, Chronos''s performance started.

    ¡°...Sigh.¡±

    Under a solitary spotlight on a purple-hued stage filled with smoke, Goh Yoo-Joon sat alone on a chair. He then tilted the stand microphone toward him and let out a deep, resonant sigh. Goh Yoo-Joon, the only Chronos member with a strong and sharp aura, locked eyes with the camera, instantly transforming the atmosphere in the hall to one of intensity and anticipation.

    The bustling audience suddenly hushed into an eerie silence. Following this stillness, the rapmenced, delivered with an almost chant-like rhythm. The lyrics were created by Kang Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon, who had stayed up all night for a week.

    ¡°The ck sea is illuminated only by moonlight.¡±

    The rap lyrics portrayed someone walking alone in a dark ce. Cute and bright stage? Forget it. Despite the solemn and heavy song choice, which was different from what the audience had expected, they quickly immersed themselves and concentrated with their mouths agape.

    ¡°The ck sea.¡±

    While lying on the bed, Suh Hyun-Woo started the first line. The audience then inhaled sharply at the close-up shot of him.

    The stylist was firm in her resolve to break Suh Hyun-Woo away from the enchanted pendant theme, so she had prepared an outfit that paired with Suh Hyun-Woo''snguid expressions, makeup, and choker. As a result, his appearance stirred feelings of affection in the audience and awakened their dormant desires.

    Hyun-Woo also embodied the role wlessly. After delivering the lengthy opening line, he rose from the bed while maintaining his somber demeanor. Like the Perfume[1], he had also immersed himself in ¡°Moon Sea¡± upon its release, mastering the song¡¯s unique expressiveness.

    By the time Suh Hyun-Woo reached the center, the other members, whom the audience hadn¡¯t noticed as they were focused on Hyun-Woo, had moved into their formation and stopped.

    ¡°I leave you in the water.¡± With Hyun-Woo¡¯s second line, the choreography started. The perfectly synchronized group dance made the audience and the streaming viewers explode in real-time.

    ¡°What the heck... They are fucking cool...¡±

    ¡°I thought they would go for a brighter performance?¡±mented one of the fans who came to support High Tension. It was a very good performance with an unexpected twist.

    Meanwhile, the studio was silent. Even though the red light on the camera was on, and the song was being yed loudly on the screen and speakers, no one spoke a word. It was a stage that no one had anticipated.

    Of course, some trainees knew ¡°Moon Sea¡± and considered it one of Allure''s legendary songs. However, even they had thought that Chronos would arrange the song to match their cheerful atmosphere, not change it to be even deeper.

    They were a group that had recently attracted fans with theiredy and B-grade sensibilities. From the beginning, they had a unique approach, and that was indeed Chronos.

    "Hey, isn¡¯t this a bit risky?¡±

    "Yeah, and apart from the ovepping concepts, why are they performing so well?¡± sighed High Tension¡¯s leader Woo Ji-Hyuk, as he watched Suh Hyun-Woo on the screen.

    Goh Yoo-Joon changing the atmosphere with just a single sigh at the beginning had a huge impact, but the one leading the whole stage was the main vocalist and center, Suh Hyun-Woo.

    "Has he already debuted ande back? He doesn¡¯t seem like a trainee," asked Woo Ji-Hyuk.

    "Hyung, I heard he¡¯s one of the oldest trainees in YMM.¡±

    "Is that why? No, he¡¯s been training for a long time, but why hasn¡¯t he debuted with those skills?¡±

    Excluding his vocal skills, he seemed to capture the choreography even better than Lee Jin-Sung, who was famous for his dance skills. Suh Hyun-Woo was also handling most of the chorus dance parts, and his facial expressions were not like those of a trainee.

    ¡°Anyway, a former trainee of YMM said he was really surprised after watching <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i>. He said that apart from his skills, Suh Hyun-Woo wasn¡¯t the type to work hard, and he wasn¡¯t a trainee that their agency would push forward.¡±

    ¡°He was working this hard but still got that feedback?¡± Woo Ji-Hyuk''sment led the youngest member to shrug his shoulders. The Suh Hyun-Woo he knew had a vastly different reputation, but perhaps that former trainee¡¯s words were driven by jealousy.

    ¡°Regardless, Chronos is proving to be a formidable group. They are rapidly ascending to stardom.¡±

    ¡°Setting aside their skills, it seems like there is a smart member in Chronos. Is it Kang Joo-Han or someone else?¡±

    The performance seemed to be organized with an understanding of what appealed to idol fans and what might attract them to be enthusiasts, but it was something the agency would not have suggested. If not a member, at least someone well-acquainted with the industry must have advised them.

    1. Perfume is the name of Allure¡¯s fandom. A ¡®fandom¡¯ refers to a dedicated and organizedmunity of fans who passionately support and follow a specific idol or group in the South Korean entertainment industry. ?

 Chapter 24: Survival Show - Cover Song (9)

    <h4>Chapter 24: Survival Show - Cover Song (9)</h4>

    Suh Hyun-Woo quickly became the center of attention when his audition video on UNET went viral. This made Woo Ji-Hyuk suspect that Hyun-Woo only got his center position primarily based on poprity alone. As Woo Ji-Hyuk bit his lip nervously, the cameras that were eager to capture every moment focused on the expressions of High Tension¡¯s members.

    ¡°Regardless of hisck of passion... his performance is outstanding...¡±

    Rumors typically circted around skilled trainees, yet Ji-Hyuk had only heard tales of Kang Joo-Han¡¯sposing skills and Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s dance background. There weren¡¯t even any whispers of Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Well, maybe YMM hid him really well, fearing that anotherpany might snatch him away. Our agency did the same, didn¡¯t they?¡±

    Ever since Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s regression, those unaware of his increased passion saw him as a frighteningly strong and serious contender for the win. Some trainees openly sent wary nces his way, even neglecting the camera.

    Meanwhile, the performance was gradually reaching its climax. Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been alternating in the center, gracefully stepped back. Following that, Lee Jin-Sung, who had lingered on the side with minimal involvement in the song, finally took center stage.

    The mncholy beat of ¡°Moon Sea¡± transitioned to a deeper, more sorrowful tone, giving way to an intense dance break led by Jin-Sung. The captivated studio¡¯s cast watched closely, and their focus was mirrored by the audience and livestream viewers alike.

    Just five minutes ago, the chat room had been filled with ¡°lol¡± while watching Chronos¡¯s group introduction video, but now all of thosements were gone. The chat window suddenly froze, making one wonder if there was ag, and then someone suddenly donated two thousand won[1] apanied by ament:

    - Wtf. Chronos should have done something like <i>Pikachu</i> after <i>Red Riding Hood</i>. What the hell is this? So cool.

    Despite the childish and bluntment that was filled with humor, the chat remained somewhat quiet. Instead, there werements angrily telling people not to donate[2] during the performance. No one wanted to experience any disturbances during the performance.

    The piano¡¯s minor bass notes had been the backbone throughout thetter part of the performance. However, as the center shifted from Suh Hyun-Woo to Lee Jin-Sung, it started to incorporate more harmonies of mncholy, deepening the emotional resonance.

    The fast and refined choreography started to intensify, seemingly expressing profound emotions. It felt as though long-suppressed feelings were now surfacing. Even the viewers couldn''t help but experience some tingling in their noses and tightness in their chests.

    Inevitably, people started to be captivated by Chronos. The close-ups of the members still retained the hint of newbies'' awkwardness, yet that too swiftly faded away, especially when Suh Hyun-Woo reimed the center.

    - Wow, they¡¯re freaking good...

    - Who was it that said Chronos is a B-gradeedy group?????

    - Damn, I''m seeing these guys for the first time and they are amazing.

    - Is this their first performance?? Really looking forward to them.

    - I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s better than the original, but they¡¯re damn good.

    - Wow...... This is insane...... Where did the <i>Red Riding Hood</i> go???? OMG??????? OMG????????

    - If they perform this well, why in the world did they do the <i>Red Riding Hood </i>thingy? They look amazing when they¡¯re all dressed up

    - Who was the member shown in the bed scene earlier?

    - I became a fan after the <i>Red Riding Hood,</i> and now I¡¯m so overwhelmed with my love for them <3 My babes can be sexy too. Can¡¯t stop crying ahhh.

    - The person in the bed was Suh Hyun-Woo. The one in the chair was Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Just like that, the performance quickly unfolded. When the beat intensified and reached its peak, the music suddenly softened. The members, who had been bending over, straightened up one by one and gracefully exited the stage. However, Suh Hyun-Woo remained, casting onest look at the camera that captured him in a one-shot before departing as well.

    The sole figure left was Goh Yoo-Joon. Much like at the beginning, he slowly walked back to the chair and took a seat.

    ¡°Shh-.¡±

    With a long, lingering breath filled with an aftertaste, he closed his eyes, and the performance quietly came to an end.

    ***

    One, two, three-.

    As we stepped off the stage, staff members swarmed around us.

    "Great job! You were perfect, kids! Oh, I don''t know why I''m crying when you are the ones performing. It was just crazy! I loved it!"

    I didn''t have time to notice things like our manager''s excited voice, the stylists'' hands wiping away our sweat, or the crew¡¯s invasive cameras.

    "Whew, huff, w-why is it so quiet?" I asked.

    Even though quite some time had psed since the performance concluded, the auditorium was silent, devoid of any apuse. I looked around as I was puzzled.

    <i>¡®Was it not good? Did we not do well enough to get a reaction despite our best efforts?¡¯</i>

    Just as my expression started to stiffen with anxiety, a loud cheer erupted,pletely dispelling my worries.

    ¡°Woooooooooooooooh¡±

    "Wow! I thought there was no response. I was just sitting there on stage!" said Yoo-Joon.

    "Yoo-Joon! You did so well!" eximed our manager.

    Yoo-Joon finally made his way backstage and was immediately surrounded by the staff.

    "Great work, everyone! When the shooting is over, let''s go back to the dorm and get some rest!"

    That was when I realized that the performance we had practiced so hard for a week had ended sessfully. Only after I stepped onto the stage and received the cheers I had always dreamed of that I truly felt the surge of emotions and the release of tension.

    "...So, we don''t need the <i>magic pendant</i> anymore?" I jokingly asked the manager, who vigorously nodded in agreement. I was trying not to get too emotional.

    "It was amazing. I will show you the video of the performanceter. Supervisor Kim is going to regret not debuting you sooner." Seeing how excited our manager was, I assumed that we really did well. The manager engaged in a brief conversation with me and then discreetly stepped back, mindful of the cameras.

    As I wiped away my sweat while walking, the camera director asked, "How do you feel?"

    "I feel great."

    The camera director seemed to expect more reactions from me, but my mind was aflutter, and I couldn¡¯t think of any other words. The joy of our sessful performance and the overwhelming response filled me with gratitude. Yet, the thrill of standing on stage, once an unimaginable dream for me, eclipsed everything else.

    <i>¡®How could I possibly articte all these emotions?</i>

    "Hey, good job," Yoo-Joon cheered, draping an arm around my shoulder, his infectiousughter echoing the euphoria of the sessful performance.

    "Hey, you did well. You were all worried and stressed over it for a week," I teased Yoo-Joon as I shrugged off his arm. He then let out a deep sigh, apletely different kind from the one he had on stage.

    "That''s right. I would have gone bald if you weren¡¯t by my side, Joo-Han hyung¡ªno, this was all your fault to begin with!" Yoo-Joon giggled, and the camera director asked, "What do you mean by that?"

    "Well, I have never really written rap lyrics before. Joo-Han suddenly suggested it, so I ended up making it in just one week."

    The camera director widened his eyes in surprise at Yoo-Joon''s response. "Really? It was so good. I couldn''t tell it was your first time."

    "That''s because Joo-Han hyung helped me a lot. However, it was actually really fun once I tried it."

    The camera naturally shifted to focus on Yoo-Joon, so I turned around to check on the other members. Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han were talking, and Jin-Sung seemed to have exhausted himself with thest dance break. He was almost being carried by the manager.

    "Phew... That was intense."

    Having been at the center of the dance for most of the performance, I was barely able to walk back to the waiting room. My whole body was trembling.

    "Guys, you know there are cameras in the waiting room too, right? We will watch the other groups'' performances in the waiting room and head back to the studio in two shifts!"

    "Okay!"

    The corridor leading to the waiting room bustled with people, making it difficult to distinguish who belonged on our team. I simply nodded in acknowledgment at the broadcasting staff, who congratted us along the way, urging myself to keep moving.

    To be honest, I was so out of breath that it was hard to manage my expression. I then took a big gulp of water from a staff member and entered the waiting room.

    "Phew, ah, that was tough. What? Are they already showing the introduction video for the next group?" Yoo-Joon remarked as he dried his hair with a hair dryer.

    The introduction video for the next group, Street Center, was ying on therge TV in the waiting room.

    "Wow, this video is awesome. As expected from their agency, their choreography is really good." Jin-Sung repeatedly expressed his admiration, and it was indeed true. The introduction video for Street Center focused mainly on the group dances, utilizing theirrge number of members.

    "Hyungs, did I ever tell you? I used to be part of a dance team with some of them," Jin-Sung shared excitedly. We offered brief smiles in response, dividing our attention between drying off our hair and watching Street Center''s captivating performance. Known for their entertainment value and backed by a prestigious agency, they held our attention with their stage presence.

    Following them were High Tension and Ash ck. As Ash ck took the stage, we¡ªnow dry and reinvigorated in our stage outfits¡ªmade our way back to the studio.

    ¡°Chronos is back!¡±

    As a staff member informed us that we had returned to the studio, the gaze of the performers, who had been looking at the screen, turned toward us.

    "Good work."

    "Great job, Chronos! The performance was really cool and unexpected!"

    We bowed our heads in gratitude for the praise from Reina and the other groups, and we quickly took our seats to not disturb the performance of the other groups.

    The atmosphere in the studio was noticeably tenser upon our return than before our performance. All the groups were whispering amongst themselves and analyzing the screen as if conducting research.

    Of course, since there were cameras present, they were analyzing the performance of theirpetitors without making any aggressivements.

    Prominently disyed on arge digital board, the streaming numbers fluctuated with each performance, and it was clear that the broadcasting crew would highlight our reactions to these changes.

    "Last but not least, Air Senior, please get ready for your performance."

    It was thest group¡¯s turn. At the mention of Air Senior, we reflexively turned our heads away from the screen. Air Senior was getting ready to head to the stage. The camera then focused on us, capturing the frozen expressions of the members, while Joo-Han and I exchanged nces and started to speak.

    "...Wow, their outfits really match Goblin¡¯s vibe."

    "...Right. I wonder how well they arranged the song?"

    Park Yoon-Chan then joined the superficial conversation between Joo-Han and me. "I''m looking forward to it. Haha..."

    While our tonescked enthusiasm, it was exactly what UNET wanted, right?

    Honestly, we didn''t care if our wary expressions were captured on camera. It would be better than showing a carefree attitude. We shouldn¡¯t pretend to be nonchnt about not being able to perform a hit song by our senior artists.

    Air Senior nced at us with a t expression, and I secretly red at them, shing a confident smile.

    <i>''Think you can beat us?''</i>

    Seeing my arrogant expression, Air Senior furrowed their brows and left the studio.

    Afterward, groups that had performed earlier came back one by one, sharing their reactions to the stage performances. After repeating this sequence a couple of times, announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan introduced Air Senior''s performance.

    1. Korean currency. ?

    2. There is a system where people can pay the UTube channel when they are on live broadcast. ?

 Chapter 25: Survival Show - Cover Song (10)

    <h4>Chapter 25: Survival Show - Cover Song (10)</h4>

    My group members and myself attentively watched the introduction video, with particr focus on Goh Yoo-Joon. He usually carried a sharp demeanor, often leading people to ask if he was angry even when he was perfectly alright. Today, his expression was undeniably sour, indicating his bad mood.

    "Hey." I nudged Goh Yoo-Joon on the back, hoping to lighten his mood a bit, and then turned my attention back to the screen. I was determined to analyze the uing performance meticulously, to gauge both the style and the skill level of the performers.

    "Huh?"

    We had no choice but to be bewildered upon seeing the set on the stage.

    "Standing mics?"

    "Really?"

    Our upper bodies automatically leaned forward toward the screen.

    "Oh, the arrangement..."

    Joo-Han was the next one to express his confusion as the intro yed. The camera captured our genuine reactions. A standing mic setup for ¡°Goblin,¡± a track known for its dance focus? It was unexpected.

    Moreover, they had transformed the song into a soft jazz style, a stark contrast to its original intense choreography and fierce beat. It felt like they had altered the very identity of the song.

    However, at the same time, a slight sense of anticipation started to rise inside of us.

    "Wow, this is actually good!"

    "Who made this arrangement? I don''t know who it is, but this is no joke."

    As soon as the first verse started, Joo-Han expressed his admiration. All the trainees, including me and the other group, were impressed by Air Senior''s vocal abilities. Honestly, puttingpetitiveness and annoyance aside, this version of ¡°Goblin¡± was impressive.

    Of course, the backing track of the song hadpletely changed except for the bass, but the lyrics and melody were the same. They managed to preserve the feel of the original song even after changing it to jazz.

    "Wow, this is so good."

    Air Senior, known more for their vocal prowess than their performance skills, truly shone at this moment. Their vocal abilities were top-notch, arguably the best among all the groups that had performed. However, a thought crossed my mind.

    <i>¡®Going on </i>Pick We Up<i> with this strategy?¡¯</i>

    Shows like <i>100-Year Masterpieces</i> or <i>The Voice</i>, which prioritized skill, differed significantly from <i>Pick We Up</i>. No matter how impressive the vocal performance was, it was probably not enough to garner a strong fan base.

    Thispetition was about attracting fans and bing an influential group. While Air Senior¡¯s rendition of ¡°Goblin¡± and their skills were undeniably impressive, itcked the entertainment value that appealed to a younger demographic.

    As the evidence...

    [39,487]

    The streaming numbers dropped. Following the director''s instructions, Reinamented, "What''s happening with Air Senior? The number of streaming viewers has dropped by about four thousand."

    This was how people started to lose interest in their performance, which was <i>not</i> entertaining to watch, and began to leave.

    Air Senior was a group with outstanding vocal skills from True Entertainment. What True Entertainment misjudged, however, was what the viewers of this program desired.

    While the studio appeared calm and appreciative of Air Senior''s performance from the camera¡¯s perspective, the broadcasting staff outside the studio grew noticeably restless.

    The streaming numbers weren''t the only thing dropping. The audience''s engagement with the live performance was waning as well. It slowly became clear that Air Senior was at a greater disadvantage than us, even though they performedst, and we had opened the show.

    Despite overtaking other groups and taking thest slot, they were rtively nd and boring. Hence, the viewers who had seen the performances of the groups they wanted to see were gradually leaving, waiting for the voting on the official website to open. Even some Allure fans were outraged, iming that ¡°Goblin¡± had been misrepresented.

    As a result, Air Senior found themselves even more neglected. Fortunately, this was the firstpetition, so there were no eliminations. Nevertheless, regardless of personal grievances, it was disheartening to witness any performance receive such indifference, especially as a fellow artist. Amidst a mix of tumult and tranquility, Air Senior concluded their performance.

    All the groups gathered again in the studio. Following that, Reina resumed her position as the main host, and the cameras started rolling once again.

    ¡°Thank you all for your hard work. I hope you get satisfactory results after practicing so much over the week.¡± While Reina calmly continued with the hosting, a VJ who rushed into the studio gave the OK sign. Reina then slightly nodded and flipped one cue card.

    ¡°The streaming viewer vote and audience vote have just ended. Shall we check the results?¡±

    The group names were listed on the screen, and the numbers beside the names were rapidly changing. Watching this, I felt a choking sense of tension. If the voting had been conducted right after the performance, it wouldn¡¯t have been this nerve-wracking.

    <i>¡®At least we performed well on stage.¡¯</i>

    I was confident that we would get a good score in terms of performance points. However, this was the viewers¡¯ impartial voting. Moreover, all the groups that performed after Chronos undeniably showcased great talent.

    Street Center delivered a performance as grand as a musical, while High Tension, with a concept simr to ours, demonstrated significant power and impact. Amidst a few other formidable groups, our impact could have been slightly diminished.

    ¡°The fifth ce goes to Ash ck, and fourth ce is imed by True By-.¡±

    Reina left only thest and first ce to be decided. Until now, our group¡¯s name had not been called yet, so my hands got mmy, and I tightly grabbed my chair.

    ¡°The third ce is awarded to... High Tension.¡±

    A murmur of surprise spread through the studio upon the announcement of High Tension securing the third ce.

    <i>¡®What? High Tension in third? With their massive fan base, they were expected to be first, or at least second!¡¯</i>

    ¡°Second ce goes to-.¡±

    I bit my lip. Second ce would have been an eptable result. I would have been content with that.

    ¡°Street Center.¡±

    <i>¡®...Wait a minute.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Shall we reveal the highly anticipated first and sixth ces? The first ce is!¡±

    The room fell silent, and my breathing became shallow. We had put in the effort, and I believed our performance had been strong. Now, only the first and sixth ces remained. The idea of usnding in sixth ce felt unbearable. A shiver ran up my spine as I tightened my grip on the chair.

    ¡°If they''re going to reveal it after amercial break, I am going to storm out.¡±

    So, the first ce was...

    ¡°Chronos, congrattions!¡± Along with Reina¡¯s energetic voice, the ending jingle of <i>Pick We Up</i> yed. My hands, which had been tightly clenched around the chair, finally rxed.

    ¡°...Huh? What! Us? Us! Wow!¡± Suddenly, my group members erupted into joyous chaos, standing up and forming a celebratory dance circle.

    ¡°Wow, us! We actually got first ce!¡±

    ¡°Wow... Wow...!¡±

    We had been sitting powerlessly before this, but we soon got up and embraced each other, celebrating together. Park Yoon-Chan was crying, but the audience didn''t seem to have noticed as we were dancing in a circle, hugging each other.

    ¡°Air Senior also did well, but maybe the impact on the audience was just slightlycking this time. Hmm, but it was really good. Who did the arrangement? Every one of us was amazed,¡± said Reina as she consoled Air Senior. Following the director''s gesture to calm down and sit down, we slowly returned to our seats, and Reina smiled brightly.

    ¡°Congrattions, Chronos. I didn¡¯t know you had this kind of reversal charm[1]. I am just saying this now, but the streaming numbers were no joke during Chronos¡¯s turn.¡±

    ¡°Th...thank you.¡±

    Reina briefly said her impressions and then returned to her seat.

    ¡°The released video clips on the official website will soon be tallied for views and votes. The scores will be included in the nextpetition, so please keep that in mind. Everyone has worked hard today. It¡¯s time to see future K-POP stars all in one ce! <i>Pick We Up</i> will continue next week!¡±

    ¡°...Cut! Great work everyone!¡±

    ¡°Good job, everyone! Great work, kids!¡± said Reina.

    After the director''s cut sign, Reina quickly left due to her tight schedule. Likewise, surrounded by their respective staff, each group prepared to leave while receiving either words of congrattions or constion.

    The atmosphere among the groups was a mix of emotions. Some groups were moderately content with their rankings, while others were disheartened for scoring lower than they had hoped. Air Senior, on the other hand, stood in quiet contemtion, seemingly at a loss for words.

    "My Chronos! I''m so proud of you! First ce... You guys are truly talented! Fantastic! Tonight, we feast on beef! Let¡¯s go!"

    Observing the scene, I quickly exited the studio. If Air Senior¡¯s intention was to ruthlessly outperform others without ying fair, they should have put in more effort and researched more. They reminded me of my former self, harboring thoughts like ¡°Everything will be alright as long as I stick to what I excel at.¡±

    However, without understanding the show they were participating in and without any strategy, they couldn¡¯t expect anyone to empathize with their disappointing results.

    ***

    Thanks to the CEO for authorizing the use of thepany card, we joyfully celebrated our first-ce victory at the dinner party, indulging in a hearty feast of beef before returning to the dormitory.

    Once we had all freshened up and gathered in the living room, we found that the performances of each group had been uploaded to the UNET¡¯s official website. Each video clip included a view counter and a section forments and voting.

    The manager, my group members, and I all registered to vote. Lee Jin-Sung and leader Joo-Han obsessively refreshed the page every minute, while the other members chatted with their families or took the time to unwind and recover from the umted fatigue.

    Yoo-Joon and I simplyy motionless on our bed, and Park Yoon-Chan, who seemed somewhat out of sorts since the dinner party, had retreated to his room.

    We had done everything we could. From here on out, it was up to luck and the fans, so we decided not to expect anything at all, especially since there were very few fans at the performance.

    "Ah! Why are we still in third ce? We are not going to end up in third ce, are we?" I heard Lee Jin-Sung''s frustrated voice from Joo-Han''s room across the hall. If I had to guess, High Tension probably received a flood of votes from the beginning, and Street Center might be in second ce. For me, being in third ce was still pretty good.

    "Ha, seriously. No matter how many times I look at it, our opening was amazing," said Yoo-Joon.

    "Are you watching it again? I can''t bear to watch it more than once because my facial expressions are so cringy."

    Regardless of what I said, Yoo-Joon rewound the video and watched it again. Compared to Allure, we looked so much like rookies that I ended up just staring at the monitor and lost interest entirely.

    "But the stage performance was fun. We will be performing for the nextpetition too, right?" I asked.

    Yoo-Joon grimaced at my question. "As soon as I stepped on stage, my heart was pounding so much that I thought I was going to die, ugh..."

    Hearing this, I slightly shivered. After a while, I closed my eyes as I saw Yoo-Joon putting his earphones back in. We had been practicing without proper sleep for the whole week. Did we even get a proper two hours of sleep a day?

    We had pushed ourselves to the limit, losing weight as a group. Hence, as soon as we let our guard down, fatigue overwhelmed us.

    Then, after getting some much-needed rest, the next morning arrived.

    "Wow! Hyung! We are in second ce!"

    I realized something unexpected had happened in the voting when I heard Lee Jin-Sung''s loud voice.

    1. Reverse cutie and reverse charm is a direct trantion of ?? ??? and ?? ??. ?? (banjeon) means reverse, but it is moremonly used to describe something unexpected.

    For example, a plot twist in Korean is called ??. ?

 Chapter 26: Premiere

    <h4>Chapter 26: Premiere</h4>

    I was jolted awake from my sleep by Lee Jin-Sung''s booming voice. It was clear from his excitement that there was a shift in the rankings.

    ¡°He is freaking loud...¡± I said. My frown deepened as I cracked open my eyes, just in time to see Lee Jin-Sung burst energetically into our room through the door that had been left ajar.

    ¡°Ah... darn it. I am going to kill you, bastard,¡± cursed Goh Yoo-Joon. Roused from his slumber by themotion, he scowled and rose to a sitting position. I then shot Lee Jin-Sung a re as he continued his raucous celebration, ignoring my clear desire to remain undisturbed.

    "Ah, hyung! Look at this! We''ve climbed up to second ce! And we''ve got the mostments, see?"

    ¡°...Second ce?¡±

    ¡°Street Center has gone down in rankings, and we have finally moved up, you know?¡± Lee Jin-Sung then shoved his phone in Goh Yoo-Joon''s face. Still with a look full of annoyance, Goh Yoo-Joon nced at Lee Jin-Sung before snatching the phone away.

    ¡°What is this... It''s not even a big lead, just a two percent difference. Why wake someone up when we could still be overtaken?¡±

    <i>¡®Ah, what is this? Just two percent?¡¯</i>

    I slightly lifted my head, then lowered it again, and closed my eyes. A mere two percent difference could easily change in thirty minutes. However, Lee Jin-Sung persistently shook Goh Yoo-Joon awake, and when Goh Yoo-Joon ignored him, he switched his target to me.

    ¡°No, hyung. It was really hard getting up here. If you look at the number of votes andments, you won¡¯t be able to sleep so peacefully!¡±

    ¡°...You really make a big deal out of everything.¡±

    In the end, I sat up. It was obvious that he would keep shaking until I showed him a reaction. "Alright, you exhausting man, how many votes are we talking about?"

    "I didn¡¯t expect us to have amassed such a fanbase!"

    I looked at the phone screen while listening to Lee Jin-Sung''s hopeful voice. Chronos had somehow risen to second ce from around fourth or so. After reluctantly checking the number of votes, I couldn¡¯t help but feel shocked, just as Lee Jin-Sung had said.

    ¡°Twenty-six thousand votes?¡± I eximed.

    ¡°...What?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon sat up in shock as he heard this. Lee Jin-Sung then chuckled with a touch of smugness.

    ¡°See! I told you it''s not a number to be taken lightly!¡±

    When the vote count was that high, a mere two percent gap wasn¡¯t easily bridged. Lee Jin-Sung was right. We had managed not only to overtake but also solidify our standing.

    I tapped on the Chronos icon, and thement section with messages for Chronos unfolded before us.

    - I became a fan after watching your performance. Rooting for you guys!

    - These guys¡¯ fans are really hyping them up on social media, and it¡¯s fucking annoying.

    - The impact is seriously amazing.

    - I¡¯m voting here and also doing live voting!

    - Chronos¡¯s fans! Let¡¯s do our best! Let¡¯s make our boys reach first ce!

    - I am voting after seeing them on social media. They are great for a rookie group!

    - The only group I know here is them.

    - I watched thest livestream. They were memorable even though they performed first. The opening was truly amazing.

    - They showed that order doesn¡¯t matter, just do well.

    Although there were some hatements, the majority were supportive. Judging by the number of votes, it seemed that Chronos had a considerable number of fans, not just a few quietly supporting in the audience.

    - The <i>sigh </i>guyand the one who sang the first verse are the two aces. Iughed so much at the introduction video but immediately became attentive once they started.

    - The immersion was insane as soon as he sighed. I felt like I was being dragged to the monitor.

    - Didn¡¯t think of the <i>Red Riding Hood </i>at all. FOR REAL!!! Iughed so hard at the introduction video, but as soon as they started performing, I was drooling.

    The ones who received the most positive reactions were undoubtedly Goh Yoo-Joon, also known as <i>Sigh Guy,</i> and me. As the one taking center stage from the chorus onward, Lee Jin-Sung also received his share of recognition, and Joo Han''s arrangement skills did not go unnoticed either. His ability to weave together a deep, lyrical tune with narrative, rap interludes, and dance breaks garnered him severalmendations.

    But still, the reactions to Park Yoon-Chan were...

    ¡°Hmm...¡±

    ¡°What? We didn¡¯t drop to third ce again, did we?¡± asked Jin-Sung.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. Did you show this to Yoon-Chan?¡±

    ¡°Oh...¡±

    Showing signs of difort, Jin-Sung then said, ¡°Yoon-Chan hyung seemed to have seen it already when he went for his early morning workout.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a problem.¡±

    In the video, Park Yoon-Chan struggled with the choreography until the end.

    - Everything was impable except for the weak link.

    - I was admiring every detail until I saw the member on the side. That snapped me back to reality. He should practice much more.

    I had been a trainer for a long time. However, even Lee Jin-Sung and I struggled with this song, so we didn¡¯t expect Park Yoon-Chan to perfectly handle it in such a short time. We were actually content as he did much better than expected... However, the public''s opinion of Park Yoon-Chan was harsher than we thought.

    ¡°What can we do? All we can do is practice harder. How is Yoon-Chan doing?¡± I asked.

    ¡°He seems fine, but Yoon-Chan is the type to care about these things.¡±

    That was true. Could someone who tended to worry and was naturally timid really be unaffected by this?

    <i>¡®I should discuss this with Joo-Han hyung.¡¯</i>

    It was not right to hide Park Yoon-Chan''scking ability by putting him on the side. We needed toe up with something that highlighted Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s strengths for the next stage.

    While Lee Jin-Sung and I were sitting on the couch, swinging our legs and talking, the manager entered through the front door. ¡°What is going on? You guys are already awake before Ie to wake you up.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to see your face first thing in the morning.¡±

    ¡°Fine, think that way if you want, but make sure you wake up this early from now on.¡± Our manager put the lunch boxes on the table and sat down at the corner of the couch. After that, he picked up the remote and turned on the television.

    ¡°What time does <i>Pick We Up</i> start?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s still a while away. I think it¡¯s around 9 PM or 9:20 PM?¡±

    ¡°9 PM.¡±

    The manager set a reminder for the show and immediately went to wake up the other members. Soon, I could hear the loud voices of Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han.

    Lee Jin-Sung sighed. ¡°Why did hee today? It¡¯s our day off from practice.¡±

    ¡°It seems like we will be here until showtime.¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung sighed again at my words and went to his room.

    Today marked the eagerly awaited premiere of <i>Pick We Up</i>. Our diligent promotional efforts had stirred up considerable anticipation for the premiere. As a result, we were assured of substantial screen time, and with the current buzz around our group, it looked like we would be prominently featured in the program.

    However, this stirred a blend of excitement and anxiety regarding how our portrayal would unfold in the editing, which promised to emphasize the fun moments.

    In the afternoon, our manager received a call from thepany and left the dorm. I then borrowed Lee Jin-Sung¡¯sptop to check the reactions to <i>Pick We Up</i>. I knew about the reactions from the viewers and fans over the past few days through Lee Jin-Sung, but I was curious if UNET had published any articles for promotion or leaked any information about the nextpetition that we weren¡¯t aware of. These things were usually well-hidden, but sometimes, you could surprisinglye across this information while searching on social media.

    It wasmon for seasoned fans or anonymous insiders to post their predictions about what the next challenge might entail. While not all such spective posts were reliable, it was surprising how often some of them turned out to be urate.

    I was searching on BlueBird[1] for <i>Pick We Up </i>when I noticed something. ¡°Oh.¡±

    There were countless animated images (GIFs) with the<i> Pick We Up</i> hashtag. Some of our fans posted pictures of us to promote our group or encourage voting.

    The stage video of ¡°Moon Sea¡± that our manager showed us didn¡¯t look this good under the dark lighting, but it seemed like this fan had edited it before posting.

    At first, it was a bit surprising to see fans picking up on unnoticed details, but gradually, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. After all, no one could be stingy withpliments.

    Sunny @SUNNY_C ¡¤ 7AM

    I would like to cautiously predict the nextpetition. It seems to be going in a simr direction as <i>Pick Me Up</i>. There might be a unit stage soon, but I don¡¯t think that will be next. Like in <i>Rapstar</i> or <i>Pick Me Up</i>, I¡¯m guessing there¡¯s about a ny-nine percent chance it will be a random keywordpetition.

    <i>¡®Random keyword? What is a random keywordpetition?¡¯</i>

    I opened UTube and searched for ¡°<i>Pick Me Up</i> random keywords.¡± Then, several clips from UNET¡¯s official channel appeared.

    Upon clicking one of the videos, I saw a trainee pulling out a piece of paper with a keyword written on it from a paper box. He looked perplexed as he turned to his group.

    The phrase "Random Keyword Competition" resonated with veterans of survival shows, so there wasn''t any need for further exnation. Just as I was about to look it up on a search engine, Goh Yoo-Joon plopped down opposite me after his dental hygiene routine, his eyes still puffy from sleep.

    ¡°What are you up to?¡± Yoo-Joon asked.

    ¡°Hey, do you know what a Random Keyword Competition is?¡±

    ¡°Random Keyword Competition? That¡¯s probably something on<i> Rapstar</i>.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon moved ufortably close to me and looked at theptop screen. ¡°Isn''t it <i>Pick Me Up</i>? I have never seen this episode before.¡±

    ¡°I was searching because I heard the nextpetition might be a Random Keyword Competition.¡±

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s a performance video here.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon immediately started watching a performance video of the <i>Pick Me Up</i> cast.

    ¡°Why are you searching so hard? It¡¯s literally just performing on stage ording to a random keyword. During <i>Rapstar</i>, they had to create a rap ording to the keyword, but these people are performing songs rted to the keyword,¡± said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    <i>¡®Ah, so that¡¯s what it was.¡¯ </i>The group on screen was performing a bright song ording to the theme¡ªflower. If that was the case, we should be able to do fairly well with Joo-Han here. As long as we didn¡¯t get a tricky, toxic keyword...

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you might be right. It could be a Random Keyword Competition. They did it around episode five in <i>Pick Me Up</i>. It was a poprpetition during <i>Rapstar</i>, so it might appear.¡±

    Even though nothing was confirmed yet, I was almost certain that the nextpetition would be a Random Keyword Competition.

    ***

    At 9 PM, all the members and the manager congregated in the living room to view the premiere of <i>Pick We Up</i>. The manager divided his focus between the broadcast and the online reactions on his phone. The episode opened with the scene of auditions, presenting us with performances by groups we had not yet seen.

    ¡°Man, if we hadn¡¯t brought the Cha-Cha, we¡¯d have missed the pre-release spot,¡± the manager said, patting his chest in relief.

    While the audition videos of certain groups weren¡¯t pre-released, this was primarily because theycked the necessary impact for promotional purposes. Every performance showcased its own merit, with none being easily dismissible. Particrly notable were the performances of Ash ck, featuring my former student Yoo On-Sae, and Street Center, both of which disyed impressive intensity. In other words, it meant that we were the only group that could be made fun of.

    Lastly, our <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha </i>appeared. Compared to the previous group, it was certainly an impactful entrance in many ways.

    ¡°Ah! Crazy! I can¡¯t watch this episode again. What is that?¡±

    ¡°Hyung, can you be quiet for a bit? It¡¯s almost my turn!¡±

    ¡°Oops, I flubbed that move again...¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon covered his face, writhing in secondhand embarrassment, while Lee Jin-Sung and Park Yoon-Chan scrutinized the Cha-Cha performance intently. As expected, Joo-Han and our manager were busy sifting through real-time audience feedback.

    It was really embarrassing to watch at first, but as we moved to the second verse, the members¡¯ skills started to shine. Close-up shots, particrly of my face, captured us dancing with genuine dedication. It was somewhat pathetic.

    The show proceeded to introduce the participating six groups and showcase scenes of the trainees gathering together. When Air Senior and we were about to have a confrontation over ¡°Goblin,¡± the episode ended.

    There were no scenes that deviated from our expectations. If anything caught us off guard, it was the audition part turning out to be much funnier than anticipated. The subtitles, sound effects, and judges¡¯ments perfectly portrayed us as aedic group. I could clearly see how much attention ¡°Moon Sea¡± would receive in the uing episodes.

    ¡°Wow. Air Senior is really getting a lot of hate,¡± our managermented as he observed. Air Senior¡¯s song choice at the end of the show sparked considerable bacsh, especially from those aware that ¡°Goblin¡± was YMM¡¯s only im to fame.

    Air Senior faced criticism for their decision, and the burgeoning public sentiment seemed to disapprove of their conduct, particrly when they disregarded the veteran artist Reina. As a result, their poprity plummeted right from episode one, a sentiment that could critically affect their journey ahead.

    1. <i>Twitter</i>. ?

 Chapter 27: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (1)

    <h4>Chapter 27: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (1)</h4>

    The reaction from the viewers was very intense after the premiere aired. I wasn¡¯t sure whether it captivated the general public, but it certainly sparked a buzz across social media and portal sites.

    My worry, however, was the lukewarm response from our core fan base. Despite "Moon Sea" causing amotion and grabbing the initial attention of the public, the enthusiasm from our fandom seemed to wane post-broadcast. Although there was an undeniable buzz around Cha-Cha during the premiere, now that all group performances had aired, the spotlight was shifting toward those who had an impressive stage presence.

    This shift presented a challenge for us in establishing a solid and loyal fan base before our ¡°Moon Sea¡± performance was unveiled.

    ¡°We will upload videos to the Chronos official UTube channel every three days until <i>Pick We Up</i> ends, okay?¡±

    ¡°Ah, one was uploaded yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we are doing our best to secure loyal fans, and channels run by fans are also gradually increasing. So you guys just focus on doing your best.¡±

    ¡°Got it, hyung.¡±

    Our rank, which had briefly risen to second ce, fell back to third ce after the show. Just before heading to the shooting location, the drop in rank had Joo-Han and Lee Jin-Sung quite worried.

    The manager tried to reassure us, but he couldn¡¯t brighten the dampened mood.

    ¡°We''re not at the practice room today?¡± A thirty-minute driveter, we arrived not at our usualrge practice room but a modest conference room¡ªa stark change from our previous gatherings and significantly quieter.

    Upon arrival, our manager made a beeline to confer with the producer director, leaving us to exchange awkward greetings with other staff members. Soon after, we were led to enter a room specially arranged for our group.

    ¡°Huh? Can we just go in like this?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, go in. The camera is on, so get started immediately.¡±

    ¡°Get started? What exactly...?¡±

    The staff gestured with a determined smile for us to go in.

    ¡°You will know once you go in. Hurry up and go in.¡±

    Their encouraging smiles did little to rify things as we were ushered into the room. Inside, the space was bare, save for a wooden table and chairs, with strategically ced cameras around. Their red lights were blinking inconspicuously.

    ¡°What are we supposed to do here... Oh!¡±

    A box rested on the table, sparking our curiosity.

    Lee Jin-Sung picked up the box and shook it. ¡°There''s a box. Should we reach inside?¡±

    "Hey! Be careful with it!" Park Yoon-Chan warned.

    Yet, it was clear to anyone observing that we were expected to put our hands inside the box, and the setup didn''t appear dangerous.

    ¡°Try putting your hand in. Well, not you, Joo-Han hyung.¡±

    ¡°I know. It looks like some sort of luck game, so someone like Jin-Sung or Hyun-Woo should do it,¡± answered Joo-Han.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, you do it.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I''ll put my hand in.¡±

    ¡°Hey... Jin-Sung, is it really okay to just put it in like that?¡± asked Yoon-Chan.

    Despite Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s worried words, Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s hand boldly went into the box. He stirred his hand around a few times and then widened his eyes. ¡°Hey, there are several pieces of paper in here. Do I just pick any?¡±

    ¡°Pick one, pick one. It¡¯s random anyway.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon encouraged, and Lee Jin-Sung picked up a piece of paper.

    ¡°What does it say?¡±

    ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Lee Jin-Sung unfolded the paper and tilted his head. ¡°It says ¡®KING.¡¯¡±

    ¡°King?¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung then flipped the paper to show us. It read ¡°KING.¡±

    ¡°What is this?¡±

    As we gathered around the paper, trying to understand its meaning, the TV hanging on the wall of the room turned on. Then, a text appeared.

    ¡°Whoa! That scared me!¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon made a fuss and backed away from the television. Words were engraved on the white background screen, which matched the color of the wall.

    [Hello, Chronos.]

    "Hello." Though it was just a screen, everyone reflexively greeted back. The atmosphere demanded a response.

    [You have picked a keyword from the box.]

    [The word you have chosen will be the theme of the performance you must present in thispetition.]

    [Thispetition is a random keywordpetition. Please freely choose songs that fit the keyword and show them off on the stage!]

    The screen disyed thest phrase and turned off.

    "Ah, Suh Hyun-Woo was right. It¡¯s a random keywordpetition!¡±

    "Hyun-Woo? Did you know beforehand?"

    I shook my head at Joo-Han''s question and replied, ¡°No. I only mentioned that it might be a random keywordpetition this time. That¡¯s all.¡±

    The reason we were ushered into the conference room was to discuss how to take on the stage with this concept. As everyone took their seats, all eyes fixed on the paper ced in the center.

    ¡°Do you have any songs in mind?¡±

    ¡°King concept. I kind of get what it is, but what songs fit this concept?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s surprisingly hard to choose songs for this keyword.¡±

    We were in need of a song that possessed a weighty, dark, and majestic quality. Honestly, such a song could be incredibly impactful if used correctly¡ªit was almost like a secret weapon.

    However, deploying it effectively was challenging. Objectively speaking, even with our considerable talents, we were still artists awaiting our debut.

    <i>¡®Will we be able to fully embody a concept that demands solemnity and power?¡¯</i>

    ¡°How about ¡®Drop?¡¯ It¡¯s a song by our senior, End Time.¡±

    ¡°Drop¡± was a song used for the opening of End Time''s third concert. It had a majestic intro and spirited lyrics that were undeniably charming. However, it had the downside of featuring a rtively weaker chorus whenpared to the impressive intro.

    More critically, the song''s powerful essence posed the risk of making us seem like children pretending to be adults if not executed with precision.

    ¡°Ah, what should we do!?¡±

    Finding the right song was tricky. The group fell silent, each of us lost in thought. I wracked my brain, scrolling through my mental ylists for artists who might fit the bill. We didn''t need another idol group¡¯s song; we needed something we could adapt into our own style¡ªa track from an artist renowned for their creative edge.

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    Suddenly, Reina, the main host of <i>Pick We Up</i>, came to my mind.

    ¡°What about a song by Reina?¡±

    ¡°Reina?¡±

    ¡°It might be a lot of work for Joo-Han hyung, but there¡¯s a song by her that really fits the vibe.¡± After that, I asked the staff outside the conference room to bring us aptop. I searched for Reina¡¯s song and yed it. ¡°It¡¯s a song called ¡®There Is No Night for Me.¡¯ It has a medieval vibe and is very mysterious.¡±

    ¡°...A bad?¡±

    All the members showed a puzzled reaction. ¡±There Is No Night for Me¡± was a song from Reina¡¯s third solo album, recorded right after she won an award. It expressed Reina''s feelings of pressure following the award win. The mysterious and profound melody evoked the image of a queen standing alone under the dark moonlight.

    It was a medieval bad that wasn¡¯t mainstream but had a strong following among music enthusiasts.

    ¡°It¡¯s on point for the keyword, but how do you envision us performing it? The original tempo is quite slow.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll need to reinvent it, give it a sense of grandeur.¡±

    As talented as he was, Joo-Han couldn¡¯t pull off such an arrangement alone. We''d need the support of our productionpany. Yet, if we managed it, the stage could be spectacr.

    ¡°Gotta bring in a lot of dancers. We have to really scale it up,¡± Joo-Han mused, his head lowered in deep thought.

    Imented, ¡°I really want to use this song, but I haven¡¯t seen many cases where arranging a bad into a dance song turned out well.¡±

    Joo-Han eventually nodded. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure, but I trust Hyun-Woo¡¯s choice. Let¡¯s go to thepanyter and work onposing the kind of atmosphere we want.¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung raised his hand. ¡°Once we¡¯ve done it, let me be the first to hear it. I¡¯m really drawn to this concept. Could I try creating some choreography for it?¡±

    ¡°Certainly.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon added, ¡°How about making a grand entrance by sitting on thrones? Following Hyun-Woo¡¯s suggestion, we could userge banners in the backdrop while introducing the dancers. There¡¯s potential for some powerful imagery, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°...This means we have our work cut out for us. I can¡¯t do it all on my own.¡±

    With the song decided, our vision for the concept and performance started to crystallize. Ideas flourished, spurred on by the keyword that was indeed a potent one to wield inpetition.

    However, I had to bring up a somewhat difficult topic in the midst of our exciting conversation. ¡°About the center position this time, I personally think it would be good if Yoon-Chan takes it.¡±

    ¡°Yoon-Chan?¡±

    Park Yoon-Chan looked at me with wide eyes, as if to say, ¡°Bro, what are you talking about.¡± I avoided Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s questioning gaze and continued, ¡°I¡¯m just stating my opinion, so it¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want to do it.¡±

    Joo-Han asked, ¡°No, no. It¡¯s a really good opinion, but why? Why do you think it would be good if Yoon-Chan is the center?¡±

    ¡°If Yoon-Chan feels pressured, we can¡¯t help it, but I think it would be good for everyone to take turns being the center.¡±

    In truth, I only made up this excuse to pass the center position to Park Yoon-Chan. His self-esteem had hit rock bottom after receiving a lot of criticism during thestpetition. Even today, he didn¡¯t participate in giving ideas and just nced at the other members. He had always been a bit timid, but he wasn¡¯t this passive.

    Drawing from my experience of mentoring numerous trainees, I understood that individuals with low self-esteem tended to exhibit slow growth, hindering the improvement of their skills. In the long run, this could undoubtedly be a drawback for the team.

    ¡°I think this concept suits Yoon-Chan as well. What do you think?¡±

    After all, Park Yoon-Chan was a member with great potential, and we needed to stick with him until the end.

    <i>¡®He can¡¯t fall behind from the start.¡¯</i>

    This <i>cheat key</i> concept presented an ideal opportunity not only for the group but also to enhance Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s visibility and position.

    ¡°I like it,¡± Joo-Han said with a nod of agreement.

    ¡°The chorus part just now was totally in falsetto. It would be perfect for Yoon-Chan.¡±

    ¡°Precisely. We can tone down the instrumental during that segment to highlight Yoon-Chan¡¯s vocals,¡± said Joo-Han.

    The contest''s oue depended on the fans'' votes. Hence, ensuring a high-caliber performance that highlighted each member''s unique appeal was crucial for climbing the rankings.

    With Joo-Han¡¯s support, the rest of the members seemed more open to the idea. ¡°I think Hyun-Woo hyung has a point. While striving for the top spot is important, showcasing the individual strengths of our group is even more important,¡± remarked Jin-Sung.

    The agreement from Lee Jin-Sung was unexpectedly swift, especially given his prior criticisms of Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s dancing during ¡°Cha-Cha" and ¡°Moon Sea.¡± I had expected some resistance from him, so this was a wee surprise.

    ¡°We¡¯ll tailor the choreography to ensure that Yoon-Chan can perform itfortably,¡± added Jin-Sung. This change of heart was noteworthy, especiallying from someone who had been fixated on maintaining the lead and was anxious about vote counts. It seemed like the negativements targeting Yoon-Chan had left a significant impression on Jin-Sung.

    ¡°...Well, if everyone¡¯s on board, I don¡¯t object either.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon''s response was indifferent, though he offered no outright objection.

    ¡°What about you, Yoon-Chan?¡±

    Prompted by Joo-Han, the visibly tense Park Yoon-Chan seemed to withdraw further. ¡°I, um...¡±

    Such hesitation. In moments like these, seizing the moment was crucial. Why the reluctance?

    Throughout thepetition, Park Yoon-Chan had consistently been the most diligent worker despite his shorings. Our superior talents might have overshadowed his efforts, but considering histe start as a trainee and the speed with which he joined the debut group, his talents weremendable. His slower development was to be expected, given his less solid foundation.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let external opinions bother you. Just speak your truth.¡± My encouragement seemed to help resolve his internal conflict. After a brief pause, during which he grappled with his insecurities, Park Yoon-Chan clenched his jaw decisively.

    ¡°I want to try it.¡±

 Chapter 28: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (2)

    <h4>Chapter 28: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (2)</h4>

    ¡°What about having Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan as the dual centers, just like when Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo were paired up in ¡®Moon Sea¡¯? How does that sound?¡±

    ¡°I''m totally on board. It puts less pressure on me that way,¡± Park Yoon-Chan said.

    ¡°Alright, so Park Yoon-Chan and Suh Hyun-Woo are the main characters. The song will be ¡®There Is No Night for Me¡¯ by Reina. Jin-Sung will handle the choreography, and the song arrangement will be done by me, Hyun-Woo, and Yoo-Joon. Let¡¯s go with that.¡±

    The meeting came to an end with Joo-Han¡¯s summary. Despite Park Yoon-Chan''s struggles within the team, he seemed to grasp our unease. Surprisingly, he was the type of trainee who showed rapid growth when entrusted with responsibility.

    ***

    As the meeting wrapped up, the producer director entered the room and ced fivepact cameras on the table. ¡°Are you all familiar with self-cams?¡±

    ¡°Self-cams? Yes, we''ve definitely heard of those!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon replied with a mischievous glint in his eye. The director then smiled and gestured toward the cameras.

    ¡°This time around, each of you will document your stage preparations. But don''t limit it to that; capturing moments of leisure and fun is also encouraged.¡±

    As each of us took a camera, the director exined how to use them and then concluded the shooting session.

    ¡°Does it work like this?¡± wondered Joo-Han. On the way back to the dorm, Joo-Han was the first to try turning on the camera.

    ¡°I''m not really sure... If the red light is on, does that mean it¡¯s recording?¡±

    Still not used to being filmed, we switched on the self-cams but could only exchange awkward smiles. Now, someone needed to break the silence, but we had run out of things to talk about.

    ¡°...Ha ha, hyung, you start talking first.¡±

    ¡°Someone, please say something quickly.¡±

    ¡°...Like what?¡±

    Our eagerness to use the cameras was evident, but once they were recording, we found ourselves at a loss for words. With visible difort, Joo-Han finally broke the silence in a stilted tone. ¡°Ehm, We''ve just wrapped up shooting and are, well... on our way back to the dorm now.¡±

    Hearing this, I couldn''t help but cringe.

    ¡°Hey, why are you acting like that all of a sudden?¡± asked Goh Yoo-Joon, who was sitting next to me.

    I silently gestured toward Joo-Han. ¡°Look at how hyung talks. It¡¯s cringy.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t suppress hisugh when I pointed this out. However, our quiet exchange in the backseat didn''t escape Joo-Han¡¯s notice.

    ¡°What are you two discussing?¡± asked Joo-Han.

    Goh Yoo-Joon casually shifted the me my way and said, ¡°He said you are cringy, hyung. That was what Hyun-Woo said.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Yoo-Joonughed along too. But hyung, that¡¯s not how you usually speak,¡± I remarked.

    ¡°Be quiet. We will see what happens to you twoter,¡± said Joo-Han as he swung the camera in our direction.

    ¡°Oh, I really don¡¯t know what to say!¡±

    ¡°Ah, why do the hyungs have to be like this?¡± Lee Jin-Sung cast us a disapproving look.

    ¡°Sometimes, Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung are the most childish ones out of us.¡±

    Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung exchanged yful banter, yet weren''t our jests and light-hearted antics diffusing the tension? Seeing that no one was telling us to stop, it seemed like they were all thinking the same thing.

    The conversation continued in a somewhat light atmosphere for a while.

    ¡°We¡¯ve reached the dorm. Everyone, be careful getting out,¡± our manager announced.

    As the car came to a stop, Joo-Han cast a stiff nce at the camera, stating, ¡°...We¡¯ve arrived at the dorm.¡±

    ¡°...Ahahahaha¡±

    <i>¡®See that? His difort is so obvious!¡¯</i> Despite his usual eloquence, Joo-Han became too self-conscious in front of the camera. This scene offered an amusing and rare peek into Joo-Han''s vulnerability, a side seldom seen throughout his years in the industry.

    Our light-hearted teasing of Joo-Han persisted all the way to the dorm. It was then settled that Joo-Han would take charge of the filming when we were all together, and we weremitted to gettingfortable with the camera quickly. In the meantime, we nned to relish in our yful banter for as long as we could.

    After receiving our packed meals and gathering around the dining table, we exchanged nces, and silence ensued. After all, there was one self-cam in the middle of the table. While we wanted to continue chattingfortably, we couldn''t ignore the presence of the camera¡ªit made us acutely self-conscious.

    We silently enjoyed our meal, asionally ncing at the camera. After a few moments of awkwardly ying with his food, Joo-Han cleared his throat. ¡°Ehm, so, we stood on stage for the first time together.¡±

    All eyes turned to Joo-Han.

    ¡°We¡¯ve already performed Cha-Cha and ¡®Moon Sea.¡¯ What are your thoughts, guys?¡± Joo-Han asked.

    ¡°...What¡¯s this all of a sudden?¡±

    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t feel awkward. I heard this is something we are supposed to ask.¡±

    I wasn¡¯t entirely sure, but I recalled scenes on reality shows where some people ate together and shared their feelings. Despite the awkwardness, Joo-Han''s question was surprisingly insightful.

    While we had watched the show together, our hectic schedule left us with no opportunity to discuss our performances or share our feelings with the other members.

    ¡°Hmm, if you ask me so suddenly...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon bit his lip. I wondered if any of the members werepletely satisfied with their stage performance. As everyone contemted what to say, Lee Jin-Sung sighed, ¡°I think I really need to practice singing a lot.¡±

    ¡°You did fine. Why do you think that?¡±

    ¡°When I was watching the stage performance with earphones on, listening to Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung¡¯s vocals, and then it switched to my part, it felt like a wake-up call. That¡¯s how it was.¡±

    ¡°¡®Moon Sea¡¯ was a bit like that, right? The dance was intense too. I didn¡¯t know Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon had such powerful voices,¡± said Joo-Han.

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded at Joo-Han¡¯s words. ¡°Right, I was really surprised by Hyun-Woo. I even asked myself if he has always been this skilled.¡±

    ¡°I agree. I personally think Hyun-Woo has improved a lot since the debut team audition,¡± Joo-Han remarked.

    Lee Jin-Sung nodded vigorously. ¡°Not just that, but when I watched the ''Moon Sea'' performance, I was really impressed by his eye contact and expressiveness. It was like I was watching a different person. I didn''t know he had that side to him.¡±

    ¡°Ah, stop-.¡±

    My skills <i>suddenly </i>improved thanks to my experience as a trainer... Although it pricked my conscience a bit, it still felt good to hear their praises.

    ¡°No, really, I''m not just saying this. Recently, you seem to be working really hard, and it makes me think I need to work hard too.¡±

    I didn''t know what to say, so I just smiled awkwardly. I did notice that the members were following my opinions moretely, but I didn''t realize they were thinking this way. I was especially surprised by Yoo-Joon¡¯spliment as he was usually stingy with praise.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo has a really good sense.¡±

    ¡°No, seriously, how do you expect me to react to all this? Let''s just stop. It''s embarrassing.¡±

    ¡°You are happy though, hahaha.¡± Yoo-Joon giggled, teasing me as I blushed. He then suddenly let out a deep sigh. ¡°Aish, I need to practice dancing more seriously. I thought I was doing okay, but I was shocked when I couldn¡¯t keep up this time.¡±

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, you struggled a bit at first, butter you followed along well, right? You were great as the center, and more than anything, you danced with feeling.¡±

    After the streaming of ¡°Moon Sea,¡± there was a surge of inquiries about which member started the opening, and it was understandable. Yoo-Joon''s star quality was something we all recognized even before we became the debut team.

    While we were talking, Park Yoon-Chan was unusually quiet. Despite having the skills to be on the debut team, he seemed to be losing confidence among the other members and hesitated to join the conversation.

    I then nced at him and said, ¡°I''ve been thinking... Since we are still inpetition, it would be good to increase Yoon-Chan''s part.¡±

    ¡°No, hyung. I''m not...¡±

    ¡°I personally find it really regrettable. Yoon-Chan''s falsetto is a big part of Chronos¡¯s charm.¡±

    This was an attempt to include Park Yoon-Chan in the conversation, but it wasn¡¯t just empty talk. In our previous performance, we couldn¡¯t use Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s gentle voice to its fullest due to our song choice. After all, Allure usually went for a strong concept while giving up on softness.

    I honestly thought it was a waste not to use Yoon-Chan¡¯s strengths. While his live stage performances were inconsistent, the first line in ¡°Moon Sea¡± would have suited his voice better than mine.

    Joo Han nodded. ¡°Right. So we are going to significantly increase Yoon-Chan¡¯s part this time.¡±

    ¡°...Thank you.¡±

    Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s words carried the weight of determination, a distinct change from the timid tone I had be ustomed to. His sudden show of resolve wasn¡¯t the only change within Chronos¡ªmy active participation seemed to be influencing the dynamics, especially Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s newfound ambition.

    ¡°I¡¯ll assist you. Let¡¯s practice together every morning before the others arrive.¡±

    The suggestion ignited a spark of eagerness in Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s eyes, and his response was filled with fresh energy. ¡°Okay!¡±

    Inwardly, I wondered just how far we could go with this renewed vigor. Park Yoon-Chan¡¯smitment to improvement showed a promising future for Chronos.

    ***

    Before dawn, Park Yoon-Chan and I arrived at the practice room, devoting a solid three hours to the choreography. I hadn¡¯t forgotten the self-cam; I had set it to rotate on the table to capture our session.

    ¡°Try to exaggerate your movements more.¡±

    ¡°Exaggerate?¡±

    ¡°Make them more powerful. When you extend your arms, it looks kind of flimsy.¡±

    I then mimicked Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s dancing, and he chuckled weakly.

    ¡°Did I really dance like that?¡±

    ¡°Yes. If you dance like that, it takes time to transition into the next move. That is why you keep slowing down.¡±

    This was my first time closely scrutinizing Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s dance technique, and the issues were immediately apparent.

    ¡°You should consider strength training. We can request a personal trainer from management.¡±

    ¡°A personal trainer? Will thepany cover that?¡±

    ¡°They probably will now.¡±

    We were the first idol group tounch after Allure, and we were growing quickly and gaining poprity without much investment. Therefore, thepany would likely be willing to invest in the members.

    ¡°How about building some muscles? You don¡¯t need a six-pack like Jin-Sung or Yoo-Joon¡¯s, but you should have enough muscles to move your body as you wish.¡±

    "Got it. Hyung, can you y the music one more time, please? Oh, can you also film me dancing?"

    "Yeah, sure. Be careful now. You tend to miss a move right before the chorus when the dance speeds up."

    "Wait, I missed a move? Just a moment, let me watch the choreography video once more."

    I stepped aside to give Park Yoon-Chan some space to check the choreography.

    Just then, I heard a bustling noise.

    ¡®<i>What¡¯s that?¡¯</i>

    I stopped talking and turned my head toward the door when it suddenly swung open. Following that, a few people burst in.

    "Uh... who are...?"

    <i>¡®Are these people from ourpany?¡¯</i> I had never seen these adults before. They entered without permission, so we awkwardly stood up and watched them warily.

    After that, they asked us nicely with broad smiles. "Why are you here so early?"

    "Excuse me?"

    "Uh..."

    While we were pondering whether it was appropriate to ask about their identities, one of the men seemed to grasp our awkwardness and showed us a camera he was carrying.

    "Hey, we''re from UNET. We''re here to set up a camera in the practice room, but we didn''t expect anyone to be here so soon."

    "Oh, hello!"

    We finally greeted them properly. The man smiled, indicating that they were not there to interrupt, and gestured for us to continue our practice. As they started installing the cameras, we tried to shift our focus back to the task at hand.

 Chapter 29: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (3)

    <h4>Chapter 29: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (3)</h4>

    After a while, one of the staff from UNET nced at me and Park Yoon-Chan, who were drenched in sweat. He asked, ¡°Did you switch on your self-cam during your practice? It probably caught some intense footage.¡±

    ¡°Yep, it has been recording,¡± I replied.

    ¡°Great, Chronos has got the right idea. Don¡¯t mind us; just carry on with your practice. We¡¯ll be done here shortly.¡± The staff then turned their attention to setting up the new camera and discussing the best angles, while Park Yoon-Chan and I resumed our practice.

    "You mentioned wanting to watch the video, right? Let''s hurry up and watch."

    "Oh, right. But hyung, shouldn''t we turn the self-cam this way?"

    "Oh, right... yeah." I adjusted the self-cam and framed Park Yoon-Chan in the shot.

    "I¡¯ve got the choreography video ready on UTube."

    "Okay."

    We spoke in small voices as we yed the choreography video even though no one told us to.

    "Yeah, I definitely missed that part of the choreography."

    "I think you didn¡¯t miss it at first, but the fast pace might have jumbled up your moves. It seems like you unintentionally changed the moves and just went with it. Let''s pay attention and try it again."

    "Okay. hyung, can you film me?" Park Yoon-Chan massaged his shoulder and got into position in the center of the practice room.

    "ying it now."

    I yed the music and started filming Park Yoon-Chan with the phone I borrowed from Joo-Han. Park Yoon-Chan was ring at the mirror with determination. As the early morning practice continued, his attitude was clearly improving.

    ¡°Your form is slipping!¡±

    He instantly corrected his form at my call-out.

    ¡°Match the tempo, stay sharp!¡±

    Gritting his teeth, Park Yoon-Chan pushed to maintain his pace. Though slightly behind, he was quickly catching up. It seemed that we would have a smoother group practiceter.

    Three hours passed swiftly, and his choreography practice for ¡°There is No Night for Me¡± concluded with the appearance of the brightening sky.

    "That''s it for now. Let''s rest a bit until the others arrive."

    "...Did I do okay? Phew, can I see the footage?" Park Yoon-Chan tried to catch his breath and took the phone from me.

    "Hey, you did well. If you keep it up, there won''t be any problems."

    "...So it really does work if I give my all and go for it." Park Yoon-Chan looked a bit relieved as he checked the recorded video.

    ***

    The first day of practice ended earlier than nned, thanks to Park Yoon-Chan. Despite initial concerns about him, he quickly grasped the choreography during practice. As a result, the choreography practice progressed quickly.

    "We have plenty of time left. Shall we practice some vocals as well?"

    "Shall we give it a try now?" Park Yoon-Chan agreed and immediately started preparing for the vocal practice, which surprised Lee Jin-Sung.

    "Hyun-Woo hyung, what happened between Yoon-Chan hyung and you this morning? Why is he suddenly so passionate?"

    "Nothing happened."

    Park Yoon-Chan had found his stride, embracing the practice wholeheartedly. Moreover, this choreography was simpler than that of ¡°Moon Sea,¡± so it allowed for faster progress¡ªespecially since thepany had taken a hands-on approach with the arrangements.

    Thanks to Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s diligence, we could prioritize not onlypletion but also the caliber of our performance. Compared to the ¡°Moon Sea¡± days, we were clearly better off in every aspect.

    <i>¡®If we have this much time... Hmm.¡¯</i>

    "Let''s get a bit more greedy."

    As soon as I said this, all the members'' attention focused on me.

    "What do you mean by greedy?"

    "If Yoon-Chan is going to be the center, other than vocals and dance, he also needs to pay attention to his expressions."

    I took the phone I borrowed from Joo-Han and yed our performance of ¡°Moon Sea.¡±

    "Watch Yoon-Chan closely here," I said.

    Despite being blurry from the live stream''s poor resolution, the footage revealed the stark contrast between Park Yoon-Chan and the more experienced members. While Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung seemed at ease under the scrutiny of the camera, Park Yoon-Chan''s expressions were rigid, and his movements were unrefined.

    "Center stage demands more than just movement, Yoon-Chan. Your expressions are as crucial as the choreography," I exined, seeing his hesitation.

    ¡°...Facial expressions.¡±

    This time, we needed to have a dignified and vigorous expression, as if we were kings who believed we were the best in the world. On the other hand, Park Yoon-Chan had a very uncertain look on his face.

    However, I knew that Park Yoon-Chan was undoubtedly the best in terms of expressiveness. He just had not had the chance to discover his talent yet. Once he got the hang of it, none of us would be able to match his acting skills.

    Of course, this was something for the future, but there was a saying that ¡°a different start leads to a different journey.¡± If we put a little pressure on him, Park Yoon-Chan would slowly showcase a great level of expressiveness and performance.

    Joo-Han then looked at Park Yoon-Chan with a stern face. "Yoon-Chan, it''s not a matter of whether you <i>can</i> do it or not. You <i>have</i> to do it."

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded. "That''s right. It is a really good opportunity."

    "...I will, I will try."

    Since the costumepetition, we had all learned how to best support Yoon-Chan. Pressuring him was just part of the process necessary to seize the golden opportunity.

    The role of a central performer was a privilege¡ªa chance for Park Yoon-Chan to step out from the sidelines. However, the audience wouldn''t grade on a curve; any shortfall would be met with criticism, notpassion.

    The determination in Park Yoon-Chan''s eyes spurred us into action even before our break time had fully run out. Our shared goal to elevate one of our own was strong, and not a moment of it went unrecorded.

    Park Yoon-Chan nodded and stood up. "Let¡¯s practice. I want to do well in this performance."

    Time flew by, and a week passed in the blink of an eye. The day of thepetition was soon upon us.

    ***

    Our uniforms struck the perfect bnce between individuality and cohesion. Park Yoon-Chan''s jacket was styled to stand out, while my uniform boasted a captain''s hat, enhancing the leadership aesthetic. On the other hand, Jin-Sung and Yoo-Joon wore more subdued outfits than mine, all designed toplement each other superbly.

    ¡°They all have uniforms of the same genre, but since Yoon-Chan has a big part, we added some ir to his jacket. Hyun-Woo has gold trim and a captain''s hat, while Jin-Sung and Yoo-Joon have a more standard look,¡± said one of our stylists.

    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s nice, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the captain''s hat on Hyun-Woo is a stroke of genius.¡±

    ¡°Right? Oh, I was wondering what to do for Joo-Han, but we decided to go with a fancy shirt and a pin. Don¡¯t you dare button up the jacket!¡±

    The stylists seemed to have put a lot of thought into creating these outfits, trying hard to make everyone look different while maintaining a sense of unity. Thanks to them, the stage performance would be quite a feast for the eyes.

    ¡°Alright, is everyone ready? Let¡¯s move to the car,¡± said our manager.

    Time passed by quickly, and the secondpetition was about tomence. In the car, while Park Yoon-Chan kept murmuring the lyrics with a pale face, the other members were casually talking and keeping a rxed atmosphere.

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± asked the staff in charge of the behind-the-scenes camera.

    With a light smile, I answered, ¡°Last time I was anxious, but today, I''m actually looking forward to it.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡±

    ¡°Yoon-Chan seems nervous. He practiced a lot, so I hope he can perform well, given all his hard work.¡±

    After a brief interview, the camera quickly moved to another member. The staff also knew that Park Yoon-Chan was sensitive, so he wisely chose not to ask him any questions.

    ¡°We are here. But don¡¯t get out just yet, wait a moment,¡± warned the manager as we finally arrived at the filming site. He usually told us to get out before parking, but today, he did not unlock the doors and looked outside for a while.

    ¡°What is going on?¡±

    ¡°Just a moment.¡±

    It appeared as if the manager was on guard.

    "Why is he doing that?" I wondered and exchanged nces with the other members. That was when I realized the reason.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Chronos?¡±

    ¡°It''s Chronos! Chronos!¡±

    ¡°Kyaa! Oh my gosh!¡±

    A huge crowd rushed toward the car in an instant, leaving us stuck there.

    ¡°Wh-what is going on?¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? Those are your fans. Stay in the car and wait.¡±

    The stylist quickly removed the captain¡¯s hat from my head, while the manager stepped out of the car to calm the crowd. Contrary to their initial rush, the crowd gave us some space after a brief conversation with the manager.

    ¡°Our fans?¡±

    ¡°Is this for real? Wow......¡±

    The members couldn¡¯t take their eyes off the fans. They were waiting for us, not knowing when we would arrive, and their number and cheers were iparable to that of ourst performance. It was a strangely wonderful feeling.

    Having created some distance with the fans, the manager opened the car door for us. He then said, ¡°Come out. They are your fans, so wave and smile nicely to them.¡±

    ¡°Wow...... Wow......¡±

    The manager adeptly guided us to the filming site.

    ¡°Oppa! We came to see you!¡±

    ¡°We will support you! We will definitely make you number one this time!¡±

    ¡°We love you! Just trust us! Do well on stage today!¡±

    The level of excitement was extraordinary, and we responded with awkward bows and greetings. After all, we weren¡¯t ustomed to such attention.

    ¡°Thank you so much. We will do our best.¡±

    Whenever a member said a word...

    ¡°You got this! You can do it!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get hurt and stay strong!¡±

    ¡°Oppa, we will cheer for you wholeheartedly!¡±

    We received an array of enthusiastic responses. It was then that I truly understood how the Allure members drew strength from interacting with their fans. This realization was both new and profound.

    "Chronos is making their entrance!"

    Upon our arrival at the studio, the already assembling cast members turned their gaze toward us.

    ¡°......Hello.¡±

    ¡°Hello. We are looking forward to filming with you guys.¡±

    The atmosphere in the studio was tense, perhaps due to the close vote counts from thest filming session.

    ***

    ¡°Wow, I never thought an idolpetition would have this kind of vibe.¡±

    Producer Lee Won-Jae was in awe of the studio''s charged environment. The notion that such intensity could stem from a show featuring a rookie idol group exceeded his expectations. Thebination of three top contenders for victory, three underdog teams, and the close vote counts post-broadcast created noticeable tension.

    The onceid-back mood was now overshadowed by thoughts of ¡°maybe we could outshine them¡± or ¡°perhaps we could overtake one of the front-running teams.¡±

    Despite the underlying pressure, Lee Won-Jae''s expression was one of sheer delight. "Have you guys gathered the self-cams from each team?"

    ¡°Yes, I collected them and checked the contents yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Edit the contents to focus on scenes where they show apetitive spirit. Make it look as intense as possible. Also, highlight any disputes between the members, creating a story like, ¡®Despite the struggles, we pulled through and delivered a fantastic performance.¡¯¡±

    ¡°The popr choice, Chronos, dropped to third ce in the viewer voting, right? There would definitely be good scenes to highlight from the three strong teams and Air Senior, whose ranking is at the bottom.¡±

    However, the staff hesitated and said, ¡°Director Lee, focusing onpetitive scenes is a good idea, but if we do that, Chronos¡¯s screen time will be significantly reduced.¡±

    ¡°What? What are you talking about?¡± Lee Won-Jae had expected that there would be interesting scenes from Chronos. So, he tilted his head, not understanding what the staff was saying. Did Chronos start to take it easy because they had secured first ce in thepetition ranking?

    The staff shook his head as he grasped Lee Won-Jae¡¯s misunderstanding. ¡°It seems like the kids from Chronos are naturally gentle.¡±

    The staff rubbed his neck. There was nothing. At least, from what the staff could see, they couldn¡¯t find suchpetitive scenes from Chronos¡¯s video.

 Chapter 30: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (4)

    <h4>Chapter 30: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (4)</h4>

    While other groups honed theirpetitive edges, striving for higher rankings and better votes, Chronos adopted a different approach. If one were to describe the essence captured in their self-cam footage, the words would likely be consideration, concession, and passion. It would be inurate tobel them ascent just because they had clinched first ce in thepetition.

    Chronos had prepared for the performance with fervor, practicing tirelessly until the break of dawn. Yet, their focus wasn''t solely on the rankings. They made strategies to draw the public¡¯s attention to every member, often sharing the spotlight with those who were less in the limelight.

    Watching them practice, even the staff and the editing team found themselves cheering for Chronos to do well. That was roughly the story.

    Director Lee Won-Jae frowned deeply. "Have you not edited a survival show before? Just cut the appropriate parts and edit them to look usible. It''s not a malicious edit. Just match the atmosphere with the other groups."

    "Um, Director. About that..." The staff Han Yi-Soo cautiously presented his opinion. "I think it would be better to just go with the flow for Chronos."

    "What do you mean by that?"

    Han Yi-Soo wasn¡¯t moved by Chronos''s self-cam; rather, he simply assessed that maintaining Chronos''s image and future editing direction would be better for the broadcast.

    "It appeared that Chronos''s unique selling pointy in their considerate demeanor amid the cutthroatpetition. It adds depth to the show, and that''s the consensus among the editing team," he remarked.

    "Hmm."

    "Take, for example, their gracious act of offering the song to Air Senior. Enhancing this image appears to be a prudent choice, as it seems likely that this persona will persist."

    Han Yi-Soo wasn''t suggesting that Chronos was naively gentle. From his perspective, Chronos operated with a well-established system. Although their decisions appeared toe from immediate concord, a closer look revealed the inner workings of the process.

    Some of them started to voice their opinions, and Suh Hyun-Woo presented his after carefully listening to others, trying to persuade them. Then, the members shared their thoughts, and in the end, leader Kang Joo-Han summarized everyone''s thoughts and presented the best answer.

    Their trust in Kang Joo-Han seemed to be quite strong, as they readily agreed to his final decision without any objections. Overall, no members were stubbornly insisting on their opinions. It was like watching a college group that effortlessly got an A+ on a team project.

    "Don''t we need at least one gentle group like this?"

    "Hmm, Han Yi-Soo has a point. Copy the self-cam videos of each group and bring them to me. I will decide after watching them."

    "Okay."

    Chronos was in a perfect position to be a rival for other groups, so it was not that simple to give them a gentle image. While such an image could be advantageous for Chronos in the long run, it would make the show boring.

    However, Han Yi-Soo''s words could be quite convincing, depending on which segments of the self-cam videos were chosen for editing and emphasized.

    "Then, I will stop by the editing room and head straight to the site."

    "Okay."

    Han Yi-Soo left the room with a satisfied look. Although they had different opinions on sensationalist editing, Lee Won-Jae and Han Yi-Soo seemed to share a mutual understanding, suggesting a need to seriously consider each other''s viewpoints.

    ***

    Checking the cue cards, Reina looked at her watch and then at Director Kim Shin-Sik. ¡°Is it time to start shooting now?¡±

    Kim Shin-Sik nodded lightly in response. ¡°Let¡¯s start filming. Okay, five, four, three, two, one... Cue!¡±

    The opening soundtrack yed through the speakers, resonating loudly in therge studio.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to see the future K-POP stars all in one ce! Hello, I am Reina, your host for <i>Pick We Up</i>. How¡¯s everyone been doing?¡±

    Responses came from around the studio.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you all had special days after the firstpetition ended.¡±

    Reina started conducting specific interviews with a few trainees. Meanwhile, I was trying to guess the concepts of the other groups based on their outfits with Joo-Han.

    Ash ck was sitting in the front, lookingpletely vibrant. Judging by their makeup and atmosphere, they seemed to have chosen a mystical or bright keyword. On the other hand, High Tension was dressed yfully, and Street Center came in a more dignified style than their usual vibe.

    As for Air Senior...

    ¡°...¡±

    My gaze inadvertently met with that of an Air Senior member who had been eyeing me for some time, and it was not the first time our eyes crossed paths. I frowned slightly and averted my gaze.

    "Now, it¡¯s time to decide the order of the performance. Chronos, who imed first ce in thestpetition, will determine today¡¯s sequence."

    Earning the right to decide the order seemed to be our prize for the previous victory.

    ¡°Chronos, pleasee forward once the order is decided.¡±

    With all the cast waiting for our decision, we didn¡¯t have much time to discuss.

    ¡°Who should go first?¡±

    We spoke as quietly as possible. At this moment, the camera came between our group, recording the discussion.

    ¡°Actually, it¡¯s hard to decide because we don¡¯t know what kind of stage the other groups have prepared.¡±

    Could this really be considered a reward? Every group was skilled, and deciding the order without knowing their keywords or stages felt like a gamble.

    The program''s format, which forbade rehearsals, made our so-called ¡°reward¡± seem rather dubious. Amidst our contemtion, Lee Jin-Sung raised his hand with a hint of uncertainty.

    "I can¡¯t say there''s a strong reason behind it, but I¡¯m curious about one group''s performance."

    "Which one?"

    "Street Center. Theirst act was impressive, and they appear to have ventured away from their standard concept this time. I''m keen to see what they''vee up with."

    Some of the Street Center members were from the same dance team as Lee Jin-Sung. They were likely excited to see what the other party had prepared, given their familiarity with each other''s skills.

    ¡°Let¡¯s put Street Center first.¡± Joo-Han decided without much hesitation. It seemed like he thought there was no need to worry about the order without having a clear grasp of the group¡¯s characteristics. In that sense, assigning the potentially burdensome first slot to Street Center and deciding the next stages based on our preferences was all we could do.

    ¡°As for Air Senior...¡±

    Silence fell at the mention of Air Senior. While we had more or less decided on the order for the other groups, all of us shared an inclination to impose some sort of setback on Air Senior due to their vexing behavior in thest contest.

    However, what kind of disadvantage could the order really impose? It wasmon knowledge that a group could triumph in the first stage and yet plummet to sixth in another. Hence, what had started as a swift decision-making process for us now evolved into a profound reflection.

    As we spent more time deliberating over Air Senior¡¯s order, a smile appeared on the face of the VJ holding the camera.

    <i>¡®Hmm, a way to give Air Senior a penalty through the order...¡¯</i>

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung, what order should we perform in?¡± I inquired.

    ¡°We should performst now that we have the chance to decide.¡±

    ¡°Then, let¡¯s put Air Senior as the fifth in the order.¡±

    ¡°...Why?¡±

    My smile broadened, yet I offered no verbal exnation. Why indeed? Internally, my thoughts were clear: I wanted to outshine Air Seniorpletely, even though I couldn''t predict their tactics for this round. We had taken significant risks as well, and there was no guarantee that our performance would eclipse that of ¡°Moon Sea.¡±

    However, one thing was for sure.

    <i>¡®We have to win!¡¯</i>

    If they performed before us, it would motivate us to at least beat them. The goal was to ensure that the public would only remember us.

    ¡°Yeah, let''s do as Hyun-Woo said.¡± Joo-Han nodded without hesitation. It was evident that everyone, including the members and the VJ holding the camera, caught the nuanced message behind my unfinished sentence.

    ¡°Then, I will go and announce it.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    After all of us agreed, Joo-Han went forward and announced the order, starting from the first in line, Street Center. The venue then buzzed, and the VJ pointed the camera at me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, why did you decide to ce Air Senior before your group?¡±

    The red light was clearly on, indicating that the camera was recording my face. I smiled at the VJ, who was eagerly trying to stir uppetition, and responded, ¡°Because I really want to beat Air Senior.¡±

    Was that enough now? The editing department was always eager to highlight conflict, deliberately posing such questions to us who had been peacefully progressing through thepetition.

    Finally, the VJ looked satisfied with my response and went back to their ce. When Joo-Han returned, Reina pointed at the whiteboard.

    ¡°The order decided by Chronos is as follows:¡±

    1. Street Center

    2. Ash ck

    3. High Tension

    4. True Bye

    5. Air Senior

    6. Chronos

    ¡°Then, the first in line, Street Center, pleasee over to prepare for the stage.¡±

    Amid discussions about the performance order, the studio fell silent when the screen behind Reina disyed the new stage. This expansive stage doubled the size of thestpetition''s, amodating twice the audience.

    Moreover, there was a significant shift in theposition of the crowd. Last time, the audience was predominantly made up of fans of the invited artists like Allure and others, but now, the studio was filled with the fans of the trainee groups. Remarkably, their numbers swelled to this extent within days.

    About a minute after looking at the stage from the freezing studio...

    ¡°<i>Pick We Up</i>! The secondpetition, Random Keyword Stage! Let''s start!¡±

    Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan''s voice boomed through the space, signaling the start. Street Center was the first to take the stage. Now, watching another group perform first without doing anything was a peculiar sensation. It was distinctly different from the relief after one''s own performance had concluded, and it felt ufortably suspenseful.

    <i>¡®How could they be sopelling,pletely transforming the stage?¡¯</i> The audience''s escting cheers apanied Street Center''s opening, a true testament to the intensive preparations they had undertaken in the preceding weeks.

    The pressure on us just intensified.

    ¡°...Hyung, I will go and practice a bit ande back.¡±

    ¡°Now?¡±

    Feeling extremely tense, Park Yoon-Chan stood up, his face ghastly pale. ¡°I will just check my choreography a couple of times ande back, just enough to relieve the tension.¡±

    Park Yoon-Chan got up and headed out of the studio before Joo-Han could respond. I watched Yoon-Chan for a moment and then stood up.

    ¡°I will go with him.¡±

    ¡°You too?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I will make sure toe back in time.¡± Practicing alone wouldn¡¯t do much good without a mirror or someone to film, so I followed Park Yoon-Chan, feeling like I had be a trainer again. Having called him out separately for lessons in the early mornings, I couldn''t just leave him alone now.

    I caught up with Park Yoon-Chan as he was walking quickly through the corridor.

    ¡°Hey, where are we going to practice?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Hyung... you don¡¯t have toe out. I will be fine.¡±

    ¡°Will you know what you do wrong if you practice alone? Just ept the help when it''s offered.¡±

    Park Yoon-Chan wore an apologetic look, yet I knew how thankful he was that I came to apany him.

 Chapter 31: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (5)

    <h4>Chapter 31: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (5)</h4>

    We decided to step outside the building to avoid disrupting the filming crew.

    "Let''s practice it twice before we go in."

    "Okay, please point out anything that needs correction at any time."

    I turned on the music, and Park Yoon-Chan started to move to the rhythm. The extra practice sessions that had cost him sleep were showing their worth, as he executed the dance almost reflexively now.

    "Your waist is losing tension, and so are your arms! It slows down the pace, you know."

    "...Is it slow now?"

    "Yeah, a bit."

    The moment Park Yoon-Chan clenched his teeth, I shook my head firmly. "You need to rx. Are you going to dance with your teeth clenched even in front of the camera? You will miss your part."

    I went back into trainer mode and made as many corrections as possible. Then, I mirrored the choreography in front of him to help him adjust his movements in real-time, enhancing his ability to lead the song with more finesse.

    During the practice, I heard someone talking from somewhere. "Hey, aren¡¯t they trainees?"

    "What? They''re supposed to be onstage right now, aren''t they... Oh wow, it''s Chronos!"

    "Chronos? Wow!"

    <i>¡®What?¡¯</i> I stopped moving for a moment and looked around, but there was no one in sight.

    "Did someone just talk about us?"

    Park Yoon-Chan nodded to my question, but he didn¡¯t seem too concerned and continued to practice. "I don¡¯t know. I think I heard something. By the way, am I doing well right now?"

    He seemed to be too focused on dancing to care about other things.

    "Yeah, you are doing great."

    Perhaps it was just someone passing by. Some fans would wait outside the venue when they couldn¡¯t get in to see their favorite artists, so I thought it had been one of them.

    ***

    "Yoon-Chan, you seem more at ease now."

    "Yeah, a bit. I apologize for taking up your time."

    Upon our return to the studio, True Bye''s performance was unfolding.

    "Wow, True Bye is definitely going to climb the ranks this time."

    Goh Yoo-Joon murmured, his expression awash with awe. The first keyword for True Bye, whose performance had been less striking than Air Senior¡¯s, was ¡°Youth.¡± They fully embraced the anguish and bittersweetness of youth by transforming a ssic song into something new. Adorned with costumes and concepts that fans would adore, their stage was a sight to behold.

    Though the results were not out yet, it was clear just by watching that they delivered a performance worthy of moving up the ranks.

    "Wow, we are in trouble." Even Street Center, with the highest streaming numbers right now, was amazed by True Bye¡¯s performance.

    "Chronos, get ready for the stage."

    Seeing our stiff expressions, Joo-Han smiled reassuringly.

    "Hey, what¡¯s there to worry about? Are wecking in anything? We can also do well this time. Let¡¯s go."

    "...Right? Yeah! We are good too!"

    "That¡¯s right."

    With Joo-Han''s encouragement propelling us, we moved toward the backstage. True Bye¡¯s stunning act had indeed rattled us, but after seeing Park Yoon-Chan''s near-perfect run-through, I couldn¡¯t imagine anything but sess awaiting us.

    "Get the microphones on! Chronos, ten minutes to the stage!"

    We hastened our preparations backstage amidst the buzz of the filming crew. After securing my in-ear microphone, I approached Park Yoon-Chan, who was immersed in mental rehearsal.

    Gently tapping him on the shoulder, I pressed my hands down on him. "Yoon-Chan, that¡¯s enough. Rx your face."

    "How can I, hyung? I want to, but it¡¯s hard."

    I looked straight into Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s eyes. At that moment, even the camera capturing us felt intrusive. "You are the best."

    "...What¡¯s with that all of a sudden?"

    "Act like you are the most arrogant and self-assured person in the world. You understand, right?"

    This guy was exceptional at acting. Wasn''t he the one who dominated the screen as a skilled actor the moment our group disbanded?

    I recalled an interview where Park Yoon-Chan had mentioned auditioning as an actor and contemting acting since his trainee days.

    ¡°Think of it as acting. You came in through an actor¡¯s audition, right?"

    "Hyung, how do you... Sigh. An actor."

    After pondering over my words, Park Yoon-Chan seemed to grasp the feeling and took a deep breath. His tense shoulders slowly rxed. When Park Yoon-Chan opened his eyes again, his face was calm and expressionless. "I will do well. Don¡¯t worry, hyung."

    I smiled at Park Yoon-Chan. ¡°I trust you.¡±

    I tapped Park Yoon-Chan on the back again and returned to where the other members were.

    ¡°Your expression looks good. Let¡¯s keep it up, Yoon-Chan.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice chimed in with encouragement even though his hands were busy withst-minute makeup touches.

    Our focus then shifted to Air Senior''s performance onstage. They had evidently refined their understanding of the show''s dynamic since theirst act.

    While vocals were their forte rather than dance, they had cleverly adapted, opting for a more rhythmic approach that enhanced their stage presence. Aligning with the ¡°Romantic¡± keyword, their performance leaned into storytelling and stagecraft, mirroring Street Center¡¯s vibe.

    As a result, the audience responded with enthusiasm, a testament to Air Senior''s strategic analysis and preparation over the past two weeks.

    Absorbed in their performance, Joo-Han turned to inquire. "Are the dancers still backstage?"

    "No, they are about toe in now."

    It was clear that the other groups¡ªmuch like us¡ªwere progressing rapidly, each endeavoring to excel. The attention of the fans had begun to transition from the buzz of pre-released videos to the anticipation of the live show.

    If other groups were evolving, we needed to elevate our game even further...

    "Five minutes until Chronos''s stage!"

    Air Senior''s performance ended, and contrary to their previous audience reactions, the curtain fell amidst cheers. Soon after, the announcer, Jeong Gyu-Chan, resumed the show.

    "Wow, we really enjoyed Air Senior''s performance. It was a sweet and sophisticated performance that fit the keyword ''Romantic.¡¯"

    Behind the curtain, the props we had prepared were being installed on the stage.

    "Chronos and dancers, please enter."

    We carefully moved to our positions to avoid making any noise. In contrast to the previous stage, where only five members stood, therge number of dancers created an overwhelming presence even before anything started.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, you''ve been waiting for a long time. Thest stage of <i>Pick We Up</i>. Who''s left?"

    The cries of "Chronos!" echoed in response to Jeong Gyu-Chan¡¯s prompt, bringing a smile to my face. The profound silence behind the curtain made the quietughter from my fellow members turn into our secret bond, and it resonated softly in the tense air.

    "Yes,dies and gentlemen, it¡¯s the star of the first round! Chronos!"

    I bumped fists with a dancer standing right next to me, sharing encouragement before getting into my position as the curtain started to rise. Shrouded in darkness, the stage was illuminated with red light when the music started.

    ***

    The backstage atmosphere crackled with electricity, charged with anticipation as the audience''s cheers echoed, drawing the attention of those who had been conversing during the interval. After all, Chronos had already ignited a buzz on social media with glowing reviews, even in the absence of an official broadcast or fan-recorded videos.

    Both old fans who cherished memories of Cha-Cha and new ones¡ªwhose expectations were kindled by ¡°Moon Sea¡±, social media buzz, and clips from the official website¡ªwere now silent. Their excitement from the earlier performance transformed into focused attention on the stage.

    On the stage bathed in red light, something big was already happening even before the eyes could adjust to the lighting. Soon, the grand prelude started, contrasting with the solemn and rigid stage.

    "What song is this?"

    "Yeah, I''ve heard it somewhere before, right?"

    It definitely felt familiar, but no one could quite put their finger on it. The audience started to check their pamphlets in a hurry. Then, they looked back at the stage in surprise.

    "Is that Reina¡¯s song?"

    "Reina? Wow, what song is that? Oh my gosh, I really like this song, why didn''t I know?"

    Indeed, Reina''s song had been transformed to such an extent that recognizing it proved to be a challenge. Known for her emotive bads, frequently featured on rainy days, social media, and caf¨¦ ylists, Reina¡ªthe solo artist¡ªwasn''t typically associated with such grand and assertive sounds.

    Hence, even to those familiar with the original, the new rendition was startlingly different.

    "But it''s really good? The impact is amazing."

    Whether they knew the song or not, one thing was indisputable: Chronos'' performance always attracted everyone from the prelude. As the lights intensified and the audience''s vision cleared, the dancers marched onto the stage.

    "Wow, this is incredible."

    The scale alone obliterated any lingering sentiments from the previous act, promising a spectacle befitting not just apetition but an award ceremony''s grand performance.

    Amidst the briefmotion, the grand prelude abruptly subsided. The stage quieted down, and the first part started with the appearance of Park Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°What should I say~¡±

    It was the appearance of an unfamiliar face.

    ¡°Was there such a member in Chronos?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I only know Suh Hyun-Woo and that guy who sighed during thest performance.¡±

    ¡°Dang, he is so good-looking...¡±

    It wasn¡¯t just his delicate look; his beautiful voice also perfectly matched the melody of the violin.

    For a moment, the audience shivered at the ticklish timbre, but as soon as Park Yoon-Chan''s face appeared in a close-up on the side screen next to the stage, everyone collectively eximed in admiration.

    Perfect eye contact, perfect expressions, perfect singing, and a perfect face. At first, people didn''t recognize him, but they soon realized that he was the member who had yed the adult Cha-Cha.

    The red lighting changed to blue, and his expression looked somewhat sad, revealing a different side of Park Yoon-Chan that wasn''t shown in ¡°Moon Sea.¡±

    As Park Yoon-Chan''s part ended, the delicate melody of the violin started to mix with the aggressive sound of brass instruments. The apaniment transitioned into a rapid and shy rhythm, and the dancers standing in formation naturally shifted as the lighting followed their movement. Then, the next part was taken over by Suh Hyun-Woo.

    The lighting turned red again.

    "Silently enduring through the night~" Suh Hyun-Woo had been waiting on the right side with the dancers and now quickly moved to the center. Once again, exmations erupted from the audience.

    "Wow, that''s Suh Hyun-Woo, right? I knew he was the center just by looking at him. Now I see what they meant."

    His expression looked like he had a story to tell. The way he casually touched the hat he was wearing and the sharp gaze toward the camera were striking. In an instant, the atmosphere changed. The two of them were the protagonists under contrasting lights.

    ***

    "About Suh Hyun-Woo... He is not the one who re-debuted, right?"

    Manager Joh In-Hyun proudly shook his head at Director Kim Shin-Sik''s words. "No, Director. He did train for a long time as a trainee though."

    "He''s good. The others are good too, but the atmosphere changes when hees out."

    Kim Shin-Sik chuckled. It was as if he could see the bright future of Chronos and Suh Hyun-Woo.

    While ¡°Moon Sea¡± featuredplex choreography, this simpler performance resonated more profoundly with the audience. It wasn''t about having more spectators; the focus had shifted toward integrating more dancers, expressions, and overall quality.

    The result was a meticulously curated performance that showcased not only the stagecraft but also the charisma of each member, fulfilling the intent behind their ambitious presentation.

 Chapter 32: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (6)

    <h4>Chapter 32: Survival Entertainment Show - Random Keywords (6)</h4>

    ¡°Looks like Chronos will be first ce again this time.¡±

    ¡°Hehe, do you think so?¡± The director nodded in response to Joh In-Hyun¡¯s statement.

    Choosing Park Yoon-Chan as the center despite his rtiveck of skill seemed like a gamble at first. However, it became clear that this was a strategic move. The blue lighting and the violin melody entuated Park Yoon-Chan''s part and ensured that his impact was felt, despite the brevity of his solo. As they selflessly allocated the best parts to Park Yoon-Chan, the performance achieved a sense of bnce, showcasing the impressive talents of all members, including the formidable double-center, Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Suh Hyun-Woo, in particr, exuded such amanding presence as he followed Park Yoon-Chan''s segment that it seemed like he embodied the adage of dominating solely through aura.

    Despite having rtively smaller parts, the other three members also made sure to make a solid impact every time they appeared. In the end, the eye-catching choreography, the giant thrones, and the fluttering gs made a splendid finale fitting for thest performance.

    Just like that, their streaming counts were soaring, and audience votes were tipping massively in their favor. With a performance that cleverly incorporated <i>cheat key</i> elements and ster song selections, it would defy logic if they didn''t clinch first ce.

    The atmosphere among the cast in the studio carried a sense of resignation. How could anyone outshine these performance powerhouses? If it weren''t for the fan-voting element on the website, the contest would hardly be a contest at all.

    "...This won''t do. We need a breakthrough," muttered Woo Ji-Hyuk, leader of High Tension, as he watched Chronos triumphantly conclude their performance by sitting on their thrones. He had believed they stood a chance with their own act, but the odds had been stacked against them from the start, especially with the keyword selection.

    ¡°Reina, we are about to proceed with the studio recording,¡± said a staff member to Reina, who was trying to keep her smile down.

    <i>¡®Sigh, I tried not to be biased...¡¯</i>

    She could feel the energy of her song getting lots of attention again, and lots of money would unfold in front of her eyes! Any singer would be happy to have their song covered so wonderfully.

    ¡°Phew...¡± Reina¡¯s smile burst out again as Chronos entered the studio. ¡°You did a great job, Chronos. Thank you so much for covering my song! Not many people know that one! What a great choice!¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    Watching Chronos politely greet her, Reina thought to herself that she should definitely write them a song after thepetition was over.

    ¡°All of you have worked hard in the second round. I was surprised because you performed much better than in the previous round. I could see how much effort you put into your performances.¡±

    Seeing that no one responded to her words, Reina could only smile bitterly as she felt the somber atmosphere here. Just call it the intuition of an experienced person. Even if one prepared hard for two weeks, they still couldn¡¯t beat the overwhelming scale of the stage.

    Just like thest round, everyone expected Chronos to secure first ce in performance without any suspense. While Reina was talking, a staff member rushed in urgently and gave her a big OK sign. Then, Reina nodded and flipped the cue card.

    ¡°The audience voting has just ended. The rankings for this round ofpetition will be determined by the audience votes, streaming viewer votes, and fan votes from the first round.¡±

    <i>¡®Ah, fan votes.¡¯</i> Hearing this, the members of Chronos sighed at the same time. They were confident in having the best scores due to their wless stage performance. However, fan votes were a different story.

    ¡°...We were third, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. We fell behind after the broadcast.¡±

    After all, fan votes were quite important. With them factored in, if High Tension or Street Center received good performance scores, Chronos would not be able to take first ce.

    On the other hand, High Tension and Street Center seemed somewhat relieved.

    ¡°Now, I will announce thebined scores of the audience votes and streaming viewer votes.¡±

    As Reina spoke, the rankings and scores appeared on therge screen.

    1st ce, Chronos 26,206

    2nd ce, Street Center 22,003

    3rd ce, True Bye 21,884

    4th ce, High Tension 17,545

    5th ce, Ash ck 12,107

    6th ce, Air Senior 9,943

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. We are first in performance scores. We can be satisfied with that. It doesn¡¯t have to be the final first ce,¡± said Joo-Han. The other members seemed to have resigned themselves to the situation. There was nothing we could do. Even though we received high performance scores, Street Center¡¯s fan voting scores that followed right after were overwhelming.

    ¡°Chronos overwhelmingly secures first ce, and True Bye has quickly moved up, reaching third ce. Now, I will announce the final rankings reflecting the fan voting scores.¡±

    The screen swiftly changed, updating the rankings and scores for each group. High Tension wore shocked expressions as their rank dropped. In contrast, Street Center appeared to be smiling, as if they had sensed their imminent victory.

    Finally, the final rankings were revealed.

    1st ce, Street Center 31,998

    2nd ce, Chronos 29,682

    3rd ce, High Tension 27,745

    4th ce, True Bye 26,738

    5th ce, Ash ck 17,330

    6th ce, Air Senior 13,024

    <i>¡®Ah, as expected.¡¯</i>

    It was bittersweet to actually see the results, even though I had anticipated them since learning that fan voting scores would be reflected in the rankings.

    "First ce goes to Street Center. Congrattions on your first win, Street Center!"

    As there were many members in Street Center, their cheers were loud. The louder their joyous voices, the harder it was for us to hide our disappointment.

    "Great job. It''s okay."

    "We did well. Second ce is also impressive."

    "That''s right. We always rank first in performance. That''s all that matters if we perform well."

    Weforted each other. Indeed, fan voting wasn¡¯t our battlefield. As long as we did well on stage, that was what mattered.

    Amidst our mutual reassurances, Reina deftly shifted the mood and brought the show to a close.

    "Time to see future K-POP stars all in one ce! <i>Pick We Up</i> will continue next week."

    "Cut! Good work, everyone!"

    As soon as the show ended, the staff rushed in. We somewhat stoically epted the results, but our manager''s eyes were red.

    "Everyone has worked hard. It was really great, especially Yoon-Chan. You did well. You were amazing." Despite the manager¡¯s robust physique, he was a person with a sensitive soul.

    "Right? Yoon-Chan did really well."

    "Oh,e on..." Yoon-Chan smiled shyly. However, he seemed satisfied with himself, and his gloominess from before was nowhere to be found. He added, "This is the first time I truly feel like I am doing something right. It¡¯s all thanks to you guys."

    As we made our way out of the studio...

    "Why are you always thest to leave? It''s so embarrassing. I can''t stand it, really."

    We were greeted by the incensed voice of True Entertainment''s CEO, his frustration palpable as he stormed in.

    "Ah, then why don''t you invest in us for a change, damn it?! We''re a sorry sight next to the other groups."

    "Enough, damn it! It''s a lost cause."

    The frustrated voices of Air Senior members filled the studio. The atmosphere around them seemed very tense and on the verge of copsing.

    ***

    <i>¡®Chronos in 2nd ce? What a shock!¡¯</i>

    We ranked first in performance, but ended up in second ce overall due to theck of fan votes. This unfortunate incident happened solely because of ourck of fans.

    Chronos1st @vkropol_1 ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Is this really happening... Ah, really annoying. Our kids ranked first in performance, but we lost because we didn¡¯t vote enough. It''s so frustrating! I''m tearing up.

    ChronosVote @hsudm ¡¤ 3 minutes ago

    What are we doing...? Other groups are voting as if their lives depend on it, so why are our votes so lowpared to our views??? What¡¯s the point of my babes doing well if we mess it up? Fuck.

    Hyunwoo4Life @healing ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Shouldn¡¯t Chronos fans also move systematically? I¡¯m so upset, damn it. I thought my eyes were going to flip while watching live. We should give them continuous 1sts for always showing legendary performances... Please vote, everyone!

    The on-site response was phenomenal, and the performance couldn''t have been better. Elevating Park Yoon-Chan to the center paid off really well, and their song choice based on the keyword couldn''t have been more on point.

    It was a wless execution on Chronos''s part. Yet, despite the ster performance, they were not awarded first ce by the fans.

    It wasn''t a matter of Chronos having fewer fans than the others. After the sess of their performances like <i>Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i> and ¡°Moon Sea,¡± which were hits on the official homepage, it became clear that what Chronos''s fanbasecked was not numbers, but organizational power.

    On the contrary, High Tension and Street Center boasted fandoms that had developed over a long time, and they had been rallying votes even before the premiere. Hence, even with the appearance of Chronos, these fandoms just gritted their teeth and remained dedicated to voting for their groups.

    It was a situation that could only make Chronos fans furious.

    In the midst of this, an anonymous video was uploaded on <i>UTube</i>, featuring a secretly recorded footage of Suh Hyun-Woo and Park Yoon-Chan practicing behind a building during a performance. The video gained a lot of views but was quickly taken down in response to a barrage ofments condemning the act of filming people secretly

    However, thinking that they had ruined apetition that Chronos had worked so hard on, their fans experienced a profound heartbreak. Hence, as soon as the performance video was uploaded to the official website, Chronos swiftly secured the top spot in the voting rankings.

    But could the fans of High Tension and Street Center remain passive?

    From that point, the fandom conflicts escted, and the voting rankings fluctuated by the minute. Some fans delved into the members'' pasts to fuel their arguments, and anonymous ounts¡ªtroll ounts posing as fans to disseminate criticism¡ªstarted to emerge.

    This fandom war mainly involved the fans of the top three teams, but fans of other teams were notpletely excluded from the conflict. Fans of Air Senior, True Bye, and Ash ck also joined the battle, turning the <i>Pick We Up</i>¡¯s fandom upside down.

    Here was a sample of the social media posts mentioned:

    ParkYoonChanStopDancingPlease @xxxx_x ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Jin-Sung''s dancing back in the day looks so country, boo. Seems like he got stic surgery

    (Video from Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s dance team days)

    ©¸IfYouLookAtHateountsYou¡¯llSeeBloodSweatAndTears @shfksrh ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Reply to @xxxx_x

    Thanks for digging up our kid''s video, so damn cute. Have you seen your kids'' past videos?

    (Picture from Street Center¡¯s dance team days)

    Of course, there were many posts telling fans to stop fighting and not to behave thoughtlessly. However, the fandom war continued to intensify.

    In the midst of this chaos, I found myself scrolling through the turbulent social media responses.

    "Wow, it feels like a lifetime''s worth of criticism is being thrown at me."

    I knew I had to tell the members to steer clear of this mess. Amidst my contemtion on why I was exposing myself to torrents of abuse, I continued scrolling, paying particr attention to the limited but noteworthyments about Chronos.

    <i>¡®I can handle this much cursing.</i>¡¯

    Of course, I had never been cursed out like this before, but having gone through many incidents, my mental strength had grown. Therefore, I wasn¡¯t greatly affected.

    As I was checking these tiny bits of reactions...

    HopePerennialLosersGetEliminatedSoon @iil ¡¤ 30 seconds ago

    Ah, this guy has a shitty personality and is terrible on stage, and even his past is pathetic.

    (Sales figures of Air Senior member Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s solo album)

    I halted my scrolling when an ount of unknown affiliation brought up the past actions of an Air Senior member. I wasn''t pausing to mock his bad album sales; rather, I tilted my head in confusion.

    ¡°Chil-Two?¡±

    Chil-Two was the stage name of Kim Jin-Wook during his solo debut. It was a name I had heard once or twice before. After thinking for a while, I finally eximed, ¡°Ah, Chil-Two.¡±

    Though he started as a bad singer under that name, Chil-Two was the past alias of Cold E Chil, a rapper who would eventually find substantial fame.

 Chapter 33: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (1)

    <h4>Chapter 33: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (1)</h4>

    It was quite surprising to discover that a prominent rapper from South Korea emerged from an idol group primarily known for their vocal prowess. Judging by his demeanor, he appeared capable of holding his ground in diss battles. I hadn''te across Air Senior during my time as a trainer before regressing, so my interest in them was piqued. It seemed that they had disbanded due to internal conflicts, each member choosing their path thereafter.

    As I scrolled further, I became aware that the fandom conflicts were escting. Some articles were circting, and I saw rumors of a member of High Tension taking a jab at someone from Street Center and then hastily retracting the statement.

    "Regardless, act as if you''re unaware of these issues. Jin-Sung, stop obsessing over the official homepage rankings and take a break from social media for a while."

    "Got it."

    "You know there are two more rounds left, right? You have to take care of your mental health."

    If our manager had visited our dorm less frequently, managing our mental health would have been easier. Hmm... As our poprity increased, so did the nagging from our manager.

    Casually nodding, we sprawled out on the couch to rewatch episode two of <i>Pick We Up</i>. We observed the cast members'' reactions to ¡°Moon Sea¡± and saw details we weren''t aware of during our practice video for ¡°Moon Sea¡±. While the practice video was cute and amusing, thements on ¡°Moon Sea¡± were quite fierce.

    Some cast members were ring at the screen, while others simply enjoyed and admired the performance. Overall, there was a sense of satisfaction in how the show revolved around a generally strong favorite to win and the cast members who kept them in check. I was actually feeling pretty good. Above all, this ¡°Moon Sea¡± clip looked much cooler than the one uploaded on the official homepage.

    "Let''s at least see the reactions to the ''Moon Sea'' clip."

    Despite Lee Jin-Sung''s whining, our manager strongly opposed it. "Don¡¯t. There are people who intentionally use your full name to swear at you, just to hurt you. They even use words rted to you to ensure ites up in searches."

    At that point, Joo-Hanined, "But we need to see the reactions to prepare for the next stage."

    "The reactions are generally good. Don''t even think about looking out of curiosity," the manager replied.

    Despite our manager¡¯s firm response, Joo-Han tried to argue. However, without taking my eyes off the television, I said, ¡°The responses were overwhelmingly positive. We received a lot of praise for the opening and closing sequences, particrly for Goh Yoo-Joon and myself. There were a few remarks about the distribution of parts, but aside from that, everything looked favorable.¡±

    ¡°...Did you watch thement section?¡± asked our manager.

    ¡°Yes, I checked it when the video was uploaded on the official homepage. The reactions were really good, but it¡¯s a bit hard to read<i> </i>right now,¡± I responded.

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°I know some fans are not happy with how the parts are distributed, but I think it is fine for thispetition.¡±

    After I spoke, our manager looked at me with a dumbfounded expression. He looked so bewildered that I had to speak again.

    "The others shouldn¡¯t read through thements. It didn¡¯t bother me, so I just overlooked the negative ones and focused on constructive feedback."

    ¡°Don¡¯t you all get any ideas,¡± the manager warned sternly, addressing the others. "Don¡¯t assume you¡¯ll be ''okay'' just because Suh Hyun-Woo could handle it."

    Joo-Han looked more concerned as he asked, "Are thements that severe? Should I not read them at all costs to stay focused?"

    I gave him a solemn nod. ¡°If you want to do well in the nextpetition, don¡¯t read them. Seriously.¡±

    The recentments were harsh and filled with brilliantly creative, unfiltered curses. Nowadays, people didn''t just mindlessly curse; they dug deep with their words, making them challenging to endure with just an ordinary mindset. However, I had read many darkments on my disciples and had be somewhat indifferent to trivial things after experiencing many incidents.

    The manager let out a deep sigh. ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s how things are going now. There are even articles about it, so it seems like UNET is trying toe up with a solution.¡±

    ¡°Wow, is it serious enough to affect thepetition?¡±

    ¡°Anyway, if the verbal attacks intensify and cause problems for other groups, it will be a loss for the fans as well.¡±

    After emphasizing once again that we should not worry about onlinements and should just rx, the manager left the dorm. Joo-Han seemed quite curious about the situation, but he immediately put those thoughts aside, focusing on the uingpetition. Since our members were quite timid, none of them dared to open their social media.

    Three dayster, we received a call informing us that the shooting schedule had been moved up.

    ***

    Arriving at the UNET broadcasting station, we felt less confident than before. After all, it had been a while, and there were more staff than usual.

    "Chronos has arrived."

    "Hello!"

    Upon arrival, we exchanged greetings with the crew and offered another bow to the camera that followed us. However, the studio was abuzz with an unusual sense of activity. As we made our entrance, looking around in curiosity, the show¡¯s producer started to direct us to different locations.

    "Joo-Han, please go to Room C. Yoo-Joon, Room B. Jin-Sung, Room F. Yoon-Chan, Room A. Hyun-Woo, Room D."

    We were swiftly ushered into rooms marked with letters, with no time to ask about their significance.

    Alone in a room, I felt engulfed in awkwardness with only a camera forpany.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked awkwardly.

    Unsurprisingly, no answer came, amplifying the awkward silence. To keep myself busy, I switched the television on and off and tampered with the camera. Just as I was running out of distractions, the door creaked open and a face looked in.

    "Huh?"

    "...Oh, hello."

    Startled by the interruption, I stumbled back and let out an awkward greeting to the figure stepping inside.

    ¡°Wow? Hello! You¡¯re from Chronos... Hyun-Woo, right?¡±

    ¡°Ah... Yes.¡±

    The man eagerly grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously. He was Woo Ji-Hyuk, the leader of High Tension, and he looked very extroverted with high energy.

    ¡°You are Ji-Hyuk, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that''s right! But why is Mr. Hyun-Woo here?¡±

    He should just call me Hyun-Woo... Anyway, his vivacity overwhelmed my reserved nature, and I struggled to find words to reply to him. Observing him up close, I could see that he was even more dynamic than I thought.

    "Someone just told me toe here. I''m not sure of the reasons myself."

    Just then, the door opened again, and a small exmation was heard. ¡°Oh, hello.¡±

    I turned around to see Yoo On-Sae entering awkwardly, and I took a subtle deep breath. He was the youngest member of Ash ck and my first apprentice. What was going on today? Members from unrted groups were entering the room one after the other.

    I then exchanged greetings with Yoo On-Sae, trying to act calm. Soon after, two members from Street Center walked in. From their expressions, it seemed they knew something we didn¡¯t.

    We exchanged light greetings, and they looked around at the other cast members.

    ¡°We arecking one person here.¡±

    ¡°Um, excuse me, do you know what''s going on?¡±

    As the members of Street Center were about to exin with smiles on their faces, the door opened once more, and the room was instantly filled with the smell of cigarette smoke. Yoo On-Sae had been asking about the situation, and Woo Ji-Hyuk had been smiling broadly. But at this moment, both of them stiffened and looked toward the door.

    ¡°What the heck... Hello.¡± As the neer greeted us, the members of Street Center rxed their expressions and bowed their heads, smiling.

    ¡°Hello, Jin-Wook. Please take a seat.¡±

    It was Kim Jin-Wook from Air Senior. He hesitated for a moment before sitting down in an empty chair. Now, Street Center stood in the middle, while the rest of us were seated, creating a scene as if Street Center were the hosts.

    The duo grinned and pulled out a cue card. ¡°This time, we, Street Center, will be leading the program! It¡¯s unexpected, but since everyone is here, let¡¯s make the announcement. The theme of thispetition is ''Unit!¡¯¡±

    "As the winner of thest round, we have the privilege to select members from other groups for coboration. And you all..." They gestured around the room. "...are those chosen members."

    <i>¡®Huh? A unit stage? With these members?¡¯</i>

    Not just me, but everyone else seemed to be wondering what this was all about.

    If we arranged the unit like this, what about scores? The distribution of parts? In a situation where groups werepeting against each other, was it possible to coborate with other groups?

    "So, how are the scores reflected?" Woo Ji-Hyuk asked. The Street Center duo then nced at the cue card and smiled.

    "Individual scores will only be assigned to the winning team members."

    "Here, the individual scores are calcted based on audience and viewer votes, as well as team member votes. Then, the winning team members cast votes for other members, excluding themselves, and the number of votes will determine their ranks."

    This method seemed purposefully designed to dampen the inter-fandom conflicts. With scores only allotted to the winning team, predicting which team woulde out on top was a shot in the dark, meaning that a group''s overall performance in their designated teams was crucial.

    However, with team member votes factored in, thepetition promised to be fair but brutal¡ªa contest where selfishness could not thrive.

    "From today onward, we''ll function as a team for the next two weeks. Let''s support each other, everyone."

    The Street Center duo finished exining and sat down. Following that, I looked around at the members of Team D. The members of Street Center who chose us weren''t particrly standout. ording to thepetition format, it would have been normal to choose members with less prominence than themselves, but there were two individuals here who performed well in the previous performances.

    There was me, who had consistently held the role of center, and Woo Ji-Hyuk, who had masterfully structured High Tension''s strategy for the second broadcast. The other two weren¡¯t bad either. Yoo On-Sae was usually adored for his charm, and Kim Jin-Wook''s deep voice earned him a growing fanbase.

    "Wow, what should I say about the teamposition... Did you intentionally arrange it this way? It''s going to be really hard topete."

    Woo Ji-Hyuk''s sarcastic remark about the teamposition highlighted the crux of the issue. It seemed that Street Center had nned, perhaps aiming to ce their popr members in a group that would otherwise seem weaker.

    I spoke indifferently, "If Chronos wants to win, this team has to rank first."

    As soon as I said this, they all looked at me. If this team emerged victorious, I stood a chance to im the top rank. My confidence in outshining the others was evident.

    From Street Center''s standpoint, they likely believed in their chances of securing votes, so they took a somewhat risky gamble with their choices. By cing all their bets¡ª<i>threats</i>¡ªon Team D, the internalpetition within our team could propel Street Center to the top rank. Though the probability was slim, it wasn¡¯t impossible.

    Woo Ji-Hyuk looked straight at me, annoyingly lifting the corners of his eyes. "Right. Let''s rank first."

    Right... if this team ranked first, either I or Woo Ji-Hyuk would get a high score.

    ¡°Well... it seems like our strategy has beenpletely exposed, but shall we start with the self-introductions first?¡± one of the Street Center duos said, looking around. The team was an eclectic mix: myself, naturally reserved; Woo Ji-Hyuk, exuding aplex aura; and Kim Jin-Wook, the unmistakable rebel. Hence, the tinge of unease in the Street Center duo''s voice was evident.

    A moment of awkward silence followed.

    "I am Cha Woo-Jeong from Street Center."

    "I''m Shin Ha-Yoon, the youngest member of Street Center. I was sad that we didn''t have time to talk, but I''m d we have this opportunity now. I am looking forward to being on stage with you guys."

    The Street Center duos tried to break the ice, so I just let my guard down and greeted them.

    "I''m Suh Hyun-Woo from Chronos. I am also looking forward to the day of thepetition."

    The two members of Street Center looked at me as if I was their savior. Although the silence started because of me and Woo Ji-Hyuk, we were going to be together for the next two weeks. Thus, it was time to lighten the mood and cooperate with the team.

    "I''m Woo Ji-Hyuk, the leader of High Tension."

    After my introduction, Woo Ji-Hyuk also smiled and introduced himself. Thus, our team''s initial gatheringmenced.

 Chapter 34: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (2)

    <h4>Chapter 34: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (2)</h4>

    [You will all be staying at the same amodation for a while. Please create an amazing performance together!]

    The meeting room fell silent as the message filled the television screen. We had yet to engage in any real dialogue, but we already had to share a living space among us.

    ¡°Living together...¡± I murmured. The concept took us all by surprise, shown by the nk stares of all the team members.

    Theposition of our new team seemed to be a gathering of individualists. However, there seemed to be a natural leader in this group.

    Being the icebreaker, Woo Ji-Hyuk said, ¡°Well, we¡¯ve seen such a concept during <i>Pick Me Up</i>¡¯s unit stages, so I expected as much. We don¡¯t have to rush. We can take our time to decide on the song and concept, is that alright?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that sounds good! Let¡¯s decide on our positions for now and talk about the song or conceptter,¡± remarked the duo from Street Center.

    These two seemed to be quite amodating. Now, it looked like the only ones still feeling shy were me and Kim Jin-Wook, so I tried to rx my slightly tense expression as I spoke, ¡°That sounds like a n. After all, we are a group for the next two weeks.¡±

    ¡°Right, let¡¯s decide on the leader first. Personally, I would like Ji-Hyuk to do it, as he is already a leader,¡±mented one of the Street Center members.

    ¡°Me? Well, wouldn¡¯t it be better if someone who picked us take the role?¡±

    Woo Ji-Hyuk and Street Center continued the conversation as if they had rehearsed it. I could feel they were trying to break the silence of Kim Jin-Wook and me.

    ¡°I also think Woo Ji-Hyuk would be a good choice. He seems very reliable on TV.¡± I chimed in, agreeing with their suggestion. These people probably thought they had ended up in a difficult team.

    Meanwhile, I could hear noises and voices, including those of Goh Yoo-Joon and the excited Lee Jin-Sung from the next meeting rooms. They were quite sociable, so they were probably already calling each other brothers.

    Joo-Han, undoubtedly, would be the leader of his team, and Park Yoon-Chan was probably the only other person struggling to fit in.

    While I was lost in these thoughts, Woo Ji-Hyuk lightly ced his hand on my shoulder. ¡°Since everyone trusts me, I will be the leader. And since we have members who are not familiar with each other, I would like to appoint a vice-leader.¡±

    ¡°Vice-leader? Oh, that¡¯s a good idea.¡± The Street Center duo nodded vigorously. Given the size of Street Center, they likely had a well-established vice-leader system. But why did Woo Ji-Hyuk put his hand on my shoulder?

    Feeling slightly ufortable, I looked at Woo Ji-Hyuk who was grinning.

    ¡°I¡¯d like Hyun-Woo to be the vice-leader. Didn¡¯t youe up with the Cha-Cha concept? I heard you pitched it, envisioning a performance that would turn your image on its head right at the finale.¡±

    Hearing this, I cursed inwardly. Our manager had been a bit too open about our strategies with those from other agencies.

    As I nodded, albeit rigidly, sounds of approval came from Street Center.

    ¡°Yeah, many of your ideas were instrumental in the past, and we could use some of your ideas. What does everyone think?¡±

    ¡°...I will do my best if you entrust me with the responsibility.¡± My voice wasn''t full of confidence, but I raised my hand to clearly show my willingness. If the votes of the team members also affected the scores, it would be good to contribute to this team in any way.

    Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be as much as the leader, but I should still be able to appeal that I was working hard.

    ¡°Wow, we¡¯d really appreciate it if you could take on the role. What do you think, Jin-Wook?¡± asked Cha Woo-Jeong from Street Center. Kim Jin-Wook had been looking at the floor disinterestedly throughout the meeting. But upon hearing this, he raised his head and said, ¡°Yeah, fine.¡±

    ¡°...So you agree? Then, Hyun-Woo, please take care of us.¡±

    The duo of Street Center seemed somewhat relieved. Finally, conversations started to flow in the meeting room.

    ¡°We have to decide on the concept and n everything without consulting our agencies.¡±

    ¡°It might be a bit challenging for us, but the fans will really love it.¡±

    When people of simr ages came together, a bit of conversation quickly led to a friendly atmosphere. Despite my quiet nature, I even started participating more in the conversation.

    As we went on, the discussion about the concept was postponed, and we focused on getting to know each other.

    ¡°By the way, how old is everyone? We did a roll call, so we should know each other¡¯s ages too. I¡¯m twenty-two.¡±

    Hearing Woo-Jeong''s words, Woo Ji-Hyuk couldn¡¯t hide his enthusiasm. ¡°Oh my gosh, me too! What about you, Ha-Yoon?¡±

    ¡°I just turned twenty not too long ago,¡± Shin Ha-Yoon answered and then looked at me as soon as he did. Caught off guard, I hesitated, momentarily forgetting my real age.

    I replied, "I am neen years old." Somehow, it felt like I was lying about my age, and a sense of guilt overcame me.

    "Huh? Neen years old?" probed Woo Ji-Hyuk with an expression of surprise and confusion.

    "Yes, I''m neen years old."

    Of course, I looked neen by appearance. However, Woo Ji-Hyuk wasn¡¯t the only one surprised here. Everyone from the Street Center was making a fuss, and even Kim Jin-Wook, who seemed uninterested in thepetition, was staring at me.

    "Oh, do I look older?" I had never been told that I looked older than my age.

    Then, Woo Ji-Hyuk and the Street Center duos quickly shook their heads. ¡°No, not at all. It¡¯s just that you contributed so many substantial thoughts, so I had assumed you were closer to my age.¡±

    "That''s right. Sometimes, the Chronos members seem to listen to Mr. Hyun-Woo well."

    Woo Ji-Hyuk and Cha Woo-Jeong took turns speaking. Now, I had to set the record straight. ¡°My words alone don''t hold much sway. It¡¯s only with Joo-Han hyung¡¯s backing that they resonate with the others.¡±

    Without Joo-Han¡¯s support, even my suggestions¡ªlike Cha-Cha and the concept of having Park Yoon-Chan as the center¡ªwould have been brushed off lightly.

    ¡°So, Hyun-Woo is still a minor. What about you, Jin-Wook?¡± Woo-Jeong queried. As soon as he did, the others'' anticipation could be felt in the suddenly quiet room. After all, Kim Jin-Wook had been silent all along, and his presence was almost like an afterthought. Now, all eyes were cautiously on him. With a subdued air, he looked up and met Woo Ji-Hyuk¡¯s gaze.

    Then, he quietly said, "I''m twenty years old."

    "...Ah, so we are the same age," Shin Ha-Yoon answered awkwardly, showing no sign of happiness despite being the same age. When the awkward silence prolonged to the extent that the producing staff were ufortable, On-Sae tried changing the mood quickly.

    "I''m fifteen years old! I''m the youngest in this team!"

    "Fifteen? Second year of middle school? Wow..."

    "I was surprised at Hyun-Woo¡¯s age, but On-Sae is even younger."

    However, the shock on their faces wasn''t as strong as when they learned my age. Yoo On-Sae clearly looked, sounded, and seemed younger based on his appearance.

    <i>¡®Well, this little guy will be the leader of one of South Korea''s top idol groups in the future.¡¯</i>

    Unlike his younger self, Yoo On-Sae, whom I mentored, was much taller and had lost his chubby cheeks, looking very mature.

    "Haha, please treat me like your little brother. Being too formal would make things awkward when living together."

    "Is that okay? Alright, we are a team, so let¡¯s befortable with each other. You can speak informally, too, if you want."

    The room wasn''t as noisy as the one next door, but I thought we had be quite closepared to the beginning. I also joined the members¡¯ conversation.

    ¡°Please do the same with me. I¡¯m looking forward to coborating with all of you,¡± I responded, hoping to contribute to the warming atmosphere.

    While Kim Jin-Wook remained reticent, not engaging in the light banter, the room''s mood nheless started to ease up. Just as we were settling into this new camaraderie, the door swung open, and a staff member stepped in to signal the end of the day''s filming.

    As I left the meeting room and waited for the members who hadn''te out yet, Joo-Han approached and sat next to me. "Did you get a bit closer to them? You tend to be shy around people other than us."

    "Hmm, I think I will get closer. The other members are making me feelfortable."

    "You¡¯ll get closer when you start living together."

    "I hope so. But you seem to be in a really good mood, hyung. It looks like you¡¯ve gotten pretty close to them."

    Joo-Han shook his head, indicating it wasn¡¯t quite there yet, but he was grinning from ear to ear. "That¡¯s not it. I was appointed as the leader of the team. Everything is going ording to n."

    "What n? Hyung, don¡¯t be too transparent."

    "Hey, why would I bother being the leader if it''s not for the team vote? What about you?"

    I just shrugged my shoulders. I hadn¡¯t achieved anything significant and couldn¡¯t secure much airtime for the broadcast. If the meeting room scene went on air, I would probably get scolded by Joo-Han for not doing anything.

    "Everyone else is an adult except for the youngest member of Ash ck and me. How could I be the leader? We have Woo Ji-Hyuk of High Tension in our team."

    "You have a lot of excuses."

    "Yes, Woo Ji-Hyuk is the leader. But hyung, I did be the vice leader."

    I tried to rationalize it by thinking,<i> ''I took on a role, so it''s okay,'' </i>but Joo-Han still seemed dissatisfied.

    "If you are the vice leader, you won¡¯t really get much benefit. Woo Ji-Hyuk will take it all."

    "...I will do my best. It''s all about doing well on stage, isn''t it?"

    I wasn''t particrly disappointed by what Joo-Han said, as I didn''t really covet the leader position. However, I had to be more ambitious for the center position in the team. After all, this time, we had topete with other groups within the same team.

    Therefore, I didn''t n on easily giving up the center position.

    "But hyung, I think I might be able to take the center position."

    "Oh? Hyun-Woo, I also think you will be the center."

    Joo-Han and Iughed together. It wasn¡¯t like my team members were bad that I would be the center. The teamposition was actually impressive.

    Woo Ji-Hyuk was skilled in performances, but he was more of a person who led from the back like Joo-Han. As for Kim Jin-Wook, the center of Air Senior, he didn''t seem particrly interested in the performance. While the members of Street Center or On-Sae would go for the center position, I was thinking of securing it even if I had to appeal a bit more greedily.

    Then, Lee Jin-Sung came over while bouncing. "You guys came out early, huh?"

    "You seem really excited," said Joo-Han

    "Your room was really noisy earlier," I added.

    Hearing Joo-Han and my words, Lee Jin-Sung pulled up a chair and sat down, grinning. "I''m on the same team as the hyungs from my previous dancing group."

    "Oh, the Street Center hyungs?"

    "Yes, yes! They picked me on purpose to work together after a long time."

    Lee Jin-Sung started chattering excitedly about the contents of their meeting. In the end, it seemed like the hyungs adored him a lot, but Joo-Han left a feistyment, telling Jin-Sung to take the center position while he was at it. Then, Joo-Han disappeared with our manager.

    "What about Yoo-Joon hyung? His room was incredibly loud, too."

    "Goh Yoo-Joon makes friends wherever he goes. It seemed like he was ying and talking rather than having a meeting."

    He probably hadn¡¯te back yet because he was secretly exchanging numbers behind our manager''s back.

    "But still, if thepetition is two weeks away, we have to be apart for quite a while."

    "Being apart this long is probably our first since bing a trainee, right?"

    "That''s right."

    It was definitely the first time since Lee Jin-Sung joined. Since we were from the same remote region, we had always shared the same dormitory.

    "It will feel like going on a school trip."

    I thought that he would feel a bit sad, but Lee Jin-Sung was actually excited. It would have been great if it was as fun as a school trip, but I didn¡¯t think so. In a group with the slightly intimidating Woo Ji-Hyuk and Kim Jin-Wook, who didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of trying hard... The best-case scenario would be for me not to run away in the middle of preparation.

 Chapter 35: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (3)

    <h4>Chapter 35: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (3)</h4>

    "We''ve arrived. Let''s get off here."

    The moment the car door swung open, a camera deftly maneuvered inside, capturing a shot of me stepping out. I disembarked with a cumbersome suitcase in tow, squinting against the relentless sunlight.

    "This ce... is utterly isted."

    We were deep in the countryside, seemingly severed from the outside world. My manager had assured me that we would have cable TV at least. Yet, theck of any stores nearby confirmed that it was practically the wild.

    "I''m staying here for two full weeks, correct?"

    "That''s right! Make the most of your two weeks!" The camera director''s voice was bright, a sharp contrast to my sinking spirits.

    "I see." I half-resigned myself to the reality of living in such conditions and examined the lodging, which appeared reasonably tidy for such a remote location. With a strained smile, I posed my next question

    "Just out of curiosity, how are we handling meals...?"

    "You''ll be cooking for yourselves! Don''t worry, though. We''ll ensure the fridge is always stocked!" The director''s cheerfulness was almost too much, intensifying the impact of the news I feared most.

    <i>''This is a nightmare. Trainees cooking? Isn''t it a given for trainees from any agency to subsist on ck bean noodles delivered at their whim? How are we going to cook for ourselves?''</i>

    The part that I worried the most became reality.

    "Hyun-Woo, you are here?"

    "Ah! You gave me a fright!"

    I had been so engrossed in conversation with the director that Ha-Yoon had sessfully crept up on me, clearly aiming to catch me off guard. I then shot him a fake re, and he responded with a mischievous chuckle, nudging me toward the house.

    "You should head in now that you''re here. I was curious since you were still outside."

    "I was just getting a feel for the ce," I said with ease. My camaraderie with Ji-Hyuk and the others from Street Center had been building up even before my arrival here, mostly through constant contact. This made our second in-person encounter feel unexpectedlyfortable.

    After putting on a microphone, I entered the house. The team members who had arrived earlier were bustling around in the kitchen.

    "Oh, Hyun-Woo, you are here? Did you know that we have to cook our own meals?"

    "Yeah, I heard. Does anyone know how to cook?"

    "What do you think? Haha."

    "Ah, okay." I nodded at Woo-Jeong¡¯s words immediately and then headed to the kitchen.

    "Let''s eat something to start our day," I said.

    The fridge was well-stocked.

    "There''s meat. Should we grill some?" asked Woo Ji-Hyuk.

    "Hey, Ji-Hyuk, grilling meat is nice, but I don¡¯t think it''s a good idea to eat in smoke on our first day."

    "There¡¯s ramen. Let''s have ramen."

    After a serious discussion, we decided to cook ramen. While waiting for the seven packets of ramen to cook in therge pot, Ji-Hyuk looked at me and made a shooting gesture.

    "You haven''t looked around the ce yet, right? Go take a look and ce your stuff in an empty room."

    Woo-Jeong then added as he was cooking ramen, "We had assigned the rooms before you arrived. There¡¯s only one empty room left. It¡¯s your fault for beingte."

    "It¡¯s fine. The empty room is on the second floor, right?"

    "Yeah, it''s in the middle of the second floor. Go ahead."

    After leaving the kitchen, I took a good look around our temporary amodation. It seemed to be an Airbnb, spacious and with a very neat interior. After a quick tour, I headed straight to the second floor with my luggage. "Wow, this is nice!"

    Although the members said that it was a penalty for beingte, the room was surprisingly well-furnished. It hadrge windows and seemed even better than our dorm. The sun shone brightly into the room, and it was all mine to use.

    Feeling quite satisfied with my living space for the next two weeks, I started to unpack when a pungent smell suddenly wafted through the air. "...What is this?"

    It was undoubtedly the smell of cigarettes. There was no way any of the team members would dare to smoke inside our camera-filled amodation. I instinctively held my breath and opened the window to investigate.

    <i>''...This audacious guy.</i>''

    Kim Jin-Wook was smoking behind the building. Such audacity.

    <i>¡®Smoking itself would already be a problem for a trainee, but to do it during a shoot?¡¯</i>

    I sighed deeply, watched him for a moment, and then leaned out of the window frame. I then took a deep breath and shouted, "Jin-Wook hyung! What are you doing over there!?"

    Kim Jin-Wook was startled by my shout and looked around in surprise.

    I yelled again, "Hyung, second floor!"

    To an onlooker peering through the camera lens, my call to Kim Jin-Wook probably appeared like a joyous recognition of a friend. However, for Jin-Wook, the moment was fraught with anxiety. He was perilously close to being captured by the camera.

    "I wille in soon," he said hastily, extinguishing his cigarette and dusting off his hands.

    His difort was palpable, as if it radiated from the top of his head. I then grinned slyly and nodded.

    "Come on in! We are making ramen right now!"

    The reality was that we hadn''t developed the kind of brotherly bond¡ªthe hyung-dongsaeng rtionship¡ªthat the other members shared, nor had we been in regr contact.

    Jin-Wook''s face contorted after piecing together my intentions. I then dismissed his intense stare and closed the window indifferently.

    After all, it was his fault for smoking there. No matter how many times I thought about it, it was clear that Kim Jin-Wook and I could never be close friends.

    "Hyun-Woo, have you not finished unpacking yet?" Ha-Yoon entered the room, and his expression suddenly sourned.

    He seemed to mistake the lingering smell of cigarettes for mine, so I quickly shook my head and pointed to the window behind me. I then mouthed ¡°Kim Jin-Wook¡±<i>.</i> Just by mentioning his name, Ha-Yoon let out a deep sigh and nodded, seemingly aware that Kim Jin-Wook had smoked a few cigarettes here.

    "The ramen is ready. Go ahead. I will call Jin-Wook."

    "Just leave him. He said he woulde in soon," I replied.

    "Really? Well, okay then."

    It seemed that Jin-Wook wasn''t too eager to join us. With a quick nod, Ha-Yoon left the room.

    Kim Jin-Wook, who had entered unnoticed, was helping to move dishes and shot me a re in the kitchen. I then took my dish with a pleasant smile. "Hyung, when did youe in? I thought you''d hang out a bit more beforeing in."

    "...I came to eat ramen," he replied curtly.

    The smell of perfume¡ªnot cigarettes¡ªwafted from him. He seemed very displeased every time I called him ¡°hyung.¡± However, it would be equally strange to address him as ¡°Mr. Kim Jin-Wook¡±, given that our ages only differed by one year. So, I pretended not to notice.

    "By the way, now that we are in the dorm, shouldn¡¯t we start selecting our song?"

    "Ah, I was just thinking the same thing. We click really well, right Ha-Yoon?" Ji-Hyukmented, and Ha-Yoon stared at him as if he was annoyed.

    "Ah, really, hyung! You always say we click, but no! Stop joking around."

    "No, your reactions are just too funny," Ji-Hyuk chuckled.

    He was apletely different kind of leaderpared to Joo-Han. While Joo-Han was a trustworthy leader, respected and followed by the members, Ji-Hyuk enjoyed ying pranks and eliciting groans from his group members.

    Nheless, when it came to discussing the stage, he became serious. "Alright, I''ll stop joking now. Hmm, let¡¯s put song selection aside for now and think about our concept first."

    Concept... The concept had already been decided for the two previouspetitions, so we only had to focus on song selection and performance. Now, determining the concept ourselves felt like a free yet unsettling battle of capabilities, with no framework to guide us.

    As all of us remained silent, Ji-Hyuk broke the ice. "I was really impressed by Chronos''s stage performance this time."

    "Our stage?"

    "Yeah. Both the vocals and the dance part were great, but I felt overwhelmed from the start just by looking at the number of performers."

    I nodded in agreement. "Right. We tried our best to give off that overwhelming feeling. Since the theme was ¡®king¡¯, we thought it would be best to be as domineering as possible."

    "Did that ideae from you too?"

    "Not all of it. Only some parts. The choreography and use of props were ideas from the other members."

    Ji-Hyuk looked impressed. "Wow, I see why Joo-Han trusts you so much."

    ¡°...Do you know Joo-Han hyung?¡±

    "Not before this show. We just had a chat recently and found out we were quite simr."

    In my mind, it didn''t quite make sense as they seemed quite different, but I decided to let it slide for now.

    "Anyway, I was thinking maybe we could go for a simr vibe this time."

    Upon hearing Ji-Hyuk''s suggestion, Woo-Jeong asked, "What kind? A king concept?"

    "No, no. We can''t do the exact same concept but something along those lines, something that can overwhelm the crowd with numbers. Let''s all think about it."

    <i>¡®Hmm, how can we surpass the grandeur of the king concept? Something both intimidating and well-coordinated... Maybe a military-themed synchronized choreography?¡¯</i>

    "How about the military concept?"

    "...Wow, that''s great. Hyun-Woo. You are really smart. That''s actually a brilliant idea."

    Ji-Hyuk tried to cling to me, but I pushed him away with a stern face.

    "Please, no. It''s cheesy. Anyway, when I think of arge group, the military is the first thing thates to my mind."

    "I like the military idea, but personally, I''d also like to try a musical vibe. Last time, the Street Center concept seemed really fun. We wanted to try it out among ourselves," On-Sae added. While having arge number of people could be restrictive in terms of choreography, there were actually many things you could do with numbers when you thought about it.

    "What about the opinion of the Street Center masters? What do you guys want to do? And what about you Jin-Wook?"

    As Ji-Hyuk asked this question, the Street Center members mped their mouths shut. It seemed that from the first meeting until now, there had been a consistentck of participation from Kim Jin-Wook. And today, they seemed determined to get some sort of opinion from him.

    "Right, Jin-Wook, don''t you want to do anything?"

    <i>''Please, just say something, anything.''</i>

    That was the collective hope of all the members at this moment. Caught off guard, as he was fiddling with his ramen, Kim Jin-Wook put down his chopsticks.

    "Uh..."

    He seemed to contemte for a while before he finally murmured, "Horror... would that be too strange?"

    "Horror?"

    Kim Jin-Wook nodded. "Just a random thought, don''t mind it."

    Kim Jin-Wook spoke curtly with a slightly annoyed tone and then picked up his chopsticks again. Just as the atmosphere was cooling down again...

    "I think horror is a good idea."

    "Right. How about we mix everything we''ve talked about so far?"

    The duo from Street Center started to eagerly align their thoughts.

    "So we mix military, musical, and horror together."

    "We should include just enough acting from the members not to make it cringy and set the scene as well."

    "What should we do? What does it sound like to you?"

    As the Street Center duo exchanged ideas, something suddenly came to my mind. If we were talking about the military and horror... "How about zombies?" I asked.

    Zombies.

    I added, "Ah, of course, we can''t be zombies. We have to be soldiers."

    However, the dance would be synchronized to the zombies¡ªgrotesque, fast, and intense. Even so, the other members looked uncertain.

    <i>¡®The concept of horror was fresh, the musical would be fun, and the military dance would look cool, but zombies?¡¯</i>

    "Will that really work...?"

    The enthusiastic Street Center duo suddenly sat back down. In my mind, it was a concept that worked really well, so I wondered why they were hesitating.

    I looked at Ji-Hyuk, who seemed to have some expertise in stage nning, but even he looked unsure.

    <i>''Why? It is as good of a concept as the king, a real wild card. I''ve never seen a group with this concept get a bad response...''</i>

    And then it hit me. The zombie concept only started to be popr about two years after this. Oops, I was being anachronistic. I then hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should back off but then shook my head.

    "Can we go with this concept just once? I guarantee it will get a good response."

    "Really...?"

    "Yes, I''m sure it will. I will make sure of it. I promise you won''t regret it."

    Everyone was hesitant about the zombie concept, but not because it was a bad idea. It just hadn¡¯t been tried yet. Two yearster, someone would finally give it a shot, and it would be a hit. There was no way this concept wouldn''t work.

 Chapter 36: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (4)

    <h4>Chapter 36: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (4)</h4>

    Ji-Hyuk finally broke his contemtion with a question. "Was it like this with the Cha-Cha concept? Did you manage to sway everyone''s opinion even when they were initially against it and then receive a positive reaction?"

    "Back then, it was Joo-Han hyung and I who insisted on it. We believed in the concept''s potential and even strategized for the aftermath."

    Hearing this, Ji-Hyuk sank into silence once more. It was during this pause that Woo-Jeong contributed his perspective. "Well, considering Jin-Wook brought up the horror concept and how much Chronos¡¯s concept has been loved by audiences so far, I think it''s worth taking a chance on."

    Ha-Yoon nodded in agreement. "I thought zombies were so random at first. But then, horror specials on variety shows often get a good response. If it was well-made, it could turn out great."

    A manageable fear that anyone could ovee was a brilliant idea. Just like those horror specials on variety shows, turning fear into entertainment allowed even those who were easily scared to enjoy them.

    However, it still had to be intense enough to leave a deep impression. That was what made this concept a jackpot.

    Finally, Ji-Hyuk made a decision. "Alright. If two teams renowned for their concept think it¡¯s a good idea, I will trust in your opinions and give it a go."

    <i>¡®What a relief.¡¯</i> I was worried there would only be opposition to the concept I strongly wanted to try. The duo from Street Center then exchanged nces before nodding.

    "Well, we are known for being unique every time, so we will think of the concept and give it our best."

    Aligning the performance with the chosen concept would be quite a challenge. We had to make sure it was a fun kind of scary to watch, and there was some doubt about whether the vocalist-centric Air Senior¡¯s member, Kim Jin-Wook, could keep up with the intense choreography. However, this concept did have a part that could make the most of his talents.

    "If I may add one more thing, Jin-Wook hyung¡¯s voice is pretty low and rough."

    "Yeah, that''s true."

    "Jin-Wook hyung, have you ever thought about rapping?"

    "What?" Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s reaction was swift and sharp, marked by sheer astonishment rather than annoyance.

    "Hyung, I''m just curious if you''ve thought about rapping. Your singing skill is invaluable to us, but your voice seems like it would fit perfectly with a darker theme. That¡¯s all I want to ask."

    I phrased the suggestion casually, implying that it was no big deal should he decline, and we seamlessly transitioned back to discussing roles with the others. In a turn of events, Kim Jin-Wook was disying a rare openness to this idea.

    Before we knew it, the ramen was all gone. We had been discussing ways to highlight everyone¡¯s strengths, such as On-Sae¡¯s exceptional dance skills and Street Center¡¯s charisma.

    It was then...

    "I will do it." Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s answer came out of nowhere.

    "You mean you will do the rap?"

    His response was so unexpected that if I hadn¡¯t been paying attention to Kim Jin-Wook, I might not have understood what he was agreeing to.

    "Yeah." His confirmation was sinct.

    I smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

    ¡®<i>Nice!¡¯</i>

    Although I thanked him in a fairly businesslike tone, I couldn¡¯t help but cheer inside. Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s rough rap would really add to this eerie concept. In fact, I had known that he would agree as he wouldter be known as Cold E Chill, and he often talked about wanting to be a rapper since his trainee days.

    A tough guy like him had been stuck singing bads in Air Senior, so it was only natural for him to jump at the chance to rap.

    "Okay. Let''s n to go in this direction. I was worried that the horror theme might be too much, but Hyun-Woo is a genius, so we will only know how it turns out after we actually practice!"

    ¡°...¡±

    Ji-Hyuk then brought the ramen meeting to a close. In contrast to previous asions, where we had a packed schedule from the first day of practice, this time, they didn''t assign us any specific tasks after the meal.

    We were stuck in a house nestled in the mountains, cut off from our usual haunts and without phones. Left to our own devices, we had no choice but to savor the leisurely moments. Our days were filled with simple pleasures: cocooned in our room, engrossed in video games, engaging in conversations while watching TV, or frolicking in the water at the nearby valley. The unspoken rule was to document these warm moments on camera.

    "Hyung, is it really okay for us to justy back like this? It seems much more rxedpared to our previous schedules," one of us voiced our shared concern.

    Ji-Hyuk answered with easy nonchnce, "Eh, it''s fine. They probably teamed us up early to catch these candid scenes on camera, so..."

    Under typical circumstances, thepetition''s theme would likely not be revealed so soon.

    "Don''t worry and rest while you can. We are going to practice hard from tomorrow."

    "Okay..."

    Ji-Hyuk smiled softly and went off to y pranks on On-Sae and Ha-Yoon. I wondered if other groups practiced in this kind of atmosphere as well. It was totally different from my time in Chronos, where we practiced relentlessly without sleep. Once we settled on a concept, even being told to rest left me feeling uneasy.

    However, as I got used to taking it easy, my mind became peaceful too as time went by. <i>''Ah, let''s just go for a walk.''</i>

    Although I was anxious, I was enjoying this rare holiday-like vibe. The inside of the house was a bit stifling. Since we were already in a ce with good air, water, and scenery, why not enjoy it?

    As soon as I stepped outside, the damp smell of grass hit me. I took a deep breath and walked around the yard as if I was jogging. It felt so good. It was the fresh air that I couldn''t find in Seoul. When else would Ie to a ce like this if not now?

    However, my irritation slipped out before I could contain it. Just as I was beginning to enjoy the serenity, the smell of cigarettes invaded my space.

    <i>¡®It''s like he''s a chain smoker.¡¯</i>

    I was on the verge of turning back when I feltpelled to address the issue. With an uing performance that required us to share a stage, it was important to voice concerns that could impact our show.

    Caught in my thoughts, I found myself drawn toward the source of the smoke. Before I realized it, I was already standing before Kim Jin-Wook, who assessed me with a guarded look. "What?"

    "Could you please stop smoking? The smell is terrible."

    If it weren¡¯t for the cameras nearby, I honestly thought he would hit me in the face.

    "What does it have to do with you?"

    "I won''t care after thepetition ends, but I¡¯m worried because you smell heavily of cigarettes, and it might affect your throat during the performance."

    Kim Jin-Wookughed in disbelief and threw away his cigarette, his action looking very rebellious.

    I asked, "Why do you hate me?"

    "When did I ever say I hated you?"

    "You have been ring at me since the first day. Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know."

    "Just looking at you is enough to get on your nerves?"

    It wasn¡¯t just a nce. His eyebrows were always so furrowed when looking at me that it couldn¡¯t be mistaken for anything else.

    "Why aren¡¯t you participating in the meetings? Is it because you are on the same team as me?" I asked.

    If that wasn¡¯t the reason, there was no way someone who willingly joined thepetition would show such ack of enthusiasm. Hearing this, Kim Jin-Wook cursed and then let out a deep sigh.

    "Recently, your behavior has been quite rude, but you are not important enough to influence my motivation, asshole," he replied.

    "Ah, that''s a relief then."

    As I responded curtly, Kim Jin-Wook frowned and crushed the pack of cigarettes in his pocket. "Happy now? I won¡¯t smoke anymore."

    "Then why are you so unmotivated?"

    "Ah, seriously!"

    Despite his irritation, I didn''t blink an eye. Even if I had to adopt an annoying and obnoxious demeanor, I needed to know the cause of his apathy.

    Kim Jin-Wook didn''t answer for a moment and then pushed past me. "Just look at how ourpany operates. How can I find any motivation?"

    "Ah."

    Okay, message received. The image of their CEO shouting without any regard for others shed in my mind.

    Moreover, the quality of their costumes always seemed cheap, and the designs were simr regardless of the concept, as if they were just reusing the same outfits. Theirpany didn''t invest in its top-tier talent, even when this was their special opportunity to appear on a survival show. Like this, their small agency only embarrassed their trainees, failing to conduct proper research or analysis to help them gain poprity.

    Putting aside whether to re or to persuade him, I considered that the drop in his motivation would likely have happened midway, as he had initially brought in surprisingly good song arrangements. Anyway, in his current state, he definitely wouldn¡¯t be able to keep up with hardcore dance lessons.

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    I needed to find a brilliant way to encourage him with Ji-Hyuk.

    ***

    ¡°Oh, that isn¡¯t such a big deal after all. I was genuinely considering whether to kick him out or not, you know?"

    ¡°...You were thinking of kicking him out?¡±

    I was taken aback by the unexpected ruthlessness in Ji-Hyuk¡¯s tone. He shrugged off my surprise with ease.

    ¡°A leader has to be realistic and rational. Besides, he isn¡¯t from my group, High Tension. If he were, I might have jolted him into action myself.¡±

    I was startled. Ji-Hyuk had alwayse across as affable and full of jokes, yet clearly, that wasn''t all there was to him.

    Without cameras, the bathroom became our ndestine meeting spot. We huddled in the cramped, humid room¡ªone perched on the edge of the bathtub, while the other on the toilet¡ªstrategizing on how to address the issue with Kim Jin-Wook.

    It was then I realized what Ji-Hyuk meant by him having a simr vibe to Joo-Han. ¡°Then let me talk to him. Bring him to the bathroom.¡±

    ¡°To the bathroom?¡±

    ¡°Yes, we can''t talk about this in front of the camera, can we?"

    His yful tone now carried an edge. Ji-Hyuk seemed to wield his words like knives, all while maintaining a smile. After that, I dutifully conveyed his instructions, persuading a reluctant Kim Jin-Wook into the bathroom for a discussion.

    In the thick of the silence, unsure of who would break it first, Ji-Hyuk said casually, ¡°Jin-Wook, how¡¯s life treating you? With all that smoking, it''s hard to believe you¡¯re taking this seriously.¡±

    ¡°...What are you trying to say?¡±

    Ji-Hyuk¡¯s voice had shed its yfulness and carried a sharper tone, mirroring Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s tone. Ji-Hyuk then inquired, ¡°You''re fed up with your agency, aren¡¯t you?"

    Kim Jin-Wook shot me a re, knowing that I had told his secret to Ji-Hyuk.

    <i>''Yes, I ratted him out.''</i>

    Guilt nudged me to avert my gaze, and he let out a deep sigh, sounding heavy with resignation.

    ¡°So what?¡±

    ¡°...You really have the nerve to talk like that. If you work hard in thispetition, depending on your performance, I will open a path for you to our agency. How about that?¡± asked Ji-Hyuk.

    ¡°...What?"

    ¡°I know about your singing skills. So, if your past is clean and you promise to listen to us from now on, I will give you another chance to audition based on your performance."

    Ji-Hyuk¡¯s expression was incredibly arrogant. Honestly, the offer to join a major agency was tempting, but his slightly irritating tone made me unsure. It seemed like it would make Kim Jin-Wook ufortable too...

    ¡°Hyung, just rx your face and talk-¡±

    ¡°Is that for real? You are not just saying that to get through the performance smoothly, are you?" inquired Jin-Wook.

    <i>¡®Wow, he really took the bait.¡¯</i>

    I thought Kim Jin-Wook, with his rebellious nature, would refuse. However, he softened his stern expression and asked in a curious tone.

    Ji-Hyuk grinned, ¡°No, it¡¯s true that I want to finish the performance smoothly, but I will keep my promise. Honestly, you think your group won¡¯tst until the end, right?"

    Hearing Ji-Hyuk¡¯s words, Kim Jin-Wook hesitated before nodding. ¡°We will probably disband after thepetition. We are not doing well, and we are not popr, so we have nowhere to go. Our group is pretty much dead already, so what¡¯s the point of trying hard?"

    ¡°Right? That¡¯s why I¡¯m giving you this chance. Have you ever gotten into trouble in the past?"

    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t."

    ¡°Did you smoke when you were underage? Be honest. I need to tell the CEO about you."

    ¡°I didn¡¯t. I only started smoking after joining thepany, following the older members."

    ¡°Thatpany is a mess, from thepany itself to the artists."

    Ji-Hyuk thought for a moment. After that, he nodded and stood up. ¡°Then, it¡¯s settled. Work hard on your dance practice and your rap too. This is yourst chance. Starting tomorrow, if you frown, mess around, talk back, smoke, or act like a punk, I will make a big fuss and have you expelled, okay?"

    ¡°...Okay,¡± Kim Jin-Wook answered obediently.

    <i>¡®Wow. Wow...¡¯</i>

    Kim Jin-Wook looked like a child who had just finished a character-building boot camp.

 Chapter 37: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (5)

    <h4>Chapter 37: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (5)</h4>

    It was our seventh day living together as new team members, and we had been practicing in the practice room for two days now.

    "Right here. Engage the strength in your legs and waist," Ji-Hyuk instructed.

    On-Saey t on the ground and, with remarkable ease, lifted his body using only his legs and waist. His exceptional dance skills,bined with his slender figure, made even the most challenging moves seem effortless.

    Silently, Kim Jin-Wook watched On-Sae''s fluid movements, his expression turning contemtive before he ultimately shook his head in defeat. "I can''t do this."

    "But we really need to nail this," I urged.

    On-Sae, much like Lee Jin-Sung, excelled at dancing but struggled to convey the technique effectively. This move could easily injure someone less adept at dancing.

    "Um, On-Sae. I''m not good at it either. It looks cool, but... umm... Is there anyone else who can do it besides On-Sae?" asked Ji-Hyuk.

    The duo from Street Center and I raised our hands. After all, our groups were known for having the hardest choreography among all the groups.

    "Those who can do it should definitely try. I¡¯m afraid I might hurt my back if I do it. Jin-Wook, you feel the same, right?" said Ji-Hyuk.

    Kim Jin-Wook nodded, and then Woo-Jeong tilted his head, asking, "Then, what are you and Jin-Wook going to do when we are doing this?"

    "We¡¯re not going to use that move in the dance break, right? Both of us will prepare something for the dance break too. At least, Jin-Wook and I are at a simr dance level."

    We couldn¡¯t reallypare Kim Jin-Wook and Ji-Hyuk, but Ji-Hyuk could probablye up with a choreography that looked difficult yet was actually easy. That would match Jin-Wook¡¯s skill level.

    However, I had a nagging thought about this discussion.

    "So, have we decided on the song we''re going to use?"

    Perfecting the choreography was crucial, but selecting the right song should have been our first step.

    "...Ah, that''s right. We keep getting distracted from choosing the song."

    "The idea of creating a zombie-themed dance is worrying me," one of the members admitted.

    With four skilled dancers on our team and the guidance from our choreography teacher, we could refine a dance routine within days. Yet, finding the right song proved to be an even tougher challenge than devising the dance moves.

    "An expressive song would suit us well. It doesn''t have to be horror-themed, just something sad and lyrical. We can craft the mood with the arrangement."

    What could it be? We gathered around theptop to search for songs, and Kim Jin-Wook, who was standing at the back, said, ¡°I have a song in mind.¡±

    His cooperative tone and expression were very awkward, but despite hesitating under our gazes, he still approached and took hold of theptop mouse.

    ¡°It¡¯s a lyrical, dark, and sad song. Actually, I was thinking about this song while eating ramen before...¡±

    Jin-Wook quickly shut his mouth as he started mumbling and fiddling with theptop. He seemed unustomed to exining things to the team members, but he still needed to show a cooperative attitude once a day until the day of thepetition, as this was the condition that Ji-Hyuk had set in exchange for letting him take the YU special audition.

    Jin-Wook seemed to be fulfilling Ji-Hyuk¡¯s mission quite well, more desperately than he appeared.

    ¡°This is it.¡±

    Jin-Wook yed the song, and an unfamiliar song flowed out of the speakers.

    ¡°Who sings this?¡± Everyone was startled at first because they didn¡¯t know the song, but they soon admired it and started to get into the rhythm.

    ¡°This is really good! Whose song is it?¡±

    ¡°Uh... It¡¯s a song called ''Need'' by a group called Eve. They¡¯ve disbanded now.¡±

    Jin-Wook didn¡¯t show it much, but he was definitely more excited than usual. Come to think of it, their arrangement for ¡°Goblin¡± and the second round¡¯s song also had a vibe simr to Eve¡¯s songs.

    ¡°Jin-Wook, did you arrange ¡®Goblin¡¯ and the second round¡¯s song for your team?¡± I asked just in case, and Jin-Wook nodded.

    ¡°Yes. We don''t have an arranger to help us.¡±

    This revtion took me by surprise. He was already a professionalposer. It was a mystery why he had signed with True Entertainment, but it made sense now why he was sessfulter on.

    "You should''ve said it earlier. I was so impressed by those arrangements!¡±

    Jin-Wook''s admission sparked excitement in Ji-Hyuk. ¡°We don''t need to ask someone else for the arrangement. You do it, you do it. You¡¯ve never touched the dance break part before, have you?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°You should be in charge of arranging the music. Gosh, our Jin-Wook is so reliable.¡±

    Kim Jin-Wook frowned and got up after hearing Ji-Hyuk¡¯s words.

    ¡®<i>Here we go again.¡¯</i>

    ¡°I will work on the arrangement.¡±

    ¡°Haha, nice. Then, let¡¯s take a look at the original choreography since we can¡¯t just y around while watching the arrangement in the practice room.¡±

    The group Eve had no songs other than ¡°Need¡±, which was selected by Kim Jin-Wook. Since they disbanded before appearing on a broadcast, the only footage avable from them was a lip-sync performance at a local event.

    "The song is good, but the dance part needs a lot of work."

    While everyone chose their words carefully in front of the camera, the reality was that the dance was at a level of simple movements, a stark contrast to theplexity of the song. This was somewhat simr to Air Senior¡¯s performance...

    "Jin-Wook hyung, which agency was Eve signed with?"

    "Uh... they were with True Entertainment before my group was formed."

    That exined the sense of familiarity I had been feeling. They were indeed a precursor to Air Senior. The story of Eve¡ªan idol group that disbanded before they could even debut on television¡ªhad likely influenced theirpany''s cautious approach when investing in Air Senior.

    "When the choreographer arrives, we''ll work on the details together. For now, let''s focus on the dance break."

    We were divided into two subgroups: one with four members and the other with two. Ji-Hyuk and Kim Jin-Wook concentrated on the music arrangement, while the rest of us worked on developing the dance break.

    Our different backgrounds initially led to a sh of ideas, but since our dance team wasposed of rtively agreeable people, we managed to findmon ground and made headway.

    Despite initial concerns over our cohesion, we were slowly morphing into an effective team.

    ***

    Thepetition was just around the corner.

    "Huff... huff... just a bit... let''s rest for a bit."

    After an exceptionally grueling practice, we all copsed as if we had passed out. I was more exhausted than I had been during the ¡°Moon-Sea¡± rehearsals. After all, our concept that mixed zombies with soldiers called for a dynamic and rapid choreography.

    The internal rivalry within my original group, along with thepetition from other teams, intensified the pressure on us. My T-shirt, drenched with sweat, clung to me uselessly. Despite the clock reading only 2 PM, my legs already shook, and I struggled to maintain my posture.

    "...Ah, I can''t do this anymore. Let''s take a break for an hour. Rest up, everyone. I will go to a coffee shop for a bit." Ji-Hyuk left the practice room with On-Sae. The duo from Street Centery down for a while and then left for the break room, saying that they would take a nap.

    Kim Jin-Wook and I were the only ones left in the practice room. However, I was so drained that even speaking was a struggle. I barely managed to crawl and lean against the wall.

    "Ah... I''m dying."

    Fortunately, I was used to hardcore dancing thanks to Lee Jin-Sung and was in a slightly better condition than Kim Jin-Wook, who was experiencing such intense dance for the first time. He could barely lift his upper body and seemed almost dead.

    I stared at Kim Jin-Wook for a while and then stood up. My legs were trembling. "Hyung, do you need some water?"

    As soon as I blurted it out, Kim Jin-Wook looked at me and shot me a small nod. I didn''t intend to take care of Kim Jin-Wook, but it seemed like he would copse at any moment. After I brought him water, Kim Jin-Wook finally managed to sit up.

    "Wow, not even a word of thanks to the person who brought you water."

    "...Thank you." Kim Jin-Wook spaced out for a moment before sitting up.

    "You should just lie down and rest."

    Kim Jin-Wook didn''t respond and ced the empty cup on the table. After that, he started fiddling with hisptop again, and I just leaned back against the wall and looked at him.

    "What are you doing?"

    "Let''s practice one more time."

    "...Aren''t you tired?"

    "I''m not tired. Just rest and don''t mind me."

    His legs visibly trembled even from a distance. However, the results of this stage were pivotal for his admission into YU Entertainment, which exined his extraordinary effort and cooperation. Understanding his determination, I leaned back and allowed myself a moment to recover while he started the music and resumed practicing.

    The music started again. Although Jin-Wook looked exhausted to the point of depletion, he had improved a lotpared to when we first tried the choreography. I heard that he came out of the dorm deep in the forest whenever he had a chance to practice dancing, and it seemed like it was true.

    Kim Jin-Wook asionally nced at me while dancing. I observed for a moment and then mentioned, "Hyung, the angle of your arm haspletely dropped."

    "Ah."

    Kim Jin-Wook willingly changed the angle, but it still wasn¡¯t in the right position, perhaps because he was out of energy. I massaged my legs a bit to rx my muscles and stood up.

    "Ugh!"

    I never imagined that I would be helping Kim Jin-Wook with choreography.

    "Here, it needs to be at a right angle. Spread your legs a bit more, a bit wider than your shoulders and slightly bend... Yes, that''s right."

    I put my hands on him and kicked his legs a bit to spread them further.

    "It''s tough to fix this part because you¡¯re tired, but let¡¯s get the angles right. If all the dancers match and you alone stand out, it won¡¯t look good."

    "How am I supposed to know how high to lift my arms without looking in the mirror?"

    "You can feel it. Since you always go lower than the original position, just lift your arms higher than you think. Try it now. One, two, three."

    I was so out of energy that I was probably giving choreography instructions in a very listless and emotionless voice.

    "That''s good. Now, try it without looking in the mirror. Turn around, one, two, three. Good, well done."

    Even to my ears, my voice sounded utterly soulless as I praised him. However, Kim Jin-Wook was seemingly unconcerned and tried to match the choreography a few more times.

    "Do you give choreography instructions to your group members too?" he asked.

    "Me? No. We have a hardcore dancer in our group, so I get scolded all the time."

    "I thought you were the best dancer in your group."

    "If you said that in front of my group members, they wouldugh so hard at me."

    Kim Jin-Wook snickered, "Are you mocking me? I should stop helping with the choreography."

    "Take a break then." I mouthed the words and slumped against the wall.

    <i>''Wow, no mercy,''</i>

    At some point, I started tantly showing my displeasure. At first, Kim Jin-Wook red at me fiercely, but after living together for a few days, he ignored me as if it was nothing.

    Kim Jin-Wook turned on the music and tried matching the choreography a few times before looking back at me.

    "Hey, why are you looking at me? I told you to take a break," I said.

    Comining had be a habit for me now. This time too, Kim Jin-Wook ignored myint and gestured for me toe over. "Stop resting and match the moves with me just once."

    "...Wow, my legs are shaking right now,¡± I said.

    "You are the vice leader, aren¡¯t you?"

    "...I should¡¯ve just gone out with the other hyungs."

    Ah, my back, legs, and shoulders. The conversation and requests were dry, and the only thing dying were my joints.

    I staggeringly walked over to Kim Jin-Wook and asked, "Should I stand next to you? Or should I stand in front and mirror the moves for you?"

    "Next to me."

    "Alright, you turn on the music."

    When Kim Jin-Wook yed the music, I realized how scary habits could be. Just a moment ago, my body wasining, but as soon as the music started, it started to move on its own ord. Although I felt a creaking sensation in my joints somewhere, I was able to match the moves perfectly with Kim Jin-Wook.

    "Oh, you guys are practicing again? Isn¡¯t it tough? Let''s take a break for an hour. I brought coffee." Around the chorus of the song, Ji-Hyuk and On-Sae came in and ced the coffee on the table. Then they started dancing along with the music, resuming practice naturally.

    Time flowed as we cycled through the routine of practice, returning home, practicing again, and once more heading home, all inching us closer to thepetition day.

 Chapter 38: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (6)

    <h4>Chapter 38: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (6)</h4>

    ¡°Hyung, I just caught you ncing at On-Sae again. Why are you trying to copy him when you have memorized all your choreography? Let¡¯s do it again,¡± I asked.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°One, two, three, four, boom... Okay,¡± I said in a t tone.

    The fellow members whispered among themselves as they looked at Kim Jin-Wook and me. "Since when did they be so close?"

    "Exactly. But I''m not sure if they are really friends. There¡¯s no <i>life</i> in Hyun-Woo¡¯s voice."

    "I don¡¯t know. I think it''s quite a progress that Hyun-Woo is teaching him how to dance."

    If they were going to whisper, they should have made sure I couldn¡¯t hear them. Their conversation started making things awkward between Kim Jin-Wook and me.

    Over the past few days, I found myself alone with Kim Jin-Wook quite a bit, and I ended up giving him some tips. Before I knew it, I had be his unofficial dance tutor. Being remarkably cooperative now, Kim Jin-Wook was easier to work with than most of the trainees I''d had in the past.

    Unlike Park Yoon-Chan, Jin-Wook had no natural talent for dance. The best he could do was to match the dance angles and speed. However, since he¡¯d be dancing in the back most of the time anyway, it didn¡¯t really matter.

    "Hyung, you need to lift your elbow more."

    No one would be able to criticize Kim Jin-Wook''s efforts if they saw him practicing, even if he couldn''t dance well on stage.

    "Have we taken enough breaks? Let''s get back to practice!"

    The other team members slowly got up and gathered around us. Seeing theming over, I positioned myself in the center. Somehow, assigning the center position had been simpler and quicker than selecting the song.

    During our discussion about who should be at the center, I volunteered by raising my hand, and to my surprise, everyone else stepped back, allowing me to take the lead. After all, all members except for Kim Jin-Wook had not experienced the pressure of being in the spotlight and felt the weight of the role to be overly daunting.

    It was a relief that I had managed to secure the spot effortlessly.

    "When are the dancer hyungsing? I want to practice the whole routine properly from start to finish."

    "They are busy, so they won¡¯t be able to get here until the evening."

    On-Sae pouted after hearing Ji-Hyuk¡¯s response, but he didn''t voice hisint. He knew these dancers from abroad were notoriously busy, making it hard to secure their avability for practice, even with the assistance of YU Entertainment.

    When our schedules did align, we found ourselves with a mere three hours to practice with them. Despite this seemingly adequate time, it remained a rarity for the full group to practice together in unison.

    "We will need to really recharge our energy today. It¡¯s ourst practice."

    "Right. But why don¡¯t we have rehearsals for broadcasts? I wouldn¡¯t be so nervous if we could at least rehearse."

    "It¡¯s not theck of rehearsals that¡¯s making you nervous, but the unprecedented difficulty of this choreography."

    "That¡¯s true."

    The duo of Street Center murmured amongst themselves. Even the two most experienced in group dances couldn¡¯t help but mention the difficulty of the dance.

    "How about we have a lunch party to save some energy?"

    "A lunch party?"

    Ji-Hyuk took out a card. "I got it from the manager beforehand. Since it''s our final rehearsal, and we''ve been sustaining ourselves on instant food like ramen, why not treat ourselves?"

    We were isted in the mountains, and while we certainly enjoyed ourselves, we had to give up any cravings for good food. As none of us could cook, we mostly ate kimchi fried rice and such. Since the start of our practice sessions, we usually just bought something on our way back to the house.

    "It''s ourst practice, and I realized we haven''t had a single party. We¡¯ve worked so hard though."

    "That¡¯s true, isn¡¯t it? We were always too exhausted."

    "What are we eating?"

    At Ha-Yoon''s question, Ji-Hyuk thought for a moment and then grinned. "You guys can grill meat, right?¡±

    ***

    It was the first team dinner in two weeks. The members were overjoyed, facing tes of pork belly.

    ¡°Wow, can you believe we have not felt this amazing daytime breeze since the first day?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s only you, Ha-Yoon hyung. The other hyungs went jogging every morning.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    The idea of having pork belly for our team dinner seemed to have been spontaneously suggested by Ji-Hyuk, unrted to the filming crew''s ns. Nheless, the staff who were monitoring us didn''t hesitate toe out and set up their cameras, preparing to capture the moment.

    We were excited at being filmed while eating, and the camaraderie amongst us was obvious now. Acting freely in front of the cameras had be second nature to us, which allowed our conversations to flow, without a trace of nervousness.

    ¡°By the way, it¡¯s already been two weeks. I thought I wouldn''t be able to adjust, but it turned out to be surprisingly fun.¡±

    ¡°Right? Honestly, when I first saw everyone in the conference room, I was like, ¡®Wow, is this really going to be okay?¡¯¡±

    ¡°It was a really unexpectedbination. I asked members from other teams, and they said our teamposition was the talk of the town.¡± Ji-Hyuk and the duo of Street Center started reminiscing about the past two weeks. Our team had a lot of troubles at first, so the hyungs likely had a hard time back then.

    I fiddled with the tongs and moved the cooked meat to On-Sae¡¯s bowl. ¡°On-Sae, when did you actually start dancing?¡±

    ¡°I started in elementary school. But I¡¯m nowhere near Jin-Sung hyung¡¯s level.¡±

    ¡°You know Jin-Sung?¡±

    On-Sae nodded. Well, every dancer knew about Lee Jin-Sung. ¡°He¡¯s famous. But hyung, you dance really well too. You might even be better than him at entuating the lines of your body.¡±

    "Thanks for the kind words. Make sure you eat up," I urged him, yfully piling more meat into his bowl despite his protests.

    As I was doing so, I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Kim Jin-Wook stepping back.

    "What''s going on?" I asked.

    "Hand over the tongs," he requested abruptly.

    After passing the tongs to Kim Jin-Wook, I observed him curiously, wondering what he would do next. He then pointed to the meat with a nod, signaling me to help myself.

    "Hyung, you''ve changed. Since when do you care about me eating my fill?" I teased, noticing a softer side to him despite his typically stern expression.

    Our side of the table¡ªwith just me, On-Sae, and Kim Jin-Wook¡ªwas starkly quietpared to Ji-Hyuk''s lively end. However, the silence was soon broken by the director, who subtly prompted us to engage in conversation.

    Kim Jin-Wook then caught me off guard with an unexpected apology. "If I made you ufortable, I''m sorry," he said, his habit of omitting the subject making it momentarily unclear whom he was addressing.

    <i>¡®To me? Or On-Sae?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Me?¡± When I pointed at myself with a puzzled expression, Kim Jin-Wook also frowned and nodded. ¡°You looked like you were ring at me.¡±

    ¡°Well, we didn''t really get along after that either.¡±

    ¡°I said I''m sorry. After all, we might not have much time to talk once we go back to our respective groups.¡±

    That was true. I had been secretly using my phone, but I was not close enough to Kim Jin-Wook to exchange contact information.

    ¡°I realized I was taking my anger out on you during practice.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s all good now.¡±

    I wondered how the camera captured this interaction. As soon as Kim Jin-Wook apologized, all events rted to him shed through my mind like a flipbook. I couldn''t talk about everything in front of the cameras, like cigarettes or petty squabbles, but it had been a truly unpleasant encounter.

    ¡°To be honest, it still feels like we don''t really get along.¡± I snickered, and Kim Jin-Wook awkwardlyughed.

    I added, ¡°But I do hope you debut well, hyung. Watching you practice so hard made me reflect on myself.¡±

    The thought ¡°just go to hell, Air Senior¡±pletely vanished when I saw how hard Kim Jin-Wook was trying. He practiced continuously even when everyone else was resting, went home to copse in bed, and then woke up early in the morning to practice in the yard.

    It would be unfair if someone working so hard couldn¡¯t debut due to external factors. I felt that as someone who had been in a simr position.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    After that, there was nothing more to talk about. As our table grew silent, the members from the other table swarmed over to us. ¡°It was just the quiet kids here, huh? Seems like you guys got a bit closer.¡±

    ¡°We just cleared the air. Did you guys run out of meat over there?¡±

    ¡°How did you know? That¡¯s why we came here. Did you guys only eat this much?¡±

    As time passed, the conversation deepened. We then shared things that went unsaid during practice, expressing our gratitude to Ji-Hyuk for his perfect leadership and to me for inadvertently assuming the role of a trainer. The discussion also ventured intopliments and critiques regarding the other members.

    There was a lot to talk about.

    ¡°Guys, the dancers will arrive at the practice room in ten minutes.¡±

    It was 8 PM, time to practice for thepetition tomorrow. All of us who had rxed a lot during dinner quickly cleaned up and headed to the practice room.

    ***

    ¡°Will my path intersect with the dancers if I move from here to there?¡± Ji-Hyuk asked, illustrating his concern with a step to show what he meant.

    ¡°You''re right. Let''s have the dancer on the right hold their position, and the one behind Ji-Hyuk can move,¡± Woo-Jeong suggested, gesturing with his pen as he mapped out the movements.

    His expertise from being a member of Street Center shone through. His knack for crafting eye-catching choreography and averting on-stage mishaps was unmistakable.

    "So, Jin-Wook and I will move back here, and as soon as the lying down members get up, they should stay at the waist level. Then we all rush forward. Does that sound right?"

    "Yes, that''s correct. The dancers will help to block the audience''s view, but be careful not to trip over."

    "The ones on the ground need to stay at the waist level as soon as they get up, or they might get hurt."

    "Got it!"

    Was this a dance or a feat of acrobatics? Their ability to execute suchplex choreography during a live performance was impressive. Despite the crazy demands, the dancers and group members raised no objections.

    "No matter how many times I look at it, this is great. You should be a producerter, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s debut first.¡±

    Ji-hyuk couldn''t stop expressing his admiration as he monitored the choreography. Initially, the members had had doubts about blending intense dance with a zombie theme, but now it was proving to be a remarkable choice. They were finally seeing the potential I had spotted from the start.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about thepetition now. I just want to make this performance cool. It''s so much fun!" Ha-Yoon eximed with enthusiasm, uplifting the spirits of all the members. The Street Center members would lose the most if this group took first ce, but they were still putting in so much effort.

    "Jin-Wook is doing well too. You have kept up with the intense practice, man."

    "Thank you."

    "Use what you''ve learned here in thepetitionter on. It will help you."

    While Woo-Jeong was having a friendly chat with Kim Jin-Wook, and On-Sae was monitoring everything with Ha-Yoon, Ji-Hyuk massaged his legs and spoke contentedly beside me, "That''s enough practice! Let''s call it a day before we all faint. Rest well and take care of your condition for tomorrow."

    "Good work, everyone!"

    The voices of nearly fifty people echoed in unison. Despite thete hour, the atmosphere was vibrant with confidence in the performance we had prepared.

    "You''ve worked hard too, Hyun-Woo. Let''s head back to the dorm."

    "Yes, you too, hyung."

    Ji-Hyuk patted my shoulder, stood up, and started packing his things. Was it finally time?

    As I absentmindedly gazed at therge, empty practice room of YU, Woo-Jeong approached me and offered his hand.

    "Let''s go. Can you stand?"

    "Yes, I can, hyung. Thank you." I took Woo-Jeong''s hand and stood up. So... this boisterous practice session was finallying to an end. Strangely, I felt a tinge of sadness.

    The eve of thepetition marked the end of our final rehearsal.

 Chapter 39: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (7)

    <h4>Chapter 39: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (7)</h4>

    ¡°Wow, Suh Hyun-Woo. Look at you! Your outfit is so dope!¡±

    ¡°Hyung, what is your concept this time?¡±

    I was dressed in a special forces outfit that the Chronos members had only seen on television. I stood out with an all-ck military uniform, a bulletproof vest, and matching ck gloves. This ensemble, which leaned toward cosy, captivated everyone¡¯s attention without fail.

    I smiled knowingly and simply said, "It¡¯s a secret."

    The members I met at the hair salon after about two weeks were brimming with energy. Our greetings mirrored the enthusiasm of students reuniting after a long vacation. Despite our habitual arguments during every meeting, the excitement was palpable as soon as we caught sight of each other.

    "Jin-Sung seems to have lost some weight."

    Lee Jin-Sung let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "Oh, don''t even mention it."

    "The dance team hyungs were really scary. I forgot because I haven¡¯t been with them for a few years."

    Lee Jin-Sung massaged his own shoulders. "Did your team practice a lot?"

    "It''s beyond a lot. See, I''ve lost weight. Even though I ate two packs of ramen every day, my

    weight just dropped further."

    It seemed like their teams were also sustaining themselves on ramen. I just nodded nonchntly to Lee Jin-Sung, who was grumbling. However, he seemed unsatisfied with my reaction and raised his voice.

    "Hyung, you are not interested, are you?"

    "To be honest, no."

    "You are so mean. I heard you treated the youngest in your team like a baby, even grilling meat for him. Why are you so harsh to your own team''s youngest?"

    Well, the youngest in my new team was literally a baby, whereas Lee Jin-Sung was only the youngest by age. Just look at him, he was taller and more muscr than me.

    "But you''ve lost a lot of weight too, haven''t you, Hyun-Woo hyung? I heard that the atmosphere in your team was really intense, is that true?"

    I shook my head. "At first, the power struggle was no joke, but it got better over time."

    "The member who used to smoke is in your team, right?"

    "We made up. He turned out to be more diligent than I thought."

    <i>¡®But how does he know all this?¡¯</i>

    It seemed like someone from my assigned team had talked to a member of another team without me knowing.

    "Is everyone ready? Wow, you guys...." Our manager started but then stopped mid-sentence, taking in the sight of us in our diverse outfits.

    Lee Jin-Sung was dressed in his school uniform, Goh Yoo-Joon wore a suit with slicked-back hair, Joo-Han donned animal pajamas for some unfathomable reason, Park Yoon-Chan sported a silk shirt with several buttons undone, and then there was me in my military gear. Seeing this scene, our manager seemed at a loss for words, taken aback by our contrasting appearances.

    "Should we get in the car?" Joo-Han asked, fumbling with the rabbit ears attached to his hat.

    "Yeah, yeah! Let''s go down and get in the car."

    "You must have put a lot of effort into the group dance, given the soldier concept."

    "I nearly died doing it. I¡¯m going to go all out and pass out today," I stated.

    In fact, it wasn''t a soldier concept but a zombie concept. However, I decided not to specify that in order to get the ideal reaction.

    "What about you? You are dressed in a suit, but you are not doing an office worker concept, are you?"

    "Why do you think that? But yeah, you are right. It''s not." Goh Yoo-Joon held back his words with an expectant look on his face. From this, I knew he had prepared an amazing performance. I decided not to press him for details right now as I was curious about one thing: why was Joo-Han wearing rabbit pajamas?

    "Alright, let''s go inside the building," our manager said in a serious tone as the entrance to the broadcasting station came into view. He hadn''t given us a heads-up when we were nearing the building before, but why was he doing that now?

    Just as I was pondering this, there were sudden thuds on the car.

    <i>Bang, bang!</i>

    "Oppa!"

    <i>Knock, knock! Bang! Thud, thud!</i>

    "Hyun-Woo Oppa!"

    "Hyun-Woo!"

    "Is this Chronos''s car? Jin-Sung!"

    Hands were beating on the car as we slowly entered through the gate.

    "I was so surprised! Ah, I thought my heart was going to drop!"

    "Jin-Sung, get a nket from the stylist noona to cover the window."

    "What?"

    "Cover the window with a nket." As soon as the manager finished speaking, someone put their face close to the window and peeked inside, trying to get a look into the tinted car. Feeling surprised, Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon hurriedly covered the window with a nket.

    "Ah, there''s still no one to take care of this!" The manager honked in frustration, but the people clinging to the car showed no signs of moving.

    "Ah, really! You guys wait here for a bit. Don''t do anything!"

    The manager cautiously opened the door and stepped outside. In the brief moment, the door was ajar; eager hands reached in through the gap, trying to get our attention.

    "Wow, what''s this? It wasn''t like thisst time, was it?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, genuinely surprised.

    Park Yoon-Chan shook his head in response. "You said the same thingst time, hyung. It wasn''t like this at the firstpetition."

    He was right. There were noticeably more people gathered this time than before, and it seemed likely that the crowd would only growrger with each subsequent event. Although I was taken aback, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of gratification knowing that so many people were interested in us.

    "Let''s do a meet and greet after the performance, guys! Please, let us through for now! Your oppas need to get ready for their show!¡±

    ¡°Could you open the window just once?¡±

    ¡°Please, I just want to give them this gift!¡±

    ¡°You can give them giftster when we''re heading home! We can¡¯t open the window right now as it would spoil their costumes. Please move back! If those at the front step back, everyone else will follow. Okay?¡± The manager adeptly calmed the fans down and got back in the car. Perhaps he was used to this from his previous experience with Allure¡¯s events. The fans finally took a step back, only waving their hands at the manager¡¯s firmness.

    ¡°Good luck with your performance!¡±

    ¡°I will cheer for you the loudest!¡±

    I felt sorry that I couldn¡¯t respond to the voices cheering us on.

    We got out of the car one by one, wrapped around by the nkets, as we arrived at the parking lot. There were no cameras following us this time.

    "Why are you so on guard when there''s no one here, hyung?" asked Park Yoon-Chan cautiously. The eyes of the staff surrounding us were incredibly sharp, almost scary. Then, the manager let out a sigh, looking tired.

    "Did you know thatst week, a photo of Yoon-Chan and Hyun-Woo was taken secretly?"

    "Eh?"

    "Huh? When?"

    All of us were unaware of the incident, having been focused on the broadcast and then engrossed in practice for the rest of the day.

    "The photo came to light after you left for the team dorms."

    "What was photographed?"

    "The two of you practicing behind the building."

    Hearing this, I felt a sense of relief. It was only a photo of us practicing, a rtively harmless snapshot. Secret photography was amon issue for celebrities, but it still felt surreal when it happened to me. Currently, it was just a benign photo, but as Chronos¡¯s poprity grew, I worried that the invasiveness of such a thing would escte.

    During Allure¡¯s prime time, there were even incidents of their photos taken in the bathroom, while changing clothes, or sleeping on a ne.

    "It''s scary," I said, and Park Yoon-Chan also nodded with a worried face.

    ¡°There wasn''t anything significant in the photo, right?"

    "Actually, there was a video too, but it was just a conversation where Hyun-Woo was teaching Yoon-Chan." The manager seemed ustomed to this kind of situation, but that was all. He didn¡¯t make any gestures to catch the person who had taken the secret photos.

    "Fortunately, the fans who saw that video mentioned that your dedicated practice motivated them even more to vote."

    "That''s a relief."

    The truth was... there was nothing we could do about it. We felt scared and upset, but we could do nothing. It was a bitter truth that the manager, I, and all the other members knew.

    If we were regr people, we could obviously file aint or even sue them. But for us who appeared on broadcasts, it was very difficult to raise an issue about secret photography unless it was something really serious.

    It could even backfire, with people saying we were making a big deal out of nothing.

    "Each waiting room has the name of the participants written on it. Go say hi to the producer and then head to your respective waiting rooms. Got it?" The manager went to take a call, and the members scattered to their new team¡¯s waiting rooms under Joo-Han¡¯s lead.

    "Oh, is <i>our</i> Hyun-Woo here?"

    "Ah, again, hyung is calling him ''our Hyun-Woo''. Did Hyun-Woo hyunge?"

    Upon entering the waiting room, Ji-Hyuk and On-Sae were already there and greeted us warmly. Kim Jin-Wook was also there, quietly sitting in a corner.

    "Hyun-Woo, do you know what happened today?" Ji-Hyuk approached me, standing close. I had be ustomed to this proximity, which had made me uneasy before.

    "What happened?"

    "Jin-Wook was the first to arrive today."

    "What? Really? What¡¯s up with Jin-Wook hyung?" I exaggerated my reaction to tease him, and the quiet Kim Jin-Wook frowned.

    "It''s not something to be surprised about. We all left from the same dorm at the same time, and I just got ready faster."

    "He came early and even got praised, yet <i>our</i> Jin-Wook is so cold~"

    "You are mocking me while pretending topliment me."

    Spending time with these people helped me understand why the filming staff often described Chronos as amiable. While everyone in Chronos joked around, they always considered the feelings of others. This contrasted with some groups, where their members joked more freely without restraint.

    "By the way, where are the Street Center members?"

    "They are running a bitte. They have an interview beforeing here."

    On-Sae fully admired Ji-Hyuk¡¯sposure and said, ¡°Trainees from major entertainment agencies are indeed on another level. They already do interviews before making their debut.¡±

    ¡°But they are freaking out, saying all their practice time is getting stolen.¡±

    ¡°Ah, that makes sense.¡±

    ¡°...Let¡¯s practice.¡± Kim Jin-Wook suddenly stood up while listening to their conversation and turned on the music from his phone. Then, Ji-Hyuk shook his head and turned it off immediately.

    ¡°No, we are purposely not practicing right now.¡±

    ¡°Why not? You can get some rest. I will practice by myself.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that. Ah, you haven¡¯t had any dance performance yet, right?¡±

    ¡°What are you trying to say? Just get straight to the point.¡±

    Ji-Hyuk, the trickster, noticed Kim Jin-Wook frowning, so he yfully tried to smooth out his wrinkles with his fingers.

    ¡°You are getting wrinkles. Idols can¡¯t afford to have wrinkles.¡±

    ¡°You sound like an old man when you talk, hyung.¡±

    ¡°I hear that a lot. Anyway, don¡¯t practice right now. You need to save your energy. I am not sure about other times, but for this stage, our legs willpletely give out once we set ourselves and go all out.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±

    We could ck off a bit and then go hard again during practice, but we had to give it our all in the actual performance. Even for us who danced every day, this stage made us groan in pain. Therefore, it would be more exhausting for Kim Jin-Wook, who barely danced.

    ¡°Understood.¡± Kim Jin-Wook sat back down, but he looked visibly uneasy.

    "Ji Hyuk hyung, can I borrow your phone?"

    "Huh? Oh, it''s on the table."

    I took Ji-Hyuk¡¯s phone and handed it to Kim Jin-Wook. "If you are anxious, why don''t you watch the choreography practice video?"

    "Okay." Kim Jin-Wook immediately yed the clip, and I sat next to him, watching the video closely.

    "In this part, your gaze shifts to another member. It¡¯s fine when everyone is doing the same thing together, but after this, the members have different moves, right? If you follow along, you might mess up."

    "Okay."

    "Here, when you turn around and move positions, it will be easier to transition into the next move if you lower your waist a bit as you turn."

    "Got it." I simply gave him a quick and thorough lesson. Honestly, the image of Kim Jin-Wook smoking still lingered in my memory, so my impression of him hadn¡¯t really improved. But since we were on the same team, I intended to at least help him be good enough to join YU Entertainment.

 Chapter 40: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (8)

    <h4>Chapter 40: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (8)</h4>

    In the studio, a familiar yet different setting weed us, featuring new seats and faces. I couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter every time I identally made eye contact with the Chronos members. It wasn¡¯t just us; this seemed to be amon urrence among other groups as well.

    The atmosphere, once tense and filled with wariness during the previouspetition, had transformed into a more rxed andfortable vibe. Reina entered the studio with a warm and approachable smile, a stark contrast to her previous expression. ¡°Has everyone been doing well? Have you all lost a bit of weight in the meantime?¡± she asked.

    Then Woo Ji-Hyuk responded, ¡°Probably everyone here has been living on ramen for the past two weeks!¡±

    Laughter echoed through the studio in response to hisment. This lighthearted atmosphere was a delightful contrast to the previous tension. It seemed that the shared experience ofmunal living had fostered a stronger camaraderie among us.

    "The vibe today is fantastic. I¡¯m loving it. The fans are eagerly waiting for you all, so shall we begin?" Reina suggested, turning her attention to Director Kim Shin-Sik, who nodded and signaled the start of the shoot with his hand.

    "Alright, we are starting the shoot. High cue!"

    "It¡¯s time to see future K-POP stars all in one ce. Hello, I¡¯m Reina, your host for<i> Pick We Up</i>. The public interest in <i>Pick We Up </i>has been soaringtely."

    - The performances of the trainees are more fun than award ceremonies.

    This was one of the mostmonments from the viewers of<i> Pick We Up</i>. With each episode delivering unique and special performances, the show felt like a gift for idol fans.

    At first, the show''s poprity relied heavily on groups that were promoted by the broadcasting station, but it gradually started to spread more evenly across all participants, as the unique charms of certain members became increasingly evident. Rumor had it that Director Lee Won-Jae considered this show one of his most enjoyable creations. For us trainees, such positive feedback was incredibly encouraging.

    "Hyun-Woo."

    "...Yes?" I responded, feeling startled as Reina turned her attention to me.

    "Your group narrowly missed first ce in thestpetition. How are you feeling about it now?"

    "Well... to be honest, I was satisfied with my ranking. I worked hard, and the audience score was high, so I thought that as long as I delivered a strong performance, it was enough."

    In reality, I only tried to reassure myself. I then added, "I''m also determined to give my best on stage today; all of us have practiced diligently to prepare for this performance."

    Reina nodded slightly and flipped her cue card. "As Hyun-Woo said, everyone has worked hard to prepare, so I hope that this time, everyone can perform without any regrets."

    A box was then brought into the studio.

    "Now, let¡¯s start the first performance. I will draw randomly to decide the order." Reina reached into the box, shuffled around a bit, and pulled out a piece of paper. "The first team for the <i>Pick We Up</i> unitpetition is Team B! Team B, please get ready for the stage."

    As she announced this, Yoo-Joon and the other members of Team B stood up, looking very sophisticated in their suits. Although we had no specific information about the other teams, Yoo-Joon''s confident demeanor hinted that they had something remarkable nned.

    Reina took her seat, and the screen lit up. The stage was set but still concealed. Various props¡ªsuch as a bed, a mannequin, and some ropes¡ªwere being arranged behind the ckout curtain, so everything was only visible to the performers. While appearing somewhat risqu¨¦ at first nce, these items subtly suggested a daring and provocative concept.

    "It seems like they are going for a sexy concept," Ji-Hyuk mumbled.

    On the dimly lit stage, members of Team B started to get into their positions. Some reclined on the bed, while others sat on chairs, each iming their spot with a sense of poise. Taking his ce next to the standing microphone in the center, Yoo-Joon seemed perfectly suited for the role of the main character here.

    <i>¡®Yoo-Joon is the center?¡¯</i> Indeed, if it weren¡¯t for me, he would have been the center of Chronos. Standing in the center certainly suited him well.

    "Wow, Hyun-Woo must be feeling good," Ji-Hyuk teased me.

    I shrugged. "Maybe a little?"

    Team B''s performance started. After Yoo-Joon sang the first few lines, I immediately realized something. Someone from Team B had likely noticed Yoo-Joon¡¯s charisma during the ¡°Moon Sea¡± performance and suggested this stage. Mirroring ¡°Moon Sea¡±, the performance began with a sigh in the intro, and Yoo-Joon started singing with his unique low voice.

    His remarkable ability to captivate everyone''s attention on the stage was obvious. Even Ji-Hyuk, who had been constantly talking to the others to ease their nerves, fell silent at this moment.

    Following Yoo-Joon were his other group members, each taking their turn leading up to the chorus. It wasn''t until I saw someone putting on a mask that the concept of their group became clear¡ªa masquerade ball. It was a concept that could easily be cheesy, but they were executing it nicely with their abilities, and Yoo-Joon was exceptional among them.

    <i>¡®Ah, so that¡¯s why they call him ¡®Sigh Man¡¯.¡¯</i>

    A sudden realization struck me: I couldn''t see Goh Yoo-Joon''s true nature because he was my friend. Only now, with a more objective lens, could I appreciate his performance.

    As the performance of Team B concluded, Reina suppressed a smile and stood up. ¡°Okay, next. Let¡¯s decide the order for the second performance.¡±

    Drawing another paper, Reina continued, ¡°The next team is Team C. Team C, please get ready for your stage.¡±

    At Reina¡¯s announcement, a group of boys in animal pajamas hurriedly rose to their feet.

    ¡°Ah! So cute!¡± People were eximing in awe, even though they were just adults wearing animal pajamas. As their group started moving together, exmations of delight erupted from everywhere.

    ¡°Hey, look at that one wagging its tail.¡± Reina and the directors found it cute, as if they were observing babies.

    In the studio, anticipation filled the air as Team C, featuring several members from Street Center, readied themselves for the stage. Interestingly, their own team members appeared to be the least interested.

    Behind the ckout curtains, activity picked up as cute props filled the ss walls, sparking curiosity.

    <i>¡®What on earth do they want to do?¡¯</i>

    In fact, I was most curious about Joo-Han¡¯s team out of all the teams. Soon, Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan¡¯s introduction resonated, ¡°Next up, we have a very cute stage waiting for us. I heard that the staff backstage are already going crazy over how adorable it is. This song isposed and written by Joo-Han, the leader of Team C.¡±

    <i>¡®What...? What did he just say?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Joo-Han has showcased exceptional arrangement skills in previouspetition stages. I''m really curious how his ownposed and written song will turn out.¡±

    <i>¡®Did he just sayposed and written?¡¯</i>

    ¡°No! That¡¯s not right! He hasn¡¯t even made a song for Chronos yet, so how could he write a song for another team?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon freaked out, voicing my exact thoughts. It was like the sky was falling, and I felt utterly betrayed.

    As the curtain rose, seeing Joo-Han confidently smiling at the camera, upying center stage, I couldn''t help but feel that this was a slight against Chronos.

    ¡°Wow, Joo-Han writes andposes too? Impressive. I usually leave the arranging to someone else,¡± eximed Ji-Hyuk.

    ¡°...I knew he arranged, butposing and writing are news to me,¡± I said.

    ¡°Oh... Really? That¡¯s a shame.¡± Ji-Hyuk quickly ended the conversation and refocused on the stage.

    No, to be exact, I knew he was good at writing andposing, but I didn¡¯t know he had been doing it since his trainee days. I thought he only started after he debuted.

    But, just as Goh Yoo-Joon said, giving his first song to another team was very inconsiderate. However, as soon as the performance started, all of ourints disappeared.

    ¡°Meow? When will youe? I miss you~ Woof!¡±

    Even if it meant giving Joo-Han¡¯s first song to another team, I wouldn¡¯t want to sing a song like that.

    ¡°Tsk, ah... Has he gotten a taste for this kind of thing...¡± I heard Goh Yoo-Joon murmuring seriously. Right. Come to think of it, Joo-Han seemed to enjoy it quite a bit when he was preparing Cha-Cha.

    <i>¡®Is that so? Is that why such a song came out?¡¯</i>

    Joo-Han was grinning and meowing on the screen, making me feel a bit bitter. However, contrary to the cooling atmosphere in the studio, the audience was heating up to its peak.

    ¡°Thirty seconds have passed since Team C¡¯s performance started. The streaming numbers have surged, and currently, about one hundred and fifty thousand people are watching the performance.¡±

    ¡°What is this... Haha! It''s really fun, seriously!¡± Meanwhile, Ji-Hyuk wasughing heartily. That was right. That team didn¡¯t have any High Tension members.

    The VJ capturing my expression was also giggling. I didn¡¯t bother to hide my thoughts from my face.

    The stage was heading toward the peak of terrible cuteness, and suddenly the lights changed to a purple hue. However, it wasn¡¯t a level of lighting change that would reverse the atmosphere.

    <i>¡®What are they trying to do this time?¡¯ </i>I felt uneasy watching the stage of this team, certain that it was Joo-Han¡¯s work.

    <i>¡®He''s from Chronos. The leader of Chronos.¡¯</i>

    At that moment, the light and yful music transformed into something deep and sweet. Then, the leader of Air Senior, who had been hidden by the dancers, peeked out and leaned on a dancer¡¯s back.

    He sang in a remarkably sweet voice. Gone were the animal pajamas, reced by a neat suit. While simr to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s team in attire, the vibe waspletely different¡ªmore like a groom in a proposal setting.

    Did Joo-Han have a preference for this style of song? It seemed he was putting in less effortpared to when he was on the Chronos stage. While the performance didn¡¯t have the intensity to keep people on edge, it was a stage that everyone could enjoy with ease.

    Both Team B and Team C received an overwhelmingly positive reaction. Following their performances, Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s team and Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s team each took their turn on the stage.

    Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s team was notably packed with dancers and immediately grabbed everyone''s attention. d in school uniforms, all of them dove into an intense B-boying routine right from the onset. The four dancers in the center, with their background in synchronized team dancing, executed aplex pair dance with remarkable ease. Undoubtedly, the musical essence of their performance was influenced by the leader of Street Center, as he was one of their members.

    However, the performance was so heavily infused with the style of Street Center that it felt as though Lee Jin-Sung had been assimted into their group. The influence was so pronounced that one could easily mistake Lee Jin-Sung for a new recruit of Street Center.

    After Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s team finished performing, Reina put her hand in the box again and said, ¡°Now, let¡¯s draw to see who will be the next team out of the remaining two.¡±

    All the teams with Chronos members hadpleted their performances except mine. The remaining teams were Team Eposed of True Bye, Street Center, and Air Senior¡ªand Team D, which I belonged to. I¡¯d prefer to be thest, but our performance was expected to be so impactful that the order didn¡¯t really matter.

    ¡°Alright, the next team is...¡± Reina pulled out a piece of paper from the box and unfolded it, looking meaningfully at the camera.

    ¡°Team D. Team D, please get ready and move to the stage.¡±

    That was us. I directly straightened my outfit and stood up. Since the dancers in zombie makeup were well hidden, the other participants probably thought that we were just going with a military concept. The YU Entertainment¡¯s representative, who facilitated our practice room, signaled that the dancers were ready.

    ¡°Alright, this is it. Let¡¯s give it our all. Can we do it?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± we responded in unison to Ji-Hyuk¡¯s rallying call.

    With determination, we made our way to the stage. It was finally time to unveil Team D¡¯s performance, the culmination of over two weeks of intense preparation.

 Chapter 41: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (9)

    <h4>Chapter 41: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (9)</h4>

    ¡°Whoa. What is that?¡±

    ¡°Oh my gosh! That almost gave me a heart attack. Ah, that¡¯s so scary!¡±

    Around forty zombies swarmed in, conquering the broadcasting station¡¯s hallway. Gasps of surprise and sharp intakes of breath echoed as we passed by. The VJ looked on with interest, and celebrities we happened to bump into were startled and stepped aside.

    ¡°It¡¯s kind of like a horror parade. Like something you¡¯d see in a haunted house.¡±

    It was definitely a march that stood out in many ways.

    "Team D, over here. Oh, this way..." A staff member opened the curtain backstage for us and stepped aside. We received unique attention as we entered.

    ¡°Wow... Who came up with this concept? It looks like it''s going to be really fun this time,¡± Director Kim Shin-Sikmented with a heartyugh backstage. Beside him, Producer Lee Won-Jae chimed in, "It¡¯s not often that the director finds something this entertaining. You should take that as a highpliment!"

    "Thank you!"

    While we were talking with the director, the dancers took their positions on the stage.

    ¡°Now, the next stage!¡± The voice of announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan filled the air. He leaned back to look behind the stage and then eximed, ¡°Wow, it¡¯s total chaos back here! The next stage is Team D''s, and just from what¡¯s prepared, I can sense a legendary stage is about to start! Let''s see what kind of stage they have prepared! Team D''s performance, begin!¡±

    The introduction video for Team D yed, showcasing our initial awkward meeting two weeks ago, our journey of growing closer while living together, and clips of us dedicatedly practicing. The broadcast would likely feature more detailed scenes, offering a deeper insight into our preparation process.

    "Team D, please move to the back of the set.¡±

    A staff member with a shlight in hand guided us to our entry point on the stage. As the music started, we could hear the dancers¡¯ footsteps above us.

    ¡°We got this.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s do well.¡±

    ¡°Whew, let¡¯s do this.¡±

    In the darkness beneath the stage, we bumped fists, bolstering each other''s spirits. This performance wasn''t just challenging; it required our absolute concentration. With so many people involved, a slightpse in focus could lead to idents.

    As the intro concluded, we moved in sync toward the stage. After being stunned by the sight of zombies on stage, the audience burst into cheers at our entrance. We quickly took our positions, while the dancers executed their movements with precision. The choreography was tight and intricate, leaving no room for error.

    Before we even started our part, there was a hard-hitting dance break, signaling the start of a performance that would be remembered long after the survival show concluded.

    <i> </i> ***

    It was like a horror show that, despite being scary and making one shout, ¡°What is this? This is scary!¡± They just couldn¡¯t stop watching. The dancers weren¡¯t just backing up the singers; each one of them twisted and trembled their bodies as if convulsing, embodying zombies.

    ¡°Wow, I love this kind of thing.¡±

    It was fortunate for our team that a zombie-themed American show was popr at the time.

    Some people trembled in fear, while others watched the aggressive zombies with excitement.

    Then...

    <i>Bang! Bang!</i>

    Gunshots echoed on the stage.

    ¡°Eek!¡±

    ¡°Ah! Ugh!¡±

    Screams erupted from here and there, even though no real zombies appeared. Some people in the audience prepared to cover their eyes, looking uneasy. Whether they found it disgusting or scary, this stage certainly captivated them more than any other.

    As the gunshots ceased, siren sounds followed. After that, amidst the red and green lights, a spotlight shone down, revealing Team D. Their eyes were filled with wariness amidst the zombies.

    ¡°Kyaaah! It¡¯s On-Sae!¡±

    ¡°Ji-Hyuk!¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, in the center! That¡¯s Hyun-Woo, right?¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo¡¯s the center! I told you he would be the center. Look!¡±

    ¡°Crazy, their outfits today are amazing.¡±

    Team D was dressed in what appeared to be special forces gear, and the members were on the level of Avengers. Outshining the other highly skilled members, Suh Hyun-Woo was undoubtedly the center.

    Seeing him, fans of Chronos excitedly hugged each other and made a fuss. The stage was filled with numerous zombies, stage smoke, and lights simtingsers, along with their oppas[1] holding guns¡ªit was a perfect world for fans. In this unique stage, Suh Hyun-Woo was the protagonist of an apocalyptic world, dominating the stage.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you are so cool!¡±

    No matter how grotesque or frightening the zombies appeared, Team D''s fans found only elegance in the performance of their favorite members. Gracefully, the members moved to their designated spots on the dimly lit, fog-enshrouded stage. Now, the subdued zombies started their slow, menacing approach.

    After cheering for a while, the fans now watched with bated breath. Then, the dance break exploded right from the opening, captivating the audience with its intense, almost otherworldly edge.

    After that, the stage went dark again, and a lyrical melody flowed out, silencing the stage.

    ¡°When the clouds cover the moon.¡±

    Among the slowly moving zombies, the only one in the spotlight was Suh Hyun-Woo. Holding the mic close and feigning an angry expression, he showed an edgy side that even the Chronos fans had never seen before.

    ¡°Wow-!¡± An exmation of admiration burst out from the audience. It wasn¡¯t just because Suh Hyun-Woo had performed his first part wlessly, but the situation on stage was incredibly immersive. About forty dancers ran toward Suh Hyun-Woo in slow motion, while the other members moved in perfect sync. It was as if they had scripted the entire scenario just for this moment, filled with horror elements. It was nearly impossible for anyone to divert their gaze from the captivating performance.

    The transition of members¡ªfrom Suh Hyun-Woo to Woo Ji-Hyuk, then to Cha Woo-Jeong, followed by Yoo On-Sae and Shin Ha-Yooning forward in the chorus¡ªwas seamless. As the dance experts of Team D, Yoo On-Sae and Shin Ha-Yoon skillfully upheld a stable live performance while executing intense dances throughout the chorus.

    However, not everyone was satisfied with this performance.

    ¡°Hey, is he not going to appear on the stage?¡±

    ¡°It''s better if he doesn¡¯t show up. The popr kids are taking all the screen time. It''s really unfair if he appears like this.¡±

    In the audience, sitting a bit further away from the cheering fans, some people were grumbling and only looking at the pamphlet.

    ¡°There¡¯s only one team left now. This show is really harsh on our kids.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Even if their agency doesn¡¯t have much power, the producer should distribute the screen time properly once he decides to make them perform. Ah, this is frustrating.¡±

    The ones grumbling were the fans of Air Senior. Apart from Team C led by Kang Joo-Han, Air Senior¡¯s representation wascking in every group.

    ¡°The kids are not less popr because of their skills. It''s just that the stages are performance-oriented. Look at Team C, our kid did well. Why do they have no part in other teams? It¡¯s so frustrating.¡± Air Senior¡¯s fans let out a deep sigh. Excluding Team D, which was currently performing, there was only one team left.

    ¡°Look carefully. It''s dark, but our kid might be on the stage somewhere.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m watching.¡±

    In fact, they weren¡¯t sure if any of the Air Senior members were at this stage. The lighting was dimmed to create an eerie atmosphere, making it hard to recognize the faces of those who did not have lines.

    The fans of Air Senior seemed to have given up their search. ¡°We¡¯ve passed the part where he would usually appear...¡±

    It was more of a situation where they had no choice but to give up. Air Senior was a group specialized in vocals. If some of their members could dance well, they would have had more parts. Sadly, they couldn¡¯t. Anyway, all the vocal parts of the first verse had been taken by other popr members. It was too dark to see well, and it was unlikely that a group that usually only sang would incorporate a rap...

    ¡°Huh...? Oh? Wook?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Why is our Wook there?¡±

    They had been longing to see Kim Jin-Wook, and now he had appeared. However, his fans were stunned for a while, unable to respond properly.

    ¡°...Ah! Jin-Wook!¡±

    His fans seemed as if they were about to burst into tears at any moment. Their favorite idol was rapping¡ªnot singing or dancing but chanting a charismatic rap filled with such a deep, forceful tone!

    For the fans of Air Senior, this was almost like the entrance of the main character. Kim Jin-Wook led the members of Team D, stood at the forefront, and walked toward the stage. His rap was delivered like a chant and carried such a strong presence that not only Air Senior''s fans but also other audiences were eximing in admiration. He did quite well, no... exceptionally well!

    "Did Jin-Wook used to rap?"

    "I don''t know, probably not. Wasn''t everything he released before joining Air Senior a bad?"

    "Dang. He must be a genius. I think I''m about to cry." The fans wondered how Team D''s members recognized Kim Jin-Wook''s talent better than the agency that had been taking care of him for at least a year. This wasn¡¯t just a rap that sounded like a narration. It was a real rap!

    "Ugh!"

    As Kim Jin-Wook''s part came to an end, Air Senior''s fans were almost in tears. While it was a bit disappointing to see someone who sang well rap, he disyed good enough skill to make up for the disappointment.

    It was especially satisfying to see other members of Team D give strength to Kim Jin-Wook''s part. Since Air Senior was a group with not much poprity, other members of Team D could have given Kim Jin-Wook fewer parts and increased their own without anyoneining. However, they willingly assigned the pivotal part to Kim Jin-Wook and gave him a big role in the leading choreography.

    After Kim Jin-Wook''s part, the second dance break by Yoo On-Sae and Street Center''s duo followed. In the first part, they presented a dance portraying an attack by a zombie horde, and in the dance break, they demonstrated a peculiar dance as if they had transformed into zombies.

    From a lying down position, the three of them managed to stand up using the strength of their legs and waist alone, showcasing a stunt. Their arms and legs were twisted and bent strangely, visualizing zombies.

    Already ustomed to the zombie horde, the audience cheered loudly at the intense dance of the three. Meanwhile, the fans of Chronos started to murmur, following the fans of Air Senior.

    "Why isn''t our Hyun-Woo in the dance break?"

    Suh Hyun-Woo had been in charge of choreography in Chronos along with Lee Jin-Sung, but he did not appear in this dance part.

    "No way, why isn''t Hyun-Woo included? Are they crazy?"

    "Are they jealous of the popr members?"

    It was understandable that they thought like this. After all, some idols, especially popr ones, were sensitive about the distribution of parts when working in a new group. For his fans, regardless of how many vocal parts Suh Hyun-Woo had, it was uneptable for a dance expert like him not to appear in a dance break.

    <i>''I''m waving the light stick out of courtesy, but... it was too disappointing</i>.¡¯

    That was how the fans of Chronos were inwardly and outwardly expressing their disappointment when the long dance part concluded. When the strong beat that filled the venue disappeared, the stage went dark for a moment, and then bright light flowed in with blue lighting.

    In the eerie smoke and still eerie atmosphere, two people came forward. They were Suh Hyun-Woo and Kim Jin-Wook.

    1. In Korean culture, the term "oppa" (??) ismonly used by females to address or refer to an older male, especially one who is close to them, such as an older brother, friend, or boyfriend. It is a term of endearment and respect and is used to show affection and familiarity. ?

 Chapter 42: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (10)

    <h4>Chapter 42: Survival Entertainment Show - Unit (10)</h4>

    As the main vocalists of their respective groups, Suh Hyun-Woo and Kim Jin-Wook transitioned between parts seamlessly during their performance. This created an unusual and innovativebination that delighted the audience¡¯s senses.

    As the music built up to the final verse, the once zombies-swarmed stage was now left with only the six members. The dim lighting gave way to a brightly illuminated stage. On this stage, the members performed with such grace and coordination that they seemed almost flying. Such wlessness was a testament to their hard work.

    Sensing the uniqueness of this performance, the fans cheered wildly. They were convinced that no future performance could surpass what they had just witnessed. Amidst the thunderous apuse, Team D''s performance came to an end.

    ***

    I struggled to catch my breath, feeling utterly exhausted.

    <i>''Three dance breaks are indeed too demanding.'' </i>While gasping for air, I tried to be mindful that my microphone was probably still live.

    The announcer''s voice then filled the venue. "Yes! We just witnessed Team D''s incredible performance!" It was only after Jeong Gyu-Chan''s voice rang out that we allowed ourselves to sit on the stage with a relieved "phew!", despite the curtain remaining open.

    ¡°Huff, huff...¡±

    I was drained to the point of wanting to puke. Lying there, staring up at the spinning ceiling, I thought to myself, <i>¡®We really put everything into this performance.¡¯</i>

    This sentiment perfectly encapsted the intensity of our effort. The voices of our fans reached us, cheering, "Suh Hyun-Woo, you did an amazing job! You are the best!"

    Despite my exhaustion, their words brought a smile to my face, affirming that our performance was well-received.

    The journey to this moment had been intense, marked by fierce internalpetition as our preparations advanced and our ambitions for the performance grew. We had pushed ourselves to our limits, leaving no room for regret.

    "Are you guys okay? Can you stand up?" Still sprawled on the stage, Ji-Hyuk asked how we were faring with evident concern. Yet, none of us could muster a response, as speaking was a struggle in our breathless state.

    Eventually, the staff stepped onto the stage, extending a helping hand to each of us. "Suh Hyun-Woo, you were fantastic. Truly impressive," one staff member praised me, but I could only nod, as I was too winded to reply.

    We then made our way to the dressing room, copsing upon arrival. There was still some time before the next stage, and we were nearly fainting. Therefore, the director allowed us to rest until the ranking announcement.

    "Can anyone move?" a stylistdy asked after a brief pause. On-Sae was the first to raise his hand and say, "Me."

    "Then On-Sae, you go change first. We can''t go to the studio in these costumes," she advised. With On-Sae assisted by the stylistdy to the changing room, I gathered my strength and followed, feeling a responsibility to get up before the older members. The task of changing out of my sweat-soaked clothes was a challenge in itself.

    Ten minutester, we headed to the studio after all the performances ended. Perhaps due to the aftermath of our intense performance, everyone seemed quieter than usual. Ji-Hyuk, who was typically lively and conversational, was notably quiet, and only the first team and Joo-Han''s team engaged in some conversation.

    However, the vibe remained subdued. The extraordinary effort that all of us had invested in our unique performances understandably left us all drained.

    Reina then initiated the conversation andmended, "Everyone, you''ve worked incredibly hard. Today, we have witnessed some of the most remarkable performances ever. Many people have appreciated and responded positively to your unique styles."

    Her words refocused my attention on the screen. "The audience and viewer votes have now been tallied," she continued. "As this was a unit performance, the official website voting scores will not be included. Shall we take a look at the final rankings?"

    In thispetition, benefits were reserved solely for the winning team. Having put forth their best efforts in their respective teams, all members of Chronos eagerly awaited the rankings.

    The scores were then disyed on the screen:

    1st ce, Team D

    2nd ce, Team B

    3rd ce, Team F

    4th ce, Team A

    5th ce, Team C

    6th ce, Team E

    ¡°Oh my gosh!¡±

    ¡°First ce goes to Team D, who presented a horrifying stage with the song ¡®Need.¡¯ Congrattions!¡±

    We reflexively stood up and embraced each other. It was a moment when our hard work paid off as a reward.

    ¡°Alright, Team D! It¡¯s okay to celebrate, but there are still things to do! Please take your seats.¡±

    It took a while for us to calm down, even after Reina¡¯sment, so some staff intervened and told us to sit.

    ¡°There is still more to do. It¡¯s not over yet, Team D.¡±

    Right, the member rankings were still up in the air. Within the first-ce team, we faced the task of ranking each member.

    ¡°The rankings of D team members will be determined by audience votes, viewer votes, and among themselves. For efficiency purposes, we already requested all of them to vote in advance.¡±

    All eyes were on us, and I could sense not just the gaze of the performers but also that of the audience and streaming viewers, who were probably watching the screen with bated breath.

    ¡°Let¡¯s start by checking the member votes. Who did Team D''s members think contributed the most to the team? Please, look at the screen."

    Honestly, I didn¡¯t have high hopes for the member vote. Leaders Ji-Hyuk and Kim Jin-Wook sacrificed sleep and break time for continuous practice. Being in the center position, I only counted on the audience and viewer votes.

    As the names of Team D''s members shed on the screen, the scores started fluctuating, adding to the suspense. The rankings revealed were:

    1st ce, Woo Ji-Hyuk 3 votes

    2nd ce, Kim Jin-Wook 2 votes

    3rd ce, Seo Hyun-Woo 1 vote

    Ji-Hyuk and Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s rankings were within my expectations.

    <i>¡®But one vote for me?¡¯ </i>I racked my brain, trying to recall if I had done anything particrly notable to care for the members. Puzzled, I tilted my head just as Reina announced, "The first ce in Team D''s member vote is Woo Ji-Hyuk. Interestingly, two members voted for each other, so the fans will surely love to hear about it."

    Reina''s gaze turned toward me, and at that moment, realization dawned on me.

    <i>¡®Oh, damn.¡¯</i>

    The impending embarrassment was almost palpable. "Suh Hyun-Woo and Kim Jin-Wook!" she eximed.

    I couldn''t help but think, ¡®<i>No! Why did you vote for me?¡¯</i> Kim Jin-Wook''s expression mirrored my own dismay.

    Around us, Team D and the Chronos members couldn''t help but giggle, clearly noticing the awkwardness of our situation. Meanwhile, Reina was seemingly oblivious to these dynamics and pressed on. "Shall we ask? Why did you vote for Jin-Wook, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°...Umm." I wondered if I really had to verbalize this embarrassment. Then I said, ¡°Jin-Wook worked incredibly hard. He sacrificed his rest and continued to practice when others took breaks."

    ¡°And why did Jin-Wook vote for Hyun-Woo?" Reina continued.

    ¡°...He was always there, helping during practice. Yes, other members were supportive too, but he was consistently there, even during breaks. To be honest, we didn''t start off on the best terms, but he patiently taught me a lot, and I''m grateful for that," Jin-Wook responded, his voice tinged with sincerity.

    Reina''s smile broadened, and she remarked, "What a heartwarming disy of teamwork."

    Caught off guard and not sure how to react, I stood there somewhat dazed, and the chuckles from the Chronos members continued. It was embarrassing, but it was over. At least, I ced third and earned some points.

    "Now, to the first ce, Woo Ji-Hyuk, we will award seven thousand points. To the second ce, Kim Jin-Wook, four thousand points, and to the third ce, Suh Hyun-Woo, two thousand points," Reina announced. The gap between first and third ce was significant. I wondered what the difference was between the first and second ce in thest ranking. Could the viewer votes possibly overturn this gap?

    "Now, let''s reveal the final group rankingsbining viewer and audience votes!" Reina dered.

    Realistically, Air Senior wasn''t strong in viewer votes, so a two thousand-point difference seemed surmountable. Conversely, Street Center could also make aeback, oveing the gap. Having unexpectedly climbed to third cest time, True Bye was also a group to watch out for.

    However, I had faith in my own performance on stage. If the audience and viewers saw my contribution among the members of Team D, Chronos had a fighting chance to leap forward.

    As the fluctuating scores on the screen finally halted, the suspense in the air was almost tangible.

    Then the result was announced. "Chronos ovees a five thousand-point difference and takes first ce! Congrattions!" The deration marked a triumphant moment, the culmination of our hard work and determination.

    Chronos secured a stable first ce. As the ending jingle filled the room, the atmosphere turned bittersweet.

    ¡°Hyung!¡± Chronos members who had been dispersed throughout the room gathered around me, and I stood up almost instinctively.

    ¡°It appears that Hyun-Woo¡¯s impact as the center can ovee the score difference. Congrattions, Chronos!¡± Reina remarked, acknowledging the significant achievement we had earned over these challenging weeks.

    Yet, amidst this sess, my heart was filled with mixed emotions.

    "You did great, Hyun-Woo! Let''s have a more in-depth chat after the shooting," Joo-Han suggested.

    "Sure, let''s celebrate with dinnerter," I replied. The Chronos members exchanged light pats on the back, offering each other silent support before returning to their respective ces.

    We all had worked together on the stage, but the results were varied, reflecting the diverse journeys we had embarked upon. The screen tantly disyed the rankings and scores of each group. Within Team D, the emotions of the team members ranged from tion at being first to mere satisfaction and even feelings of regret and mncholy.

    The atmosphere wasden with unspoken words, making it challenging for me to revel in the triumph. The situation was particrly poignant for High Tension, who narrowly missed the top spot, and Street Center, who fell from the first to fourth spot since thestpetition.

    In stark contrast, Air Senior''s satisfaction was evident, having broken free from their perpetual sixth ce to secure the fifth position.

    "Great job, everyone. And Hyun-Woo, congrattions!" Their voices chimed in.

    "Thank you. Thispetition has been a tremendous learning experience for me," I responded, feeling a sense of aplishment.

    As the congrattory voices faded, the time for the final remarks arrived. "Now, the thirdpetition has concluded. With only a short time left in <i>Pick We Up</i>, which has spanned about two months, I trust every participant will continue to flourish. The time to witness future stars of K-POP all in one ce! Remember, <i>Pick We Up</i> will continue next week!"

    With the end of this particrly lengthy thirdpetition, a sense of relief and achievement washed over me. Without the manager''s knowledge, I discreetly exchanged contact numbers with the members of Team D, offering each other words of encouragement and support.

    Before we departed, my eyes locked with Kim Jin-Wook''s. We maintained a brief but meaningful gaze, exchanging a nod of mutual respect before going our separate paths.

    In the car, a heavy silence settled among us on the way back to the dormitory.

    "..."

    All eyes, including mine, were fixed on Joo-Han.

    "What''s wrong?" he asked, puzzled by our collective gaze.

    "Do you really not understand why?" Even the typically reserved Lee Jin-Sung couldn''t hide his frustration. In silent agreement, all of us looked at Joo-Han expectantly. Even our manager let out a sigh, nodding in understanding while driving. "Joo-Han, it was reasonable for the others to be upset this time.¡±

    "I realize that, but I chose an old song I wrote since there weren¡¯t any suitable options avable," Joo-Han exined.

    "Why didn¡¯t you share it with us?" The question carried a subtle usation.

    "Even if I had, you wouldn¡¯t have chosen it. Would you have gone along with all the barking and meowing?" Joo-Han retorted, his voiceced with a touch of defensiveness.

    "...Ahem!" The tension in the air subsided a bit.

    Apparently, that song had been a yful creation from a time before our participation in <i>Pick We Up</i> was even certain. Joo-Han had never really had a chance to present it.

    "We could have used it during the Cha-Cha performance.¡± Just as the group seemed to ept this and move on, Park Yoon-Chan, who usually kept to himself, spoke up. "If it was a song made by hyung, we would have embraced it wholeheartedly... I can''t help but feel let down."

    Park Yoon-Chan''s words carried weight, highlighting the depth of his disappointment.

    Joo-Han looked at Park Yoon-Chan with a deep, understanding gaze and then lowered his eyelids in a gesture of acknowledgment. "It''s natural to feel that way. I never thought I''d use that song. I created it just for fun. But when Team C suggested trying a concept like ChaCha, I saw an opportunity to use it," Joo-Han exined, his tone softening.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then chimed in, his voice carrying a mix of surprise andint. "I was shocked to learn it was your song. I had no idea you were into songwriting.¡±

    ¡°I am sorry. I will write another song for Chronos, and it will be better than this one. I promise.¡±

    ¡°...Fine! Let me know if you need any help.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon couldn¡¯t help but smile broadly.

    ¡®<i>Ugh, what a simple dude.¡¯</i>

    However, thanks to this, Joo-Han would write a song for Chronos earlier than in the past. It was definitely something to look forward to. Chronos used to be only famous within Korea, but we made our debut on the Billboard chart for the first time with Joo-Han¡¯s song.

 Chapter 43: Team Dâ€™s Hangout

    <h4>Chapter 43: Team D¡¯s Hangout</h4>

    After a grueling two weeks of preparation, I found myself cocooned in my bed for three consecutive days upon returning to the Chronos dorm. Somehow, waking up in a space without cameras for the first time in a while brought me an unexpected difort.

    I hadn¡¯t experienced any pain during the strenuous practices, but the intense muscle soreness finally kicked in now. It seemed that other Chronos members were going through the same ordeal as the umted fatigue started to take its toll.

    "I''ve been constantly sleepytely. It feels like I''m in a cycle of sleeping and waking every three hours," Goh Yoo-Joonmentedzily from the couch.

    I couldn''t help but agree. "Exactly. I''m still tired, even after sleeping the whole day."

    "Try not to sleep too much though. It can turn into a habit," Joo-Han cautioned, making his way to the kitchen.

    "Hyung, when''s our next shoot? I¡¯m in so much pain. Starting practice now feels like a death sentence."

    "In about a week, we have a meeting scheduled," Joo-Han responded, settling himself on the floor near the couch.

    "A meeting?"

    "The finalpetition is going to be live. They will announce the theme soon, and we need to be ready by the time all the pre-recorded content is aired."

    <i>¡®They are really giving us ample time.¡¯</i> However, this made sense, given the magnitude of the finalpetition.

    "We will soon be back to all-day practices, so rest up while you can. Just don''t oversleep," Joo-Han advised, turning on the TV. The television had been tuned to UNET for the past month and was reying the first episode of<i> Pick We Up</i>. Initially, watching ourselves on screen was a novelty, but now, the novelty had worn off with the frequent reruns.

    Lying across from Goh Yoo-Joon, I felt aimless, restricted from seeing the audience''s reactions by our manager''s rules.

    <i>Ding!</i>

    The sound of a notification from my flip phone echoed.

    - Hyun-Woo, how are you? Want to grab lunch with the Team D members?

    It was a message from Ji-Hyuk. Goh Yoo-Joon cast a quick nce at me before returning his attention to the TV. "Ji-Hyuk hyung again? You and Team D seem to get along well."

    "Isn''t it the same with you guys? I''ve seen you keeping in touch," I answered.

    "Yeah, but I thought your team wouldn''t hang out after thepetition. You didn''t seem all that close with each other."

    I actually had the same impression. Unlike other teams who were noisy during breaks, we mostly talked about performances and didn''t engage in much-lighthearted banter. Hence, I didn¡¯t expect much interaction postpetition despite us having exchanged our contact details.

    Surprisingly, Team D¡¯s group chat had been buzzing with conversation for the past three days. It seemed that the bonds formed during those two weeks of intense training couldn''t be easily dismissed. Without the looming pressure of performances, our conversations had be more rxed and genuine.

    - Yes, I''ll be there. Where should I meet you?

    After sending the message, Ji-Hyuk quickly replied with details.

    - Where''s your dorm? I''ll pick you up. Already met On-Sae.

    I sent the dorm location to Ji-Hyuk and rose from the couch. Though I still found crowded ces daunting, I trusted that Ji-Hyuk would arrange afortable setting for our get-together.

    Heading toward the bathroom, Joo-Han reminded me, "It''s okay to go out, but make sure you answer calls and return before manager hyung arrives."

    "When will manager hyung be back?" I asked.

    "By 8 PM."

    "Got it. I''ll be back after lunch."

    Once ready, I got a text from Ji-Hyuk saying he was outside. Then, the sight of a luxurious car gleaming under the sunlight caught my eye. It was clearly out of a trainee''s league. Pondering whose expensive car it could be, I simply walked past it, only to be stopped by its horn.

    "Hyun-Woo! Why aren¡¯t you getting in?"

    "Hyung?" I wondered, bewildered by his presence in such a car.

    Approaching the car with a puzzled look, I hesitated before Ji-Hyuk gestured toward the back seat, prompting me to get in quickly.

    "Is this your car, hyung?" I asked.

    "No, it''s my father''s. He used it toe to thepany today, so I borrowed it."

    <i>¡®Father,pany, borrowed?¡¯</i> My expression had likely conveyed my confusion.

    ¡°My dad is the CEO of YU.¡±

    ¡°...Oh.¡±

    When I was a trainer at YU, I never met their CEO. Now, it dawned on me that Ji-Hyuk was really the CEO¡¯s son. That exined the nonchnt discussions about recruiting Kim Jin-Wook into thepany. Before this, it had struck me as odd for a mere trainee to wield such influence, but now everything clicked into ce.

    When I thought about it, On-Sae had also moved to YU back then, attending my training session postpetition. It was likely that Ji-Hyuk had introduced him through the same channels.

    ¡°So, that is the story behind it...¡±

    ¡°Oh, right. Speaking of which, did Jin-Wook take the audition? I thought hyung was giving him a chance for an audition at YU.¡± On-Sae¡¯s question broke the silence.

    Ji-Hyuk responded with augh. "Jin-Wook should be the first to hear the results. Actually, that was the main reason I called everyone together." From the looks of it, Jin-Wook had passed, which wasn¡¯t surprising considering his exceptional dedication and performance.

    Upon arriving at the Air Senior dormitory, we spotted Kim Jin-Wook. He was d in ck and stood outside with his arms crossed. Failing to recognize Ji-Hyuk''s car, he slowly looked up when the horn honked. He then lingered near the window, seemingly verifying if it was indeed Ji-Hyuk¡¯s vehicle.

    Ji-Hyuk rolled down the window¡¯s ss, gesturing for him to hop in. ¡°Take the front seat. On-Sae and Hyun-Woo are in the back.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Kim Jin-Wook got into the car. After gaining freedom from Ji-Hyuk, the scent of cigarettes no longer lingered around him.

    ¡°The dorm seems unusually quiet, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Ji-Hyuk mused.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± On-Sae asked, ¡°Did any fans show up at your dorm?¡±

    We simultaneously shook our heads. When I thought about it, Chronos members were too grappled with fans visiting their dorm post-debut, but it appeared High Tension had dealt with such issues even before their official debut.

    ¡°I assumed there would be some fans given Chronos¡¯s rising poprity.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not that popr. Whenever there''s fan voting inpetitions, we tend to fall behind,¡± I replied.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit too modest?¡±

    ¡°Wow, so the star of poprity is teasing us right in our presence?¡± On-Sae''s quip sparkedughter among us. Before we realized it, we had reached our destination.

    It was a Korean restaurant with private rooms, and this setting felt somewhat daunting for underaged trainees. However, Ji-Hyuk reassured us and led us inside.

    ¡°Wee. Do you have a reservation?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s under Woo Ji-Hyuk.¡±

    ¡°Ah, right! Part of your group is already here waiting for you.¡±

    We were ushered by the server into the room where Woo-Jeong and Ha-Yoon from Street Center were already seated. ¡°You¡¯re quite punctual for bringing three along,¡± Woo-Jeong remarked.

    ¡°They all live nearby,¡± Ji-Hyuk replied.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s n to meet up more often, being neighbors and all.¡±

    ¡°That sounds great.¡±

    We all took our seats, and once our orders were ced, the conversation picked up.

    ¡°How¡¯s everyone doing?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been resting for three straight days. My muscle soreness just won¡¯t subside.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been sleeping non-stop, barely eating.¡± Woo-Jeong slumped over the table, mirroring Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s recent habit of excessive sleeping.

    The topic shifted to Jin-Wook. ¡°How are you, Jin-Wook? Your group seemed quite down when you left the other day.¡±

    ¡°Well, we are managing some stuff,¡± replied Jin-Wook guardedly. Despite Kim Jin-Wook single-handedly propelling Air Senior to fifth ce, his team¡¯s response to his efforts wasced with envy and sarcasm.

    <i>¡°Our Jin-Wook became the hero of our group. Nicely done.¡± </i>

    <i>¡°You''re giving your all now when we are about to disband. Do you think it might lead to a scouting offer from anotherpany, perhaps?¡± </i>

    <i>¡°Hey, don¡¯t be harsh on him. He already worked so hard. Why create inner strife? Jin-Wook was simply using his brain to the fullest.¡±</i>

    The air in their dorm was charged with underlying tension, indicative of deep-seated discord. It seemed the imminent disbandment had eroded any sense of team unity.

    After a pause, Kim Jin-Wook spoke up hesitantly, ¡°I might need to move out of the dorm soon.¡±

    ¡°What? But thepetition isn''t over yet.¡±

    ¡°Staying there is almost impossible now. It''s not just about the strained rtionship among members. The CEO is also pressuring me.¡±

    Kim Jin-Wook let out a weary sigh, his face reflecting his exhaustion. Ji-Hyuk had been listening in quiet contemtion and just smiled. ¡°Try to endure until the end of thepetition. You still need support from your currentpany for the stage.¡±

    Jin-Wook hesitated, his voice trailing off. ¡°That¡¯s true, but...¡±

    Imbued with an air of assurance, Ji-Hyuk''s tone was calm yet firm when he said, "The timing couldn¡¯t be better. After you wrap up things with True Entertainment, join us at YU. Our director himself has praised your abilities."

    Jin-Wook''s eyes widened in a mix of surprise and disbelief. "Really?"

    "Yes," Ji-Hyuk affirmed. "The director reviewed your training videos alongside your stage performances and was particrly impressed with how quickly you¡¯ve been learning. He mentioned that with your skills in both rapping and singing, you would be an excellent multi-talented asset to the team."

    "...Thank you," Jin-Wook replied, his voice tinged with sincere gratitude.

    Ji-Hyuk continued, "Make a smooth transition from True Entertainment and thene over to YU. Got it? Let¡¯s be on the same team."

    The rest of the members chimed in with their congrattions, genuinely happy for Kim Jin-Wook. This was the first time I witnessed Jin-Wook smiling so broadly, his hand shyly covering his eyes as he wasn¡¯t used to such joy.

    "Anyway, don¡¯t stress about it now. Just focus on preparing well for the nextpetition. Remember, don¡¯t take it easy just because you feel a bit relieved. You are still on your path to debut, so it¡¯s important to show that you can work hard independently."

    "Okay." Jin-Wook nodded with newfound determination.

    Suddenly, Ha-Yoon''s unexpected question interrupted the flow of our conversation. "Ah, by the way, has everyone found their songs?"

    "What songs?" I asked.

    Ha-Yoon gave me a quizzical look. "We should start getting ready for the nextpetition, right?"

    However, how could we prepare when the theme hadn¡¯t been announced yet? Unlike Kim Jin-Wook, Yoo On-Sae, and me¡ªthe three who werepletely in the dark¡ªJi-Hyuk and the Street Center members were already discussing this very topic.

    "We¡¯ve been diligently scouting songs with thepany, but finding the right one is quite challenging." Ji-Hyuk shared his dilemma.

    "That¡¯s true." One of the Street Center members agreed. "Thankfully, due to <i>Pick We Up</i>¡¯s poprity, we¡¯ve been receiving a lot of song submissions."

    As I listened to their exchange, a realization dawned on me. "Wait, do you guys already know the theme for the nextpetition?"

    They looked at me, their faces etched with confusion. "Of course. Weren¡¯t you informed? They told us right after thestpetition."

    What...? I was stunned.

    "They didn¡¯t tell you?"

    "No..." On-Sae¡¯s voice mirrored my shock.

    Suddenly, everyone seemed to understand. The frustration our manager had been voicing about the major agencies receiving preferential treatment made perfect sense. They had the advantage of knowing thepetition theme in advance, allowing them to prepare more thoroughly, which inevitably enhanced the quality of their performances. This contrasted sharply with our experience, where we were constantly in a rush, nning and preparing at thest minute.

    Realizing our surprise, the three of them looked somewhat uneasy. "I suppose we weren¡¯t meant to talk about it," one of them muttered.

    "It should be fair," Ji-Hyuk said, his toneced with displeasure. "We didn''t know it was information exclusive to us."

    "If we had known earlier, we would have shared it with you. The theme for the nextpetition is original songs by each group."

 Chapter 44: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (1)

    <h4>Chapter 44: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (1)</h4>

    "Are <i>Pick We Up</i>¡¯s producers out of their minds? They are putting you guys under pressure with such little time to find aposer and lyricist?" Ji-Hyuk grumbled with a frown.

    Unbothered by his outburst of emotion, I simply nodded in gratitude and said, "Thanks for letting us know." If I had not attended the Team D gathering today, Chronos would have been left in the dark, aimlessly waiting for the theme to be announced.

    Kim Jin-Wook had been silently looking at his meal all this time, but he then raised a valid concern. "But are we allowed to discuss this? Didn''t the broadcastingpany and your agency make an agreement to share this information <i>only </i>with you guys in advance?"

    It made sense. UNET wouldn¡¯t have given them such great treatment solely because of the size of their agencies.

    "Ah, we weren''t even aware that we were receiving such benefits. It exins why the Next hyungs suddenly agreed to do aeback show." Next was a group famous for shunning variety shows, and they were the talk of the town. Hosting aeback show would have been a definite no-go for them, especially considering the additionaledic content they would have to create for their fans.

    <i>¡®Is it alright for Ji-Hyuk hyung to casually divulge such information? This could somehow affect Next''s enigmatic image.¡¯</i>

    As Kim Jin-Wook, Yoo On-Sae, and I exchanged worried nces, Ji-Hyuk shrugged it off nonchntly. "It''s the finalpetition, and we''ve all grown closer, haven''t we? It¡¯s only right to share what I know." The duo from Street Center also seemed to agree with this.

    "That''s true. Even if we have over a month before all the footage airs, it''s not nearly enough time to prepare an original song. It''s only fair to share this information," they agreed.

    "We should prepare discreetly though. If it became known that this information spread after the Team D meeting, we might find ourselves in a difficult position," suggested Woo-Jeong, and Ha-Yoon chimed in with his support.

    Understanding the gravity of the situation, we all nodded. Ji-Hyuk wisely shifted the conversation to a lighter topic, knowing well that lingering on such sensitive matters could be problematic.

    Thus, our simple lunch with the Team D members concluded. What was initially meant as a brief catch-up had turned into a profound discussion, and before we knew it, the clock was nearing 5 PM. It was at this point that the duo from Street Center received a call, signaling it was time to head back. ¡°We should get going too. We¡¯ve already secured aposer," one of them announced.

    "Have you found a lyricist?" Ji-Hyuk asked.

    Woo-Jeong couldn¡¯t hide his pride. "Yes, a member in our group is quite skilled at writing lyrics. He¡¯s taken on the task."

    As the Street Center duo got up to leave, the other Team D members started to wrap up the meeting. When Ji-Hyuk dropped me off at the dorm, the sky had already started to darken, indicating the end of the day.

    - Hyun-Woo, where are you? It''s time toe back.

    I quickly replied to Joo-Han that I was near the dorm. Feeling somewhat guilty for my extended absence, I stopped by the convenience store and bought some sausage sticks for them all.

    "Hey, yo! Manager hyung is arriving at seven. You made it back just in time."

    "Wow, what''s this smell? Sausages!"

    The aroma of the hot sausage sticks enticed the members out of their rooms. I then handed them the sausages, giving an extra one to Lee Jin-Sung, before settling back onto the couch in the same position as I had been that morning.

    ¡°Hyung, where did you go today? It must have been nice to enjoy some good food."

    ¡°We went to an upscale Korean restaurant. Did you know Ji-Hyuk hyung is the son of YU''s CEO? I was shocked when he showed up in a luxury car to pick me up."

    ¡°The other High Tension members mentioned it. Aren¡¯t the fans already aware?"

    It seemed that I was thest to learn of this, even though I had spent two weeks in the same house with him.

    ¡°Six hours just for lunch? Did you do anything else?"

    I shook my head in response to Joo-Han¡¯s inquiry.

    "We just kept ordering more food, eating as much as Chronos usually does. But hyung..." I quickly diverted the conversation, knowing his tendency to lecture, especially after the recent incident involving my photo with Park Yoon-Chan.

    "I heard some really exciting news today."

    "And what might that be?"

    Trying to maintain aposed demeanor, I couldn¡¯t help but let a proud smile slip through.

    ¡°About the theme of thispetition.¡±

    ¡°...Thepetition theme? How did you find that out?¡± The surprised members bombarded me with questions.

    ¡°I hung out with Team D members earlier. Turns out, the big agency hyungs are already aware of it,¡± I exined, keeping my tone calm as we moved from our informal gathering spot to the kitchen table.

    "Why did they only inform the big agencies? What exactly is the theme?"

    "Goh Yoo-Joon, finish eating that sausage before speaking," Joo-Han reminded him, feeling half-amused.

    "We''re in the dorm without cameras, so it should be fine to say this.¡± I said, "Thispetition is all about original songs for groups."

    ¡°...¡± A stunned silence enveloped the room.

    "Did High Tension and Street Center already start preparing for this?"

    "That''s just not fair," muttered Yoo-Joon.

    As someone quick to engage in any conversation, even Joo-Han was momentarily speechless. As our songwriter, he was well aware of the considerable time investment needed to craft an original song.

    "It goes beyond covering a song; it¡¯s about creating a new one entirely. Isn¡¯t this disparity with the big agencies almost like telling us not to aim for victory?" Joo-Han''s expression grew serious. The realization that other groups had a head start in preparations, thanks to early information, seemed to burden him deeply.

    "What''s going on in the kitchen?" Our manager¡¯s voice echoed as he entered the dorm with dinner, pausing at the sight of our serious faces.

    "Why is everyone looking at me like that?"

    "Hyung, please,e sit down for a moment," I urged him gently.

    "Is something wrong? Did I do something?" Our manager approached the table and ced down the meal boxes with an anxious expression.

    "You aren''t aware of the nextpetition¡¯s theme, are you?" Joo-Han asked.

    Our manager hesitated for a moment and then avoided our gaze.

    "...Do you know about it?"

    "I have an idea about it," he admitted, his face reddening slightly. "I¡¯ve always said that the big agencies get preferential treatment. I didn¡¯t want to upset you, so I haven¡¯t told you."

    "But why are we discussing this now?" our manager asked.

    "The theme for thispetition is original songs for groups."

    "How did you all find out about this? You didn¡¯t secretly get phones or something, right?"

    "We just exchanged emails with other group members. What''s the issue?"

    "No issue," our manager replied, looking somewhat relieved, yet his avoidance of Joo-Han''s piercing gaze suggested otherwise.

    "We found out through email exchanges. Someone from one of the big agencies shared it with us," I exined.

    "Really? Original songs for groups?" As our manager absorbed the news, his expression mirrored our earlier seriousness. "It takes so much time to prepare a song. How can they make such a discriminatory decision? You guys need to seed so you can avoid this kind of unfair treatment in the future."

    "What should we do about it then?" I asked.

    Our manager paused, somewhat lost in thought. "Are you certain about this information? It''s not just a spection, right?"

    "Why would we doubt it?"

    "Well, obtaining a song is not a trivial expense. If we¡¯re getting one, we need to consider its quality and potential for your debut album," said our manager.

    Hearing our manager''s words, Joo-Han nced at me, and I nodded, affirming the reliability of the information. "I am one hundred percent sure. I heard it from Ji-Hyuk hyung."

    "...Hyun-Woo, you¡¯ve been exchanging emails too?"

    "Yes, emails," I replied, trying to stifle augh.

    Goh Yoo-Joon covered his mouth with his hand, his cheeks twitching as he struggled to contain hisughter.

    <i>¡®Ah, don¡¯tugh, kid. I¡¯m struggling to keep it together too.¡¯</i>

    Unaware of our internal battle to maintainposure, our manager nodded seriously. ¡°Then we need to hold a meeting first thing in the morning to find a song. Make sure you guys are ready early in the morning."

    "Us too?" Park Yoon-Chan asked.

    "Of course, it''s your song. Be prepared. I¡¯lle to pick you up early. Joo-Han, make sure everyone is awake and ready."

    ***

    Last night, our manager must have immediately contacted thepany. At 9 AM, while mostpany employees were just beginning their day, the A&R team executives were already deep in discussion in the meeting room.

    "I called a university friend who works at UNET right after hearing the news, and they confirmed it. I just yed it off, saying I guessed it based on previous patterns."

    "We are lucky the kids found out, or we would have beenpletely in the dark. UNET is really shitty! All the good songs would have gone to the big agencies,¡± said the team leader.

    Hearing the team leader¡¯s words, Supervisor Seong grumbled, ¡°Even without that advantage, good songs naturally gravitate toward the big agencies because they have the financial backing.¡±

    However, this assertion visibly irritated the team leader. "Supervisor Seong, we may not match the scale of the big agencies, but we have sufficient capital to acquire quality songs. Have you not seen the tracks on Allure''s album?"

    At this moment, as the one who yed a role in producing ¡°Goblin,¡± YMM''s dedicated producer let out a deep sigh, injecting a touch of realism into the discussion. "Are you sure about that, Mr. Kim? The agency brought poor quality songs, and it was my team members who tirelessly worked to improve them." Producer Do''s influential statement seemed to diffuse some of the team leader¡¯s frustration, prompting him to settle down and retake his seat.

    Producer Do let out a sigh yet again, his gaze sweeping over the record of pastpetition performances. "Will Hyun-Woo continue as the center?"

    "Yes, he will," Joo-Han responded, "although we n to rotate the popr members in that role eventually."

    "The stages overall were impressive, but ''Moon Sea'' truly stood out. Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon were the double centers for that performance, right?" Producer Do asked.

    "That''s correct," Joo-Han affirmed, "It was arguably the most straightforwardpetition for us, with not much difficulty."

    "The following stage seemed to experiment with varying positions, giving the impression ofpensating for rtive skill gaps through member count and arrangement." Producer Do''s keen observation unveiled our tactics. He was really the one who propelled Allure to national idol status.

    "With an original song on the horizon, establishing fixed positions might be important. Let''s avoid overfilling the stage with dancers," he suggested.

    As Producer Do paused the video of our performance, our typically reserved Supervisor Seong, chimed in with a polite question. "Excuse me, sir, could you rify what you mean by fixed positions? Chronos¡¯s members haven''t solidified specific roles yet."

    Feeling weary yet still attentive, Producer Do ran his hand through his disheveled beard. His look toward the manager was tinged with both exasperation and acute sensitivity as he asked, "Hyun-Woo is the center, isn''t he?"

    "Yes, but as for the other members-"

    "I''ve made my point. Having Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon as double centers seems like the most stable option. The performance needs to be designed around them, especially considering the song could be either the album''s title track or a coupling track."

    "Ah, I understand now!" Supervisor Seong acknowledged, hastily jotting down notes. "I agree with Producer Do. Opting for those two as double centers seems ideal. We also need to mind the budget. We''re aiming for an A-grade song, so let''s limit the stage to five members, excluding dancers. What about the concept?"

    Though we were present at the meeting, our opportunity to contribute was minimal. Even Joo-Han, who was ted to be involved in the song production, remained silent, merely listening.

    The discussion was firmly entrenched inmercial territory: determining marketable songs, fitting positions, and suitable concepts for Chronos. Lacking the ability to make an objective assessment in these areas, we had no choice but to entrust this crucial aspect to the professionals.

    While examining through video clip thumbnails on his USB, Producer Do brought up a creative direction. "Allure adopted a strong and rebellious concept. For Chronos, veering towards a dreamy, dark theme akin to the concept of ''Moon Sea'' could work effectively. Though I produced ''Moon Sea,'' it actually aligns better with Chronos than with Allure."

    Team leader Kim had been somewhat moody until now, but when he heard this, he finally showed signs of agreement. "I agree with that approach. Given that some members of Chronos have a more ethereal look, it would be a fitting choice. ording to the data, the ''Moon Sea'' concept garnered the most explosive response."

    With a decisive motion, Producer Do shut hisptop. "Then, let''s settle on ''Moon Sea'' as our concept. Supervisor Seong, let¡¯s coborate on securing the song this time."

 Chapter 45: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (2)

    <h4>Chapter 45: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (2)</h4>

    We filmed the scene of UNET announcing thepetition theme a week after YMM¡¯s urgent meeting. Even though we already knew the theme, we acted surprised for the cameras and had a brief discussion about it.

    Post-shooting, I headed to the parking lot as I received a message from our manager. He was unexpectedly asleep in the driver''s seat, so Joo-Han rapped on the window to wake him. "Hyung."

    "...Ah, you''re all here?" Our manager appeared worn out. It was an odd sight since he typically didn''t sleep during our filming.

    Despite no one ming him, our manager seemed to feel the need to justify his fatigue. "I haven''t been sleeping welltely due to all the concept meetings for your group."

    "Have any songs arrived?"

    "A lot of songs came in because Chronos is hot right now. Anyway, we''re picking a song that matches your image and is suitable for thepetition." After sipping thest of his now cold coffee, our manager started the car.

    "Shouldn''t we be involved in the meetings?" Lately, Joo-Han hadn''t been called to thepany even though he used to beposing with Producer Do. It seemed that beyond the initial concept, our input wouldn''t be considered. This was frustrating.

    Our manager shook his head. "You should be focusing on your performance. If you want to help, think about what you want to do for the final stage. We''ll take that into ount."

    Confused by the directive not to involve ourselves in the song or stage selection, we had no choice but toply as we were just powerless trainees. This would be our debut song as artists under the agency, and we could only trust that thepany would undoubtedly ensure its quality.

    Upon arriving at the dorm, Joo-Han stopped me.

    I asked, "Why?"

    "Let''s have a talk. Come to my room." His serious look made me wonder if I was in trouble, maybe for my recent interactions with the Team D or for lounging around.

    To my relief, he wasn''t calling me in to scold me. "Hyun-Woo, you were behind the zombie stage idea for Team D, weren''t you?"

    "What? No, not all by myself."

    "Really? I was certain it was your idea."

    True, the zombie concept was mine, but it was a blend of Kim Jin-Wook''s horror idea and On-Sae''s musical theme.

    As Joo-Han was seeking my confirmation, I said, ¡°I dide up with the zombie part, but the overall stage was a mix of everyone''s ideas."

    "That''s what I thought. You''re really creative with such themes. Let''s work together on this next one." He opened hisptop to a screen full of notes.

    "Whoa! What''s all this?"

    "Thoughts I''ve beenpiling. In a normal situation, I''d be arranging music now, but I''ve turned to stage nning instead as they are not letting me do anything."

    His recent preupation was evidently for this reason.

    Joo-Han continued, "Other groups handle their ownposing, lyric writing, and choreography, highlighting their unique strengths. Our agency, however, doesn¡¯t include member-created songs in debut albums."

    Big agencies often employed many dancers for every stage, as they could handle the cost. However, doing such a thing regrly was beyond ourpany''s scope. Hence, the uing song for our album needed to be manageable for repeated performances.

    "We need to find something unique to us that will appeal to the audience."

    "Exactly. How can we stand out in thepetition?"

    Though Producer Do suggested a dreamy concept, it felt slightlycking. After all, it was already done in thepetition, with other groups also exploring it. Now, the challenge of standing out among simr-level groups weighed heavily on me. I could envision various performance ideas and themes, but defining our distinct characteristics was hard.

    "I will think about it," I said.

    "I''ll also ask the others. Despite our versatility, our defining trait isn''t really that obvious."

    I continued to mull over this even after leaving Joo-Han''s room. Frankly, apart from Street Center''s musical concept, the remaining groups weren¡¯t that unique. So far, it had been about who performed better.

    ¡°A unique style for Chronos..."

    "What? Quitting as a trainee? Why!?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s loud exmation startled me. He was angrily talking into his phone.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked silently as I approached him on the couch, but he just dismissively shook his head. It seemed that he was discussing a fellow trainee''s decision to leave, amon urrence in this uncertain industry. It was difficult to continue being a trainee when their future was uncertain. Just like that, the exhausted ones left, and the new ones reced them.

    I turned on the TV, wondering who it might be, as Goh Yoo-Joon only really knew YMM trainees since he had never been in other agencies.

    ¡°Hey. Who is that? Who is quitting?¡± I asked.

    Come to think of it, it had to be someone close to us if Goh Yoo-Joon was trying so hard to convince the person. I shook him, who was still on the phone.

    ¡°Who is quitting? Who is that?¡± I inquired again.

    Then, Goh Yoo-Joon got annoyed at me and mouthed silently. ¡°Jun.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    He was someone I had practiced with for five years. Shocked by the news, I listened as Goh Yoo-Joon exined, ¡°He wanted to tell you too, but he couldn¡¯t as we were in thepetition.¡±

    ¡°What the heck? Why would he quit after five years of training?¡± I asked.

    Goh Yoo-Joon turned his phone to speaker mode. "Hey, I¡¯m putting this on speaker. Hyun-Woo is listening."

    - Ah, hey. Sorry, I didn¡¯t tell you sooner. I only decided today and just finished talking with thepany.

    In ourpany, only me, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Han Jun were of the same age, so we always stuck together until the audition teams were formed. Hence, it was unexpected to hear Han Jun decide to quit.

    - After not making the debut team, I tried hard, but I couldn''t see a future in it. I don''t think I''m cut out for debut.

    Goh Yoo-Joon responded angrily, ¡°Hey, you should at least try standing on stage before quitting!"

    - Your performance on TV made me realize... I doubt if I could ever be that dedicated. Anyway, it¡¯s not easy to get a chance to be on stage.

    That triggered a thought in my mind, and I said, ¡°Well, that''s true, but quitting like this seems wrong."

    - It¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t worry about me, and just focus on your performance. It¡¯s already determined.

    I quietly stood up and went to Joo-Han''s room.

    Seeing me, Joo-Han inquired, "Why are you here again?"

    "Hyung, did you know Jun is quitting?"

    "...Quitting? Hasn¡¯t he been training for four or five years?" Joo-Han was surprisingly calm about it, being used to trainees leaving after a long tenure.

    Joo-Han continued, "It¡¯s a pity. He should¡¯ve tried for another year."

    "Goh Yoo-Joon is actually trying to convince him to perform on stage at least once," I added.

    Hearing this, Joo-Han simply went back to his work andmented, "It would be great if trainees could get such opportunities, but it might be hard for them who are not in the debut team."

    ¡°That''s why I thought, what if we include the trainees in our uing performance?"

    Joo-Han looked confused. ¡°What do you mean?"

    "We could use themes like youth and history. It''s ourst chance anyway. When else will we all perform together?"

    Last time, when True Bye presented a youth concept, the response was phenomenal. Now, that made me think that perhaps Chronos¡¯s biggest strength¡ªour tight-knit bond and camaraderie¡ªcould resonate deeply with the audience.

    "What about focusing on friendship as our unique trait?¡± I suggested. The emotional connection shared by us, the fourteen YMM trainees, couldn¡¯t be easily replicated by other groups.

    ¡°We won¡¯t overly y on emotions though. Let¡¯s make sure our dance elements are strong.¡±

    After thinking about it for a bit, Joo-Han nodded. ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s a great idea. More members could help in creating more dynamic formations. Plus, this could give Jun a chance to perform too."

    Then, Joo-Han half-jokingly asked, "Are you pushing this concept just to get Jun on stage?"

    I simply smiled. "Well, if it''s likely to work, why not give it a go?"

    Of course, I couldn''t assert that my idea was wless.

    "We should discuss this with Producer Do, though he might strongly oppose it."

    "If he does, there''s nothing much we can do."

    "Then, presenting all fourteen of us as a single group would be ideal."

    Joo-Han seemed positively inclined toward the idea. As he gestured for me to leave, he started dialing our manager''s number.

    "Yoo-Joon, are you still talking to Jun? Let''s tell all the other trainees to meet up after a long time."

    ***

    - Heading into a meeting now. Producer Do is surprisingly open to the idea. It might not work, but I¡¯ll let the guys know.

    "Got it. I just got to the dorm." I finished the call and went to the living room. It was bustling with over ten people gathered after a long time.

    "Wow, this ce is great."

    "You lived here? Only two per room?"

    "Joo-Han hyung has his own room. I¡¯m so jealous."

    As boisterous and restless as ever, the trainees weren''t as gloomy as Han Jun, who had spoken about quitting.

    "Ah, I saw your performance. It was like watching real celebrities!"

    "But why did you call us? Aren''t you busy with stage preparations?"

    "Sit down, everyone," I said.

    "Look! Decorations! They have cool decorations here!"

    ¡°...¡± I shook my head.

    Caught in the thrill, Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon were too absorbed in listening to other trainees¡¯ words. Meanwhile,cking Joo-Han¡¯s leadership qualities, I struggled to get their attention. Thankfully, Il-Seong, who used to take the lead when Joo-Han wasn''t around, stepped in to help.

    "Hey, everyone, Hyun-Woo is asking us to gather. Come to the couch!"

    Finally, the members started to gather around, and Il-Seong asked me, "I heard a bit from Yoo-Joon, but is it true we''re going to perform together?"

    His question prompted a lively discussion among those who hadn''t heard the news yet.

    "No, it''s not confirmed yet. We just thought it would be nice to try it for thest round of thepetition."

    I then nced at Han Jun, who looked surprised.

    ¡°We thought it would be fun to perform together. So far, it¡¯s just been Joo-Han hyung, Goh Yoo-Joon, and me discussing it.¡±

    ¡°What? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?!¡± Lee Jin-Sung eximed. ¡°But I am so down. I¡¯d love to perform on stage with everyone here.¡±

    The other members also reacted positively.

    ¡°So, we are going to be part of <i>Pick We Up</i>?¡± They seemed genuinely happy at the prospect of being part of a notable performance.

    ¡°Sure. How are we going to do it? Are we going to be dancers in the back?¡±

    I shook my head in response to a trainee¡¯s question and answered, ¡°No, as a group. That¡¯s why I wanted to meet and discuss it.¡±

 Chapter 46: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (3)

    <h4>Chapter 46: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (3)</h4>

    We were all gathered in the living room, but I found myself hesitating to ask the trainees to join our performance as nothing had been officially confirmed yet. I didn¡¯t want toe across as mocking them. After all, I wasn¡¯t very familiar with everyone. Unlike Goh Yoo-Joon, who always had a phone in hand, I never really had a chance to talk to the trainees ever since joining the debut team.

    ¡°I really hope we can perform together as a group.¡±

    ¡°...Not as dancers?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. Of course, we don¡¯t know if it will be possible, but we thought it would be a good idea to gather everyone¡¯s opinions beforehand,¡± I exined, trying to sound optimistic.

    When the trainees heard this, the positive expressions on their faces suddenly shifted in a different direction. It was as if they were contemting something, their thoughts running wild.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this going to be yourst round of thepetition?¡± one of them finally asked, his voice tinged with concern.

    ¡°Well, that is true, but...¡±

    ¡°Then wouldn¡¯t it be better for just Chronos to do it? We can join as dancers though.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it could be burdensome for us to participate, and Chronos needs to shine the most!¡±

    Even though they said this, disappointment was evident on their faces.

    ¡°Hey, hyungs. Can¡¯t we just do it together? We are fine with it... Joo-Han hyung also said it¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Joo-Han hyung already went to talk to the higher-ups.¡±

    Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon tried convincing the trainees, but it seemed to have no effect.

    ¡°I hope the main characters of thest stage would be Chronos, not all fourteen of us.¡±

    ¡°Your fans would want that too.¡±

    These were the agreements among the trainees. However, there was one person who couldn¡¯t express his opinion and seemed hesitant¡ªHan Jun. He was likely torn between his own desire to stand on stage and the thought that Chronos had to get all the highlights.

    I found myself wondering how I could convince all the trainees with myck of persuasiveness. After a moment of contemtion, I exined, ¡°The concept of thest round is history, friendship, and youth.¡±

    Looking a bit puzzled, Il-Seong responded, ¡°Huh? Oh, I¡¯ve heard about that.¡±

    I continued, ¡°So, how can we discuss our history without mentioning all fourteen of us?¡±

    My gaze shifted toward Han Jun as I asked, ¡°Are you willing to let go of your ambition, even if this might be yourst chance?¡±

    This question caused all eyes in the room to focus on Han Jun. He then looked down, his head hanging low. It was clear that he was on the verge of giving up his dream, a dream he had pursued tirelessly for over five years. Han Jun¡¯s ears reddened, a sign that he almost teared up.

    ¡°I do have ambitions... But this stage is crucial for you guys,¡± he confessed, his voice tinged with conflict. The room fell silent as everyone was aware of Han Jun''s sacrifice over the past five years. He mulled it over, choosing his words carefully. ¡°If you nned this because of me...¡±

    In a firm tone, I quickly rified, ¡°No, that''s not it. I suggested this concept because I want us to secure the top rank. It''s not just about you.¡± While I acknowledged that Han Jun''s departure had some influence on my decision, my suggestion was driven by the belief that we could achieve first ce with this concept. If I hadn''t been confident in this concept, I wouldn''t have proposed it.

    Picking up some paper and a pen, I started sketching out our n. ¡°As for the stage setup... We will enter ording to the order we joined the agency. Once all fourteen of us are onstage, we''ll perform a song. Then, in the second half of the next song, we will leave the stage one by one until only Chronos remains.¡±

    My focus was on Chronos, but I worried the others would feel sidelined. Seeing my concern, the other trainees appeared reassured, and one of them said, ¡°If that''s the n, I''m on board. I was just worried about overshadowing your parts, but this seems like a fair arrangement.¡±

    Another member chimed in. ¡°This concept fits us perfectly. I¡¯m eager to participate. After all, it¡¯s a great opportunity.¡± Everyone seemed to agree, feeling honored by the idea.

    Just then, the front door swung open, and Joo-Han and our manager walked in. Joo-Han remarked, ¡°Wow, it''s lively here. It¡¯s really nice to see you all. What''s the discussion about?¡±

    ¡°We are just finalizing the stage setup,¡± I replied. Both of them then took their seats and ced as many coffees on the floor as there were trainees. Our manager said, ¡°You''ve got good timing. We were just talking about the stage. Producer Do said that the song he¡¯s given us would be perfect for it!¡±

    ¡°Really? That fast?¡± I expressed my surprise. The manager yed the Music Recorded (MR) for us. It was a dance song with a sentimental melody, reminiscent of fan music. Even without lyrics, it conveyed a deep, touching emotion¡ªa mix of sadness and longing.

    This song perfectly reflected the theme of unripe youth. ¡°We''ve already selected a dreamy concept for the first song. It¡¯s a top-tier piece. And for the second, we will use the one made by Producer Do based on your preference.¡±

    ¡°Have they approved of all fourteen of us performing on stage?¡± I asked the manager, and he nodded affirmatively. ¡°They said they''d consider it, but it only took a minute to get the okay. They believe it will work out well.¡±

    With this approval, we could reunite as aplete group of fourteen, even if only temporarily. The manager instructed, ¡°We¡¯ll have a practice room ready soon. Let¡¯s meet up ording to the schedule. Oh yes, there will be cameras, and we might even conduct some interviews, so be prepared.¡±

    The members responded in unison, ¡°Okay!¡±

    When the manager got ready to leave, he asked, ¡°Alright, I''m heading out. You guys are going to hang out here a bit longer, right? I can give you a ride if you¡¯re leaving now.¡± All of us shook our heads, and with a chuckle, the manager left the dorm.

    Once he was gone, the members erupted into a frenzy.

    ¡°Hey, hyung is gone!¡± one eximed.

    ¡°Let''s make a mess before we leave!¡± another suggested.

    ¡°Are these guys crazy?¡±'' Joo-Han muttered, looking at them with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

    With a look of disgust, Joo-Han started to yfully kick the trainees. Each time they were smacked, they dramatically copsed like paper dolls in a pstickedy, only to bounce back up with the resilience of Weebles.

    Their exaggerated acts seemed to enliven the atmosphere of the dorm. This was indeed our typical vibe, always vibrant and far from quiet. I had be ustomed to the more subdued energy of just five members, all weary from relentless practice sessions, and had nearly forgotten this exuberant side of our group.

    "Hey, you brats, stop it and sit down! I still have things to say!" Joo-Han''s authoritative voice cut through the chaos. Using this chance to take a break, Park Yoon-Chan and I casually turned on the TV and settledfortably on the couch.

    "Ah, now that everyone''s here, should we order some chicken?" I asked casually.

    "Really? Should we?" we whispered among ourselves.

    "What! Chicken?" Then, the sudden shout from one of the trainees echoed across the room.

    "Who said we''re ordering chicken? And who''s footing the bill?"

    "Suh Hyun-Woo is paying for it!" someone called out mischievously.

    "When did I say that?" I protested, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.

    Attempting to regain control, Joo-Han raised his voice. "Can''t you guys stay still for a moment? We haven''t finished discussing the stage ns yet!"

    After a prolongedmotion, all of us finally settled down. Exhausted from the effort, Joo-Han copsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh, looking somewhat frustrated.

    "Don''t even think abouting here again," he grumbled half-seriously.

    "Hyung, you''ve be too mild in our absence," someone teased, lightening the mood.

    "Quiet, now. Let''s start the meeting and focus," Joo-Hanmanded, regaining hisposure.

    Fortunately, everyone shifted into a more serious mode for the meeting.

    "Hyun-Woo will enter first, followed by me. Who''s next? Was it Il-Seong?"

    "Yes.¡±

    "Everyone will enter ording to the order they joined the agency," Joo-Han exined, diligently noting down the order.

    "Our performance will feature an original song with a dreamy concept, simr to ¡®Moon Sea.¡¯ Chronos will handle the vocals for the most part, while the others will focus on dancing." Joo-Han was very thoughtful. He knew that despite our unity as a group, the expectations of fans and broadcasters couldn''t be ignored. The fans especially would expect Chronos members to dominate the vocal parts of the album tracks.

    "Next, for the second song, we''ll include Producer Do''s piece, and we will perform it together. However, the lyrics haven''t been finalized yet." As Joo-Han said this, his gaze swept through all of us.

    "What if each of you writes your own part in the lyrics?" he suggested, sparking immediate murmurs of surprise among the members. Despite their efforts to keep their voices low, the sheer number made the collective whispering quite audible.

    "Can we do that? Is that really okay?"

    Joo-Han nodded affirmatively. "I may have pushed this idea a bit too much during the meeting with the higher-ups, but I believe this approach will add more meaning to the performance."

    Inspired by the idea, Goh Yoo-Joon eximed, "Oh, that¡¯s brilliant! What if we write lyrics expressing what we want to say to each other?" The suggestion was for the Chronos members to write messages to the other trainees and vice versa.

    "That sounds wonderful. It''s likely to evoke a lot of emotion." Joo-Han agreed, nodding in approval. "Alright, since this kind of lyricism allows for more freedom, don''t worry if the sentences don''t flow perfectly. Just bring your heartfelt messages."

    Han Jun had been silent for a while, but now he raised his hand. "Hyung, how many parts will each of us get?"

    Joo-Han pondered for a moment and replied, "Considering the number of members and the fact that Chronos members will have slightly more parts, perhaps about one line each? And we''ll alle together for the chorus..."

    Wearing a sly smile on his lips, Joo-Han then pointed at Han Jun and said, "Jun, you will have two parts."

    "Me?" Han Jun''s response was a mix of surprise and confusion, a sentiment echoed by the other members. We were equally puzzled by Joo-Han''s unexpected decision.

    "Jun, you just need toe up with one line for the lyrics. There¡¯s a special part I have in mind for you.¡±

    "Okay, got it," Han Jun replied, though his expression was less than enthusiastic. Ignoring Han Jun''s apparent reluctance, Joo-Han continued with the discussion.

    "I''m going to quit being a trainee anyway," Han Jun muttered under his breath. It seemed he had agreed to perform on stage more out of friendship than desire. Giving up the trainee life and performing on stage probably felt like torture for him since he had already decided to quit.

    "Come on, let''s give it one more shot," I encouraged him and patted his back. After five years of hard work, it seemed a waste for him to give up now when he still had so much potential.

    "That''s all for now. Any more questions?" Joo-Han concluded his words.

    One of the hesitant members raised a hand and asked, "When do we start practicing?"

    "Practice starts tomorrow. And remember, cameras will be present during the sessions. Anything else?" Joo-Han inquired, scanning the group for further questions.

    The trainees shook their heads, remaining silent. After that, Joo-Han let out a smallugh and nodded in acknowledgment. "That''s it then!" After handing over the paper he had been writing to Il-Seong, he stood up.

    "I''m exhausted, so I''ll take a nap first. Oh, I will get you guys some chicken. Have fun."

    "Yay, chicken!" The members erupted into excited chatter.

    "If we get on stage and be popr, does that mean we can eat chicken every day? Wow, I''m so jealous."

    "Not really. It¡¯s been a while for us too. We usually eat ck bean noodles or lunch boxes just like you," I answered.

    "Can I check out your room? Show me around your ce, Jin-Sung."

    "Sure. But there''s not much to see. We barely have time to be in the dorm."

    While the members chattered away, a heavy hand suddenlynded on my shoulder. "Ah! What the...?"

    Frowning, I turned around, only to find Go Yoo-Joon holding Han Jun by the cor while looking right at me.

    "Hey, let''s go to our room and have a serious talk," Yoo-Joon said.

    "Okay, sure."

    "Ahh! Why are you doing this-!" Han Jun protested, struggling.

    I pushed Goh Yoo-Joon''s hand away and headed to the room first. Goh Yoo-Joon was dragging Han Jun in after me. After the door closed behind us, we sat Han Jun down on the bed opposite us, looking at him as if we were about to interrogate him.

    Han Jun awkwardly rubbed his neck. "What is it?"

    "Come on, spill it. Why are you quitting?" I pressed.

    "I told you already. I don''t think idol life suits me. I''m just not good enough," Han Jun replied, his voicecking conviction.

    Goh Yoo-Joon ruffled his hair in frustration. Seeing this, I calmed him down and sat him beside me. After that, I turned to Han Jun and asked in a calm tone, "Why do you think like that? If you''ve survived the monthly evaluations for five years, you can''t just say you''re not cut out for this."

    ¡®If you are recognized for your talent, perseverance is the key. Look at me, I barely get the chance to debut after ten years. Of course, some trainees are just socking that people wonder why they were chosen at all, but Han Jun isn''t one of them.¡¯

    "I feel like I''mgging behind you guys, and watching your performances makes me proud but also reminds me of what I''mcking... I don''t know. I''m just struggling right now, and I feel quite devastated."

    Han Jun''s smile faded. It seemed our sess as Chronos hit him hard, almost like a slump. It was heartbreaking¡ªboth as a friend and as a former trainer¡ªto see a talented and hardworking trainee being unable to seize opportunities and contemting giving up.

 Chapter 47: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (4)

    <h4>Chapter 47: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (4)</h4>

    "Ah." I woke up feeling like I had slept very well. I then looked at the sunlight streaming through the window while stretching and yawning.

    Last night, we ended up just eating chicken after failing to convince Han Jun. He was in such a deep slump that even being in the practice room was bing a struggle for him. It felt like urging him to continue would be nothing but coercion, so both Goh Yoo-Joon and I decided not to talk about it anymore.

    "Ah, my stomach feels bloated." It felt as if I had downed soju on an empty stomach, but I knew this was just because I had eaten too much. I then got up and left the room with my heavy eyes, hoping that a ss of water could help me refresh myself.

    "What? Did everyone sleep herest night?" The living room looked like a scene from a college MT[1], with trainees sprawled out on the floor, exhausted from the previous night''s reunion. I noticed Lee Jin-Sung and Park Yoon-Chan among the trainees, mingling and sleeping.

    "Ah, well." It seemed that they had decided to stay over, chatting away into the early hours. After carefully stepping over them, I turned on the TV.

    A rerun of Pick We Up''s fourth episode was ying on UNET. The scene where I yielded the center position to Park Yoon-Chan was on, captioned with ''Sharing is caring.¡¯ I wondered what image the broadcastingpany had of us that even the background music for us was different, portraying us as unusually soft and kind. The moments of our internal strife were smoothed over as ¡°Chronos actively sharing opinions.¡±

    "...Hyun-Woo, you are up early."

    "Hyung, you are awake?"

    Il-Seong suddenly sat up, stretching his limbs wide. He then wiped the drool from his mouth and clumsily crawled onto the couch, which was a familiar sight that took me back to our days living together.

    Il-Sung asked, "Why did you wake up so early?"

    "I went to bed earlyst night."

    Il-Sung¡¯s voice was still hoarse after waking up. He then leaned back on the couch, looking groggy as if he were half-asleep, and looked at the TV.

    On the screen, Chronos members were copsing one by one, unable to keep up with the grueling practice routine.

    Il-Sung chuckled softly. "Yoon-Chan and you are both working hard."

    "We''vee this far, so we have to go all out."

    ¡°I was genuinely surprised. You and Yoon-Chan didn¡¯t seem to be that hard-working before. No offense though.¡±

    His words reminded me of how we had undergone several transformations throughout our journey, evolving from an unknown debut team to emerging as top contenders. Of course, some of us also learned how to let go of our greed as thepetition progressed.

    "Hyung, have you thought about your part of the lyrics?"

    "Lyrics? I decided on them yesterday," Il-Sung said with his characteristic arrogance, making me chuckle. I then asked, "What are they?"

    "How can I just say it without music? I''ll tell youter." His arrogance quickly melted into shyness, making meugh again. It was amusing how he could be so silly. He then eximed, "I wrote about what I wanted to tell you guys. There''s a lot I want to say to you."

    "Really? I haven''t decided yet," I said.

    "You''re smart, so you''lle up with good lyrics quickly."

    Il-Sung was looking at us on the TV with a content expression. It was impressive how he remained patient despite the anxiety of seeing his younger friends debut first.

    After a moment of silence, he said, "I''m thinking of switching to acting."

    "Acting?"

    "Yeah. Now that the debut team is formed, they probably won''t be creating an idol group for a while. And with my age and experience..."

    I was disappointed but understood his decision. Il-Sung was one of the oldest trainees, and age was the most significant among the factors working against him.

    "Did you talk to thepany?"

    "I was going to, but then Jun decided to quit. I thought I''d wait first so I don''t worsen the mood in the dorm."

    Everyone seemed to be finding their own path. Thinking of this, I felt a bittersweet feeling.

    ¡°I joined the agency only to show up on the television. I had no intention to debut as a singer, so it¡¯s okay. It''s so hard to do what you want.¡±

    "It''s not easy. But hyung, things will work out if you keep doing it."

    "Are you speaking from experience?"

    I smiled sheepishly and nodded. "I''m debuting after enduring ten years as a trainee."

    Il-Sung was silent for a moment, then smiled broadly, and nodded. "Thanks for the advice. I guess things do work out if you work hard."

    Soon, the other members started to wake up. At this moment, the manager entered the dorm, rousing everyone up. "You all know cameras areing to the practice room today, right? Get up and wash up thoroughly! Don¡¯t show up like you just rolled out of bed!"

    "Yes, sir!"

    I was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected scene before me as I was about to get into the washroom. Eleven people were neatly lined up before me, engrossed in conversations as they waited their turn. Inside the washroom, two people were taking quick showers, making the most of the limited space to save time.

    The traineesughed out loud as they noticed me standing there, seemingly lost in thought. ¡°Wee. It has been a while since you had an intense shower, hasn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°You are thest in line, Suh Hyun-Woo.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon didn¡¯t miss the chance to tease me. Even Joo-Han had cleverly secured a spot closer to the front, showcasing his experience as the ex-leader of the dorm.

    "Should havee out sooner," he chided. "These guys are lightning-fast when it''s about food or showers. Didn''t you know?"

    "I guess I forgot," I sheepishly admitted.

    "Oh, the naive Suh Hyun-Woo, you''ve letfort dull your senses. Get to the back of the line, buddy."

    Resigned to my fate, I realized a proper hair-drying session was out of the question today. Yet, I found myself not particrly annoyed. The bustling, almost chaotic energy of the dorm was oddly entertaining. I obediently trudged to the end of the line, casting asional nces at the TV humming in the background.

    There were asions when some people let down their guard and left their spots. Those were the moments to snatch their spots, so I had to stay in front of the washroom.

    Once we were all set, we left for the practice room.

    "Remember, no swearing in front of the camera and avoid any over-the-top pranks, especially with the Chronos guys. Their fans will get mad about that," the manager reminded us, his voice firm yet seasoned with a hint of gentleness.

    ¡°Okay, hyung!¡± we answered.

    ¡°And Chronos guys, you haven¡¯t debuted yet, so make sure you watch out for your actions.¡±

    These gentle reminders were necessary with such a lively group. After all, most of them had never faced the cameras before. Thanks to the manager, we were a bit more at ease andfortable amidst the prep work. "And no fighting. If you must, save it for your emailter."

    "Who even fights over email? We won''t fight, hyung," one of us assured him, though with a hint of doubt in his voice.

    "You''ll see. It''s not always easy to keep tempers in check when we''re working so closely," the manager reflected, a note of wisdom in his voice. His words seemed to resonate with the trainees, reminding them of the times we''d bickered and argued, sometimes up to seven times a day.

    "Well, Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon were the ones stirring up most of those fights.¡±

    "Can''t deny that," I agreed, a hint of nostalgia coloring my tone.

    Following that, Goh Yoo-Joon''s boisterous retort cut through the air. "What are you talking about?" Everything was chaotic inside the car, a testament to our group''s vibrant dynamics.

    However, the moment the cameras outside the practice room came into view, a hush fell over the members. Their previously lively banter gave way to tense silence.

    "Look at all those cameras!"

    "There are so many. This is freaking crazy!"

    "Hye-Seong, watch yournguage!" the manager reprimanded, only to be met with a rebellious sticking out of the tongue.

    "Well, we aren''t on camera yet," answered Hye-Seong to defend himself.

    "Better start practicing now. It''s easy to slip up when you''re actually on camera.¡±

    As the car came to a halt, a swarm of cameras and crew descended upon us. Our once-unconstrained movements now seemed almost hesitant under their watchful lenses.

    "Don''t be too nervous," Joo-Han said as he tried to calm down the nervous trainees. "Just answer if they ask you anything. Keep it simple."

    The first ones to step out were the Chronos members, followed by the other trainees. Luckily, the cameras seemed more interested in us, allowing the trainees a momentary break.

    "Hyun-Woo, how have you been?" a cameraman asked, zooming in. I concealed my slightly swollen face[2] behind a mask and nodded. "I''ve been doing well. How about you, sir?"

    The cameraman returned the smile, nodding before his gaze shifted to the trainees.

    "Who are these guys?" he asked with genuine curiosity.

    Before I could respond, Goh Yoo-Joon wrapped an arm around my shoulder and replied, "These are the members who will be joining us on stage this time."

    "Joining you?"

    I chimed in. ¡°It¡¯s the original Chronos.¡± Strictly speaking, it was not true, but I just let it slide.

    The cameraman looked surprised. ¡°Original Chronos?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Original Chronos! That sounds cool.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon admired the name I came up with.

    ¡°They were the trainees we were originally going to debut with. We decided to perform together onest time.¡±

    "Why is it thest time? Because it''s the final round of thepetition?" inquired the cameraman.

    I just smiled bitterly at his question, avoiding a direct answer. Someone would mention it in an interviewter, so I didn¡¯t want to be the one to exin.

    "Wow, there are so many cameras. What do we do?" As we entered the building, cameras were installed everywhere, even in the corridors and practice rooms. Seeing this scene, the trainees stiffened up, conscious of the cameras.

    "Don''t worry about it. Just rx," said Joo-Han.

    I yfully hit Joo-Han on the back. "You were the most nervous one back then."

    "No, that''s not..." Joo-Hanughed awkwardly.

    Goh Yoo-Joon, still with his arm over my shoulder, chuckled and pulled me into the practice room first.

    "Wow, this practice room is amazing!"

    The trainees looked around the room with their mouths open in awe. I understood their feelings, knowing that they were still using the shitty practice studio A and B.

    All fourteen trainees had arrived.

    "Everyone, gather in the middle.¡± Joo-Han brought the members to stretch in the middle of the room. As they huddled together, Joo-Han distributed several sheets of paper. "I told you to think of lyrics yesterday, right?"

    "Yes!"

    Joo-Han continued to exin in a gentle tone, as if he were an elementary school teacher. "I''m going to hand out a paper for each of you. Write your name and the lyrics you thought of, then submit them to me. Okay?"

    "Okay!" The trainees responded energetically, and one of them raised his hand.

    "Teacher!"

    "Yes, Woo Jae-Seok student."

    ¡®<i>Why are they role-ying all of a sudden?</i>¡¯

    "What''s that big board next to you?" At Woo Jae-Seok''s question, everyone''s eyes turned to the board hidden behind a cloth next to Joo-Han.

    "What this is... ¡° Joo-Han confidently pulled down the cloth, revealing arge board with words written on it, separated by several nk spaces.

    "This is our lyric chart."

    "Wow!"

    "I¡¯ve written the parts that repeat in the chorus and my part. We will discuss the lyrics you submit and decide where to ce them."

    Joo-Han then handed out the paper and pens to each member. "Now, please write down the lyrics you''ve thought of."

    1. Membership Training (MT) is an event held among university students in South Korea. These eventsst roughly two days and are considered free-form training sessions, where students spend time socializing with peers in the same academic majors or clubs, often at a remote location. ?

    2. Many people have puffy faces in the morning, including myself haha. ?

 Chapter 48: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (5)

    <h4>Chapter 48: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (5)</h4>

    Despite most of them being novices at writing lyrics, the quality of their lyrics was surprisingly good. Perhaps it was because they were the trainees shortlisted for debut, so they could craft lyrics that would surely strike a chord with the fans. Joo-Han, with his keen eye, made minor tweaks to any awkward phrases or content, effectively filling the once-empty lyric board.

    The lyrics were more than just words; they were heartfelt messages that the trainees wanted to share with each other, conveying a depth of unspoken gratitude. They were so profound that they often stirred deep emotions within us as we read them.

    After observing the board with a critical eye, Joo-Han finally nodded and his face broke into a look of satisfaction. "Good job. Well done, everyone."

    This marked the final phase of our lyric selection. Joo-Han''s gaze then settled on me, signaling my turn. "Hyun-Woo,e forward."

    Feeling the weight of the other members'' eyes on me, I stood up and approached therge board. There, I carefully penned the lyrics that I had been mulling over.

    <i>We won''t forget the tears we shed together.</i>

    <i>Let''s rise together.</i>

    <i>We will meet again among the stars?.</i>

    ¡°We will meet again among the stars.¡± That line held a promise¡ªa promise of sess and reunion. It was a wish to reunite in triumph despite our paths diverging. For me, these words carried special significance, as they reflected our collective journey and the heartfelt sentiment I wanted to express, especially to younger trainees.

    Joo-Han scrutinized the lyrics for what seemed like an eternity. Then, he proposed, "Everyone, I personally think Hyun-Woo''s lyrics should be thest. Any objections?"

    No one opposed his suggestion, so Joo-Han added my lyrics to the end of the board with a brief nce at us all.

    "That settles the lyrics. Shall we start practicing?" His words signaled the beginning of what would be a rigorous four-week practice session for all fourteen of us.

    ***

    Within the conference room of YMM Entertainment, despite thete hour, the nning team and Chronos still delved into a deep discussion in a tense atmosphere.

    "Shall we y the second song?"

    "Yes, please go ahead."

    In line with the dreamlike concept we aimed to achieve, the songs seamlessly yed one after another. Upon listening, the realization dawned upon us that selecting just one would prove to be a challenging task, given the exceptional quality of eachposition. However, amidst this remarkable collection, one particr song managed to capture our attention. With its captivating melody, the second song held us spellbound. Our team was visibly moved, swayed by its rhythm¡ªa stark contrast to the nning team, who maintained stoic expressions while listening.

    "Alright, let''s listen to the third song."

    The session progressed with minimalmentary, transitioning seamlessly from one song to the next. Each track was so appealing that it elicited spontaneous exmations of approval. While we would love to include all these songs in our album, unfortunately, we shouldn''t have multiple songs with the same concept in one album.

    ¡°Hmm...¡±

    After a reflective pause following the fifth song, Supervisor Kim turned to us, seeking our input. "What do you think? Which song do you believe is the right choice?"

    He sought our opinions, but the tense atmosphere in the room made it clear that speaking freely wasn''t really an option. Nheless, a response was necessary. As I pondered over it, Joo-Han confidently articted his viewpoint. "The fourth song kicks off strong, but it loses momentum quickly. Because of it, the transition to the chorus feels somewhat random and inconsistent."

    ¡°Yeah, I felt the same thing. I only put this as a candidate because of the great intro, but it is quitecking indeed,¡± Supervisor Kim replied and noted Joo-Han¡¯sment before redirecting his attention to the rest of us.

    ¡°What about the others? What do you guys think?¡±

    I expressed my preference, stating, "I''m leaning toward the second song. All five are remarkable, but this one seems particrly fitting for a live performance."

    Lee Jin-Sung chimed in, saying, "That one is perfect for a dynamic dance routine. My vote is for the second song as well."

    Following that, Park Yoon-Chan shared his perspective and stated, "I''d go with thest song. Its powerful intro and vocals seem tailor-made for apetition."

    Goh Yoo-Joon added, "I agree with Yoon-Chan¡¯s thought."

    Supervisor Kim acknowledged the divided opinions. "I''ve heard the members¡¯ opinions; now let''s hear from the others."

    The nning team started to share their thoughts. The fourth song, which Joo-Han had foundcking, was quickly ruled out, and the debate eventually narrowed down to the second and the fifth song.

    "In all honesty, either song would be a great choice. They are both hits in their own right.¡±

    "I agree, but if I had to choose, I''d go with the second one. Thest song is strong and suits thepetition, but..." Supervisor Seong reviewed the list of songs. "It shares a simr mood with the second song these guys are going to perform. If they did it back to back, it might give off an air of poignant finale."

    ¡°Ah, that makes sense. This might lessen the impact of the other song, so it might be better to choose the second song for thepetition.¡± As Producer Do shared his thoughts, it became clear that his perspective struck a chord with everyone in the room, ultimately swaying the decision-making process.

    Supervisor Kim was deeply engrossed in his notes. He then eventually looked up and signaled his agreement with a decisive nod. "Alright, we will settle for the second song then. I need the visual team to finalize the outfit and visual concept within a week. Producer Do, I''m counting on you for the song directing. And In-Hyun..."

    "Yes!"

    Supervisor Kim handed over some documents detailing our next big step to our manager. "We will have a mini fan meeting set up outside the station after the live broadcast, in coboration with the UNET team."

    "A mini fan meeting? Already?" The question escaped the manager¡¯s lips, reflecting our collective surprise.

    Supervisor Kim''s frown was slight but noticeable. "You''re thinking too conservatively again. Do you notprehend the magnitude of Chronos''s poprity? We need to be proactive in fan management. Go over the fan meeting details with the group members and get a headcount estimate."

    "Understood!" The manager quickly jotted down the necessary details.

    We all exchanged nces, our expressions a mix of surprise and excitement. However, we restrained ourselves from showing too much astonishment. The atmosphere was strictly professional, leaving little space for questions, and the brisk pace of the meeting meant we missed our chance to ask any.

    Nevertheless, a sense of curiosity and anticipation filled us as the meeting wrapped up, marking a significant moment in our journey.

    ***

    "Hyung, could you press a little harder, please?"

    "A bit more?" Joo-Han asked, adding more pressure to my back. I could feel my muscles stretching out, and a groan escaped from my mouth¡ªa mix of pain and relief. Joo-Han sensed my difort and switched to massaging my calves.

    "It''s quite ironic, you know. You''re so stiff, yet you dance so fluidly," hemented.

    "I know it''s strange, but my muscles are really aching right now. Hyung! That''s enough, please!" I pleaded as the pressure intensified.

    Joo-Han continued his focus on the tense spots, while I struggled with the difort. Suddenly, Il-Seong appeared and joined in, firmly holding me in ce.

    "Stop it, that hurts!" I protested, but they persisted.

    "Just a bit more," Il-Seong insisted.

    As I endured this yful yet painful moment, Goh Yoo-Joon was capturing the scene andughing. He then found himself caught and subjected to a simr ¡°massage¡± by the others. It was payback time for him.

    "Are we heading straight back to the dorm now?"

    "Yeah, we should rest up for tomorrow''s practice," Joo-Han suggested, but Il-Seong had a different idea.

    "Why don''t we head to the Han River for some ramen? It''s been ages since west went there."

    "The Han River? Today?" The suggestion immediately sparked excitement among us.

    "Are we revisiting the Han River, the site of so many memories?" Jin-Sung mused aloud. The Han River was an important ce for us, especially from our earlier days as trainees at YMM. It had been our go-to spot for unwinding and venting, especially after tough days or emotional moments. Since our debut, our visits there had been reduced to mere fleeting views from a car window.

    "Do you guys want to go? Those who prefer to rest can stay back, and the rest of us can go," Joo-Han offered, finally easing his grip on my calves and standing up.

    "I''ll just inform the director and be right back," he said as he left the practice room.

    When Joo-Han returned, he was apanied by the director and some cameramen.

    "Wow, hello there, director!"

    "Hi, the original Chronos members. It''s my first time seeing you all up close," the director responded warmly, though we could only manage an awkward greeting in return. The cameramen then packed the cameras, and we all headed to the Han River.

    On our way, Il-Seong looked concerned and asked, "Hyun-Woo, did I overstep my boundaries by suggesting the Han River trip? I hope it''s not too much trouble for the broadcast team."

    ¡°Huh? Why?¡±

    ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve just added unnecessary work for them.¡±

    Hearing this, I reassured him, "Don''t worry, the director mentioned we should take breaks and have fun before the show."

    "Really?" His face lit up with relief.

    "Yeah, they''ll definitely appreciate it."

    Il-Seong finally rxed, his face easing into relief.

    ¡°Wow, you are so cool, Hyun-Woo hyung. You really seem like a true celebrity now,¡± Hye-Seongmented as he approached us.

    Iughed, downying it. "A celebrity? You should''ve seen how jittery we all were at the beginning.¡±

    ¡°Well, I could tell from how Joo-Han hyung was holding the self-cam, haha.¡±

    As we strolled along, the path under our feet became familiar, leading us toward the river. Itste-night beauty, mirrored in the water, had always been a ce of sce for us, especially during challenging times with other trainees.

    ¡°Where is Suh Hyun-Woo!?¡± The sudden call of my name made me turn around. I then found Goh Yoo-Joon and Han Jun searching for me in the crowd.

    Standing beside me, Il-Seong gestured toward them with a knowing look andmented with a hint of amusement, "The same-age trio seems inseparable."

    "Not really," I replied, yfully dismissing his observation, and moved toward Goh Yoo-Joon and Han Jun.

    "What¡¯s up!" I shouted, narrowing the distance between us. Goh Yoo-Joon then gestured, telling me toe faster.

    "Come with us!" he urged.

    "Youe here," I responded, pausing to let the cameraman catch up. Soon, we found ourselves naturally drifting from the rest of the group, walking side by side as the camera kept pace with us.

    - You three must be really close, right?

    The cameraman¡¯s question hung in the air as we exchanged nces and nodded.

    "We always hung out together. We''re the same age," I exined, reflecting on our shared past.

    - It must feel special to perform together like this.

    The question struck a chord in us, and for a moment, we were silent. Our faces were etched with a mix of emotions. Sensing the shift in mood, the cameraman looked at us curiously.

    Breaking the silence, I voiced our shared sentiment. "It does feel special. Performing together has always been our dream, hasn''t it?"

    "Right." They agreed, the weight of our shared past palpable in that single word.

    We then came to a stop, leaning against the railing. Without realizing it, the gap between us and the other members had widened. Just like that, the Han River''s waves shimmered in the night, evoking a sense of overwhelming emotions. As aplex mix of feelings enveloped us, the cameraman tactfully refrained from probing further.

    After a moment of reflective silence, Goh Yoo-Joon broke the stillness with a question. "Jun, do you still feel the same way?" His voice tinged with concern.

    Han Jun hesitated, his internal conflict reflected in his expression, but eventually, he nodded. "For now, yes. Perhaps I''ll reconsiderter." His words were trailing off. His desire to step away from being a trainee stemmed from feeling overshadowed and recognizing that he wasn''t the primary focus. The blow to his usual confidence made this setback even more significant. I empathized deeply, understanding his decision too well to rashly encourage him to stay.

    After a thoughtful pause, I shared my own feelings. "I really wish you wouldn''t quit. It might be selfish of me, but your talent is too great to be wasted."

    I hoped my words would bring him somefort¡ªa beacon of hope in the midst of his uncertainty¡ªif he were wrestling with doubts about his importance to thepany.

 Chapter 49: Pick We Up Field Day

    <h4>Chapter 49: Pick We Up Field Day</h4>

    ¡°Wake up.¡± Someone was violently shaking me awake. In response, Izily swung my arms in the air without opening my eyes, which unexpectedly let out a loud smack.

    "Ouch!" I realized I had just left a stinging handprint on the manager¡¯s cheek. Immediately, his weight, which had been almost squashing me, rolled away. Only then did I open my eyes and re at him.

    Staring at me, he scolded, "How can you hit your hyung like that?"

    "You should have woken me up gently as I asked," I retorted, still feeling the grogginess of sleep.

    In the midst of all this, Goh Yoo-Joon was already up, simply buried under his nket and giggled.

    ¡°I warned you that you might get hit by us if you keep waking us up like that,¡± said Joo-Han as he came into my room with a toothbrush in his mouth, looking like he had been at the receiving end of our manager¡¯s atrocity

    The manager pouted his lips and headed toward Lee Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan¡¯s room.

    ¡°Ah, I am so tired.¡± I yawned loudly and got up from bed. I wondered if it was already time to go to practice as I felt like I had not slept much. ¡°Hyung, why are you waking us up so early? There is still time left, isn¡¯t there?¡±

    After waking up Lee Jin-Sung and Park Yoon-Chan, the manager checked the time on his phone and shook his head. ¡°We have to stop by thepany on our way to practice. Hurry up and get ready.¡±

    ¡°Ah, okay.¡± Having a sudden meeting wasmon, so I dressed up and headed to the parking lot.

    As Joo-Han was about to step into the car, a moment of hesitation caught him off guard. ¡°Why is there a camera? Are we filming?¡±

    Alreadyfortably seated in the driver¡¯s seat, our manager responded with unexpected bbering. ¡°Uh? Oh, umm, I forgot to mention this. We decided to start filming from here.¡± His words were tangled, and it was evident to all that he was hiding something.

    After a moment of contemtive silence, Joo-Han let out a chuckle. "Really? You might have mentioned it, but I don¡¯t remember. Guys, let''s get in."

    Joo-Han slid into the car, followed promptly by the other members. Although it was clear that something unusual was happening, Joo-Han''s feigned ignorance meant that we all chose to leave the topic of the camera untouched for now.

    As we got closer to thepany, the manager nonchntly zoomed past the building. "Huh? Hyung, you just drove past thepany, didn''t you?" I pointed out.

    From the back seat, Goh Yoo-Joon''sughter filled the car. "Hey! I knew this would happen! Where are we heading, hyung?"

    Still faithfully carrying out his duty, our manager offered no clear answer. The car continued its journey, turning into an alley, indicating that our destination wasn''t too far. Unexpectedly, we found ourselves entering a high school, and confusion spread among us.

    "...High school?"

    "Don''t tell me we''re here to perform or something."

    With a wave of his hand, our manager dispelled that idea. "Nah, it''s not that. Everyone out."

    Once we were all out of the car, the manager''s face finally rxed, a sign that we had arrived at the intended destination. Like a trail of curious ducklings, we followed him to the auditorium. Inside, we were greeted by the sight of other group contestants, their faces mirroring our confusion.

    "Oh, hello. Hi!" After we exchanged greetings with the other groups and staff, we stood awkwardly next to High Tension. I couldn''t help but ask, "Hyung, do you have any idea what''s going on?"

    Ji-Hyuk shook his head, equally clueless as the rest of us. Before we could ponder further, a familiar voice boomed through the auditorium. ¡°Everyone! Thanks foring all the way here!¡± d in gym clothes, announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan was making his way onto the stage.

    The room directly buzzed with whispered questions.

    "What''s happening?"

    "Why is Mr. Jeong here?"

    The murmurs were silenced as the announcer blew a whistle,manding everyone''s attention. ¡°Wee to the <i>Pick We UpField Day</i>!¡± he announced.

    <i>¡®Field Day?¡¯ </i>My confusion turned into surprise.

    ¡°You have twenty minutes! Change into gym clothes, and the first group to return here gets a bonus of thirty points!¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Get ready-.¡±

    Instinctively, we started running. Our minds hadn¡¯t fully processed the importance of the points or the sudden necessity to change into gym clothes, but the <i>bonus</i> points spurred us on.

    No matter what, Chronos needed the <i>bonus</i> points, so we darted down the corridor, following the arrows to a room where gym clothes wereid out, sorted by size. We then grabbed the clothes and raced toward the changing room, each member fueled by apetitive edge.

    ¡°Hyung, hurry up!¡±

    ¡°Uh... but why are we doing this...?¡± questioned one of us amidst the rush.

    ¡°We''ll ask thatter!¡±

    Nearby, members of Street Center were having a simr conversation, driven by the samepetitive spirit yet equally baffled by the situation. With our focus solely on reaching the auditorium first, we sprinted with all our might.

    The first to arrive was Lee Jin-Sung, followed by two members of High Tension whom I didn¡¯t recognize. Then, it was Goh Yoo-Joon and me. After that, each group entered the auditorium in turn.

    ¡°Wow! Chronos is so fast! Three out of five members have arrived already? Who is left? Just Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan?¡± Thementary of announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan led to an outburst ofints from the members of Street Center. ¡°No! Hyung! Isn''t it unfair for us since we have more members?"

    Then, Jeong Gyu-Chan responded with a sly smile. "That''s Street Center''s issue! It¡¯s your business that you need to take care of!"

    "Ahh! You are so mean!"

    Soon, the members of High Tension also started to arrive, and among the remaining members of Street Center, Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan started running. "They are here! Hyung, hurry up!"

    Seeing Lee Jin-Sung shouting, Joo-Han grabbed Park Yoon-Chan''s wrist and ran faster. Triggered by this, the members of High Tension and Street Center also picked up their pace.

    "Look! The athletic members are standing out. Are the ones waiting here the usual workout enthusiasts? Meanwhile! Hehe, our Air Senior is already giving up and just strolling leisurely. They know they can''t win even if they run now! Ah, it''s nice to see the passionate runs of blooming youths! Great!"

    The esctingmentary of Jeong Gyu-Chan and the rising cheers from each group filled the air.

    "The final winner is!" With some members of Street Center, Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan entered the auditorium.

    Jeong Gyu-Chanughed heartily and blew a whistle.

    <i>Peep-!</i>

    "The winner is Chronos! Chronos is in first ce! They are strong on and off the stage! Let''s give Chronos a bonus of thirty points!"

    "Wow, wow! Thirty points!"

    ¡°Yay!¡±

    <i>¡®But what are these thirty points for?¡¯</i> In truth, everyone was happy without even knowing what it meant.

    Seemingly aware of our thoughts, Jeong Gyu-Chan chuckled and said, "Look at Chronos being happy without knowing what those points are for. Yes, it''s cute." Jeong Gyu-Chan settled the noisy atmosphere and lined up the groups. "From now on, you''llpete in various events and earn points based on your ranking. The top three overall will receive bonus points for the nextpetition!"

    Jeong Gyu-Chan¡¯s words momentarily quieted the groups before they became noisy again.

    "Isn''t this quite a disadvantage for the groups that are already at the top of the rankings?" Joo-Han muttered. As he said, winning this event was good for the groups that were lower in the rankings but a disadvantage for those already high up, as they had to win just to maintain their position.

    "Everyone, you have to remember! The final winner of thispetition gets to be on a reality show! Work hard and earn lots of bonus points!"

    After Jeong Gyu-Chan''s exnation, the filming paused for a moment. During the short break to set up the first game, the top-ranking groups, including us, felt rushed.

    "Let''s have Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan do the thinking."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon suggested this, Park Yoon-Chan put his hand on my back. "Hyung, don''t forget about Hyun-Woo hyung."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shook his head. "Suh Hyun-Woo is kinda dumb.¡±

    "...You are the same!" I barked.

    I put Goh Yoo-Joon in a headlock, but he remained unfazed and continued, "We''ll give our best in the physical contests."

    Lee Jin-Sung had warmed up early. When the set for the first game was ready, the groups gathered again in the set and the filming resumed.

    "Okay, the first event of <i>Pick We Up Field Day </i>is Wrestling! Each group, please choose your athlete!"

    We easily chose ours. "Go, Muscle man!" encouraged Joo-Han as he pushed Lee Jin-Sung forward. Regardless of how Joo-Han called him, Lee Jin-Sung walked toward Jeong Gyu-Chan with a beaming smile.

    "Wow, Chronos sent Jin-Sung without hesitation! Are you guys that confident? Jin-Sung, how confident are you?"

    Jeong Gyu-Chan passed the microphone to Lee Jin-Sung, who nodded confidently. "I''ve won a wrestlingpetition at our agency before."

    "My goodness, does YMM also have wrestlingpetitions? Hahaha! Such an interestingpany! With a wrestling championship under his belt, we have a strong front-runner here! How about saying a few words of determination for the others here?"

    Acting all serious, Lee Jin-Sung clenched his fists and said, "I will give it my all, with all my life!" He was really excited. Other groups also sent out members with sturdy physiques as their representatives.

    When the wrestling match kicked off, Lee Jin-Sung lived up to his title as YMM¡¯s wrestling king, dominating his opponent right from the start.

    He secured victory in three consecutive matches, solidifying his reputation as Chronos¡¯s muscleman. Grinning widely, he resembled a giant as he walked back toward our group proudly, disying the 1st ce sign.

    "The next round is a ry race! Please select two members from each team and send them to me."

    We didn''t need much discussion for this one either. Goh Yoo-Joon and I were already on our way before Joo-Han could push us.

    After spotting us, announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan lifted his microphone with an excited expression. "Chronos is the quickest to send their athletes again. Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo! What¡¯s the reason for your participation this time? Are both of you also winners of yourpany¡¯s runningpetition?"

    When the microphone was passed to me, I simply shook my head and said, "We ran a ry together in high school."

    "Oh, did you both attend the same high school? In the same ss?"

    "Yes."

    Of course, that was before I dropped out of school, but we did win first ce back then.

    "Could you say a few words for us before we start running? Something like giving it your all," suggested Jeong Gyu-Chan as several cameras turned toward Goh Yoo-Joon.

    He smiled awkwardly. While holding the microphone, I thought for a moment and then said, "I might not stake my life, but I''ll put something on the line and give my best."

    "Wow, what will you wager?"

    "Uh..."

    <i>¡®What should I say?¡¯ </i>As I looked toward Goh Yoo-Joon for help, his yful gaze gradually drifted downwards. I just followed his gaze, then...

    ¡®<i>Ugh.¡¯</i>

    Everyone, including our team, started giggling. Jeong Gyu-Chan then burst intoughter and said, "Oh Hyun-Woo, that might be a bit risky, don''t you think?"

    "No, definitely not that! I mean, I''ll just do my best!" As the camera seemed to angle downward, I quickly turned around and smacked the chuckling Goh Yoo-Joon on the back.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan still had a mischievous look on his face and said, "Will Hyun-Woo be able to protect his precious treasure? Hahahaha!"

    "Ah!"

    "Let''s see. Shall we start the race now?"

 Chapter 50: Pick We Up Field Day (2)

    <h4>Chapter 50: Pick We Up Field Day (2)</h4>

    ¡°Hey, do you want to go first, or should I?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    I quickly replied, ¡°Better you than me. I get too nervous under pressure. I had never been a fan of the tense moments right before. On your mark, get set, go!¡±

    ¡°Alright then, step back.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon nudged me aside and took his position at the start.

    ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but run like there¡¯s no tomorrow, okay? If you¡¯re anything but first, you¡¯re letting YMM down. You¡¯ve got to win this,¡± I answered.

    ¡°Bring us victory.¡±

    Jeong Gyu-Chan must have overheard our yful banter. He then said, ¡°Guys, guys, no fighting! Come on, Chronos, y nice!¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon quickly smoothed his expression. ¡°We didn¡¯t fight. I promise.¡±

    Jeong Gyu-Chan tilted his head, ying along. ¡°Really? You sure you weren¡¯t fighting? What about you, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    I shook my head, grinning. ¡°Nope, we didn¡¯t fight.¡±

    ¡°Alright, if you say so. It¡¯s a bit odd, but I¡¯ll take your word for it.¡± Jeong Gyu-Chan then turned away.

    Seeing him going the other way, I added, ¡°Just so you know, you are not getting back into the dorm if you don¡¯t get the first ce.¡±

    ¡°So, I guess I have to run for my life, huh?¡±

    ¡°Maybe not your life, but put something on the line. Bet your magic pendant or something.¡±

    Overhearing our whispers, Jeong Gyu-Chan spun around. ¡°Wait, are you arguing now?¡±

    We bothughed and shook our heads. ¡°Nope, no arguments here.¡±

    ¡°Aww, you two are such a good pair. So heartwarming.¡± Jeong Gyu-Chan still seemed a bit dubious. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely convinced, but okay, I¡¯ll believe you. Chronos, please get ready at your spots.¡±

    Jeong Gyu-Chan gave me a friendly pat on the back and guided me to where I was supposed to wait for the baton. ¡°You know, even the cool guys from Chronos have their lighthearted moments, fitting their age. Your little disagreements are adorable.¡±

    <i>¡®What a weird thing to say.¡¯</i> I managed an awkwardugh as the camera captured it all.

    ¡°And now for the ry race! On your mark! Get set! Go!¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon took off like an arrow. The cheers from each group and Jeong Gyu-Chan¡¯s livelymentary made the race feel like an actual athletic runningpetition. ¡°Look at that! Ju-Ho from Street Center takes the lead! But wait! Goh Yoo-Joon from Chronos is catching up fast! True Bye¡¯s Eric and Ash ck¡¯s On-Sae are hot on their heels!¡±

    Street Center¡¯s Ju-Ho was indeed fast. Despite Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s best efforts, he was pulling ahead.

    ¡°Street Center is dominating! Chronos¡¯s Yoo-Joon is trying his best, but it might not be enough! Will they keep their lead? Let¡¯s see!¡±

    I told myself it was fine and that gap was nothing. As soon as Goh Yoo-Joon reached me with the baton, I started running with it in my hand, sprinting after the Street Center runner like a madman.

    ¡°Yes! Street Center passes their baton, and so does Chronos! Look at Hyun-Woo with that determination!¡±

    I was closing the gap with Street Center, but I could feel someone gaining on me.

    ¡°Wow, even with his hair all messed up, Hyun-Woo still looks good! Man, am I jealous!¡±

    <i>¡®Crap, they¡¯re catching up.¡¯</i>

    ¡°It seems like Hyun-Woo will be caught soon. Pine from Ash ck is closing in fast!¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, run!¡± I pushed myself even faster as I heard Joo-Han¡¯s voice.

    ¡°The support from his team is working! Hyun-Woo takes the lead!¡±

    Just as I caught up with Street Center, my feet got tangled up out of nowhere.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    <i>¡®This is bad, isn¡¯t it?¡¯</i>

    Before I knew it, I was tumbling forward. ¡°Ouch!¡±

    Gasps echoed around, including from Jeong Gyu-Chan. ¡°Oh no! Hyun-Woo has fallen! Are you okay, Chronos? Hyun-Woo, you alright? Ash ck seizes the moment for second ce! Hyun-Woo!¡±

    <i>¡®No, I can¡¯t stop now, or Joo-Han hyung will smack me!¡¯ </i>I tumbled and rolled, somehow getting back up and continuing the race. My waist and knees screamed in pain, but I could tolerate it.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is back up and running! Is he okay? Oh my gosh! Hyun-Woo is back on the second lead!¡± It was frustrating to lose by just a few points in apetition, so I couldn¡¯t let myself feel such devastation this time.

    However, catching up to Street Center proved to be difficult indeed. In the end, their member crossed the finish line first.

    ¡°Street Center takes first! And in second ce is...¡± Because I tripped, my pace slowed, and soon I was overtaken by other groups¡¯ runners.

    ¡°Ash ck in second! True Bye finishes third!¡±

    I resigned myself to a slow finish. ¡°Unfortunately, Chronos ends up in fourth ce!¡±

    <i>¡®Ah, so frustrating. If only I didn¡¯t trip.¡¯</i>

    I rubbed the back of my neck in annoyance, turning toward my teammates when they rushed over.

    ¡°Hey, you alright?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon asked, feeling concerned.

    ¡°Damn, that was embarrassing.¡±

    ¡°Are you hurt? Well, you¡¯re talking about embarrassment, so I guess you¡¯re fine.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon teased me, while Joo-Han squatted down to roll up my pants. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding. Are you more worried about being embarrassed right now?¡±

    ¡°Hyung, why did you keep running even after falling?¡± Lee Jin-Sung scolded, while Park Yoon-Chan had already run off to get some ointment.

    ¡°Let''s take a break! Hyun-Woo, you okay?¡± The director called for a pause. Soon, Jeong Gyu-Chan and members from the other groups swarmed around me, asking if I was okay.

    The more attention I got, the more I wanted to disappear.

    ¡°I''m, I''m fine...¡±

    In the midst of it all, Park Yoon-Chan returned with the ointment, looking teary-eyed and sitting down near my knee. ¡°Hyung, seriously... you shouldn¡¯t push yourself too hard. Really...¡±

    ¡°Yoon-Chan,e on.¡±

    <i>¡®Don¡¯t make me more embarrassed.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Dang it! Stop it! I got this! I¡¯m fine!¡±

    ¡°Whoa, Hyun-Woo, I didn¡¯t know you had it in you to use such strongnguage!¡± Ji-Hyuk teased me. I just grabbed the ointment and staggered to the medical tent. Only then could I escape everyone¡¯s attention.

    The filming resumed, and after being checked out in the medical tent, I returned to find Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan participating in a quiz game. I then sat next to Goh Yoo-Joon, and he immediately put his arm around my shoulder.

    ¡°Hey, are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±

    ¡°How many times do I have to say I¡¯m fine?¡±

    ¡°Hyung, don¡¯t be too relieved. You might feel it more tomorrow.¡± Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s words made me nod, and I just calmly watched Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s performance.

    ording to the scoreboard next to Jeong Gyu-Chan, Chronos and High Tension were tied for first ce with five points.

    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t fallen, we could¡¯ve had a perfect first ce.¡±

    ¡°Come on, why say that? We lost, but it was a good game. Didn¡¯t you do well?¡±

    I knew that, but it still felt disappointing.

    ¡°What¡¯s the easiest number in the world? Ready, go!¡± At the sound of the whistle, the sitting trainees scrambled toward Jeong Gyu-Chan. Joo-Han, who arrived first, briefly fought over the mic with Ji-Hyuk before shouting, ¡°Neen thousand[1]!¡±

    ¡°Great! Next up, Yoon-Chan! What is the drink that gets you drunk by just touching your lips?¡± Park Yoon-Chan shyly smiled and answered, ¡°The lips[2]?¡±

    ¡°Correct! And just like that, Chronos takes another point!¡±

    The two of them were acing the nonsense quiz.

    ¡°Hyungs, do we have to be smart to join that quiz?¡±

    ¡°Kind of. Do you think you will be able to answer those?¡±

    ¡°Nope. But aren¡¯t those two just good at nonsense?¡±

    In the end, Chronos won the quiz contest too.

    ¡°Wow, Chronos is great in all the games! Strong inpetitions and games alike! But anyway.¡± Jeong Gyu-Chan approached me again, and I felt my face heating up. ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you okay?¡±

    The microphone was passed to me, and I could only smile awkwardly and nod. ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. You ran so well, but it was unfortunate.¡±

    ¡°Thanks to my team members, we are doing pretty good!¡± I answered as I made a fist-pumping gesture. After chatting a bit, Jeong Gyu-Chan wrapped up hismentary and returned to his host stand.

    ¡°The final event! Dodgeball! The winning team¡¯s members all get a hundred points.¡±

    Thest game was dodgeball, but I sat out due to my injury. Oddly enough, Chronos ended up on the same team as Street Center, which had the most members among all the groups. <i>¡®Was it lucky that I got hurt so that we were grouped with Street Center?¡¯</i>

    When two athletic groups joined as one team, how could we possibly lose? We easily won and eventually bagged the victory on the field day.

    ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t this getting a bit too unfair? Chronos is like the main characters here.¡± After the shoot, my back was starting to feel the aftermath of the day¡¯s exertions. I was massaging the soreness away when the leader of Ash ck passed by with a remark that struck a chord in me.

    ¡®<i>Main characters...¡¯ </i>His words echoed in my head.

    Chronos was indeed on a winning streak in thepetition, scoring points like we were the protagonists of a gripping drama. It was a morale boost to be seen as strong contenders, but it also painted a target on our backs.

    Not thinking kindly of our sess, other group''s fans had started to manipte votes against us. This much attention was a double-edged sword, a reminder that we couldn''t let our guard down, not even for a moment. The stakes were high, and the unpredictable nature ofpetitions meant that even a single misstep could change everything.

    ***

    "Ugh!"

    The groan escaped my lips as I tried to stand up after sitting for a while. The fall I had taken during the field day had left its mark, turning into a full-blown muscle soreness the next day.

    "You sure you don''t need to see a doctor?" Supervisor Kim asked, furrowing his brows.

    "It''s just muscle pain. I''ve pped on some patches," I replied, trying to sound nonchnt about it.

    Supervisor Kim looked at me, his eyes filled with worry. "Thepetition is right around the corner. If you''re in pain, get to the hospital, okay?"

    "I''m fine, don¡¯t worry," I reassured him, even as I gingerly removed my hands from my waist.

    Supervisor Kim still looked skeptical but moved on with the meeting. "Visual team, what''s the concept you''vee up with?" he asked.

    Our visual team leader, Hae-Ri, confidently stepped forward, plugging a USB into theptop. The screen then lit up with the presentation slides. "For the first song, ''Chronos,¡¯ we''re thinking of a dreamy vibe¡ªwhite silk shirts with ck ents. We''re going for individuality, so each member will have a unique shade. The outfits and essories are detailed in the document."

    "So, it''s kind of like ¡®Moon Sea,¡¯ but with a twist in the colors?"

    "Exactly. And for the makeup, we''re nning to go bold toplement the stage lights," Hae-Ri added, flipping to the next slide.

    "The second song, ''History,¡¯ will have a more casual look. We''re thinking of hats and sporty bags as props. And how about sses for Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°Hmm...¡± Supervisor Seong pondered for a moment. "If it were our debut, I''d say no. But Jin-Sung''s already known to <i>Pick We Up</i> viewers. That will be fine for this program."

    Hae-Ri nodded, making a note in her nner, and then moved to the next point. "We''re also nning a major change in hairstyles. Not just for the stage, but in general."

    "How so?" Mr. Seong asked, intrigued.

    The presentation showed our group photo from the ''Moon Sea'' era. With a click, Hae-Ri transformed our hair colors in the photo. "We''re thinking of dyeing Hyun-Woo, Joo-Han, and Yoon-Chan''s hair."

    "Why those three?" Supervisor Kim asked.

    "Hyun-Woo is often in the center, so a visible change seemed necessary. Yoon-Chan needs to stand out more, and for Joo-Han, we think a brown tone would look softer than ck, suiting him well."

    As Hae-Ri and Supervisor Kim discussed, Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but interject. "How many times will they have to bleach their hair to get those colors?"

    The thought of bleaching made the rest of us groan. Joo-Han was set for a light brown, Yoon-Chan for ash blue, and myself for ash gray. From past experiences, I knew those colors weren''t attainable with just a couple of bleaching sessions. They looked fantastic, of course, but the mere thought made my scalp itch in anticipation of the difort.

    1. ¡®Easy¡¯ in Korean is pronounced ¡®shi-eun,¡¯ and ¡®neen thousand¡¯ in Korean is ¡®ship-goo-cheon.¡¯ They are pronounced simrly, so that¡¯s why this is the answer. ?

    2. ¡®Lips¡¯ in Korean is ¡®ip-sul.¡¯ ¡®Drink¡¯ in Korean is ¡®sul.¡¯ ?

 Chapter 51: The Last Time (1)

    <h4>Chapter 51: The Last Time (1)</h4>

    Despite my young age, repeated bleaching would still make my scalp unbearably itchy and sore. "Ah, it feels swollen," Iined, gingerly touching my newly dyed light-gray hair.

    The salon manager nced at my scalp and clicked her tongue in disapproval. "It looks fine. Are you going to keepining? You are hurting my pride as a hairstylist."

    "I didn¡¯t mean to hurt your feelings. It just really hurts," I protested. The pain was almost unbearable during the process, and even now, my scalp throbbed like hell.

    "Bleaching three times does hurt. To make it worse, once you debut, you¡¯ll be bleaching non-stop. Hyun-Woo, it¡¯s going to be tough on you."

    "I¡¯m never doing this again. I swear, it feels like I¡¯m going bald."

    "Who said anything about going bald?" Goh Yoo-Joon giggled and looked at our balding manager. Thetter then stopped mid-conversation with the hairstylists and shot us a sharp look.

    "I haven¡¯t gone bald yet!" shouted the manager.

    "Getting all defensive for no reason," Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled, elicitingughter from Lee Jin-Sung, who sat beside him.

    "But I have to admit, my hair doesn¡¯t look too bad after bleaching," I said.

    Hearing this, the manager smiled in response, and my hairstylist replied, "Hyun-Woo, do you know how hard I worked to dry your hair? It¡¯s going to be a nightmare tob through after you wash it."

    "...Great."

    Patting my shoulder in aforting manner, shemented, "Finally, you guys are starting to look like idols."

    "Didn¡¯t we look like idols before?" Lee Jin-Sung asked.

    "Nah, more like good-looking kids. On stage, you did seem a bit like celebrities, but you guys still have a long way to go." The hairstylist seemed to enjoy teasing Lee Jin-Sung. After all, he was especially popr among the adults because of his chatty nature and his ability to lighten the mood. Still, the most popr member in this salon was Park Yoon-Chan.

    "Maybe we should try a light perm on Yoon-Chan. In-Hyun, ask Hye-Ri if it¡¯s okay."

    "Should we trim his bangs a bit? Let¡¯s make his eyebrows visible."

    "No, no. Yoon-Chan looks better with his bangs down, fluttering around."

    The primary reason Park Yoon-Chan was so popr was that the newly dyed ash-blue hair suited him exceptionally well, and the secondary reason was that he patiently endured the ¡°hairstylists'' efforts,¡± unlike me, who was writhing in pain... or the other members who couldn''t stand the boredom.

    Of course, those of us who spent twenty-four hours with him could tell that he was quite ufortable, but the salon staff hadn''t noticed yet.

    Eventually, Joo-Han stepped in. "Let''s stop now, noonas. Yoon-Chan doesn¡¯t know what to do."

    "Yeah, leave Yoon-Chan alone now," Goh Yoo-Joon added.

    The hairstylist jumped back in surprise. "Yoon-Chan, are you ufortable?"

    Then, Park Yoon-Chan brushed his bangs up and down before standing up. "Not ufortable, but, um... My scalp also hurts. Just thinking about adding a perm is painful... haha." ssic Park Yoon-Chan, always too polite to refuse directly. He skillfully avoided upsetting the hairstylist and moved closer to Joo-Han.

    "Next time Hyun-Woo''s hair color fades, let''s try purple. Wine color would look good too," the manager suggested, turning the hairstylist¡¯s attention back to me. ¡°Ash color rarely suits a person, but you manage to look good no matter what color we dye your hair with.¡±

    "They are all pretty good-looking indeed."

    "What about talent?" Lee Jin-Sung chimed in, promptingughter from the hairstylists.

    "Talent is hit or miss! I can¡¯t lie. Some are good, while some not so much."

    The manager then defended us. "Hey, we pick kids based on their potential! Look at Allure. Was Tucan good from the start?"

    "Well, Allure was more of a lottery win. Let''s hope Chronos turns out to be a jackpot too," the stylist remarked, then instructed the staff to wash Lee Jin-Sung''s hair.

    With everyone''s stylingplete, we finally headed to the car. As we drove to the practice room, everyone was fidgeting with their hair.

    "It still hurts," I muttered, earning a sympathetic look from the stylist.

    "What are we going to do with you, Hyun-Woo? You and Yoon-Chan will be back for bleaching multiple times." Her words sounded sympathetic but felt more like teasing.

    Despite feeling like his scalp was on fire, Park Yoon-Chan managed to smile andpliment the stylist. "Well, there''s nothing I can do about it. But hey, our hair looks really good."

    The manager chuckled softly to see my defeated expression. "At least, you look like a real celebrity now. The hair lights up your face."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung has always been handsome!¡± Lee Jin-Sung yfully retorted in response to the manager¡¯sment.

    When we arrived at the practice room, most of the other trainees were already in rehearsal.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t we missing a few trainees here?¡± Joo-Han asked, scanning the room. Indeed, a couple of members were notably absent.

    Goh Yoo-Joon nudged me, concern evident in his voice. ¡°Hey, Han Jun is missing too.¡±

    ¡°...No way,¡± I murmured, hoping that he had not left the group. Han Jun had always been the anxious type, so whenever he wasn¡¯t where he was supposed to be, it made us worry.

    Then, the manager lightly hit our backs, breaking our train of thought. ¡°What are you two whispering about? Jun went for an interview. Not just you guys, but a few other standout trainees are being interviewed too.¡±

    He then pushed us into the practice room. ¡°Your friends will be going in and out for interviews, so just focus on your practice.¡±

    As we entered the practice room, a wave of surprise washed over the faces of the trainees, momentarily pausing their rehearsal.

    ¡°Oh! Suh Hyun-Woo! Yoon-Chan, too!¡±

    ¡°Did you dye your hair, Joo-Han hyung?¡±

    ¡°You guys look like actual celebrities now!¡±

    As a flush crept up my cheeks, I stared at the ground and shuffled my feet. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit embarrassed. ¡°I swear, I¡¯ve heard that at least twenty times today.¡±

    They chuckled, "Oh,e on, admit it. You''re loving the attention!"

    "Hey, don¡¯t forget to check out my new perm!" Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    "And look at my fresh haircut!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung were quick to join in, proudly disying their new styles. As the other trainees were restricted from dyeing their hair, they simply watched us with a mix of awe and envy. Our newly colored hair was the talk of the room.

    "Alright, enough with the chit-chat. Time to get back to work. Does anyone need a longer break?" Joo-Han asked, unloading his bag. Glistening with sweat from their intense practice, the boys shook their heads in unison.

    "We''ve still got some energy to burn," Hye-Seong asserted, earning a warm smile from Joo-Han. "Alright then, back to your spots. Let¡¯s pick up where you left off."

    When the practice resumed, the trainees scattered to their respective spots, leaving me alone in the center. As the music cued up, I started loosening up with a few dance moves. The others, led by Joo-Han, gradually joined in seamlessly, blending into the routine.

    Midway through the song, the trainees who had stepped out for interviews sneaked back in, integrating themselves back into the practice without missing a beat.

    "Il-Seong, Hye-Seong, you''re up for interviews next!" When the two of them heard this, they quietly exited the formation, slightly disrupting the flow as we concluded practicing the song ¡°Chronos."

    Joo-Han let us have a brief pause before we dived into the second song, "History."

    "Good progress overall, but we need to move more cohesively. Like one unit," he advised, scrutinizing our reflections in the mirror.

    Lee Jin-Sung reviewed the practice footage and pointed out a minor mistake. "Ye-Il hyung, James hyung, and Lim Ho-Soo, you three are a bit out of sync. Come, let''s fix that for five minutes"

    The trio moved to the front for some focused practice, while the rest of us retreated to the sidelines. Goh Yoo-Joon and I naturally drifted toward Han Jun. "Jun, spill the beans. What did the director ask you?"

    Han Jun shrugged. "A bunch of stuff, but I have to keep it a secret."

    Goh Yoo-Joon feigned disappointment. "Come on, we''re all friends here. How can you keep it from us?"

    Han Jun''s tight-lipped response, coupled with his sheepish look, hinted that his answers during the interview might have been a bit cringe-worthy.

    "Don¡¯t pester Jun anymore. Let''s focus on practice," I said as I steered Goh Yoo-Joon back to the center.

    With some extra lessons from Lee Jin-Sung, the trio finally got their steps right.

    Our manager then hit the y button again, and we continued our practice. Our movements gradually became more polished than ever, the choreography looking wless.

    "Wow, you guys seem ready for the stage," the manager remarked, clearly impressed.

    The uniformity of the other traineesplemented our moves, enhancing the impact of the Chronos team''s performance. The sheer number of dancers, coupled with the demanding choreography, created an imposing presence on the floor.

    To my surprise, Park Yoon-Chan radiated confidence now. His transformation since thestpetition was remarkable; his earlier hesitations were reced by amanding presence on stage. Even the usually stern choreographer couldn''t help but smile at our performance.

    Joo-Han remained focused, meticulously going over the footage and then addressing the vital issues. After a while, he said, "Let''s start with ''History'' now. Sing as if it''s the real performance."

    The room directly erupted with excited affirmations. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do this!¡±

    "Just remember not to go overboard. We can''t afford any strained voices before the big day," Joo-Han cautioned, slipping back into his usual spot.

    Despite Joo-Han''s warning, the enthusiasm of the members couldn''t be curbed. They belted out the lyrics with gusto, fully immersing themselves in the rehearsal. Joo-Han frowned slightly at their overzealousness but chose not to intervene.

    "Someone''s out of sync!" Joo-Han shouted suddenly, causing Park Yoon-Chan to flinch. Joo-Han was quick to point out the mistake. "Yoon-Chan, stay steady. You can''t flinch every time I give feedback."

    "Sorry," said Yoon-Chan quickly, trying to regain hisposure.

    ¡°One member drops out here!¡± One by one, trainees started to exit to the sides at perfectly timed intervals, gradually decreasing the number of performers on the stage. In the midst of this, Han Jun was the only one who kept dancing as nned.

    ¡°Take a break. You three, stop here! And then, Han Jun¡¯s part!¡± Following Joo-Han¡¯s cue, Han Jun sang his part. Joo-Han had written this second part specifically for Han Jun. After singing, Han Jun looked at me and Goh Yoo-Joon, then smoothly exited to the side.

    "Wow... just wait until this gets on air. It''s like a perfect drama about youth!" The manager pped, moved by the scene.

    <i>We¡¯ll meet again among the stars</i>?

    With that sentence, I concluded thest part of "History," and the practice session came to an end.

    Script by Kang Joo-Han.

    nning by Kang Joo-Han.

    Directed by Kang Joo-Han.

    Produced by Kang Joo-Han.

    Honestly, this kind of presentation could feel super cheesy when we were just practicing among ourselves, but the vibe changedpletely when we did it on stage with all our emotions running high.

    It was not about worshiping Kang Joo-Han. Years of being a trainer and monitoring various stages had taught me that this kind of cheesiness actually worked, just like in <i>High School Musical. </i>

 Chapter 52: The Last Time (2)

    <h4>Chapter 52: The Last Time (2)</h4>

    ¡°Wow, news travels fast.¡± The manager grinned as he looked at his phone. Despite our best efforts to hide our newly styled hair behind hats, fans were already sharing news of our dyed hair on social media. As a result, the fans¡¯ anticipation for our new concept was building, along with their interest in the live broadcast. This would surely boost our ratings and voting rates.

    The manager kept expressing his amazement. "Looks like I don''t need to worry about you guys. The fans are starting to move in an organized way."

    "Really?" The stylist who was fixing my hair seemed very excited. "That''s great! After all, you guys slipped up on the fan votesst time."

    "Hey, don''t touch on sensitive topics."

    "Hehe, did I hit your nerve?" Chatting amiably, the stylist quickly finished my hair as the behind-the-scenes camera turned toward me.

    - How do you feel about yourst performance?

    I smiled at the cameraman and said, "I am so excited. I can''t wait to perform and show it to the audience. By the way, do you like my new hair?"

    The cameraman nodded.

    "I wasn''t sure about this at first, but I''m getting used to it now."

    Then, Goh Yoo-Joon came over and sat on the armrest of my chair. "This guy nearly cried during the bleaching process."

    I nodded and then exined, "Yeah, it was my first time bleaching, and I thought I was going to die. It hurt so much."

    "Gosh... when will this end...? My scalp... my scalp feels like it''s on fire..." Goh Yoo-Joon exaggeratedly mimicked my reaction from that moment.

    I scowled and pushed him away. "Hey, it wasn''t that bad! You are exaggerating."

    "It''s true though. But this image suits you. You do look good." Goh Yoo-Joon teased me and ruffled my hair, so I just yed along andughed smugly. "You just realized that?"

    "Ugh, so annoying." After feigning annoyance, Goh Yoo-Joon left dramatically.

    With the behind-the-scenes camera here, other Chronos members took turns joining me. Before this, we only answered questions when the camera was in front of our faces, but we gradually got used to it, even sharing personal stories in front of it.

    When we were ready, the other trainees came into the dressing room.

    "Wow..."

    "I''ve only seen scenes like this on TV or other artists'' UTube channels..."

    The bustling dressing room left the trainees in awe, just as we had been at first.

    "Hey, don''t just stand there,e over here!" shouted our manager.

    "...Yes, sir!"

    Hearing the manager¡¯s shout, they went to their seats immediately and started preparing for the stage.

    A few minutester, we followed our manager to the studio.

    "Chronos is entering!"

    "Hello!"

    "Oh? Chronos got some glow-up as well?" As we entered the studio, their crew took notice of our new hairstyles.

    The other groups also turned their attention to us.

    "Woah, my Hyun-Woo''s hair looks great!" shouted Ji-Hyuk as he waved. In response, I could only shoot him an awkward smile and wave back.

    Today, the studio was more colorful than usual. Other groups had also dyed their hair and put extra effort into their appearances for thest round of thepetition.

    "It really hits home that this is thest round. You all are debuting this year, right?" asked Reina as she sorted her cue cards. Immediately, her words stirred up excited murmurs around us. Somehow, it seemed like everyone present had already debuted. It was impressive how just a change in hairstyles could transform the studio''s atmosphere.

    "Not all trainees these days are good-looking, but all of you here have outstanding appearance."

    "That''s true. They must be the best groups of their agencies. It''s rare to see such uniformly attractive groups."

    As the director and Reina engaged in this conversation, the studio felt unusually warm and friendly, perhaps an effort to ease the tension of thest live broadcast. With their efforts, the studio environment became gentler than ever.

    "We will start filming soon!"

    Reina got up from her seat, and Director Kim Shin-Sik also left the studio to stand by the camera. ¡°Alright, everyone. We¡¯ve got a great vibe going here. But remember, it¡¯s live on the television, so let¡¯s keep our focus sharp and avoid any slip-ups. This is our final show, so let¡¯s make it our best performance, the best episode ever. Countdown to recording, five, four, three... Cue!¡±

    The studio instantly came alive with the opening background music, apanied by the roaring cheers of the audience. Today was different from previous shows, as the audience could see everything from the beginning to the end, a departure from the usual behind-the-scenes secrecy.

    ¡°Wee to the moment where the future stars of K-POP shine! Hi, I''m Reina, your host for <i>Pick We Up</i>. We''ve been together for over two months, and sadly, today marks our final round."

    Reina turned to each group''s leader, asking for their thoughts as they faced this final hurdle. The interviews, likely due to the live broadcast''s pace, were brief yet impactful. Reina then reminded everyone about thepetition''s theme and the importance of the viewers'' votes.

    ¡°Since we''re live, your performance and connection with the viewers and audience are just as crucial as their votes. Keep in mind, the winning team will have the opportunity to star in a reality show by UNET."

    As Reina spoke, a stagehand signaled the start of the show. She then nced his way and smoothly transitioned to the next segment. ¡°Let''s get rolling with the first act. Kicking things off is Ash ck, who ced sixth in ourstpetition. Ash ck, please head out and show us your best performance!"

    As Ash ck¡¯s members appeared on the stage, their VTR started to y on the screen behind Reina. The video started with them expressing their disappointment about their ranking.

    - Sorry, hyungs.

    On-Sae¡¯s apology cut through a tense silence, but his team members quickly cheered him up.

    - You did your best, On-Sae! No need for apologies, especially when you already performed so well!

    - Yeah, it''s not your fault, On-Sae. Don''t make it harder on us."

    Yet, their underlying sense of dejection was obvious. While teams like True Bye had made impressive gains, Ash ck had unfortunately slipped to sixth ce, sapping their morale.

    - We all could have done better. Let''s push ourselves till the very end!

    - Exactly. Even if we don''t win, let''s leave asting impression on the name Ash ck.

    The live broadcast offered an in-depth perspective on Ash ck, spotlighting their robust team spirit. Instead of pointing fingers, they were introspective and united, gearing up for thispetition with a collective front.

    <i>''I wonder why On-Sae left such a dedicated team for YU.'' </i>Ironically, this hard-working and cohesive group was on the brink of disbandment.

    Post-VTR, Ash ck''s performancemenced, seemingly drawing inspiration from our track ¡°No Nights for Me¡±. Their stage was a blend of intensity and focus, their eyes not desperate for victory but eager to showcase their talents for thest time. Their sincerity was evident, and perhaps that was why the audience responded with such fervent cheers.

    Following their performance, announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan stepped in for Reina to introduce the remaining groups.

    gued by internal issues, Air Senior had a sinct VTR centered on rehearsals. Despite having improved their rank, theck of apelling original song left their performance somewhat dull and uninspiredpared to others. It was evident that True Entertainment had given up on investing in Air Senior.

    ¡°That''s just unfair," Reinamented under her breath, revealing a rare moment of frustration to us. The disbandment of Air Senior seemed imminent to everyone.

    Next up were Street Center and Tru Bye, both in joint fourth ce. Street Center stayed true to their signature style with aid-back musical-themed song, while True Bye remained consistent in their concept, presenting a house music track[1].

    Then there was High Tension, who lived up to their big agency reputation from the start of their VTR. With significant endorsements from their idol seniors and top-notch song selection, they delivered a wless performance, bouncing back from their previous low rank¡ªa testament to YU''s caliber. As a result of this, the crowd''s reaction was unsurprisingly ecstatic.

    ¡°Chronos, you''re up next." We received our cue amid High Tension''s performance, so we went to prepare backstage.

    <i>¡®This is it... our final performance.''</i>

    Once a distant dream, the stage had now be a familiar battleground for me, bringing us to the peak of this journey. It was a chance like no other, and also one I was determined to win.

    In truth, winning a spot in a reality TV show was less about the exposure and more a testament to our hard work. Yet, for us, it was more about proving our worth, especially in a contest with such high stakes. Therefore, I aspired to win the prestige of ¡°first ce¡± more than merely for the reality show.

    ¡°I really want us to win this," I muttered to the camera following me as we moved backstage.

    The rest of Chronos members were already there, huddled together in anticipation.

    ¡°Alright, everyone¡¯s here, right?" Joo-Han''s voice lifted as he rallied the members. In a familiar motion, we all joined hands, forming a circle. ¡°Remember the team chants we always did before our group choreography evaluations in trainee days? Let¡¯s go with that today.¡±

    To my right was Goh Yoo-Joon, and to my left was Han Jun. Both of them gripped my hand tightly as if in sync. ¡°This might be thest stage for us with these members. Let''s not leave any room for regrets."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s!¡±

    ¡°Let''s debut!" We pumped ourselves up with our chant. At the same time, High Tension''s performance ended, and the VTR for Chronos started to roll. The video was close to ten minutes long, so I had nned to use this time to practice with Lee Jin-Sung. But then, Il-Seong grabbed my arm.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yes? Hyung, what is it?" In the dim backstage lighting, Il-Seong pointed to a small TV setup behind the stage, wearing a knowing smile. ¡°Take a look at that." The TV was ying the same VTR that was being shown on the stage screen.

    ¡°The video?"

    ¡°Yes, it''s made for the five of you to watch," said Il-Seong. Led by him, I approached the TV. On the screen, Han Jun was sitting on a chair, having an interview with a somewhat awkward expression.

    1. A music genre characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 beats per minute as a re-emergence of 1970''s disco. ?

 Chapter 53: The Last Time (3)

    <h4>Chapter 53: The Last Time (3)</h4>

    - I was told that I wasn¡¯t unique enough during the debut group auditions. Without working hard, I¡¯d just fade into the background in any group. As you can see, I don¡¯t possess striking looks or extraordinary talent.

    In the VTR, Han Jun shared his inner thoughts with an embarrassed smile on his face.

    - They say you are quitting being a trainee, is that right?

    - Umm, yeah. I held on for a while but started thinking maybe there was a line I just couldn¡¯t cross, no matter how hard I tried. Seeing the Chronos members shine after joining the debut group made me think that way.

    - Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon seemed really sad about it.

    - I am really grateful that they encouraged me to continue training. We are close, you know. We used to sneak out for ice cream after practice every day, and we said we''d perform on the same stage even if we debuted separately. But here we are, together this way.

    Han Jun spoke candidly, but his expression was full of regret.

    <i>¡®If he''s that regretful, why not try a little longer? Nobody''s forcing him out. After all, the judges in the debut group auditions are just harsh on purpose.¡¯ </i>I was fiddling with my in-ear monitor, wearing a troubled expression when he continued.

    - It feels really cruel. I said I was quitting, and then I got this chance to perform. Everything that seemed boring suddenly became fun. Maybe it''s because I''m doing it with Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon. I''m having so much fun that I want to keep going.

    I looked at the screen, which had now shifted to Il-Seong.

    - Chronos members are showing a lot of consideration toward us. After all, there are better dancers out there, and sharing parts among the trainees isn''t easy.

    - How does it feel to perform with the Chronos members?

    - It''s strange to think that the friends I practiced with will soon debut. But I''m giving it my all, supporting their beginning. I hope they will shine even brighter!

    The screen shifted to Hye-Seong.

    - What''s your personal goal, Hye-Seong?

    After hesitating a bit, Hye-Seong replied to the staff''s question.

    - I have to debut someday too.

    - Any words for the Chronos members?

    - It''s hard to say because we are so close, haha. A bit cringy.

    The screen alternated between several members responding to the writer''s question. I then heard what Woo-Jae-Seok had to say.

    - They will debut soon, and we as trainees will continue to work hard. I hope to debut next time and meet them again.

    Han Jun smiled.

    - Thanks for holding onto me. I think I can keep going a bit longer.

    Then, the screen zoomed into Il-Seong¡¯s face.

    - Thank you so much. Let''s do our best in thisst round with all fourteen of us. No matter how, I hope we can meet again after we debut.

    The video seemed to be wrapping up, but all of our eyes were still glued to the screen.

    "We''ll get ready for Chronos¡¯s stage." Just then, a staff member lightly tapped my shoulder.

    "Hyun-Woo."

    "Yes, I''m going." I finished adjusting my in-ear monitor, which I had stopped fiddling to watch the video, and headed to the stage.

    "Don''t think about the rankings. Just enjoy it, Hyun-Woo." I could hear Joo-Han encourage me, so I just nodded and walked onto the stage alone[1].

    The stage seemed unusuallyrge, and I felt a bit scared to face the audience''s gaze alone.

    After suppressing the intense nervousness that shook my body, I took a deep breath and faced forward.

    <i>''I need to get used to facing the spotlight alone.''</i>

    Gone were the disdainful stares, those looks of contempt as if I were some disgusting animal. I had to remind myself that I had been on stage several times, and there were those who liked me for who I was.

    - This stage is full of the original Chronos''s memories and passion. At least for us, Chronos is not just five... but fourteen members.

    Joo-Han''sment at the end of the VTR summarized the essence of our performance.

    - This stage is to show the original Chronos. It might be thest time we perform together, so we want to finish it together. We hope you like it.

    As the video ended, the ckout curtains slowly opened, and the audience''s cheers filled the air, brimming with anticipation. I took a deep breath, fiddled with my ear mic for a moment, and then readied myself.

    Chronos¡¯s performance began!

    ***

    ¡°Is Chronos''s song called ¡®Chronos¡¯ as well?¡±

    "That''s pretty unique, and so are their costumes," Woo Ji-Hyuk remarked. While it was typical for albums to showcase songs introducing the members, it was a risky concept for apetition. Ji-Hyuk made an unbelievable prediction just by looking at their costumes.

    Woo Ji-Hyuk''s face was full of anticipation as he watched the stage. ¡°YMM must have invested significant effort into this song, considering the tremendous buzz surrounding Chronos.¡±

    Well, not investing here would have been foolish. Soon, the stage curtains fully opened, revealing only one person on stage.

    "Why''s there only one person? Who is that? Hyun-Woo? Joo-Han?"

    It felt simr to their first performance ¡°Moon Sea¡± ¡ª eerie lighting, a gloomy set, and fog covering the stage floor. It took them a while to realize the lone figure was me. I stood still, simply looking at the camera.

    "Wow, he is incredibly handsome."

    "The dyed hair really brings out his looks."

    The close-up presented my face head-on, as if Chronos aimed to secure victory solely through my appearance. Despite only seeing my impassive expression, the crowd and viewers erupted in cheers.

    As the music started, Imenced my dance. The camera intentionally refrained from zooming in, meticulously capturing every nuance of my movements. My fluid dance style set me apart from Lee Jin-Sung, creating the type of performance that our fans would undoubtedly cherish, especially those who had joined since our "Moon Sea" stage.

    "This clip is definitely worth saving. I need to buy it and watch it repeatedly."

    "My Hyun-Woo... I knew I''d nosebleed over him one day," whispered some fans as they couldn''t take their eyes off me.

    My dance moves were almost balletic. Just when it seemed like I would take the entire intro solo, I moved to the side and another member entered.

    "Who''s that? Wow! Joo-Han! Joo-Han!!!"

    The Chronos fans were ecstatic as Joo-Han, who wasn¡¯t known for his dancing skills, joined me for a partner dance. Surprisingly, his performance exhibited no shorings. While the difficulty level was lowerpared to when I danced alone, it clearly demonstrated that Kang Joo-Han''s skills were anything butcking.

    "Joo-Han can dance like that..."

    "Joo-Han is dancing! Crazy!"

    "But what''s with this entry order?"

    Unaware of the entry sequence, the fans naturally questioned why Kang Joo-Han came after me. Typically, it was Goh Yoo-Joon or Lee Jin-Sung who followed after I opened the intro.

    "Is Joo-Han the main center now? Wow! Insane!"

    "It''s so good!"

    Amidst the heightened cheers, the atmosphere in the venue changed as the next member made an entrance.

    "Who''s that?" asked someone in the audience. In response to it, a Chronos fan said somewhat calmly, "Isn''t that one of the trainees from the interview video? Why is heing out earlier than Chronos members?"

    The mood took a noticeable dip as Goh Il-Seong made his appearance, even to a casual observer. Before anyone could understand why Goh Il-Seong was stepping out ahead of other Chronos members, another trainee leaped onto the stage and started to dance behind me and Kang Joo-Han.

    "That''s Han Jun, right?"

    "Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon''s friend?"

    "Yeah, the one from the video who was talking about quitting."

    Han Jun seemed awkward and shy in the interview, but he was now dancing expressionlessly on stage. He seemed to be trying not to stand out too much, focusing on elevating the presence of me and Kang Joo-Han. After a bit, the lengthy intro ended before even half of the trainees got on the stage.

    <i>We turn back to the past, time and time again</i>?

    Kang Joo-Han took charge of the first part of the song, a departure from our usual routine in <i>Pick We Up</i>. I then seamlessly joined him to continue the next part.

    In the meantime, Lee Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon, and the rest of the members entered the stage, finding their designated spots. Following the nned sequence, Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon delivered their parts, paving the way for Park Yoon-Chan to make his entrance and take over the vocals.

    With all the performers now on stage, the distinctive quality of the song "Chronos" became evident. The dance mood underwent a distinct shift with each member''s turn to sing, even though the apaniment remained constant.

    When Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s soft falsetto voice rang out, even the apaniment quieted down, and the spotlight focused on him. The other members either slowed their movements or paused altogether, ensuring all eyes were on Park Yoon-Chan''s captivating performance.

    <i>Where has the film, filled with spaces, disappeared to? Try entrusting your body somewhere your heart is drawn to</i>?

    The subdued apaniment underwent a dramatic transformation as Lee Jin-Sung energetically initiated a powerful and precise dance alongside four other trainees. However, as Lee Jin-Sung''s dance segment reached its climax, the song abruptly ceased, and the stage went dark.

    "What?"

    It was a performance designed to entuate the overall visual impact. Fans with their mouths agape stared at the darkened stage, murmuring in confusion.

    "It''s not over, right?"

    "No way it ends like this. Impossible."

    The performance was too short for that. In that moment of doubt... ¡°Sigh."

    The audible sigh echoed with familiarity, resembling Goh Yoo-Joon''s trademark. However, the figure upying an antique wooden chair beneath the soft glow of purple lights wasn''t Goh Yoo-Joon¡ªit was Kang Joo-Han. He appeared fatigued, his gaze fixed on the emptiness before him.

    <i>It¡¯s okay if you think of it as an obsession</i>?

    In a gentle transition, Goh Yoo-Joon took the microphone from Kang Joo-Han and seamlessly continued the part.

    <i>Even if you abandon me the moment we are touched</i>?

    The camera then panned out from Goh Yoo-Joon. Positioned at a calcted distance in the center, I and some trainees awaited our turn. As the camera zoomed in on me, I started to sing, my mouth forming the words with precision.

    <i>Let''s meet again</i>?

    The lighting reversed, signaling the onset of the second dance break featuring me and the trainees. In contrast to Lee Jin-Sung''s dynamic moves, my dance exuded elegance. The movements were consistent with the earlier solo, carrying a subtle but sorrowful undertone. Distinct from Lee Jin-Sung''s style, my unique dance approach wasn''t innate but rather the result of my deliberate effort to set myself apart.

    Having showcased our individual talents through various stages, we ultimately gathered at the center of the stage, with each member popping up one by one. I stepped back after thest part and dance break, and Lee Jin-Sung took my ce.

    The audience erupted with apuse, reaching a crescendo as Lee Jin-Sung set the stage aze. At the peak of the cheers, Kang Joo-Han intervened, grabbing Jin-Sung¡¯s shoulder and pulling him down. Lee Jin-Sung then knelt, bowing his head.

    As the stage and audience quieted, Kang Joo-Han extended his hand toward the close-up camera, covering the lens as if expressing annoyance. As a result, the bright lights gradually dimmed, bringing Chronos''s performance to a close.

    "Wow."

    It marked another legendary performance, following in the footsteps of "Moon Sea.¡± Still basking in the aftermath, the audience btedly erupted into apuse.

    However, the stage wasn''t over yet. Suddenly, the lights brightened.

    "What, wow!"

    The audience wondered what happened during the ckout. The once dark and somber stage, along with the members'' costumes, had undergone a transformation. A new song, "History," started.

    1. Prob because he is the one starting the stage. ?

 Chapter 54: The Last Time (4)

    <h4>Chapter 54: The Last Time (4)</h4>

    The lights brightened, unveiling a stage with a different atmosphere. It felt akin to the conclusion of a long rock concert¡ªbased on a fast beat, yet not entirely lively or bright. Instead, it carried an indescribable sense of longing and overwhelming emotion. The formation that previously centered around Chronos underwent a shift, bringing apletely new person to the forefront.

    <i>When the long day ends, and I check the empty room, I can''t help but feel disappointed?</i>

    This part was sung by someone unfamiliar, not a member of Chronos. The entire group of trainees, now numbering fourteen, moved in a way that felt entirely different from the Chronos the audience hade to know.

    <i>I understand the weight of effort and will cheer for you. I want to be apanion who can support you. It¡¯s nice, isn¡¯t it?</i>?

    Another trainee emerged, followed by yet another. Despite the absence of Chronos''s familiar faces, their fans had no reason toin. Kang Joo-Han had exined in a VTR what kind of performance to expect, and more than that, the lyrics sung by the trainees conveyed sincere feelings toward Chronos. The group of fourteen executed a dance routine that took center stage, evoking a mncholic yet bright ambiance within the song. It was a performance that effortlessly drew the audience into their story.

    <i>Could we not stand side by side? I regret not keeping the promise?</i>

    Han Jun took the stage, singing the part he had written. Chronos members, in a heartfelt gesture, passed the entire first verse to other trainees, illustrating the depth of our camaraderie.

    <i>So many tears shed. Enduring day after day, repeating ''just one more time¡¯</i>?

    <i>We remember your frustration?</i>

    Our camaraderie for each other was real. Though it was a stage with fourteen members, not only Chronos''s fans but also others watching could feel a connection, imagining the tough times their favorite artists must have faced as trainees.

    During Han Jun''s part, Goh Yoo-Joon and I volunteered as backup dancers. In an instant, fans who knew about our special friendship from the VTR and preview videos started to feel a surge of emotions.

    As the song transitioned into its second verse, like in the ¡°Chronos¡± performance, the trainees gracefully exited the stage one by one, leaving Chronos to take center stage for the main part.

    <i>I believe this is not the end. If we keep walking, someday we will meet at the same ce</i>?

    It was Lee Jin-Sung''s part. With its promise of a new beginning and reunion, the song was reaching its conclusion, and soon, only Han Jun remained on stage without Chronos. The music briefly paused, and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s and my gaze shifted toward Han Jun.

    The music started again, and the part written by Kang Joo-Han for Han Jun followed.

    <i>Just cry one more time and stand up. Trust me onest time and jump without regret</i>?

    I briefly caught Han Jun''s wrist, our eyes locking for a moment, and then I smoothly let go. A faint smile appeared on Han Jun''s face as he gracefully stepped backward, disappearing behind the stage. The spotlight that was previously focused on the two of us expanded, casting bright lights across the entire stage.

    The once-silent stage now resonated with an impassioned melody. Park Yoon-Chan''s voice which had been refined through countless hours of practice echoed powerfully. Contrasting with his first stage appearance, he now confidently fulfilled his role as one of the members, creating a truly moving moment for both the performers and the fans.

    As the one with rtively fewer parts, I stepped forward, preparing to make my move.

    <i>I won''t forget the tears we shed together. Let¡¯s rise together-</i>?

    Changing the lyrics there was a purely spontaneous act on my part. My gaze was directed toward the back of the stage.

    <i>Let''s meet again here</i>?

    Almost no one noticed that the lyrics disyed on the screen were different from what I was singing.

    I changed it because, at thest moment before Han Jun left the stage, I saw a glimpse of my past self¡ªfull of frustration and ready to give up. I understood too well the sorrow of never being able to return to the stage I yearned for. Hence, I hoped we would meet again on the stage instead of regretting the hardships Han Jun had gone through to stand on it.

    Before Han Jun realized the lyrics had changed, I already turned my head away. The audience disyed varied reactions; some stared nkly at the spot, while others erupted in cheers. Thus, Chronos''s final stage on <i>Pick We Up</i> came to an end, a perfect finale to an adventurous performance.

    "Great job, Chronos!" As the ckout curtain fell, announcer Jeong Gyu-Chanmenced his hosting.

    "Phew..."

    Exhausted after the final performance, we made our way backstage. Perhaps it was because it was our first time performing two songs consecutively, but my legs felt as weak as if I had been practicing for a long time.

    ¡°It was fantastic from the beginning to the end. Are you okay?" asked Joo-Han as he approached. I just nodded and leaned on his shoulder for support, making walking a bit easier.

    "Man, that was awesome!"

    "Everyone has worked hard! It was your first stage, and you did so well."

    Joo-Han moved away from me to talk to each trainee. I then simply copsed into a chair,pletely drained.

    "Hyun-Woo, you were amazing."

    "Hyun-Woo was on stage from start to end, so he must be more exhausted than anyone else." Il-Seong and Jae-Seok patted my back while the staff crowded around me, wiping my sweat and drying my hair.

    "We have to go back on stage soon, so quickly fix the makeup!" our manager shouted.

    Reina and other groups from the studio starteding backstage, and Reina eximed, ¡°You guys did really well. I watched from the back and was amazed. How did you all always bring such stages?"

    ¡°Right! We feel like we joined at the wrong time," said Ji-Hyuk.

    ¡°Thank you. It''s all thanks to the hard work of the kids," replied Joo-Han. The members of High Tension talking to him seemed a bit drained. How could they not? The trainees from major agencies were highly anticipated at the start of<i> Pick We Up</i>, but their performances didn''t stand out as much, overshadowed by the remarkable disys from trainees affiliated with smaller agencies.

    While their performances weremendable, they probably didn''t hold high hopes for clinching the first-ce spot again. My personal guess was that the winner would either be Street Center or us.

    "Is Chronos ready?" A staff member asked through the walkie-talkie, and instead of us, our manager and the stylists answered, ¡°Chronos is ready!¡±

    ¡°Then we''ll go on stage in one minute! All performers, be ready.¡± The staff member ryed through the walkie-talkie, and Jeong Gyu-Chan announced the entrance of the performers.

    ¡°Air Senior will be the first to enter.¡±

    The staff swiftly cleared the curtains at the back of the stage for easy movement. After that, all the performers, including Reina, stepped onto the stage.

    "Great job, Chronos!"

    "High Tension!"

    The cheers from the fans were louder than ever, showering the hard-working members with apuse. Each member bowed slightly to their fans, yet their expressions retained a tense undercurrent of nerves.

    The most crucial announcement had yet toe.

    ¡°Thest round of <i>Pick We Up </i>for group original songs has ended." As Reina started speaking, the audience stopped talking and focused on the proceeding. Their expressions were as serious and tense as those of the performers, and they were fixed on the stage.

    "Now, we just have the final rankings left to announce. Oh, our group members and even the fans are giving some intense stares." Reina joked a bit, but the mood of the audience who were anticipating the vote results didn''t lighten.

    Hesitating a bit, Reina looked back at her cue cards. ¡°Before we announce the final results, let¡¯s hear from each group about theirst performance. Let¡¯s start with Chronos. Joo-Han, how do you feel about wrapping up thest round of <i>Pick We Up</i>?¡±

    The microphone was handed to Joo-Han, and he answered, ¡°Well, since we first started preparing for <i>Pick We Up, </i>a lot of memoriese to mind. What can I say? The preparation for Chronos¡¯s first stage¡ªour first performance¡ªwas tough, but we made it to the end by relying on each other. Regardless of the ranking we¡¯ll receive, I believe we can humbly ept it because we gave our best in our performances.¡±

    We all nodded in agreement with Joo-Han¡¯s well-articted thoughts, and Reina softly expressed her admiration before asking the other groups for their thoughts.

    "Hyung, but are you really okay even if we rankst?" Lee Jin-Sung whispered this question while the other groups were sharing their thoughts.

    Joo-Han turned to him and grinned. "If we don''t get first ce, it''s an all-night practice for Chronos."

    Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon werepletely taken aback at Joo-Han''s matter-of-fact statement.

    "Wow, he''s ruthless."

    "We just finished ourpetition."

    Joo-Han''s dual nature was almost scary. But honestly, after such great songs and performances, it would be ridiculous for us not to win thispetition.

    "Guys, we should probably start paying attention now." Park Yoon-Chan''sment made me and Joo-Han turn back to face the front. Now, only the final rankings were yet to be announced.

    "I will now announce the final rankings for <i>Pick We Up,</i> with a reality show appearance at stake. First, the live audience score, then the official website voting score..." As Reina spoke, the scores and rankings fluctuated. The name of our group, Chronos, also moved around but never dropped below third ce.

    "With the live audience score, the streaming audience score, and finally, the scores from previouspetitionsbined, the final rankings are!"

    1st ce: Chronos

    2nd ce: Street Center

    3rd ce: High Tension

    4th ce: True Bye

    5th ce: Ash ck

    6th ce: Air Senior

    My breath was stuck in my throat.

    "The final winner is Chronos! Congrattions!" With a ''pop'', confetti fell from the sky, and our fans erupted in enthusiastic cheers. It was somewhat of an expected victory. We had always been among the favorites to win, and despite the risks, this stage was very well received.

    However, expecting it didn''t lessen the surprise.

    ¡°This is crazy," Goh Yoo-Joon muttered quietly from behind, and Park Yoon-Chan was quietly sobbing.

    "Chronos, pleasee forward!"

    Reina presented us with the trophy and a bouquet, and we stepped forward in a daze, propelled by the moment. After that, Joo-Han received the microphone.

    "Congrattions on the final victory. Can we hear your thoughts?" inquired Reina. Joo-Han was the first to collect his thoughts and speak.

    "Uh... Thank you so much. Our members worked hard, but above all, thanks to our fans who supported us vigorously-"

    While Joo-Han was speaking, I gestured for the trainees backstage toe forward.

    ¡°We will continue to work hard as Chronos. Thank you so much."

    The other trainees hesitantly came forward to the stage front, and the fans cheered on them.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, please say a few words." The microphone was then passed to me.

    ¡°Uh... I, well..." I was at a loss for words to describe this feeling.

    ¡°Thank you so much. I''m so happy we could finish ourstpetition without regrets. Above all, thanks to our fans who supported us even when we were nothing, and to our original members who willingly joined us on stage despite the pressure, I love and appreciate you all so much."

    Each Chronos member was given a chance to speak. With Lee Jin-Sung ending in tears after seeing Park Yoon-Chan cry, our part was over.

    ¡°Thank you for supporting <i>Pick We Up</i> until the end. We look forward to the future of the six groups that have shown us great performances. As we say goodbye to <i>Pick We Up</i>, let''s anticipate the future of our K-POP stars. Thank you." Along with Reina''s final words, the ending jingle yed.

    Following that, the trainees and other groups gathered to congratte us. And so, my first journey with Chronos¡ª<i>Pick We Up</i>¡ªcame to an end.

 Chapter 55: Mini Fan Meeting (1)

    <h4>Chapter 55: Mini Fan Meeting (1)</h4>

    After sessfully wrapping up <i>Pick We Up</i>, we skipped the team dinner and headed to a corner of the broadcasting station for a mini fan meeting.

    "Just rx. Don¡¯t be nervous because it¡¯s just an event to say thanks to the fans. If you guys are awkward, the fans will feel awkward too. Got it?" exined the manager as he handed a megaphone to Joo-Han.

    Joo-Han just let out a deep sigh as he looked at the manager. He replied, "I know, I know. Seems like you''re more nervous than us, right?"

    Hearing this, the manager got a bit flustered and admitted that he was indeed worried. "Yeah, I''m worried. I have only been taking care of Allure kids, so I am a bit concerned about you guys."

    Lee Jin-Sung just smirked and snatched a toy megaphone from the manager''s hand. "Come on, hyung, what could possibly go wrong? I''ve never heard of any issues during mini fan meetings."

    "You''re my biggest concern, man."

    "What? If I weren''t there, the meeting with the fans would be one hundred percent awkward."

    Well, the manager couldn''t argue with that. Kang Joo-Han, Park Yoon-Chan, and I were all pretty shy. Hence, during such events, the only reliable members they could count on were Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung. The manager just said, "Just make sure Joo-Han leads well, and Jin-Sung... don''t get too excited and blurt out something weird."

    "Don''t worry, we got this."

    I turned around to see the fan meeting area. About thirty fans were sitting cozily on the floor, waiting for us to approach.

    "Hyun-Woo!" Startled by the call, I made eye contact with a fan, and their cheers instantly erupted, calling out our names.

    "Here, take this. Make sure you all follow Joo-Han''s lead. Got it? Now go!"

    As all members turned to face the fans, the manager quickly handed us the toy megaphones and nudged us forward. We then waved and walked toward the fans.

    "I think hyung worries too much. Right, Hyun-Woo?" Goh Yoo-Joon pressed the toy megaphone to my mouth, and the red light on it indicated that it was working.

    "Ah, ah, ah. Goh Yoo-Joon made a mistake today," I said.

    After I spoke into the toy megaphone, Lee Jin-Sung excitedly joined in. "Yo! Yoo-Joon hyung, I saw you mess up the dance!"

    "What? I thought no one noticed!" eximed Goh Yoo-Joon. To be fair, everyone knew about Goh Yoo-Joon''s slight timing mistake during our entry scene in the ¡°Chronos¡± performance.

    Joo-Han passed us and said, "Goh Yoo-Joon, practice until 1 AM today."

    "Ah, hyung! Can''t we rest today? We have a team dinner."

    I chuckled, "Eating meat will give you energy for practice."

    "Ah, shoot, I was nning to hit the gym after dinner."

    "It''s okay, hyung. Dance practice is exercise too," said Jin-Sung.

    Trying to change the topic, Goh Yoo-Joon hurriedly led us to the fans. Facing the fans up close, unlike on stage, we felt somewhat nervous.

    "Yoon-Chan!"

    "Hyun-Woo, great job!"

    "Congrats, Chronos!"

    <i>Click! Click, click, click! Click!</i>

    "Congrats, number one!"

    "Thank you!"

    The close-up attention and cheers of many people, along with the sound of what seemed to be expensive cameras'' shutters¡ªeverything was a bit overwhelming.

    Unustomed to such a scene, Joo-Han cleared his throat awkwardly. "Let''s say hi. One, two, three!"

    "Hello! We are Chronos! Thank you foring!"

    "Wo!"

    Joo-Han raised his megaphone and greeted, "Hello! I''m Kang Joo-Han, the leader of Chronos... Haha."

    "Aww, so cute!"

    "It''s okay, Joo-Han! Take your time!"

    "He''s so handsome!"

    Joo-Han replied, "I''m a bit nervous since it''s my first time."

    Was it just me, or did the fans seem more used to fan meetings than we were? They looked at us like we were seven-year-old kindergartners, offering warm and encouraging nces.

    <i>Click! Click, click, click, click!</i>

    The sound of cameras continued, as the front row was filled with fans holding cameras.

    "Thank you so much foring today. We could only win thanks to all of you." In tune with the atmosphere, Goh Yoo-Joon grinned and waved his trophy around, rousing the fans¡¯ cheers. Now, they cheered even louder than when we first appeared. Although I couldn¡¯t make out every individual voice, the congrattory messages were unmistakably clear.

    ¡°It¡¯s like we all won together. We know you all worked so hard to help us win. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Yes! We worked super hard for you guys! Love you!¡± A fan proudly acknowledged their efforts, and the rest of themughed and nodded.

    ¡°Thanks for recognizing it!¡±

    From the beginning, Chronos fans already initiated the creation of numerous UTube fan channels, actively advocated for votes on <i>BlueBird</i>[1], and tirelessly promoted the group. We all knew they had worked harder for us than anyone else.

    I smiled slightly, still not entirelyfortable in the situation, and nodded at the fans when Joo-Han tapped my arm. ¡°Hyun-Woo, you are up next.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±

    We had decided to take turns speaking to give each member a chance to talk, and it was now my turn. The megaphone was passed to me. "Uh... um, yeah."

    I lifted the toy megaphone in my hand. It was so small, looking like it could fit in my palm. When I brought it to my mouth, the sound of camera shutters intensified, and the fans chuckled softly. ¡°Why does Hyun-Woo have a toy?" one of the fans asked.

    I shrugged awkwardly. ¡°I know right? Manager hyung gave this to me." I pressed a button, hoping it had some sort of echo function.

    - Ah, ah, ah. Goh Yoo-Joon made a mistake today.

    - Yo! Yoo-Joon hyung, saw you mess up the dance!

    - What? I thought no one noticed!

    "Uh?"

    - Ah, ah, ah. Goh Yoo-Joon made a mistake today.

    - Yo! Yoo-Joon hyung, saw you mess up the dance!

    - What? I thought no one noticed!

    Our jokingly recorded conversation echoed in front of the fans, repeating over and over.

    "Hey, hyung, what do we do? Oh my gosh."

    - Ah, ah, ah. Goh Yoo-Joon made a mistake today.

    - Yo! Yoo-Joon hyung, saw you mess up the dance!

    - What? I thought no one noticed!

    My face heated up in seconds, and Lee Jin-Sung burst intoughter along with the fans.

    ¡°Hey! Turn it off! Oh, it''s embarrassing. Ah!"

    ¡°I don''t know how to turn this off. Yoon-Chan!"

    "Gosh, this is hrious! Haha! Why did you even turn this on?"

    I nearly lost my mind, but everyone else just enjoyed the situation, not helping me out.

    Meanwhile, the camera shutters clicked faster than ever.

    - Ah, ah, ah. Goh Yoo-Joon made a mistake today.

    - Yo! Yoo-Joon hyung, saw you mess up the dance!

    - What? I thought no one noticed!

    "Hyung..." Finally, Park Yoon-Chan was unable to stand it any longer. He then took the toy and pressed the off button. ¡°To be honest, I knew how to turn it off from the beginning, but I was just watching because it was too funny.¡±

    "What are you guys doing?" Joo-Han shot us a pathetic look and handed me his real megaphone.

    "Ey! Hyun-Woo! Now all the fans know I made a mistake." Goh Yoo-Joon kicked my butt and walked back to his ce.

    "Hyun-Woo, your face is red!"

    "What was that earlier?" The fans teased.

    "Just... on our way here, we were joking around... uh!" Lee Jin-Sung started to exin and then burst outughing when he locked eyes with the embarrassed Goh Yoo-Joon. The atmosphere seemed irretrievable.

    "Hyung, how do I turn this on?" I asked, learning how to use the megaphone from Joo-Han and turning it on. "Ah, got it. We were joking around earlier. Ah, my face is so hot."

    "It was actually so cute! It was funny!"

    "If you all enjoyed it, that''s all that matters."

    Due to this, the atmosphere lightened considerably. I smiled slightly and replied, "Anyway, we were wondering what to do here, so we asked for your opinions on the BlueBird ount."

    As I spoke, the road manager brought in arge board. ¡°So, we thought we''d discuss things you are curious about or want to see in order."

    ***

    After that, the fan meeting proceeded smoothly.

    "Man, they look even better in real life."

    "In a few years, they will bloom even more. My ten years of fan experience tell me so," whispered the fans in the front row among themselves.

    "Allure and YMM seem to have a nice taste in visuals. Dang. I can¡¯t wait to edit all these pictures.¡±

    In response to a fan¡¯sment, a fan photographing Suh Hyun-Woo yfully nudged her friend¡¯s side. ¡°Hey, I wouldn¡¯t even have started loving trainees if they were just good-looking without talents.¡± Her fingers on the camera shutter sped up.

    She never expected to be so captivated by trainees who hadn''t even made their official debut. Just three months prior, the thought of attending a rookie trainee''s first fan meeting wouldn''t have crossed her mind. Following a recent scandal involving an idol group she had once adored, she had made a vow to herself to quit being a fan.

    Yet, the allure of Chronos''s Suh Hyun-Woo proved too strong to resist, with his looks and talent perfectly aligning with her preferences. She hardly knew anything about his true character or personality, so she didn''t want to dive too deep. But really, who could dictate where the heart wanted to go? cing her trust in their looks, talent, passion, and the bonds of friendship, she decided to pick up her camera once more.

    "The next question is about how "Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha" came about. So, "Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha" is..."

    All eyes naturally turned to Suh Hyun-Woo.

    "Yes, it was my idea." Suh Hyun-Woo cleared his throat and spoke up. Among Chronos fans, it wasmon knowledge that "Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha" was his creative idea. Woo Ji-Hyuk had once highlighted Suh Hyun-Woo''s role as a sub-leader during the unitpetition, so since then, fans had gotten a kick out of seeing captions like ¡°Red Cha founder, 19 years old (a.k.a Magic Pendant Woo-ergh)¡± popping up whenever Suh Hyun-Woo appeared on the screen.

    ¡°In fact, there was a bit of resistance when I first came up with Cha-Cha. But surprisingly, Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been the most vocal against it, really threw himself into it."

    "That''s not entirely true!" Goh Yoo-Joon interjected with a smile. "If you guys watched the broadcast, you''d know the ones who enjoyed it the most were Joo-Han hyung and Suh Hyun-Woo, right?" Standing beside him, Kang Joo-Han nodded in agreement.

    "To be honest, I had fun with it. Even the song I came up with for the unitpetition was just a light-hearted creation for someughs."

    "Hey, wasn''t it Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoon-Chan hyung who got the best audience reaction back then?" Someone chimed in, directing everyone''s attention.

    "Right, that¡¯s true. But you know what? I''m curious about Yoon-Chan''s real feelings. He seemed a bit down that day, didn''t he?" The mood became yful as the members turned to Park Yoon-Chan. He looked slightly taken aback and tried to wave off the attention on him.

    "Come on, tell us!"

    "Yeah, spill it!"

    "You looked gorgeous, Yoon-Chan!" the fans shouted, their excitement palpable.

    With each cheer, Park Yoon-Chan''s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red.

    "On that day, you were the only one wearing a short skirt. How did you really feel about it, Yoon-Chan? If we asked you to do it again, would you? One, two, three!" Goh Yoo-Joon egged him on, turning the atmosphere into a light and teasing one.

    Hesitating for a moment, Park Yoon-Chan finally gave in and answered with a shy grin, "Yes, I would."

    The fans erupted in cheers. "Wow!" "Really?" They couldn¡¯t believe what they had just heard.

    Park Yoon-Chan then added with a hint of shyness. ¡°Well, the reaction was pretty good back then... If everyone were up for it, I''d definitely do it again... I wouldn''t want to do it alone."

    Just as the fans seemed ready to rally for a repeat performance... ¡°Oh, right!¡± Lee Jin-Sung perked up with an eager look, grabbing the megaphone as if he had something important to add.

    1. It¡¯s Twitter ?

 Chapter 56: Mini Fan Meeting (2)

    <h4>Chapter 56: Mini Fan Meeting (2)</h4>

    ¡°Hey, everyone. Do you know that our finalpetition song is now up on the streaming sites?¡± Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s question set the fans abuzz. Some of them were sneakily checking their phones for the music streaming app, trying to be covert about it.

    ¡°Right, it should be up by now. Both songs were scheduled to be released on streaming services right after thepetition ended,¡± Kang Joo-Han added, giving more details about what Lee Jin-Sung had mentioned.

    ¡°Not just those two songs, but all our previouspetition tracks have been uploaded too. If you are interested, please listen to them.¡±

    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough promotion for now. Shall we move on to the next question?¡± Suh Hyun-Woo said as he peeled off another sticker from the board.

    [During the shoot of thepetition, do you have any secrets that fans don''t know about?]

    Hearing the question, all members of Chronos made a thoughtful ¡°hmm¡± sound and looked around, their expressions hinting that they had plenty of secrets. As the members nced at each other, unsure of who would speak up, Lee Jin-Sung raised his hand.

    He said, ¡°When was it again? Ah, during ''Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha,'' Joo-Han hyung lied in an interview, saying we didn''t fight."

    ¡°What?!"

    ¡°What kind of lie?"

    ¡°You guys fought?"

    The questions came in a flurry, but Lee Jin-Sung was unfazed. He just grinned and nodded. "The truth is, we fought like five times a day during Cha-Cha." His candid confession took the other older members by surprise, and the fansughed, enjoying this unexpected revtion.

    Eventually, Kang Joo-Han, the main subject of the discussion, admitted with a nod. "Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo fought all the time: over meals, in their sleep, first thing in the morning, and even during practice."

    Hearing this, Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo couldn''t help butugh. They then turned serious when their eyes met.

    ¡°What."

    "What!"

    ¡°What."

    ¡°What?"

    <i>Click, click, click, click, click!</i>

    Park Yoon-Chan intervened, standing between them while chuckling. ¡°That''s how it is. They fight, stick together, fight, and stick together again. Despite their bickering, they are actually roommates."

    As the tension eased, the members started to rx more, inadvertently sharing more behind-the-scenes stories. The fans couldn''t hide their delight in discovering these personal details.

    ¡°They are really showing their true colors now.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. A reality show with them would be hrious. I love the two same-age members the most.¡±

    As everyone witnessed their yful interaction at the mini fan meeting, it was evident how unique and chemistry-filled the group was. "YMM hasn''t showcased this side of them yet, right? I can already see myself watching their videos and following them around."

    ¡°Let''s have Jin-Sung read the next question."

    ¡°Sure." Responding to Kang Joo-Han''s suggestion, Lee Jin-Sung peeled off another sticker.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s see... Uh? ''Hyun-Woo, what were you talking about in the bathroom that time?'' What does this mean?" Lee Jin-Sung read the question, causing the fans to giggle knowingly while the other group members looked confused.

    ¡°That time with Woo Ji-Hyuk and Kim Jin-Wook!"

    ¡°During the unit!"

    ¡°When the three of you went into the bathroom!"

    ¡°When you dragged Kim Jin-Wook into the bathroom!" The fans eagerly tried to exin, but the group members still seemed baffled.

    ¡°What does that mean? Bathroom? Who asked this question?" Suh Hyun-Woo finally spotted the fan who asked the question. The fans were still abuzz, indicating that it was amon curiosity among them.

    A fan in the back covered her flushed face and stood up. ¡°Oh no! I''m sorry!"

    ¡°What? Why are you sorry?" Looking a bit lost, Suh Hyun-Woo gently responded to the flustered fan.

    ¡°What does this question mean?" With all eyes on her, the flushed fan became even more embarrassed. Under Suh Hyun-Woo''s gaze, she eventually lowered her head as she was shy.

    ¡°Ah, it''s so embarrassing! I''d die of jealousy right there."

    ¡°I would just faint on the spot." Excited murmurs filled the air.

    "Uh, during the unit training, Hyun-Woo, Ji-Hyuk, and Jin-Wook had a conversation in the bathroom, remember?" stammered the flushed fan.

    Hearing this, Suh Hyun-Woo rolled his eyes in realization and let out an ¡°ah¡±. He recalled a serious toilet conference they had, where they talked about a big decision regarding Jin-Wook moving to YU. It was a serious conversation but was humorously portrayed by YU Entertainment, showing about five minutes of footage focusing on the door to the bathroom.

    Suh Hyun-Woo chuckled, sharing a behind-the-scenes tidbit. ¡°We had cameras everywhere except in the bathrooms. So, whenever we needed to have private conversations, that¡¯s where we headed.¡±

    ¡°Ahh, I remember that from the show. I almost diedughing.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t all the other teams rte to this too?¡± Suh Hyun-Woo asked, and all the other members nodded in agreement. They only showed so much on air, but whenever the members had personal things to discuss, they¡¯d seek out blind spots like the bathroom, the backyard, or even under the covers. It was a little secret strategy to avoid the ever-present cameras.

    On TV, there were moments when Woo Ji-Hyuk and Suh Hyun-Woo would just disappear into the bathroom and note out for ages. The broadcast humorously focused on the closed door for a long time, apanied by captions like, ¡°What are they doing in there...? I want to know too¡±. Then Suh Hyun-Woo would suddenly show up, dragging Kim Jin-Wook back into the bathroom, leaving viewers both confused and curious.

    Suh Hyun-Woo hesitated for a moment, thinking of how to deflect the question. "Honestly, I don¡¯t remember exactly what we were talking about. It was just some trivial things. Ji-Hyuk hyung, Jin-Wook hyung, and I got along well... so we often went in together." He casually brushed off the topic, and his nonchnt demeanor made the fans think he genuinely couldn''t remember much.

    "We''ve covered everything we thought about. Does anyone have any questions or something to say to Chronos?" Near the end of the fan meeting, Kang Joo-Han asked this, prompting the fans to raise their hands. Goh Yoo-Joon then pointed to someone and called her. "The person in the denim jacket at the back!"

    A fan in a denim jacket stood up. "I''d like to know who each member feels closest to in the group and who your roommates are."

    Without hesitation, Goh Yoo-Joon grabbed Suh Hyun-Woo''s arm. "This guy here, and that''s why he''s also my roommate."

    Lee Jin-Sung shook his head, grinning. "These two didn''t even consider anyone else when choosing roommates. They''ve been close since before joining the debut team."

    ¡°But seriously, they fight every day," Kang Joo-Han said this with a resigned expression, to which Goh Yoo-Joon quickly countered, "But we haven''t fought much since making the debut team, right?"

    ¡°During Cha-Cha, you guys argued so much that Yoon-Chan was keeping count," Kang Joo-Han added, making the fansugh.

    ¡°We''re being left out, huh," the fan said yfully, though she seemed to be enjoying herself.

    ¡°I just hope we debut soon and get to meet you guys more often."

    ¡°What about the other members?" asked a fan with a loud voice. While it was surprising to hear Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo shared a room, it wasn¡¯t much of a shock given their evident closeness in the broadcasts. The fans were curious about the other members too. Kang Joo-Han responded, "I have my own room, while Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung share the big room."

    "There was a fierce game of rock-paper-scissors between Joo-Han hyung and Jin-Sung to decide who''d stay with Yoon-Chan," Goh Yoo-Joon revealed.

    ¡°Wait, what? Isn''t it better to have a room for yourself?¡±

    As the fan murmured in confusion, Suh Hyun-Woo picked up the microphone again. "We just decided to share the bigger room. Joo-Han hyung and Jin-Sung both talk in their sleep, so they thought it was better to share with Yoon-Chan because the room they got alone was kind of dark and small."

    Thirty minutes had flown by since the fan meeting started. Manager Joh In-Hyun checked the time and signaled to Kang Joo-Han to wrap it up. "Everyone, it looks like we need to finish up now."

    "Nooo!" The fans expressed their disappointment, and it was echoed yfully by Goh Yoo-Joon.

    The members then appeased the fans by epting their gifts and posing for pictures with the headbands they received. "Thank you so much again. We will work hard to debut soon, so please wait just a little longer!"

    "Of course!"

    "We will wait! Just take care of yourselves!"

    Fortunately, the fans readily promised to wait. As Chronos moved to end the fan meeting and saw them off, the fans unanimously refused.

    "Let us watch you till the end!" The fans didn¡¯t see Chronos''s gesture as thoughtful. How could they not feel sad like this? If they left first, they''d miss watching Chronos leave.

    "Really? You want us to go first?" Suh Hyun-Woo asked, somewhat taken aback by the fans'' insistence.

    ¡°Yeah! Go ahead! We are okay!¡±

    ¡°We will leave on our own, so don¡¯t worry!¡±

    The fans insisted firmly, leaving Chronos slightly awkward and ultimately leaving first. Their first small fan meeting ended, leaving behind a trail of exciting teasers and a tinge of longing.

    After the fan meeting, social media tforms such as <i>BlueBird</i> and <i>UTube</i> were flooded with post-meeting reviews and information about Chronos. <i>UTube </i>was filled withplete videos of the mini fan meeting and individual fan-cam videos for each member, while <i>BlueBird </i>buzzed with meticulouslypiled details of the event.

    The glimpses behind the scenes of Chronos, newly released mini fan meeting previews[1], and live updates of the fan meeting Q&A unveiled the members'' casual banter. For those who had recently be fans of Chronos and those who missed the fan meeting, these updates felt like a refreshing rain of blessings.

    However, it wasn''t just Chronos''s dedicated fans engaging with this content. As soon as the live broadcast ended, stage clips were uploaded on <i>UTube</i>, followed by reality show promotions by UNET, capitalizing on Chronos''s victorious moments. The resulting buzz not only attracted devoted fans but also enticed some curious people to click on the videos and initiate searches for Chronos. As a result, their name dominated search engines for a significant portion of the day, drawing in those on the verge of bing fans to start watching the fan meeting broadcasts and previews.

    Among them, a new admirer was browsing about Chronos. "They''re doing well," she chuckled, leisurely flipping through photos of Chronos<i>.</i>

    <i>Click, click.</i> Her adept navigation of <i>BlueBird</i> and quick searches for Chronos showcased her familiarity. However, she hesitated for a moment and closed her eyes with a sigh. "I can''t. I decided not to do this anymore." The memory of getting hurt and falling for someone lingered in her.

    Yet, despite her attempt to resist, she found herself immersed once again, browsing through every fan channel and binge-watching content about Chronos. Her room was filled with high-end cameras, and herputer¡ªtoo sophisticated for just inte browsing¡ªhinted at her past as a dedicated fan. Her gaze then intensely followed every move of Suh Hyun-Woo.

    "Ah, still a baby. Just a kid," she murmured, though her eyes showed a different sentiment. "I need to watch more to know for sure." Yet, she was already watching more than enough.

    After the reputation of her favorite idol group, River, plummeted, she made a pact never to fall for idols again. However, who could resist their looks, talent, and endearing stories? Once a top-seed home master and a renowned fan who yed a pivotal role in propelling River to top-tier idol, she now found herself in the familiar denial phase of bing a fan once more, this time ensnared by the charm of Suh Hyun-Woo.

    1. Unedited photos uploaded by home masters before any edits. ?

 Chapter 57: Mini Fan Meeting (3)

    <h4>Chapter 57: Mini Fan Meeting (3)</h4>

    ¡°I will take the picture on one. Three, two, one!¡± At On-Sae''s cue, all of us took a pose. After wrapping up the fan meeting, we all headed to a dinner gathering of <i>Pick We Up. </i>The venue was split between the staff and the idols, each creating their unique dining atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, except for one noticeable absence.

    "Why aren''t the Air Senior members here?" Lee Jin-Sung asked.

    "They said they had othermitments and couldn¡¯t make it to the dinner. Well, we don¡¯t mind at all because we feel morefortable without them," Ji-Hyuk replied, piling meat onto Jin-Sung¡¯s te. Seeing his te getting filled, Jin-Sung clung to Ji-Hyuk in delight.

    "Wow, our members never serve meat to each other. I''m moving to High Tension!" eximed Jin-Sung

    "Wee, wee!"ughed Ji-Hyuk. It seemed like Jin-Sung was still holding onto the story about Team D taking care of On-Sae and grilling meat for himst time.

    "No way, we can''t let Jin-Sung go to High Tension," I joked, piling even more meat onto his already heaping te, making Jin-Sung pout.

    "Jin-Sung, look here!"

    "Huh?"

    <i>Click! </i>

    Joo-Han captured Jin-Sung clinging to Ji-Hyuk with his phone.

    "Gotta let him go if he''s moving to High Tension. Hyung, please take care of our boy," Joo-Han said and nodded at Ji-Hyuk, who hugged Jin-Sung even tighter.

    "Let¡¯s go, Jin-Sung!"

    "No, I don''t want to!" Jin-Sung wriggled away.

    "What did Joo-Han post on <i>BlueBird</i>?" Jin-Sung asked anxiously. Joo-Han then handed over his phone before returning to his seat.

    Chronos @Officialchronos ¡¤ 1m

    Jin-Sung is moving to HighTension.

    Feeling betrayed #Joo-Han

    (Photo of Jin-Sung clinging to Woo Ji-Hyuk with a happy smile.jpg)

    Comments 56 Retweets 104 Likes 367

    "Ah, why!"

    "I thought the fans might be curious about what we''re up to after the fan meeting?"

    "No, hyung. I hate it. And why do I look like that?" While Joo-Han and Jin-Sung bickered, Ji-Hyuk sat down beside me and said, "I''m worried about Jin-Wook."

    "...Hyung, you didn¡¯t even like Jin-Wook that much."

    "No, I grew to like him. We all had dinner together, remember?"

    Like he did for Jin-Sung, Ji-Hyuk ced pieces of grilled meat on my te. I then put some in my mouth and said, "He didn''t need toe. They''re disbanding soon anyway."

    This dinner felt more like aworking opportunity than a celebration. Therefore, Air Senior members, who were already on the brink of disbandment amidst internal strife and unenthusiastic management, had no reason toe.

    Ji-Hyuk nodded. "I agree. Those guys got stuck with the worst agency. Talented members, but...¡±

    ¡°No, I don''t pity those who start to smoke in their trainee days," I whispered as I felt they were not trying their best. Ji-Hyuk just looked at me as if he agreed.

    "By the way, have you guys decided on your debut song yet?" Ji-Hyuk asked.

    Joo-Han, who had been calming down Jin-Sung, shook his head. "Only the coupling song ''Chronos'' is decided. The title track is still up in the air."

    "Are you participating in theposing?"

    "I''m not sure," Joo-Han replied with a wistful smile. "I wish I could, but I''m still a beginner in musicposition. It''d be too ambitious to handle our title track," Joo-Han said modestly. He had just begun his journey in musicposition, and the idea of shouldering the responsibility for our group''s main song appeared to be beyond his current skill level.

    "We''ve received a lot of songs, but we haven''t found the right one for us yet," he added.

    "Still searching? Your debut schedule is tight, isn¡¯t it? It sounds risky," said Ji-Hyuk.

    "That''s what YMM does all the time," I chimed in. YMM often faced budget constraints, so they had a knack for transforming average songs into hits. This led to manyposers gaining fame, sometimes even without the expected skills, just by signing with YMM. Now, with Chronos''s rising poprity, we were exclusively considering top-notch songs from renownedposers. However, most of the songs didn''t quite fit YMM''s style or Chronos''s image.

    "If it doesn''t work out, they might push back our debut," Joo-Han mentioned.

    "Seriously, if they''re so picky about finding the perfect song, they should spend more money! YMM is so frustrating," Ji-Hyuk muttered.

    "What are you guys talking about?" Reina, the top star, joined us with a bottle of beer in hand and slid between Joo-Han and Ji-Hyuk. She poured them drinks with a casual ir and teased, "You guys are of legal drinking age, right? I''m not encouraging underage drinking, am I?"

    "Yes!" they replied, feeling a bit startled but epting the drinks graciously.

    "Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung, stick with soda, alright? I just came to check the vibe here. We are a bit isted from the rest, right? Mind if I join you for a bit?"

    Joo-Han immediately made room for her. After all, it was rare and exciting to have the chance to sit with a top celebrity like Reina. Despite having met her a few times, we were still in awe of her.

    "What were you discussing? It looked serious."

    "Oh, we were talking about our title track. We haven¡¯t decided yet..."

    "What? Still undecided?¡± Reina widened her eyes in surprise and then quickly frowned, looking displeased. ¡°But your debut is right around the corner! YMM is dragging its feet with such talented guys like you all?"

    "We''ve got some offers, but none that truly resonate with us. We haven¡¯t found anything that fits our image," replied Joo-Han

    "Hmm, even with renownedposers involved?" asked Reina, and Joo-Han nodded. As a veteran in this industry, Reina was familiar with YMM''s stubbornness.

    She guessed, "Ah, it seems like YMM is probably trying to make the most of their limited budget."

    "Well, there is nothing we can do about it. If a good songes out of all this process, it''s all good for us."

    "No, Joo-Han. In my opinion, you shouldn''t dy the debut." Reina seemed to ponder, and her face suddenly lit up with a smile. "Great! I was just thinking of how I could help Chronos since you guys covered my song. This is perfect!"

    "Really?"

    "I''ll introduce you to a professionalposer friend of mine. He doesn¡¯t just give songs to anyone, but he really likes me..." Her face beamed with confidence.

    "Aposer referral?" Joo-Han¡¯s face lit up with hope.

    Reina, the superstar, was offering to introduce a notableposer to us. This could mean a breakthrough, not necessarily for our title track, but still a masterpiece.

    We all gazed at Reina with eager and positive expressions, and she responded with a reassuring and confident smile. ¡°I think he will be able to give you guys a song you are looking for. Let me give you his phone number... Oh, never mind." Reina suddenly stood up from her seat, leaving us staring at her in confusion.

    ¡°R...Reina?" I blurted out, feeling puzzled as to why she abruptly stopped talking. Just as I thought she might change her mind, Reina raised her ss. ¡°I will talk directly to yourpany. Just trust me. Mr. In-Hyun!" Calling for our manager, Reina strode away. Her back looked so cool and dependable.

    ***

    <strong>Chapter: Chronos History (1)</strong>

    Memorial @memory ¡¤ June 19

    [HQ] XX0619 UNET Mini Fan Meeting

    The day we first talked

    (Photo of Suh Hyun-Woo at the mini fan meeting.jpg)

    #Chronos

    #SuhHyunWoo #HyunWoo #HYUNWOO

    Replies 3 Retweets 201 Likes 1053

    Night Sea @cronbul ¡¤ June 20

    It was tough to wait cuz it was freaking hot, but it was worth it. They are so cute!!! My love for you guys deepens each day. I''ll wait, love, and take care of you.

    (4 photos from the Chronos mini fan meeting)

    Replies 5 Retweets 75 Likes 186

    Peach @yoojoon ¡¤ June 20

    XX0619 UNET Mini Fan Meeting

    My babes are having fun with just one megaphone @Officialchronos

    (Video of Chronos ying with a megaphone)

    #CHRONOS #Chronos

    Replies 2 Retweets 381 Likes 2001

    Kakao Kakao @kakao ¡¤ June 21

    Mini Fan Meeting summary for myself, XX0619 UNET

    Replies 1 Retweets 586 Likes 1028

    ©¸Kakao Kakao @kakao ¡¤ June 21

    Reply to Kakao @kakao

    1. I saw Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung fiddling with a toy megaphone on their way to the fan meeting ce, and it was to tease Yoo-Joon > Hyun-Woo identally yed it, making everyoneugh > Neither Hyun-Woo nor Jin-Sung knew how to turn it off, so Yoon-Chan had to do it

    2. They fought a lot during Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha, especially Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, as confirmed by Joo-Han (habitual bickering lol).

    ©¸Kakao @kakao ¡¤ June 21

    Reply to Kakao @kakao

    3. The order of them showing up on the stage during the performances of ¡®Chronos¡¯ and ¡®History¡¯ was based on who joined the agency first.

    4. Roommates in the dorm

    Joo-Han - Sleeps alone in a small room

    Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon - Roommates

    Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung - Roommates

    Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon are so close that the other three had to fight for the remaining rooms.

    I will continueter.

    ©¸Kakao @kakao ¡¤ June 21

    Reply to Kakao @kakao

    *Joo-Han and Jin-Sung have super bad sleep-talking problems.

    5. When they lived with units for two weeks, Hyun-Woo, Ji-Hyuk, and Jin-Wook had a conversation in the bathroom > It was off-camera because there were no cameras there > Anything they couldn''t say in front of cameras was discussed there.

    6. The song ''History'' will be re-recorded with all five members for the album.

    ©¸Kakao @kakao ¡¤ June 21

    Reply to Kakao @kakao

    7. The debut date hasn''t been set yet. They will try to debut as soon as possible

    8. Even Chronos doesn''t know what they will be doing on variety shows

    9. The only one in Chronos who¡¯s familiar with Allure members is Hyun-Woo. They address each other using ''hyung'' or ''dong-saeng.¡¯ The other Chronos members call them ''seniors.''

    ©¸Kakao @kakao ¡¤ June 21

    Reply to Kakao @kakao

    10. Team D (Hyun-Woo''s team) went out for a meal together after the unit performance.

    That''s all for now. I will add more if I missed anything.

    Replies 11 Retweets 485 Likes 1742

    ***

    Four days had passed since the fan meeting. Despite our inexperienced hosting and minimal preparation, the fans were thankfully understanding.

    "Hyun-Woo, are you checking the reactions again?" the manager teased. I then handed my phone to Joo-Han.

    "Joo-Han hyung and Jin-Sung were looking at it earlier too."

    ¡°Not that many people leave hatements now,¡± Joo-Han said.

    The meeting we had nned for right after thepetition got pushed back by three days because both our team''s staff and UNET''s staff suffered from hangovers. Those extra days of rest turned out to be a blessing, giving us all a chance to dpress from thepetition''s high stress.

    And if anything really shifted since thepetition, it was probably our collective fixation on <i>Pick We Up.</i>

    "Dum-du-dum-du-dum- da-dan... Clumsy and cute..."

    "The magician''s mystical power..."

    "YO... Clumsy, sure... But united, we''re strong..."

    "The magical pendant, woo-ergh..."

    "Hey, Goh Yoo-Joon, Lee Jin-Sung, zip it. The woo-ergh is mine..."

    We were all seemingly hooked, endlessly ribbing each other with imitations and inside jokes from the show. Those memorable lines and scenes from <i>Pick We Up</i> were all stuck in our brains.

 Chapter 58: Chronos History (2)

    <h4>Chapter 58: Chronos History (2)</h4>

    Three days after the fan meeting, the absence of constant rehearsals andpetition preparations left a strange void in our routine. The quiet ease almost bordered on dullness. Despite being told to take a well-deserved break, we often found ourselves drifting back to the practice studio.

    "You all are just like Allure kids. No wonder you guys are under the same agency," the managermented, smiling as he watched us singing through the rearview mirror. "After their concerts, they also mumble their lyrics like you guys."

    During thepetition, we were constantly in the spotlight, surrounded by dazzling lights. Now, not being on stage or even practicing felt oddly suffocating.

    "But hyung, what exactly is this reality program? Is it like the unitpetition where we had cameras all around us?" Jin-Sung asked. As our manager drove into UNET''s parking lot, he replied, "It could be. We will find out more details inside."

    "That makes sense," I mused.

    ¡°I heard the staff had already nned out the content, but I am not sure if they will tell you guys about it. Let¡¯s get out.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon asked, ¡°Why are they not telling us?¡±

    ¡°In variety shows, everyone, except for the MC, usually goes in blind. It might be something like that," I replied. Our manager nodded in agreement as he finished parking.

    "That''s right," he said.

    "I might not know for sure, but it sounds like it''ll be fun. Everyone says it''s awkward, but I actually found it pretty amusing to have cameras in the dorm," Goh Yoo-Joonmented. As we entered the broadcasting station lobby, staff who recognized us from <i>Pick We Up</i> greeted us warmly. We then politely nodded to each one even though we didn''t know their names. After that, we headed to the meeting room.

    "Good to see you!"

    "Hello!"

    "Did you get some rest?" Familiar faces greeted us as we entered the meeting room.

    ¡°We have met a couple of times from <i>Pick We Up</i>, right? I am Lee Won-Jae, the PD, and this is our lead writer.¡±

    ¡°Pleased to meet you. I am Song Yi-Hee,¡± the lead writer introduced herself with a smile.

    "Hello, we are Chronos!" We responded in unison, trying to maintain ourposure despite the overwhelming presence of these industry heavyweights.

    "Ah, these guys are always so courteous," the director chuckled. Even though we recognized them, their significant roles in the industry still instilled a sense of awe in us. Director Lee Won-Jae, ever so friendly, gestured toward the drinksid out on the table, encouraging us to help ourselves.

    "You all yed a big part in the sess of<i> Pick We Up</i>. No need for formalities here. Let''s keep this meeting casual and productive. We are here to brainstorm about your exclusive program."

    "Thank you so much!" Jin-Sung quickly sprang into action, distributing the drinks to us while Song Yi-Hee started handing out a stack of documents.

    "I''ve made enough copies for all the members, including Mr. In-Hyun," she informed us. ¡°This reality show aims to capture every facet of Chronos''s journey toward debut, especially given the immense interest from your fans after thepetition."

    "But it''s not all business. Each episode will be crafted in the style of a variety show, with its unique ir," she continued. I then nced through the documents¡ªsixteen episodes, each an hour long. The specifics of each episode were shrouded in mystery, keeping the cast in the dark.

    "We are nning to focus on special segments that will be filmed separately, and each episode will conclude with a fifteen-minute part dedicated to your debut preparations."

    "Will cameras be installed in our dorm?" I asked.

    Song Yi-Hee pondered for a brief moment before nodding affirmatively. ¡°Yes, initially cameras will be set up in the dorm to document the debut process as it unfolds. However, unlike your training camp days, we will create some private spaces for you. It''s just about a day of filming every two weeks."

    Director Lee Won-Jae then chimed in, ¡°We will start installing cameras in the dorm next week. There''s also your uing title track meeting. Ah, we''ll be covering that too. Our goal is to showcase the unique personalities of each Chronos member throughout the series, so please give it your best."

    "Now, for the most exciting part. The title of your variety show." Song Yi-Hee flipped to the front page of her document, revealing the title to us.

    [Tentative: <i>Chronos History</i>]

    Our eyes widened in surprise. ¡°This title...¡±

    ¡°It was inspired by your recent performance." She observed our reactions with a smile. We were dumbfounded as the title on the writer¡¯s document was familiar to us.

    ¡°The two songs you performed were these two words, right? One of them contains your group name, and it sounds fancy. What do you think?¡±

    "I love it!"

    ¡°It¡¯s beyond my expectation!¡± We collectively agreed, genuinely liking the proposed title.

    Pleased with our response, Song Yi-Hee gathered her papers. "If there are no objections, we''ll go ahead with this as the final title.¡±

    No matter how much I thought about it, no other title could rece this.

    ¡°We''ve outlined the general content, so let''s look forward to a sessful coboration. See you all at the title track meeting."

    And just like that, our first meeting into the world of variety shows officially ended.

    ***

    A few weeks had passed since <i>Pick We Up</i> ended. We could see our following on <i>BlueBird</i> steadily growing without us having to do anything, and we just posted updates at least once every three days. Caught up in the excitement, YMM also uploaded behind-the-scenes videos of us on <i>UTube</i>.

    Among these were snippets from <i>Pick We Up</i>, our casual hangouts, and our snacking session in the practice room. We were just us being ourselves. Aside from Cha-Cha and performance clips, there were a lot of things to watch. Thanks to this variety of content, the activity in our fan channels on <i>UTube </i>and <i>BlueBird </i>was buzzing.

    In YMM''s boardroom, small cameras were set up not only in front of each member but also in front of Manager In-Hyun, Supervisor Kim, and other key figures. In the midst of discussing our debut title track, Supervisor Kim suddenly shot up, his face alight with excitement. He definitely had forgotten that we were filming at the moment.

    "''Chronos'' and ''History'' have just charted! They''re at twenty-sixth and thirtieth right now!"

    "Whoa!"

    "Not even debuted and already making waves? The momentum of Chronos is unstoppable!"

    "Well done! Congrattions, Chronos!"

    We responded to their celebrations with bashful smiles, not quite knowing how to react. ¡°Thank you!"

    The tracks released to coincide with the end of the live broadcast had finally charted, thanks in part to UNET''s support and our mini fan meeting.

    ¡°I''m proud of you all. What do you want to eat? Let''s order something deliciouster at the dorm! It will be on me!" Supervisor Kim shouted in excitement.

    "Then let''s go for pig''s feet!"

    "Okay!"

    There was no guarantee that the sess of the firstunched group would carry over to the second. Yet, Chronos was making waves strong enough to sweep away YMM''s worries. This sess brought a much-needed breath of fresh air into the otherwise tense and focused boardroom meeting.

    However, as soon as Supervisor Kim sat back down, the respite was over. We dove back into the discussion right away. There was still so much to decide before Chronos''s debut, and the schedule was tight.

    "So, Mr. Seong, are we passing on the third song? I personally like it. With thisposer, there''s no need to worry about sess."

    "But Supervisor Kim, there''s also theposer whom Reina introduced to us who sent over the teaser music. It''s not easy to get a track from this person, so I really think we should consider it..."

    Fifty songs had been meticulously narrowed down to just five, including one from theposer whom Reina had introduced.

    Hearing Mr. Seong''s suggestion, Supervisor Kim nced at the name of theposer. ¡°Oh Dong-Hoon? Isn''t he the one who writes quite crazy songs? I don''t think he has written title tracks before."

    ¡°That is true, but remember the response we got when our kids covered ''There''s No Night for Me''? His style may be unique, but it fits Chronos perfectly." Mr. Seongid the information for Oh Dong-Hoon''s track on top of the third song''s details, prompting Supervisor Kim to squint suspiciously.

    The two supervisors were ssic rivals and had never seen eye to eye on any decision since we became Chronos. Supervisor Kim then skimmed the song introduction and then dismissively tossed the paper aside. ¡°Tsk, the working title is ''Chronos1.'' Itcks sincerity."

    ¡°Come on, just give it a go. I bet you''ll be hooked the moment you hear it!" Mr. Seong pressed y with confidence. If YMM''s ace nner, Mr. Seong, was so sure about this track, it had to be something special. Everyone in the room tuned into the music flowing from the speakers with anticipation.

    <i>¡®Wait, what?¡¯</i>

    "Uh?" The moment the song yed, it was as if the world of the track unfurled in my mind. I could even visualize a music video that hadn''t been made yet. This... wasn''t the first time I''d heard this song. Feeling my heart sank and my head went light, I directly raised my hand. ¡°Supervisor Kim..."

    ¡°Yes, Hyun-Woo? What is it?"

    ¡°I want this song. I definitely want us to do this one." My certainty seemed to puzzle Supervisor Kim.

    ¡°You like this track? It''s not like you to be so insistent."

    ¡°See? Even Hyun-Woo thinks this song is great!" Mr. Seongughed heartily, pping the table.

    No, it was not about whether it was good or not¡ªfrankly, I had heard it so many times I couldn¡¯t even tell anymore. But one thing was clear. We had to secure this song at all costs. It was a track that probably wouldn''t havee our way if we hadn''t won thepetition.

    This song was once a hit by a popr idol group that had swept through every school retreat in South Korea. It was originally intended for an established idol group under Reina¡¯spany, which would disband four yearster due to legal battles and discord. Thanks to our victory in <i>Pick We Up</i> and Reina¡¯s help, the song found its way to us.

    ¡°We should definitely go with this song. I really want this one.¡± I pushed for it strongly, knowing that it was a track we absolutely had to secure. Despite its unconventional vibe, its uniqueness was the very reason it had been a hit. Perhaps it could even prolong the lifespan of Chronos, which seemed destined to disband due to declining poprity.

    The other members and staff started to agree with me. ¡°It¡¯s actually good. Unique and fresh.¡±

    ¡°It has a distinct vibe, perfect for establishing Chronos¡¯s own concept. I think it is a great choice.¡±

    As more and more people voiced their agreement, Producer Do, who had been listening quietly, made up his mind and decisively put down his pen. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s good. Let¡¯s go with this track. There is a surprisinglyrge audience that appreciates this kind of music. Let¡¯s give it a shot.¡±

 Chapter 59: Chronos History (3)

    <h4>Chapter 59: Chronos History (3)</h4>

    Cameras were all over the dorm now. Thanks to Joo-Han''s insistence, we had tidied up the ce, and it was now spotlessly clean.

    "Man, I''m bored. Hey, wanna go to the convenience store?" suggested Yoo-Joon.

    "No, it''s too hot." I quickly shot down Goh Yoo-Joon''s suggestion and pulled the fan closer with my foot. With the cameras rolling, we couldn''t even sneak a nce at our phones. Jin-Sung and Park Yoon-Chan were busy ying a dance game on the gaming console given by Allure, while Joo-Han was deep intoposing music.

    Left with little choice, I joined Goh Yoo-Joon in battling the overheatingptop while ying Crazy Arcade.

    ¡°It must be nice for Joo-Han hyung since he has a PC. Hey, can I buy one too once we debut?"

    ¡°Why are you asking me? Yo, are you seriously throwing water balloons at my side?" I hastily maneuvered my character to dodge the balloons and nudged Goh Yoo-Joon with my body.

    ¡°That''s how you y this game. It''s different from a shooting one. I was asking just because if I get one, it will have to be in our room, and I don¡¯t want to bother you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. But then, I am going to use it too. Let''s go to the inte cafeter for a shootout game. Loser buys ice pops,¡± I replied.

    ¡°No way. Let''s stick to Crazy Arcade. You''re too good at shooting games." As we were idly chatting and wrapping up a game round, the door opened with a knock, and the youngest writer of <i>Chronos History</i> peeked in.

    "Whoa!"

    We were startled by her sudden entrance, so we jumped up. Then, she quickly gestured for us to be quiet, cing her index finger over her lips. ¡°Can you twoe out for a second?"

    ¡°Uh, sure!"

    She sneakily led us out of the dorm, and we walked slowly until we reached YMM''s office cafe terrace. There, Director Lee Won-Jae and Writer Song Yi-Hee were waiting.

    ¡°Hey, you''re here, how are you guys doing?¡±

    ¡°Hello, we are doing very well. Thanks for asking,¡± I answered.

    ¡°So, how''s the dorm atmosphere with the cameras around? Is it too ufortable?"

    ¡°We''ve been used to it ever since the unit training camp."

    A camera was set up on the table, and the young writer brought us some drinks. I wondered what this was all about. As we looked around, feeling puzzled, Director Leeughed heartily. ¡°We''ve brought you two here because we are going to prank Joo-Han."

    ¡°A prank?"

    Director Lee nodded. ¡°Isn''t it almost Joo-Han''s birthday?" He then exined that they wanted to throw a surprise birthday party for Joo-Han.

    ¡°We will tell Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chanter, but for now, just keep it to yourselves. We brought you here to keep it a secret from Joo-Han."

    ¡°What''s the n?"

    ¡°Here''s the scenario.¡± Writer Song Yi-Hee had our attention as she unveiled the storyboard. ¡°Your roles are crucial here.¡±

    The scenario was like this. On the day we were to record Chronos¡¯s opening track for the first time, Goh Yoo-Joon and I, who were known for our frequent spats, were scripted to have a showdown right in front of theposer.

    ¡°We''ve already briefed theposer, and he''s happily on board,¡± Song Yi-Hee assured us.

    ¡°Umm...Okay,¡± I replied somewhat hesitantly.

    ¡°Your job is simple. Just fight. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan will jump in, trying to defuse the situation, suggesting you call it quits if things escte. That''s how we''ll drive the narrative.¡±

    ¡°Given Yoo-Joon''s sharp look, let''s have you confront theposer, and Hyun-Woo can step in to calm things down.¡±

    I pondered the idea. Hidden camera pranks of group members fighting were amon trope on shows, but could this really work? I had this nagging feeling that after the prank, with his sharp instincts, Joo-Han would give us a hard time.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the long faces? Do you think you can pull it off?¡±

    ¡°Joo-Han is quick-witted, but if it''s his first time being pranked like this, he probably won''t catch on right away.¡± Yoo-Joon mulled it over before nodding in agreement. ¡°We''ve got to do it, right, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sure. Though, I''m a bit worried about the aftermath.¡±

    ¡°Excellent. I¡¯m counting on you. As trainees, shouldn¡¯t you be getting some acting practice too?¡±

    We shook our heads. Ourbel, YMM, wasn''t exactly flush with cash to afford acting sses for trainees. Having shown a talent for acting, Yoon-Chan had received some training initially, but that ceased when he switched his focus to idol training.

    Producer Lee Won-Jae then sent us back to our dorm.

    Once back in our room, we resumed our interrupted game. With the dance game sounds from the living room having died down, it seemed that Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung had been called by the writer.

    As our game wrapped up, Yoo-Joon abruptly shut hisptop.

    "Why? I was ready for another round," I protested.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung stepped out. Let¡¯s take over the console."

    With no phones allowed, ourpetition for theptop and game console was fierce, reminiscent of a family gathering during the holidays. Seizing the opportunity, we grabbed the console and fired up the dance game the others had been ying.

    ¡°So, I just follow the dance moves?" I asked.

    ¡°Yep, the highest scorer wins," Yoo-Joon exined, showing me the ropes. Watching him clumsily mimic the on-screen dance moves was hysterically funny.

    ¡°Man, what are you doing? You''re exactly like Cha-Cha!" I teased.

    ¡°Hey, it''s harder than it looks. Shaking your hips isn''t enough to ace this," he retorted.

    ¡°Looks fun, I want in!¡± I said, and he passed me the second controller.

    From the perspective of a viewer, it might seem odd to see us, daily dance practitioners, engrossed in a dance game. But for us who genuinely adored dancing, ying a dance game with friends was an absolute st. I had expected old-school DDR arcade tunes but was pleasantly surprised by the trendy selection.

    - Round 1! Here we go!

    - Please follow along with the screen!

    We were in stitches,ughing as we awkwardly danced along with the screen.

    ¡°Ah! That''s so unfair! How can you guys just snatch our game?¡±

    ¡°Go y on theptop. But man, this is way too much fun."

    ¡°Theptop heats up too quickly, and it''s useless for anything but that water balloon game! Scoot over!"

    Even as Jin-Sung, with his solid build, tried to push us away, we held our ground as we were immersed in the game.

    "Hang on, Jin-Sung," Yoon-Chan intervened, pulling out two more controllers from the drawer. ¡°This can be a four-yer game. You''re an adult here, right Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°Quit treating me like a kid, hyung. But I didn''t realize this was for four yers," Jin-Sung grumbled, epting a controller and waiting patiently for our round to end. As soon as our dance ended, we plopped down on the couch for a break, and Jin-Sung quickly picked the next song.

    ¡°We''ve got the whole day. Why not start from the easiest level and conquer them all?"

    ¡°Then, we would end up spending the whole day here. We don''t want to disturb Joo-Han hyung, who''s busy working," Yoon-Chan noted, then Lee Jin-Sung sat on the couch after cing the consoles on the table.

    ¡°Yeah, we shouldn''t interfere with hisposing," he agreed.

    ¡°I got some sausages for everyone," Yoon-Chan announced, distributing them to us and Joo-Han, who was engrossed in his work. As we sat side by side, munching on sausages, we exchanged knowing nces.

    ¡°You heard about the n from the director, right?" Yoo-Joon asked, and both of them nodded, sausages still in their mouths.

    ¡°If you guys start fighting, I will step in at the right moment.¡±

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, didn¡¯t you take some acting sses? I¡¯m counting on you for this," I said.

    ¡°Then Hyun-Woo and I will slip out at the right moment to get the cake ready." When we were discussing Joo-Han''s surprise birthday party, our faces were filled with worry. It was our first time doing something like this, and Joo-Han, of all people, was our target. No wonder we were nervous.

    ***

    The day had finally arrived. It was our first recording session for <i>Chronos History</i>. When we reached the studio ofposer Oh Dong-Hoon, we looked at each other, keeping Joo-Han in the dark. As soon as Joo-Han knocked, the door swung open, revealing theposer himself.

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos," we greeted.

    ¡°Oh yes, I know. Come on in," he responded warmly.

    We then entered the studio with our heads lowered slightly, taking in the sight of high-end equipment far beyond what ourpany¡¯s studio had. There were even air purifiers and humidifiers here, and cameras were strategically ced all around the room.

    ¡°Take a seat. You all look even better in person," theposerplimented.

    ¡°Nah, thank you, though..." we mumbled, already feeling intimidated before the recording had even started. Oh Dong-Hoon had a formidable presence, and we were all quite shy around adults. It seemed like we were all a bit scared of him... myself included. His piercing gaze seemed to scrutinize us intensely.

    Oh Dong-Hoon looked us over and then let out a chuckle. ¡°It''s good to see such polite kids. I''ve heard about you from Reina, seen you on stage too."

    ¡°Thank you!" we responded in unison.

    ¡°I''m Oh Dong-Hoon, in charge of your title track, ¡®Parade.¡¯ Looking forward to working with you."

    ¡°We are grateful for this opportunity!"

    That was when my eyes met with theposer¡¯s. As I hesitated, he gave me a meaningful smile, sending an unspoken signal that seemed to say, ''It¡¯s showtime.¡¯

    ¡°You¡¯ve all memorized the lyrics, right?" he asked.

    "The lyrics?" My heart sank. We hadn¡¯t been informed that the lyrics were finalized, let alone memorized them. Didn¡¯t our manager say that we¡¯d be getting them on the spot?

    As we stood there, flustered, theposer sent another meaningful smile my way, and this time I got it. It was the cue to start the hidden camera prank. His face suddenly turned stern. ¡°You came to record without memorizing the lyrics?"

    Unaware of the setup, Joo-Han hesitated before bowing his head. ¡°Sorry, we were under the impression we''d receive the lyrics here. Is that not the case?"

    Theposer frowned deeply. ¡°What are you talking about? Whoes to record without knowing the lyrics?"

    ¡°We are so sorry," Joo-Han apologized, his body bending even more under the weight of theposer¡¯s annoyance.

    <i>¡®Why, though?¡¯</i> Even when we knew that this was all an act, our expressions hardened.

    <i>¡®Did we really have to force Joo-Han to apologize? Especially for something he hasn¡¯t done wrong and during what was supposed to be a joyful asion ¡ª his surprise birthday party.¡¯ </i>

    I chewed my lip while watching the scene, feeling an irritating mix of emotions. The situation felt almost too real. Even though it was intended to create content for the show, this prank made everyone involved feel unpleasant.

 Chapter 60: Chronos History (4)

    <h4>Chapter 60: Chronos History (4)</h4>

    ¡°I will print it out now, so memorize it within ten minutes. You can do it, right? Even if it¡¯s impossible, you have no choice. We are short on time.¡±

    ¡°We are so sorry.¡± Joo-Han had already apologized twice. Theposer looked at us with a disappointed gaze and sighed heavily.

    ¡°This prank doesn¡¯t feel right,¡± Lee Jin-Sung whispered.

    ¡°Yeah, I agree.¡± I felt the same way. Although it was to trick Joo-Han, his dejected look made me feel ufortable.

    We barely had ten minutes to memorize the lyrics before the recording started. ¡°Theposer is so intimidating. What am I going to do?¡± Yoo-Joon whispered anxiously, as he was the one who had to rebel against theposer.

    ¡°You look quite threatening too, so you will be fine. Just think of it as you going crazy,¡± I reassured him.

    ¡°You have to help me out as soon as possible, okay?" Yoo-Joon¡¯s words had me nodding in agreement. Despite his fierce appearance and rough speech, he was actually quite straightforward and amiable. It seemed that he was nervous about showing anger to an elder, even though he was just acting.

    ¡°Don''t worry. If you get into trouble, I will jump in right away."

    ¡°Okay."

    I extended my fist, and Yoo-Joon, cautiously eyeing Joo-Han, bumped his fist against mine. We all rallied our spirits as we watched Park Yoon-Chan enter the recording booth. ¡°Just don¡¯t swear when you fight," I reminded him.

    ¡°Of course."

    Theposer didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of getting angry at anyone other than Yoo-Joon. He advised, ¡°Hmm, try to rx a bit more when singing this part. Remove the emotion to let the atmospheree through. Shall we try again?"

    ¡°Yes!" There was no point in causing trouble with theposer since we had agreed to work together. Besides, he was famous for not giving out his songs that easily. Instead of getting angry, theposer gently corrected Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung, and then wrapped things up. If it weren''t for the hidden camera prank, it would have been a very harmonious session.

    "Suh Hyun-Woo, you need to give me the cue to get angry when I go in." While Joo-Han was recording, Yoo-Joon quietly asked for help. He appeared anxious and continued to seek guidance repeatedly.

    I nodded firmly, keeping my eyes forward. ¡°When you make eye contact with me, then start acting annoyed, okay?"

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°Next, Yoo-Joon."

    After Park Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung, and Joo-Han had finished, Yoo-Joon finally entered the recording booth. I then nervously watched Yoo-Joon, biting my lip.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you look upset. Are you okay?" Joo-Han quickly asked, noticing my distress.

    ¡°No? I mean, I''m fine." I shook my head, but my face remained tense with anxiety. Joo-Han then sat down next to me, looking concerned. As the other members were aimlessly flipping through the lyric sheets, I just pressed my quivering cheek down onto the sheet.

    ¡°Are you nervous? Want me to get you some warm water?"

    ¡°No, I''m fine, hyung."

    ¡°I thought you never got nervous on stage."

    <i>¡®It¡¯s definitely not stage fright. I am anxious because we are deceiving you, hyung.¡¯</i>

    Seeing my pale face, Joo-Han got up to get water, but I quickly grabbed his arm and made him sit down again. ¡°I''m okay. I will probably feel better once I go into the studio."

    It didn''t matter if I had to make excuses to Joo-Han, but under no circumstances could I let him leave the studio. If he did, he wouldn¡¯t see Yoo-Joon acting angry.

    ¡°Again."

    ¡°...Okay."

    Yoo-Joon was struggling right from the start. Theposer''s continuous criticisms seemed to wound his pride, even though the former was just acting. Yoo-Joon, who had always been confident in his vocals, was receiving a lot of criticism in front of his friends and group members, and it probably wasn¡¯t pleasant for him.

    ¡°It sounds really blocked here. Again."

    ¡°Okay.¡± Yoo-Joon sang his part again, but theposer just shook his head, not satisfied.

    ¡°Goodness, why isn''t this working? Again."

    ¡°...Okay.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s expression grew increasingly stern. After that, the song was stopped again before one part could even bepleted.

    ¡°The manager said Yoo-Joon sings well, but umm...¡±

    ¡°Uh...¡±

    ¡®<i>Isn¡¯t that a bit harsh?¡¯ </i>I grimaced unconsciously and nced at Yoo-Joon. Now, he wasn¡¯t just acting but was genuinely frustrated. His brooding look alone already created a tense atmosphere.

    I saw an opportunity and chimed in. ¡°What¡¯s with him? His face...¡± Before I could say more, Joo-Han cut me off by cing his hand on my lips.

    ¡°Shh, keep quiet. Do not say anything about that. It will make things worse.¡±

    "Okay," I answered. Joo-Han had sensed the seriousness of the situation before I tried to escte it, so I obediently shut up.

    Meanwhile, theposer was persistently calling for ''again.'' Yoo-Joon asionally shot him a re, and the other members started ncing around nervously, especially at Joo-Han. Then...

    <i>Bang!</i>

    Theposer suddenly mmed his hand on the table. He shouted, ¡°This isn¡¯t working! No progress at all. Why are you even in the debut group? Maybe you should just quit."

    We were all startled and looked at theposer, our expressions turning grave.

    ¡°Ah, seriously..." Yoo-Joon started rolling his tongue in his mouth, his face flushed with anger. ¡°What am I supposed to do? This is ridiculous..." he muttered under his breath, causing theposer¡¯s eyes to sh with anger.

    ¡°Hey, are you crazy?" At that moment, I wondered if this was still an act. Yoo-Joon¡¯s pride seemed genuinely hurt, so I stood up.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo?" Joo-Han looked stunned. With a serious expression, I pressed the microphone button that connected to the recording booth. ¡°Hey, what are you doing? Yoo-Joon,e out for a second." It was a sudden and impolite action that I would never normally do.

    Joo-Han quickly grabbed my arm. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung!"

    ¡°Just give me a moment. I need to talk to him."

    I brushed off the other members¡¯ attempts to stop me and just red at Yoo-Joon. He hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the booth with an equally hostile face. Yoo-Joon waspletely immersed in his role as a troublemaker, with hands shoved in his pockets. ¡°Why did you call me?"

    ¡°What are you trying to do?"

    ¡°What do you mean?"

    ¡°Why are you getting annoyed during the recording?"

    <i>¡®Wow, look at those eyes.¡¯</i> He looked like he would p me any second.

    Jin-Sung stepped between us. ¡°Hyungs, why are you doing this? Ah, don¡¯t..."

    ¡°Why are you acting up now, of all times? What''s this behavior in the recording booth?"

    ¡°So, if you were me, you wouldn¡¯t get annoyed? He keeps nitpicking and making me sing over and over."

    Theposer yed along, sighing heavily as if in frustration. I then pushed Jin-Sung aside and continued, ¡°It''s because you can''t do it properly. Can''t you read the room? You think you''re the only one struggling?"

    ¡°How can you say that to me when you know I hate being told I can''t sing?"

    <i>¡®Ah, damn.¡¯</i> Our eyes met squarely, and my cheeks twitched.

    Struggling to suppress a grin, Yoo-Joon grabbed my cor. ¡°Hey,e out here."

    <i>¡®Well done, Yoo-Joon.¡¯</i> Just as I was about to dash off to get the cake, Jin-Sung yelled, ¡°Stop it!"

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Why are you leaving? Why are you fighting here?"

    <i>¡®No, just let us go.¡¯</i> I was trying to leave before we burst outughing.

    My eyes locked with Yoo-Joon¡¯s again, and we quickly looked away, lowering our heads.

    <i>¡®Don''tugh. Calm down, Suh Hyun-Woo.¡¯</i> Jin-Sung¡¯s interference left a brief silence in the studio, and that was when Joo-Han stood up.

    ¡°Stop it! Sir, I''m sorry." Joo-Han bowed deeply at a ny-degree angle to theposer in apology.

    ¡°I''ve worked with many artists, but I''ve never seen anything like this."

    ¡°We''re sorry."

    ¡°You guys are just rookies who haven''t even debuted..." Theposer clicked his tongue and turned his head away. Joo-Han looked at us, his face a picture of utter disappointment. He scolded us, ¡°Enough! There are so many people here!"

    I protested, "Hyung! But when will this end at this pace?" Just then, theposer¡¯s phone vibrated. After he checked it, he stood up abruptly and shouted, ¡°Then don''t record anymore! I can''t stand this!" He then left the studio. It seemed that he had received a mission from the director.

    The door mmed shut loudly, and we were left alone in the studio. Joo-Han then red at me and Yoo-Joon with a furious expression. ¡°What are you guys doing?"

    <i>¡®What should I say? What can I say?¡¯</i> Facing Joo-Han''s genuine anger, Yoo-Joon and I could only exchange nervous nces.

    Finally, I broke the silence. ¡°Yoo-Joon keeps getting annoyed."

    ¡°And what about you? Aren¡¯t you annoyed as well?"

    ¡°Well, yes I am." We really shouldn¡¯t be acting like this, even in jest. Since bing trainees, we¡¯d been through a lot, but this was the first time we''d been scolded by Joo-Han to this extent. The atmosphere was so tensely charged that it was almost unbearable. Now, Jin-Sung simply stood behind Joo-Han, not knowing what to do.

    Then Park Yoon-chan burst out, ¡°If this is how it''s going to be, just quit!"

    ¡°What?" Everyone, including Joo-Han, turned to look at him.

    <i>¡®Oh my, is he... ¡®</i>

    ¡°Hey, are you crying?" Yoo-Joon asked in shock. Park Yoon-Chan was sobbing, tears streaming down his face.

    ¡®<i>Isn¡¯t he aware this is not real... Wait a minute.¡¯</i>

    ¡°If we fight like this even before we debut, <i>sniff,</i> the cameras... theposer... we''re already, <i>sob</i>, disliked by people in the industry. How can this group survive?"

    <i>¡®Is he acting right now?¡¯</i> Park Yoon-Chan wasn¡¯t crying out of overwhelming emotions but was fullymitted to the hidden camera prank.

    Park Yoon-Chan, sobbing, nced at Yoo-Joon and me. It was a clear signal for us to leave.

    ¡°That''s it! Quit, Yoo-Joon. Before you ruin Chronos¡¯s image by fighting with theposer. I don''t want to be in a group with him!" I shouted. In response to my words, Jin-Sung grabbed and shook me. ¡°Why are you and Yoon-Chan hyung acting like this?"

    <i>¡®This idiot muscle dude!¡¯</i>

    He was shaking me so hard that my shoulders hurt. Just then, Yoo-Joon timed it perfectly, knocking Jin-Sung''s arm away from me. ¡°Fine, I quit! I must be so talentless if I have to repeat the recording so many times. I can¡¯t do this. I¡¯m quitting the show too." Yoo-Joon stormed out of the studio, leaving a somber atmosphere behind.

    Seeing this scene, Joo-Han ran his fingers through his hair and slumped onto the couch. ¡°Ah, it''s over for us. Really... Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Go out now. Go make up with Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°But, hyung!"

    ¡°Are you serious? You want to waste ten years of training because of this petty fight and not debut?" His sharp words propelled me toward the studio door. ¡°I''ll be back!"

    <i>¡®Gosh, that was scary.¡¯ </i>I was technically older if we had to count my mental age, but why was he so intimidating? It felt like disaster would strike if I didn¡¯t leave.

 Chapter 61: Chronos History (5)

    <h4>Chapter 61: Chronos History (5)</h4>

    ¡°Jin-Sung, go andfort Yoon-Chan. I''ll go talk to theposer." Without saying anything more to me, Joo-Han left the recording studio.

    <i>¡®Why didn''t he say anything?¡¯</i> As the door mmed shut, Joo-Han¡¯s cold expression lingered in my mind. All of us in the room remained frozen, just staring at each other for a while.

    ¡°Man, that was really scary."

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Joo-Han hyung so angry before. If this were real, Chronos would really disband."

    ¡°Let¡¯s make sure nothing like this happens again."

    ¡°By the way, shouldn¡¯t you go now, Hyun-Woo hyung?" Park Yoon-Chan had stopped crying by then and calmly pushed me from behind. ¡°Remember? You need to go get the cake."

    ¡°Oh, right. Yo, you''re pretty good at acting," I praised. Park Yoon-Chan just scratched his neck, seeming embarrassed and shy.

    ¡°Hurry up."

    I left the studio and headed upstairs, where the staff were waiting. In the empty monitor room, Yoo-Joon was sitting and monitoring the situation.

    Yoo-Joon saw me and stood up, bringing over another chair. ¡°Director Lee, Hyun-Woo¡¯s here."

    Director Lee Won-Jae then turned around and greeted me with a broad smile. ¡°Ah, Hyun-Woo! You guys were really good at acting out that fight."

    ¡°Thank... you. But I don¡¯t think I can do it again. It was too scary." I trembled slightly as I shook my head. After I sat next to Yoo-Joon, he passed me one of the earphones he had been using.

    I plugged it into my ear and looked at the monitor. On the screen, Joo-Han was talking to theposer in a room with only a few chairs and a table, and the atmosphere didn¡¯t look good.

    - Didn¡¯t you see your member getting pissed earlier? How can a young kid who can¡¯t even sing properly get annoyed like that? Are you expecting me to just tolerate it?

    - I''m sorry. He is usually a very good singer. He must be in a bad condition today, and I''m sure he regrets it. I will tell him to apologize.

    - Forget it. Just go. I can¡¯t deal with this.

    Joo-Han was desperately trying to defend Yoo-Joon, and theposer asionally fidgeted with a pack of cigarettes in his hand.

    - I¡¯m sorry.

    We grew quieter as we watched. Then I asked, "Can we stop this now?"

    Honestly, it was too ufortable to watch. Our leader hadn''t done anything wrong, and the way he unnecessarily bowed his head made me feel unpleasant.

    I continued, ¡°It''s supposed to be a surprise birthday party, but it''s making Joo-Han hyung upset." Hearing this, Yoo-Joon nodded in agreement and said, ¡°Yeah, this is too much. Just get the cake ready now. Even with the hidden camera, it doesn''t feel right." He then ced down his earphones.

    ¡°From Joo-Han hyung¡¯s perspective, his heart must be dropping."

    It was a typical production of Director Lee Won-Jae, renowned for his ''devilish editing¡¯ style. The broadcast would surely be edited to be very entertaining. The more difort the participants experienced, the more engaging the variety show became¡ªa distinctive feature of Director Lee''s productions.

    - If you are not giving us the song... there¡¯s nothing we can do. But please listen to Yoo-Joon¡¯s apology...

    Joo-Han''s expression was hardening in real-time. Unable to stand this anymore, I stood up. ¡°I''ll go get the cake."

    Director Lee hesitated for a moment, appearing somewhat displeased. ¡°Can¡¯t bear to see your hyung suffering?"

    ¡°No..." We both shook our heads, and with evident reluctance, Director Lee conceded. ¡°Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, go in now with the cake." With no more willingness from us to continue, Director Lee had no other option. We took the cake handed to us by the staff and headed toward where Joo-Han was.

    ***

    "Ah, they could have done a bit more!" Director Lee Won-Jae ced down the script with a thud and watched the Chronos members through the monitor.

    ¡°I told you already. Provocative concept doesn¡¯t really work with Chronos,¡± Han Yi-Soo said with a chuckling smile.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the first time your n has failed, senior?¡± Han Yi-Soo was the only one who didn¡¯t like this surprise birthday party. As the one responsible for filming Chronos for<i> Pick We Up</i>, he had long since recognized that the bond among the Chronos members ran deeper than what was apparent.

    ¡°The surprise has flopped,"mented Writer Song Yi-Hee, prompting Director Lee to gaze wistfully at the monitor. Outside the room where Kang Joo-Han andposer Oh Dong-Hoon were, the Chronos members huddled together, discussing how to arrange the candles.

    ¡°Showing them having fun together is a great thing. Why look for artificial stimtion, senior? The kids were visibly upset when they saw Yoo-Joon getting scolded, even while knowing it was an act.¡±

    - What should we do? I feel so bad for Joo-Han hyung.

    - What happened? What¡¯s going on inside?

    Yoo-Joon, who had just left the recording studio, briefly filled in Park Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung about the situation as he opened the cake box.

    - This is getting too serious. Joo-Han hyung is still apologizing.

    - I was so mad watching it.

    - Hyung! Don¡¯t put the candles in too deep!

    Park Yoon-Chan''s remark caused Yoo-Joon, who was inserting the candles, to pause abruptly.

    - Is it okay to put the candles this close?

    - Bending the candles is a trend nowadays.

    - That trend is over, you know?

    - Don¡¯t y with fire in front of the candles. Remember when Yoo-Joon set his hair on fire while lighting them?

    - The heck? Really?

    - Ah! Suh Hyun-woo! Why would you say that?

    - They are fighting again!

    Indeed, it was entertaining to see them pretending to fight and make a fuss, but what was more natural and pleasant was seeing them just talk and y among themselves.

    ¡°I tried to get something out of them, but it just doesn¡¯t work with Chronos."

    ¡°You failed in <i>Pick We Up</i> too," Han Yi-Soo teased, eliciting a wry smile and nod from Director Lee.

    ¡°Alright. Mr. Han, have you checked the footage from Chronos dorm?"

    ¡°No, not yet. I was nning to review today''s shoot along with it. Why?"

    ¡°Check it. Let''s have a meeting with the <i>Chronos History</i> team after today''s shoot."

    ¡°Okay!"

    This was their first attempt to gauge the effectiveness of Director Lee''s distinctive editing style for the program, and it became evident that stirring up conflict within Chronos was no easy task.

    ¡°How long have the Chronos kids been training together, Mr. In-Hyun?"

    ¡°Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo have been training together for seven or eight years, and even Yoon-Chan, thetest addition, has been there for over two years."

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s a long time,"mented Director Lee. Joh In-Hyun smiled awkwardly. Groups that had been together for just three or four years often developed a familial atmosphere. Inparison, Chronos members who had spent even longer together were exceptionally close.

    ¡°Let''s change the direction of our n." This program also posed a challenge for Director Lee. After securing high ratings with sensational content in previous programs, he now nned to try a calm and healing approach.

    ***

    ¡°What are you guys doing?¡± As we were lighting the candles on the cake, the door suddenly opened, and Joo-Han looked at us.

    ¡°Whoa!¡±

    We panicked and tried to hide the cake, but it was toote. The light from the candles already gave us away.

    Still not fully grasping the situation, Joo-Han nced at the candlelight and frowned. ¡°What the heck are you doing? Go back and wait. Did you two apologize to each other, Yoo-Joon...Hyun-Woo?¡±

    ¡°Ah, hyung..." We sheepishly held out the cake. ¡°We were trying to... celebrate your birthday. We wanted to surprise you, haha." It was a disaster. The surprise, the broadcast, even the recording¡ªeverything was ruined. Joo-Han was still affected by the earlier incident and had a stern look on his face.

    ¡°Ha...happy birthday!" In the awkward silence, Park Yoon-Chan eximed loudly.

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°It was all a hidden camera prank for your birthday!"

    ¡°It''s a bit early, but happy birthday, hyung!"

    After that, as if to support us, theposer patted Joo-Han on the shoulder and stepped outside. ¡°They even made me act for the show."

    After watching theposer disappear down the hallway, Joo-Han looked at us for a long moment and cautiously asked, ¡°So, this was all an act? The fighting, theposer getting angry, and everything?"

    ¡°Yes, we''re sorry. We didn''t mean for it to turn out like this, but..."

    ¡°Oh my..." Joo-Han let out a sigh of relief and slumped to the floor.

    ¡°Hyung?" We hurried to help him up, but Joo-Han pushed our hands away, ring at us with a mixture of relief and frustration. ¡°I thought it was the end for real! I was so scared!"

    ¡°Scared, hyung?"

    ¡°Sorry! We were wrong!"

    He almost sobbed. ¡°I thought Chronos would disband... Oh my..."

    Joo-Han''s face became ghastly pale, showing how worried he had been. We crowded around him, helping him to his feet. I straightened Joo-Han''s clothes, while Jin-Sung and Yoo-Joon brushed off the dust.

    ¡°Let¡¯s never do something like this again. It¡¯s not for everyone."

    ¡°Right. Even if we do a surprise, let¡¯s not do this kind of surprise."

    ¡°I hate seeing hyung lowering his head to someone."

    ¡°Hyung, we promise not to cause trouble and to listen to you. We are sorry."

    No matter how much we exined, Joo-Han remained in a daze as if his soul had left his body. At this moment, the camera crew rushed in, filming Joo-Han¡¯s face up close. He finally snapped out of it, and his face started reddening. ¡°Ah, Director. Ah."

    ¡°Joo-Han looked cool, didn¡¯t he? A true leader. Mm-hmm!¡± theposermented from behind the camera. ¡°Actually, Goh Yoo-Joon passed the recording on his first try. He¡¯s good, you know? I¡¯ve known that since thepetition."

    We took a break to eat the cake, chatted, and then resumed the recording. Yoo-Joon¡¯s recording went smoothly this time, finishing in one take. Perhaps feeling guilty about his earlier harsh words, theposervishly praised Yoo-Joon.

    The atmosphere was much more harmonious than expected. ¡°Last one, Hyun-Woo. Go into the booth."

    ¡°Okay.¡± I entered the recording booth with the lyric sheet in hand. After putting on the headphones and setting the sheet on the stand, theposer¡¯s voice came through the speakers.

    - I personally love your voice. Looking forward to it.

    I rxed my throat and took a sip of water.

    - Shall we start?

    ¡°Yes!"

    I put on the headset. Soon, Yoo-Joon¡¯s recorded voice yed, and I started singing my part right after his ended.

    - Good, good. Did I put too much pressure on you? Let¡¯s try again. Rx a bit more.

    ¡°Okay.¡± The tension of recording on my own was different from when I was teaching trainees. I then realized my shoulders were tensely hunched up, so I took a deep breath. "Let''s do it again."

    - Okay, starting.

    The song yed again, and as I sang, theposer¡¯s praises poured in.

    - We will move to the next part. Sing this one with a bit more strength.

    After the initial feedback, the recording progressed smoothly. Especially during thest part, when I added harmony to Park Yoon-Chan''s high notes, theposer pped exaggeratedly in praise.

    - Wow! Perfect pitch, so stable. I love your voice, Hyun-Woo.

    I proudly made a victory sign to the camera. I had spent long years as a trainer, so I was confident in my stable vocals.

    After his enthusiastic praises, theposer was deep in conversation with the assistant director.

    ¡®<i>Can I leave now?¡¯ </i>I wondered, setting down my headset and ncing outside. No one had told me toe out, even though my part was finished, so I stood by the microphone for a while and then slowly started walking toward the exit.

    Just then, theposer quickly pressed the microphone button.

    - Hyun-Woo, don¡¯te out yet. Stay there for a bit.

    ¡°Sorry?¡±

    Theposer turned off the mic, resumed his discussion with the assistant director, then looked back at me.

    - Hyun-Woo, it¡¯s a bit random, but would you like to add the chorus?

 Chapter 62: Chronos History (6)

    <h4>Chapter 62: Chronos History (6)</h4>

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be fun to find our chorus in the song?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon expressed his enthusiasm about our voices being woven into the entire song. He proudly shared his excitement with the camera as we made our way back to the dorm.

    Shortly after finishing the recording of the first title track, the instrumental version (MR) of the song arrived. In the meantime, we dedicatedly rehearsed the choreography in between recording other tracks. With the ongoing music sessions, dance practices, and frequent meetings, there were more cameras around us more often than initially nned.

    How did we, who once could barely survive a day without our phones, adapt to the ceaseless presence of cameras? The answery in our escape¡ªimmersing ourselves in the irresistible rhythms of the dance game, Just Dance.

    <i>Hey, hey. You, you! I don¡¯t like your girlfriend! No way, no way! I think you need a new one! Hey, hey. You, you! I could be your girlfriend!?</i>

    Grooving to the catchy tune, I yfully nudged Yoo-Joon''s shoulder. Our ¡®pair dance¡¯ was simple, just moving forward and backward, but it was a st.

    Park Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung joined the game, dancing alongside us. ¡°Ah, look at them go. This is Chronos at its finest!" eximed Joo-Han. Seated on the couch, he pped along enthusiastically to the rhythm.

    ¡°Phew... Huff...! This feels like a full workout."

    ¡°I could probably do this dance in my sleep by now." Even with our strong work ethic, we were split between intense debut preparations and our newfound obsession with Just Dance.

    We were currently living with the goal of mastering all the songs in the game, and I couldn¡¯t help but worry about how this would be portrayed on the reality show. The dorm footage was probably going to be filled with scenes of us eating, Joo-Han working on songs, and ying Just Dance.

    ¡°Hyung, shall we try the most difficult one next?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the most difficult song?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Rasputin!¡¯¡±

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it.¡±

    ¡°Just give me a moment to catch my breath.¡±

    Having just danced to three songs consecutively, including "Girlfriend", we were left as drained as we would be after an intense dance practice. I tried to sneakily sit next to Joo-Han but got yanked back to my spot by Jin-Sung. Then, the legendary ¡°Rasputin¡± started.

    ¡°I¡¯m exhausted...¡± I said, but my body moved on its own, following the on-screen dancer. That was the power of habit.

    Right as we were wrapping up ¡°Rasputin¡± with fervor, our manager stepped into the living room, looking bewildered. ¡°Still at it? You guys have endless energy. Maybe we should extend practice hours."

    Jin-Sung was panting but managed to ask, ¡°Why are you here, hyung?"

    Just as the manager reached for the remote, I protested, ¡°No! Don''t turn it off, only thirty seconds to go!"

    ¡°We need to leave now."

    ¡°Where to?" I asked after pausing the screen. It was obvious that the manager was trying to dodge the question, and he turned off the TV.

    ¡°Ah!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s get moving."

    Ignoring our collective groans, the manager led us out of the dorm. Joo-Han watched the door for a moment before standing up. ¡°Let¡¯s go. If In-Hyun hyung is being this secretive, it must be rted to the show."

    ¡°Seriously, if he¡¯s going to be this obvious, he might as well just tell us." We grudgingly set down the game sticks and headed to the parking lot. Despite ourints about the abrupt departure, we were used to such surprises from our <i>Pick We Up </i>days and climbed into the car without much fuss.

    ¡°Where are we heading?"

    ¡°We¡¯ll drive for about an hour. Use this time to rest up and recharge," replied our manager. As expected, cameras were hidden all over the car, and our manager remained tight-lipped about our destination.

    <i>¡®Guess we''ll find out soon enough.¡¯</i>

    I leaned back, closed my eyes, and decided to take this chance to rest, especially after the energy-draining ¡°Rasputin¡± session. ¡°Shh, Hyun-Woo hyung is trying to sleep," Jin-Sung whispered, finally hushing as the car embraced a tranquil silence, suggesting that the others were also settling into slumber.

    ***

    <i>Knock, knock.</i>

    I was jolted awake by the sound of knocking on the window. Outside, a camera loomed close and pressed right up against the window.

    ¡°Ah... you scared me," I screamed.

    ¡°We''ve arrived. Ready to get out?" said our manager. He opened the door to the backseat, and we stumbled out of the car, still groggy from sleep. Then, we confronted the camera head-on. ¡°Where are we..."

    - Good afternoon. Did you have a nice nap, Hyun-Woo?

    ¡°Hello..." I greeted back, ncing around. Following a lengthy drive and a refreshing round of deep sleep, we found ourselves at an amusement park. Gazing at the distant roller coaster, I felt a cold chill running down from the top of my head. ¡°We¡¯re shooting at an amusement park today?"

    - Yes, Hyun-Woo, do you enjoy rides?

    I shook my head silently, already feeling a chill of apprehension coursing through my body. ¡°Ah... Tinta Land today? I really hate this."

    ¡°Why hate it? Are we going on rides for today¡¯s shoot?" From somewhere nearby, I could hear Jin-Sung''s sighs and Yoo-Joon''s excited voice as they were getting mic''d up.

    ¡°Why did it have to be..."

    - Hyun-Woo, you¡¯re afraid of rides, aren¡¯t you?

    <i>¡®Don''t say that with a smile, please.¡¯</i> I nodded stiffly, and the curious voices of my group members reached my ears. ¡°Hyun-Woo can''t handle rides? I thought he was good at them."

    ¡°I have never seen him scared on a ride before, have I?" wondered Yoo-Joon. I shook my head strongly, making my dislike abundantly clear. ¡°I don''t know. At some point, I just couldn''t do them anymore."

    How could someone who had experienced a ne crash even think of calmly getting on a ride that simted falling from the sky? Just thinking about it made me shiver.

    Yoo-Joon looked concerned and asked, ¡°What are you going to do then? Don¡¯t you have to go on them if it¡¯s part of the shoot?"

    I nodded and said, ¡°I always thought I''d have to face this someday. However, I didn''t expect that day to be today.¡± I had anticipated that my career would eventually involve amusement parks and bungee jumping. However, since bing trainees, we had never been anywhere separately, so iming I couldn''t ride because of an ident would be nothing but a lie. Well, considering that such a situation arose earlier than expected, I could try minimizing the number of rides.

    ¡°In-Hyun hyung, Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung are frozen stiff. What are we going to do? You''re definitely going to get scolded by the fans."

    ¡°What, both of them can''t handle rides?"

    ¡°Look at their faces. They¡¯re terrified. Shouldn¡¯t you have warned us beforehand if they were this scared? They''ve gone pale." Joo-Han was arguing with the manager on our behalf.

    I let out a sigh and headed toward the shooting location. Well, there was nothing a rookie singer could do after arriving here. Anyints would have to wait and be conveyed through the managerter.

    With all members settling into their designated spots marked by the staff, the individual cameras shifted focus, and the main camera lit up.

    - Hello everyone, how have you been?

    ¡°We''ve been good. Are we going on rides today?" Joo-Han¡¯s question was met with an enthusiastic nod from the director. However, the director¡¯s smiling face looked devilishly happy. Yes, they were thrilled to be in an amusement park.

    - Our staff had a thorough discussion about what Chronos fans would love to see.

    "Ah, I really don''t want to..." Despite Jin-Sung''s reluctant protest, the director was unfazed.

    - We thought fans would love to see Chronos having a st on the rides.

    ¡°Yay! So, we can just ride whatever we want?"

    ¡°Are we ying games?"

    Among the excited members, I voiced myint once more. ¡°We would have had fun already if you gave us a ball. Haha...¡±

    As I spoke with a mischievous grin, Director Lee Won-Jae responded with a sly smile, as if he didn''t fully catch my suggestion. <i>¡®If only we had ¡®Rasputin,¡¯ not even a ball... we could have had a st.¡¯ </i>

    - It looks like Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo are afraid of rides.

    Director Lee''sment sparkedughter from Goh Yoo-Joon. Thetter then said, "I''m not sure about Hyun-Woo, but Jin-Sung? He definitely can''t even try the Scream ride. There is a rumor that he only ate marble ice cream when he went to an amusement park on a school field trip."

    ¡°Unlike what people think, he''s faint-hearted. I heard he spent a whole day on the carousel."

    ¡°Hey, why are you picking on my brother?" I protested, shielding Jin-Sung and igniting a wave ofughter among the staff and members.

    - Of course, those who can''t handle rides can stick to the carousel.

    Director Lee looked at me and Jin-Sung.

    - But where''s the fun in just riding the carousel? We''ve prepared a game. It''s an individualpetition, though you will move in pairs for convenience.

    ¡°What kind of game?"

    - We''ve prepared missions for each ride. Complete them with any member and score points individually.

    This news brought a glow to the faces of the ride-loving trio. ¡°So, being good at rides is an advantage?"

    - Indeed.

    ¡°What about Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo?"

    - But wait!

    The teasing members suddenly fell silent after seeing Director Lee''s <i>meaningful </i>smile.

    - You should have a different partner for each ride, and both must seed to score points. Only after pairing with everyone can you reset and pair up again.

    The trio¡¯s eyes sneakily shifted toward me and Jin-Sung. They anticipated the penalty for those less adept at rides.

    Director Lee beamed and nodded.

    - Yes! Everyone must team up with Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo at least once.

    <i>¡®Who ns this program? Maybe it''s Director Lee.¡¯</i> As the members'' expressions soured, heughed even harder.

    Park Yoon-Chan cautiously asked, ¡°Is there a prize for winning?"

    - Of course. The top two get to be music show MCs for an episode.

    After we heard the director¡¯s grand announcement, our eyes widened in shock. Our faces were the very picture of astonishment.

    ¡°A music show MC?¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s crazy!¡±

    ¡°Seriously? We get to do that?¡± Director Lee nodded affirmatively to Jin-Sung¡¯s question.

    - Of course, but remember, thest-ce member will face a penalty.

    ¡°What might that penalty be?¡±

    - That is a secret. I have full faith in Chronos to deliver a fierce yet funpetition.

    The reward was so enticing that the thought of a penalty barely crossed our minds. The chance to be a music show MC, even if just for one episode, could open doors to future opportunities, maybe even catch the eye of other broadcasting directors. It was an incredible chance, but I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if I could actually ce in the top two. The odds seemed stacked against Jin-Sung and me.

    - Are you all ready?

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    - Then, let the game begin!

    As I was lost in my worries, the director signaled the start of the game. The others immediately scattered, reluctantly grabbing the nearest person.

    ¡°Wait, what about me... Oh...¡± In the midst of this, I found myself standing alone, unimed.

    - Haha, looks like Hyun-Woo is even worse than Jin-Sung, huh?

    Director Lee chuckled heartily, and I scowled and muttered under my breath. ¡°We are pretty much the same.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon took Jin-Sung, obviously to take care of the younger one.

    I dragged my feet forward with a heavy sigh. ¡°Ugh... Where is the carousel, Director?¡±

 Chapter 63: Chronos History (7)

    <h4>Chapter 63: Chronos History (7)</h4>

    In the distance, the Tintacoaster moved along its track, a stark contrast to the Hurricane''s wild gyrations on the opposite side. Today, Tinta Land belonged exclusively to us, Chronos, with no other guests in sight. This exclusive ess meant all our members were already scattered, enjoying the rides in various pairings, except for me.

    - Hyun-Woo, are you searching for someone?

    I stopped scanning the park and resumed walking forward after hearing the cameraman¡¯s words.

    ¡°Anyone, just anyone," I responded, a hint of distress in my voice. I was like a hyena on the prowl, desperately needing a partner for the rides. It was then I noticed Park Yoon-Chan, who seemed to have sensed my predicament, sprinting toward me from across the park.

    ¡°Hyung, where are you off to? Heading to the carousel?" he asked in a light tone.

    ¡°Uh... yeah, at least for now. What about you?"

    ¡°I don¡¯t have any ns yet.¡± Park Yoon-Chan''s gaze swept over the park, absorbing the scene, before he decisively grabbed my arm. Then, he steered me in the opposite direction.

    ¡°If you''re nning on the carousel, save that forter with Jin-Sung. Let''s try something more thrilling."

    ¡°Uh... huh?¡± I hesitated, teetering on the verge of declining his offer. However, the realization that this was more than just fun but a part of our work made me relent. Avoiding the rides today was impossible.

    Hence, I followed Yoon-Chan reluctantly. Partnering with a member adept at rides for the more challenging attractions seemed like a wiser choice. Besides, it would be a waste to partner with Park Yoon-Chan and still stick to the simple carousel.

    ¡°Let¡¯s try that one," Yoon-Chan said as he pointed excitedly toward the Tintacoaster. I raised my eyes to the ride, only to see a ghastly pale Jin-Sung and Joo-Han ascending its intimidating, ny-degree slope.

    Just looking at it sent a wave of nausea over me, but I found myself being led forcibly toward the Tintacoaster entrance by Park Yoon-Chan¡ªwell, more like his unwavering determination. The staff greeted us with cheerful smiles, oblivious to my growing apprehension.

    - Here''s your mission!

    The staff spoke with a bright tone.

    - You know the spot where the rollercoaster snaps a photo at its highest point, right? If you manage to have your eyes open and make a ''V'' sign in that picture, you seed!

    ¡°That''s it?" Yoon-Chan asked, excitementcing his voice.

    ¡°We need to keep our eyes open?" I jumped. We had the very opposite reactions.

    ¡®<i>I have to open my eyes at the ride''s peak and even pose, all while releasing my death grip on the safety bar? That¡¯s impossible!¡¯ </i> I eximed internally, but the staff merely smiled in response, unaware of my inner turmoil.

    - That¡¯s right!

    Park Yoon-Chan offered aforting pat on my back. ¡°Don''t worry, hyung. The drop is over in a sh."

    ¡°What about the climb?"

    ¡°That''s a bit longer... but it¡¯s only for a few seconds. Around twenty to thirty seconds, perhaps?"

    ¡°Oh...¡± A heavy sigh escaped me. In my mind, those thirty seconds would stretch into an eternity. Before I could protest further, Park Yoon-Chan already guided me onto the Tintacoaster''s seat.

    As I settled into the seat, my body immediately tensed, every hair on my body standing on end. ¡°Yoon-Chan... what should I do now?" I asked.

    It was definitely challenging to debut in an idol group. Park Yoon-Chan seemed to contemte for a moment before offering his hand. ¡°Do you want to hold my hand?"

    ¡°No... no, it''s fine. I''ll ask for help if it gets too scary," I replied, trying to muster some semnce of bravery.

    ¡°Twinkle, twinkle! Wee, everyone! This is the mascot of Tin-tand! Tintacoaster~! Your seatbelt wille down in the count of three... One, two, three! Please check if the belt is loose or not secured~ Okay, perfect. Everything looks great~ We are done checking the safety, so Tintacoaster will depart to the wondend soon~ Let¡¯s go~!¡±

    ¡°Oh my gosh!¡±

    ¡®<i>The chair... no, the seatbelt seems a bit loose. What if I slip out of this?¡¯</i>

    In a wave of anxiety, I nced back, shaking the safety bar to test its security. It was not time for me to be conscious about the camera. The coaster started its slow, ominous ascent toward the sky.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, this is really..."

    ¡°Yes?"

    <i>¡®How can you stay so calm?¡¯ </i>

    ¡°I need... your hand."

    ¡°Ah, okay."

    With a slight hesitation, Park Yoon-Chan gently took my hand. I clung to it as though it were my only anchor in the storm, and I tried desperately to steady my breathing. However, despite my best efforts to calm down, my heart continued its frenzied pounding. I muttered, ¡°Why in the world did I agree to this?"

    ¡°Because it''s part of the game," Park Yoon-Chan said, trying to reassure me. ¡°Don''t worry, hyung. You won¡¯t fall off. It''spletely safe."

    ¡°But... how... how can you guarantee that?" I countered, my voice tinged with anxiety. Rides did malfunction, and idents, though rare, did ur. People even died during rides sometimes. What if I became part of those unlucky few? I thought I could be one of them because I was someone who had traveled back in time in the most unexpected way¡ªa ne crash that somehow catapulted me back into the past. It was proof that strange, unlikely things happened.

    As we ascended, the air seemed to grow thinner, and my head felt light with terror. It was then that Park Yoon-Chan forcefully straightened my clenched hand into a V sign.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t faint, right? We are almost at the photo spot. Stay awake, and open your eyes. Make the pose!¡±

    ¡°Uh...!¡±

    I could only gasp in response as fear had robbed me of my voice. When the coaster started its plummet, I felt weightless and instinctively released Park Yoon-Chan''s hand, gripping the safety bar with all my might. It wasn''t until we were halfway down that I shut my eyes.

    Following that, the ride came to a stop, and the safety bar rose. I tried to stand, only to have my legs buckle beneath me, and I copsed back to my seat.

    Park Yoon-Chan quickly lent a hand, helping me up while announcing to the camera, ¡°Hyun-Woo''s legs just gave out!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han, who were next in line, approached us. They giggled as they gently patted my back. ¡°You okay there? You and Jin-Sung are really having a tough time today."

    ¡°I thought I would die..."

    ¡°You used to be up for any ride. I guess times change, huh? Need some water?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon offered me a bottle, and I gratefully sipped it while the other members looked after me. Meanwhile, the staff were checking our photo to see if we''dpleted the mission. I hadpletely forgotten about the mission amidst my terror, fully expecting a failure. However, the staff''s reactions were unexpectedly positive.

    - Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan, you did it!

    <i>¡®What? When did that happen?¡¯</i> I looked up, bewildered, as the staff handed me the photo. In the picture, my eyes were wide open, and I did form a V sign, all thanks to Park Yoon-Chan''s quick thinking.

    ¡°When was this taken?"

    ¡°I formed the pose for you, and your eyes were open too. We got lucky."

    - One hundred points to both of you!

    Park Yoon-Chan patted my shoulder when he heard the result, smiling before heading off to find another member. ¡°Stay strong, hyung. I''ll go pair up with someone else now!"

    I slumped back onto the bench, staring at the photo. ¡°Ugh...All I want is to go home..."

    However, I knew no amount ofining would change my situation. I steadied my shaky legs with effort and stood up. ¡°Where''s Jin-Sung? Is the carousel this way?"

    - Going for the carousel already? It''s over there.

    The cameraman pointed toward the left with a broad smile.

    I wandered through the amusement park in search of Jin-Sung. Fortunately, the members approached me to pair up due to the game rule, and I was content with sticking to the easier rides although they only gave me low scores. I had resigned myself to the low score and the likelihood of missing out on the tempting MC position. This wasn''t a challenge that could be ovee by mere determination.

    As I sat there, feeling defeated, Director Lee Won-Jae''s voice came over the loudspeakers, calling for a mid-game check at the entrance.

    - Ah, ah. Mic test. One, two. Do you hear me, Chronos? We are going to have a mid-game check. Please gather at the site where we filmed our opening scene.

    <i>¡®A mid-game check... I''m probablyst, but what else can I do?¡¯</i> It was obvious that I would best and teased. With a heavy heart, I made my way to the designated spot.

    - You really are scared of rides, aren''t you, Hyun-Woo?

    The cameraman observed with a hint of surprise.

    ¡°Yes, I used to enjoy them, but I had a bad fall once. The members don¡¯t know about it."

    The cameraman looked shocked, but I just shrugged it off with augh. ¡°I wasn¡¯t injured seriously, though."

    If it had been a major ident, the other members would have definitely known. I hoped my reveal would prompt the production team to consider my fear of heights in the future.

    As I arrived at the meeting point, I saw Goh Yoo-Joon, now putting a rabbit headband on and chatting with Director Lee, signaling me to hurry over. ¡°Where were you? I''ve been looking for you."

    ¡°I was just over there on the bench. You seem to enjoy yourself."

    ¡°Yeah, it was fun. Hey, want to join me on the water coasterter? It''s about time for your respawn, isn''t it?"

    ¡°Oh, no.¡± I shook my head ferociously, the terror in my eyes making it clear that I couldn''t muster the courage for another ride.

    The director''s call for action ¡°Let''s te!" signaled the start of the mid-game check.

    - Is everyone having a good time?

    ¡°Yes! Director, can we go on more rides after we finish filming?¡±

    - We¡¯ll see how much time we have left after filming. I am d to see everyone enjoying themselves.

    ¡°But," Joo-Han chimed in, ncing at me and Jin-Sung with a hint of mischief, ¡°I''ve heard rumors that some people havepletely given up on scoring any points."

    The other members, except Jin-Sung and me, erupted intoughter at his remark. Jin-Sung was visibly annoyed. As he was standing close to Park Yoon-Chan, he just pushed him away lightly and protested, ¡°Honestly, this game is unfair for those with a fear of heights!"

    ¡°His stuttering is just too funny!"

    ¡°That''s right! This game is really unfair to both Jin-Sung and me," I supported him, cing aforting arm around Jin-Sung''s shoulder.

    ¡°Please, give us a chance as well.¡±

    Director Lee Won-Jae, however, justughed maliciously and proceeded with his announcement without responding to our plea.

    - Now, let''s not forget¡ªamusement parks aren''t only about scary rides. Let''s take a look at the current rankings!

    First ce. Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Second ce. Park Yoon-Chan.

    Third ce. Kang Joo-Han.

    Fourth ce. Lee Jin-Sung.

    Fifth ce. Suh Hyun-Woo.

    As I had anticipated, I was at the very bottom of the list.

    ¡°It''s surprising to see Hyun-Woo in fifth ce.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. How did you end up doing worse than Jin-Sung, who''s always been afraid of rides?"

    ¡°I just couldn''t handle the really high ones," I admitted with a resigned sigh.

    Despite trying my best, the rides that garnered the most points were too daunting for me, making it impossible for me to surpass the members who thrived on them.

    - As expected, Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo''s scores are significantly lower than those of the other members.

    ¡°Director, is there any ce where we can earn a lot of points at once?" Jin-Sung asked, hoping for a turnaround. Director Lee responded with a cryptic smile.

    - Remember, not all attractions in an amusement park are frightening. That''s all I''ll say for now.

    ¡°But the less scary rides have lower points. That''s not fair," Jin-Sungmented, visibly upset.

    I wondered why the director made such a straightforward statement sound so intriguing. While Jin-Sungined, I pondered our situation. Having managed to scrape by on low scores, Jin-Sung and I were aware that points could be earned on less intimidating rides. But unlike the high-scored thrill rides, simpler ones like the carousel offered only a mere twenty points.

    The odds of catching up seemed bleak. But then, why did the producer hint as if he was offering a hidden clue?

    - Fear isn''t confined to just the rides.

    He added in a casual tone.

    <i>¡®Fear isn¡¯t confined to just the rides...¡¯</i>

    Suddenly, everything clicked in my mind.

    - Let''s get the game going again, shall we? Off you go!

    As the game restarted, I quickly grabbed Jin-Sung, who was about to join another member.

    ¡°Hey, stick with me."

    ¡°Where to? If it''s something easy like the carousel, count me out," Jin-Sung retorted, seeking a challenge.

    ¡°What ride do you have in mind?" I asked.

    ¡°If it''s with you, hyung, let''s just ride the bumper cars," Jin-Sung suggested. He readily agreed and followed me without hesitation.

    "Hyun-Woo, how about joining me on the waterboats?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, nning to team up with me for his next ride, so he ended up following us.

    ¡°Do that with Jin-Sung, then we can pair upter," I suggested.

    ¡°Alright, sounds good. Or you know what? Why don''t the three of us go together?"

    Utilizing a strategy to try as many rides as possible and respawn quickly, we realized that teaming up could prove to be an even more efficient tactic.

    ¡°Where are we going?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked with curiosity.

    I avoided giving a direct answer, cautious that either Goh Yoo-Joon or Jin-Sung might veer off toward a different attraction. Scanning the park, I located our next stop. Fortunately, it was nearer than I had anticipated.

    ¡°We''re going to a ce where we might just earn more points than expected," I hinted mysteriously. I then led them to an unexpected destination. It was the haunted house.

 Chapter 64: Chronos History (8)

    <h4>Chapter 64: Chronos History (8)</h4>

    I actually enjoyed horror movies and haunted houses instead of being scared of them. Therefore, this ce in the amusement park was essentially a big turning point for me.

    Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung, who followed without knowing what was going on, stopped in silence in front of the haunted house. Since the thrill of rides and haunted houses were different stories, I couldn¡¯t just drag them into the haunted house without thinking. And from the looks of it, it seemed like Lee Jin-Sung wouldn''t be able to enter.

    ¡°The haunted house is indeed the only ce where you can score points without riding a ride. Suh Hyun-Woo, you have a good idea,¡± said Goh Yoo-Joon, with a downcast look but a glimmer of willingness in his eyes. I nced at the haunted house, its towering structure dwarfing the ones in other amusement parks. Then, I nudged him. ¡°Wanna go?"

    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Me? Are we skipping the legendary water ride?"

    Lee Jin-Sung, who had been nervously hovering behind us, chimed in with a voiceced with panic. ¡°Hyung, are we seriously doing this? I heard horror stories about this ce fromst year... The haunted house... It''s still open, right? Are you sure we are getting points for going in?"

    I shrugged. ¡°Not sure. But the director dropped some hints, didn''t he? Seems pretty likely."

    ¡°...I... I don¡¯t know...¡± Lee Jin-Sung mumbled to himself and then hung his head in a mix of fear and resignation. "Gosh, you guys are crazy for even considering it, hyungs. Seriously."

    Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon''s gaze hadn''t left the haunted house. ¡°I''ll go in if it racks up enough points. I heard this ce takes a while to get through. If it''s not worth it, there are plenty of other rides."

    ¡°Alright. What do you say, Jin-Sung? You can''t bail with two hyungs beside you, can you?" I teased.

    ¡°We won''t force you,¡± said Yoo-Joon.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I looked at Lee Jin-Sung. Then, thetter hesitated, a war of emotions ying out on his face, before he sighed as if surrendering to fate. ¡°Fine, I''m in. But only for the points. Being inst ce is not like me."

    With a newfound determination, he led the way toward the haunted house. Goh Yoo-Joon and I just exchanged nces and followed, offering him half-hearted words offort. ¡°Are you sure about this? If you''re not up for it, it''s totally cool to back out.¡±

    ¡°Nah, I''m... I''m good..."

    ¡°Did you know? They say Tintnd''s haunted house has more ghosts than any other," Goh Yoo-Joon added, a mischievous glint shining in his eyes.

    Lee Jin-Sung gulped. ¡°Yikes! But I''m going for it. I''m aiming for the top spot!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± I had given Lee Jin-Sung a fair chance to back out as I was aware that he was as petrified of haunted houses as he was of thrill rides.

    Tinta Land''s crown jewel, the Tintacoaster, was a year-round favorite. However, their Scream Challenge in summer drew evenrger crowds.

    The haunted house, known for its Scream Challenge, was a legend in its own right at Tinta Land. It boasted a terror-inducing reputation, making it a ma for thrill-seekers. The amusement park even hired celebrities to experience it, prompting many visitors to buy tickets solely for the haunted house rather than any rides.

    This was no ordinary scare; it was more like an ordeal that demanded more than mere courage to face.

    ¡°Hey, are you really okay with this?" I asked Lee Jin-Sung onest time, noting the fear in his eyes. He nodded, though with a quiver in his voice. ¡°But umm... what if... what if the haunted house doesn''t actually give points?"

    ¡°We will see," Goh Yoo-Joon said with certainty, causing Lee Jin-Sung''s face to fall once again.

    In reality, the point system in the haunted house was pretty much guaranteed. Choosing Tinta Land as the shooting location meant there was an advertising tie-in, and the Scream Challenge yed a crucial role in their summer campaign.

    As we reached the entrance, the staff greeted us with wide smiles, obviously anticipating our reactions. Lee Jin-Sung let out a deeper sigh.

    - Wee to the Scream Challenge. Your mission is simple. You just need to get in, find the hidden number cards, and bring them back. The harder they are to find, the more points you''ll earn.

    ¡°Is that it? How many cards are inside?" I asked.

    - If you''re brave enough, you could score up to five hundred points.

    ¡°That sounds like a st,¡± the writer of the show murmured.

    ¡°You are so mean to me!¡± Lee Jin-Sung, his voiceden with a sense of injustice. "It''s not wrong to be scared of rides and ghosts!" He was right. Those with a fear of amusement rides were at a disadvantage in this game. The game seemed unfair, especially when weighed against the grand prize of bing a music broadcast MC.

    While I was mulling over this, Writer Cha shook her head.

    - Jin-Sung is right. This game is unfairly harsh on members who can''t relish the thrills of an amusement park, so let''s introduce a special rule for this hidden event.

    <i>¡®A special rule?¡¯</i>

    Our voices ovepped in curiosity as we asked, ¡°What is it?"

    Hearing our excitement, Writer Song Yi-Hee couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle and borated, ¡°This time, the three of you will form a team. You''llbine the points from the cards you''ve brought and we''ll distribute them individually."

    ¡°...Really?" Lee Jin-Sung''s face lit up with hope.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you excel at this, don''t you? Oh, I''m relieved. To be honest, I was a bit scared too," said Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Exactly. Aren''t we d we came?" It was a favorable rule for all three of us. By pooling our scores, we could secure the top spots.

    - Are you ready?

    ¡°Yes!"

    - Please enter!

    At the writer''s cue, the staff of Tinta Land handed us a shlight and swung open the door to the haunted house. The moment we stepped in, Lee Jin-Sung clung to me and Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Ah, what are you doing? Back off."

    ¡°Just wait, just a moment," he pleaded.

    ¡°What?" I flicked on the shlight and started to survey our surroundings, leaving a stuttering Lee Jin-Sung in my wake.

    ¡°Ugh, this guy," Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled, brushing Lee Jin-Sung''s hand off. ¡°You''re hurting my arm. We''ve barely started."

    Lee Jin-Sung then clung to me even more tightly, turning away and blinding himself with the shlight''s beam in the dark interior. ¡°You guys aren''t scared? That''s really impressive."

    ¡°Actually, I am. Do you smell that?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, and I nodded in agreement and answered, ¡°A faintly fishy odor." I had thought this mission would be a cakewalk¡ªmerely entering and retrieving the card, with the main challenge falling on Lee Jin-Sung. However, it turned out to be more unnerving than anticipated.

    <i>Drip. Drip. Drip. </i>

    The sound of water droplets echoed from somewhere. As I pointed the shlight in a direction, I saw stage smoke nketing the floor, creating an ambiance straight out of a horror film. Lee Jin-Sung then pressed closer, burying his headpletely in my back. I couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°There goes Lee Jin-Sung''s cool image."

    This was the same Lee Jin-Sung who had captivated many with his central role in numerous dance breaks and a somewhat cool demeanor¡ªa popr member of Chronos known for his expressive stage presence. But now, he was just trembling behind me.

    ¡°Ooh, ooh!"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, are you looking for the cards?"

    ¡°Yeah, I''m on it." Goh Yoo-Joon passed me a card he had discovered. Lee Jin-Sung appeared utterly helpless, and it seemed that Goh Yoo-Joon and I would have to coborate closely.

    ¡°Hey, if you stay at the back, you won''t even be in the shot. Just lift your head, even if you have to close your eyes." Goh Yoo-Joon nudged Lee Jin-Sung''s back, ushering him beside me.

    As I took care of Lee Jin-Sung, I swept the shlight across the area. The walls were adorned with sinister frames, and ornamental chests were strategically ced here and there. Yet, no ghosts had made an appearance.

    ¡°This feels more like an escape room than a haunted house," I mused. Approaching a nearby chest, I reached out to open it.

    ¡°Hyung, hyung! Let us know before you open it!"

    ¡°Jin-Sung... Ah, you are driving me crazy. Such aplete coward."

    ¡°Something''s going to jump out of the chest...¡± In an instant, a mannequin head emerged from it, and I examined it closely.

    ¡°Ahhhh!" Lee Jin-Sung let out a shriek, bouncing around the room in rm.

    ¡°Ah, here it is." Beneath the mannequin head, a cardy face down. I picked up the card, put the head back in the drawer, and gently shut it. ¡°Look, the head''s gone. Here''s your card." I handed the card to Lee Jin-Sung and watched as he slowly opened his eyes, squinting at it.

    ¡°Oh... Thirty points."

    ¡°Thirty points? Jin-Sung, can you hold onto this?"

    ¡°Yes..."

    ¡°Have we looked everywhere here?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked while searching through a drawer on the opposite side. I nodded, then continued down the corridor, turning over each wall frame. Some cards were easily visible, as they were attached to the wall, but many were hidden and required a thorough search. The visible cards generally scored ten points, while the hidden ones were usually worth thirty.

    We arrived at the end of the lengthy corridor, stepping into an open, doorless section. Lee Jin-Sung took a sharp breath, as if steeling himself for whaty ahead. The space seemed to whisper a foreboding message: ¡°The real challenge starts here¡±.

    ¡°Hey... this is no joke. You''re not scared?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, his voice shaking slightly.

    ¡°Well, this is a bit unnerving," I admitted, scanning the room with my shlight. The setting¡ªwith its blood-stained walls, cobwebs, and disarrayed tables¡ªresembled an abandoned house so closely it was scary. ¡°...I''m going in." Without a word, the others trailed behind me.

    ¡°Do you think we''ll encounter something here?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, running his hand along the wall.

    ¡°I am thinking the same thing. The corridor was eerily quiet, wasn''t it?" I half-hoped for an apparition to appear as high-scoring cards were often found in such haunting spots. And then, it happened.

    - Hehehehe.

    A burst ofughter echoed from somewhere, freezing us in our tracks. Lee Jin-Sung then clutched my arm, his face a mask of fear. ¡°Hyung, did you hear thatugh?"

    ¡°I think so..." Goh Yoo-Joon responded, pointing his shlight in the direction of the sound, but Lee Jin-Sung quickly pushed his hand down. ¡°Don''t look! The sh might reveal a ghost!¡±

    ¡°But we need to see to move forward, right?" I said.

    ¡°...Why even go there? How are you so calm?" Jin-Sung replied. Then another round ofughter pierced the air.

    - Heeheeheehee! Hehehehe! Heek, heek!

    ¡°Ah... I can''t. I am running away. Please, let me go! <i>Aah</i>! <i>Aaah</i>!¡±

    The sound of slow, deliberate footsteps started to approach us. ¡°It''sing!" Jin-Sung screamed.

    ¡°<i>Ouch</i>! Stop that, you''re hurting me! Just close your eyes!" Goh Yoo-Joon swiftly covered Lee Jin-Sung''s eyes, and I kept surveying the area. ¡°It''s okay to run, Jin-Sung. The ghosts can''t touch us. That''s how haunted houses work." By the sound of it, we still had a moment before anything arrived. Hence, I quickly started rummaging through the drawers in the living room.

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°Really? It''s so scary. Let''s wrap this up and get out of here.¡± Right as I discovered a card marked ¡°forty¡±, a shrill scream rang out and a disheveled woman charged toward us.

    - Kiyaaaaaak!

    ¡°<i>Aaaaaah</i>!¡± Both Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon were frantic, shaking my arms and trying to drag me out. I just nted my feet firmly and shouted, ¡°Close your eyes, both of you! I''ll tell you when we can go!"

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>!" They shut their eyes tightly. With Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s arms clinging to mine, I continued to ignore the ghost actress and searched through the living room. My hands shook with urgency. Soon, the actress with her grotesque makeup leaned right next to my face. I forcefully looked away, searching through the props more frantically.

    Then the ghost actress tried to draw my attention and let out another scream. I reluctantly raised my eyes to meet the actress''s gaze. ¡°...Ah, miss..."

    Her tangled hair, blood-dripping peeled skin, and unnaturally twisted neck sent shivers down my spine. Her small eyes flickered wildly as she stared at me, with her head held high. <i>Ugh</i>, the sight was repulsive, her face so distorted it was nearly unbearable to behold. Yet, she made no move to touch me¡ªjust as I expected, that was the rule.

 Chapter 65: Chronos History (9)

    <h4>Chapter 65: Chronos History (9)</h4>

    ¡°<i>Kiyaaak</i>!¡± The scream pierced the air.

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>, my ears. Excuse me, miss. We are just going to pass by.¡±

    The terror surged within me as I struggled to grasp the situation. Desperately, I reached into the ghost¡¯s coat pocket, my fingers encountering something unexpectedly rigid. "Is this a card?" I questioned aloud. Extracting two cards, I proudly disyed them before the ghost, whose attempt to stifleughter was apparent as she bit her lip. "<i>Huhuh...</i>"

    I asked, "Is there another one in your clothes?" The ghost merely shook her head, leaned in close, and then vanished into the corridor.

    After she went away, I gave Lee Jin-Sung a reassuring pat on the shoulder and handed him the cards. ¡°Look at this, two cards, each worth a whopping fifty points."

    ¡°Is it gone?" he asked anxiously.

    ¡°Yes, it''s gone," I confirmed. Only then did Lee Jin-Sung dare to open his eyes, letting out a sigh of relief.

    ¡°You seem really frightened. Can you continue?"

    ¡®<i>Hmm... how many scores do we have?¡¯</i> Surely, we must have amassed around two hundred fifty points by now. However, my member¡¯s state was more important than the score.

    <i>¡®Well, this should be enough.¡¯</i>

    ¡°If you''re unable to continue, we can exit now," I offered. When Jin-Sung heard this, his expression briefly brightened and then quickly turned solemn. He asked, ¡°How much further do we have to go?¡±

    ¡°I am not sure. But I reckon there are at least two or three more rooms left.¡±

    ¡°No... I don''t want us to quit because of me,¡± said Jin-Sung with resolve as he released his grip from my arm. Goh Yoo-Joon, meanwhile, helped him to his feet. ¡°Let''s move on.¡±

    As we progressed, we collected every card we could find. With no more rides to enjoy in this area and the others immersed in the fun rides of their choosing, time was on our side...

    ¡°It¡¯sing! Run! Hyung, it''sing!"

    ¡°Rx, it won''t touch us. Wait, he''s in a wheelchair, right? If he charges, he''ll have to stop just before hitting us," I reasoned calmly.

    ¡°You''re eerilyposed! Are we done here? I''ve checked everywhere," Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    ¡°Yes, we''re finished here. Let''s head to the next room,¡± I dered. Before my words could fully settle, Goh Yoo-Joon grabbed my arm, dragging us toward the next room. ¡°Damn, this is getting scarier. Why does it feel so endless?" He grabbed my arm so strongly that it might just pop out. Meanwhile, I was still clutching the card in my hand.

    Stepping into thest room, we discovered everything bathed in an eerie red glow. No shlight was necessary here. ¡°This room..." The scene unfolded before us¡ªa rusty old bed, tattered curtains, and a bedspread with a suspicious bulge, as if hiding a human.

    Goh Yoo-Joon grimaced, pointing at the bed. ¡°Do we have to uncover that?"

    ¡°Perhaps it''s just a prop," I spected.

    ¡°Or is that what you''re hoping for?" asked Yoo-Joon. Given our track record of finding funny stuff, it seemed we had no choice but to investigate it. But first, a thorough search of the surroundings was in order.

    ¡°There is light in here, and nowhere else but that bed has anything to emerge from... let''s search a bit more," I suggested, giving Jin-Sung a yful p on the back and freeing myself from his grasp. After a moment of hesitation, Lee Jin-Sung feigned searching the drawers, allowing me to explore more freely. Eventually, he mustered the courage to open drawers near the bed while asionally gasping, probably upon discovering mannequin parts.

    ¡°This is thest room, so let''s be thorough," I said as I was pulling out a card wedged between some books, and then chaos erupted.

    ¡°<i>Grrrrrgh</i>! <i>Aaaagh</i>!" The nket was flung off the bed, revealing a grotesque figure that lunged toward Lee Jin-Sung.

    At the same time, all the ghosts we had previously encountered in each room swarmed into this cramped space. "<i>Aaaagh</i>!" Lee Jin-Sung, paralyzed by fear, emitted a scream and bolted outside, skillfully evading the figures. However, his loyalty remained intact, as he didn''t forget to grab me and Goh Yoo-Joon with his strong arms, dragging us out with him.

    Theplex locking mechanism, meant to be pushed and pulled, resisted our escape attempts. In his panic, Goh Yoo-Joon kicked it fiercely a few times, causing it to tter open.

    ¡°<i>Waaah!</i> <i>Huff!</i> <i>Huff</i>..." Once outside, Lee Jin-Sung released us and gasped for air, relief washing over him.

    - You guys made it out!

    In stark contrast to the turmoil we had just endured, the writer¡¯s voice was extremely chill. With our faces flushed red from the recent scare, we handed the cards to the writer.

    ¡°Here are the cards. <i>Ugh</i>, I am getting sick.¡±

    ¡°Thatst part was beyond terrifying. It''s going to invade my dreams tonight.¡±

    ¡°I''m pretty sure I''ll be haunted by it for a month. Ugh, I hate this so much," Goh Yoo-Joon confessed, trembling and visibly shaken. While we exchanged light banter before the camera, the writer calcted the points on the cards and expressed his admiration.

    - You''ve gathered them so earnestly. Four hundred twenty points!

    ¡°What? Where did we drop eighty points? Webed through every nook and cranny!" I eximed. The writer responded with a calm and slightly awkward smile.

    - Hyun-Woo, you didn''t seem frightened at all. We had prepared so much. Some must have been missed in the dark.

    ¡°But, did the other members not arrive yet?"

    - Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan dide, but they chose another ride when they heard you three were inside.

    My gaze drifted to the central clock of the amusement park. There were six minutes until the end of the game. It seemed that we had spent so much time in the haunted house that we almost didn¡¯t have time for any other rides.

    ¡°Maybe we should take one more ride and then head to the gathering spot?" I suggested.

    Hearing my suggestion, Goh Yoo-Joon shook off his fatigue and nodded in agreement. We went to a children''s ride next to where Joo-Han was taking a break and then made our way to the designated meeting spot. ¡°Let''s just head there. There''s no time for anything else."

    Despite the ordeal, our steps were light with the prospect of escapingst ce and possibly contending for the MC position. This optimism was fueled by our impressive haul of four hundred twenty points.

    - Everyone, you''ve done well. Thepetition is now concluded. Please, gather at the designated location.

    After Lee Won-Jae announced this, Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan, both donning headbands, rejoined us at the starting point. We then casually recounted our experiences on the rides. After listening for a bit, the director interjected at the perfect moment.

    - I''m d to see you all enjoyed yourselves as intended.

    The others cast annoyed nces at me and Lee Jin-Sung. Unfazed, we simply shrugged.

    ¡°Why? We had fun, right?¡± asked Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Exactly. We had a st. Be wary. The rankings are still up in the air," I chortled.

    Joo-Han mocked us. ¡°You two vanished after the mid-game check. Did you just give up and go for a carousel ride?"

    ¡°Not at all!" I shot back a sharp look at Joo-Han before abruptly turning away.

    <i>¡®Let them mock as they please. Our score might just turn everything upside down.¡¯ </i>

    - Our shoot of <i>Chronos History</i> at Tinta Land is drawing to a close. Who do you think will take first ce and secure the Countdown MC spot?

    ¡°I bet on Yoon-Chan. He was consistently on a lot of rides," answered Joo-Han.

    ¡°I think Joo-Han hyung will win. He only chose the rides with the highest points even with Suh Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung," Goh Yoo-Joon guessed. It seemed like Joo-Han, Park Yoon-Chan, and Goh Yoo-Joon were forming their own exclusive league, while Lee Jin-Sung and I weren¡¯t even considered as contenders.

    I nced at the director and noticed that he was looking at the three with a significant, almost delighted expression.

    - Now, let''s announce the rankings. Who will be first and second? Starting with fifth ce, it¡¯s Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°What?" The other members who were preparing to turn toward me and Jin-Sung suddenly shifted their attention to Park Yoon-Chan. He himself seemed unable to believe he was in fifth ce.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan isst?¡± asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°I''m fifth? Really?¡± inquired Yoon-Chan. The members repeatedly asked in disbelief, to which the director nodded. After that, Jin-Sung and I put on an exaggerated disy of triumph, and he boasted, ¡°See! We told you we had fun, right, Hyun-Woo hyung?"

    ¡°Absolutely. No one enjoyed themselves as much as we did. Right, Jin-Sung?"

    Ignoring our banter, Joo-Han asked, "How does someone in second ce at the mid-game check end upst?"

    - I''ll exin thatter. You guys just need to know that Yoon-Chan has to face the penalty foring in fifth.

    ¡°What? What''s the penalty?"

    - I''ll tell you thatter too. And in fourth ce, it¡¯s Joo-Han!

    Following Park Yoon-Chan, Joo-Han was fourth. With this turn of events, Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan no longer expressed surprise at their rankings. ¡°Director, what did these guys do after the mid-game check?"

    ¡°How did those who werest manage to score so high in such a short time?"

    After the mid-game check, we hadn''t even ridden any rides with other members, except with each other. Hence, filled with skepticism, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan continued to question us. The director simply smirked and announced the next ranking.

    - Third ce is Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Ah! So close. Third ce, huh? Ah...¡±

    - You were very close to second ce.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, when did you ride one more?"

    ¡°Just beforeing here."

    ¡°Wow, I was so out of it that I couldn¡¯t do anything else."

    - It''s good to see that even those who don''t like rides enjoyed themselves

    Hearing this, Jin-Sung looked at the director who was smiling mischievously. Our rank had skyrocketed just from that one visit to the haunted house. If Goh Yoo-Joon was first, and I was second, then both of us would secure the MC spots.

    ¡°Incredible..." I murmured softly. Had I not caught on to Director Lee Won-Jae''s hints, I would be dealing with the penalty right now. When I realized that I hadn¡¯t done much since riding the Tintacoaster, or whatever it was called, I was somewhat moved.

    - Since the top two winners have been decided, I won¡¯t drag this out any longer. Hyun-Woo is second, and Yoo-Joon is first."

    ¡°Yes!" Goh Yoo-Joon let out a long sigh of contentment and approached me for a handshake. I shared the same victorious expression with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°But Director, how did Yoo-Joon hyung and Hyun-Woo hyung score their points?" Park Yoon-Chan asked.

    - They participated in the Scream Challenge, a summer special at Tinta Land, scoring a whopping four hundred twenty points.

    ¡°The Scream Challenge? Was that the spot where we could earn a ton of points earlier? Ah, we should have gone in there."

    - Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan tried to take on the challenge but couldn''t because these three were already inside.

    Joo-Han looked disappointed, and Park Yoon-Chan shook his head. ¡°That ce is too scary to even approach. I wouldn¡¯t have gone in for more points."

    At that moment, a cameraman nearby held up arge sketchbook for us to see. Joo-Han nced at it and said, ¡°Yes, it was a big hitst year too. The Tinta Land Scream Challenge, bing even more special and terrifying this summer, is open only for a month, from August 1st to 30th. It¡¯s a haunted house event. If you love scary things and are confident you can make it to the end, be sure to try it out."

    As usual, thepetition came to a close with a plug for Tinta Land. The director raised his thumb in satisfaction and then wore a meaningful smile.

    - Now, all that''s left is to reveal the penalty for Yoon-Chan.

 Chapter 66: Chronos History (10)

    <h4>Chapter 66: Chronos History (10)</h4>

    ¡°Ah, Director, that''s just too harsh. He needs to make a debut."

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Something like making him eat a spoonful of wasabi is...¡±

    The members rallied protectively around Park Yoon-Chan. Their plea made the director shake his head, a mix of surprise and concern etched on his face.

    - Of course not. We don''t resort to such frightening stuff nowadays. It could cause real trouble. Yoon-Chan''s penalty is...

    He unveiled arge poster board and peeled away a sticker to reveal the dreaded punishment.

    - He will have to dance in a penalty costume during an encore performance when Chronos gets first ce in a music show.

    ¡°A penalty costume?"

    ¡°Even for topping the charts on UNET?"

    - No, it doesn''t matter from which broadcastpany. The penalty has nothing to do with that.

    One of the staff arrived with Park Yoon-Chan''s penalty costume in tow.

    ¡°Oh my gosh, look at that!" The revtion not only surprised us but also sent our staff team into a momentary state ofmotion, a wave ofughter washing over us.

    ¡°What is that? Ha ha ha! That''s insane!" Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t contain hisughter. It was the costume that Joo-Han had worn during <i>Pick We Up</i>¡¯s unit stage for his first selfposed song, ¡°Meow Meow Woof Woof,¡± and it was now in Yoon-Chan''s hands.

    - It will suit you perfectly, Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°...You must be kidding me. Ah! Aah!¡± Park Yoon-Chan copsed in a mix of horror and disbelief. Another embarrassing moment in Yoon-Chan''s history was about to unfold, following the infamous ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha¡±.

    Beaming with an almost triumphant glow, Joo-Han offered Yoon-Chan a consoling smile. ¡°You could always do Cha-Cha again."

    ¡°...That''s definitely not okay!" Park Yoon-Chan''s adamant refusal brought a light-hearted mood to the set.

    - Then we will see Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo as MCster. Thank you everyone for your hard work. Let''s wrap up with your final greetings.

    All of us then returned to our designated spots, ready to wrap up the shoot. Facing the camera, Joo-Han expressed, ¡°Hope you all had fun. Please look forward to seeing Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo as the MCs. We don¡¯t know when we will get first ce, but please keep an eye out for Yoon-Chan''s penalty costume as well. Our very first reality show, <i>Chronos History</i>, continues next week."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    With Joo-Han''s smooth conclusion, the shoot wrapped up. "Well done, everyone!"

    Despite the exhaustion from the morning''s shoot, there was no time for us to rest. ¡°You guys are aware that the choreography for the title track is being released today, right? We''re heading straight to thepany," our manager reminded us, keeping a close eye on the day''s schedule. The day was far from over.

    ***

    Four months of working in front of the camera had made me more at ease with engaging in natural conversation and maintaining eye contact, even when the lens was directly focused on me. Perhaps that was why our faces were etched with serious expressions regardless of the camera''s presence.

    ¡°The movements keep changing."

    ¡°It feels like it''ll take quite some time to memorize all this."

    ¡°I wonder if we can do this live."

    It was 5 PM, and the dancers, each wearing one of our member''s name tags, were showcasing the choreography for our debut song, ¡°Parade,¡± all under our watchful gaze.

    ¡°This is incredibly cool though.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. It is beyond my expectation from the beginning.¡±

    Tailored to fit the song''s uniqueness, the choreography made full use of Chronos¡¯s strengths in delivering high-quality group performances. It emanated both sophistication and style.

    ¡°What do you think?" asked the choreographer once the demonstration was over. ¡°We''ve decided on this for now, but if you have better ideas, we''re open to adjustments. Feel free to share your thoughts, okay?"

    ¡°It''s fantastic! Can''t wait to see how it looks when we''re all decked out."

    ¡°Yeah. The live performance seems tough, but with more practice, we can pull it off."

    Everyone was in awe of the meticulously nned choreography. Beaming with pride, the choreographer turned to me. ¡°How about you, Hyun-Woo? You''ve been quiet the whole time."

    That was when I finally broke my hesitation and voiced my concerns. ¡°The choreography seems a bit too challenging."

    ¡°Too difficult?" The choreographer looked puzzled, tilting his head slightly.

    With a trace of surprise in his voice, he remarked, ¡°I think Chronos is more than capable of handling this.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an amazing dance, but a simpler chorus would be ideal in my opinion.¡±

    Theplexity of this choreography was, in fact, less daunting than what we had tackled in our <i>Pick We Up</i> days, so with some practice, mastering it should be rtively easy. However, I couldn''t shake off the concern that, despite the song''s potential for sess, it might not be as appealing as the hits I had witnessed in the past.

    ¡°We made it challenging for your debut, and you don''t like it?" The choreographer''s voice carried a hint of wounded pride as he ruffled his hair, his brow furrowing.

    I quickly shook my head. ¡°It¡¯s not about liking it or not. I''m just sharing my thoughts. I was hoping the chorus could be simplified a bit, so it''s easier for the general public to follow...¡±

    The song was a guaranteed hit, and expectations for Chronos were soaring. We had worked diligently to establish this favorable setting, but if the choreography was tooplicated, wouldn''t it be challenging for people to follow along? Also, the reason this song had been a hit in the past, dominating school and festival stages nationwide, was its unique yet catchy melodybined with a dance routine that appealed to all.

    Reina''s agency had gotten this song back then and opted for a simpler choreography to amodate members who weren''t as adept at dancing, a decision that ultimately contributed to its widespread sess.

    ¡°Could we tone down the difficulty of the chorus a bit? Would that be possible?" I asked, my tone filled with respect and consideration for the choreographer''s sentiments. Chronos certainly warranted a more borate dance than just something simplistic, but the current difficulty was a tad too much for the general public.

    ¡°I have a different opinion." Lee Jin-Sung spoke up when the choreographer and other members interpreted my suggestion as merely a personal preference. ¡°Why do we need to make the current choreography simpler? What¡¯s the reason?"

    ¡°I actually agree with Hyun-Woo," Joo-Han interjected. Hearing this, Jin-Sung expressed clear discontent, his lips forming a pout as he insisted, ¡°There''s nothing wrong with the choreography!"

    ¡°I don¡¯t say that Hyun-Woo is entirely correct, but there is some merit to his perspective,¡± Joo-Han added. The dynamic and powerful choreography seemed to resonate perfectly with Jin-Sung¡¯s tastes, and he was evidently not inclined to consider my viewpoint.

    I paused for a moment and spoke softly, almost as if trying to persuade a child gently. ¡°Our target audience ranges from trend-conscious teens to those in their twenties. Also, I''m not proposing aplete overhaul of the choreography, just a refinement of the chorus. Let''s make it something both celebrities and the general public can easily follow."

    ¡°But why should wepromise our strength? Chronos is known for itsplex group dances," Jin-Sung countered.

    I nodded in agreement. ¡°Indeed, that is our strong point."

    ¡°But...?" My proposal was understandably a letdown for Jin-Sung, the group¡¯s main dancer. The idea of toning down the choreography probably seemed illogical to him.

    I pondered over how to convince Jin-Sung and briefly slipped into my trainer mode to rationalize the need for simplifying the choreography. ¡°Jin-Sung, is there anyone who doesn¡¯t recognize our dance skills?"

    ¡°Huh?"

    ¡°We¡¯re known for our dance prowess, and lowering the difficulty of our title track''s chorus won¡¯t make people forget that, will it?¡± The public''s enthusiasm for <i>Pick We Up</i> had been incredible. To exaggerate it slightly, I was certain that anyone with a fleeting interest in idols would associate Chronos with dance.

    ¡°Still, I¡¯m against lowering the standard of something that¡¯s already perfect," Jin-Sung expressed, offering no further argument but maintaining a firm stance.

    ¡°Sophisticated andplex choreography is the core identity of Chronos, so I don''t agree with you," he dered, exiting the practice room.

    ¡°Sigh, this kid always avoids a confrontation," the manager muttered as he trailed after Jin-Sung.

    ¡°...I''m sorry," I apologized.

    ¡°No need to apologize. You''re entitled to your opinion," the choreographer reassured me, as he started to pack up his things and guided the dancers out of the room. ¡°Once you sort this out, let me know. I''ll adjust the choreography to suit your consensus."

    As the choreographer left, a heavy silence enveloped the practice room. Joo-Han stood up, letting out a heavy sigh. ¡°I''ll go talk to Jin-Sung and bring him back. You guys can head back to the dorm now."

    ¡°I thought I did a decent job convincing him this time," I said.

    ¡°I guess not. I will see you at the dorm.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Joo-Han followed the manager, and the three of us made our way back to the dormitory. The echoes of our previous disagreement still lingered, casting a shadow over the atmosphere. Even in the presence of cameras, the somber mood persisted.

    ¡°...I will bring some ice,¡± Park Yoon-Chan announced, heading toward the kitchen with a visible awareness of the cameras. Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon and I swiftly grabbed a basin and filled it with water, as if seizing the opportunity to lighten the mood.

    ¡°Dang, that¡¯s freezing!¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t done icepress for a while.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I am too tired to even think about taking a shower. I just want to crash. It¡¯s pretty amazing that we are still awake after the trip,¡± said Goh Yoo-Joon as he immersed his feet in the ice water and leaned back.

    ¡°We were up since dawn for the shoot, rode the amusement park rides, and then hit the practice room. Plus, yesterday was packed with meetings and extra recording."

    ¡°True. Everyone¡¯s a bit on edge today. The argument earlier didn¡¯t seem worth such a reaction.¡±

    Their consoling words brought a faint smile to my face. ¡°Sorry, guys."

    ¡°No worries! Joo-Han agreed you had a point, so just talk things out with Jin-Sung when he¡¯s back. I¡¯m cool with anything," reassured Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, hyung. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. You were just looking out for the group, weren¡¯t you? Don¡¯t let Jin-Sung''s stubbornness sway you," said Yoon-Chan.

    Indeed, we all found ourselves growing more sensitive and fatigued amid the preparations for our debut. While the title track wasplete, the mounting stress became too much for us, particrly with the producer''s critical feedback during the recording of other songs and our limited input in meetings. As a result, Jin-Sung''s frustration seemed to reach a boiling point when I suggested toning down the choreography on top of everything.

    Sighing, I absentmindedly stirred the ice water. I had no choice but to speak up. The best strategy to match the sess of the previous group¡¯s ¡°Parade¡± required simplifying the chorus. It would be a dent in my pride if this destined-to-be-great song couldn¡¯t create the same impact as before.

    ¡°Stop worrying about it,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon reassured me, patting my back. ¡°To be honest, I prefer the current choreography, but I see where you¡¯reing from. Also, Jin-Sung did react a bit too strongly." After a brief exchange, we cleaned up and headed to our rooms.

    It was past 11 PM, but Joo-Han and Jin-Sung had not yet returned.

    ***

    At 12:30 AM, my eyes ached from fatigue, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to sleep, particrly with Joo-Han and Jin-Sung still out. How could I possibly sleep after such a confrontation? I remained seated on the couch with the TV ying in the background, as I felt guilty hurting Jin-Sung with my greed.

    Suddenly, the sound of the door lock clicking made me turn my head. Jin-Sung and Joo-Han were entering. ¡°Huh? You haven¡¯t slept yet, Hyun-Woo?"

    I slowly stood up, feeling a bit relieved. ¡°I can¡¯t sleep. What about you guys? Where have you been?"

    At that time, my eyes met Jin-Sung¡¯s. He definitely seemed uneasy and quickly looked away. Joo-Han then nudged him toward me and said, ¡°You two should talk. I¡¯m off to shower."

    ¡°...Okay...¡±

    After Joo-Han left for the bathroom, Jin-Sung walked past me into the living room, and I followed him, noticing his asional nces back at me. He then sat somewhat apart from me on the couch, biting his lip as if struggling to find the right words.

    I finally broke the silence. ¡°Jin-Sung, I¡¯m sorry. I know how much dancing means to you."

    He directly waved his hands and shook his head, his expression one of concern. ¡°No, no! I¡¯m the one who should apologize, Hyun-Woo hyung. I overreacted. Your points were all valid. It was just my ego getting in the way."

    ¡°I was too abrupt in my approach, not considering how you¡¯d feel," I said.

    Jin-Sung''s eyes welled up, regret evident from his earlier exit. ¡°No, it''s... you know your words are not that convincing... <i>heup</i>..."

    ¡°What?" I was taken aback as he brought this up out of nowhere. ¡°You think I''m not articte...?"

    ¡°Earlier... umm... Joo-Han hyung said..."

    ¡°What did Joo-Han hyung say?"

    ¡°Waaah.¡±

    ¡°Don''t cry, just tell me. What did he say?"

    His tears weren''t my focus. Grasping his shoulder, I urged him to speak, and Jin-Sung blurted out, ¡°He said you''re not good with words..."

    What was that? That was unexpected. This awkward, disconcerting feeling...

    ¡°I.. <i>sob</i> <i>sob</i>... knew about it, but... <i>Waaaah</i>! I am sorry! I... I should have been more understanding, <i>waaah!</i>¡±

    It was embarrassing to the point that my heart ached. ¡°...Jin-Sung."

    ¡°I... <i>heup</i>... knew that you are... <i>sob</i>... not good at convincing...¡±

    It would have been better to just hear him swearing at me. ¡°I am okay with speaking. It¡¯s just that I am not convincing.¡±

    ¡®<i>Ugh, I would have been the leader if I was good at that.¡¯</i>

    A somewhat bitter dawn passed by.

 Chapter 67: Chronos History (11)

    <h4>Chapter 67: Chronos History (11)</h4>

    It was well past 2 AM by the time Jin-Sung and I managed to smooth things over and exchange a few words. A lingering bittersweetness filled the air as we finally called it a night, but we had wrapped up everything that needed to be addressed.

    The next day, all the members, the choreographer, and the team staff collectively agreed to lower the difficulty of the choreography during the chorus while opting for more eye-catching movements.

    Time wasn''t on our side, as we had roughly three days to master it. Despite the tight schedule, a marathon practice session ensured that we were ready with a polished routine for the music video.

    A week after the tiff with Jin-Sung, I found myself back in the salon chair, bracing against the familiar sting of bleaching. ¡°Noona, I seriously can''t endure this anymore."

    ¡°Is it too painful? Burning, right?" asked the stylist. Shuddering, I nodded, and the stylist checked my hair before nodding in agreement. ¡°Let''s go wash it out."

    Since there hadn''t been any stage performances, I had let my ck hair grow out. The agony of getting my hair dyed for the music video was intense, but seeing the final result somewhat eased the pain.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you really suit any color. I realized that the first time you dyed your hair, and Hae-Ri''s eye for color is exceptional." My hair, freshly stripped of its old dye, was now ash purple. Park Yoon-Chan went for a wine red, while Joo-Han stuck with his color.

    ¡°But hyung," asked Joo-Han

    ¡°Yeah?" our manager answered.

    ¡°Don''t you think all of our costumes are quite different from each other?" Joo-Han''s question elicited a confirming nod from our exhausted manager, who had been busy with his phone. ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s all part of the music video''s concept. I''ll fill you in on the details at the site."

    Joo-Han wore a casual shirt, Jin-Sung was in a tidy uniform, Park Yoon-Chan sported a school uniform, Goh Yoo-Joon was in a suit, and I wore a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, paired with bronze-colored suspender pants, exuding a handmade watchmaker vibe. Each outfit was wildly different, reflecting the group''s diverse concept, yet there was ack of coherence overall.

    The team mentioned that they invested a considerable amount of effort, especially considering it was our first music video. It seemed to be a narrative-driven piece, aligning with the song''s universe rather than focusing solely on choreography.

    Beside me, Jin-Sung was enthusiastically snapping pictures with the group phone, particrly fond of the fake scars on his cheeks and his uniform. I said, ¡°You''re going to be a hit once you get your own social media. You really love yourself, don''t you?"

    Jin-Sung shot me a re. ¡°Celebrities are supposed to crave attention. Come here, hyung. Let''s take a photo and put it on <i>BlueBird</i>."

    Just then, our manager swiftly intervened and grabbed the phone. ¡°No, that''s not allowed. nning to leak spoilers without permission?"

    ¡°Alright, I''ll just take pictures instead of uploading them. Can we post them after the concept''s revealed?" asked Jin-Sung. Hearing this, the manager reluctantly handed the phone back. Jin-Sung then pulled me in for several more shots, showcasing his ir for diverse expressions and poses.

    ¡°Time to head out!" Following the manager¡¯smand, the members and staff hurried to the cars. Given therger group, we split into two vehicles, but the presence of cameras still added to the cramped feeling.

    - It''s been a while since we''ve seen you all dressed up.

    After the cameramanmented, I responded with a bashful chuckle and a nod. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been since the <i>Pick We Up</i> days. Feels kind of strange."

    - You look fantastic. The fans will definitely adore this look.

    ¡°Really? We are working hard, hoping they''ll like it."

    - So, have you and Jin-Sung made up?

    The cameraman''s question caught me off guard, causing my bashful smile to vanish. I nced at the camera in bewilderment, then the cameraman awaited my response with a sly grin as if he knew what had happened. ¡°We didn''t... actually fight."

    ¡°Don¡¯t lie!" Goh Yoo-Joon leaned in, invading the frame. ¡°Come on, you and Jin-Sung were crying together after that practice room incident. Right?"

    ¡°What? That¡¯s not true! Don''t spread rumors!"

    - Did you two really cry that day?

    I shook my head vehemently, denying Goh Yoo-Joon''s embellished tale. Yoo-Joon then added, ¡°I woke up because it was loud that night. It seemed like they were making up, so I stayed out of it."

    ¡°I didn''t cry. It was Jin-Sung who did."

    ¡°Ah, hyung!"

    ¡°<i>Waaah!</i> Hyung, your way with words, <i>waaah!</i> I knew about it!" Joo-Han mimicked Jin-Sung from the passenger seat, setting off a wave ofughter among the manager and other members.

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s enough. Even you, Joo-Han hyung.¡± I shot a ming look at the cameraman. ¡°You knew all this time...¡± The director had mentioned that he would use that footage for a pre-release clip, yet they still dredged it up to tease me. They were a <i>bit </i>mean, <i>tsk</i> <i>tsk</i>.

    ¡°Anyway, I have decided not to fight with Hyun-Woo hyung anymore. It really upset me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we are best friends now.¡±

    Then Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in, ¡°Umm... Writer Song, when''s our pre-release clip going live?"

    It had been a while since our initial shoot, and the release schedule was expected to be tight, aiming to capitalize on the remaining poprity of <i>Pick We Up</i>. Director Lee Won-Jae, famed for his timeliness, probably had something ready for release. However, despite his apparent satisfaction after the amusement park shoot, there was still no news about our preview.

    The writer looked at her phone and then shed a sly grin. ¡°We are in the middle of editing. We should see about two episodes drop within a week. I''ll ping In-Hyun once they''re up."

    ¡°What¡¯s in them?"

    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s the content?" The members fired questions, and the writer shrugged nonchntly. ¡°How would I know? Only Director Lee and the editors know about it. However, don¡¯t stress out. Director Lee has a knack for making everything entertaining."

    ¡°Remember the ¡®Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha¡¯ video? That was epic."

    ¡°Hyung, did you see that thumbnail?"

    ¡°Is it the one with the text ''I''m Serious Now?¡¯" Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung burst intoughter.

    <i>¡®Fine. I will let you have fun teasing me.¡¯</i>

    The teasing about the ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha¡± thumbnail had been ongoing for months,ing from the members, my family, and even Team D members, so it hardly fazed me anymore.

    ¡°We''re nearly there. Cover up with nkets as you get out, just in case."

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°Whoa, check out that building. It''s massive!" Goh Yoo-Joon gawked at a colossal gray structure outside the window, and our manager chuckled through the rearview mirror. ¡°That''s where you''ll be shooting. Thepany went all out, so you''ll be blown away once inside."

    The car came to a halt, and the following vehicle''s staff quickly got off, busy doing their jobs. Our stylists distributed nkets quickly and gathered their belongings. Joo-Han instructed, ¡°Let¡¯s move fast so we don''t dy the stylists."

    We exited the car and followed the staff into the building, an imposing concrete structure that looked like it could be brimming with dust. Inside, we opened a huge door to a space buzzing with the sounds of hammering and drilling. A crew member spotted us and called out, ¡°Chronos has arrived!"

    Despite their wee, we found ourselves rooted in awe. ¡°No wonder our costumes are so mismatched..." The sheer scale of the setup was mind-blowing. We stood there, gaping, endlessly marveling at the sight. ¡°Wow... Incredible... Seeing this in person is unreal. Isn¡¯t it, guys?"

    ¡°All this, just for us?"

    Inside the vast studio were five distinctively themed areas, each room grand and imposing, matching the vastness of the studio. It finally became clear to us why our costumes were so diverse.

    ¡°Chronos, over here, please!" After soaking in the scene, a staff ushered us toward the director.

    ¡°One, two, three! Hello, we''re Chronos. Thank you in advance!" As we introduced ourselves, the director¡¯s stern expression melted into a kind smile. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here? I¡¯ve been following your show. You¡¯ve all been doing wonderfully."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°You guys are taller and better-looking in real life. I am looking forward to working with you today. Go over there to get updates on the MV¡¯s details.¡±

    The shooting concept was like this: there was a world where the realms of fantasy and contemporary life intertwined. Each of us was from different worlds and became aware of the others through a unique connection. In this story, Joo-Han and Jin-Sung hailed from a fantasy realm, while Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan resided in the modern era. My role was to be the conduit linking these divergent worlds.

    ¡°We decided to call the setting the Chronos Universe," the team borated. It was a distinctive universe for Chronos that would be gradually unveiled across multiple albums.

    Goh Yoo-Joon expressed his awe in a low voice. ¡°I always thought only the bigbels undertook such grand concepts." The notion of a group universe symbolized the agency''s robust support and the group''s potential to carry out such an extensive project. The sess of <i>Pick We Up</i> had indeed opened doors for us.

    ¡°During our time with Allure, we wished for something like this, but it wasn''t feasible. However, your triumph in <i>Pick We Up </i>and the ensuing momentum swayed Supervisor Kim to persuade thepany''s head.¡±

    ¡°That''s incredible. I''m literally getting goosebumps," Goh Yoo-Joon responded. The fruits of our hard work were manifesting promptly, a befitting reward for the members who had been toiling since thepetition''s end.

    ¡°Alright, let''s start the shooting! Joo-Han, you''re starting in Area A." With Joo-Han engaged in his scene, the rest of us had some downtime. We either observed the filming, horsed around in front of the camera, or indulged in snacks set aside for us while we waited.

    Jin-Sung was engrossed in taking photos with Park Yoon-Chan, using the manager''s phone. After spending some time with Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon approached me with his yful banter. ¡°Hey, Suh Hyun-Woo, Mr. Hyun-Woo~."

    I reproved him, ¡°Sit still! Or else, how will you keep up with the group danceter?"

    He whined, ¡°But I''m bored, Mr. Hyun-Woo~."

    ¡°Shut up," I insisted, pulling him down onto the chair beside me. Although I was a neen-year-old boy, my mindset was more like a leisure-loving office worker in my twenties.

    He quietened down for a bit and then resumed his yful demeanor, so I shouted, "Director, look at him! He''s lost his ''sigh man'' image!"

    <i>Tap, tap, tap, tap.</i>

    As I tried to fend off Goh Yoo-Joon''s light-hearted punches, he suddenly straightened up. ¡°Why so low on energy already?" I remained silent, my gaze fixed on Joo-Han, who was in a room bathed in violet light, ying a clear ss piano beneath a grand chandelier.

 Chapter 68: Chronos History (12)

    <h4>Chapter 68: Chronos History (12)</h4>

    ¡°Man, Joo-Han hyung really nails it. I mean, just look at him. He is always impressive, right?"

    ¡°Yeah, he''s quite something."

    As the camera came in front of me, I couldn''t help but beam with pride and say, ¡°That guy over there is our leader."

    ¡°Our hyung indeed."

    I always knew Joo-Han was skilled at ying the piano, but his performance in full attire under the stunning lights was something else. Meanwhile...

    <i>¡®These people must really love chandeliers.'' </i>It was likely a touch added by our nning team. Chandeliers always seemed to drain my energy, and I knew the reason behind it.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung really looks like an idol out of a magazine, doesn''t he?"

    ¡°Feels like we''re watching him on a screen," I replied to Park Yoon-Chan''s remark with a soft chuckle. The way the chandelier''s light softly touched Joo-Han''s hair and his angelic face, coupled with his intense focus on the piano, was a marvel to witness. It was as if he was meant to be there.

    ¡°By the way, what song is that? It sounds amazing."

    ¡°Right? I''ve never heard it before. I''ll ask Joo-Han hyung about itter."

    The melody was unfamiliar, but it was definitely not ssic. I wondered if it was a new-age[1] song. Even though I prided myself on my eclectic music taste, the tune Joo-Han yed was like a new discovery for me.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know there¡¯s a song that Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan don¡¯t know about. Is it new?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, lounging on my chair''s armrest.

    ¡°Not sure. Hey, Yoon-Chan, let me know the titleter. I need to download it."

    ¡°Will do."

    Even if it turned out to be a recent release in this era, to me, it felt like a relic from six years ago. Surprisingly, I hadn''t been aware that such a musical gem existed.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s your turn to shoot," announced a staff member. Goh Yoo-Joon stood up, making room for me, and Jin-Sung cheered, ¡°Go get ''em, hyung! You got this!" I simply waved to the others and stepped into my designated set.

    ¡°This music video kicks off with you, Hyun-Woo, so your role is pivotal."

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°Do you take acting sses at your agency?"

    ¡°...Uh... sorry?" I was taken aback by the sudden question. Noting my baffled expression, the staff tilted her head awkwardly. ¡°No worries. You¡¯ve got a knack for emoting on stage."

    She led me to a desk strewn with clock parts. ¡°You¡¯ll be assembling a clock here."

    ¡°Assembling a clock?"

    ¡°Just pretend. y around with the screws, as if you''re putting together this half-finished clock."

    ¡°Alright."

    ¡°Channel that watchmaker vibe for us, please."

    I sat down cautiously on the wooden chair, and gears started whirring around me.

    <i>¡®Acting like a master watchmaker...¡¯</i>

    ¡°Just rx and do it."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Ready? Cue!"

    On cue, I shifted my expression.

    <i>¡®This is just like being on stage. Expressive acting. I am a watchmaker who has dedicated five decades to perfecting clocks. I can even sacrifice myself for the best clock.¡¯</i>

    I fastened a screw, in sync with the noise of gears spinning around.

    ¡°Cut! Let''s take a pause, uh, one sec!"

    ¡°Yes?" I got confused and looked up to find everyone, including the crew and my fellow group members, chuckling.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you seem a bit too stiff," someonemented.

    ¡°At this pace, you''re heading toward a legendary blooper, hyung," Jin-Sung teased, recording me with the manager¡¯s phone.

    ¡°You are so awkward."

    ¡°Awkward?"

    The director nodded, a mixture of disappointment and slight concern on his face. ¡°Let''s give it another shot. Loosen up a bit."

    ¡°Okay!" I thought that I had performed quite naturally, but apparently, it was a miss.

    <i>¡®How should I approach this? How did I act on stage previously?¡¯</i> Feeling unsure, I settled back into the chair and just waited for the next cue. But no matter how many times we tried, the director didn¡¯t give the okay sign.

    As I floundered to get the right vibe, Joo-Han, just back from his own shoot and a brief catering run, approached with a suggestion for the director. ¡°Perhaps incorporating some background music thatplements Hyun-Woo''s scene would be more effective than doing additional takes."

    ¡°Music? You mean ''Parade''?"

    Joo-Han shook his head and then rmended a different track. ¡°¡®Second Hand'' by Reina would be better." This unexpected song choice left the director and crew momentarily perplexed. They wondered why a non-Chronos track would be yed during our shoot.

    However, Joo-Han was undeterred and just set up the song on a nearbyptop. Soon, the distinctive ticking of ¡°Second Hand¡± echoed through the set, setting a new mood. ¡°Imagine you''re in the middle of a performance, Hyun-Woo. Don¡¯t think of it as just acting. Treat this like a stage. Director, you have to restart shooting now."

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°He excels on stage, so if he considers this as a performance, you wouldn¡¯t want to miss capturing him on film.¡±

    ¡°...Ah! Okay.¡± The director was caught off guard and hurriedly signaled the start. The song featured Reina''s soothing voice harmonizing with clockwork sounds, creating a ssical mood. I grabbed the screwdriver once more, shifting my mindset from acting to performing.

    I deliberately turned away from the camera, immersing myself in the music, as if I were part of a live performance. This approach rxed me, and I started fitting the clock parts together more naturally. Reina¡¯s music helped me sink deeper into the role.

    Watching the scene quietly, the director gave a soft instruction as to not distract me. ¡°Look startled, as if you''ve heard something from behind. Then, slightly turn to the back." On cue, a loud noise made me turn around, and I found Goh Yoo-Joon grinning after contributing to the sound effect.

    ¡°Now, smile as if you''re the happiest person in the world!" My eyes met with Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s, and we both broke into broad smiles.

    ¡°Next, stand up and slowly walk toward something," the director guided. I then stood up and walked toward a fixed point, lost in the moment.

    ¡°Cut!" Visibly pleased, the director signaled a sessful take. ¡°Great job! The members really support each other well. Next up, Jin-Sung, please head to set B."

    With the members'' assistance, my first shoot wrapped up swiftly. Taking a seat, I observed Jin-Sung, now adorned with a ck star artfully drawn under his eye. It wasn¡¯t immediately apparent, but the star beneath his eye, coupled with the colorful cane and his uniform, emitted a distinct circus ringmaster vibe.

    Jin-Sung stood amid a sea of pink and purple roses, lip-syncing the lyrics. His expressions changed with the music, and fairytale lighting in the set enhanced the overall ambiance. The yful Jin-Sung had vanished, reced by amanding presence reminiscent of the Joker.

    ¡°Absolutely legendary," I muttered in awe. When I nced around the set, I noticed the absence of Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan. ¡°Where did Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan go?¡±

    The manager was watching Jin-Sung with satisfaction and replied, ¡°They''re shooting outside."

    ¡°Outdoor scenes too?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan has to do some running," answered the manager. I peeked at the storyboard, noting that the two¡ªrepresenting the modern world in our Chronos universe¡ªhad numerous outdoor scenes.

    ¡°Sounds exhausting," Imented.

    ¡°You''re up for some tough scenes too," said the manager.

    ¡°Me? Why?" As soon as I flipped to the first page of the storyboard, I understood. It unveiled my role as the medium connecting two worlds. In the story, my brother vanished before my eyes. After extensive research, I stumbled upon another world and devoted my life to uncovering a way to reach it, convinced that my brother resided there.

    However, as the ruler of that world knew that I had crossed over from another world, he became intrigued by me and imprisoned me deep underground. While I remained trapped, I continuously sent out rescue signals to someone in the present day.

    In this story, I was trapped in a prison, meaning that I would have to convey a range of emotions like sorrow, struggle, and pain throughout the shooting. ¡°Hyung, I should have gotten an acting lesson if it was going to be like this.¡±

    ¡°True. Want to start now?" asked the manager.

    ¡°No, thanks. Let Yoon-Chan take acting lessons instead. He still wants to act."

    ¡°Let''s focus on the debut first. Don''t worry too much. You were doing well earlier, so just think of it as being on stage till the end."

    ¡°Crying and struggling on stage are notmon. I''m an inexperienced rookie singer, you know?" I shook my head.

    While the manager and I bantered in front of the camera, Jin-Sung''s shooting wrapped up. The director announced, ¡°Let¡¯s clear the flower bed and bring in the light bed! Thirty-minute break!" Hearing this, the staff started moving efficiently. Excluding the two members who had gone outside, we sat in our chairs, engaging in pointless chatter before standing up.

    ¡°Since we have nothing to do, let''s go see the other two shoot."

    ¡°Are they together?" I asked. The manager shook his head. ¡°Yoon-Chan went to a nearby school, and Goh Yoo-Joon is at the pedestrian crossing right here."

    ¡°Then I''ll go see Yoo-Joon," I said.

    ¡°In-hyun hyung will take Jin-Sung. Goh Yoo-Joon is nearby, so I''ll go with Hyun-Woo to see him," said Joo-Han. The manager seemed uneasy about us moving without staff, but after a moment''s thought, he nodded. ¡°Well, there''s a camera, and Joo-Han is with you, so it should be fine. Call immediately if there''s any issue, and the big pedestrian crossing is right outside the building."

    ¡°Okay."

    We wrapped ourselves in nkets and stepped outside the building with mini fans in our hands. Thebination of nkets and fans was weird, but the presence of cameras and numerous staff members made the gathered onlookers'' stares somewhat less embarrassing.

    ¡°Where''s the pedestrian crossing?"

    ¡°They said it''s right outside, but I don¡¯t see it."

    ¡°Is that it?" A crowd had gathered at a pedestrian crossing in front of a cafe near the building, where filming equipment seemed to be in ce.

    ¡°Looks like that¡¯s it. Let''s go."

    ¡°Okay." I fanned my face with the mini fan as I followed Joo-Han. Our unique outfits and the camera attracted a lot of attention. People stopped and started taking pictures with their phone cameras. I wondered if they even knew who we were.

    As we headed toward the pedestrian crossing, wondering if they knew us, someone recognized us. ¡°Isn''t that Chronos? Yes, it''s Chronos!"

    ¡°Yes, yes! That''s Suh Hyun-Woo and Kang Joo-Han!"

    ¡°Wow, they''re really good-looking." The girls, seemingly aware of who we were, slowly followed us, filming with their phones.

    ¡°What kind of shooting is this?"

    ¡°Considering their hidden outfits, it must be rted to their debut album. This is crazy. Suh Hyun-woo!" While I pretended not to hear, I was startled when someone called my name. The unknown girl was waving her hand excitedly and shouted, ¡°I''m your fan!"

    ¡°Ah, thank you." I quickly erased my startled expression and smiled, waving back. At that moment, the murmurs started.

    ¡°They are Chronos."

    ¡°Are they Chronos? Wow, this is my first time seeing them."

    ¡°Aren''t they the group that won<i> Pick We Up</i>? They look amazing in real life." The people who had just realized we were Chronos started to buzz with excitement.

    1. A genre that typicallybines elements of ambient, ssical, and world music to create calming, meditative soundscapes often used for rxation or spiritual purposes. ?

 Chapter 69: Chronos History (13)

    <h4>Chapter 69: Chronos History (13)</h4>

    Regardless of whether the people around knew Chronos or not, they started gathering around Joo-Han and me. In the end, we were surrounded by a sea of cameras and a chorus of whispers, so Joo-Han and I exchanged knowing looks and forced smiles. ¡°Looks like we won¡¯t be able to observe the shoot, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, seems like it.¡±

    Everywhere we moved, the crowd mirrored our steps. Knowing that we¡¯d just be a distraction if we stayed, we distanced ourselves from the shooting scene and went back toward the set.

    One of the fans eximed in excitement, ¡°I am your fan! I can''t believe I''m meeting you here!"

    I responded with gratitude, "Thank you!"

    ¡°What are you guys doing here?¡±

    ¡°Haha, it''s top secret.¡±

    As if leading a parade, we guided the crowd back to our set¡¯s entrance and briefly stopped there to chat with them. The sound of cameras clicking was almostforting by now. ¡°Do you know who we are?"

    The crowd shouted back, ¡°Yes!"

    Visibly pleased, Joo-Han probed further, "And who are we?"

    The enthusiastic reply erupted, ¡°Chronos! <i>Kyaaaak</i>!"

    ¡°I love you!¡±

    Seeing their enthusiasm, we both bowed respectfully, touched by the recognition from people who knew us even before our official debut.

    ¡°Oppa, can I get your autograph? I was at yourst <i>Pick We Up </i>performance! I couldn''t make it to the fan meet, but I''m a true fan. <i>Waaah!</i>" The girl beside me, clearly an earnest fan, was overwhelmed with emotion and cried. Seeing this, I moved toward her. ¡°Why the tears? Aren¡¯t you our fan? You have the chance to look at us now." As I leaned in, she bashfully took a step back.

    ¡°I''m just so happy. Could you please give me your autograph?" she inquired.

    After she handed me a piece of paper, I teasingly asked, ¡°Which member is your favorite?¡±

    "Eh, sorry?"

    ¡°Which one of us do you like the most?" I was intrigued, wondering which member held a special ce in her heart to bring her to tears. I was jealous and intended to ry it to that memberter. Blushing, she timidly pointed at me. ¡°Hyun-Woo oppa... Ah... I really... really like you, oppa."

    ¡°Me?" I was surprised, and she eagerly nodded. ¡°I, of course, adore all five of you, but... I keep rewatching <i>Pick We Up </i>for you! Eagerly awaiting the reality show..."

    ¡°What is it about me that you like?" Though I knew I should have simply signed and moved on, I continued to ask, driven by genuine curiosity. It was my first time engaging so closely with a fan, and I was curious about what made her cry.

    ¡°Well, I love... uh..." As she scrambled to fix her hair and reply, I gently brushed back a stray strand of her hair, intently listening to her. I wondered if the surroundings eerily got quiet because I was too focused on her words.

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing on stage, your singing, your dancing... your dance lines are like ballet."

    ¡°Ballet?"

    "And your charm shines not just on stage but in the little moments too..."

    ¡°What little things?"

    ¡°The way the members yfully tease you is adorable, and I also admire your stage nning skills, even if Joo-Han oppa often jokes about yourck of persuasiveness... But what I truly love about you is your caring nature towards the other members!" She beamed at me, her eyes sparkling with a genuine smile as she spoke.

    Although some of herpliments hinted at my shorings, I felt grateful that she even cherished those. I asked, ¡°Did myck of persuasiveness reallye across on TV?"

    ¡°It was incredibly cute!"

    ¡°Ah... I see, haha. Where would you like me to sign?" Now, I mulled over whether I needed public speaking sses. I thought I was ustomed to teaching from my long experience as a trainer, buttely, I came to realize that instructing eager trainees was quite different from persuading someone from an opposite standpoint.

    After wrapping up a marathon autograph session with arge crowd, Joo-Han and I made our way back inside. It appeared that while I was engrossed in a conversation with a fan, Joo-Han had signaled our manager, who efficiently managed to calm down the excited crowd.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is undoubtedly a stage charmer, an incredible singer, a masterful dancer¡ªstaggeringly handsome, yet endearingly modest and not so convincing," Joo-Han teased me yfully.

    ¡°Why? Why are you repeating what my fan said?" I asked, feeling half-annoyed and half-amused.

    ¡°Just for fun," he replied with a chuckle. ¡°Why did you ask her what she liked about you? I nearly burst outughing back there."

    ¡°I was just curious, okay? Didn''t you hear them earlier? The members are always teasing me. Give it a rest."

    ¡°But that''s what makes you adorable," Joo-Han replied. Little did I know, my innocent question would just give them more material to tease me.

    As we stepped back onto the set, we were greeted by an entirely new setup.

    ¡°Right on time,¡± said the director.

    ¡°We missed the shooting and ended up chatting with fans outside," I exined.

    The director was evidently amused and roared withughter. ¡°Chronos''s poprity is off the charts, it seems. Themotion outside gave it away."

    ¡°Yeah, we were taken aback as well. The crowd just swarmed around us."

    ¡°Well then, shall we get back to shooting with Hyun-Woo? Let''s wrap this up before the others return."

    As directed, I ventured into the new set, which was a stark contrast to the previous gear-filled room. It was now a haven of soft, purple illumination with a white background. The director said, ¡°Stylists, let''s have a quick check on Hyun-Woo''s outfit before rolling."

    The stylists came in, tweaking my hairstyle and makeup to suit the scene. One of the stylists suggested, ¡°Hmm, maybe we should loosen a few more buttons on his shirt?"

    ¡°Yeah, go ahead. At least, Hyun-Woo doesn''t need as many touch-ups as the fantasy-themed members." Then, the stylist briskly unfastened a few buttons on my shirt.

    ¡°Hey, isn''t that too exposing? I mean, you can now see everything, right?"

    ¡°Nah, it''s subtle at this level. Check it on the monitorter. Do you want me to loosen it up even more?" The stylists then yfully ruffled my hair and exited the set.

    After that, a staff approached to brief me on the scene. ¡°See thatrge prop behind you?"

    I turned to see a massive bowl-shaped structure emitting a soft lc light. It looked like a bed, so I asked, ¡°Is that prop supposed to be some kind of lighting?"

    ¡°Kind of, but it shouldn''t be too hot. Just lean back on it for this part," the staff answered.

    I cautiously felt the prop''s surface, sensing a faint warmth before pulling back. ¡°It''s a bit hot already.¡±

    ¡°Hot?" The staff looked confused, touched the prop himself, and then shook his head. ¡°Nah, it¡¯s just warm. Lie down, and if it gets too hot, let us know. We will cool it down and redo it. Give us thenguid expression like you did in thepetition.¡±

    After the staff left the set, I cautiously sat on the prop and leaned against it. A warm sensation spread across my back. Despite my attempts to remain calm, the heat emanated by the lighting was somewhat ufortable.

    ¡°Oh, Hyun-Woo! That expression is perfect! Just keep that!¡± shouted the director. My spontaneous expression of displeasure, unintended for the shoot, surprisingly turned out to be exactly what the director wanted. ¡°We will shoot with that look.¡±

    It was an unnned expression, but its authenticity seemed to resonate well with the director.

    I shifted to a more rxed posture and angled my head for optimal camera visibility.

    ¡°Cue!¡±

    The set soon echoed with the melody of ¡°Parade,¡± and I stared straight into the camera lens, singing with a detached air.

    <i>The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall</i>

    <i>Join me</i>

    <i>You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more</i>

    <i>You need me...</i>?

    Yet, the shooting was far from over.

    ***

    ¡°Hyun-Woo isn¡¯t really acting, is he?"

    ¡°No," replied the manager.

    ¡°He suddenly looks so drained. Is he exhausted already?"

    The manager remained silent at the stylist¡¯s words. Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s expression during the performance seemed distressinglyckluster. Although Hyun-Woo''s drowsy indifference appeared to satisfy the director, Joh In-Hyun felt a sudden, worrisome drop in Hyun-Woo''s energy now. ¡°What happened to him so suddenly? He looked fine just moments ago."

    ¡°Did he get stressed about his acting?"

    ¡°If it were stress, he would''ve floundered in the previous scene." This seemed more like a sudden dip in his physical condition rather than mere nerves.

    ¡°Are they getting enough rest?"

    ¡°Ummm...¡± Joh In-Hyun hesitated to answer, well aware that iming they were well-rested would be far from the truth. The demanding debut preparations and reality show filming were eating into their sleep, pushing them to exhaustion. In the end, the intense focus on Chronos''s debut had inadvertently led to neglect in member care.

    He had initially believed Kang Joo-Han was doing amendable job handling the members'' well-being pre-debut...

    <i>Thwack!</i>

    ¡°<i>Ouch</i>!"

    The stylist team leader smacked Joh In-Hyun''s back sharply, and she shouted, ¡°Make them sleep before they copse! Why overwork them before they¡¯ve even debuted?"

    ¡°...It''s because the showcase is so close. Anyway, they don¡¯t listen even when I tell them to rest! They would either sneak off to dance in the dorm afterte-night practices, or y Just Dance at the dorm."

    ¡°Still, you should force them to rest. Remember Sae-Yeon¡¯s copse? You were heavily criticized then."

    Joh In-Hyun recalled a time when Kim Sae-Yeon of Allure, whom he managed, copsed at the airport due to exhaustion from an undisclosed extreme diet. Unaware of it, Joh In-Hyun had forced Kim Sae-Yeon to deal with the tight schedule, and this incident caused lots of trouble for Joh In-Hyun.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t been to their dorm as they seemed disturbed by it, but staying with them until their debut is unavoidable. With the strain from dance practices and recordings, they need something to lift their spirits. Sigh, the debut is meant to be a joyous journey, not just a grueling process," sighed Joh In-Hyun.

    ¡°Heh, got it." The stylist patted Joh In-Hyun''s shoulder and then left to attend to Hyun-Woo''s makeup.

    <i>¡®A way to lift their spirits.''</i> Indeed, these soon-to-debut talents deserved some joy. Joh In-Hyun regretted hisck of attention amidst the chaos and pondered for a moment before picking up his phone and stepping out of the set.

 Chapter 70: Chronos History (14)

    <h4>Chapter 70: Chronos History (14)</h4>

    The day after Chronos¡¯s music video shoot, UNET uploaded trailers and pre-released videos for <i>Chronos History</i> on their official UTube channel. Among these, two pre-released videos stood out. One depicted a realistic scene of Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon seemingly engaged in a heated fight in the recording studio, with no hint that it was actually a prank yed on Kang Joo-Han. It appeared as if they were genuinely confronting each other.

    The second pre-released video featured Suh Hyun-Woo abandoned at an amusement park, and it showcased Suh Hyun-Woo''s face prominently, with the phrase "Where is the merry-go-round?" inscribed in an elegant gothic script. This inscription bore a striking resemnce to the Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha¡¯s thumbnail, the one featuring the phrase "I am serious now."

    In that video, Suh Hyun-Woo was abandoned by the members as he sucked at rides, sighing and looking dejectedly at the director.

    - Sigh... Where''s the carousel, Director?

    While his reluctant demeanor made people want to tease him, the fans were excited. They were eager to see a different side of Chronos, a group known primarily for their stage performances until now. The prospect of seeing their authentic selves, as revealed during the Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha performance, filled the fans with excitement.

    The third trailer video was releasedter, but it directly became a hot topic on social media. Shot at Tinta Land, the main content featured Chronos members screaming on rides and braving haunted houses, all set against twinkling captions that read ¡°Beautiful Harmony~.¡±

    - Oh no, I got left behind again. Yoo-Joon, hey,e with me. Ride with me.

    - Where did Yoon-Chan go? Yoon-Chan! Where are you!?

    - ...Hey! You... Ah, shoot."

    In the scene, Suh Hyun-Woo wanted to ride with Goh Yoo-Joon, but thetter brushed him off in search of Park Yoon-Chan. Their frequent scuffles were apanied by captions that read ¡°Can¡¯t witness their deep friendship without tears~¡± along with a beautiful piano background music.

    - It¡¯sing! Run! Hyung, it''sing!

    - Rx, it won''t touch us. Wait... he''s in a wheelchair, right? If he charges, he''ll have to stop just before hitting us.

    - You''re eerilyposed! Are we done here? I''ve checked everywhere.

    The next scene depicted Lee Jin-Sung desperately wanting to escape the haunted house and the unwavering presence of Suh Hyun-Woo, with captions such as ¡°What a wonderful loyalty... to stay together till the end~¡± apanying their images.

    Overall, UNET¡¯s editing was impactful. By inserting ironic captions, some funny music, and contrasting images in the video, they could even make dire situations seem humorous. Also, UNET¡¯s influence extended beyond their official UTube channel. They also created separate promotional ounts where they would regrly upload Chronos¡¯s clips in <i>Pick We Up</i> or their reality show¡¯s teasers. They even promoted the first broadcast of Chronos''s reality show at the end of their TV programs, showcasing their expertise in media y.

    Fans were enjoying every moment, eagerly anticipating more from Chronos.

    Yoong-Yoong @gardium ¡¤ 2 hours ago

    I refuse to dine with anyone who hasn¡¯t watched <i>Chronos History</i>¡¯s trailer.

    I''m serious. The trailer alone is hrious, not to mention the generous shots of their faces!

    (Trailer clip of Lee Jin-Sung screaming and copsing)

    2 replies 42 retweets 135 likes.

    Chronos more than Nintendo @SS2 ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    LOL, look at my precious baby panicking! He''s terrified of rides to the point of being ignored by the members, but why is he so brave in the haunted house? LOL

    (Video of Suh Hyun-Woo being ignored by members while searching for the carousel and video of screaming Lee Jin-Sung)

    4 replies 85 retweets 388 likes

    ©¸Squinty Yuri @yuri_cx ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    Reply to @SS2

    Wow, really looking forward to it! It will be so cute and funny! Want to see them ying, not just practicing :¡¯(

    The High @thehigh ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    It seems like Chronos and my babes are friends, right? I wonder if our kids will appear as guests on the show... UNET production team, please invite our GeneralKingGod HighTension... I''m a fan of them, but I''ll watch Chronos¡¯s live broadcast!

    0 replies 3 retweets 5 likes

    KaKao @kaka0_0 ¡¤ 3 hours ago

    But something is bothering me... Why are Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo fighting? Is it real or just a hidden camera prank? Don¡¯t fight... I''m upset...

    1 reply 0 retweets 12 likes

    No Name @00_00c ¡¤ 5 hours ago

    XX0714 Chronos History pre-released video''s Suh Hyun-Woo

    p.s. Despite being left out and feeling awkward, he¡¯s just gorgeous. How can such a creature exist...

    (Edited gif of Suh Hyun-Woo being ignored by members and looking awkwardly at the director)

    87 replies 1.2K retweets 2.3K likes

    ©¸ Can''t Think of a Name @TT ¡¤ 4 hours ago

    Reply to@00_00c

    He''s so pretty ????

    ©¸ Oji @TAN ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Reply to @00_00c

    No Name, thank you for editing Hyun-Woo so beautifully! Can I capture this gif and use it as my profile picture?

    Chronos¡¯s fans were having a st, throwing a teaser party. Amidst this, a video titled ¡°Idol Talking with a Fan for the First Time in Their Life¡±¡ªfeaturing Suh Hyun-Woo and Kang Joo-Han chatting with a fan during the music video shoot¡ªfloated around <i>UTube</i>, creating a buzz.

    UNET¡¯s advertisements, fancam videos, and the UTube algorithm¡ªeverything around the social media was favorable to Chronos. However, would they be bothered by the negative public opinion arising from their extensive media exposure? Well, how often would idols from small and medium enterprises get such opportunities to make their names known?

    Fortunately, the bacsh of Chronos''s media exposure was somewhat subdued, thanks to their legitimate victory in <i>Pick We Up</i>. Just as Chronos was basking in positive promotion, YMM received a call from SES, a major broadcast station.

    ***

    ¡°Hyung, I tried cooking for the first time in my life," Lee Jin-Sung announced as he entered the room, holding a phone in one hand and proudly disying a pancake he imed to have made himself in the other.

    ¡°What''s that?"

    ¡°What did you do?"

    Sitting beside each other while ying Crazy Arcade, Goh Yoo-Joon and I briefly nced at Jin-Sung before refocusing on the game.

    ¡°Ah, shit! Suh Hyun-Woo, why are you throwing water balloons this way? You suck."

    ¡°Don''t swear, you brat. I''ll tell In-Hyun hyung that you cursed."

    <i>Tap tap tap! </i>The sound of the keyboard tapping was crisp.

    ¡°Hyung, Hyung! I cooked! Did you hear me?"

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, good job. Wait until we are done with this round," replied Yoo-Joon somewhat apathetically.

    ¡°Ugh, you guys are still kids."

    ¡°Aren''t you a kid as well? Weren¡¯t you dancing to ''Rasputin'' just a few minutes ago?" countered Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°...Oh please. Both of you," Imented.

    Both Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon were childish. I simply clicked my tongue as I burst a water balloon to trap the opponent.

    ¡°Look here, hyung! I''m filming a video right now! If you don''t look, I''ll upload it as it is!"

    ¡°We''re ying a game right now, bro."

    ¡°The hyungs are ignoring their little brother. I''ll tell the fans." Lee Jin-Sung whined and stopped filming for a moment. Then, he sat down to watch the game. ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung sucks at this."

    ¡°What? No way. Do you want to go to the inte cafeter? In our group, Suh Hyun-Woo and I are the unbeatable duo.¡±

    ¡°Hyung, that person is trapped!¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    As my focus was on entrapping opponents with water balloon bombs, Goh Yoo-Joon gleefully burst those already caught. Like the good old days, our teamwork was still impable. When I looked at Lee Jin-Sung after the game, he was pouting at us, clearly feeling left out.

    Goh Yoo-Joon mischievously scratched the back of his neck, grabbed Jin-Sung¡¯s phone, and started recording. ¡°Wow, Jin-Sung made this?¡± he exaggerated. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle and y along, pretending to be shocked. ¡°What! Our youngest baby actually made this?¡±

    ¡°Stop it, hyungs.¡±

    ¡°Hyung! Joo-Han hyung! Yoon-Chan! Come here! Our baby made pancakes!¡± I enthusiastically called out, performing for the camera that Goh Yoo-Joon was holding, thrusting the pancakes into the lens.

    ¡°What? What did Jin-Sung do?¡±

    ¡°Hyung, the manager told me to stop gaming ande out... Oh? These are real pancakes.¡±

    ¡°Jin-Sung made pancakes, but it seems no one showed interest in it. He must have felt left out.¡±

    Hearing my words, Joo-Han responded in a solemn tone, ¡°That¡¯s not good. We agreed to resolve any feelings of neglect immediately after ourst fight.¡±

    ¡°It''s not about that, hyungs. I just wanted to film everyone eating."

    ¡°Sorry, Jin-Sung. Let''s now have a serious discussion about the pancakes," said Joo-Han.

    ¡°This is crazy! Ah, so funny!"

    Joo-Han scrutinized the pancakes with wide eyes, causing Goh Yoo-Joon to burst intoughter and step back to capture us all on camera. We reverently carried the pancakes to the kitchen table.

    ¡°Oh my, Jin-Sung''s pancakes. How delicious they must be~"

    ¡°Be careful not to drop the te, hyung. These pancakes are one of a kind!"

    ¡°Alright, ce the te gently on the table. On three, okay? Slowly."

    ¡°Stop it!" Lee Jin-Sung started pushing us away haphazardly.

    ¡°Careful! They¡¯re falling!"

    ¡°...What a spectacle. Really."

    Seeing this, the manager clicked his tongue at us. Whether it was Jin-Sung being teased for his pancakes, our dramatic scene, or Goh Yoo-Joon filming, we definitely looked like fools in his eyes.

    ¡°Enough, enough. Yoo-Joon, stop filming and let''s all sit down. We need to talk." The manager banged the table authoritatively, and we carefully ced the pancakes down on the table.

    ¡°Why? Is there something you want to talk about?"

    ¡°Obviously. Do you think I have nothing better to do?" our manager retorted arrogantly, prompting me to lean back in disgust. The other members also sighed, unable to respond.

    ¡°You''ve been sleeping at the dorm whenever you have the chance."

    ¡°Hyung, go to sleep at home. Stop squeezing into my tiny bed," said Joo-Han.

    "Joo-Han hyung is at his wit''s end with your snoring. It annoys him so much that he storms into our room, looking utterly frustrated," Goh Yoo-Joonined, his expression twisted in a grimace. Both Joo-Han and the manager had bad sleeping habits. As they squeezed into one small bed, in the end, Joo-Han was forced to seek refuge in our room. As a result, Goh Yoo-Joon and I had to endure the unsettling experience of waking up to Joo-Han''s face inches away from us.

    The manager cast a sly grin our way before wearing a more serious expression. After that, he reached for the phone that Goh Yoo-Joon had set aside. ¡°On another note, I feel like I haven''t been taking good care of you all as well as I shouldtely. So, I''ve prepared a little gift to lift your spirits as we approach the debut."

    ¡°What gift? Don''t tell me... are we getting paid for <i>Pick We Up</i>?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s question was answered with a decisive shake of the head from the manager. ¡°No, no, no¡ªYou''re still a long way from receiving any payment. We have a lot of investment to recoup."

    ¡°Then what is it?"

    The manager coolly smiled, pointing to the phone he had just picked up. We then looked at the phone screen, where the Q-app (a live personal broadcasting app for celebrities) was open.

    ¡°Uh... what''s this?" Joo-Han picked up the phone, his face full of surprise. As we leaned in closer, we saw Chronos prominently featured on the main banner of the Q-app.

    [Finally here! The hot group Chronos opens a channel!]

    The manager announced triumphantly, ¡°The Chronos Q-app channel is open! You haven¡¯t even debuted yet, but we''ve pushed ahead with full force. You can now connect directly with your fans."

    ¡°Really?"

    It was a gift even more thrilling than our victory in <i>Pick We Up</i>.

 Chapter 71: Chronos History (15)

    <h4>Chapter 71: Chronos History (15)</h4>

    ¡°I came here just to tell you all this. I worked hard tounch the channel as soon as possible, so stop bothering me from now on, okay? See you.¡± After saying this, the manager rummaged through his pockets, took out his phone, and left the dorm.

    Lee Jin-Sung trailed after the manager with the phone in his hand and asked, ¡°Hyung, can we go live now?¡±

    ¡°Right now...? Sure, but remember to tell me or Mr. Seong first. Someone needs to keep an eye on things.¡±

    ¡°Yay! Okay.¡±

    ¡°See you.¡±

    Once the manager had left, the excited Lee Jin-Sung bolted into the kitchen with his phone. ¡°Hyungs, is it okay to start the live broadcast?"

    ¡°Now? With all of us looking this exhausted?" Joo-Han firmly shook his head. Despite being close to wrapping up recording, our live practice sessions had be more frequent. Our dance routines were changing whenever we got used to the previous choreography, and our live vocals were still shaky. Therefore, we always practiced untilte at night. On top of this, the recent music video shoot, reality show filming, and meetings had added to our fatigue.

    We were pushed to our limits, to the point where the bags under our eyes got darker each day. The skin breakouts and stretched t-shirts further contributed to our ragged appearance. Thus,unching Chronos¡¯s first livestream in such a state seemed not only overly ambitious but also risky.

    Park Yoon-Chan was the first to voice his concerns. ¡°Hyung, the app just announced our channelunch on a huge banner. Aren¡¯t the fans expecting us to go live soon?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded in agreement. ¡°Exactly. Did you hear about High Tension? They started broadcasting the same day they opened their channel. It¡¯s like an industry standard now.¡±

    I nodded at their points and suggested, ¡°Maybe if we freshen up and apply a bit of makeup, we can pull it off, right?¡±

    As Lee Jin-Sung got support from us, hetched onto Joo-Han with a whiny attitude. ¡°It¡¯s the norm, hyung. I really want to do it...¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the norm...¡± Joo-Han looked thoughtfully at Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s now-cold pancakes on the table, and then a sly smile crept onto his face. ¡°Sure, let¡¯s do it. Jin-Sung, you are up for the shower first.¡±

    ¡°Awesome!¡±

    ¡°Good job.¡± Joo-Han chuckled and pointed at the pancakes. ¡°This gives us the perfect opportunity to have a meaningful chat with our fans about our youngest¡¯s special pancakes.¡±

    ¡°...Wow, fantastic,¡± I cheered, eager to celebrate the moment, so I enthusiastically patted Lee Jin-Sung on the back.

    ¡°You were looking forward to showing off your pancake-making skills, right? Now everyone can witness Jin-Sung''s debut in the kitchen."

    ¡°Argh, so annoying! I''m off to shower!" Lee Jin-Sung stormed into the bathroom in a huff.

    The rest of us giggled and temporarily set aside the pancakes to focus on editing Goh Yoo-Joon''s praise-filled video about Jin-Sung¡¯s pancakes.

    ¡°Let''s make a quick edit for a teaser on <i>BlueBird</i> to preview our uing Q-app debut."

    ¡°I''ve got this. Watch me whip up a snappy thirty-second clip."

    Once I had changed my clothes and tidied up, I watched Goh Yoo-Joon''s editing process with amusement. ¡°What''s this? So ridiculous!" Just a nce of it was enough to make meugh.

    Goh Yoo-Joon sped up the scene where we carefully moved the pancakes to the kitchen and cleverly oveid it with the trendy coffin meme. The simrity between our reverent pancake procession and the meme was hriously uncanny.

    While brushing his teeth at the sink, Joo-Han burst intoughter at the sound of the meme, spitting out water in a fit of amusement. After casually fixing his hair, Park Yoon-Chan also got out of the room, nced at the video, and couldn¡¯t help but snicker.

    ¡°Looks like everyone''s had theirugh. Time to share this gem."

    ¡°Right on. Upload it now."

    With a mischievous grin, Goh Yoo-Joon''s fingers flew over the phone. As I sat beside him, he handed the phone over to me, disying the freshly posted update.

    Chronos @Officialchronos ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Trailer Alert!

    What could we possibly be hinting at?

    (Coffin meme with pancakes.avi)

    #ForReal #JustALittleLonger #PatiencePays

    98ments 366 retweets 700 likes

    As he uploaded the post, people reacted to it unbelievably fast. I rubbed my eyes and refreshed the page only to find the likes had crossed a thousand. Recognizing our subtle hint about the impending Q-app broadcast, our fans flooded us with enthusiastic replies filled with anticipation.

    ¡°Umm... This is getting serious, hyung. The fans are really looking forward to this since we already uploaded the teaser.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah? Send a text to manager hyung. Ask him what''s a good length for the broadcast.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    The manager gave us a thirty-minute time limit, and then staff from the agency arrived at our dorm with an extra smartphone for monitoring the chat during the livestream. Once we were all set, we gathered in the living room to set up the phone.

    ¡°How should we arrange the seating? Just keep it like this?¡±

    ¡°If we sit side by side, two of us will be out of the frame. Hmm, Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, sit down in front,¡± instructed Joo-Han.

    We followed Joo-Han¡¯s instructions, and my central position in the front row felt like a heavy responsibility to me.

    ¡°What if I press the wrong button? There are so many settings.¡±

    ¡°Just do your best. Let¡¯s start.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I am going to start it.¡± Communicating with fans through a livestream was a distinct experience from mini fan meetings or stages. I pressed the start button, and the screen stuttered momentarily before the recording icon changed color, indicating that we were live.

    ¡°Has it started?¡±

    ¡°Yes, we are live now.¡±

    ¡°How do we know if fans have joined?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon checked the chat on the monitoring phone. Then, Park Yoon-Chan pointed at a section on the phone screen. ¡°See, this number shows how many people are watching.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really? Wow, two hundred people have already joined.¡±

    ¡ª OMG, it¡¯s real.

    ¡ª What the heck!!! I just rushed in after seeing the BlueBird post. I am so excited!!!

    ¡ª First livestream whoo whoo!!!

    ¡ª How have you guys been?

    ¡ª <3

    ¡°Shall we begin?¡± Joo-Han looked around at us. ¡°Hello, everyone. Let¡¯s start with our greetings. One, two, three!¡±

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to meet you again!¡±

    ¡ª A, it¡¯s my first time in a livestream and I am so happy that it¡¯s Chronos! You guys are amazing!

    ¡ª Hey guys!!!

    ¡ª I have been waiting for this my whole life!

    ¡ª I missed you so much ??

    ¡ª Hyun-Woo!!! Yoo-Joon!!!

    ¡ª Came here after watching the teaser. What¡¯s going on?

    As we greeted, the viewer count quickly rose to five hundred. While it was nothingpared to Allure¡¯s instant millions, the fact that five hundred people rushed to join our Q-app livestream right away was overwhelmingly heartwarming. ¡°We just found out about our channel today. Did you all know?¡±

    ¡ª We just learned about it as well! The fans on<i> BlueBird</i> were discussing it.

    ¡ª It was announced on the official page!

    ¡ª Dang, can¡¯t believe it¡¯s Chronos¡¯s livestream. When did this start?

    ¡ª What the... Typical YMM, informing even the members on the day...

    ¡ª Good thing I didn¡¯t put my phone away during lunch.

    ¡ª Found out because of the main banner today, haha.

    ¡ª How can they all look so handsome just sitting at home? Seriously losing my mind here.

    ¡ª <3

    ¡°Anyway, we just found out and thought we should give it a try. Thanks for joining.¡±

    ¡°We are really nervous. Can you tell?¡±

    ¡ª LMAO! I can hear your heart beating from here.

    ¡ª It¡¯s my birthday today. Could you please wish me a happy birthday, oppa?

    ¡ª Ahahahaha... such freshness, something we can¡¯t find in Allure. So adorable.

    ¡ª Why do you have to mention another idol group?

    ¡ª Yeah, stop. Just focus on Chronos. Don¡¯tpare our kids.

    ¡ª What¡¯s the teaser on <i>BlueBird</i>?

    ¡ª Can¡¯t believe the chat is so active for a group that hasn¡¯t even debuted yet.

    ¡ª Yeah, right. What¡¯s with the teaser?

    ¡ª The teaser LMAOOOO! That¡¯s hrious.

    ¡ª Whoa... who made that teaser? I am impressed.

    ¡°Oh, that was Yoo-Joon¡¯s work...¡± The chat messages flew up faster than we could read them. Reading them on time before they disappeared wasn¡¯t easy at all.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon is really good at editing stuff like that.¡±

    ¡°Oh about that... It was... umm, can you bring it over, Yoon-Chan?¡± asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±

    ¡°Ah, hyung!¡± shouted Jin-Sung.

    Joo-Han pointed at the pancakes as if he had been eagerly waiting for this moment.

    ¡°Why are you bringing that up!?¡± Lee Jin-Sung started to grumble as he followed Yoon-Chan. Seeing Jin-Sung trying to snatch the pancakes from Yoon-Chan, Yoo-Joon handed me the phone and rushed to the kitchen.

    Joo-Han and I simply watched the scene in the kitchen,ughing. Then, we started to exin to rify for the curious fans. ¡°Actually, Jin-Sung made pancakes today.¡±

    Parrying Jin-Sung¡¯s hands, Yoo-Joon raised the te and started dancing as if he were worshiping the cake. ¡°Pan~ pancakes~ Jin-Sung¡¯s pancakes~¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, let¡¯s go! Jin-Sung made pancakes for us~ Boom, boom, boom!¡± Yoon-Chan soon joined Yoo-Joon. Their hips and shoulders swayed with such infectious energy, and their faces were beaming with unrestrained joy. It was as if they were channeling the spirit of Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha, infusing the room with an electric buzz of excitement.

    ¡°Ah, hyung, seriously!¡± It was hard not tough at the usually-timid Park Yoon-Chan dancing and teasing Jin-Sung like this.

    ¡°Ahahahahaha.¡± I couldn¡¯t help butugh and was unable to continue my words.

    ¡ªWhat the heck AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Hyun-Woo LMAOOO!

    ¡ª Pancakes hahahahhaha!

    ¡ª What is going on off-screen????

    ¡ª This is so funny!!!

    ¡°Pancakes... Whoo!¡± As Joo-Han and Iughed uncontrobly, Park Yoon-Chan and Goh Yoo-Joon soon came into view. ¡°Stopughing, Hyun-Woo! The fans are... haha, bewildered!¡±

    ¡°Seriously... ah, have you gone mad? This is too hrious!¡±

    ¡°Phew...¡± While I struggled to control myughter and got scolded by Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han finally managed to stopughing and pointed at the pancakes. ¡°Our beloved youngest, Jin-Sung, made these fantastic pancakes for the first time in his seventeen years.¡±

    ¡°Wow!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s amazing!¡±

    ¡ª ??? What¡¯s up with the members¡¯ energy? LOL

    ¡ª I knew they were funny guys, but hahaha. Hrious from the get-go on Q-app!

    ¡°So, what¡¯s going on here is...¡± We couldn¡¯t give a proper exnation because of theughter. Then, Yoo-Joon, who had calmed down early, started describing why we were so excited about a single pancake. ¡°Earlier, Suh Hyun-Woo and I, umm...¡±

    ¡°yed the water balloon game,¡± I chimed in.

    ¡°Oh, right. We were ying the water balloon game. Then, Jin-Sung came to our room, waiting to show off his first-ever cooking effort.¡±

    ¡ª AHAHAHAHAHAHHA!

    ¡ª He went in to show off? Lmao, he must have wanted the attention.

    ¡ª What is the water balloon game?

    ¡ª Do you guys share a room? Roommates, I guess?

    ¡ª Yeah, they mentioned it at the fan meeting.

    ¡ª Water balloon game is from the Crazy Arcade.

    ¡ª Roommates! I wondered what they did in their downtime, but really? Crazy Arcade to chill? HAHAHA!

    ¡°But we couldn¡¯t give him much attention as we were ying the game. Then, he got upset.¡±

    ¡°So, we decided to give more love toward the pancakester on.¡±

    ¡°I am not going to cook ever again,¡± Lee Jin-Sung said. It took us forty minutes after he cooked the pancakes to finally taste them.

    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s actually good.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s pretty good. Well done.¡± Jin-Sung¡¯s pancakes tasted like ordinary pancakes, which was impressive. I hadn''t anticipated them being delicious, but the members'' chopsticks moved so swiftly, emptying the te in a matter of minutes. Jin-Sung, who had been sulking after an hour of teasing, seemed to let go of his grudges after hearing our praise and seeing the empty te.

    After that, we moved on to lightly spoil our debut song, shared some behind-the-scenes stories from the music video shoot, and talked about the reality show.

    As we gradually got more rxed into the livestream, Joo-Han spoke up. ¡°Also, I noticed in the chat that many people were asking when we are going to decide on a fan name for Chronos.¡±

    ¡°Fan nickname? We haven¡¯t discussed that yet, have we?¡±

    Joo-Han nodded at Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s words. ¡°So, since it was brought up at the moment, how about we decide now?¡±

 Chapter 72: Chronos History (16)

    <h4>Chapter 72: Chronos History (16)</h4>

    When Joo-Han suggested deciding on a fan name for Chronos, both the members and the fans participating in the livestream chimed in with numerous ideas. Ideas like¡ªSecond Hand, reflecting Chronos as the deity of time; Midnight, symbolizing the union of Chronos(the big hand) with fans(the small hand); History, for those wanting to be part of Chronos¡¯s journey; and Cha-Cha, which evoked cherished memories from the day we all first connected¡ªflooded the chat.

    While some proposals felt a bit forced, others resonated impressively.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, what are your thoughts?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± I was taken aback.

    ¡°Any ideas popping up in your mind?¡± Joo-Han encouraged, not allowing any members to sit out. Though many ideas paralleled my own, Joo-Han¡¯s insistence nudged me to contribute as he couldn¡¯t stand members not voicing out their opinions. ¡°Hyun-Woo is known for his bright ideas, especially since <i>Pick We Up</i>.¡±

    ¡°Umm... let me think." I pondered as perhaps a broader scope was needed. All I could think of rted to ¡®time¡¯ was already given. Besides the time, Chronos was also the god of Saturn, and Saturn''s most stunning feature was its rings.

    ¡°What about Ring?"

    ¡°Ring? What does that represent?"

    ¡°What do you mean by Ring?"

    ¡°Chronos is also the god of Saturn, and Saturn¡¯s rings are its crowning beauty. The ring could signify that our fans are the most beautiful aspect of Chronos."

    My suggestion was met with expressions of awe from Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung. Their facial expressions clearly indicated that they liked the idea.

    ¡°ssic Hyun-Woo! I''m all for Ring. How about you guys? And our fans?"

    Yoon-Chan skimmed the fans'' responses, smiling broadly. ¡°They seem to love it! It''s catchy and fitting. I''m on board."

    ¡°What do you think, leader hyung?" Jin-Sung asked. Joo-Han nodded affirmatively. ¡°If our fans like it, that settles it. It¡¯s both meaningful and fitting."

    ¡°So, from now on, our fans will be Rings."

    ¡°Hello, Rings!" Jin-Sung''s call sparked a buzz of responses in the chat. His face lit up, buoyed by the swift feedback. Mirroring his joy, Joo-Han gently got him seated. ¡°Well, Rings, it''s been nearly thirty minutes, and it¡¯s time to end the livestream."

    ¡ª NOOOOOO

    ¡ª No, not yet! :¡¯(

    ¡ª Stay a bit longer!

    ¡ª Only thirty minutes? Why so short?

    Theirmentingments made Joo-Han feel apologetic. ¡°We''d love to talk to you longer, but it¡¯s time for practice. We''re truly sorry."

    ¡°We promise a longer session next time."

    ¡ª Short and sweet is fine, just please don¡¯t stop live-streaming!

    ¡ª Thanks for dropping by!

    ¡ª Good luck with practice. We''ll be waiting!

    Joo-Han read the chats and then said, ¡°Debut preparations have kept all of us swamped and tired, but your presence here has been truly uplifting."

    ¡°We¡¯ll practice diligently and return soon... Stay strong!"

    ¡°It¡¯s time for us to go, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Okay." I approached the camera, waving a final goodbye. ¡°Thank you for today. Stay well until we meet again!" With that, the broadcast ended.

    ¡°That was incredible." Jin-Sung sprawled on Joo-Han''sp, his face radiating happiness.

    ¡°Jin-Sung looks more cheerful than he''s been in days."

    ¡°It¡¯s the magic of live interaction I suppose." Joo-Han tenderly responded to Jin-Sung and then stood him up. ¡°Up we go. Time for practice."

    ¡°Is there a meeting after that?" Yoo-Joon asked.

    I replied, ¡°Yes, to discuss the next reality show shoot."

    ¡°Another reality show shoot? Time does fly."

    We made our way toward thepany, loosening our tense muscles. A brisk practice awaited us, followed by a meeting with the reality show team and more practice. This relentless routine was rmingly bing the new normal.

    ***

    ¡°Ugh! Break! Ah, break!" Jin-Sung was the first to give up, copsing on the floor. Given that he was the member with the most stamina, his surrender meant that the rest of us were probably faring even worse.

    ¡°Ugh... ah... I''m dying." A sigh escaped from my mouth without realizing it. Everyone was pushing themselves to avoid getting scolded by the choreographer, but honestly, we were close to not being able to handle any more schedules after this.

    Panting heavily, the choreographer looked around at us and then slumped against the mirror. ¡°Okay, that''s it for today. Sorry for changing the choreography so often."

    ¡°That''s alright. If the changes make the dance better, we''re grateful for them." We had already gone through four revisions. It was a bit frustrating, but each new version was indeed an improvement.

    ¡°Great job, everyone. No more changes. I promise. Let''s shoot the final version tomorrow."

    ¡°Okay, thank you for your hard work!" After the instructor left, our manager came in with drinks.

    ¡°Can you guys move yet?"

    We all red at him. ¡°If we say yes, you''re going to send us to a meeting, aren''t you?"

    ¡°Give us a break, hyung."

    ¡°Sit down, hyung. Don''t rush things."

    The first practice was already exhausting, and we had a meeting and more practice afterward.

    ¡°...Sigh."

    The reality of debut prep was daunting, but it was necessary. I closed my eyes for a moment and then got up briskly.

    ¡°Get up, everyone. The manager looks troubled."

    ¡°Ah, hyung, I''m not done resting yet..."

    ¡°Rest after debut. Want some chocte milk?" I asked.

    ¡°Yes, please." I handed Jin-Sung the milk and pulled him up forcibly. I did the same to Yoo-Joon, while Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan got up by themselves, heading toward the meeting room.

    The meeting room was bustling with activity as director Lee Won-Jae, writer Song Yi-Hee, the production team, and the Chronos staff were already deep in discussion.

    ¡°Oh, hey. Did you guys finish practicing? Come, sit down."

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°We''re watching your debut preparations through the footage. Looking forward to it."

    ¡°Thank you." We greeted everyone and sat down. After that, the production team quickly handed over some documents.

    ¡°Last time, some members couldn''t ride the amusement park rides, making thepetition a bit unfair. So we''ve decided to tell you guys in advance about the next ¡®secret ns.¡¯"

    ¡°Understood."

    ¡°The next shoot will be at a nearby camping site. We''re thinking of doing survival challenges with gear sponsored by a survival gearpany."

    ¡°Survival, like gunfights?" Jin-Sung asked, making a gun shape with his hand.

    Director Lee nodded. ¡°Yes. Any members notfortable with survival games?"

    ¡°Aren¡¯t five people too few to make teams? It might be hard with just us."

    ¡°Right, that''s why we''ve invited guests this time."

    ¡°Guests? Who are they?" My question was met with a sly smile, and the director pressed a finger to his lips. ¡°That''s a secret."

    <i>¡®Who could the guests be?¡¯</i> If the reality show was a continuation of<i> Pick We Up </i>and the production team was the same, it was likely a group from the show¡ªpossibly from big agencies like High Tension or Street Center.

    As I pondered, I caught Director Lee''s eye, and he gave me a knowing look, almost as if he was saying, ¡°I know what you''re thinking. But you are wrong~.¡±

    I quickly averted my eyes, pretending to be interested in the documents. A small chuckle came from Director Lee. ¡°Anyway, it''s going to be a tiring day. In-Hyun, please adjust the practice schedule for the day. Make sure the outfits arefortable."

    The stylist team leader raised a hand. ¡°Are we shooting on dirt at the camping site?"

    ¡°Yes, even though there will be props from the survival gear sponsor, expect to be rolling in the dirt."

    ¡°What about safety gear or head cameras?"

    ¡°Members will wear some safety gear, but it won''t be overly cumbersome. No head cameras either. We want them to look cool even in a gunfight."

    The meeting progressed swiftly. It was more of an information session for us, with realizations like, ¡°Oh, survival next¡± and ¡°There are guests.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t we having advantages for this game?" Yoo-Joon whispered, barely containing a chuckle.

    I smirked back at him. ¡°Not us, just me."

    ¡°You are ridiculous.¡±

    In survival games and gunfights, Yoo-Joon and I were the pros, having conquered everything from Crazy Arcade and Battle Grounds to older games like Sudden and Highwatch.

    Jin-Sung asionally joined us but preferred dancing and sports, while Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan weren''t into games.

    Therefore, it''d be Yoo-Joon and me flying around the field in this shoot. It was such a satisfying content.

    ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s all we got for today. Any questions?¡±

    ¡°No. We will do the best from our side for a smooth shooting.¡± The meeting ended with Mr. Seong¡¯s words. After that, the staff got up and started packing their stuff.

    Director Lee Won-Jae sipped the coffee while talking to Mr. Seong. Then, he looked at Goh Yoo-Joon and me as he eximed, ¡°Oh, right. You two are the MCs for <i>Countdown</i>, right?¡±

    ¡°Yup! It¡¯s the day after the reality show shooting.¡±

    ¡°Nice. Go advertise for our show as well since it¡¯s the reward from our show, okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes, for sure.¡±

    The manager had stressed multiple times that this opportunity was for the sake of promoting the show. Hence, both of us nodded with big smiles.

    As the production team of <i>Chronos History</i> left the meeting room and the manager went to see them off, Supervisor Kim stopped us as we were about to head back to the practice room. We had thought we had nothing more to do in the meeting room.

    ¡°Hey, guys. Do you mind sitting down a bit longer?¡±

    ¡°...What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Both Supervisor Kim and Mr. Seong, who had appeared friendly during the meeting, now wore serious expressions,pletely erasing their smiles. We automatically settled back into our chairs.

    ¡°Is anyone among you confident in survival games?¡±

    ¡°Who is the strongest candidate for the first ce?¡±

    The members pointed at me, while I pointed at Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Because Hyun-Woo hyung was born to be good at games and has advantageous physical abilities.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah? What about Joo-Han?¡±

    ¡°Me? Umm...¡± Joo-Han hesitated before answering. ¡°I could say that I would die right at the start.¡±

    ¡°...Oh, really?¡± Supervisor Kim pursed his lips tightly and had a bitter expression.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked, and then Mr. Seong exined, ¡°A few days ago... thepany received a call. It wasn¡¯t from just anyone but from SES.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Then?¡±

    ¡°They want to cast you for SES¡¯s gship program <i>Flying Man</i>.¡±

    <i>Thunk!</i>

    The stic bottle from Joo-Han¡¯s hand fell and struck the floor.

 Chapter 73: Chronos History (17)

    <h4>Chapter 73: Chronos History (17)</h4>

    SES stood as one of South Korea¡¯s top three major channels, with <i>Don¡¯t Run, Fly! Flying Man </i>serving as the cornerstone of viewer ratings during SES''s weekend evenings. Although it faced a decline due to issues with a cast member, it remained as SES¡¯s gship program, leaving an enduring legacy that spanned an impressive fifteen years. This achievement was particrly notable given the prevailing trend of decreasing TV viewership in the era dominated by smartphones and streaming sites.

    ¡°Us? Casting on that show?"

    Why? We hadn''t even debuted yet, and their rivalpany UNET was supporting us.

    <i>¡®Isn''t it too early for other broadcasters to scout us despite our rapidly growing poprity?¡¯</i>

    When everyone was dumbstruck, only Joo-Han smiled contentedly. ¡°Other broadcasters recognize the value of Chronos too."

    ¡°Huh?"

    He bewildered even Mr. Seong, showcasing his remarkable wit. Mr. Seong hesitated briefly, then shook his head. ¡°It''s not that. It''s just that after inviting High Tension, they thought of us as a bonus..."

    ¡°...Bonus?"

    At this moment, Joo-Han found himself speechless, and Mr. Seong continued, ¡°CEO Shim shares a brotherly rtionship with their director. Hence, when they invited High Tension for content nning, they included us in their conversation as well."

    ¡°But why does everyone look so serious? Isn''t this good?"

    ¡°It is good, just a bit worrying."

    ¡°Why?" Lee Jin-Sung asked, which made Supervisor Kim and Mr. Seong sigh.

    I vaguely understood the situation. Despite our participation in entertainment shows and acting sses, ourpany concentrated more on enhancing our stage skills. As a result, we were morefortable within our circle and didn¡¯t have much connection.

    The senior group Allure, with years of entertainment experience, gradually started to shine in variety shows, but they too had a rough start. As they didn¡¯t have much connection, they initially had to face extensive editing, and their well-thought-outments often left the veteran MCs at a loss.

    ¡°If even Allure went through that, imagine how bad it will be for you guys?"

    ¡°How were these kids during the unit shoot?"

    ¡°It was a flop except for Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung. Jin-Sung only did well because he teamed up with his friends. The rest barely made it with their looks, not their humor or contents."

    The most camera-shy members in YMM were all in Chronos. Kang Joo-Han, Park Yoon-Chan, and I were not talkative at all. The challenge intensified when we found ourselves in thepany of High Tension, and we would have to fight for screen time among regr celebrities. It was likely that we would be edited out.

    If we failed to deliver in our first appearance, it could potentially lead to no more casting opportunities from show production teams.

    Mr. Seong sighed deeply and exined, "Listen carefully. It''s not confirmed yet, but you''ll probably appear after your debut. Not all of you though, just two."

    ¡°Then Yoo-Joon Hyung and Jin-Sung should go." After Park Yoon-Chan suggested this, Mr. Seong and Supervisor Kim simultaneously shook their heads.

    "Leader Joo-Han must go, and we have to decide the other. Honestly, I don''t expect Joo-Han to make much of an impact there."

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement and said, ¡°I''ll try my best, though."

    This time, it wasn''t about being articte or not. Joo-Han was simply bad at games, and the show<i> Flying Man </i>revolved around various games where participants eliminated each other to survive. Naturally, those whosted longer got more screen time, while those eliminated early were barely featured.

    Those well-versed in games undoubtedly held an advantage, and guests would face merciless elimination. If Joo-Han, who wasn''t particrly skilled in games, got eliminated early, his presence would fade away entirely. This was the source of concern for Supervisor Kim and Mr. Seong.

    ¡°Isn''t Hyun-Woo good at games?"

    ¡°Mr. Seong! I''m good at games too!" Goh Yoo-Joon asserted, but Lee Jin-Sung vehemently disagreed. Jin-Sung attacked, ¡°Compared to Hyun-Woo hyung, you''re nothing."

    ¡°Hey, you! What kind of respect is that to your elder!? I am going to tell manager hyung that you called me nothing!¡±

    The bickering between Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung was quietly quelled by Mr. Seong. ¡°Both of you, quiet down. We are in the middle of a meeting. Supervisor Kim, Yoo-Joon might be amiable, but that doesn¡¯t mean he is good at broadcasts.¡±

    ¡°Truth is, Chronos isn¡¯t exactly familiar with shows yet. Even in the reality shows, it¡¯s Lee Won-Jae who somehow keeps it going.¡±

    Supervisor Kim pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Let¡¯s do this. If we can¡¯t excel in the show, we should at least secure screen time. We will send the member who¡¯s best at games. Whoeversts the longest in the reality survival game will join.¡±

    Supervisor Kim seemed quite pleased with his own idea, sporting a satisfied smile on his face.

    Goh Yoo-Joon frowned in displeasure. ¡°You''re making uspete against each other again!"

    ¡°Who said anything aboutpeting amongst yourselves? We can invite guests. It could be Chronos versus the guests."

    ¡°...Supervisor, that''s a good idea," I cautiously agreed, gauging the reactions of the other members.

    ¡°Why are you fussing again, Yoo-Joon? If it¡¯s for the chance to appear, you should be eager to do your best," Joo-Han suggested. After all, the survival format of <i>Flying Man</i> was simr. If someone couldn''t stand out with humor in that show, they needed to survive until the end to get any screen time.

    While it was not appealing on a personal level, Supervisor Kim, with hismercial savvy, hade up with a good solution. ¡°So, the member who performs best in this shoot will join Joo-Han on <i>Flying Man.</i>"

    ¡°It¡¯ll probably favor Hyun-Woo hyung,"mented Lee Jin-Sung.

    Goh Yoo-Joon shrugged. ¡°If someone good at games goes, they¡¯ll secure more screen time for Chronos. I¡¯ll give it my best."

    ¡°Is that settled then?" Supervisor Kim stood up, holding his notebook. He then took out his phone from his pocket and added, ¡°I need to go treat the main director of <i>Flying Man</i> to a meal. Make sure to practice hard, everyone. Alright, the meeting is dismissed."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    After the meeting, we returned to the practice room and practiced until dawn. We were nning to practice all morning as usual, but we ended up resting early due to Allure''s unexpected insistence on practicing at dawn. It was a pity we still didn''t have our own practice room.

    ***

    High Tension made their debut, and ording to Ji-Hyuk, their preparation started during <i>Pick We Up</i>. They strategically timed their debut to align with the lingering poprity of the show.

    Meanwhile, our debut date was finalized: August 17th. Along with the release of our music video, we had our debut showcase scheduled.

    ¡°Did you check the script?"

    ¡°I almost memorized it," I replied to Goh Yoo-Joon''s question and looked out the window. The broadcasting station remained in view amidst the swiftly passingndscape.

    ¡°Have you read the script out loud? I bet you''ll cry doing that."

    ¡°Yeah, I know. I¡¯m reading it with my eyes closed right now."

    ¡°...How can you read with your eyes closed?" Goh Yoo-Joon seemed out of his mind too, but it was understandable. It marked our first official appearance in a while, and it wasn''t even as a full group¡ªjust the two of us.

    ¡°Why did I ride so many amusement rides?"

    ¡°Hey, man, be grateful!" the manager said with a heartyugh, while Goh Yoo-Joon mumbled. We were on our way to be hosts for UNET¡¯s music show. It was just for a day, but the thought of hosting a live show was nerve-wracking. There was already an existing MC, but still...

    <i>¡®Ah, I''m so nervous.''</i>

    I tried to focus again and looked at the script.

    - Yoo-Joon: (Offering a bouquet) Hyun-Woo, please ept my feelings!

    - Hyun-Woo: Yoo-Joon, are you confessing again? (Pushing away the bouquet) No, we''re members of the same group. For Chronos''s sake, it can''t happen.

    - Yoo-Joon: At least take the bouquet, Hyun-Woo! (Passes the bouquet, Hyun-Woo looks shocked) I can¡¯t give up on you, Hyun-Woo!

    - Hyun-Woo: Yoo-Joon... (Touched expression)

    - Yoo-Joon: No matter how many times... no matter how many times you refuse, I¡¯ll keep confessing...! The next song is ¡®Third Confession¡¯.

    - Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon: By Endoros!

    ¡°Ugh, this is cringe. Why am I doing this with you?" asked Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I feel the same." I knew music broadcast hosting scripts were cheesy, but I didn''t expect to exchange such dialogues with Goh Yoo-Joon. We received the script from the manager yesterday, but it was so cringe-inducing that we couldn¡¯t even bring ourselves to practice it together. We were caught in a cycle of frustration and resignation, trying to maintain our image.

    Manager hyung yfully teased us, ¡°You havee this far. You guys are no longer trainees. Remember, you''re professionals now, so work even harder.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Hearing this, I put down the script and red at the manager. However, out of the blue, Yoo-Joon said, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s rehearse.... Hyun-Woo, please ept my feelings.¡±

    ¡°...¡± I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon with a disillusioned look and then picked up the script again.

    ¡°Eh-hem. Yoo-Joon, are you confessing again?¡±

    ¡°...Are you doing that on purpose?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon stared at me and then turned to the manager. ¡°Manager, we''ve got a big problem. Suh Hyun-Woo''s acting is awful."

    ¡°What can we do?" The manager spoke as if it was someone else''s issue. ¡°Well, it¡¯s just another embarrassing moment for Hyun-Woo. We''re here. Let¡¯s get out."

    The car had arrived at the broadcasting station. Even though we were only hosting the event, the fans greeted us with waving hands and warm words.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo! Yoo-Joon!"

    ¡°You guys got this! We''re watching!"

    ¡°Good luck! Do your best!"

    Seeing the fans waving various gifts and the slogan from thest round of <i>Pick We Up</i>, my nervousness eased a bit.

    ¡°Thank you. We''ll do our best."

    ¡°Are you waiting outside? It''s hot," Goh Yoo-Joon asked the fans, who then shook their heads with touched expressions.

    ¡°Some are watching the live show at a coffee shop, while others already got the spots in the audience seats!¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see. Thank you foring to support us. We will do our best!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s smile triggered another burst of cheers among fans, and I found myself hiding behind our manager, feeling a bit embarrassed by Yoo-Joon¡¯s exuberance.

    "Let''s go now." The manager gestured toward the building, eliciting sighs of disappointment from the fans.

    I spoke up cheerfully and confidently. ¡°Thank you, Rings!"

    In an instant, the crowd erupted in excited screams.

    ¡°Wow!"

    ¡°<i>Kiyaaaaak</i>!¡±

    I hadn''t expected such an enthusiastic response, so I eximed, ¡°We''ll give it our all!" With my hands full of gifts, I raised my tightly clenched fist in the air and followed the manager.

    ¡°Manager, can I spoil our debut song on stage?"

    ¡°What are you nning to do? Show me a preview first." As I chatted with the manager and walked toward the entrance of the broadcasting station, something caught our attention.

    ¡°Hey, what''s that guy doing?" Goh Yoo-Joon pointed to a man lurking behind a pir in the cafeteria. The man held what looked like a film camera and was scanning every passing celebrity. When our eyes met, he startled and quickly disappeared into the cafeteria.

    ¡°...What''s that about?" I was about to dismiss it as just another person from the broadcasting station, but the man''s suspicious behavior made me pause. Inside the cafeteria, he didn''t order anything but just sat down, tantly surveying the people walking by.

    ¡°Just ignore him. He might be here for the music broadcast or something. It''s best not to meddle with suspicious people."

    We were pulled past the man by our manager, but I couldn''t shake off the feeling of difort.

 Chapter 74: Chronos History (18)

    <h4>Chapter 74: Chronos History (18)</h4>

    ¡°One, two, three! Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to meet you!" We greeted everyone in the waiting room, and the actress Yoo Ji-Eun, who wasing in, greeted us back with a warm smile as she slightly lowered her head.

    She said, "Hello. Wow, you guys really do look young in person."

    ¡°Oh my? Ji-Eun, you are young too! You are only in yourte twenties."

    ¡°Ah, unnie[ref] A term that females use to call older female friends or older sisters in Korean. [ref/]. You know I''ve been ying the role of a mother recently? There was a time when I only did high-teen roles," she replied.

    Yoo Ji-Eun was known for her cold and haughty image to the public, but she turned out to be a very amiable and caring person. Sharing the same waiting room with us, shefortably chatted with the staff and even shared snacks with us.

    Before the live broadcast, Yoo Ji-Eun seemed rxed, while Goh Yoo-Joon and I were nervously munching on garlic bread she shared, keeping an eye on our industry''s respected seniors.

    ¡°Hey, let''s make sure we don''t make any mistakes," Goh Yoo-Joon said, and I nodded in agreement and said, ¡°Of course. I even dyed my hair again just for this appearance."

    Enduring the scalp-burning pain, I was prepared for anything, even potential hair loss. ¡°Shall we go out and practice?"

    ¡°Yeah. Let''s just go through it once. We can''t afford to mess up in front of our seniors..." We nced at Yoo Ji-Eun and slowly stood up. She was looking at her phone with a serious expression, quite different from her usual pleasant smile.

    We quietly left the waiting room, trying not to disturb her, and practiced our lines near a vending machine.

    - Hyun-Woo: (Shielding his eyes as if dazzled) Ah, ahh! Ah!

    - Yoo-Joon: Huh? What''s wrong, Hyun-Woo?

    - Hyun-Woo: It''s so bright! Ah, it''s too dazzling!

    - Yoo-Joon: ...Actually, I''ve been feeling it''s too bright too! (Gesturing as if dazzled) Ahh!

    - Ji-Eun: You two, what¡¯s happening? What''s going on?

    - Hyun-Woo: Yoo-Joon''s!

    - Yoo-Joon: Hyun-Woo''s!

    - Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon: Looks are just too dazzling!

    - Ji-Eun: ...Ah, okay okay. You two, stop it now. (Separating them) Let''s move on to introducing the next stage, please!

    - Hyun-Woo: Shall we? The next stage is... Oh, my eyes! The dazzling stage of High Tension!

    - Yoo-Joon: High Tension''s debut song ¡®You Are Shining!¡¯ Let''s watch!

    ...And then, I had to exim, "My friend, High Tension, fighting!" with a spirit of cheering on my friend in an exaggerated enthusiasm.

    "...Ugh." This was tough. I had been a trainee for ten years and a trainer for six years. Then, I was back to being a trainee. Despite everything I''d been through, it seemed like this was the toughest part, though it must have been an illusion.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was also deep in thought, feeling the harsh reality.

    ¡®<i>Did Allure''s Tucan hyung really do this for 2 years? Was his sudden improvement in showbiz over those two years due to experiences like this?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Hey, sigh. Let''s read the next part," I said.

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s y a round of Battle Grounds after this," Yoo-Joon replied.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you guys Chronos? What are you doing here?"

    We were about to rehearse our next lines when someone who seemed to be an important figure at the broadcasting station stopped at the door and looked at us. I vaguely remember crossing paths with him a few times during my training days.

    As we hesitated, the man opened the door, signaling for us toe in.

    ¡°Thank you!" We quickly entered the waiting room.

    ¡°Ah, hello, Director,¡± Yoo Ji-Eun greeted the man warmly. He appeared to be the Director of <i>Countdown.</i>

    "Did you eat, Ji-Eun?"

    ¡°Not yet! I¡¯m nning to eat after my schedule ends. Have you eaten, Director?" Yoo Ji-Eun, who was casually dressed during our practice, was now fully made up and dressed for the camera.

    Feeling like I was watching her on TV, I stopped at the door. Yoo Ji-Eun then gestured for us toe over. ¡°Come on, sit down and let¡¯s practice the script."

    ¡°Okay!"

    <i>¡®Wait, do we have to recite those lines in front of the director,plete with acting?¡¯</i>

    <i>¡®...Well, it¡¯s indeed hard to earn money.¡¯ </i>

    With a resolute heart, I sat down next to the director. Goh Yoo-Joon hesitantly followed and sat next to me. After that, I could hear the Chronos staff quietly chuckling nearby. Following our manager''s advice, I put my pride aside and gave my best performance.

    Even Yoo Ji-Eun was doing well despite the awkwardness, so I feltpelled to do my best too. Honestly, seeing her deliver her lines so naturally made me wonder if this was normal in the industry, and it eased my tension a bit.

    As I enthusiastically yed my part, Goh Yoo-Joon joined in with equal energy, though his reluctance was apparent when he had to hand over the bouquet to me.

    ¡°You guys are doing surprisingly well! Both of you still seem a bit robotic, but that¡¯s a charm in its own way!¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    ¡°Thanks for working hard. Let¡¯s head for the rehearsal now.¡±

    With the director''s okay sign, we moved to the stage for rehearsal. As the hallway was crowded with other artists and staff, we had to greet so many senior artists along the way.

    That was when it happened. ¡°Uh.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, Hyun-Woo. Can you walk next to me?¡± I suddenly felt someone pulling me hard, and I turned to see Yoo Ji-Eun holding me by the arm with a grim expression.

    <i>¡®What''s happening?¡¯</i> I tried to look where Yoo Ji-Eun was gazing, but she yanked my clothes again. ¡°Don¡¯t look. It''ll hurt your eyes. Ah, that damn guy.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Yoo Ji-Eun finally let go of me when we reached the site. She didn''t exin anything, and I didn¡¯t get to ask her. Once we got to the site, she greeted the staff as if nothing had happened and went to her spot. After that, the rehearsal ended without further incident. Although it was odd that Yoo Ji-Eun kept disappearing during the artists¡¯ performances, she always returned quickly and apologized, so we didn¡¯t think much of it.

    Then, the live broadcast started in a peaceful atmosphere at 5 PM. We just squatted out of the camera''s view, waiting for our turn.

    ¡°Wee to <i>Countdown</i>, your Friday evening''s delight! Hello! I¡¯m your host for <i>Countdown</i>, cute and refreshing~ Ah, I can¡¯t introduce myself like that today.¡±

    We timidly waved at our fans from our crouched position.

    ¡°Today, we have someone even cuter and more refreshing than Ji-Eun here! Let''s call out our cutie and freshie! Cutie and Freshie!¡±

    <i>¡®Ah, I feel like I am about to die because of this cringeness.¡¯</i>

    I jumped up and eximed, ¡°Hello! I¡¯m Cutie!¡±

    <i>¡®This is killing me.¡¯</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon also popped up from the other side. ¡°Hello! I¡¯m Freshie!¡±

    ¡°Yes, we have Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo from Chronos here, the winners of <i>Pick We Up</i>, filling in for Tucan, who¡¯s away on an international schedule. They are our special MCs for today!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to be here! We¡¯ll do our best, so please watch over us!¡±

    For about thirty minutes, we carried on the show, selling our bodies, minds, and souls to the capitalist devil. Yoo Ji-Eun¡¯s ad-libs, which included making us sing songs from other artists and even resurrecting the ¡°Magical Pendant¡± from our buried memories, were tolerable.

    As soon as the cut was called for themercial break, I buried my face in my knees. ¡°Ah, so embarrassing...¡±

    Unaware of my feelings, our fans sent even louder cheers. At least I had the luxury of feeling embarrassed. Goh Yoo-Joon was fetching the bouquet of roses to hand over to me, and I wouldn''t be surprised if he just ran away.

    ¡°Tough, isn¡¯t it? It¡¯s always hard the first time. Being a music broadcast MC isn¡¯t for just anyone.¡± Yoo Ji-Eun patted my back, but I could hear theughter in her voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, senior.¡±

    ¡°Ah, fuck.¡±

    ¡°...Pardon me?¡± I was startled by Yoo Ji-Eun¡¯s muttered curse, and I turned to see her ring at something. Then I noticed themotion among our fans.

    ¡°Ah, who¡¯s that guy!¡±

    ¡°Why did you hit me? What''s happening!?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s an intruder here!¡±

    ¡°Intruder?¡± Looking toward the audience, I saw the suspicious man from the cafeteria standing at the front, nkly staring at Yoo Ji-Eun.

    I instinctively stood in front of Yoo Ji-Eun to shield her.

    ¡°What the fuck are you doing!? Get back to your spot!¡± As the audience grew restless, the security rushed from both sides, trying to escort the man out. However, the man unyieldingly lowered his stance and continued taking photos of Yoo Ji-Eun with his camera. Yoo Ji-Eun quickly hid behind me.

    ¡°What is going on? Do you know that man?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Of course not. Ah, what a weirdo."

    Right before themercials ended, Goh Yoo-Joon returned with a resigned look, holding a bouquet. The suspicious man had been dragged out by the security by then.

    - Next on <i>Countdown</i>! Five, four, three, two, one! Start!

    The second part of<i> Countdown</i> started. Live broadcasts really did have their share of unexpected events. From the looks of it, the man seemed like a stalker of Yoo Ji-Eun, having even followed her to the shooting location. However, Yoo Ji-Eun continued the show as if nothing had happened.

    ¡°Uh, I have something to say."

    ¡°What is it, Yoo-Joon?" asked Yoo Ji-Eun.

    With his hands behind his back, Yoo-Joon looked at Ji-Eun. She exaggerated her anticipation, blinking expectantly. Then, after a dramatic pause, Goh Yoo-Joon extended the hidden bouquet of roses to me.

    The audience erupted in cheers. Embarrassingly enough, the cheers seemed louder than during ourst performance.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, please ept my feelings!"

    ¡°What... what about me?"

    I pretended not to notice Ji-Eun''s astonished reaction and then replied with a feigned expression. ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, are you confessing again? No, we''re members of the same group! For Chronos''s sake, it can''t happen."

    "Thump!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon acted like a heartbroken Disney prince. He stood up and passed the bouquet to me. ¡°Please ept this bouquet, Hyun-Woo! I can''t give up on you... <i>heup!</i>"

    Ah, Goh Yoo-Joon burst intoughter. ¡®<i>Darn, when heughs, I can''t help but join in.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Yoo-Joon... heup... keuk... Haha!"

    ¡°...Phew, ha! No... no matter! No matter how many times you refuse, I''ll keep confessing! The next song is ¡®Third Confession.¡¯"

    ¡°By Endoros.¡±

    We struggled to say our lines while suppressingughter. I just bit my lip hard and turned around, only to see Ji-Eun still pointing at herself and hopping excitedly. ¡°What? What about me?¡±

    Just as we transitioned to Endoros''s performance...

    <i>Crash!</i>

    ¡°Kiyaaaak!¡± The lights in the audience dimmed, and amidst the chaos, the man who had been dragged out earlier stormed onto Endoros''s stage.

    ¡°Ah, damn it." Endoros''s performance had already started. It was live, and the cameras were capturing both Endoros and the intruding man.

    It was so frustrating. Instinctively, I walked toward the man on the stage.

 Chapter 75: Chronos History (19)

    <h4>Chapter 75: Chronos History (19)</h4>

    The audience¡¯s murmur rippled through the air as Endoros froze in their tracks. The unscripted drama unfolded¡ªan unexpected intruder invaded the stage, disrupting the scene. With resolve etched on my face, I approached the intruder, firmly grasped his arm, and briskly escorted him offstage. As soon as we stepped down, a swarm of security rushed to us, swiftly whisking the man out of sight.

    It was the epitome of a live broadcast gone awry. The melody ceased, and Endoros, caught in uncertainty, withdrew into the shadows of the backstage. Flurried staff handed us a hastily revised script as I rejoined my co-hosts, Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoo Ji-Eun, at the helm of the show.

    ¡°Uh... We encountered a slight hup.¡±

    ¡°Yes, a minor snag on stage, but rest assured, it''s under control.¡±

    ¡°Our sincerest apologies to Endoros for the abrupt disruption. Shall we revisit their splendid performance?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, shall we?¡± Grasping the microphone, I settled beside senior Ji-Eun, and she subtly slid the updated script to me. I perused it quickly and, with an unwavering smile, said, ¡°We are sorry about the interruptions. Let¡¯s resume! Please wee back Endoros for ¡®Third Confession.¡¯¡±

    Endoros reemerged, reigniting their act. In an instant, the audience''s discontent dissolved, reced by a sea of supportive cheers.

    ¡°Ah, shoot. The show is ruined.¡± Yoo-Joon¡¯s words dripped with dismay as he shuffled through the cue cards.

    ¡°No, not at all! We managed the mishap admirably. Why the long face? And thank you, really.¡±

    Yoo Ji-Eun offered aforting pat on my back before averting her gaze. I simply returned the hastily discarded bouquet to a staff member and downyed my role. "It''s really nothing."

    The broadcast proceeded seamlessly to its climax¡ªthe announcement of the weekly champion. But could the audience¡¯s reaction mirror the show''sposed conclusion?

    ¡°And this week¡¯s first ce goes to...¡± Fireworks burst and filled the sky. After that, I tensed up my shoulder and continued, ¡°High Tension''s ¡®You Are Shining!¡¯ A round of apuse for their victory!¡±

    Living up to their prestigiousbel, High Tension clinched the top position right in their debut week. I then presented the trophy and bouquet, sharing a heartfelt embrace with Ji-Hyuk to cap off the show.

    As ¡°You Are Shining¡± serenaded the closing moments, I approached Ji-Hyuk, offering my congrattions with a shoulder pat. ¡°Congrattions, hyung.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I didn¡¯t expect to get the first <i>Countdown </i>trophy from Hyun-Woo. It''s beyond words.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing, hyung. Congrattions. I should head back now.¡±

    After all, High Tension owned the spotlight today. However, just as I was about to make my exit, Ji-Hyuk pulled me aside, whispering, ¡°The inte is abuzz.¡±

    ¡°Ah...¡±

    ¡°Take a look when you can.¡±

    I bowed in respect and quickly retreated backstage. The staff was engulfed in a whirl of activity, so they hardly noticed our departure. I discreetly made my way to the waiting room, being careful not to intrude.

    ¡°Why today of all days! This is unbelievable.¡± Our manager''s frustration was palpable. The day''s chaos had derailed our carefully orchestrated promotional ns.

    ¡°Hey,e over here,¡± Yoo-Joon called, engrossed in the manager¡¯s phone.

    ¡°Is it about the incident?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    I then took the phone he offered. ¡°Good job today, regardless.¡±

    Having wrapped up his discussion with the director and Ji-Eun''s manager, the manager ushered us out of the waiting room. I was reading the article on the phone as we were led away.

    [Endoros Stage¡¯s Audience Intrusion Incident. Chronos Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s Response Bes a Topic of Discussion]

    (A photo of a man intruding during Endoros¡¯s stage, another photo of Suh Hyun-Woo pulling the man off the stage.JPG)

    [Seoul Entertainment Reporter Kim Hye-Min] Amotion arose when a male audience member intruded on the stage during Endoros¡¯s performance, leaving fans shaken. Endoros was performing their song ¡®Third Confession¡¯ on UNET''s main music broadcast.

    However, just as the song''s intro started, a middle-aged man caused a stir by jumping on the stage. The man was removed from the stage by Suh Hyun-Woo, a member of the idol group Chronos, who was hosting <i>Countdown </i>at the time.

    Both the audience and Endoros were surprised, but thanks to the quick response of the <i>Countdown </i>hosts (Yoo Ji-Eun, Suh Hyun-Woo, Goh Yoo-Joon) and Endoros, the performance sessfully concluded.

    ording to an official, the man was isted until the end of the broadcast and was not reported to the police as there were no significant incidents. A representative from Endoros''s agencymented, "The members were just startled and took it as a minor mishap. There¡¯s no need to worry."

    Meanwhile, Chronos member Suh Hyun-Woo, who had rushed to the scene faster than the staff and pulled the man down from the stage, was drawing attention for his response, which was impressive for a neer.

    <Copyright (c) Seoul Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. No Unauthorized Copying or Redistribution Allowed.>

    After reading this, I asked, ¡°Huh? Why is In-Hyun hyung angry?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    I handed the phone back to the manager as we got into the car. ¡°There was an incident during the live broadcast, but I don¡¯t think we have anything to be upset about, right?¡±

    Of course, the nature of the incident was pretty bad, but it wasn¡¯t us who were performing at the moment. No one was hurt, and the articles were actually portraying me in a very positive light.

    ¡°Hyung, did you see the article?¡±

    ¡°I only saw the one about the incident.¡±

    As I recited the part about me from the article, our manager, who had been grumbling in anger, fell silent. Trying to console him, I said, ¡°The MCing went well, considering it was during our scene that the incident happened. We also got praised for handling it well. From our perspective, it¡¯s a really good thing.¡±

    Back at the dorm, I uploaded a photo with Yoo-Joon on <i>BlueBird</i> to reassure our worried and angry fans that we were fine. I also calmed my parents who had called in shock.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung is awesome. Even as a guy, I have to admit that it was really cool.¡± Jin-Sung passed by, adding hispliment.

    I chatted with the Team D members on the messenger app, not making a big deal out of the incident. However, this incident was not something that would just fade away because I said it was okay.

    ***

    [Chronos] Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo''s <i>Countdown </i>MC Audience Review (Mention of That Incident)

    ?? | 20¡Á¡Á.07.24 20:28

    (Audience wristband verification photo.JPG)

    I hurriedly applied for audience participation when our ¡°kids¡± unexpectedly became MCs, and I got selected. First of all, their appearance and outfit were amazing. I became a fan after<i> Pick We Up</i> ended, so this was my first time seeing them in person, and they were so unbelievably good-looking that it was like an eye-opener hahaha...

    For the record, my favorite is center Cha-Cha, Hyun-Woo.

    We met up with the Rings(Chronos fans) after entering the broadcasting station and then waited for their car. I''m not sure if they did it intentionally, but they parked near where we were waiting, greeted us, and left. That was my first eye-opening moment.

    They asked if we weren''t hot, but it was cool because of their refreshing presence ahhhh.

    Then we sent the kids off and split into the audience team and the caf¨¦ team.

    It was the most fun I''ve ever had at a music show. You should''ve seen our kids squatting down and greeting us before their entrance! I wondered how they were able to handle that cringy hosting, but surprisingly, both of them were quite witty. Every time they got embarrassed, they soughtfort from Ji-Eun.

    When the Rings cheered them on, saying it was okay and they were doing well, Hyun-Woo got even more embarrassed. LMAO, I wanted to record it so badly. I felt like I just got Lasik surgery because Hyun-Woo¡¯s gorgeousness blessed my eyes. I was feeling great until that bastard showed up. If not for him, today could''ve been my second birthday. That asshole.

    During themercial after the first part ended, Yoo-Joon left his seat for a moment, and Hyun-Woo was just squatting down, looking crushed. But then that crazy fucker suddenly barged in, shoving through the audience and going toward the stage.

    Even though it wasn''t broadcasted, when Hyun-Woo saw the man looking at Ji-Eun, he immediately shielded her... My boy was so cool at that moment... After that, the security forcibly dragged the man out and the second part started. However, that fucker broke in again and stormed the stage.

    That¡¯s when Hyun-Woo quickly went and pulled the man off.

    The Endoros fans and I were cursing, but Yoo-Joon and Ji-Eun covered it well. After that, Hyun-Woo joined them again as if nothing had happened. The rest of the time went well, but honestly, after it ended, the mood among the Rings was really heavy :¡¯( Worried if our kid got hurt... And then the kids posted a picture on BlueBird, cheers to them...

    Likes 6008 Dislikes 102

    Comments 10862

    ©¸ Why am I feeling so fluttered that Hyun-Woo protected Ji-Eun... Am I crazy?

    ©¸ Hyun-Woo!!! I watched the live broadcast and was so worried. It was such a brave action, but please be careful for your Rings.

    ©¸ I feel like I am trash for finding it romantic when Hyun-Woo was in danger.

    ©¸ Dang, me too... The way Hyun-Woo immediately shielded Ji-Eun as soon as the man looked at her and how he rushed to pull the intruder off the stage was epic. Such a young guy... but, ah... don¡¯t test this noona to check how much I can like you...

    ©¸ What the fuck is UNET doing? Why haven¡¯t they made a statement yet? It¡¯s infuriating.

    A fan who witnessed Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon''s hosting posted their experience on an onlinemunity site. Given the sensational nature of the incident, the other audience members started sharing their stories as well. Each post attracted significant attention.

    Chronos fans voiced their anger and concern, yet they also showered praise on Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon for their adept handling of the situation. Even Endoros''s fans visited Chronos''s fanmunity to express their gratitude.

    ©¸ Hello, I¡¯m a Give (Endoros fan)! Thank you so much, Hyun-Woo, for protecting Endoros!!!

    ©¸ I came here after seeing the news! I¡¯m a Give. Thank you for looking after our kids. I''ll support Chronos when they debut!

    ©¸ Has the debut date of the Chronos been determined?

    ©¸ I came after reading what happened on Endoros¡¯s fan page! I¡¯m a Give, but I will definitely buy Chronos¡¯s album. I hope you guys thrive. Thank you so much!

    No one had expected them to be supporters for Chronos¡¯s debut. In fact, Give was the fandom of Ash ck¡¯s senior group under SM Entertainment, and they had a strained rtionship with the Rings up until<i> Pick We Up</i>.

    However, that had nothing to do with them expressing their gratitude. The rift between the fandoms melted away under the threat posed to their favorite artists by the intruder, and it somehow forged an alliance in support of Chronos¡¯s debut.

    Moreover, after reading the audience reviews and articles released by Yoo Ji-Eun¡¯s agency, it became known that the perpetrator of the incident was actress Yoo Ji-Eun¡¯s stalker. Her hardcore fandom felt sorry for the situation and promised to support Chronos by purchasing their debut album and voting for them on <i>Countdown</i>.

    This was a significant boost for Chronos, especially as their debut coincided with that of Street Center.

    However, unlike YMM, which experienced a positive impact from this good deed, the atmosphere at UNET and Yoo Ji-Eun¡¯s agency was grave. Regardless of the circumstances, a problem had urred during their shooting, putting the cast in potential. Therefore, they had to prepare appropriatepensation.

 Chapter 76: Chronos History (20)

    <h4>Chapter 76: Chronos History (20)</h4>

    ¡°Whoa, it¡¯s hot. Hyung, this is too hot.¡±

    ¡°Can we stay in the car?¡±

    We found ourselves at a campground near Seoul, surrounded by the relentless summer heat. Despite the blistering heat, we adorned ourselves in sleek ck attire and survival vests. Time really flew by, and it was now another shooting day for <i>Chronos History</i>.

    ¡°Wow, hyung. It has been ages since I heard cicadas crying.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they are singing their hearts out here already.¡± We were trying to beat the heat by clutching our melting ice creams.

    ¡°Who¡¯s the guest that we are waiting for so early?¡±

    ¡°I thought it was High Tension, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. If it was High Tension, we should have arrived together.¡±

    There we were, drenched in sweat, and the event hadn¡¯t even started. While arriving early was a sign of respect for our guests, waiting for an hour was excessive. In our mind, the guests had to be High Tension. Even though they were busy after their debut, they should have arrived on time.

    ¡°They are definitelyte.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. We are thirty minutes early, and it has been an hour. They are thirty minuteste.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon clenched his jaw in frustration. ¡°Whether it¡¯s High Tension or Street Center, I won¡¯t let them off the hook.¡±

    ¡°Hyung, do you want my ice cream? My teeth are shivering,¡± asked Park Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°...Yoon-Chan, are you an angel?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon grabbed the ice cream and took a bite.

    ¡®<i>Taking the younger one¡¯s ice cream? Pathetic.¡¯ </i>

    I shook my head in disappointment and suddenly turned to look at the manager.

    ¡°Is the guest actually from <i>Pick We Up</i>?¡± I wondered.

    ¡°I am not sure. Why?¡± Joo-Han asked. Hence, I gestured toward the manager and said, "Normally, manager hyung is really sensitive aboutteness or ns going wrong. He''s quite temperamental, so it''s surprising to see him waiting so calmly now."

    ¡°That''s true. If the guests were from <i>Pick We Up</i>, the manager hyung would have been in a frenzy with phone calls by now." Joo-Han and I were just specting about the guest when...

    ¡°The guests have arrived! Let''s start shooting!" dered the production team. The guests had clearly arrived but were nowhere to be seen. This had to be a surprise reveal.

    <i>¡®How important could this guest be?'' </i>

    I chewed on my ice cream stick, threw it in the trash, and made my way to the designated location. All of us stood in formation and pped the te to signal the start of the show.

    Joo-Han then started the introduction. ¡°Wee back to <i>Chronos History</i>."

    ¡°Ah- it''s hot!"

    ¡°So hot!"

    ¡°We''ve been standing outside for an hour, everyone." We immediately started to air our grievances to the camera. Typically, the onesining were Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Alright, quiet down! Director, where are we?"

    - This is Tinta Campground near Seoul. Have you ever tried survival games?

    ¡°No, I haven''t."

    ¡°Has anyone tried it?"

    Lee Jin-Sung raised his hand. ¡°I did once on a school trip. I think it was in my middle school? We used paintball guns, so when I got hit, it turned the struck area really red."

    ¡°Wow."

    - You might have guessed from the vests, but today you''ll be ying a survival game here.

    ¡°Ooh, survival!"

    ¡°I''ve always wanted to try it. This is great." As we were chatting away, a staff member with a sketchbook caught my eye. I then nced at the sketchbook and asked, ¡°But are we doing this with just five people? Don¡¯t we need more?¡±

    ¡°That''s a good point. It''s odd to split into teams with just five people."

    ¡°If it''s two against three, it''ll end too quickly."

    - You guys are right. That''s why we''ve invited guests this time. Today, it''s a battle between Chronos and the guest team.

    ¡°Guests? It must be High Tension!"

    ¡°If not High Tension, then Street Center." Goh Yoo-Joon rummaged in his pocket and pulled out five hundred won, holding it over his head.

    He said, ¡°I bet my five hundred won."

    ¡°Huh? Why do you have five hundred won in your pocket?" I couldn''t help butugh at such a low-quality joke. Watching us guessing about the guests, Director Lee Won-Jae showed his typical sly smile and shook his head.

    - Shall we introduce the guests? Guests, pleasee out.

    Of course, it would be the cast of <i>Pick We Up</i>. We were certain of this because which other kind-hearted group would appear on a minor broadcast channel¡ªon a show of a group that hadn''t even debuted yet¡ªother than the cast of <i>Pick We Up</i>?

    We were all ready to greet the guests with rxed smiles.

    ¡°Hello, everyone!"

    ¡°Hi, kiddos. You guys got quite the way with words.¡±

    The moment our guests in ck vests stepped out, ourughter froze. We snapped to attention, lowering our heads to ny degrees. ¡°Hello, seniors!¡±

    ¡°Hey, hey, ease up! Why so formal? Aren¡¯t we all like family here?¡± The reason for our stiff formality? The guests were Allure, our esteemed senior, who had just triumphed with a concert in New York just two days ago.

    I shifted my gaze to Director Lee Won-Jae, noticing a slight twitch in his eyebrows. It was as if he was teasing us with a smirk, silently gloating, ¡°I knew you''d guess wrong.¡± With a mischievous grin, Director Lee Won-Jae announced the theme for today.

    - Today''s theme is all about survival! Seniors versus Juniors, Allure versus Chronos.

    "But, Director Lee, how can we possibly face off against our seniors?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice quivered with a mix of nervousness and respect. Here we were, a group of trainees on the brink of our debut, about to go head-to-head with a top-tier group that had just wowed audiences on an international tour.

    We had to tread carefully, driven by both respect and a hint of intimidation.

    ¡°Seriously. Isn''t this a huge deal for us?" I couldn''t help but challenge the director, casting a nce at Allure. Allure just leaned back, watching us with an easy smile.

    ¡°Come on, kids. Forget the senior-junior thing and just y."

    ¡°Yeah, don''t stress about it. It''s all in good fun."

    But really, was that even feasible? Impossible, I thought.

    Joo-Han and I, who had trained alongside Allure, were used to them, but the other three had joined YMM only because they were inspired by Allure. Allure members were like their role models. On top of that, Allure¡¯s huge fandom was watching us. What kind of rookies would dare point a gun¡ªeven a fake one¡ªat a group like Allure?

    Yet, somewhere inside, I believed it was doable and asked, ¡°Director Lee, is there a prize or something for the winner?"

    The director paused, slightly taken aback, before his familiar sly smile returned. He nodded.

    - Absolutely. We''ve got a prize that will fire up Chronos, seniority notwithstanding.

    The production team brought out a wooden box, and Lee Jin-Sung opened it, unveiling a stunning golden microphone inside.

    ¡°A microphone?"

    - Yes. The winning team will be rewarded with custom microphones.

    Custom microphones were a coveted prize for both Chronos and Allure. In particr, this opulent golden one, a masterpiece from Restonmage, was renowned for its exquisite sound quality. It was my first time seeing such a luxurious item up close!

    I was nearly moved to tears by its splendor. Only a music-focused cable channel like UNET could offer such avish prize.

    ¡°We''ve got to win this." Goh Yoo-Joon stared at the microphone, utterly captivated by it.

    Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung were not quite microphone connoisseurs, so they simply marveled, ¡°Wow, it''s beautiful." Meanwhile, Joo-Han''s excitement was very obvious.

    Director Lee Won-Jae chuckled to see our reactions.

    - Looks like you''re all geared up to give your best now.

    ¡°Director Lee, does each member get one?"

    - Of course. It might take a while to make, but you''ll get them by Chronos''s debut day, or well before Allure''seback.

    When else would we, who were still waiting for our first paycheck, get our hands on custom microphones?

    This was a challenge we had to conquer. ¡°Has anyone in Chronos done survival games before?" Da-Win, our senior, asked. We all then pointed at Lee Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Jin-Sung has tried it once before," I exined.

    Lee Jin-Sung turned to look at me. ¡°I have tried it before, but Hyun-Woo hyung must be better at this kind of game than me.¡±

    - Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon y a lot of games. Allure, are any of you good at this?

    Then, Da-Win pointed to Sae-Yeon. ¡°He got skills from phone games.¡±

    - Okay, let¡¯s set Sae-Yeon from Allure and Hyun-Woo from Chronos as captains. Team Allure has a couple of extra yers, so to keep it fair, we will cap active yers at five. However, feel free to swap members anytime. Cool with that, Chronos?

    ¡°Yup!¡± We willingly epted the rule as it made sense since the members of Allure were pushing theirte twenties. This was fair stamina-wise.

    - Alright, everyone. Please head to your spots. The Last¡¯s expert, who specializes in survival game gear, will walk us through the rules.

    We walked over to where we were supposed to be, getting a quick lesson from the staff on weapon handling, reloading, and the ins and outs of respawning. I then looked around the expansive campground, eyeing the strategically ced obstacles and thick tree covers. They were perfect for stealth and surprise maneuvers.

    ¡°But, hyung. What if Allure''s fans get ticked off at us for this?" Lee Jin-Sung shot a worried nce at the trailing camera with a gun in hand.

    ¡°Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Hmm?"

    I pulled him aside under the guise of fixing his outfit and then murmured quietly, ¡°Just y without thinking much. Allure hyungs are notorious for being terrible at games. Their fans already know about that.¡±

    ¡°Really?"

    ¡°Let''s snag the win!" Pumping myself up, I loaded the bullets with determination. Everyone knew Allure wasn''t exactly the gaming or sports type. They consistently fumbled in games on every entertainment show, a fact even their fans were well aware of.

    Therefore, even if we beat them fair and square, their fans would probably shrug it off as ¡®Oh, cute losses as usual.'' There would be no hard feelings.

    Our mission was simple. We only had to take out the opponents and seize their bases. I was a little anxious about Sae-Yeon''s tactics as he often yed shooting games with me. However, there was no room for worries as victory was in sight.

    - Okay, let¡¯s start then. Is everyone ready?

    ¡°Yes!"

    - Good, then.

    <i>Whooeee¡ªuuueeet!</i>

    When the whistle signaling the start of the game echoed through the air, my teammates immediately huddled around me. Imanded, ¡°Joo-Han hyung and Yoon-Chan, keep an eye on things from the back. If anyone tries to sneak into our base, take them out. And if we are in a tight spot,e give us a hand.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Jin-Sung, hide behind those obstacles in the middle and watch for an opportunity to slip into their camp. If you can take over a stronghold, do it."

    ¡°Okay. Man, I''m feeling the pressure."

    ¡°Is it normal for a game to be this intense?" Joo-Han let out a nervous chuckle, lifting his gun.

    Honestly, I felt a little silly giving these instructions, but we were in it to win those custom microphones, so I put my embarrassment aside and continued, ¡°Yoo-Joon and I will take the lead. If we get taken out, we''re counting on you guys."

    ¡°Alright, we got this."

    ¡°Let''s bring home the win." With those final words, we got back to our positions.

    Yoo-Joon stuck close to me, nning our strategy. ¡°Just cover me from behind, and only move in if I get into trouble."

    ¡°Are you going for a breakthrough?" I asked.

    Yoo-Joon nodded and replied, ¡°I''m gonna sprint straight to their base and knock them out."

    ¡°nning to go down in a ze of glory? It''s no good if you get hit on the way. We should stick together."

    Hearing that, Yoo-Joon let out a scoff. ¡°Getting hit? I''ll dodge everything. Trust me."

    ¡°Considering your gaming style..."

    ¡°What about it? Have you seen me y?"

    ¡°Yeah," I remembered seeing him on hisptop yesterday, getting pummeled while manically shooting around. Sure, Yoo-Joon was great at getting kills, but he also had a knack for getting hit.

    He eventually nodded, agreeing with my point. We then crouched behind an obstacle, keeping a watchful eye on Team Allure. ¡°Use the barriers wisely to avoid getting hit."

    ¡°Okay."

    The survival game¡¯s field was ridiculouslyrge, making it tough to spot the opponents. But if Yoo-Joon made a bold dash into their territory, it would help us figure out their positions.

    ¡°It feels like we''ve stepped into a real game. Exciting." Yoo-Joon scouted the area from behind the barrier and then made his move. ¡°I''m going in."

    ¡°Alright, I''ll head the opposite way."

    He sprinted toward the enemy''s side.

    <i>Bang! Bang! Bang!</i>

    As expected, a flurry of confused gunshots rang out. ¡°Wow, these sounds are so realistic."

    I moved in the opposite direction, trying to pinpoint the locations of our opponents. With Yoo-Joon breaking through, they were likely focused on one area, leaving the other side open for me to take over.

    - Da-Win, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    - Tucan, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    Yoo-Joon was making waves. I ran to the opposite side, aiming at an Allure member who was attacking Yoo-Joon.

    - Tae-Il, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    ¡°Argh! Where? Who got me?" Tae-Il grumbled in frustration as he retreated back to his base.

    - Yoo-Joon, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    Yoo-Joon, who had held his ground until now, was finally taken out. I then signaled Lee Jin-Sung, who had been maintaining a distance, and he nodded and moved forward cautiously. Park Yoon-Chan promptly filled the vacant spot left by Jin-Sung.

    ¡°There''s no penalty for getting out multiple times, right?"

    ¡°Right."

    ¡°Then I''m just going to go for it." Seeing Allure members reloading their guns, Jin-Sung and I sprinted over at the same time.

    Gunshots erupted. This survival game was not just for the custom microphones but also a spot on <i>Flying Man</i>.

    <i>¡®What if Allure''s fans get ticked off at us for this?¡¯</i>

    So what if they did? Whether we were good at the game or not, we were burning with determination. Seniority didn¡¯t matter at this moment.

 Chapter 77: Chronos History (21)

    <h4>Chapter 77: Chronos History (21)</h4>

    ¡°Still filming? Man, I have been waiting forever. I couldn¡¯t stand it anymore, so I came here.¡±

    ¡°Why did you evene here? You could have just started eating first.¡±

    ¡°Kim Seong-Jin also said that he is workingte today. Am I the only one lounging around?¡±

    Director Lee Won-Jae sighed as he looked at his friend Han Bu-Joon casually taking a seat next to him. Han Bu-Joon was the main director of SES''s gship program,<i> Flying Man</i>. He and Lee Won-Jae had be friends after joining SES in the same year.

    ¡°It''s not that you''re lounging. You''re the normal one here."

    ¡°In this industry, I''m the abnormal one," Han Bu-Joon replied with a chuckle.

    ¡°Ah, didn''t your station have another meeting tonight? How did you manage to skip it?"

    ¡°Are you kidding me? I''ve been swamped with overtime because of some live broadcast intrusion incident. I only managed to escape today." It was already past 7 PM. To protect the cast and staff, Han Bu-Joon only started filmingte in the afternoon to avoid the heat.

    Thepensation issue for the cast affected by the recent intrusion incident remained unresolved, and the continuous meetings had disrupted their long-awaited gathering. To add to the disappointment, his colleagues, Kim Seong-Jin and Lee Won-Jae, couldn''t attend due to working overtime.

    <i>Bang! Bang!</i>

    ¡°Da-Win hyung! Hyun-Woo, Hyun-Woo''s here! I''m out of bullets!"

    ¡°Ah, dang, how did he sneak up here?"

    The production team offered substantial rewards to celebrate Chronos''s debut, and that fired up their passion. Han Bu-Joon was exhausted. However, as he watched Lee Won-Jae''s tired expression, heughed before admiring Chronos.

    ¡°It¡¯s my first time seeing Chronos in action, but they''re really going at it."

    ¡°They''re rookies. Their eyes still ze with ambition, and they give it their all."

    Even in the midst of chaos, Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung led the charge toward the enemy''s base with support from their team members. Han Bu-Joon''s attention was drawn to the three members, especially Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon who were almost leaping into action.

    ¡°Whoa, how fast is Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Is that the same Suh Hyun-Woo I know? It''s quite impressive. Wasn''t he always slow?"

    ¡°Nah, hyung, just his actions. Didn''t you see him on <i>Pick We Up</i>¡¯s sports day? He was in the ry."

    <i>Bang!</i>

    - Sae-Yeon, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    ¡°...Ah, Goh Yoo-Joon!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon was stealthily scoring kills from behind an obstacle, while Suh Hyun-Woo skillfully dodged the Allure members, advancing steadily.

    Lee Jin-Sung stood out as the funny member. ¡°Ah, senior, please, just this once. Please, I beg you. I''m just a newbie, hehe."

    ¡°It doesn''t matter if you''re the youngest. You''re not part of our team."

    ¡°No, no, I''m now a member of Allure. I''ll start from doing chores." In his attempts to avoid being shot, Lee Jin-Sung was rolling on the ground and pleading on his knees, cheekily asking for mercy.

    The team was quite well-bnced. Despite being newbies, their personalities shone through.

    ¡°I heard Chronos¡¯s agency hasn¡¯t decided on whom to send to <i>Flying Man</i>. Maybe one of those three, excluding the leader?"

    ¡°Oh right, did you say Joo-Han was confirmed? He is the one watching from the back, and next to him is Park Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Those two seem like they have a good head on their shoulders." Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan, who had moved a bit forward from their original spots, were aiming at Tucan, who was trying to infiltrate Chronos''s base.

    - Tucan, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    Kang Joo-Han took out Tucan, and Park Yoon-Chan peeked out to survey the opposite side. He then whispered something to Kang Joo-Han, and they both moved forward to a better hiding spot as soon as Joo-Han nodded.

    ¡°What do you think of Park Yoon-Chan?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan? He''s a nice kid. Quiet, so not really cut out for an entertainment show... but I have a feeling he might be venturing into acting soon."

    ¡°Oh really? He acts?"

    Lee Won-Jae shrugged nonchntly. It was just his hunch. ¡°Just keep an eye on him, I guess."

    After twenty years in the industry, he had seen countless idols turn into sessful actors, and Park Yoon-Chan exuded the same aura as them.

    ¡°Really? I trust your intuition, so I''ll keep an eye out. Who''s the standout member for screen time? I''m leaning toward one of those three up front."

    The screen time for the confirmed participant, Kang Joo-Han, was a hit or miss. He could either manipte other cast or betray them to get more screen time, or he could be too quiet and end up beingpletely edited out. If he shone on screen, he could be a frequent invitee. However, Han Bu-Joon didn¡¯t have high expectations of him as he was a newbie.

    They needed to choose another member wisely, someone who could secure more screen time or make a big ssh. The members who particrly stood out were Lee Jin-Sung and Suh Hyun-Woo. Since their TV debut, they had be the talk of the town and seemed likely to survive until the end.

    ¡°Honestly, they are all great."

    [Allure''s first tower has been captured.]

    While Han Bu-Joon was closely analyzing Chronos, one of Allure''s towers was taken down by Suh Hyun-Woo. As a result, Han Bu-Joon''s attention naturally shifted to Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°<i>Whoa</i>, look at that!"

    Lee Won-Jae watched Suh Hyun-Woo with a proud smile. ¡°Hyun-Woo always makes a quick impact, snagging the good parts at just the right time.¡±

    ¡°You seem quite fond of him," said Han Bu-Joon.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo was the top choice for screen time in <i>Pick We Up</i>. As a director, I''m grateful to him. Personally, I''d rmend Hyun-Woo or Jin-Sung for <i>Flying Man</i>."

    Lee Jin-Sung was not only dynamic but also an excellent participant in entertainment shows, while Suh Hyun-Woo consistently created memorable moments in every episode of <i>Pick We Up</i>. He dominated the thumbnails during ¡°Cha-Cha¡± season, made headlines with his first close-up appearance and dance performance in ¡°Moon Sea¡±, disyed consideration for the timid members, ruled the stage with a king-like presence for the ¡°keywordpetition¡±, and gained poprity for his chemistry with Woo Ji-Hyuk, as well as for befriending the initially distant Kim Jin-Wook during the unitpetition.

    Han Bu-Joon nodded after hearing Lee Won-Jae''s words. ¡°It''s a shame to take just two members considering the shooting is after Chronos''s debut."

    ¡°Oh, is that so?"

    ¡°Yeah. If they''re your favorite group, maybe we should consider taking all five."

    If they were as promising as they seemed, investing a bit more even for a minor appearance could be worth it.

    Lee Won-Jae smiled contentedly after hearing this and then looked at Chronos. They were a hard-working group, so even someone as seasoned in the industry as Lee Won-Jae adored them.

    ***

    ¡°Watch out! Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung are on their way!" I heard the warning cry, and my grip was tightening on Da-Win, as I was determined not to release him. Despite his efforts to pull away and head toward Goh Yoo-Joon, I held on.

    ¡°Run, Yoo-Joon. Run! Hyung, I''ve still got bullets! I can still take my shot!"

    "Suh Hyun-Woo, let go of me! Ah, this kid..." Da-Win protested, his voice a mix of irritation and amusement.

    ¡°I can''t, hyung. If I let you go, you''ll shoot me," I replied, my tone yful yet cunning. In this game, my grip was like a shield. It was a sly tactic perhaps, but what could a little trick like this count for when custom microphones were at stake?

    Goh Yoo-Joon was still very much in the game, and Lee Jin-Sung was backing up Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan, keeping the Allure members at bay. Midway through, I noticed the shift in the way we called the Allure members¡ª¡°senior¡± had transformed into the more familiar ¡°hyung.¡±

    - Kim Da-Win, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    ¡°So ruthless, even to their seniors.¡±

    ¡°But you''re the one who said seniority doesn''t matter," Goh Yoo-Joon retorted, his breath short.

    In a swift move, before Yoo-Joon was taken out, I managed to eliminate Da-Win. As I finally released him, he wandered off toward the respawn point, hisughter tinged with defeat.

    Suddenly, my wristband vibrated, which was a signal that I was out of the game too.

    - Suh Hyun-Woo, Goh Yoo-Joon, you''re out. Head to respawn.

    ¡°Ah, so close!" I eximed. We were on the brink of capturing their base.

    Sae-Yeon had outmaneuvered both me and Goh Yoo-Joon, not sparing a backward nce as he and Tucan sprinted away.

    ¡°Let''s go, Tucan!"

    ¡°Since when am I ''Tucan'' to you?"

    Resigned, Goh Yoo-Joon and I could only watch their retreating figures, our eyes reflecting a blend of frustration and disbelief.

    ¡°We were almost there,"mented Goh Yoo-Joon as he wiped away the sweat that had gathered on his brow.

    ¡°Seriously. Let the others handle it. Let''s just catch our breath. I''m about to pass out," I said.

    ¡°Yeah, I feel like I am going to die." Goh Yoo-Joon copsed to the ground, and I followed, lying t on the group. Each breath was a struggle.

    I hadn''t expected the survival game to drag on this long. The constant running in the stifling heat was taking its toll, and even speaking was a challenge now as my chest heaved for air.

    ¡°Water! I need water!"

    ¡°Maybe we should just stop..."

    <i>¡®Ughhh. Why were there two towers?¡¯</i>

    Our carefully styled hair was now soaked with sweat, hanging limply around our faces.

    ¡°...Goh Yoo-Joon,e on, get up. Let''s head to respawn and rest,¡± I said.

    ¡°Already? I can barely breathe."

    ¡°I''m going ahead then. I really want that custom mic."

    ¡°...Yeah, we would look amazing on our debut with that mic." Goh Yoo-Joon mustered the strength to say this and slowly rose to his feet.

    Just as I extended a hand to help him up...

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo! Over here!"

    ¡°Huh?" I turned, startled by Joo-Han''s call.

    Our attention snapped to our base. Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan, who were supposed to be handling Sae-Yeon and Tucan, were now racing toward us, urgency written all over their faces.

    ¡°What''s going on? Aren''t you guys supposed to take them out?" I asked, feeling perplexed.

    ¡°Why is hyung running so hard all of a sudden?"

    They sprinted toward us with determination, their hair whipping in the wind, and their faces set in steely resolve. Then, to my surprise, Park Yoon-Chan stumbled over a balloon obstacle, but Joo-Han didn''t stop. He kept running.

    The sight of Joo-Han with his fringe pushed back and a grimace on his face was strangely amusing. Despite my exhaustion, I let out a burst ofughter.

    ¡°Why did youe here, hyung?" I managed to ask, but before I could get an answer, Joo-Han had dashed past us.

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    However, the surprise was fleeting as Joo-Han quickly brought down Allure''s remaining tower.

    ¡°Wow." I pped my hands, impressed by his quick wit and swift action.

    [Chronos''s first tower has been captured.]

    [Allure''s second tower has been captured.]

    Red lights lit up in Allure''s base.

    [Chronos''s second tower has been captured.]

    [Chronos WIN!]

    Groans and sighs came from Team Allure.

    ¡°We were so close to turning it around."

    ¡°I wondered why Joo-Han suddenly took off. Now, it all makes sense."

    ¡°See, I told you. Joo-Han isn''t one to just guard a base."

    Joo-Han''s bold decision to abandon holding off Allure members and rush toward us was a stroke of genius. Although Sae-Yeon and Tucan were fast, Joo-Han''s strategy to take down one tower was quicker than their attempt to destroy two of our towers.

    - Chronos has won! Great job, everyone. Please gather here.

    Director Lee Won-Jae called out.

    ¡°Ugh..." I groaned.

    As the cameramen returned from outside and started filming us again, I sprawled back down on the sandy floor.

    All of this for a microphone...

    But in truth, it was more about the spirit of the game and the drive to win at all costs, not only about the reward. I felt like I had just performed five consecutive songs on stage.

    Exhausted from the frantic running, it took us a moment to respond to Director Lee Won-Jae''s call. I was lying there and looking up at the darkening sky. Then, Joo-Han''s hand suddenly came into view.

    ¡°You did well. Get up."

    I got up with his help and headed to the location for the ending shot. We had sessfully secured the custom microphones, and the filming wrapped up as the night fully set in. It marked the end of our final shoot before our debut.

 Chapter 78: Debut (1)

    <h4>Chapter 78: Debut (1)</h4>

    The news was out, and the premiere of <i>Chronos History </i>had officially aired. Living up to Director Lee Won-Jae''s knack for stirring the pot, the show had reportedly made quite a ssh.

    However, I was clueless about the public reaction or the atmosphere of its airing. It was indeed our much-anticipated first group entertainment show, but regrettably, we were cooped up in the studio during its premiere, practicing. With our debut looming so close, nobody dared to utter a word ofint.

    In fact, there was simply no room to be sidetracked by the show. Every one of us, not just me, was focused on nailing our debut stage.

    ¡°Whoa!" Lee Jin-Sung tumbled, his stick ttering away awkwardly.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, can you get up?" We were no longer startled by such mishaps as every one of us had fallen at one point. I was the nearest, so I reached out to help him stand.

    He practiced his footsteps for a few seconds and then nodded. ¡°Yeah, I''m good. Man, these dance steps are brutal. One tiny slip in timing and down I go..."

    Our choreography demanded a dizzying six-foot roll in the blink of an eye. It felt almost like the choreographer''s sweet revenge.

    ¡°We simplified the chorus but increased the number of movements. Gotta live up to the name of Chronos, right?"

    Even Jin-Sung, who was normally so slick, slipped up once every twenty attempts. As for me, I was just about hanging in there, misstepping more often than not. The others had tried and given up after a lot of failed attempts.

    Therefore, it boiled down to a duo dance routine between me and Jin-Sung. One wrong move from either of us meant starting over, so it kept us on edge throughout the dance.

    ¡°Don''t let this happen on stage. Focus, be sharp!"

    "Got it!"

    ¡°Let''s practice from our pair dance part."

    My legs were shaking as every strand of my muscle was tense. However, I shook off the stiffness and decided to prioritize precision over expression.

    As the music kicked back in, we warmed up and went for the footsteps again. This time around, both Jin-Sung and I performed them wlessly. As I kicked the tip of my stick to the left, Jin-Sung caught it and yanked it hard. While I was pulled along, the stick in my hand ended up right in front of Jin-Sung.

    It was time for my solo.

    <i>No matter where you are</i>

    <i>I will be there</i>

    <i>You don''t need to be afraid</i>

    <i>Your time has stopped</i>

    <i>The time for our hearts to deepen is forever?</i>

    <i>¡®Oh crap, live, live!¡¯</i> The solo was so intense that, despite bracing my core, my voice was shaky. The choreographer seemed pleased, but I knew I was in for a long night of solo practice to calm down my frustration. That was when...

    ¡°Hold up, everyone!" Our manager burst in, abruptly putting a stop to our practice session.

    ¡°Argh!" The collective groan was out. We had just cleared the hardest part!

    Normally, he would wait until the song''s end before interrupting. What had gotten into him now? I shot him a re filled with annoyance, but he just grinned and beckoned us over.

    "Seriously! Do you know how hard we¡¯ve been working on that step? I was about to burst into tears of relief! Why did you interrupt then?" Jin-Sung was particrly upset.

    ¡°We''ve got the final cut of the music video. Aren''t you guys excited to see it?"

    ¡°Oh, it''s done?" Jin-Sung''s frustration vanished instantly. The manager then brought over aptop and plugged in a USB drive.

    ¡°I just got it. It''s going public tomorrow at 6 PM, and it turned out amazing, making me tear up."

    ¡°You cried again? What a crybaby."

    ¡°Quiet, kid. It was that emotional," the manager retorted as he positioned himself opposite us and started the behind-the-scenes camera.

    ¡°Why are you filming this?!"

    We all instinctively covered our faces. Drenched in sweat and messy-haired, we weren''t exactly camera-ready. I just quickly brushed my hair back. Oblivious to our reluctance, the manager was all smiles.

    ¡°It''s fine. You all look good. Just a bit obvious that you were practicing hard."

    ¡°Hyung, you''re recording this?"

    ¡°Yeah, we should capture your reactions. You''ve seen reaction videos on<i> UTube</i>, right?" He then finished setting up the camera. With K-POP''s soaring global poprity, reaction videos by international UTubers to K-POP music videos and performances were all the rage. As this was our very first music video, it seemed that our manager was keen to turn our reactions into content too.

    The red light flickered on the camera, and the manager nodded at us to start. Joo-Han chimed in first, ¡°Hello. One, two, three!¡±

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to meet you!¡±

    Ah, we had really nailed down this automatic greeting.

    ¡°Our debut single ¡®Parade¡¯ finally drops tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°It''s crazy how time flies. Feels like we were just sprinting near the crosswalk yesterday," Goh Yoo-Joon mused, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

    ¡°Yeah, remember how drenched in sweat you were, Yoo-Joon hyung?"

    ¡°I thought I''d melt in the heat that day."

    ¡°Now it''s time to see the fruits of ourbor in the music video. It''s our first time seeing it, so I''m pretty nervous." With a click, Joo-Hanunched our much-awaited music video.

    As the YMM logo faded away, our hearts raced. Just before the video kicked off, I wet my dry lips and said, ¡°Don''t expect me to react much. I am going to be super focused."

    ¡°Same here," chimed in the others.

    Our random chatter came to an abrupt halt as the video started. The opening scene showed a giant clockwork mechanism in a room, spinning in harmony with two smaller ones. The focus then shifted to me, engrossed in assembling an iplete clock with earnest expression.

    ¡°Whoa, Suh Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Hyung, you look insanely good here. I''m genuinely awestruck."

    Blushing slightly at Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung''s praise, I quickly looked at the screen again.

    <i>Thunk!</i>

    In an old, creaky wooden workshop, I flinched at a sudden noise after fixing the clock. A soft glow then lit my face, underscored by an eerie background music. After that, I smiled, got up, and walked toward the mysterious sound.

    ¡°Actually, Goh Yoo-Joon was just opposite me in that scene." I casually dropped the hint, and Goh Yoo-Joon nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Yeah, imagine Suh Hyun-Woo walking toward me like that."

    ¡°What! That totally breaks the mood!" We allughed.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I shared a high five even with our eyes glued to the screen. Then, as I vanished from the frame, the scene darkened, only to reveal a pastel-purple world brimming with flowers and Lee Jin-Sung in a close-up.

    Jin-Sung started lip-syncing his part as the song started.

    ¡°Wow, Jin-Sung''s skin looks so fair."

    ¡°He looks really sharp and collected."

    ¡°Hehe."

    While the members dished outpliments, Jin-Sung showed a bit of a shy reaction before quickly diving back into the video.

    After Jin-Sung''s part, the scene transitioned to Joo-Han in a piano room. He had a look of resignation as he scanned his surroundings, and then it was back to me. I was navigating the pastel-lit space, different from the wooden workshop but akin to Jin-Sung and Joo-Han''s scenes.

    <i>It was you who came into my world</i>

    <i>Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles</i>

    <i>You will be by my side</i>

    <i>Skyfall, Skyfall?</i>

    Wandering through these fantasy spots¡ªthe piano room where Joo-Han was and the flower garden where Jin-Sung was¡ªI suddenly turned, startled by a noise.

    Next, the scene shifted to Goh Yoo-Joon in a library, looking dapper in a suit. He just slumped wearily into a chair, gazing listlessly at a stack of papers on his desk.

    ¡°I think I look amazing here."

    ¡°I would''ve praised you if you didn¡¯t say that, Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Ah, hyung."

    ¡°That suit is perfect on you, you know. You look like an actor."

    As the sky behind Goh Yoo-Joon morphed from blue to purple, he frowned, nced upward, and then abruptly stood up, loosening his tie. He then peered skyward as if sensing something.

    <i>The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall</i>

    <i>Join me</i>

    <i>You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more</i>

    <i>You need me?</i>

    Beneath a grand chandelier, Joo-Han yed a transparent piano, and I followed the sound. Suddenly, the screen cut to a close-up of Lee Jin-Sung opening his eyes, revealing Park Yoon-Chan in a school uniform, running with a face marred by scars.

    ¡°What were you shooting in that scene?" Joo-Han asked as he was surprised by the scars. Deeply immersed in the video, Park Yoon-Chan replied solemnly, ¡°It was like... being bullied..."

    He was so caught up in the video that he barely seemed to register his own response.

    Park Yoon-Chan was crouched in an alley, takingbored breaths. Then, as the sky changed to purple, he looked up, his eyes brimming with tears.

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>I need you?</i>

    It was the song¡¯s climax, the dance break point in the live performance. The music video showed Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan running wildly, as if they sensed something mysterious.

    ¡°I seriously thought I was going to copse from exhaustion there. I lost count of how many times we dashed across that crosswalk."

    ¡°Same here. The school we shot at is on a steep hill, remember?"

    Then, the scene shifted to me. There Iy, on a huge bowl-shaped bed of light, embodying both resignation and solitude. My face still bore the marks of unease.

    ¡°Wow, Suh Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Shh, be quiet!" I shushed Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Next, Goh Yoo-Joon, looking all disheveled with his jacket over his arm and sleeves rolled up, came into view. The scene then shifted back to me, and thereafter, Park Yoon-Chan emerged, soaked in both sweat and tears.

    Finally, Goh Yoo-Joon saw the same light I had discovered. As he stepped toward it, the camera refocused on my face. The music briefly halted. There I was on the bed, with eyes closed, slowly opening them to sh a mysterious smile.

    ¡°Oooh!¡±

    ¡°Whoa, man!"

    ¡°Wow, hyung!"

    Ah, that felt so awkward! The others excitedly jostled my shoulders, making us all crack up as our focus was gone. That smile of mine felt strangely forced. Like some major plot twist, the song kicked back in as soon as I smiled.

    <i>You don''t need to be afraid</i>

    <i>Your time has stopped</i>

    <i>The time for our hearts to deepen is forever?</i>

    <i>Forever?</i>

    My solo ended, and the instrumental bridge dramatically led us toward the finale¡ªan abrupt stop. As the song concluded, the music video neared its ending.

    Footsteps approached the smiling Lee Jin-Sung, who leaned on a cane in a flower garden. Only the ankles of someone entering the frame and stopping in front of him were visible, but the suit pants and dress shoes said it all.

    The music video ended without tying up the loose ends of the story. It was an incredibly satisfying watch, so I could see why our manager nearly cried. The unseen direction andputer graphic effects employed during the shooting transported us to another world. There was a profound sense of wonder and overwhelming emotion, as if the people in the video were not us.

    As we shared our thoughts, Joo-Han watched the screen with aplicated look on his face beforementing, ¡°...It''s good. Really good."

    ¡°Hyung?"

    His voice was heavy, so I gazed at him, noticing the moisture in his eyes.

    ¡°Hyung, are you crying?" I asked softly, shielding his face from the others. He quickly dabbed his eyes and shook his head.

    Right, he had been a trainee for eight years too. All of a sudden, a pang of emotion hit me, and I bit my lip to contain my feelings. Joo-Han promptly helped me sit up and delivered a closing remark. ¡°Thank you so much for this amazing music video. Can''t wait to see how our fans, the Rings, will react. Now, back to practice, right?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°The music video has given us a boost. Let''s work hard!"

    ¡°We''ll see you on our debut stage. Bye!"

    ¡°Bye! See you! Thank you!"

    And that concluded our first music video viewing. All that remained was to practice diligently and eagerly await the reactions of our fans.

 Chapter 79: Debut (2)

    <h4>Chapter 79: Debut (2)</h4>

    The day after Chronos''s heartfelt music video viewing, the ¡°Parade¡± music video hit their official <i>UTube</i> channel at 6 PM sharp. In just a moment, their debut song was already generating buzz.

    The uploaded music video racked up views explosively, dominating<i> UTube</i>''s trending videos, <i>BlueBird</i>''s real-time trends, and search terms across various portals. For a rookie group from a smaller agency, the quality of their music video was great. Moreover, the uniquely crafted Chronos Universe, the captivating visuals, and the members'' seamless choreographies were nothing short of impressive. Even casual viewers, lured by<i> UTube</i>''s algorithm, found themselves hitting the rey button thrice. The Rings, Chronos''s fanbase, were caught in a cycle of fainting and rewatching, overwhelmed by excitement.

    HyunWoo Wears Shirt Forever @healing ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    (The gif of Jin-Sung''s eyes opening in a close-up, Yoo-Joon discovering the light, Hyun-Woo''s determined smile)

    Really... really... this is... enough to bring tears. What a perfect music video. This part is my absolute favorite! Need someone to decode this, please :¡¯(

    Holjagi @c5_gori ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    (Edited gif of Suh Hyun-Woo looking back anxiously)

    What''s happening... I take back all the bad things I said about YMM. I''m the bad one. This kind of debut music video... They are geniuses! YMM! My heart can''t take this...

    Ring*Jin-Sung @c_l0817 ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    (Lee Jin-Sung''s edited gif in a flower garden)

    Ha... Counting days until August 17. I''m already deep-diving in Jin-Sung''s flower garden...

    Chacha is Eternal @chachacha ¡¤ 8 minutes ago

    (Edited gifbining five members'' iconic scenes in the music video)

    Guys, the person downstairs thought I was a monk... They mistook the sound of me hitting my desk in excitement for a wooden fish[1]... Love them to death, really...

    Anna @ana ¡¤ 7 minutes ago

    But what''s the story behind this music video? There''s clearly a plot, but it''s elusive. Does anyone understand this?

    Thankfully, many viewers grasped the plot of the video. Following their victory in <i>Pick We Up</i>, Chronos unveiled their debut music video, backed by major support from UNET and YMM. As a result, the excitement surrounding the video was overwhelming, and its intriguing and somewhat cryptic content provoked the viewers'' imaginations. Before long, <i>UTube</i>''s interpretation experts and the Rings started specting with possible stories on ¡°Parade.¡±

    [Chronos Parade¡¯s Interpretation/Guessing (Subjective Interpretation Warning!)]

    ??| 20¡Á¡Á.07.28 14:02

    Have you all watched the ¡®Parade'' music video that¡¯s released today? Just by hearing the title, I knew something was up. The boys and YMM seemed hell-bent on debuting. Honestly, I was so dazzled by the members'' looks that I rewatched it a gazillion times before deciding to try and decode the plot.

    ¡ùIt¡¯s not official, so be warned of a long, image-heavy post with lots of gif. Just an assumption, so no nitpicking, please.

    If you haven''t watched the music video, watch it first

    http://nayu.be/xEeMfLrStCm5 << Link

    (Suh Hyun-Woo assembling a clock in a wooden workshop.jpg)

    The video kicks off with Hyun-Woo engrossed in assembling a clock. Once hepletes it, a mysterious light cascades, and he strides toward it with a content smile on his face.

    (Lee Jin-Sung standing in a flower garden.jpg)

    Next up, Jin-Sung appears. He''s in a different realm from where Hyun-Woo started. After pursuing the light, Hyun-Woo finds himself perpetually lost in Jin-Sung''s domain, identifiable by its purple lighting.

    (Kang Joo-Han ying the piano and Suh Hyun-Woo observing the empty piano room where Joo-Han was.jpg)

    Hyun-Woo wanders through various spaces in this new world, as if searching for someone. He then stumbles upon the piano room once upied by Joo-Han. Hyun-Woo traces his fingers over the piano, revealing a look of discovery. This hints that Jin-Sung, Joo-Han, and Hyun-Woo are all in the same world, with Hyun-Woo likely seeking Joo-Han, who is connected to the piano.

    (Lee Jin-Sung opening his eyes with a cold expression, and Suh Hyun-Woo trapped in the bed light room.jpg)

    In a twist, Jin-Sung bes aware of Hyun-Woo''s existence, leading to Hyun-Woo¡¯s entrapment. My theory? Jin-Sung might be the king or guardian of this world. Once he notices Hyun-Woo, thetter gets confined. Simultaneously, an anomaly strikes Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan, who are living in the present era.

    (Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan looking at the purple sky.jpg)

    Two theories arise:

    1. Trapped Hyun-Woo sends a distress signal to Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan.

    2. Jin-Sung tries to draw them into this world.

    Hence, Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan are desperately racing around in search of someone. One of them eventually bes aware of a strange new world, which is different from the present era they are living in.

    (A foot arriving at the flower garden, Goh Yoo-Joon discovering light.jpg)

    Clues point to the foot being Yoo-Joon''s (due to matching attire). Yoo-Joon likely crosses into Jin-Sung''s realm and encounters him, bringing the video to a close.

    This opens a can of intriguing questions:

    1. What exactly is <i>this</i> world?

    2. Why does Hyun-Woo cross over?

    3. What''s the nature of the rtionships between Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo, Joo-Han and Jin-Sung, and their identities?

    4. How do Hyun-Woo or Jin-Sung connect with the modern-day Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan?

    5. What prompts Hyun-Woo¡¯s meaningful smile and pauses the song when Yoo-Joon finds the light?

    Given this is just the start of Chronos Universe, only a fraction of the plots have been unveiled, but here¡¯s my guess.

    Hyun-Woo and Joo-Han share a profound bond (siblings, friends?).

    For some unexined reason, Joo-Han ends up in Jin-Sung''s realm (perhaps he¡¯s its king or controller).

    Hyun-Woo has been searching for Joo-Han and finally breaches this world, only to be ensnared by Jin-Sung.

    Hyun-Woo signals two potential rescuers (Yoo-Joon, Yoon-Chan. Their rtion is unclear), leading Yoo-Joon to enter Jin-Sung''s world ultimately.

    The whereabouts of Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han, and the reason behind Hyun-Woo¡¯s mysterious smile, remain unsolved!

    As the universe unfolds, these mysteries should unravel.

    Anyway, this is my hurriedly penned theory!

    Don''t forget to stream non-stop on August 17th. It¡¯s our kids¡¯ debut day, and please rewatch the video a zillion times!

    That¡¯s it for this post! Till next time, folks! Cha-cha!

    Likes 3028 Dislikes 28

    The fans¡¯ excitement soared as they reveled in a track that had them raving, a music video showcasing serious investment, an enthralling universe that begged for deeper exploration, and the highly anticipated debut of a talented idol group.

    Chronos¡¯s debut seemed almost heaven-sent. Yet, shortly thereafter, the members were caught giving Joh In-Hyun a hard time, their dissatisfaction evident as it was written all over their faces during the rehearsal of their first major show.

    ***

    ¡°Lip-syncing at our debut? You''ve got to be kidding me,¡± I said, my voiceced with disbelief. The manager just shook his head, attempting to look innocent.

    ¡°It''s standard practice in the industry! Other groups not only did this for their debut shows but also for the first week of promotions. After all, the sound quality isn''t up to par here, and if something goes wrong with the live performance ..."

    ¡°Why on earth did we bother with all the live practice sessions then?" Goh Yoo-Joon demanded with a sharp tone.

    The manager''s face fell, looking like he was on the brink of tears. ¡°The mics will be on, though..."

    ¡°Sure, but so low they''ll barely pick up our breathing," Joo-Han chimed in while taking a sip of water.

    ¡°Hyung, make up your mind. Go all in with lip-sync or drop it. What''s the point in pretending it''s live?"

    "Exactly. If it¡¯s that low, it''ll sound awful." I got frustrated and threw my water bottle down on the table.

    Back then, I was just an idol trainer, so I had no idea that idol groups lip-synced on their first stage. I had heard that idols with intense dance routines often had their AR[2] turned on to stabilize their live vocals while actually singing live for a few seconds. However, facing that reality ourselves was a different story. It felt like a p in the face after all our hard work for the past month.

    ¡°With two songs to perform, especially ''Parade'' with its killer choreography, isn''t lip-syncing better than risking shaky live vocals?" asked our manager.

    ¡°Are you suggesting we lip-sync in all our performances?"

    ¡°Then just turn off the micpletely. Don¡¯t fake live vocals."

    ¡°We managed two live performances for the final round of <i>Pick We Up</i>."

    Our collective bombardment left the manager flustered, and he ran away.

    How could we resort to lip-syncing when our fans were expecting so much from us? If the mic was on but drowned out by the backing track, our voices would just sound messy. So, we might as well just mime the whole thing if the mic was on with a very low volume.

    Lee Jin-Sung slouched into his chair, looking super disappointed. ¡°I feel so unmotivated all of a sudden." Jin-Sung had genuinely embraced live performances during <i>Pick We Up</i>, often dragging us¡ªespecially me¡ªinto endless night rehearsals just to impress our fans. Therefore, it was understandable that he was disappointed.

    ¡°Right? It¡¯s not like we are not capable of doing live performances. I¡¯ll go talk to In-Hyun hyung again," Joo-Han said, trying to lift the mood.

    ¡°Hold on, hyung," I interjected, pulling him back down. If persuasion had been an option, the manager wouldn''t have fled. He would have said, ¡°I will talk to the higher-ups one more time.¡± There was no point in wasting time on a futile effort.

    I fixed a hard stare at the manager, who was chatting with other staff in the distance.

    ¡°Let''s just do things our way."

    ¡°What... what do you mean ''our way''?" Park Yoon-Chan asked, his voice tinged with caution. I just shot him a grin and motioned everyone closer to share my idea. ¡°I''ve got a n. Whether we go with it or not, we''ll decide together."

    I was annoyed with our manager, Mr. Seong, and Supervisor Kim, so I was keen to turn the tables. A live performance for our debut was non-negotiable for me. Why else did I push myself this hard?

    ¡°You look serious... almost intimidating," Goh Yoo-Joon remarked, eyeing me warily.

    I put a finger to my lips, signaling for them to be quiet, and drew them in close.

    ¡°Here''s what I''m thinking..." I whispered about my n.

    Park Yoon-Chan''s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Hyung, isn''t that a bit risky?"

    However, Joo-Han quickly quieted him down. ¡°Keep it down, Yoon-Chan. I''m in. I''ve had enough of their arbitrary decisions."

    ¡°But, hyung, think of the trouble we''ll cause. The manager will get in trouble too..."

    ¡°So what? Let''s just do it. Sounds like a st," Goh Yoo-Joon remarked.

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m all in for Hyun-Woo hyung''s idea. Hyung, you are getting more and more amazing by the minute," Lee Jin-Sung said. After that, hisughter boomed.

    Park Yoon-Chan still looked uneasy, but he¡¯d likely join in if we were all onboard.

    ¡°Then it''s decided."

    ¡°Okay."

    We dubbed our little rebellion ¡°Manager Hyung''s Surprise Prank Operation.¡±

    ¡°y it cool until it¡¯s time."

    ¡°Got it!"

    The anticipation for tomorrow''s debut was already sending shivers of excitement down my spine.

    1. An instrument used in a temple, which is made by carving and hollowing out a piece of wood into a round shape so as to allow it to produce a sound when struck with a little stick. ?

    2. Additional Recording, a pre-recorded backing track used during live performances, especially when the choreography is intense. ?

 Chapter 80: Debut (3)

    <h4>Chapter 80: Debut (3)</h4>

    I sang every day, brimming with anticipation about the day I would finally make my debut. It was crazy how everything¡ªfrom the release of our music video to this very day¡ªflew by in just a heartbeat. Debut, debut, debut¡ªthat was all I could think about. Feeling restless, I couldn¡¯t catch a wink of sleep, just tossing and turning in bed until the break of dawn.

    ¡°Did you all manage to get some sleep?" the manager asked us early in the morning. While scrolling through our rehearsal videos, Goh Yoo-Joon replied, ¡°I doubt anyone did. It was eerily quiet. I couldn¡¯t even hear snoring from the other rooms. Hyun-Woo, did you get any sleep?"

    I just rubbed my tired eyes and shook my head. "Not at all."

    ¡°Ah, kiddos. I did send you to bed early, hoping you''d get some rest," the manager sighed.

    It was 7 AM, and we had managed to wash our weary faces and set off for the debut venue. The energy there was burning, a stark contrast to our exhausted states. We just made a beeline for the waiting room, trying not to disturb the lively atmosphere.

    ***

    ¡°Noona, do you have a bobby pin?" I asked

    ¡°A bobby pin?"

    ¡°Yeah, my bangs are getting a bit annoying." I quickly fixed my broom-like, bleached bangs with the pin I borrowed from the stylist. Without wasting a moment, I dashed to the stage and pinned a name tag hastily on my shirt.

    ¡°Gosh, I just realized Jin-Sung is wearing pajamas.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, I question his sanity.¡±

    ¡°Today, I fell victim to In-Hyun hyung¡¯s surprise attack again. Before I knew it, Yoon-Chan hyung was already dragging me away."

    I yfully tugged at Jin-Sung''s pajamas. ¡°Jin-Sung, next time, just close your eyes and wave your hands like this."

    ¡°Yeah. Hyun-Woo always does that to the manager hyung, and now he doesn¡¯t dare to wake Hyun-Woo up that way," Goh Yoo-Joon added.

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo hyung is so cool. I should try that too.¡±

    ¡°Yo, stop that. Manager hyung is going to cry.¡± We noticed the manager flexing his muscr arm to pretend he was sobbing, and I couldn¡¯t help but shudder a bit and quicken my pace.

    ¡°By the way, why are you guys so quiet today?¡± the manager asked, looking puzzled.

    ¡°What do you mean?"

    ¡°Just yesterday, you were all up in arms about having to lip-sync.¡±

    I sighed deeply and shook my head. ¡°Hyung, you ran off. What''s the point in arguing with someone who won''t listen?"

    ¡°Well, it''s easier for you guys to dance this way.¡±

    ¡°Hyung, it just means that you don¡¯t trust our skills," Goh Yoo-Joon interjected, draping an arm around the manager¡¯s shoulder in mock solidarity.

    Seeing this, the manager was at a loss for words and just left the room. Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled and started stretching his arms. ¡°We are keeping it low-key for the rehearsal, but we''ll go all out at the showcase, right?"

    ¡°Exactly. Manager hyung needs to be taken aback by our sudden decision.¡±

    We had indeed yet to make our debut, but Allure told us that the management team would tell us everything about the rehearsal counts, live performances, and schedules way before our debut. Hence, it baffled us why our manager was so reticent with this information, only divulging details on the day of the rehearsal.

    Since we had to fight for our own rights, I already felt a sense of joy at the thought of our manager''s surprised expression.

    On stage, we stood in a line and eximed in unison, ¡°One, two, three! Hello, we are Chronos! Nice to meet you!"

    We bowed at a perfect ny degrees as we energetically greeted everyone. The director''s nd response marked the start of our rehearsal.

    We were scheduled to perform ¡°History¡± and ¡°Parade.¡± Unfortunately, our song ¡°Chronos¡± was excluded from the stage as it ovepped with the concept of ¡°Parade¡±. In front of the stage, a crowd of staff, our manager, Supervisor Kim, and <i>Chronos History¡¯s </i>camera crew were all present.

    As the AR yed, we performed a standard rehearsal. Despite the vigorous choreography of the newly arranged ¡°History¡± and ¡°Parade¡±, as eager rookies, we gave our all in the rehearsal, not holding back at all. Of course, our performance was wless as it was mostly lip-synced. Apart from the asional heavy breaths we took, our voices were barely captured by the mics.

    ¡°Great job! Make sure to keep this up for the actual stageter.¡±

    ¡°Yes, for sure. Thank you so much!¡±

    We quickly wrapped up our rehearsal and changed into our performance outfits, getting our hair and makeup done at the shop. After that, we finally settled down in the dressing room. With about an hour to go, we looked through the journalists'' questions for the showcase, rehearsing our answers and running through our stage routine.

    ¡°Is the Q-app streaming all set up?¡±

    ¡°Yep! It''s ready to go.¡±

    ¡°Make sure it doesn''t cut out halfway. The UNET¡¯s live camera is here, right?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely.¡± Supervisor Kim and the manager started going through their final checklist, ensuring that everything was in ce for the performance. Cameras roamed around, capturing our candid moments.

    ¡°Why couldn''t we just stand next to each other~¡±

    ¡°Such a shame we couldn''t stick to that promise~¡±

    ¡°Hey, remember to grab my shoulder and pull me to the side when you enter.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡± As Goh Yoo-Joon and I fine-tuned our moves, a behind-the-scenes camera sneaked up close, capturing every detail of our practice.

    ¡°Give it your all in the dance, especially with the AR cranked up so high!¡± the manager bellowed, making sure his voice reached every corner of the room. He could be a bit reckless at times, announcing to everyone about the AR being turned up so loud even with the cameras rolling.

    <i>¡®...But then again, does it really matter?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Hey, mind if I throw in an ad-lib at the end? Right after your ''Let''s rise together'' part?¡± inquired Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Sure thing. How are you nning to do it?¡± I answered. Goh Yoo-Joon then showed off the ad-lib he had in mind, and the cameraman filming our behind-the-scenes footage paused, looking a bit confused. After that, he lowered the camera for a moment.

    ¡°Not to interfere, but aren¡¯t you lowering the mic volume? How can you do the ad-lib with that?¡±

    After hearing that, we exchanged knowing looks and shook our heads in unison. ¡°We are keeping it for a different show.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± The cameraman seemed convinced and resumed filming, shifting focus to other members. We then exchanged a low-key high five, feeling like partners in crime.

    After a while, the dressing room door swung open, and one of the stage crew peeked in. ¡°Is Chronos ready? It''s almost time to head up.¡±

    The manager scanned our group with a look of anticipation in his eyes. ¡°Is everyone ready?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°Alright, let''s move!¡± Surrounded by the staff, we made our way out of the dressing room. There were only about five minutes remaining until our debut showcase.

    ***

    Thanks to <i>Pick We Up,</i> we didn¡¯t have stage fright. The audience seats were upied not only by fans but also by journalists, and there were no cheers to greet us. However, this marked our first moment as Chronos, the artists, not just trainees. Hence, the sense of thrill was unmatched, and every step toward the stage tingled with excitement.

    <i>¡®Debut!¡¯ </i>My heart swelled with emotion at the thought.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen! The wait is over. Chronos is ready to take the stage!¡± Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan, whom we''d met during <i>Pick We Up</i>, was hosting the showcase. We caught his eye from backstage, and he offered an encouraging nod.

    ¡°Shall we bring Chronos up for a Q&A and their performance?¡±

    <i>Tap, tap!</i>

    Just before we took our first steps onto the stage, the manager patted each of us, whose lips were pursed in concentration, on the shoulder. It was a silent gesture of motivation and support.

    ¡°Let¡¯s give them a warm wee with apuse. It¡¯s Chronos!¡± Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan¡¯s voice echoed through the venue.

    ¡°Chronos, please head to the stage!¡±

    Leading the way, Joo-Han stepped up first, and we followed him one by one. The air was electric with the sound of camera shutters, shing lights, and thunderous apuse.

    Joo-Han grabbed the microphone while trying to mask his nervousness. ¡°Let¡¯s start with saying hi. One, two, three!¡±

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos! Nice to meet you!¡±

    ¡°Yay! It''s been quite a while, Chronos. How have you all been?" Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan stepped forward, effortlessly easing the tense atmosphere. We then took our seats, ready for the Q&A session with the journalists.

    - After <i>Pick We Up</i>, your debut single''s tracks ''Chronos'' and ''History'' are ranking impressively at sixth and eighth. How does it feel to see your debut tracks chart so high?

    Joo-Han responded confidently, ¡°We owe it to <i>Pick We Up</i>''s influence. And it''s not just our achievement; it''s all thanks to the immense support from our fans.¡± His words brought a beam of pride to our manager below the stage, his eyes welling up with tears. He then celebrated with grand gestures¡ªssic him.

    ¡°The next question is from Seoul Entertainment News," Jeong Gyu-Chan then handed over the microphone to the reporter who asked the first question.

    - The title track of your debut single is ''Parade.'' Could you share the meaning behind this title and the song¡¯s message?

    ¡°This question is..." Jeong Gyu-Chan looked our way, pondering. ¡°Mmm... Let''s have our Yoo-Joon answer this, shall we?"

    Caught off guard, Goh Yoo-Joon nervously took the mic from Joo-Han. His stiff and funny attempt to speak had me biting my lip to hold back myughter.

    Goh Yoo-Joon saw my expression. ¡°Why are youughing? Is it obvious that I am nervous?" His innocent question had me cracking up, and I said, ¡°Yeah, just rx a bit!"

    I then gave him a reassuring pat on his back, and he was ready to go again. ¡°¡®Parade'' symbolizes our desire to kick off our journey in a grand, spectacr fashion. It¡¯s the opening chapter of our unique story, an irresistibly captivating track."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon wrapped up, Lee Jin-Sung added, ¡°Don''t forget to check out our dance moves, which is our strength! They''re a major highlight of Chronos!"

    Then came my turn.

    - I heard you came up with Ring, the name for Chronos''s fans, Hyun-Woo. What''s the story behind it?

    ¡°The name, Ring, is inspired by Chronos being the god of Saturn. Just like the rings are the most captivating part of Saturn, our fans are the most beautiful part of Chronos.¡±

    The session continued with various questions about the meaning behind Chronos, our individual charms, and our future goals.

    ¡°That concludes our Q&A session. Now, get ready for Chronos''s highly anticipated performance."

    We then waved at the journalists and made our way behind the curtain. The staff was buzzing around, prepping the stage, while Jeong Gyu-Chan narrated details about our album. During this period, we helped each other with our ear mics, exchanging determined nces.

    ¡°Ready, guys?" I signaled, and everyone nodded in unison. It was showtime¡ªthe moment we dubbed ¡°Manager Hyung''s Surprise Prank Operation.¡±

    ¡°Chronos, it''s your time!"

    ¡°You nailed the interview, guys! Keep up the energy for the stage! Stay calm and rock it! You got this!"

    ¡°Of course, hyung. This is our debut, so we''re going all out!" As we moved toward the stage with mics still off, Goh Yoo-Joon discreetly cleared his throat. ¡°<i>Ah-ah-ah</i>. Alright, voice check done."

    The thought of lip-syncing on our debut stage? No way. We were set on a full live performance from start to finish.

 Chapter 81: Debut (4)

    <h4>Chapter 81: Debut (4)</h4>

    Both Q-app and UNET were streaming our debut live. The air was thick with expectation, and our performance kicked off amidst this mounting pressure.

    ¡°Now, let''s enjoy the two tracks, ¡®History¡¯ and ¡®Parade,¡¯ from Chronos''s debut single <i>The Parade</i>!¡± Jeong Gyu-Chan''s voice boomed across the stage. After his cue, he stepped off the stage, leaving us in the spotlight as the music filled the stage. We found our marks and started to move in sync with the rhythm.

    We were familiar with ¡°History¡± as we had performed it once before. Although this ¡°History¡± was the edited version from the fourteen-person lineup, it was still filled with poignant vibes and the raw energy of youth.

    I took the center, reenacting the solo I had performed during thepetition while surrounded by my fellow trainees. Then, starting with Joo-Han, other members smoothly joined our well-rehearsed formation. As I stepped forward for my part, I let the lyrics soar.

    <i>The long day ends! I erased all my traces!</i>?<i> </i>

    Sure, they had dialed down the mic volume, but nobody said anything about not singing out loud.

    ¡°Somehow! I couldn¡¯t hide! The feeling of guilt!!" My voice soared above the AR, loud and clear. I was on fire, delivering every note with an intensity that filled the entire room. This was what a truly powerful vocal sounded like. After I took steps back with Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han seamlessly picked up the next verse.

    <i>As I know, the weight of effort! I¡¯ll cheer for you!?</i>

    Yes. This was the heart of our ¡°Manager Hyung''s Surprise Prank Operation.¡± If the mic volume was low and the AR threatened to overshadow our voices, we''d just belt it out even louder.

    Of course, the dynamic moves of ¡°Parade¡± might leave us gasping for air, but this was our long-awaited debut, and we were determined to deliver a live performance worthy of it. We danced with all our might and belted out our lines as if Chronos was a powerhouse of vocal talent. Our little act of defiance went unnoticed by everyone except our manager, who knew us inside out. He shot us a quick re before rushing off backstage.

    <i>I believe it¡¯s not the end</i>

    <i>If I keep walking</i>

    <i>Someday, I will cry once more and stand up</i>

    <i>For thest time, one more time, I¡¯ll believe in myself and jump without regrets?</i>

    As the final notes of ¡°History¡± approached, our mics mysteriously gained volume. The manager must have decided that it was better to showcase our real voice than to risk a dual-track mishap. I then grinned, pouring every ounce of emotion into thest lines.

    <i>I won¡¯t forget the tears we shed together</i>

    <i>Let¡¯s rise together</i>

    <i>We¡¯ll meet again among the stars?</i>

    The manager was probably fuming, waiting to confront us backstage. However, right now, the stage was ours, and we owned it. As ¡°History¡± concluded, we swiftly shifted into the formation of ¡°Parade.¡± The stage lights dimmed to a moody hue, and the dancers slinked in to join us under the subdued lighting. Then came the brooding intro of our title track, ¡°Parade.¡±

    From the get-go, the performance was intense. Chronos and the twenty dancers moved in perfect harmony, executing the choreography as one unstoppable force.

    Every movement, from the twist of my body to the thrust of my pelvis, demanded all the strength I could muster. My hair which was styled to sway a bit, fell across my face and obstructed my view almost immediately.

    As the members in front cleared the space, Lee Jin-Sung and I leaned forward, getting into our position. I then synced my movements with the guiding gestures of the members behind me. After stretching out my left leg for momentum, I executed a backward roll from a lying position to get up.

    The effort was taxing. Even though it was only the prelude, I had to consciously keep my mouth shut to prevent my heavy breathing from being caught by the mic. Kneeling right behind Goh Yoo-Joon, I bit my lip hard and tried to control my breath as I lowered my head. Then, there was a sudden pause in the music.

    One, two, three.

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall?</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice resounded in the air as he sang the intro in an almost chant-like manner. Only his voice resonated, clear and solitary, as the music shifted to MR[1], not the original AR. I timed my upper body movements to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice and then rolled my foot on the ground, using the rebound force to stand up.

    <i>It was you who came into my world?</i>

    For a moment, we abandoned Chronos¡¯s trademark of each member having unique moves. We dove into a synced choreography, meticulously timed to Park Yoon-Chan''s part. This was a difficult part, but the forceful prelude somehow made it feel like a break.

    Park Yoon-Chan gracefully stepped aside after his moment in the spotlight, and I surged forward with the dancers to sing my part as my body pulsed with the rhythm.

    <i>Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles</i>

    <i>You will be by my side</i>

    <i>Skyfall, Skyfall?</i>

    Then, I copsed to the floor, facing the audience. A dancer then grabbed my legs from behind and dragged me backward, creating the illusion of being pulled away by an unseen force. In the meantime, Lee Jin-Sung leaped over me as the chorus kicked in.

    <i>The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall</i>

    <i>Join me</i>

    <i>You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more</i>

    <i>You need me...?</i>

    Though the song was powerful and mboyant, a trace of mncholy lingered. The high melodies in the apaniment intertwined with the continuous piano tunes, adding depth to the emotion. After each of our segments came the second dance break¡ªa section specifically designed tofort our youngest member. The other members then retreated, blending in behind the dancers, leaving just me and Lee Jin-sung for the pair dance.

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>I need you...?</i>

    The harsh electronic sounds dissipated, reced by a stronger piano melody and the addition of violins. The mix of these softer instruments with the remaining beats of the electronic music created a more intense, almost agitated atmosphere. Gritting my teeth, I performed the rolling foot choreography we had practiced tirelessly. Lee Jin-Sung was a step ahead of me and unleashed his energy, dancing feverishly at the center of the stage.

    Syncing with his moves, I received a cane from a dancer, and in a swift motion, I kicked the end of the cane, sending it flying to the left to block Lee Jin-Sung''s path. He then grabbed the end of the cane and yanked it fiercely, pulling me into position right in front of him.

    The music mellowed even more, and I strived to maintain the elegant line of my body as instructed by our choreographer to finish the dance sequence with poise. Then, I knelt and waited.

    Joo-Han came from the opposite direction, moved to the center, and started his part.

    <i>No matter where you are</i>

    <i>I will be there</i>

    <i>You don''t need to be afraid</i>

    <i>Your time has stopped</i>

    <i>The time for our hearts to deepen is forever?</i>

    As Joo-Han moved behind me, the hands of the other members reached out, touching my back. I swallowed hard, trying to catch my breath. Following this sequence, I lifted my head and sang thest part with everything I had.

    <i>Forever?</i>

    ¡°...Ugh." As I stood up, my legs wobbled abruptly.

    ¡®<i>It¡¯s a bit sad not to hear cheers after the performance is over.¡¯</i>

    Just as I had this thought, a burst of apuse and cheers erupted.

    ¡°Wow! Amazing!¡±

    ¡°Whoo!¡±

    The journalists, who had momentarily put down their cameras, started cheering for us. It was surprising to receive cheers from them. Even during my time as a trainer, I had never witnessed such a scene. We were dumbfounded but couldn''t hide our happiness as we thanked them.

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°Yes, Chronos was so amazing that I was a bit lost in thought and came upte. Sorry about that. Congrattions on your debut, Chronos. Please move off the stage now."

    Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan''s words, which congratted us on our debut and asked us to move off the stage, strangely stuck in my mind. After a long journey of six years... finally. The warmth at the tip of my nose made me press it hard with my hand as we went backstage, where numerous staff congratted us.

    ¡°...Eh? Hyun-Woo hyung is crying!"

    ¡°Hey, why cry? Don¡¯t cry."

    ¡°I''m not crying."

    ¡°Don''t cry." I actually didn¡¯t cry, but as Lee Jin-Sung started to tear up, I felt my vision blur as well. ¡°Ah, no...¡±

    I was crying only because of Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon. It was just overwhelming, but I felt like my life was finally moving forward.

    ***

    Meanwhile, a girl was watching Chronos''s first showcase on the UNET channel.

    ¡°They''re really good," her mothermented while she finished her apple.

    ¡°Yeah, they are." As the TV disyed Chronospleting their debut stage, she flinched and raised her eyebrows at the sight of Suh Hyun-Woo biting his lip and pressing his nose. Her gaze following Suh Hyun-Woo seemed more than casual.

    ¡°Why do these kids all look so good? They sing well too. However, why did they release a separate video and sing two songs? Other artists usually only perform one."

    ¡°...Because UNET supports them a lot. It''s rare for a debut showcase to be broadcast live like this. They can probably do this because they''repetition winners."

    ¡°Oh, is that so?"

    ¡°I''m going to my room." As she stood up to leave, her mother quickly changed the channel, having missed her drama because of her daughter¡¯s insistence on watching the showcase.

    ¡°Yoo-Jin, I¡¯m throwing out everything you left outside!"

    ¡°Throw them out. They are trash."

    ¡°...Really? You used to say they were your most precious treasure."

    Albums, bromides, and various idol group goods filled the front of their house, all belonging to the idol group, River, who had been expelled from the entertainment industry due to social controversies. It took her a year to quit the fandom and another year to finally throw away the goods. She had been their hardcore fan for five years, and only now could she let go of her attachment, thanks to Chronos.

    <i>¡®Alright, I admit it.¡¯</i> She had been in denial for a long time.

    ¡°Ah, this hasn¡¯t broken yet.¡± She looked at the camera in her storage box and picked it up. Her hands, fiddling with the camera, felt the familiar touch. She had indeed be a fan of Chronos.

    ¡°The first broadcast of <i>Music Case</i> is around 5 PM. Let''s go." She decided to give it a go one more time. Suh Hyun-Woo, who had now taken over herputer''s wallpaper, was the driving force behind hereback.

    1. A music with vocals removed ?

 Chapter 82: Debut (5)

    <h4>Chapter 82: Debut (5)</h4>

    The showcase video had been uploaded, presenting our fans¡ªwho were already acquainted with our dance skills and stage charisma as reigning<i> Pick We Up </i>champions¡ªwith the title track that radiated hit vibes from the first note. On top of that, idolpanies like YMM and UNET were backing Chronos''s debut, so it seemed like we had hit the jackpot.

    The reactions from fans who witnessed our first-ever stage were a mixed bag. Some were in awe of our live vocals that pierced through the AR, while others scratched their heads over the oddly split vocals in ¡°History.¡±

    Onstage, we concentrated on the performance seriously, but the real reason behind the vocal split¡ªbe it a technical glitch, our sheer vocal power, or a collective aversion to lip-syncing¡ªremained a mystery to our audience.

    Yet, one thing was clear. Some fans out there had thoroughly enjoyed our performance. A fan-run <i>UTube</i> channel even uploaded a video titled ¡°The Idol Who Hated Lip-Syncing.¡± It was humorously edited to capture the fun essence that the uploader felt, drawing in not just Chronos¡¯s fans but also casual viewers who discovered us through the algorithm, adding another highlight for the newly minted fans.

    ***

    ¡°Our kids are lucky, talented, and good-looking. What are theycking?" The manager was abuzz with excitement over our first variety show shoot.

    With a cool head, I responded, ¡°The answer is our witty personalities."

    ¡°...¡± He seemed like he wanted to disagree, but his constant nces in the rearview mirror said otherwise. We were adept at straightforward answers, but apart from Lee Jin-Sung, we were all quite shy. Even Goh Yoo-Joon, the face of extroversion at YMM, struggled when dealing with adults.

    Finding noeback, the manager finally conceded with his lips pouting. ¡°Well, it''s a great opportunity to get noticed. Give it your all, just like during Cha-Cha."

    We didn¡¯t know during the survival show shooting, but it turned out that the director of <i>Flying Man</i> had met with Director Lee Won-Jae and took a liking to us. What was initially a two-member opportunity had turned into an invite for the entire group. Thanks to him, we were on our way to shoot <i>Flying Man</i> with High Tension members.

    We sported neatly styled yetfortable hair and outfits reminiscent of a college campus wardrobe. The journey was lengthy, with two stops at rest areas along the way.

    ¡°Hyung, can I get a hotdog at the next stop?"

    ¡°Oh, sure¡ª"

    ¡°No!" The stylist immediately shot down the manager''s approval. ¡°You are in sponsored clothes, so no hotdogs. Eat something less messy, like roasted chestnuts or steamed potato."

    ¡°I''ll wrap the clothes up in a nket. Chestnuts can be messy too, you know." Lee Jin-Sung''s relentless pursuit of food was on another level even after he had eaten a full meal.

    ¡°You''ll gain weight if you keep eating like that."

    ¡°I work off what I eat, so it¡¯s okay, right Yoo-Joon hyung?"

    ¡°There''s only so much exercise you can do, you know? <i>Sigh</i>." After observing the yful banter between Lee Jin-Sung, the stylist, and Goh Yoo-Joon, I shifted my gaze to the passing scenery outside.

    After our long-awaited debut, changes brought about by me joining Chronos and our variety show appearances had finally settled down. Now, the future that I knew would unfold slowly. In my mind, our title song was the first sign of the future I knew, and the second was <i>Flying Man</i>.

    Goh Seong-Cheol had been a regr cast member of <i>Flying Man</i> since its first broadcast fifteen years ago. When I was very young, he used to be an actor, but now, he had be a familiar face on numerous variety shows while also managing a shoe business. In the not-too-distant future, he would be a criminal and retire from the entertainment industry after causing a major incident.

    He was married but apparently had secret meetups with some fans and then shook them down for money. When that scandal hit the news, he disappeared, right around when I was getting my feet wet as a trainer.

    Though it had not unfolded into a full-blown event yet, his reputation was already tarnished to the point that people didn¡¯t want to meet him. However, fate had other ns, leading me to engage in a cheerful face-to-face shoot with this asshole.

    ¡°Ridiculous,¡± I muttered under my breath.

    ¡°Hy..hyung? What is going on? I said I don¡¯t want a hotdog!¡±

    ¡°Huh? What are you talking about?¡± I asked.

    Jin-Sung whined, clinging to me for reasons unknown. I patted him on the back while contemting how to navigate the uing broadcast. After all, the idea of fraternizing with a criminal, even for the sake of the show, was unappealing to me.

    ¡°We''ve arrived. Everyone out! If you need the restroom, go now. Jin-Sung, are you eating or not?" The arrival at the rest stop prompted the team to disperse. Jin-Sung and the manager went to purchase snacks, while others headed to the restroom or stepped out for a breath of fresh air. Seizing the moment, I posted a scenic photo on the official phone, announcing our journey to the shooting location on <i>BlueBird</i>.

    Then, suddenly, the door to our van flung open.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you here? Oh, there you are!"

    ¡°Um, yes?"

    ¡°Sorry to meet like this, Hyun-Woo, but we need to hurry!"

    ¡°What? Oh! Hello!" The familiar cast from<i> Flying Man</i> burst into the van, abruptly dragging me out. While confused, I was whisked outside.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo,e with us! This way!"

    ¡°No, we found him first!" To my right were Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok, the main hosts of<i> Flying Man</i>, and to my left, Jang Seok and Goh Seong-Cheol were holding my arm, vying to take me with them.

    ¡°What''s happening?"

    ¡°Sorry, Hyun-Woo. We''re splitting into teams for the game."

    ¡°Is the shooting starting now?"

    Amidst the yful squabbling between the casts, Jang Seok forcefully ceased the argument. ¡°Let Hyun-Woo choose. Why are we dragging him around?"

    As Jang Seok patted the dust off my jacket, Yoo Il-Seok was flustered and shook off Jang Seok¡¯s hands. ¡°Hey! That makes me look like a bad guy! Are you okay, Hyun-Woo?" Then, Yoo Il-Seok scanned my body to see if I got hurt.

    I simply smiled, still processing the sudden intrusion of the cast and cameras.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you just need to choose the team you want to join. We are going to start the game soon," Yoo Il-Seok exined.

    All of them kept convincing me to join their team, and I pretended to debate my options. On one side were national MC Yoo Il-Seok and the iconic betrayer Woo-Seok, while on the other side stood <i>Flying Man¡¯s</i> ace Jang Seok and Goh Seong-Cheol. I hesitated for a few seconds and then reached for Yoo Il-Seok''s hand. ¡°I''ll join Senior Il-Seok''s team."

    Jang Seokined as if he couldn¡¯t understand my decision. ¡°Really? You''re choosing that team? Why?"

    Then, Yoo Il-Seok jokingly grabbed Jang Seok by the cor. ¡°Why! Why are you saying that? Why!"

    ¡°It''s a losing team!" Jang Seok retorted.

    Woo-Seok patted my back, nodding as if he understood me. He said, ¡°Smart social move. Haha"

    I then boarded the car with Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok. Of course, Yoo Il-Seok wasn¡¯t particrly skilled at any game, and Woo-Seok was known for either betraying his team or being betrayed, which did concern me. However, the presence of Goh Seong-Cheol on the other team just bothered me too much, not giving me any other choice.

    As soon as I got in the car, Goh Yoo-Joon waved at me awkwardly. ¡°Where were you caught?"

    ¡°In the van. And you?"

    ¡°The restroom."

    We both burst intoughter at the absurdity of the situation. The sudden start of the shooting was amusing no matter how I thought about it. I had no idea where the manager had disappeared to, but from there, we traveled to the shooting location in the car driven by Yoo Il-Seok.

    ¡°Why did you choose our team, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Right. I thought you would definitely choose the other team since Jang Seok hyung was there."

    After a moment of contemtion, I replied, "Well, maybe being with Il-Seok hyung would help me get more screen time?"

    Il-Seok and Woo-Seokughed exaggeratedly at my response. ¡°Hyun-Woo seems to be a very honest guy."

    ¡°I''ve watched your performance videos."

    ¡°Oh, thank you!" eximed Goh Yoo-Joon and me at the same time.

    ¡°You two are friends of the same age, right?"

    ¡°Yes, that''s right. We''ve been friends since middle school," answered Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°We started as trainees then, so he was the only friend I could hang out with." This was before Han Jun joined us. After that, Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok kept asking questions and making small talk to ease any awkwardness. They were indeed true professionals at variety shows. Gradually, our tension eased as we conversed with them.

    ***

    After about thirty minutes of driving, we arrived at a scientific institution nestled in the mountains. Members of High Tension, who seemed to have been captured like us, had arrived earlier and weed us.

    ¡°How long has it been since you guysst saw each other?"

    Ji-Hyuk then answered Yoo Il-Seok''s question, ¡°It''s been a while, right? We''ve been too busy to see each other since our debut."

    ¡°Have you met separately after thepetition?"

    Ji-Hyuk pointed at me in response to Goh Seong-Cheol''s question. ¡°I asionally meet and keep in touch with Hyun-Woo, who was in the same Team D as me."

    ¡°What about the others?"

    Joo-Han raised his hand and replied, ¡°Jin-Sung and Yoo-Joon from our team seem to be in frequent contact with other teams."

    After asking about our recent activities, Yoo Il-Seok turned to Director Han Bu-Joon. ¡°So, what are we doing today?"

    - Today''s theme is ''The Return of Tag MT Memories.''

    ¡°Return of Tag?"

    Director Han Bu-Joon nodded.

    - Considering we have young and energetic guests today, we thought it''d be great to bring back <i>Flying Man</i>''s signature content, Tag, which we haven''t done in three years.

    Tag was a cornerstone of <i>Flying Man</i>, almost synonymous with its identity. However, due to the unchanged line-up of members over fifteen years and them getting older, it eventually ceased.

    - The teams are as you are standing right now. If someone steals your prop, you''re out. The final winner will receive a grand prize.

    ¡°Sounds like the original Tag."

    - Right, but there''s an unlimited revival system. We''ll y several games from now, and you can earn revival tickets through them. You can use the tickets toe back into the race after being eliminated. Are you ready?

    I nodded solemnly. My goal was to win, get screen time, and keep our members as far away from Goh Seong-Cheol as possible.

    Director Han Bu-Joon beamed and announced.

    -The first game is ''Jump Over Score Ny! Coin Karaoke.''

 Chapter 83: Debut (6)

    <h4>Chapter 83: Debut (6)</h4>

    The rules of ¡°Jump Over Score Ny! Coin Karaoke¡± were straightforward. We just needed to belt out any song that was not our own and aim to score above ny points.

    However, here was the twist¡ªthe karaoke machine wasn¡¯t the one dishing out scores but the subjective whims of <i>Flying Man</i>¡¯s filming staff. Hence, the real challenge was less about vocal chops or volume and more about picking tunes that would strike a chord with the staff. In essence, the karaoke was just a smokescreen, and the true game was to win over the hearts of the staff.

    That was exactly why Goh Yoo-Joon and I found ourselves grinning, standing before the staff with microphones in hand.

    ¡°Ah~! Ah! It''s so dazzling! Ah, my eyes! They''re blinded!"

    ¡°Why, Hyun-Woo? You too? The brightness is too much!"

    As weid it on thick, our teammate Yoo Il-Seok swooped in, exaggerating. ¡°What''s up with you two? What happened?"

    ¡°It''s Yoo-Joon''s blinding handsomeness!"

    ¡°No way, it''s Hyun-Woo''s radiant charm!"

    As we gestured, fainting at each other¡¯s beauty, Woo-Seok seriously stepped forward and announced, ¡°Chronos will sing High Tension''s ''You Are Shining.¡¯"

    ¡°Uh... hahaha! They are crazy funny!" Other team members, Lee Ye-Hee and Jang Seok,ughed hysterically at our introduction.

    Unperturbed, we stood up and passionately sang ¡°You Are Shining.¡± The High Tension members just watched us in amazement as we exaggerated our performance of ¡°You Are Shining¡±, including the choreography, to appeal to the staff. Luckily, Director Han Bu-Joon and the staff seemed very pleased.

    ¡°Great, great! Well done! Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, you''re doing so well!" Feeling thrilled, Yoo Il-Seok praised us and joined in the dancing. Beingplimented by Korea''s top MC, I felt excited and danced even harder, my rainbow-colored curly wig bouncing with every movement.

    ¡°Isn''t this too strong for the first turn?"

    ¡°How can we beat them!?"

    We gave it our all until the end, elicitingughter from everyone before copsing exhausted into our seats. It was tiring but fulfilling.

    ¡®<i>Why does making peopleugh feel so good?¡¯</i> I felt like I understoodedians a bit more.

    ¡°Good job, guys. Well done!" ying along, Yoo Il-Seok treated us likeedy martyrs and helped us back up. We then returned to our seats, wearing the sourest faces we could muster.

    ¡°Come on, our Chronos kids! They just debuted a week ago! With those curly wigs and all that effort, and you give them only ny-five points?" Yoo Il-Seokid the groundwork, and Woo-Seok rolled with it.

    ¡°Ah, no way. Even one hundred points would be a loss for Chronos after they''ve dropped their image like this!"

    Another cast member, Jang Seok, then smacked Woo-Seok in the mouth, scolding him, ¡°Be quiet! Quiet! Quiet! Let''s see the score."

    - The staff''s score is ny-five points.

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s too low for our kids! Isn''t that too stingy?"

    We were quite satisfied with the high score, but as soon as it was revealed, Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok pretended to be outraged and rushed at the staff. I guess this was how variety shows were done.

    ¡°These guys have to live with curly hair and pelvic dances for the rest of their singing careers! Ny-five points?" Woo-Seok made a gesture as if he was about to lunge at the staff in frustration.

    ¡°No, seniors, we''re fine! Please calm down." We quickly went to him, pretending to hold him back.

    ¡°Woo-Seok, there''s nothing we can do! Director Han Bu-Joon is always this heartless and merciless! Tss!"

    ¡°Your team members are such hard workers" Our skit was finally calmed down by Goh Seong-Cheol''s remark.

    Were we so impactful as the first act? The scores for the following High Tension teams barely made it over ny points. Despite their efforts to be funny and energetic, High Tension still looked too cool, so they couldn''t quite move the staff.

    Just when it seemed like no one could surpass our score, Jin-Sung and Joo-Han...

    ¡°And Yaaaaah!"

    ¡°Ah... huh..."

    Another regr cast member, Dada, burst into hollowughter and yelled, ¡°Why are Chronos kids like this today? Hrious!"

    I was awestruck and shocked by Joo-Han''s performance, so much so that I couldn''t react for a while. Dressed in a dress and makeup, he passionately sang the highlight of Whitney Houston''s ¡°I Will Always Love You.¡±

    The song was obviously stretching beyond Joo-Han''s vocal range, so it inevitably led to off-key notes. However, his falsetto,bined with aically exaggerated wig and an unppable expression amidst ourughter, was beyond everyone¡¯s expectations.

    Our team members, Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok, were rolling on the floorughing. Honestly, Joo-Han, who was usually dignified and elite, and I, who was typically gentle and demure, had always been confident in our ability to make peopleugh ever since our Cha-Cha days. So, it felt almost like a matter of pride to be funnier than High Tension.

    Joo-Han had certainly made an impact, and Jin-Sung was now repeating a ¡°drrrrrring¡± sound, with his face painted ck. As expected, their team scored an impressive ny-eight points.

    ¡°Wow, you guys are amazing. Respect," Dada eximed, giving us a thumbs-up.

    ¡°Is Yoon-Chan''s team the only one left now?"

    ¡°Alright, everyone, let''s calm down and not put pressure on Yoon-Chan. It''s okay if it''s not funny. Just take it easy."

    ¡°Sure..."

    It seemed like the cast of <i>Flying Man </i>had researched Chronos before shooting, showing consideration for the rtively quiet Yoon-Chanpared to other members. However, they didn''t know much about him.

    Yoon-Chan and Lee Ye-Hee from his team stepped forward.

    Yoon-Chan looked like he was overwhelmed by pressure. ¡°I''ll start then. Ye-Hee and Yoon-Chan will sing ''Rasputin.¡¯"

    ¡°What...?"

    <i>¡®This is crazy.¡¯</i>

    The Chronos members were already biting their lips, trying not tough. Yes, Yoon-Chan was also a part of Chronos. Striking a pose, he started dancing to ¡°Rasputin,¡± a song we often danced to when bored at the dorm¡ªthe ultimate Just Dance challenge.

    Even the mostposed member like Yoon-Chan was hriously breaking character. Hence, we just couldn¡¯t hold ourughter in.

    While everyone was rolling on the floorughing, Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and I exchanged nces and joined Yoon-Chan, dancing to ¡°Rasputin.¡± Honestly, ¡°Rasputin¡± had more synchronized choreography than our own title track.

    ¡°Why are they like this?" Woo-Seok eximed in confusion.

    ¡°What do you guys even do at the dorm?"

    ¡°How do they even sync at this?"

    At that moment, we were all earnestly into ¡°Rasputin.¡± The moment we decided to let loose and just be funny on the variety show, all the tension vanished. We then danced to ¡°Rasputin¡± till we were sweating, copsing on the floor in the end.

    ¡°You guys did great," Yoo Il-Seok said, sounding like a proud teacher praising his students. Thus, Yoon-Chan and Lee Ye-Hee''s team secured ny-nine points and a revival ticket.

    In the car moving to the next filming location, the teams were divided into Chronos and High Tension teams. However, the cast continued to talk about the karaoke session. ¡°I mean, I watched ¡°Red Riding Hood ChaCha¡± back in the day and have been looking forward to meeting you. You guys are beyond my expectations!" Yoo Il-Seok said, prompting Dada to chuckle.

    ¡°Don''t lie, hyung. What did you say when we had dinner yesterday?"

    ¡°Be quiet!"

    ¡°You said the rookie groups were too much to handle!"

    ¡°Shh!"

    ¡°You threatened to not let Director Han Bu-Joon off easy if this episode wasn''t fun!"

    ¡°This brat!"

    Luckily, it seemed that the <i>Flying Man¡¯s</i> cast was quite pleased with us. ¡°What delightful guys. Feel free to call me hyung," Goh Seong-Cheol said, sitting next to me.

    Yoo Il-Seok immediately pounced on that. ¡°Seong-Cheol, how old are you to be called hyung? You''re nearly forty!"

    Goh Seong-Cheol looked embarrassed and then asked me, ¡°How old are you, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°I''m neen."

    Then, Goh Seong-Cheol responded arrogantly, ¡°Eh, not much of an age difference!"

    ¡°What do you mean ¡®not much of a difference¡¯!?" Yoo Il-Seokughed, and everyone joined in. However, I wasn''t amused.

    Did I know too well about Goh Seong-Cheol? Most of his jokes weren''t really my cup of tea. Despite the light-hearted atmosphere, Goh Seong-Cheol seemed to be giving me a discreet nudge. Having concluded a chat with Yoo Il-Seok, Goh Seong-Cheol turned back to me with a familiar glint in his eyes.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, let¡¯s not lose touch after this show, okay? Dinner is on me next time.¡±

    His offer caught me off-guard, and I mustered a bashful reply. ¡°Ah, I¡¯d find that a bit too much...¡±

    ¡°Look at that! Your suggestion seems to be a burden on him.¡± My timid refusal seemed to spark a yful banter among the group, turning the tables on Goh Seong-Cheol in a mock uproar.

    ¡°Ha-ha, just offering a meal here, what''s so overwhelming?" Goh Seong-Cheol chuckled under his breath.

    In the variety show realm, some jokesnded differently depending on who was on the receiving end. My response was a prime example. Though Goh Seong-Cheolughed along with the rest, there was an unmistakable hint of a nudge directed at me. If it had been any other member, perhaps they would have felt flustered, but knowing his ways, I chose to feign ignorance.

    ¡°So, Chronos, this active variety scene must be new for you guys. How do you fare with games or sports?" Dada asked, sparking interest. ¡°I heard one of you won a wrestlingpetition and another was a track star?"

    Ye-Hee chimed in, impressed. ¡°Oh, really? You guys must be very athletic.¡±

    ¡°Indeed," Joo-Han interjected with a confident grin. ¡°Dancing on stage has made us pretty agile."

    The conversation took a turn toward me. ¡°And what about you, Hyun-Woo? Are you into gaming?"

    ¡°Me?¡± The question hung in the air. How could I boast about my skills?

    As I grappled for words, Jin-Sung jumped in. "Hyun-Woo hyung is great at games, especiallyputer games."

    Woo-Seok nodded approvingly. ¡°Ah, a strategic thinker like myself."

    Then, Yoo Il-Seok yfully smacked Woo-Seok¡¯s mouth, reprimanding him. ¡°How dare youpare yourself to Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Ah, hyung! Why do you have to be like that?" Woo-Seok protested, rubbing his mouth.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung were always sneaking off to the inte cafe during our trainee days," Jin-Sung revealed.

    ¡°They''re still gaming fanatics.¡±

    ¡°So, you two are regr gaming buddies, huh? What do you think about Hyun-Woo¡¯s gaming style then?" Yoo Il-Seok asked, his gaze shifting to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Goh Yoo-Joon rolled his eyes, and then with a mischievous grin, he spilled the beans. ¡°Well, speaking as his gamingrade, Hyun-Woo''s style of gaming is..."

    ¡°Why the hesitation?"

    ¡°It''s a bit... nasty," Goh Yoo-Joon confessed, hisughter ringing out as he yfully jabbed at my gaming ethics. And there we were, my closest friend dubbing me as nasty and the whole group erupting intoughter.

 Chapter 84: Debut (7)

    <h4>Chapter 84: Debut (7)</h4>

    ¡°Ah, what is this now?" Yoo Il-Seok grumbled, stepping out of the car with a mix of confusion and annoyance. The mysterious title ¡°The Return of Tag MT Memories¡± suddenly clicked in my mind as I gazed up at a sky-piercing pir, my face etched with dread.

    ¡°Bungee... jump..."

    A towering bungee jumping tform loomed ominously before us.

    ¡°Whoa, bungee jumping. That''s totally unexpected."

    ¡°Ah, I''m not cut out for this."

    ¡°Is everyone required to jump?"

    Murmurs of unease bubbled among the High Tension members as their eyes glued to the daunting structure.

    ¡°Seriously, they should have given us a heads-up! Director Han!"

    Straight out of the car, Lee Ye-Hee directly lunged at Director Han Bu-Joon, her grip tight on his cor. However, his smirk was infuriatingly cunning, simr to that of his friend, Director Lee Won-Jae.

    ¡°Ha! Everybody, just take a breath. Let''s huddle up and listen to what he''s got nned."

    ¡°Director Han, if you force me to jump, you¡¯re going to regret it!"

    Voices of protest rose from the <i>Flying Man</i>¡¯s<i> </i>regr cast, each with their own bluster, but I stood still, my gaze fixed on the tower in a vacant stare.

    <i>¡®Why me... Why this challenge...¡¯</i>

    I bit my lips. Goh Yoo-Joon then tapped my arm, snapping me back to reality. ¡°Hey, you alright? They''re not going to make everyone jump."

    ¡°...Yeah," I muttered, desperately hoping that would be the case. Heights were my greatest fear, especially when it meant jumping alone.

    - Alright!

    Director Han Bu-Joon quietened the crowd and started to exin.

    - Don''t worry, we''re not making everyone jump.

    He handed us a slip of paper for a draw.

    - We will randomly select one person from each team for it. The rest of the team will be waiting below, miming a word. If the jumper guesses it right, the whole team gets a revival ticket.

    As soon as he finished his exnation, Lee Ye-Hee copsed dramatically on the ground. ¡°At least, let us decide who''s going to make the jump!"

    ¡°Oh, Director Han Bu-Joon, you can''t be serious!"

    - Okay, each team, please send a representative to pick your jumper.

    The collective outcry seemed to dissolve into thin air, unheard. The only silver lining was that just one out of four in each team had to jump.

    ¡°Ah, this is annoying."

    Yoo Il-Seok hesitated before reluctantly moving forward to draw a name. I watched with my heart pounding as he fished out a paper slip.

    <i>¡®I''m usually lucky, right?¡¯</i>

    But then... <i>¡®Did I catch a glimpse of an ''S'' on that slip? Am I seeing things?¡¯</i>

    Having stepped back to check the name in private, Yoo Il-Seok suddenly smiled. ¡°We''re safe, Woo-Seok. It¡¯s not us."

    ¡°It''s not me? Really? Yay!" shouted Woo-Seok.

    ¡°Ah... hold on." I couldn''t hide my anxiety as I approached Yoo Il-Seok to verify the name.

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo, he can''t even fake it!"

    There it was, my name on the paper. After that, Goh Yoo-Joon''s worried eyes met mine.

    Blissfully unaware of my plight, Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok celebrated their narrow escape. ¡°Phew, that¡¯s a relief!"

    Fortunately, Jin-Sung, who was equally scared of heights, seemed to have been spared. He knelt in relief.

    I directed my gaze to the sky, witnessing a clear, untroubled blue¡ªno clouds in sight to offer hope for a weather-induced cancetion.

    ¡°You doing okay, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°If I had been chosen, I would''ve done it."

    Their teasing was relentless.

    I managed a forced, unconvincing smile and nodded. ¡°Nothing we can do about it, right?"

    ¡°You are scared of this stuff, huh?" noted Yoo Il-Seok.

    Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in as he wrapped his hand around my shoulder. ¡°Yeah, he''s terrified of heights."

    ¡°Not everyone''s thrilled about it, I see."

    - Have all the teams decided on their jumper?

    ¡°Yes!"

    - Then, the selected jumpers, please proceed to the tform!

    Reluctantly, the chosen ones shot resentful nces at Director Han Bu-Joon before trudging toward their fate. It was a good opportunity, so no one could give up on it.

    I was reluctantly dragging my feet forward, at least trying to endure the ordeal at the tform. Then, a forceful hand grabbed my shoulder. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, stop. You don¡¯t have to do this."

    I spun around and was startled to find Goh Yoo-Joon seizing the lottery paper from my hand. He then asked Yoo Il-Seok. ¡°Can I go in his ce?"

    ¡°Taking his spot?"

    ¡°Yes. He''s not just scared but really terrified. I''ll do it... I''m okay with stuff like this."

    ¡°Ah..." Touched, I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon, my eyes brimming with gratitude. He reassured me with aforting pat on the shoulder.

    ¡°If you are good at it, then you should go. Okay, let''s have Yoo-Joon go."

    After Goh Yoo-Joon passionately conveyed my intense fear, Director Han and the other team members agreed to let us swap jumpers.

    ¡°Thank you. I''ll do my best to act out the prompt."

    ¡°Sure thing." Goh Yoo-Joon climbed up to the jump tform.

    "Hyun-Woo must have a bad case of acrophobia. We had no idea... Sorry about that."

    ¡°No, it''s okay, seniors. I''m just d Yoo-Joon is good at these things."

    I expressed my gratitude to Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok, who were considerate enough to worry about me, and then turned my attention to Joo-Han, who was already gearing up for his jump.

    ¡°Three, two, one, bungee!"

    ¡°Let''s make a fortune, Chronos!" Joo-Han leaped. Typical of him, he never really tried to hide his materialistic side. Not a ¡°Love you, Chronos¡± or ¡°Long live Chronos¡±, but a ¡°Let''s make a fortune?¡± Well, it was quite a unique and likable trait.

    ¡°What the... I''ve never seen a rookie group leader jump shouting about making money," Dada said in disbelief.

    ¡°Chronos is really unique. I like it. It''s totally my taste," Yoo Il-Seok eximed, pping and patting my back enthusiastically. Well... okay, it was kind of nice to receive praise.

    Below the jumping tform, Jin-Sung was standing on his hands frantically. I couldn''t tell what his group¡¯s term was, but his desperate attempt was obvious.

    - Now, Yoo Il-Seok''s team! Here''s your word.

    [Shrimp]

    ¡°What? How do you expect us to act ¡®shrimp¡¯?" Yoo Il-Seok grabbed Director Han''s cor again.

    - Alright, Yoo Il-Seok''s team! Please move to the position and get ready!

    Director Han''s nonchnt response suggested that he was used to having his cor grabbed.

    We moved to a spot where Goh Yoo-Joon could see us clearly from the jumping tform.

    ¡°What should we do? How do we do this, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Maybe like this?" I suggested, jumping on the spot and curling my body to mimic the bent form of a shrimp after deliciously grilled.

    ¡°Ha! Do it again!"

    ¡°Like this.¡± I jumped and curled again, trying to imitate the shape of a cooked shrimp. Yoo Il-Seok and Woo-Seok found it amusing, asking me to repeat it several times whileughing. Eventually, they decided to go with my suggestion.

    Finally, it was Goh Yoo-Joon''s turn on the tform.

    ¡°Oh..." Just watching him stand there already made my body tremble with fear.

    ¡°Three, two, one, bungee!"

    "Let''s hit it big with ''Parade!¡¯"

    ¡°Whoa! Let¡¯s hit the jackpot with ¡®Parade!¡¯"

    ¡°Dang.¡±

    ¡°Jump, jump, jump, one, two, three!"

    I jumped on Yoo Il-Seok''s cue, curling up like a shrimp.

    ¡°Again? One more time! Jump!"

    I leaped once more, curling my body.

    After several attempts, I felt more like a mackerel than a shrimp. I was worried that I might be expressing it poorly. And when Goh Yoo-Joon dangled and shouted, his guess was...

    ¡°Mackerel!"

    ...As expected.

    - Failed!

    ¡°Ugh...¡± We sighed in disappointment as Goh Yoo-Joon came down.

    ¡°Did we fail?"

    ¡°You did great, Yoo-Joon. That was a stylish jump."

    ¡°What was the answer?"

    I replied, "Shrimp."

    ¡°Shrimp? It looked more like a pping mackerel to me."

    ¡°Don''t you know what this looks like? Shrimp!"

    As Woo-Seok saw us talking, he caught Joo-Han who was passing by. ¡°Are their conversations always this nonsensical, Joo-Han?"

    Joo-Han nonchntly responded, ¡°Yes? Yes, haha." He awkwardly nodded and then vanished into his team''s crowd.

    ¡°Chronos is really filled with funny guys," Yoo Il-Seok noted.

    ¡°Come hang out with us more often. It''s really fun."

    ¡°Oh, we''d love to be invited any time."

    Meanwhile, High Tension, who hadn''t made much of an impact in the karaoke, was now getting ready for their bungee jump. They were doing much better now.

    ¡°Three, two, one, bungee!"

    ¡°Hurray for High Tension! I... I can''t do this. Ahhh!"

    High Tension''s youngest member, Goh Jun-Woo, started to cry for real on the tform. Seeing him, someone about my age, crying so desperately, I couldn''t help but feel a mix of pity and a desire to cheer him on.

    ¡°You got this!¡±

    The other teams also encouraged him, patiently waiting until he was ready.

    ¡°Jun-Woo, it''s okay not to jump! If you''re scared,e down!" Ji-Hyuk shouted.

    However, after crying his heart out, the youngest member bravely stood on the tform again. He had this character that sparked a protective instinct, so he was definitely the type to receive a lot of love from fans for his cuteness.

    Finally, he jumped with his eyes tightly shut. ¡°High Tension, I love you! Ahh!"

    It seemed like he couldn''t see his team because he closed his eyes, but he really wanted to shout for High Tension, so he endured the ordeal.

    In the end, no team won the revival ticket in the bungee jumping challenge.

    - Great job, everyone. Now, we will move to thest location. The final game for the revival ticket will take ce on the bus during our journey. Please move to the bus prepared over there.

    <i>''Sigh, so tired...''</i>

    We had been here for half a day, and the main content hadn''t even started yet. Filming a variety show was very exhausting, and this became a newfound realization for me as I boarded the bus.

    ¡°I''m not just saying this because you two groups are popr, but I really enjoyed today."

    ¡°Right? Are rookie groups now trained for variety shows or something?"

    ¡°Usually, it''s not easy to keep the show entertaining with guests as we get careful with them. No kidding, you guys should definitelye back again. You''re amazing. Impressive."

    To me, Yoo Il-Seok, the national MC who had many engaging stories, seemed even more remarkable. Despite our energy slowly waning, he continued to spark lively conversation, maintaining the vibrant atmosphere.

    After the MC God, Yoo Il-Seok, took his seat, the bus started moving.

    Director Han immediately announced the next game.

    - Thest game for the revival ticket is ''Instant Response.''

 Chapter 85: Debut (8)

    <h4>Chapter 85: Debut (8)</h4>

    The ¡°Instant Response¡± game was simple. We just needed to answer Director Han Bu-Joon''s questions within a one-second window. Any sign of hesitation or fumbling with words would count as an unsessful attempt, and a team that sessfully answered everything honestly would be rewarded with the coveted revival ticket.

    <i>¡®This final game seems a bit too easy,''</i> I mused, but surprisingly, it was challenging for everyone involved.

    - Whom in Chronos do you have a grievance against?

    ¡°...Ah! Uh...! Oh, no, nobody!" answered Jin-Sung.

    - Failed!

    ¡°Looks like there''s someone in your mind, eh?" I asked.

    ¡°No, no, there''s no one!" Jin-Sung frantically denied it, shaking his hands in protest.

    We also faced tricky questions like ¡°Would you lend a million dors to a member?¡± or ¡°Do you have anything toin about thepany?¡±

    Fortunately, since many of us kept failing, my team had several chances to answer the questions before we reached our destination.

    ¡°Next is Yoo Il-Seok''s team. Yoo Il-Seok, would you let your wife be a guest star in <i>Flying Man</i>?"

    ¡°No!"

    ¡°Woo-Seok, honestly, do you prefer <i>Camping Man</i> (another program on a different channel) over <i>Flying Man</i>?"

    ¡°Nah,<i> Flying Man</i> is definitely better."

    - Yoo-Joon, are you annoyed with your roommate?

    ¡°Yes!"

    "What?" I asked.

    - Hyun-Woo, what''s the most beautiful thing in the world?

    What a sudden question!

    ¡°...Me!"

    - Failed! Hyun-Woo, you hesitated there.

    ¡°Come on, be lenient, Bu-Joon!"

    - No leniency here.

    ¡°Really, Bu-Joon? Anyway, Yoo-Joon, what''s the issue with your roommate? Who is it?

    Goh Yoo-Joon pointed at me. ¡°This guy right here."

    ¡°Me."

    ¡°Wait, you guys have been friends for ages, and you still have issues?"

    ¡°Oh, definitely," Yoo-Joon replied.

    I then red at Goh Yoo-Joon and retorted, ¡°I''ve got a fair bit toin about him too." Our bickering was like a trivial high school spat, so the cast members couldn''t help butugh at our antics.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, what are your gripes?"

    ¡°I always have to wake him up in the morning because he stays up toote. If he knows he''ll oversleep, he should go to bed earlier, right? He stays up sote that it keeps me up too."

    ¡°What''s keeping you up, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Just listening to music, reading fanments and stuff. Why do you have to exaggerate? Whenever I stay up, I even go to the living room to not disturb you."

    Dada took my side. ¡°Come on, going to the living room makes sense. Yoo-Joon''s exaggerating!"

    ¡°No...!" Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled awkwardly at the usation.

    ¡°So, Hyun-Woo, what bothers you about Yoo-Joon?"

    ¡°He is always gaming on theptop meant for monitoring.¡± As I said this, the rest of the members nodded in agreement, eximing their understanding.

    ¡°He is always hogging theptop with water balloon games. I have to wait forever to use it." As Jin-Sung enthusiastically exined Goh Yoo-Joon''s habit to the cast, Joo-Han hyung added a twist, ¡°But Hyun-Woo, aren''t you part of that too?"

    ¡°Me?"

    Joo-Han''s revtion made Yoo Il-Seok giggle. ¡°Attention everyone, another whistleblower has emerged! The continuing saga of the Chronosptop! Joo-Han, your turn to speak!"

    ¡°They both y the water balloon game together in their room."

    ¡°No, it''s because Goh Yoo-Joon wants to y..."

    ¡°But you enjoy it too, don''t you?"

    ¡°Guys, let''s not argue on the show, especially over a game! It''s so childish!" Woo-Seok''s intervention managed to simmer down our petty quarrel.

    ¡°Now back to Hyun-Woo... you boldly imed the most beautiful thing in the world is ''you''."

    ¡°Yeah, quite assertively, you said ''me.''"

    Feeling a bit embarrassed, I blushed and shook my head. ¡°It was just a panic response. Haha, isn''t that question a bit out of left field?"

    ¡°Let''s give it another try, Hyun-Woo. What''s the most beautiful thing in the world? One, two, three!"

    Hesitating for a moment, I awkwardly replied, ¡°...Me."

    Everyone directly burst into uproariousughter, dramatically agreeing with my answer.

    After that, the game kicked off again. Our turn hade around once more, and it was our final chance to get the revival ticket. Hence, I braced myself, concentrating hard.

    - Yoo Il-Seok, is there a <i>Flying Man</i> member you''d like to swap out?

    ¡°No!"

    - Woo-Seok, are you nning to betray anyone today?

    ¡°Why would I betray anyone? No way!"

    - Yoo-Joon, what''s the first song thates to your mind?

    ¡°...The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall. Join me. You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more. You need me?. ¡®Parade!¡¯"

    "Hyun-Woo, which <i>Flying Man</i> member do you like the least?

    ¡°Senior Goh Seong-Cheol!" I shouted without a 0.1-second trace of hesitation.

    The room burst intoughter, apanied by the yful ¡°Ding Dong Dang¡± of a xylophone. My spontaneous call-out of ¡°Senior Goh Seong-Cheol¡± caught everyone off guard, but nobody, including Goh Seong-Cheol himself, took it to heart. To them, it seemed like I just randomly picked the first name that came to my mind, so I yed along with their assumption.

    ¡°Why me, Hyun-Woo? Why single me out?"

    ¡°Ah, he was just... the first person that caught my eye."

    ¡°Is that so? You don''t actually dislike me, do you? We should have dinner together sometime!"

    ¡°Ah, that might be a bit too much for me..."

    They all took my yful rejections in stride, which just contributed to the lightheartedness of the show.

    Finally, the bus came to a halt. We had reached the science institution, the site of our previous karaoke challenge.

    - Thank you all for making it this far. With the revival tickets distributed, it''s time to shift from team to individual challenges. Each of you will receive an item bearing the<i> Flying Man</i> logo. Wear it where it¡¯s easily visible. If someone snatches your item, you''re out of the game.

    ¡°Are the revival tickets for post-elimination use?"

    - Yes, eliminated participants can take a five-minute break before rejoining with a new item. Remember, a grand prize awaits the ultimate winner, so give it your all.

    Director Han Bu-Joon nced around at the cast with a mischievous grin and signaled themencement of thest round.

    - Let the race start!

    ***

    Each of us took our assigned items and dispersed to various locations. I wrapped the scarf I received from the crew around my waist, fashioning it into a makeshift belt, before slipping into a random room to hide.

    ¡°This feels way more intense in reality."

    The tension of not knowing where others might be lurking, ready to pounce, set my nerves on edge. If I bumped into Jang Seok or Goh Seong-Cheol, I''d likely lose my item in a heartbeat. Peeking out cautiously, I started to move with stealth.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo." While crossing the corridor, I heard a quiet voice. It was Ji-Hyuk, peeking from a room down the hallway.

    I stopped dead in my tracks. ¡°Hyung, can youe here?"

    Could he be waiting with other High Tension members, ready to ambush me and take my item? However, to my relief, Ji-Hyuk stepped out of the room and approached with a smile.

    ¡°Are you suspicious of your hyung? I admire your cautious nature,"ughed Ji-Hyuk

    ¡°What''s up, Hyung? Why did you call me over?"

    ¡°Let''s stick together for a bit. It''s early in the game, and it''d be a bummer to get eliminated too soon." His suggestion sounded reasonable. Sticking together felt safer than venturing alone.

    ¡°Hyung, no one''s been eliminated yet, so let''s not be too aggressive in our movements. Let''s quietly target any lone yers wee across until the crowd thins out a bit."

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I think."

    We nned to wait for the more energetic and aggressive yers¡ªlike Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon¡ªto make moves and then join the fray more actively in theter stages. Hence, Ji-Hyuk and I moved to an upper floor for a better vantage point.

    ¡°It''d be great if someone took out Senior Jang Seok and Senior Goh Seong-Cheol."

    ¡°Everyone''s probably thinking the same thing. Charging at them too soon would be a fast track to elimination."

    ¡°How many revival tickets do they have?" I wondered while subtly ncing at Ji-Hyuk''s item, a watch adorned with the <i>Flying Man </i>logo. It might be worth making a move to snatch it when the time was right.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, look there! It''s Senior Ye-Hee."

    ¡°Where is she? What''s her item?"

    ¡°It looks like a hat. Should be easy to grab."

    I held Ji-Hyuk back gently and said, ¡°Just stay here, Hyung. I''ll dash over and snatch the hat."

    ¡°You sure? I''m grateful then. I''ll keep watch."

    I left the room and scanned the area before racing toward Lee Ye-Hee.

    ¡°Wh-what''s happening!? Hyun-Woo? Why are you here?!"

    Taken aback, Lee Ye-Hee darted off in the opposite direction. However, I was quicker, thanks to my sprinting skills honed in high school, and I effortlessly snatched her hat as I passed by.

    - Ye-Hee eliminated! Ye-Hee is out!

    ¡°What the... Hyun-Woo! You are targeting me first?¡±

    As soon as Ye-Hee was announced out, I quickly went back to her side, fixing her tousled hair with a hint of remorse.

    ¡°Senior, I am so sorry. I really am.¡±

    ¡°Fine, Hyun-Woo. I will see you in five minutes. Just wait. I will get you back!¡±

    Hearing this, I bowed at a ny-degree angle as I felt guilty. ¡°I am so sorry!¡±

    After that, Lee Ye-Hee disappeared into the maze of corridors, apanied by the muscr staff.

    I exhaled sharply, feeling the adrenaline. ¡°This is so intense. My heart''s racing!"

    This game of tag was like no other. Back at Ji-Hyuk''s hiding spot, I tried to steady my pounding heart.

    ¡°Nice move, Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Hyung, this is really intense. Eliminating someone feels so surreal."

    ¡°You handled that pretty smoothly. Any sign of High Tension or Chronos members around?" asked Ji-Hyuk while peeking cautiously outside the room, showing a preference for a safer approach by staying put in the room. It became clear to me that he wasn''t one to actively seek out more screen time.

    Keeping a close eye on him, I sensed hisplete trust in me and asked, ¡°Can you see anyone?"

    ¡°Nope. But I think I can hear Dada''s voice from that direction."

    Edging closer to Ji-Hyuk under the guise of listening out for Dada, I subtly reached for his wristwatch.

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo?"

    Ji-Hyuk turned slowly, sensing something amiss.

    ¡°Hyung, I''m sorry, really."

    After all, he had plenty of revival tickets, so I swiftly removed the watch from his wrist without a second thought.

    ¡°Ah, Hyun-Woo... I feel so betrayed right now."

    ¡°I''m sorry, Hyung. I will see you again soon."

    - Ji-Hyuk eliminated! Ji-Hyuk is out!"

    Dripping with a sense of betrayal and disbelief, Ji-Hyuk was then taken away by the robust men. And so began the saga of Suh Hyun-Woo''s cunning gamey.

 Chapter 86: Debut (9)

    <h4>Chapter 86: Debut (9)</h4>

    "Hyun-Woo, did you hear? Ji-Hyuk is out," said Yoo Il-Seok.

    ¡°Really?" I feigned surprise, concealing the fact that it was my doing.

    ¡°They''re fast. I bet it was Jang Seok or Goh Seong-Cheol."

    As Yoo Il-Seok and I walked together, I assessed his hoodie, realizing that taking it would require a physical struggle. If I tried to snatch it now, it would cause amotion and attract others.

    ¡°So, Hyun-Woo, don''t betray others like Woo-Seok did. You shouldn''t learn such things at a young age."

    ¡°Ha-ha, sure!" I yed along with it and swiftly moved away from him.

    Joo-Han was already out, so I couldn¡¯t team up with him. Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung, known for their aggressive solo y, would definitely try to snatch my item on sight, so I needed to find Park Yoon-Chan. As I was pondering¡ª.

    ¡°Whoa!" In the hallway, I was suddenly attacked by Jang Seok, who was hiding in an ambush.

    ¡°Hyung, wait! Please, Hyung! It''s not right!"

    Being caught by Jang Seok, the ace of <i>Flying Man</i>, meant almost certain elimination. Hence, I threw myself to the floor, desperately protecting my scarf. Thankfully, it was tied around my waist, making it difficult for Jang Seok to snatch it easily.

    ¡°Hyung, if you take this, my pants wille off."

    Hearing this, Jang Seok shed a chilling smile. "The fans will love it. It''s fine, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°No, it''s not! Please, Hyung!" I ended up begging on my knees, causing the crew to burst intoughter.

    ¡°Can you let me go just this once, Senior?"

    Jang Seok squatted in front of me, looking like a loan shark who''d had his fill of beating and was now granting mercy. ¡°Hyun-Woo, let''s talk."

    "Yes."

    ¡°Where were you heading to?"

    ¡°I was looking for someone like Senior Yoo Il-Seok to eliminate."

    ¡°Yoo Il-Seok Hyung?" Jang Seok stood up, ncing at Yoo Il-Seok who was engaged in conversation with Dada in the lobby. Then, he squatted again in front of me. ¡°Let''s make a deal, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Help me eliminate Yoo Il-Seok Hyung and Goh Seong-Cheol, and then we part ways cleanly. How about that?"

    I nodded without hesitation. "Agreed. I''ll follow your lead."

    ¡°Smart guy. How old are you?"

    ¡°Neen."

    ¡°Call me Hyung."

    ¡°Yes, Hyung."

    It seemed like Jang Seok spared me because I was a guest. I followed him while keeping an eye on Yoo Il-Seok. We also took out a High Tension member along the way.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, when you see him alone, lure him into this room. But pretend that you''re alone. Can you do that?"

    ¡°Yes, I''ll try."

    We hid in an empty room, waiting for Yoo Il-Seok to be alone. Unlike most guests who were cautious, Yoo Il-Seok was actively roaming, rarely alone.

    He usually conversed with passersby, gathering footage without taking each other''s items. After all, the presence ofmon foes like Jang Seok and Goh Seong-Cheol meant that alliances were essential until both of them were eliminated.

    ¡°I got taken out by Hyun-Woo earlier," said Lee Ye-Hee.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo took your item?" inquired Yoo Il-Seok.

    ¡°Yes, so I''ll snatch his if I see him."

    ¡°Ah, I saw Hyun-Woo earlier. Wow, we need to be careful. Anyway, Ye-Hee, stay alert and scream if you see Jang Seok, okay?"

    ¡°Sure, got it."

    Finally, Yoo Il-Seok was alone.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, go!" whispered Jang Seok.

    I then dashed out of the room toward Yoo Il-Seok. ¡°Senior!"

    Pretending to have just spotted Yoo Il-Seok, I gasped for breath in front of him. He then looked at me warily. ¡°What are you doing, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Me? Just looking for teammates."

    ¡°I heard you took out Ye-Hee and Ji-Hyuk. You really are as cunning as Yoo-Joon said."

    ¡°What? No, ha-ha!" I casually walked alongside Yoo Il-Seok, who pretended to be wary of me.

    ¡°Anyway, listen. We need to stick together. Before Jang Seok and Goh Seong-Cheol are out, we''re allies in this game of tag," said Yoo Il-Seok.

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°Well, where are we going now?"

    Pretending to be clueless, I shook my head and replied, ¡°I am just following you, Senior."

    ¡°What? I thought I was following you though?"

    ¡°Haha."

    As we continued ourical dumb and dumber-like banter, Jang Seok signaled me. Seeing it, I nodded and casually brought up a topic. ¡°But, Senior. While you pretend to be wary of me, you are actually following me closely.¡±

    There was a pause in Yoo Il-Seok¡¯s move. He stopped, sensing something odd in my words, and looked at me with a bewildered expression. I just grinned and slowly approached him, grabbing him tightly from the back.

    ¡°Whoa! Hyun-Woo! What are you doing!? We agreed not to do this!¡±

    ¡°I am so sorry, Senior. I need to survive too.¡±

    ¡°Wait...! Just a moment! I will tell you where Woo-Seok is! Ah, I will tell you!¡±

    At that moment, Jang Seok jumped out of his hiding spot and violently pulled off Yoo Il-Seok''s hoodie. Suddenly left in a white t-shirt, Yoo Il-Seok looked at us with a pathetic and empty expression before being escorted by the muscr men. ¡°I''ll get you all when Ie back!"

    ¡°Be quiet, and just go!"

    After sending Yoo Il-Seok away, Jang Seok patted my shoulder, acknowledging a job well done. It seemed like I was really in the game now. From then on, I became Jang Seok''s action leader and puppet, which not only secured my screen time but also paved my way toward victory. As the race progressed into itstter half, it led to the elimination of many contestants.

    ***

    While I was with Jang Seok, the rest of the cast¡ªincluding Lee Ye-Hee, Yoo Il-Seok, Dada, Joo-Han, Lee Jin-Sung, and some members of High Tension¡ªwere all eliminated after exhausting their revival tickets. It was strange how there was no news about Park Yoon-Chan, who, much like me and Jang Seok, had two revival tickets left.

    It was time to deplete the revival tickets of the potential winners. Hence, I scanned Jang Seok, who trusted mepletely. Honestly, facing him alone was too dangerous, but if we eliminated all other members, I would inevitably fall victim to him. Perhaps, it was time to reconsider and bring this alliance to an end.

    I stared intently at Jang Seok''s shoes. Of all things, his item was his shoes... Yes, shoes.

    Noticing my intention, the cameraman started to smile with interest.

    ¡°How many revival tickets does Yoon-Chan have?" asked Jang Seok.

    ¡°Two, I think. He hasn''t been out yet."

    ¡°He''s surviving quite well."

    ¡°He''s very clever, so he must''ve hidden well."

    My gaze was fixated on Jang Seok''s shoes as he squatted. How to steal these big shoes? It would be easier to snatch them if he was kneeling, but with both feet on the ground while squatting...

    ¡°Then we should find Yoon-Chan first. He''s the only one with two revival tickets besides you and me," suggested Jang Seok.

    I agreed. ¡°Right. We should take Yoon-Chan out first and then go after Senior Goh Seong-Cheol. He is such a strong contender."

    ¡°Yep! Let¡¯s go get Yoon-Chan and then Seong-Cheol."

    <i>¡®Wait, can''t I just make him kneel?¡¯ </i>As soon as I thought of it, I pushed Jang Seok hard.

    ¡°Aah! What are you doing!?"

    As Goh Yoo-Joon said, my game style was <i>indeed</i> nasty. Agreed, agreed.

    ¡°I''m sorry, Hyung."

    Jang Seok, who lost his bnce and knelt, looked at me in disbelief and tried to stand. However, I didn''t miss the opportunity and grabbed his shoes.

    ¡°Are you seriously betraying me like this?"

    ¡°If I don''t, I will be eliminated soon!"

    A short yet intense struggle ensued between Jang Seok, who tried to keep his shoes on, and me. At the same time, Jang Seok also tried to untie the scarf at my waist, but I was faster.

    Sensing my scarf loosening, I swiftly twisted and managed to pull off his shoes. Meanwhile, my scarf also came loose in Jang Seok¡¯s hand. In the end, the crew needed to decide on who got whose item first. After a moment of hesitation, the cameraman ultimately took my side.

    - Jang Seok eliminated! Jang Seok is out!

    ¡°I raised a young beast. Just you wait!"

    ¡°I''m sorry, Hyung!"

    I apologized to Jang Seok with all my might and slowly moved to another location. After eliminating Jang Seok, my actions became more active. The regrs of <i>Flying Man</i> were adept at betrayal and the game itself, which I initially found challenging. However, after ying it myself, I discovered that I had a natural talent for betrayal.

    As I wandered around looking for people, it happened.

    ¡°So you are here!"

    ¡°Aack!"

    Suddenly, someone attacked me from behind, pulling the tightly tied scarf at my waist. The scarf didn''te loose due to it being tied so tightly, so the pull caused me to copse in pain.

    ¡°Ugh! Se, senior!"

    ¡°I''ve been looking for you!" eximed Goh Seong-Cheol. He surprised me and struggled to untie my scarf.

    ¡°Why did you tie it this tight?¡±

    He caught me off guard, but that didn¡¯t mean that he could take me out that easily. I quickly looked around for Goh Seong-Cheol¡¯s item.

    ¡®<i>Damn, why can¡¯t I see it?¡¯ </i>Perhaps, he was wearing his item around his lower back, but I couldn¡¯t check with him lying down.

    Goh Seong-Cheol started to untie my scarf with a victorious smile, while I desperately blocked his hands.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, choose wisely. Do you want to be eliminated here, or would you like to have a meal with me?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    <i>¡®A meal out of nowhere?¡¯</i>

    ¡°You have been rejecting me since earlier, so now I am persistent with it.¡±

    Ah, he was referring to my continuous rejections since the start of the shoot.

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°I am hosting a gathering. If you agree toe, I will let you go for now.¡±

    ¡®<i>Fuck you. I know what kind of gathering that is.¡¯</i>

    I then defused the tense atmosphere and spoke with a softened tone. ¡°Ah... Senior... that¡¯s a bit burdensome for me...¡±

    At the same time, I rxed my body, which had been tense while lying down.

    <i>¡®Take it then, take my item!¡¯</i>

    ¡°Ah, what is this? Is it something to reject to this extent?¡± Goh Seong-Cheol grumbled while untying my scarf.

    ¡°Seong-Cheol Hyung, did you do something wrong to Hyun-Woo? Ah, this is hrious.¡±

    Dada, who was watching from a distance, burst into hystericalughter. At the same time, the announcement rang out.

    - Suh Hyun-Woo eliminated. Suh Hyun-Woo is out!

    I wanted to avoid elimination as much as possible, but it was a somewhat honorable defeat.

 Chapter 87: Debut (10)

    <h4>Chapter 87: Debut (10)</h4>

    - Hyun-Woo''s second item is this.

    The cameraman handed me a bobby pin adorned with the <i>Flying Man</i> logo. I swiftly secured it in my hair somewhere and plunged back into the heart of the game.

    In the mere five minutes of my absence, the game''sndscape had shifted dramatically. Park Yoon-Chan, previously an expert in hiding, was now out, while Goh Yoo-Joon and Jang Seok had also fallen victim to Goh Seong-Cheol''s cunning tactics. This left just Goh Seong-Cheol and me in the game, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown and providing the perfect opportunity for my revenge.

    Surveying the vast expanse of the game area, I spoke aloud, ¡°It''s so hard to find people because the ce is too wide."

    Despite my words, a gut feeling told me that Goh Seong-Cheol was lurking close by. His strategy was clear to me: hide, watch, and pounce at the opportune moment. Knowing this, I saw no reason to wander and split my focus.

    I chose to sit on a chair against a wall on the first floor and scanned the surroundings. Waiting here seemed like a smarter y to bait Goh Seong-Cheol into making a move.

    - I''m curious about something.

    ¡°Yes?" I responded, slightly startled.

    The cameraman, who had been a silent observer all day, suddenly asked a question.

    - What if Seong-Cheol tries to ambush you again, offering to spare you in exchange for a meal together?

    I chuckled lightly before answering, ¡°I''d probably refuse."

    - Any particr reason?"

    ¡°Not really. It''s more about theck of proper interaction between us. Plus, it''s tough to arrange meetups as I don''t have a personal phone yet. However, I do appreciate his gesture.¡±

    In my mind, Goh Seong-Cheol was a ticking time bomb¡ªunpredictable and bound to explode eventually. The polished public persona he presented on <i>Flying Man</i> stood in stark contrast to the messy reality of his private life.

    The known incidents¡ªsuch as excessively close interactions with fans or involvement in money extortion¡ªwere just scratching the surface. These issues had dealt a substantial blow to the reputations of many celebrities associated with him and Flying Man, forcing them to take extended hiatuses.

    I knew the risks. Even a polite response like ¡°Ah, but if the senior calls, I should go" couldnd me in hot water when his scandal erupted. For me, it was much better to be perceived as disrespectful on air than to be associated with his controversies.

    Just then, the sound of footsteps caught my attention. They were close, yet no one was in sight, so I froze, my senses heightened. It had to be Goh Seong-Cheol, who was watching me from his hidden vantage point.

    I sprang to my feet in an instant, my eyes darting around. Sensing my alertness, Goh Seong-Cheol burst from behind a pir, targeting my head. With swift agility, I evaded his grasp and promptly assessed him for his item. True to my suspicion, it was concealed beneath his jacket¡ªsuspenders.

    <i>¡®Suspenders? That''s a tough one.¡¯ </i>

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s time for you to rejoin the other members," Goh Seong-Cheol said, eyeing me.

    ¡°But Senior, I still have one more revival ticket," I countered, catching him off guard.

    ¡°Ah! You haven''t used it yet? Damn!" he cursed.

    ¡°Senior, those suspenders give you too much of an edge!" I eximed, seizing the moment to grab and rip his suspenders. I managed to tear the front part with a considerable amount of force, leaving only one clip attached at the back.

    As Goh Seong-Cheol tried to reach for my pin again, I deftly covered it with my palm and circled to his back. It felt like a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match. After a tense struggle, I finally seeded in tearing off his suspenders.

    - Goh Seong-Cheol eliminated. Goh Seong-Cheol is out. The final winner, Suh Hyun-Woo!

    I was exhausted, so I copsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

    However, it was all worth it! I won!

    ¡°Ah, rookies are really scary these days," Goh Seong-Cheol grumbled as he got up. The other eliminated cast members soon swarmed around me, sprawled on the floor.

    ¡°We''ve decided to form a group in prison. It¡¯s called ¡®the ones who got betrayed by Suh Hyun-Woo,¡¯¡± Ji-Hyuk exined, eliciting a heartyugh from Yoo Il-Seok, who yfully thumped Woo-Seok''s back.

    ¡°Woo-Seok, you might need to step up your game. Your title as the ¡®''Icon of Betrayal¡± seems to be in danger now. Hyun-Woo was simply outstanding. It''s like we''ve unearthed a hidden gem for variety shows."

    ¡°Thank you," I replied, feeling a mix of pride and modesty. With Yoo Il-Seok''s assistance, I rose to my feet.

    - We''ve reached the finale of all <i>Flying Man </i>games. Good job, everyone. And now, the grand prize awaits our winner, Hyun-Woo.

    Director Han Bu-Joon extended a box toward me.

    ¡°It''s quite a rare sight, isn''t it? It¡¯s seldom for a guest to win.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo really is something else.¡± I carefully lifted the lid of the box, revealing its contents amid a backdrop ofpliments that carried a subtle, backhanded tone.

    ¡°...Is this actually made of gold?" Nestled inside was a golden turtle, just a tad smaller than my palm.

    - Of course. It''s genuine gold.

    ¡°Why can''t we have such awesome prizes in the games between regr members!?"

    ¡°Looks like the Chronos team is going to party hard tonight."

    - Well done, everyone. Now, Il-Seok, please wrap this up with your closing remarks.

    ¡°...Bu-Joon, make a note of myint! Anyway, dear viewers! <i>Flying Man</i> will be back again next week! Thank you!" With Yoo Il-Seok''s sign-off, the filming for <i>Flying Man</i> wrapped up. I then passed the box containing the golden turtle to the Chronos members who huddled around in excitement.

    ¡°How much is this even worth? It''s crazy!"

    ¡°Let''s ce it in the drawer of our dorm and then trade it for a beef partyter on."

    ¡°Beef party, really?" Amidst the excited chatter of the youngest member and Goh Yoo-Joon, I and Joo-Han bade farewells with the rest of the cast.

    ¡°Thanks for looking out for me. Your support made the shooting a breeze," I said.

    Yoo Il-Seok responded with a gratified smile. ¡°I''m happy to hear that. Chronos is a rookie group, yet you''ve outdone yourself, and I mean it. Let''s keep in touch."

    ¡°Definitely! Thank you so much!"

    As I was chatting casually with Yoo Il-Seok, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Yoo Il-Seok then nced at the person and gracefully excused himself with a polite goodbye.

    ¡°That was quite a performance at the end, Hyun-Woo." It was Goh Seong-Cheol.

    I respectfully bowed in response. ¡°Thank you, Senior."

    ¡°Now that we''re done shooting, how about we exchange numbers? Drop by my shoe store sometime. I''ll take you to a nice ce nearby. Do you drink?"

    ¡°Ah... no, Senior. I''m underaged."

    ¡°Really? Still a minor, huh? Well, feel free to just hang out then." Goh Seong-Cheol extended his phone toward me.

    I gently shook my head again with a sorry look. ¡°I''m really sorry, but as I just debuted, I don¡¯t have a phone yet."

    ¡°Ah..." Disappointment shed across Goh Seong-Cheol''s face as he pocketed his phone and walked away. His reputation for wanting to mingle with young, popr idols seemed to be true, given his continuous efforts despite my obvious unease.

    ¡°You handled that well, Hyun-Woo. It¡¯s best to maintain a distance from Goh Seong-Cheol," Ji-Hyuk advised as he passed by me to rejoin the High Tension members. Clearly, he was aware of Goh Seong-Cheol¡¯s reputation as well.

    ¡°Chronos, let''s head to the car!" After bidding farewell to the crew and cast, we climbed into the car. Exhausted from the day''s activities, I fell asleep as soon as I got into the car seat.

    ***

    Before the shoot, I had posted a photo from a rest stop on <i>BlueBird</i>, with the caption ¡°Where do you think we are heading?¡± This ignited fan spection about our schedule.

    Director Han Bu-Joon was delighted with the fun-filled shoot, and I was itching to share it. However, to my frustration, the broadcast would only air two weekster, so we could only be patient. Thankfully, it would air before the end of our debut schedule, providing a boost for "Parade."

    As a new idol group in its debut week, we were still adapting to the hectic schedule of hopping from one broadcast station to another. However, the unwavering support from our fans¡ªthe Rings, who followed and cheered for us at every venue¡ªturned each performance into a dream-like experience.

    ¡°Seriously? High Tension gets to perform two songs, and here we are!" Our manager was endlessly grumbling about the music show at KEW Broadcasting Station, which only allowed us to perform our title track, unlike other stations.

    High Tension was under a majorbel, while we remained a mid-tier idol group despite our rising poprity. True, wecked the same level of influence, but it seemed that our manager had forgotten the fact that our agency, YMM, wasn''t exactly a titan in the entertainment world. This whole scenario felt eerily simr to the early days of Allure, not that it was anything to fret over.

    ¡°Chronos is a nominee for first ce even though it¡¯s your first time showing up in the music show! With this level of buzz, shouldn''t they be investing more in us?" Our manager''s frustration was obvious.

    Joo-Han, who had been quietly listening, finally couldn''t hold back anymore. Removing his earphones, he interjected, ¡°It''s not just about being a nominee. It seems we need to actually snag first ce to get the privilege of performing two songs. High Tension is the first ce right now."

    On our way to KEW Broadcasting Station for <i>Music Case</i>''s pre-recording, our focus was more on delivering <i>one</i> ster performance rather than performing <i>more</i> songs. Realistically, we understood that KEW probably didn''t want to allocate as much airtime, considering we prioritized UNET¡¯s schedule first and showed up in <i>Music Case</i> a week after releasing our song. It wasn¡¯t surprising that they limited us to a single track, and I couldn¡¯t me them for it.

    ¡°But oppa, did you hear that?" In the midst of preparing for our stage looks, our stylist leaned in to chat with the manager.

    ¡°What''s up?" he asked.

    ¡°About the closure andplete disappearance of River Topside, the most famous Homepage Master[1]

    ¡°Ah, the well-known one? Makes sense. She halted her activities because of that scandal, and River''s been in a downfall ever since."

    ¡°Maybe she likes someone else now? You know, she was an Allure Homepage Master before switching to River and gaining fame as Topside.¡±

    Our manager chuckled in disbelief. ¡°Yoo-Jin really is something else. Most fans change their nicknames when they switch idols, but she''s stuck with the same one through and through."

    ¡°She''s quite a celebrity in her own right. Even if she changes her nickname, she''s too prominent to go unnoticed. I''m curious about the group she''s rooting for now. Lucky them.¡±

    Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Lee Jin-Sung pulled out his earphones to join in. ¡°Who is this person we''re talking about?"

    ¡°Well, there''s this legendary Homepage Master in the idol world. She started as an Allure fan, known to us, and then a few years back, she shifted her favoritism to River and became a top-tier Homepage Master.¡±

    Our manager couldn''t help but express his awe. ¡°The amazing part is, River was barely scraping by as a second-tier group back then. But Yoo-Jin, with her Homepage Master prowess, propelled them to the top tier."

    ¡°Really? Isn''t that a bit of an exaggeration? How can a Homepage Master shoot a group to stardom?" Lee Jin-Sung questioned, feeling it to be incredulous. However, it was a fact. Hong Yoo-Jin, River''s Homepage Master, was so renowned that even I, a former trainer, knew of her.

    Armed with a colossal camera, a booming voice perfect for capturing the target¡¯s right angles, exceptional photo editing skills, and unmatched fan-cam shooting prowess, not to mention her ability to rally fans, she was always a formidable presence in the fan base. Despite being known for shifting her loyalty from Allure to River, she was a steadfast supporter who zealously backed River for around four years, until they fell off the radar following a scandal.

    Yoo-Jin was famous for transforming River, a once-obscure mid-tier idol group, into a top-tier sensation with her photos and fan-cams. Notably, her most beloved member''s poprity had skyrocketed to the extent that he even tried his luck in Hollywood¡ªthough that venture flopped.

    ¡°Anyway, it looks like this famous fan is hinting at aeback.¡± The stylists were buzzing because her ount went active post <i>Pick We Up¡¯</i>s broadcast season. ¡°We are having hope that she would be fangirling over a group in the show.¡±

    Whoever had caught her eye was indeed fortunate. Back in her Allure days, her favorite member, Tucan, evennded a gig hosting a music show because of her. I didn''t know which group or member it was this time, but they were certainly in for a stroke of good fortune.

    1. The operator of a website created for celebrities or athletes. ?

 Chapter 88: Debut (11)

    <h4>Chapter 88: Debut (11)</h4>

    Right from the crack of dawn, the endless preparations for our stage had us all on our toes. At first, Jin-Sung was wide-eyed and alert, but even he started to nod off during the makeup session.

    ¡°You never know how many takes we''ll need before the director gives the green light. Save your energy, and let''s aim to nail it within two or three takes, excluding rehearsals."

    ¡°Understood," I replied and gently shook Jin-Sung to wake him up. Pre-recording time was drawing near, and puffy eyes were thest thing we needed on camera.

    Jin-Sung''s eyes flickered open in surprise. He asked, ¡°...Did I fall asleep?"

    ¡°Yeah. Best not to sleep before the stage." With a few more shakes, I ensured that Jin-Sung was fully awake.

    ¡°Okay..." He yawned and stretched. His fatigue was understandable, given our intense practice schedule and the challenging footwork in the dance break, but anypse in alertness could cost us onstage.

    At that moment, a member of the shooting crew entered our waiting room and said, ¡°Chronos, sorry to interrupt."

    ¡°All good, what''s up?"

    The room buzzed as we huddled around the staff member. He then briefed us on the day''s n. ¡°We''ve got an audience today, so we''ll try to wrap the rehearsal in one take. And if all goes well, we''ll aim for just two takes for the main recording."

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°Head in, say your hellos, and we¡¯ll kick things off. Oh, and keep an eye on where the cameras are. Also..." ncing at a note in hand, the staff cracked a small smile. ¡°Today''s ending fairy[1] is Hyun-Woo, who takes thest part."

    ¡°Ending fairy... Got it!"

    ¡°It''s a lengthy one, about eight seconds. We''re counting on you."

    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll do my best!"

    The role of the ending fairy¡ªa term even the industry insiders used¡ªposed a unique challenge. Agreeing to the task was one thing, but holding a solo shot for eight seconds without any awkwardness was another. I had often been the focus in final shots before, but <i>Music Case </i>was the first to explicitly say, "We are keeping the camera on you for a while." That brought a different kind of pressure, almost as if I needed to make those eight seconds count.

    ¡°Thirty minutes to go, everyone! Let¡¯s gear up! Stylists, please do onest check on the guys!"

    ¡°For sure!"

    As our stylists sprang into action, the other members started to disperse, each giving my shoulder a supportive pat.

    ¡°Rock that ending, fairy."

    ¡°Do well."

    ¡°You got this, hyung."

    ¡°You''re gonna ace it, hyung."

    The thought of those eight seconds already had me brainstorming as I could tell it would be very awkward.

    ¡°Let''s move out!" Following the manager''s lead, we made our way toward the stage.

    Backstage, we encountered the familiar silhouettes of Street Center, who were engrossed in monitoring their performance while being surrounded by their staff. We made sure to set up our mics quietly, careful not to disrupt their focus.

    ¡°Oh, when did you guys get here?"

    ¡°Look who it is, Chronos! You guys look sharp today!" The Street Center members greeted us enthusiastically after noticing us a bitte.

    In response to Woo-Jeong¡¯s warm embrace, I shot him a smile. ¡°Are you guys done with your stage?"

    ¡°Yeah, it was exhausting. The numerous retakes happened probably because of ourrge group."

    ¡°Must''ve been hard for the fans too, huh?"

    ¡°Exactly, it does feel a bit regretful." Ha-Yoon joined in, slinging an arm around Woo-Jeong.

    As they approached, Goh Yoo-Joon, Lee Jin-Sung, and the rest of our two groups started to mingle. Given that Jin-Sung was formerly part of their dance team and others had prior connections to the Street Center members, we always regarded them more like old friends, even to those whom we weren¡¯t very familiar with.

    ¡°Your choreography this time is something else. You guys might just copse if you did it more than three times."

    Jin-Sung''s response to thement was to bounce on his toes. ¡°We go all out! That''s Chronos¡¯s motto!"

    ¡°Best of luck to you guys. Oh, and who¡¯s the ending fairy for Chronos today?" Ju-Ho from Street Center asked with a mischievous grin on his face. Ha-Yoon then yfully scowled and smacked Ju-Ho''s arm. ¡°Why even bring up the ending fairy here?"

    I couldn''t help but notice the Street Center guys seemed keen on teasing their youngest Ha-Yoon, the appointed ending fairy of their group, rather than actually being curious about our ending fairy.

    ¡°This guy is our pick," the Chronos members chimed in, yfully pointing at me with a flourish of their hands.

    ¡°Aha, as expected!" Woo-Jeongughed.

    ¡°What''s with that reaction? What?¡± I asked. Woo-Jeong was obviouslyughing because I was the ending fairy. It appeared that every group shared a certain awkwardness about the ending fairy role.

    ¡°Got any ns for your moment?"

    ¡°I''m mulling it over. Not sure if I should stand still or throw in a gesture."

    ¡°Just so you know, Ha-Yoon had a ''staring match'' with the camera.¡± One of the Street Center members, whom I still didn¡¯t know his name, put his arm around Ha-Yoon¡¯s shoulders to tease him.

    ¡°It''s called eye contact, not a staring match."

    I pondered, ¡®<i>Should I just make eye contact, too?¡¯</i> But mimicking Street Center''s style felt somewhat off.

    In the midst of my thoughts, one of their members threw out an idea. ¡°If you haven¡¯t decided yet, Hyun-Woo, why not go for a staring contest too?" They shrugged casually when I looked at them questioningly.

    ¡°How about this for a bet? The loser of the staring contest covers the winner¡¯s song and uploads it on<i> UTube</i>?" suggested one of them.

    They seemed rxed, theirughter easy and carefree. After all, they had debuted earlier and already wrapped up their pre-recording.

    ¡°Chronos, you''ve got ten minutes till rehearsal!"

    ¡°Okay!"

    The staff''s announcement cut short our casual conversation. We then tensed up again and geared up for the rehearsal, while Street Center discreetly started to exit the studio.

    Unexpectedly, Joo-Hantched onto the yful bet they had tossed around in the air.

    ¡°Eye contact and song cover sound interesting. Catch youter." Joo-Han called out to Street Center members who were about to leave, to which Woo-Jeong responded with an enthusiastic thumbs-up. ¡°Deal!"

    Following this exchange, Joo-Han contentedly rejoined our staff, chatting with the manager and the stage crew.

    Shortly thereafter...

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, over here!"

    ¡°Coming!"

    As Joo-Han beckoned, the rest of us gathered around. I paused my dance practice and joined the huddle, stacking my hands on Joo-Han''s.

    ¡°Keep in mind the choreography we set in the waiting room. Remember, it''s our first time on KEW''s stage, even if it''s just for rehearsal. Stay sharp! Oh, and Jin-Sung, watch your step."

    ¡°Understood!"

    ¡°Together!"

    ¡°Let''s ace it!"

    Pumped up after our group chant, we made our way to the ¡°Parade¡± set.

    ¡°Kyaaa!"

    ¡°Guys!"

    We waved discreetly to our fans, and they waved back using their glow sticks instead of our fan base''s official lightsticks as we didn¡¯t have one yet. They had been there for more than four hours, enduring even the lengthy session of Street Center. Their unwavering support meant everything to us.

    ¡°One, two, three! Hi, we''re Chronos! Nice to meet you!"

    I envied how Allure freely interacted with fans onstage. For now, we could only subtly wave back at the fans, while being conscious of Street Center¡¯s fans and staff. We were not yetfortable enough for open dialogue. However, I dreamed of the day when the stage would feel just as friendly for us.

    ¡°Chronos, it''s time to start your rehearsal." And with that, our first rehearsal for <i>Music Case</i> on KEW began.

    ***

    ¡°Great job. Chronos, head backstage and get ready for the live performance."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    Post-rehearsal, we were breathless, but we still bowed deep in gratitude to thank the fans who''d passionately cheered us on. We kept waving as we headed backstage.

    ¡°Ugh... I''m... totally spent." Jin-Sung slumped to the floor as soon as we reached backstage. Managing energy was tough as a rookie, especially when fueled by fans'' cheers. Because of them, Jin-Sung had really given his all, almost to a concerning degree.

    ¡°I''d like to review the rehearsal footage. In-Hyun hyung."

    ¡°Sure, let''s check it out on the monitor."

    Each member of Chronos, not just Jin-Sung, was gasping for breath under the relentless demands of the intense choreography and live vocals right from the first rehearsal. At this moment, my background as a trainer came in handy, granting me the technique and focus needed to monitor our performance effectively.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you''re nning to just stand still for the ending, right?" asked a stage staff who was watching the rehearsal footage with me.

    ¡°Um... yeah, that''s the n. But... can I maintain eye contact with the camera?"

    ¡°Absolutely! The fans watching at home will adore that." Thisment cemented my decision, especially since Joo-Han had already expressed his approval of the eye contact idea. Anyway, I didn¡¯t have any otherpelling ideas for the ending, so this seemed like a solid approach.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, could we review that part once more?" After regaining some energy, my fellow Chronos members swarmed around the monitor stationed near my chair.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you missed a camera cue here."

    ¡°Ah, right! I''ll pay more attention to that."

    ¡°We''re a bit out of sync in our formation. The timing''s slightly off.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, guys, that¡¯s on me. I''ll speed up a bit." In the midst of our constructive feedback session, the stylists darted in and out, quickly removing our name tags and fine-tuning our looks. It was just ast-minute touch-up to our hair and makeup.

    ¡°Chronos, we''re set to start the final take in fifteen minutes."

    ¡°Got it!"

    As the moment of truth¡ªour performance in front of live fans¡ªapproached, I tried to control the rush of adrenaline from the earlier rehearsal.

    <i>¡®I need to nail this.''</i>

    My focus sharpened, zeroing in on delivering an impable performance.

    ***

    ¡°Has everyone had something to eat?" asked Joo-Han on stage.

    ¡°No!"

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to keep you waiting this long." Joo-Han''s words were met with a chorus of headshakes from the fans, who were all too willing to dismiss any difort. My heart felt heavy with gratitude and a tinge of guilt, as I saw not only our loyal Rings but also the devoted fans of Street Center who had endured until the third recording. While our first take had sailed smoothly, it was the second one that veered off course.

    Just as we were nearing a seamless wrap-up, Jin-Sung and Park Yoon-Chan hit a snag during the dance break. Therefore, we braced ourselves for the third recording, under the scrutinizing gaze of the director, the staff, and, most importantly, our fans.

    This take had to be wless. A determined glint shone in the eyes of each member.

    ¡°Let''s begin."

    ¡°Thanks for being patient!"

    We went to our positions and readied ourselves as the opening notes of ¡°Parade¡± filled the air. Despite the physical exhaustion, our bodies were now fully attuned to the routine after multiple rehearsals.

    Bathed in soft, pastel lighting, we started our performance once again.

    1. In the Korean idol industry, the "ending fairy" refers to the member of a K-pop group who stands out during the closing moments of a music show performance due to their striking appearance or memorable presence. This concept adds excitement and anticipation for fans, as different members take on the role during various performances. ?

 Chapter 89: Debut (12)

    <h4>Chapter 89: Debut (12)</h4>

    I gazed at Park Yoon-Chan while I bent over, before leaping forward with the dancers in sync.

    <i>Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles</i>

    <i>You will be by my side</i>

    <i>Skyfall, Skyfall?</i>

    As I dramatically copsed to the floor, the dancers swiftly grabbed my legs, yanking me backward in a choreographed maneuver. Struggling to stand back up on my knees, I let out a groan without realizing it. Performing ¡°Parade¡± four times, rehearsals included, was tough even on the sturdiest teen joints. Also, the part where I was dragged by my legs was a fan favorite, so each time I performed it, I deepened my movements for a greater impact.

    <i>The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall</i>

    <i>Join me</i>

    <i>You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more</i>

    <i>You need me?</i>

    The second dance breakmenced with a charming piano melody. The other members gracefully retreated, clearing the spotlight for Lee Jin-Sung and me. Our footwork flowed wlessly. I received a cane from a dancer, using it to block Lee Jin-Sung''s chest, only for him to swiftly seize the cane''s end and pull away.

    In the center of the stage, I performed a solo to the mellow music, gradually kneeling as I felt my body fully warmed up. This particr stage, I believed, was executed wlessly¡ªa testament to Chronos''s resolve not to let it end just yet.

    <i>No matter where you are</i>

    <i>I will be there?</i>

    Then came the moment when my fellow members'' hands gently touched my back. After turning my expression solemn, I raised my head to sing the final lines.

    <i>Forever~?</i>

    The song concluded, and it was time for me to focus on the camera.

    <i>¡®One, two, three...¡¯</i> I counted silently, my focus fixed on the camera. Resisting the urge to blink for about eight seconds seemed easy until <i>that </i>moment.

    ¡°Phew..."

    <i>Blink.</i>

    <i>¡®Huh?¡¯</i>

    Out of the blue, Joo-Han blew air into my eyes. Caught off guard, I blinked and lost the challenge. Feeling confused and slightly embarrassed, I justughed and bowed.

    ¡°Good job!" Hearing the director''s praise, we rxed our postures and waved to the production team and fans.

    ¡°Thank you!"

    And with that, Chronos''s <i>Music Case </i>pre-recording wrapped up.

    ***

    ¡°Hyung, you made me blink on purpose, didn''t you?"

    Joo-Han nodded in response. ¡°Yeah. I thought it''d be a hit if we covered their song and uploaded it to <i>UTube</i>. The Rings will love it."

    ¡°That''s true. We always stick to serious tracks. Covering a Street Center song could be a fun challenge," Lee Jin-Sung chimed in, effortlessly mimicking Street Center''s debut song, ¡°ONE.¡±

    The live broadcast of <i>Music Case</i> had started. After greeting all the senior artists and distributing albums, we returned to the waiting room, not realizing that a music broadcast meant being confined to the station all day.

    Frustrated with the waiting room''s stuffiness, Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly shouted, "Anyone need to use the restroom?"

    His call echoed unanswered until he specifically said, ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, go to the restroom with me!"

    ¡°What? I don¡¯t want to!"

    ¡°I will buy you a bottle of pop."

    ¡°Ah, can''t say no to that!" I stood up, following Goh Yoo-Joon, while Joo-Han and Lee Jin-Sung snickered behind us.

    ¡°Hyung, I want chocte milk."

    ¡°And I''ll have a cup of Americano from the coffee shop."

    ¡°...You want us to trek all the way to the cafeteria?" I retorted, ring at them, and then turned to Park Yoon-Chan, who was still fixing his hair. I then asked, ¡°What about you?"

    ¡°Uh... Morning Rice[1] for me. But it''s okay if they don''t have it."

    ¡°Really? Old-school taste, but okay. I''ll be back."

    With that, we left the waiting room, heading toward the restroom.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung wants Americano from the cafe, so I''ll grab his coffee after hitting the restroom," I said. Upon hearing this, Goh Yoo-Joon seized the opportunity to grab my arm and steer us toward the cafeteria.

    ¡°Come on, let''s head out together. Honestly, I just needed an excuse to escape the cramped waiting room."

    We ordered Joo-Han''s Americano and additional coffees for the staff before taking our seats in the cafeteria.

    ¡°Americano from the cafe? Looks like we''ve really leveled up,"mented Yoo-Joon.

    I just chuckled, reminiscing, ¡°Do you remember our trainee days? Coffee from the cafe was a luxury, and we only drank canned drinks from the convenience store."

    ¡°And even those were off-limits if we splurged on cup noodles. But hey, guess what..." Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice trailed off mid-thought. It wasn''t like him to hesitate, so I raised an eyebrow, intrigued and prompting him to continue.

    ¡°What''s up? I am skipping ying Crazy Arcade today."

    ¡°No, it''s not about that. Actually, this time I-"

    ¡°Hey! Isn''t that...?" A familiar voice interrupted us, so we both looked up to see Reina, d in a sleek office outfit, approaching with a beaming smile.

    We quickly stood to greet her. ¡°Hello, Senior Reina!"

    ¡°Oh, don''t be so formal. Are you guys here for coffee? I''ll buy them for you."

    ¡°No, no! We''ve already gotten ours."

    With hermanding aura just like during <i>Pick We Up</i>, Reina exuded the vibe of an experienced professional star. She remarked, ¡°I''m here for a program meeting, but what a pleasant surprise to see you guys here. You''re up for first ce today, aren''t you?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Best of luck!" Reina seemed genuinely happy to see us. After exchanging brief pleasantries, she left the cafeteria, disappearing into the lobby with her manager.

    ¡°It seems like Senior Reina is joining another show already.."

    ¡°I can''t wait to find out which one."

    Reina was known for her exclusive appearances on music programs, and her presence alone served as a boost to the show''s ratings.

    Could it be that show? <i>Again After Rainfall</i>. The show not only skyrocketed Reina''s poprity but also significantly boosted the other participants'' music sales and variety show appearances.

    <i>Brrrrring-.</i>

    The vibrating bell interrupted my thoughts. Goh Yoo-Joon checked the notification bell and stood up. ¡°We''ve got Joo-Han hyung''s coffee and the staff''s. What about the others?"

    I replied, ¡°Jin-Sung wants chocte milk. Yoon-Chan, Morning Rice. And Hyun-woo, a peach drink."

    ¡°Why do you refer to yourself in the third person?" With that, he handed me the box of coffee and headed to the vending machine nearby for canned drinks.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Of course, Goh Yoo-Joon was paying for mine.

    ¡°Is Yoon-Chan''s drink really that good? Sounds like rice water to me."

    ¡°He ims it''s sweet and creamy."

    Loaded with drinks, we made our way back to the waiting room. We then had to wait until our drinks ran low. With all the performances wrapped up, we joined the hosts on the ending stage.

    The battle for the first ce of the week unfolded between Chronos and Street Center. Both groups, touted as monster rookies from <i>Pick We Up</i>, were vying for the coveted top spot in their debut. Having clinched first cest week, Street Center looked particrly poised for a repeat victory.

    The announcement for the closing of live text voting came, and the hosts geared up for the climax.

    ¡°A fierce sh of monster rookies! Street Center and Chronos. Who will be this week''s winner?"

    ¡°Let''s reveal the results!"

    Music and Album Sales Score

    Chronos: 3,751

    Street Center: 3,238

    Global Fan Voting

    Chronos: 210

    Street Center: 1,000

    Social Media Score

    Chronos: 1,200

    Street Center: 900

    Broadcast Score

    Chronos: 0

    Street Center: 300

    Live Text Voting Score

    Chronos: 4,280

    Street Center: 4,099

    ¡°And the winner is!"

    Chronos: 9,441

    Street Center: 9,537

    ¡°Congrattions to Street Center!" The announcement echoed, followed by a burst of fireworks.

    The score difference was so heartbreakingly small. A breath stuck in our chests, but we soon went over to congratte Street Center. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering our nervousness stemming from the global fan votes.

    Both High Tension and Street Center had enjoyed the benefits of hefty overseas investments since their debut, while our agency YMM, struggled to keep up with just domestic promotions. We reluctantly handed over the first-ce debut spot to Street Center with the recurring sense of being at a disadvantage.

    ***

    As we prepared to leave, our manager cautioned, ¡°Watch your expressions as you exit. There''ll be a sea of cameras and fans as always."

    ¡°Hyung, is it okay if we chat with the fans for a bit?" Lee Jin-Sung''s hopeful voice cut through the air, but our manager''s response was a firm shake of the head.

    ¡°Sorry, we need to head straight in."

    Lee Jin-Sung''s shoulders drooped at the reply, and I couldn''t help but feel a tinge of sympathy as I ushered him out of the broadcasting station. ¡°We can exchange quick hellos and check on them, but no lengthy conversations."

    I reminded him, to which he resignedly agreed, "Guess we''ll only get to say thank you."

    As we stepped out, the fans'' cheers enveloped us in a warm embrace. ¡°They''re here! Look, my darlings look so amazing!"

    ¡°Jin-Sung! Yoon-Chan! Joo-Han! Please, take these!"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon! Hyun-Woo! Please look over here!"

    The crowd wasrger than usual, undoubtedly because of our first stage at KEW.

    ¡°Thank you!" we shouted, our armsden with gifts and letters. We also made sure to lock eyes with each fan, acknowledging their support as we made our way to the van.

    Suddenly, the excited chatter of our names by the fans shifted into a buzzingmotion.

    ¡°What''s going on?" The members turned around, all perplexed and murmuring among themselves.

    ¡°What''s that? It''s enormous."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, check that out," said Lee Jin-Sung as he gestured toward the crowd.

    ¡°Why?¡± With the gifts in my arms, I turned around, feeling puzzled. In that instant...

    <i>Click! Click!</i> A sh of light momentarily blinded me.

    ¡°Whoa, that startled me!" I eximed, blinking rapidly.

    ¡°What on earth..."

    Then <i>it</i> happened. "Suh Hyun-Woooo!"

    ¡°Ye...yes?¡±

    My name boomed through the air, so I instinctively tensed, looking toward the owner of the voice. After another sh and click, I was at a loss for words.

    ''<i>Is that camera for real? It''s massive!'' </i>There she stood with her hair tied back, wielding a camera that looked more like a cannon than a photographic tool, its focus squarely on me.

    ¡°How much does that thing cost?" Joo-Han murmured, his voiceced with awe. The surrounding fans had ceased their cheering, also taken aback by the appearance of the passionate photographer. They seemed to recognize her as they whispered among themselves.

    ¡°Is she famous? Everyone seems to know her," I whispered.

    Catching a glimpse of the photographer, one of our stylists gasped and eximed, ¡°Oh my god! That''s Yoo-Jin! The one we were just talking about!"

    ¡°Yoo-Jin... The famous Topside?" Joo-Han asked, to which the stylist nodded emphatically. There she was, the enigmatic figure from the rumors, in the flesh. Her camera was impressivelyrge just as rumored. Unbothered by the whispers around her, she continued her relentless pursuit of the perfect shot.

    ¡°What the heck. I heard she closed her previous fan page, and she is now zeroed in on Hyun-Woo. We''ve hit the jackpot," our manager muttered and then gently nudged my back.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, smile at her camera for a bit."

    ¡°Me? Okay." I shed a smile and waved at the camera. The sh went off once more, and she responded with a satisfied thumbs-up, her face breaking into a grin.

    ¡°Thank you! We have to get going now!" I bowed quickly and followed our manager into the van. His face radiated excitement. As he started the car, he spoke confidently, ¡°Our Hyun-Woo, you''re one lucky guy. Mark my words, in the next few months, you are going to see your fanbase multiply several times over."

    1. A drink made of three different types of Korean rice (white, brown, and ck rice). It kind of tastes like sweetened almond milk to me. I personally don¡¯t like it, but I find out that many elderly people like them! ?

 Chapter 90: Debut (13)

    <h4>Chapter 90: Debut (13)</h4>

    After wrapping up our day¡¯s schedule, Joo-Han suggested we head to the practice room to work on the Street Center dance in advance. In the car, a clearly exhausted Jin-Sung had sumbed to sleep, his snores filling the air. The rest of us tried to snag a bit of rest too, with earphones plugged in. The soft music and dimly lit scenery outside the window created the perfect ambiance for rxation.

    However, I noticed our route didn¡¯t lead toward thepany but somewhere else as I looked outside, half-dozing.

    ¡°Where are we going, hyung?" I asked and pulled out my earphones. The other members who were still awake also sat up to take a look.

    ¡°This doesn''t seem like the way to the practice room.¡±

    However, our manager offered no exnation, remaining silent at the wheel.

    Sensing my unease, Joo-Han yfully smacked the manager''s back from the passenger seat. ¡°Hyung, is this another one of your surprise pranks? You promised no more of those."

    ¡°...¡±

    Silence followed and then. ¡°...Wait a second."

    Joo-Han directly leaned in to look at the manager. All of a sudden, his expression shifted to one of shock. ¡°Hyung, are you crying?"

    ¡°What?" I echoed, feeling surprised.

    "Hyung is crying?"

    We all leaned in out of concern, while the manager kept driving toward our mysterious destination. He remained tight-lipped and shook his head, acting as if nothing was wrong.

    ¡°Hyung, what''s the matter? Is something up with your family? You''re not... kidnapping us, are you?"

    ¡°No, no, it''s not that..."

    Eventually, the car halted in front of a building, just a mere ten-minute drive from ourpany.

    ¡°Then what''s up? Why are you so upset?"

    ¡°Overwhelmed with emotion..." the manager mumbled, burying his face in his hands. His body shook with sobs, creating a moment that was both touching and a bit exasperating.

    ¡°Hyung,e on, don''t cry. How old are you!¡± As we tried to console our forty-year-old manager, Jin-Sung was roused from his nap. He then blinked groggily and peered out the window. ¡°Hyungs, I recognize this ce."

    Hearing Jin-Sung''s observation, Joo-Han and I stopped ourforting efforts. ¡°Where are we?¡±

    ¡°It''s the new practice room that either High Tension or True Bye use. It was our unitpetition team''s practice room."

    <i>¡®Ah, that ce!¡¯</i> Joo-Han had mentioned how High Tension got a new practice room while we were still using Allure''s whenever it was free.

    ¡°So that''s why you''re crying, hyung?" I asked.

    Finally, the manager managed to stop sobbing and nodded. ¡°Congrattions, guys. Chronos finally has its own practice room."

    ¡°We''re practicing here now?" I unfastened my seat belt and leaned out the window that Jin-Sung had opened to get a better view of the building. It was a brightly lit four-story structure, its newness evident from its pristine exterior.

    ¡°So we don''t have to wait for Allure¡¯s room to be free anymore..." Joo-Han muttered, visibly pleased, and it triggered another round of tears from the manager.

    ¡°I''m sorry that I only managed to arrange this now. I really wanted to get you guys your own practice room even during<i> Pick We Up</i>, but Supervisor Kim was adamant that it couldn''t happen until after debut..."

    <i>¡®Ugh, again with Supervisor Kim.¡¯ </i>Sighing, we stepped out of the car. Our journey could have been so much smoother without those constraints.

    ¡°The first step should be taken by Chronos," the manager dered as he handed the keys to Joo-Han.

    Finally, our very own practice room. It seemed that Supervisor Kim was swayed by Chronos''s growing poprity and finally decided to invest in a proper space for us.

    Emotionally charged, we walked toward the practice room. ¡°Let''s open it!"

    ¡°Yeah!"

    Through the ss doors, we could see the expansive room that was now ours. A small sign reading ¡°Chronos¡± adorned the door. From the lobby to the hallway and the visible practice room inside¡ªevery inch of the ce radiated luxury. It appeared that Supervisor Kim was finally addressing our internal needs.

    Seeing this, I felt a surge of emotion so strong that I almost joined the manager in his tears.

    Joo-Han swung the door open, and we all stepped inside, flicking on the lights to survey our new domain. ¡°Wow, all the equipment is brand new.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be great to practice here. We are going to try out Street Center¡¯s choreography, remember?" Swiftly, we all unloaded our bags, our spirits lifted by the allure of the new practice room.

    ¡°We have spent so much energy since dawn for the music show, so let¡¯s just sync up quickly and wrap up for today.¡±

    The real challenge with Street Center¡¯s choreography was figuring out if the five of us could fill a space designed for fifteen. As Lee Jin-Sung, Joo-Han, and the manager debated whether to hire additional dancers, I approached Goh Yoo-Joon. He strained to open his weary eyes, clearly showing signs of exhaustion.

    ¡°Everyone''s stamina is impressive. How do you keep going after waking up at 5 AM?" Yoo-Joon asked.

    ¡°I take naps whenever I can. On the other hand, you are a light sleeper. It¡¯s hard for you to doze off outside.¡±

    ¡°That exins my fatigue.¡±

    After experiencing more predictable and regr sleep patterns during <i>Pick We Up</i>, we found our current erratic schedule to be a challenge.

    ¡°Hey, didn''t you have something to tell me earlier?" I prodded Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Did I?" Goh Yoo-Joon replied, a puzzled look crossing his face.

    ¡°Yes, right before we met Reina at the broadcast station cafe," I reminded him, recalling his serious demeanor.

    Something seemed to click inside his head, and he chuckled lightly. "Ah, that. I feel a bit shy about it, but I''ve tried to write some lyrics."

    ¡°You wrote lyrics?" I asked, feeling surprised. It seemed that his previous venture into rap writing had sparked his interest.

    ¡°Yeah, and I''d like you to take a look. I''ll show Joo-Han too, but he''s pretty serious about lyrics, so you first," he said.

    ¡°Sure, I''ll check them out back at the dorm," I agreed. Goh Yoo-Joon had always had a knack for lyricism in my trainer years, even earning some royalties from their Japanese album tracks, though not as much as Joo-Han.

    Joo-Han finally broke our reverie. ¡°We''ve thought it over and decided to go ahead with the dance cover using just us, even though we are short on dancers." With that decision, we dove into a simple choreography session.

    ***

    After the practice, Lee Jin-Sung and I remained in the practice room, motivated by the fresh excitement of the new space and the enthusiasm from our fans to witness the main dancers take on a demanding routine as a duo.

    ¡°How about a slow dance, Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°A slow dance?"

    ¡°There''s a dancer¡¯s work I''ve been wanting to cover," I exined as I pulled up a video on myptop. This dancer''s performance from six years ago still resonated with an undeniable, timeless sexiness. I had nned to propose it for On-Sae¡¯s team back then but couldn¡¯t find the right timing. It seemed that the task was now mine to undertake.

    Watching the video, Jin-Sung imitated the dancer with a thoughtful tilt of his head. His reaction was far more pronounced than during our ¡°Moon Sea¡± days. It seemed he had realized that our dance styles didn''t quite align.

    ¡°Do you want to give it a try?" I asked.

    ¡°Umm...¡± He hesitated as the dance was clearly outside hisfort zone. It was understandable that he was concerned about not showing his perfect move to the fans. However, I knew he wouldn''t refuse outright; his pride as a dancer wouldn''t allow it. And I was ready to help him master it.

    ¡°I''ll do it. I have to," Jin-Sung resolved.

    His determination brought a smile to my face.

    ¡°Let''s nail it today and shoot the video at dawn," I said, assuming the role of a teacher.

    ¡°Start by stomping hard and then slowly draw back," I instructed.

    ¡°Like this?" As the one usually teaching us how to dance, Lee Jin-Sung hesitated and awkwardly followed my instructions. While dissatisfied with not being in control, he knew that even a genius like him couldn¡¯t excel in all genres. For his development, he should learn the genres I excelled at. So, I deliberately pretended not to notice his bewilderment.

    ¡°Now, stretch your arm and pull back with a wave," I continued.

    ¡°The moves are simple enough.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but you''re rushing the arm pull, and your wave is too vigorous." I pointed out.

    ¡°Too vigorous?" He looked puzzled, as he was confident that he had mimicked me correctly.

    I demonstrated again, emphasizing the need for a bnce between strength and fluidity. ¡°The choreography needs to be sophisticated, sexy, and a bit daring," I described.

    This was a different ball game for Jin-Sung, a departure from his usual high-energy performances.

    ¡°You make it look better," he admitted.

    ¡°Stomp, stretch, and pull back," I instructed again.

    Silently, heplied, and I caught his outstretched hand from behind.

    ¡°Hyung?" he asked in a surprise.

    I continued guiding him, determined to help him grasp the essence of the dance. After all, my role wasn''t just to lead but also to elevate his performance to new heights.

    ¡°This level of rxation is perfect.¡±

    "Ah," he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of realization.

    ¡°Feels a bit restrictive, doesn''t it? But once the music ys, it won''t feel that way.¡± I taught him the whole dance routine like this before finally ying the music.

    After memorizing the steps with some uncertainty about the choreographer''s style, Jin-Sung felt delighted when the dance fit perfectly with the music. "Hyun-Woo hyung, you really teach well. I''ve always thought so.¡±

    Teaching the whole routine first before ying the song allowed Jin-Sung to synchronize with the rhythm independently. This approach felt more gratifying than instructing the dance alongside the music from beginning to end. I had employed this method in the past when I was a trainer. It was to bond with students who were daunted by my scarred face.

    ¡°Fun, isn''t it? Let''s master up to the first verse and upload the cover video. The fans will love seeing a different side of you, Jin-Sung," I encouraged him.

    His excitement was palpable as he eagerly epted my guidance. He then said, ¡°Hyung, you know how much I admire you, right? I''d love to post more dance videos with you."

    ¡°That''s a great idea. It could make for excellent content," I agreed, feeling pleased.

    Jin-Sung¡¯s initial reluctance, which stemmed from the unfamiliar genre, quickly dissolved in the glow of achievement and the affection of a respected hyung.

 Chapter 91: Debut (14)

    <h4>Chapter 91: Debut (14)</h4>

    Jin-Sung was someone brimming with passion and skill, and teaching him had me riding a wave of excitement, something I hadn''t felt in a long while. Our n was originally just to cover the first verse of the choreography, but we got so caught up in the moment that we ended uppleting a full-song cover. By the time we wrapped up the recording and passed it to our <i>UTube</i> channel manager, the clock had struck 4 AM. Luckily, we had a free day ahead of us.

    Back at the dorm, I had a deep sleep and was slurping down some ramen that Joo-Han had whipped up when our cover video popped up on<i> UTube</i>. The reaction was astonishingly positive, almost shockingly so. I decided to hold off on thements and rewatched the video first, keen to ensure that our bloopers and casual banter had been edited out. I had given clear instructions to the manager, but <i>sometimes</i> they got creative for extra views.

    Ament I had briefly seen earlier was littered with ''????????'' (a string ofughter). Seeing it already seeded some anxiety in me...

    ¡°Ah, seriously? I specifically asked for all that to be edited out."

    And there it was... every single moment of us talking and fooling around made it into the final cut. As I muttered my annoyance, the manager leaned over to see what I was fussing about on my phone.

    ¡°What''s the problem? It''s adorable."

    ¡°But we were aiming for a cool vibe with this one," I protested.

    What was initially a video just shy of four minutes had ballooned to ten. I was baffled at how much they had added in.

    The video started off just as I wanted, with the intended music oveying our wless choreography. I was pleased until the cover ended and suddenly, a ¡°bonus clip¡± started, showing the same footage but stripped of the music, exposing the raw version.

    Instead of the sleek soundtrack, all you could hear were the slightly jumbled sounds from the speakers in the practice room, the squeaking of our shoes, and of course our voices.

    ¡ª Jin-Sung is a turtle! A turtle! Turtleeeee! Brainwash yourself! You are moving too fast!

    ¡ª Ughhhh! So frustrating!

    ¡ª Jin-Sung, you can do this. Hold on! Just endure this part, and it will speed up!

    ¡ª Why is the wave even so slow!?

    My voice sounded desperate as I tried to teach Jin-Sung the beauty of moving slowly, and there were his frustrated cries. No wonder thements section was erupting inughter.

    I scrolled down to take a look at thements myself.

    ASK_WIFI ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    ???: Jin-Sung is a turtle!!! Turtle!!!

    ???: Uwaaaah! The rabbit inside me is waking up!!!

    Likes 309 Dislikes 0

    2 replies

    ©¸AHAHAHAHHA

    ©¸LMAOOOOO my inner rabbit ????????????????????

    SHER ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    Watching this, it''s clear Jin-Sung is the main dancer, but Hyun-Woo seems better at these flexible, sexy dances

    Likes 123 Dislikes 4

    2 replies

    ©¸But theck of flexibility is the catch

    ©¸????????? that reply tho ??????????????????

    Jin-SungHyun-WooFan ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Freak, my favorites dancing together! My happiness for the year isplete.

    Likes 52 Dislikes 0

    Krong ¡¤ 20 minutes ago

    Hyun-Woo''s ultimate Jin-Sung-pacifying skills

    Likes 89 Dislikes 0

    RenRen ¡¤10 minutes ago

    Guys, is it the dance you like?

    Read more...

    I like you guys

    Likes 20 Dislikes 0

    Well, the video was for the fans'' enjoyment, so as long as they found it fun, that was all that mattered. Jin-Sung also seemed quite pleased by it.

    ¡°The views are extraordinary! The channel manager said that it could even reach overseas audiences, so they added an English title. The response is really something," the manager remarked with amazement, refreshing the website with the phone in my hand.

    I handed the phone over to the manager and questioned, ¡°By the way, why are you here today? There is no schedule, right?"

    ¡°Oh, yeah," the manager responded, pping his hands as he gently nudged a half-awake Jin-Sung toward the bathroom. ¡°We didn''t have anything nned, but something unexpected came up. Everyone needs to get ready. We have a meeting with UNET."

    ¡°A meeting with UNET? What''s the reason?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

    ¡°Well, you remember the mishap during the live show? Supervisor Kim has been really on top of it, and it seems like we''ve managed to secure a new program because of it. Plus, we''re scheduled for some long-overdue shooting for <i>Chronos History</i>.¡±

    ***

    We arrived at the UNET meeting room. As our hectic schedules kept us busy, <i>Chronos History</i> had been airing without any new footage, using only what was recorded during our debut preparations and first showcase. But now, it was time for more filming.

    We were all there in the meeting room together with Director Lee Won-Jae and Writer Song Yi-Hee to talk about <i>Chronos History</i> and discusspensation for the unnned event on <i>Countdown</i>.

    ¡°Chronos has been making wavestely. I heard you guys are up for first ce on the major broadcasting charts?"

    ¡°We haven''t clinched first ce yet," I said modestly.

    ¡°The barrier set by major agencies is quite high, but don''t lose heart. I''m sure there''s good news on the horizon.¡± Director Lee Won-Jae looked particrly worn out, a stark contrast to ourst meeting.

    Foregoing any small talk, Writer Song Yi-Hee handed us the storyboards she brought. ¡°There''s a lot on our agenda today, so let''s dive straight in.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± We all nodded in agreement. Two storyboards wereid out before us. One detailed the additional footage we were expecting, while the other was intriguingly titled <i>Chronos History</i> but had a different content.

    ¡°The first board details the extra footage. With your debut, this will mark the final shooting for <i>Chronos History</i>."

    ¡°Is it ending already?" Park Yoon-Chan sounded disappointed, a sentiment mirrored by Writer Song Yi-Hee.

    ¡°Typically, idol reality shows are short series. That''s why we''ve reached this point. Anyway, the final shoot will have a healing theme, like a fun trip to a mansion, considering how busy you all have been after your debut."

    ¡°So we''re just going to rx at the mansion?"

    ¡°That''s the main idea, but since it¡¯s a show, expect some light-hearted games and missions. It''s a one-night two-day event." The storyboard showed a campfire scene, suggesting a setting for heartfelt confessions, truth games, and emotional release¡ªa perfect climax to our journey.

    ¡°Now, about the additional shooting. The next part is what''s really important," Writer Song Yi-Hee said, shifting our focus. Feeling curious, I flipped through the storyboard.<i> Chronos History</i> was a reality show, but this section was tagged as a ¡°live broadcast.¡±

    ¡°This wasn''t initially part of the filming n," rified Director Lee Won-Jae. ¡°It''s more of apensation for the recent incident during your music show hosting. We''re talking about a live broadcast."

    ¡°What kind of live broadcast?" Joo-Han asked, looking for more details. The document was vague, merely stating ¡°live broadcast¡± under the genre of ¡°music.¡±

    Director Lee Won-Jae exined, ¡°It''s exactly as it sounds¡ªa live broadcast. We''re nning to allocate a full thirty-minute segment for Chronos to showcase your talents. Picture something like the Ringo music channel on <i>UTube</i>¡ªa grand stage with no audience, where Chronos can perform their debut single ¡°Parade¡±, any unreleased tracks, and covers. It will be a real showcase of your talents."

    ¡°...¡± I was amazed. UNET was offering us a level of promotion that was usually reserved for top-tier agency groups. It was like our own parade, a celebration for both us and the fans.

    ¡°n your setlist and ensure to include ¡®Parade¡¯ since it''s the title track. Remember, it''s exclusive content, so no simultaneous broadcast on Q-app. Reys will only be avable on UNET."

    ¡°Thank you, Director. Thank you so much!" our manager said, his voice cracking with gratitude as he almost banged his head on the table in relief. Director Lee Won-Jae, slightly taken aback by the reaction, tried to calm him down. However, there was an evident sense of relief on the director¡¯s face, as if he had been liberated from a burden by granting us this opportunity.

    ¡°If Chronos weren¡¯t famous or didn¡¯t y a big role in the incident, we wouldn''t have been able to offer you this slot."

    ¡°Let''s coordinate the live broadcast date. In-Hyun, could you get in touch with us regarding Chronos''s schedule? Let¡¯s work things out.¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course!¡±

    ¡°Then, shall we wrap up the meeting here? Great work, everyone.¡±

    With that, we all stood up and bid farewell to the ones leaving the meeting room. ¡°Thank you so much!¡±

    As the room door closed, Joo-Han grabbed the manager and started shaking him, being unusually excited. ¡°Hyung, we have really hit the jackpot. You know that, right? Tell Supervisor Kim not to touch our setlist. We will handle it ourselves!¡±

    ¡°Uh, what?¡±

    ¡°Tell Supervisor Kim to keep his hands off the setlist, okay?¡± Joo-Han¡¯s voice and gaze were intense as he made his point.

    ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant idea.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I agree.¡±

    ¡°Me... me, too.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Why Supervisor Kim?¡± Lee Jin-Sung asked, clueless. In response, Park Yoon-Chan gently patted his back, wearing a bittersweet smile.

    ¡°Lee Jin-Sung..."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Because Supervisor Kim''s music taste... doesn''t really align with ours," Park Yoon-Chan exined softly, while Joo-Han ced a hand on Lee Jin-Sung''s shoulder.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan is putting it nicely. Simply put, hecks a sense of music. Considering how he opposed every hit track we''ve had, I actually wonder how he became the head of the A&R team."

    Supervisor Kim might have business acumen, but his musical intuition was questionable, and he was blissfully unaware of it.

    ¡°Alright, I will tell him that you guys want to handle it yourselves," the manager agreed, still processing the whole situation.

    Our less-than-ster global poprity had cost us a first-ce finish, and it still stung until now. Domestically, sure, we had sess, but there was always room for improvement. After all, the ¡°Parade¡± I knew wasn''t meant to end here. It should have been a sweeping hit, dominating high schools nationwide, but whether it was our shortfall or YMM''s, calling it a major hit felt like a stretch.

    The live broadcast with UNET was our chance to showcase ¡°Parade¡± not just domestically but also to K-POP fans worldwide, seizing an opportunity we hadn''t fully capitalized on yet.

    I listened to the members'' discussion before voicing my thoughts. ¡°We need to focus on making the setlist not justplete but also visually entertaining. How about going all-out with dance songs, leaving out bads?"

    ¡°Skip the bads?" Joo-Han stopped shaking the manager and looked at me, surprised.

    I nodded. ¡°Going all dance songs will keep the viewers more engaged."

    Joo-Han thought about the overall harmony of the broadcast while I considered the after-impact. We had different perspectives.

    ¡°Dance songs can vary: some are mellow, some are intense, and some are upbeat. If we mixed in a bad, it might showcase our skills, but it could also feel rtively dull. Especially considering the clips will be uploaded on <i>UTube</i>..."

    Joo-Han pondered for a moment, resting his chin on his hand, and then nodded. ¡°You might be right, but we need to think more about it."

    ¡°What are you two talking about?"

    ¡°Yeah, I didn''t get it either."

    ¡°Um... I''ll exin in a bit," Park Yoon-Chan whispered to Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung.

    I proposed this as I considered the broadcast more than just a UNET live show. It was about maximizing views on UTube. After all, ording to the statistics, dance performances by popr idols gained significantly more views than bads. Additionally, given that the majority of UNET channel users were international K-POP fans, highlighting K-POP''s distinctive dance aspect would expand our reach better.

    Therefore, the idea was to capitalize on our strengths and go with all dance songs to maximize our exposure.

 Chapter 92: Debut (15)

    <h4>Chapter 92: Debut (15)</h4>

    Deciding to go all-out with dance songs for the live show meant that we really had to keep an eye on our energy level. This left Joo-Han somewhat reluctant to jump to a decision, but I reassured him to lighten his load, saying it was just a thought I had.

    ¡°Anyway, hash it out amongst yourselves. I will make sure we get ample time to get ready.¡± The manager dropped us back at the dorm and then took off.

    It had been about a week since that day. During this time, the famous Topside Homepage Master, a big name in the fan site world, had totally redone her page. When our stylist first mentioned it, I took it as just another piece of good news, but I soon realized I had underestimated her influence.

    In just a week, the majority of our <i>BlueBird </i>fans were sporting pictures taken by her, and our <i>UTube</i> clips were drawing in new fans faster than regr music show broadcasts.

    Of course, with Topside shifting her focus to us, some River¡¯s fans started a bit of amotion on the inte, but we didn¡¯t let it bother us. We were still on the fence about the setlist and the concept. Despite our daily brainstorming sessions, with so many opinions, it felt like we were just going in circles.

    Meanwhile, our episode of<i> Flying Man</i> went on air. We had gone all in, not holding back, and luckily, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Some people who typically steered clear of idol-based variety shows even ended up watching our entire episode after catching clips of us goofing off and singing.

    One More Go ¡¤ 1 day ago

    These rookies are nailing variety shows. LOL when Suh Hyun-Woo imed he was the prettiest and the others agreed ??????

    Rollorovai ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Is there anyone crazier in Chronos? ???? They blew my mind at the karaoke session. Iughed so hard ????

    Yoo Hyun-Jin ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Exactly!!! Our Hyun-Woo is the prettiest!

    I thought we did a good job of turning our raw, unpolishedments into a fun variety material. However, with the added subtitles and background music, they just seemed likeical acts. Not everyone saw it that way though.

    Eshinsumble ¡¤ 36 minutes ago

    But that¡¯s only funny because it¡¯s a variety show. Maybe it''s because I''ve been working too long, but I found it a bit too disrespectful toward the seniors...

    2 replies

    ©¸ Right? Am I too serious? Even trying to watch it as entertainment, I had moments of doubt.

    ©¸ Yeah, I felt the same ?? They just debuted, right? But seeing others'' reactions, maybe I''m overthinking...

    ©¸ Why do some people are too serious? I found it okay...

    I wasn¡¯t concerned about these small controversies. After all, we couldn¡¯t please everyone, especially in a variety show, where humor was so subjective. I chalked it up as a temporary fuss that would blow over soon.

    Just when I thought the <i>Flying Man </i>broadcast had closed without a hitch, the next episode brought me up again.

    ¡°Seong-Cheol hyung asked for Hyun-Woo¡¯s number to meet upter, but after filming, Hyun-Woo looked genuinely sorry and turned him down."

    Dada brought it up, and Lee Ye-Hee let out a sigh. ¡°Poor guy. Hyun-Woo must have really hated him."

    ¡°No, that''s not it! He said he didn¡¯t have a phone!" eximed Goh Seong-Cheol.

    Yoo Il-Seok scoffed, ¡°Seong-Cheol, you still don¡¯t get it?"

    ¡°What don''t I get?"

    ¡°Did Hyun-Woo really turn you down because he didn¡¯t have a phone?"

    That was when Yoo Il-Seok and Goh Seong-Cheol started their fake scuffle. My refusal to meet with Goh Seong-Cheol after filming became a talking point. Since it was unprecedented for a guest to openly refuse such an invitation, <i>Flying Man</i> yed it up as aedic episode.

    While it was just a passing mention now, it suddenly shot into the limelight within a month. Right on cue, a scandal involving Goh Seong-Cheol''s personal life broke out, stirring up a major controversy. As a result, he was forced to step down from all his regr shows, and celebrities who were close to him also faced some bacsh.

    My initially blunt actions were now beinguded in light of the scandal. My firm rejections on <i>Flying Man</i> and the story of my real-life refusal were seen as astute moves by a rookie idol who had seen through Goh Seong-Cheol''s true nature.

    Despite the initial criticism for being disrespectful, the controversy ended up enhancing my image.

    Chochun Hyun-Woo Chips @woo0817 1 AM

    I felt so unjust when Hyun-Woo wasbeled arrogant, but honestly, I was baffled by that guy¡¯s behavior too. Now, it all clicks. Cheering for my boy''s swift judgment

    Replies 0 Retweets 2.4K Likes 2.6K

    Our fans beamed with pride, and the wider public started to regard me as a righteous figure with an upright image. Was it because of my daring presence on variety shows, my wholesome image, or the way I managed the live broadcast fiasco? Someizens even suggested that I should fill Goh Seong-Cheol''s vacant spot on <i>Flying Man</i>.

    At first, I brushed it off as mere gossip, but after returning from a music show, I almost dropped my kimbap[1] in shock because <i>Flying Man </i>actually reached out to me.

    ¡°Did <i>Flying Man</i> seriously send an invitation to me?" I questioned in disbelief.

    ¡°Yeah! Their response is impressive. They''ve aligned with public sentiment and extended an invitation," the manager boasted.

    ¡°Isn''t that amazing?"

    ¡°Does that mean we''ll see Hyun-Woo hyung on <i>Flying Man</i> every week?"

    ¡°Our Hyun-Woo soaring on <i>Flying Man</i>! When does the filming start?"

    Before I could say anything, my fellow members already erupted in excitement. However, Joo-Han''s question was met with a nonchnt shrug from the manager. ¡°We haven¡¯t given them a response yet."

    ¡°What? Why not? It should definitely be a yes!"

    ¡°I agree, but Hyun-Woo''s input is crucial. We can likely adjust the schedule, but we must avoid overloading him."

    ¡°Ah..." They acknowledged the manager''s point of view and looked at me for a decision.

    Without much thought, I said, ¡°I¡¯d like to decline."

    ¡°Ah..." My response was greeted with sighs. They understood the demands of our schedule but seemed confused by my swift decision to pass up a golden opportunity.

    ¡°It''s really disappointing..." Jin-Sung muttered.

    ¡°True, but we''ve just debuted. Taking a regr slot on a show amidst mixed public opinion feels risky for me. Right now, focusing on Chronos as a group seems better," I said.

    If I were to join <i>Flying Man</i>, we¡¯d have to adjust our schedule around it, and the impact of my variety image on Chronos was a major concern for me. I just wanted to concentrate on performing with Chronos for the foreseeable future.

    The manager was torn about the offer but quickly epted my decision. ¡°I will let them know. It''s unfortunate, but it is what it is."

    Back at the dorm, despite the day¡¯s exhaustion, we dipped our tired feet in ice water and resumed our setlist discussion. ¡°Let''s follow Hyun-Woo''s suggestion and go with all dance songs," Joo-Han announced after having spent days watching videos on UNET¡¯s <i>UTube</i> channel.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about the setlist. We should start with a <i>Pick We Up</i> medley and conclude with ¡®Parade.¡¯"

    ¡°<i>Pick We Up </i>medley?"

    Joo-Han handed us a paper he had scribed on quickly.

    1. <i>Pick We Up</i> medley (10 minutes)

    (¡®Moon Sea¡¯ - ¡®No Nights for Me¡¯ - ¡®Need¡¯ - ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow¡¯ - ¡®Chronos¡¯ - ¡®History¡¯)

    2. Original songs by us (5 minutes)

    3. Cover songs

    (Allure¡¯s ¡®Goblin¡¯ (remix), Street Center¡¯s ¡®One¡¯)

    4. ¡®Parade¡¯

    ¡°I always wanted to include the <i>Pick We Up </i>medley from the beginning, and we lost in ourst bet at Street Center, so I added ¡®One.¡¯¡±

    The setlist was really well thought out. The fatigue that woulde from consecutive dance songs would be mitigated by the energetic <i>Pick We Up </i>medley and a bright song from Street Center.

    ¡°Hey, I really wanted to do ¡®Need.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Are we doing ¡®Goblin¡¯ too? Yeah, we are direct juniors of Allure, so it would be regrettable not to do it.¡±

    ¡°Wait a moment.¡±

    I stopped the members who were satisfied with the setlist. There was a trap in the <i>Pick We Up</i> Medley.

    ¡°Hyung, what is this ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow?¡¯¡± I asked.

    ¡°My original song.¡±

    ¡°...Are we doing this too?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you like it? You said because I wrote it, you¡¯d have done it even if you didn¡¯t like it. Besides, we need to add a cute song in the middle.¡±

    Yoo-Joon and I pursed our lips and red at Joo-Han. However, when Joo-Han red back at us, we quickly averted our eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me we have to wear animal pajamas and headbands for that?¡± Lee Jin-Sung asked in horror.

    ¡°Why? It worked well for Cha-Cha. I added that song instead of Cha-Cha. Just think of it as fan service.¡±

    In fact, our fans who had seen ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± expressed a lot of interest in seeing a Chronos version of it. As soon as the topic of fans came up, we couldn¡¯t help but be convinced.

    ¡°But hyung.¡± Park Yoon-Chan raised his hand. He had given up on ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± a long time ago.

    ¡°Yes, Yoon-Chan, why?¡±

    ¡°What are the songs on number two? We will do ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow¡¯ in the medley, right?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that.¡± Joo-Han rummaged in his pocket and took out his phone. ¡°You were all pretty upset, weren¡¯t you? You were protesting why my first original song wasn¡¯t performed by Chronos.¡±

    ¡°Of course. I still feel upset about it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, so I tried to make it as quickly as possible. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯ll like it, but fortunately, it¡¯s a slow dance song, so it fits well in the middle.¡±

    ¡°Wow, you finished it already?¡±

    It seemed like the song he had been working on whenever he had time was nowplete. Was this guy really a genius? I knew he was smart, but I wasn''t aware he was such a genius, so it was quite surprising.

    ¡°The lyrics are still undecided. Actually, it¡¯s my first time making something proper, so I¡¯m not sure how it will turn out,¡± said Joo-Han sheepishly and yed his original song on the phone.

    The flowing music was a perfect Chronos song, so perfect that Joo-Han didn¡¯t need to feel embarrassed about it.

    1. A popr Korean dish made from cooked rice and other ingredients rolled in dried seaweed sheets and then sliced into bite-sized pieces. It¡¯s like a Korean-style sushi roll without fish. ?

 Chapter 93: Debut (16)

    <h4>Chapter 93: Debut (16)</h4>

    It was totally different from ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡±

    ¡°Ah, hyung... Dang... I am so touched that I might cry out of joy.¡±

    ¡°Should we release this already? It¡¯s not the card we should pull out for this. We can talk about including this in the next album...¡±

    Joo-Han shook his head after hearing Park Yoon-Chan and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s words. ¡°My conscience just can¡¯t stomach the idea of putting this in an album.¡±

    Usually, he was all about the gains, but here he was, ying the conscience card. ¡°We should prepare something even more spectacr for the album. I''ve been toying with the idea of crafting a track for our official debut album.¡±

    This made me wonder how much more impressive he could get. This song was not merely passable for a first try; it was a genuine masterpiece.

    I knew that had it not been up to Joo-Han''s high standards, he wouldn¡¯t have even mentioned the song. As I hummed it with a sprinkle of my personal touch, it transformed into a medium-tempo tune that ensnared me right from the get-go. It was the epitome of a modern hip-hop beat, radiating a refreshing vibe that was perfect for some light dancing or simply vibing to the rhythm.

    If we released it, the younger generation in their twenties would definitely dig it.

    ¡°Hyung, cut the modesty and just release it. The fans are going to eat it up.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. I can¡¯t stop wanting to hear it. Let¡¯s y it for Producer Do and see what he thinks.¡±

    ¡°...Maybe that¡¯s the way to go.¡±

    We all threw ourselves into persuading Joo-Han. Caving under our relentless badgering, Joo-Han finally gave in with a nod, and we mapped out the live performance based on his crafted setlist.

    ¡°So, that''s the scoop on the original songs from me and then there''s ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow,¡¯ ¡®Need,¡¯ ¡®Goblin,¡¯ and Street Center¡¯s ¡®One.¡¯ Let''s snag extra help from the manager and nail this rehearsal.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± Just like that, we wrapped up our discussion. But I just had to raise my hand.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Hyung, mind if I take a crack at choreographing the dance for the original song?¡±

    ¡°...For real? You, choreographing?¡± Joo-Han was visibly taken aback, and it wasn¡¯t just him. The other members seemed equally surprised.

    ¡°I¡¯ve dabbled a bit on my own, nothing official.¡± I had experimented a couple of times back in my trainer days.

    ¡°It¡¯s out of left field for Suh Hyun-Woo to say this, but I¡¯m intrigued.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s remark got Lee Jin-Sung nodding vigorously. Jin-Sung then eximed, ¡°Right? Remember how it was when we covered that dance together? Joo-Han hyung''s original has got your name all over it, Hyun-Woo hyung! It was really your style.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got a knack for this kind of groove. I bet your original choreo is going to be a hit.¡±

    ¡°Give it a shot, and if it¡¯s not a fit, we''ll scrap it. I¡¯ll give it a whirl at least.¡±

    ¡°Brilliant! It¡¯s Chronos¡¯s first self-made song, so the more hands on deck, the better.¡±

    The meeting about the live broadcast drew to a close with me being tasked with the choreography for Joo-Han¡¯s original song.

    ***

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, you''re not out like a light yet, right?¡± Lounging in bed while watching others¡¯ choreographies on<i> UTube</i>, I felt Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s foot pressing down on my thigh. He had a towel slung over his shoulder.

    ¡°Ah, what¡¯s up? I was just about to crash.¡±

    ¡°Hold on a sec, I got something to show you before you doze off.¡±

    What now? I was about to brush it off as a prank, but then I propped myself up after seeing Goh Yoo-Joon fishing out a notebook from the drawer. Oh right, he mentioned dabbling with lyrics in the practice room earlier.

    ¡°These are your lyrics?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Just skim through them and let me know what you think. I wrote them just for kicks, really.¡±

    After he handed over the notebook, his face blushed with embarrassment. Meanwhile, I powered down my phone and dove into the lyrics.

    He had a st writing rap at Joo-Han¡¯s request before, and it seemed like he had been seriously boning up on lyricism.

    ¡°Had no clue you were into lyric writing.¡±

    ¡°More of a hobby than a passion, really. During <i>Pick We Up</i>, Jin-Sung was choreographing, and you were the center, so I figured I should pitch in too.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon got chatty when he was sheepish, so I chose to focus on the lyrics instead of ribbing him.

    I was no expert in lyric writing, but it looked like he got some solid advice from someone, sticking to the rules pretty neatly. The lyrics had a cohesive thread and were approachable, not too steeped in emotion, and true to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s ir, the content surpassed my expectations.

    ¡°This is brilliant. It¡¯s beyond my expectations. Who taught you how to write lyrics?¡±

    ¡°I got feedback from Producer Do. He taught me how to write properly.¡±

    No wonder. The lyrics were remarkably well-structured for his first attempt. I marveled and reread the lyrics from the beginning. As I read, I hummed Joo-Han¡¯s original song without realizing it.

    <i>The party¡¯s still going on</i>

    <i>The party¡¯s still going on?</i>

    ¡°...Hmm?¡±

    ¡°...Uh? ...Suh Hyun-Woo, can you keep humming that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    <i>Raise your sses</i>

    <i>You and I, swept up in the moonlit summer night?</i>

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...Dang, howe the lyrics line up with the beat so spot on?¡± We both felt a chill run down our spines simultaneously. It was just a coincidence that my humming synced up wlessly with Joo-Han''s song.

    ¡°Hey, doesn¡¯t the vibe of the lyrics seem to match the song?¡±

    ¡°Could be, right?¡±

    Our eyes met.

    One, two, three. Then, in unison, we both stood up.

    ¡°We should talk this out.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do that.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t thatte yet, but we cautiously knocked on Joo-Han¡¯s door.

    ¡°Come in.¡±

    ¡°Hyung!¡±

    Joo-Han was previously lying on his bed, but he slowly rose to a seated position, eyeing us curiously.

    ¡°Ah, are you heading to bed?¡±

    ¡°No, I am not. Just sending a message to Woo-Jeong hyung about doing a Street Center cover for the live show. What brings you here?¡±

    ¡°Well, umm...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon shot me a quick nce and, with a hint of unease, extended the notebook to Joo-Han. Joo-Han just took the notebook, scanned it briefly, and then looked up at Goh Yoo-Joon, looking puzzled.

    ¡°I''ve been dabbling in lyric writing. I think thetest ones turned out pretty decent. If you''re looking for lyrics, maybe give these a thought...¡±

    ¡°You wrote this?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...¡±

    Joo-Han shifted his focus back to the notebook and started to hum, mirroring the melody I had previously sung.

    <i>The party¡¯s still going on</i>

    <i>The party¡¯s still going on?</i>

    Just like me earlier, Joo-Han sensed the perfect sync between the rhythm and lyrics and started reading the lyrics intently. ¡°Setting aside whether we use them or not, Yoo-Joon, this is some solid writing.¡±

    ¡°...Actually, Producer Do gave me a hand.¡±

    Joo-Han read through to the end, smiled warmly, and nodded in approval. ¡°Both of you,e to thepany studio tomorrow. We¡¯ll do a guided recording with these lyrics.¡±

    ¡°...You mean it?¡±

    ¡°You''ve really nailed these lyrics.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s face lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically. Joo-Han''s unnamed original song was on its way to bing Chronos''s first coborative project.

    ***

    We were on our way to the final shoot of <i>Chronos History</i>. I was tolerating the members¡¯ snickers as I watched a video on my phone.

    ¡ª Anyway, Hyun-Woo. If you are seeing this, please give it another thought!

    ¡ª No way! Howe the national MC like you is on your knees to cast a boy?

    ¡ª It has to be Hyun-Woo, or the viewers just won¡¯t buy it. Hyun-Woo!

    ¡ª Hyun-Woo or any other Chronos member is fine. We are not picky!

    ¡ª We swear we won¡¯t force you to join us for a meal, so just reconsider!

    At the age of twenty-four¡ªthough I was in the body of the neen-year-old me¡ªI realized that nothing stayed hidden forever, all thanks to<i> Flying Man.</i>

    My <i>UTube</i>¡¯s main page featured a clip from<i> Flying Man</i> titled ¡°A Message for Chronos¡¯s Suh Hyun-Woo.¡± Driven by curiosity, I clicked on it. The video was about my decision to turn down the show to focus on the group, followed by a direct appeal for me to reconsider.

    While it wasn''t a serious matter and just a skit utilizing the fact that I had declined the offer, it somehow created an association between me and Flying Man.

    ¡°You are in a good spot, Hyun-Woo. Even if it¡¯s not a regr spot, I bet they will soon contact you again to invite you as a guest,¡± our manager said.

    Passing my phone to Goh Yoo-Joo, who was chucking, I frowned. ¡°How am I supposed to show my face there? It¡¯s gonna be awkward.¡±

    This provided good exposure for Chronos and me, but the video of me declining Goh Seong-Cheol¡¯s number was probably going to be used as a joke for at least a month.

    ¡°That aside, I have sent the setlist to UNET, and the schedule is still being coordinated. It¡¯s likely to be set around the end of ¡®Parade,¡¯ so just be aware of that.¡±

    ¡°If we are doing this after thest performance on ¡®Parade,¡¯ wouldn¡¯t it be better to switch up the setlist with a nexteback song instead? We can dy the date of the live broadcast, right?¡± Joo-Han proposed.

    He had a point. Dying the date of the live broadcast to coincide with the end of our debut performance and introducing a new song during the broadcast could be a strategic move.

    The manager nodded in agreement. ¡°Supervisor Kim is on the same page and is still in discussions with UNET. We have to take the UNET schedule into ount, and honestly, we''ve put a lot of effort into promoting ¡®Parade.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Well, Supervisor Kim is good at this. He¡¯s bound to make the right call.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. So, you guys, just focus on enjoying your getaway.¡±

    Finally, our car pulled to a stop after three hours of driving.

    ¡°The bathroom, I need the bathroom! I thought I was going to explode!¡± Lee Jin-Sung hurriedly flung open the car door and bolted into the amodation.

    I got out of the car and took in the surroundings. This ce was nestled even deeper in the countryside, more like at the foot of a mountain, unlike where we had stayed for the unitpetition.

    In front of the ce was a creek suitable for water activities, and a big dog was wagging its tail, greeting us. The ce felt blissfully removed from the everyday hustle, a serene setting offering rxation and peace.

    The camera was already rolling, capturing the members as they explored inside the ce.

    - Have you been doing well all this time?

    ¡°Yes, I''ve been great. I love the vibe here."

    - d to hear that. You seem to have slimmed down a bit.

    "Oh, really? I''ve been eating well though. Maybe it''s the increased activities." I responded to the cameraman''s question and made my way to the director.

    As all the members gathered in front of the building, the main camera flickered on, signaling the start of the official shoot.

    - Chronos members, it¡¯s been a while.

    ¡°It has indeed. How''s everyone been doing?"

    - Absolutely great. Congrattions once more on your debut.

    Director Lee Won-Jae¡¯s congrattory words were met with a round of apuse from the crew.

    ¡°Thank you so much!"

    - Today marks exactly one month since Chronos''s debut. In light of your non-stop schedule over the past month, or rather, the past half-year since <i>Pick We Up</i>, we''ve arranged some time for you to unwind and recharge.

    With about two weeks left until the end of our debut schedule, it was quite a busy time. Groups that debuted alongside us from <i>Pick We Up</i>, especially those under majorbels, had already started targeting international markets.

    Being a mid-tier group with limited domestic marketing funds, Chronos had yet to secure the top spot on overseas album sales charts, despite winning <i>Pick We Up</i> and enjoying the backing of UNET. Under this pressure and with our relentless schedule, we were experiencing both physical and mental fatigue.

    Director Lee Won-Jae spoke with a reassuring smile.

    - Your final mission for <i>Chronos History</i> is to enjoy and rejuvenate during this retreat thoroughly.

 Chapter 94: Debut (17)

    <h4>Chapter 94: Debut (17)</h4>

    The gentle breeze created a pleasant contrast with the warm sunshine, and the tranquil sounds of nature served as a serene backdrop. I wondered when was thest time I had enjoyed such a peaceful moment alone. The setting was perfect for a nap, and there I was, sprawled out on a bench in front of the house.

    Director Lee Won-Jae had hinted at some game-like activities for our trip, but he surprisingly left us on our own as soon as the filmingmenced, without assigning any missions. The presence of scattered cameras was the only indication that we were on a shoot. Otherwise, it felt like a genuine holiday, with me and the other members rxing inside the house.

    The idea of taking a nap was incredibly enticing, especially as drowsiness started to settle in. After all, Director Lee had given us free rein, saying, ¡°Do whatever you want.¡± Just as I almost fell asleep, someone sat beside me and yfully waved a hand over my face.

    ¡°What?" I mumbled, caught off guard.

    ¡°Oh, I saw you here and thought you were about to sleep. I was about to wake you and guide you back to the house..." said Park Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Thanks," I replied as Park Yoon-Chan withdrew his hand. We then decided to wander over and enjoy the view of the valley. It seemed like he had simply approached because I was there, not necessarily for a chat.

    ¡°Why don''t you join the others?" I asked, noticing Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung engaging in yful antics with a golden retriever on the other side. Seeing them, I sighed inwardly. The clothes they were wearing were probably sponsored, and I could almost hear the distant cries of dismay from the stylists observing from afar.

    Park Yoon-Chan leaned back, findingfort against the bench. Shaking his head gently, he said, ¡°I prefer the quiet." It was clear that he, like me, wasn''t a fan of noisy environments.

    The atmosphere wasid-back, and since neither of us was particrly chatty by nature, the silence between us didn''t feel awkward. However, as I sat there, the lure of sleepiness returned. No, falling asleep immediately during a broadcast wouldn''t do. So, I forced my eyes wide open and initiated a conversation with Park Yoon-Chan to fend off the drowsiness.

    ¡°You really nailed the ''Rasputin'' dance," Iplimented.

    ¡°Thank you. And you, with your curly hair in ''You are Shining...¡¯"

    ¡°That''s apliment, right?" I asked, half-joking.

    ¡°Yes, of course," he confirmed sincerely, his face free from any mischief. It seemed the curly hair wig genuinely suited me.

    Suddenly, Joo-Han''s voice shattered the tranquility. "Hey! You two, stop rolling in the dirt! Those clothes are sponsored!" He had probably been alerted by the stylists and was now scolding Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung. While peace reigned on our side, chaos seemed to be a constantpanion on theirs. Fools.

    Just then, as I was soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, a paper airne gilded toward us,ing to rest at our feet.

    ¡°A paper airne?" I wondered aloud.

    ¡°Where did thise from?" Park Yoon-Chan picked up the airne, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Look, there''s something written on it.¡± He then unfolded the paper cautiously to avoid tearing it and handed it over to me.

    [Would you like to cook together with the members? YES/O]

    So, this was their way of casually presenting us with a mission.

    ¡°Hmm," I pondered.

    ¡°Cooking...?"

    Given theck of restaurants or even a grocery store nearby, it seemed that we had no choice but to cook ourselves.

    Imented, ¡°Well, Joo-Han hyung is able to cook ramen.¡±

    ¡°And Jin-Sung made pancakes not too long ago," Park Yoon-Chan added.

    ¡°But he''s vowed never to make them again after that pancake dance incident," I reminded him.

    As we were engrossed in discussing the mission, the trio from the other side approached us with the dog in tow.

    ¡°What''s all this serious conversation about?"

    ¡°What''s on that paper?"

    ¡°Don''te too close to Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan. You''ll get them dirty too!"

    I passed the paper to Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Would you like to cook? Really? Us cooking?" Jin-Sung looked disgusted at the thought. His opinion, however, didn''t carry much weight given his history with cooking disasters.

    ¡°Let''s go for it. There''s ramen after all. We can manage that," Joo-Han suggested casually.

    ¡°But is making ramen really considered cooking?" Park Yoon-Chan questioned, prompting Joo-Han to pause and consider the idea.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be considered cooking if we sliced some onions and put them in there?¡±

    ¡°Hold on, hyung," Goh Yoo-Joon interjected seriously, grabbing Joo-Han''s arm and presenting the paper to him. ¡°Read this out loud."

    Following Goh Yoo-Joon''s request, Park Yoon-Chan started to read the mission paper slowly. ¡°Would you like to cook together with the members? Yes, sh... O?"

    [YES/O]

    <i>¡®Ah!¡¯</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not really giving us a choice, is it? It¡¯s basically amand to cook.¡±

    Right as we were digesting the purpose of the mission, another paper airne glided toward us. We didn¡¯t know who was sending it, but the precision of their throws was impable.

    Lee Jin-Sung picked up the paper airne and unfolded it with a hint of curiosity.

    Meat and Stew - 70 points

    Curry - 80 points

    Chicken Soup - 90 points

    Braised Short Ribs with Aged Kimchi - 100 points

    What did all this mean? We exchanged puzzled looks, our eyes flitting from the paper to each other. Just then, Joo-Han''s phone started to ring.

    ¡°Could it be In-Hyun hyung?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn''t be surprised. I had a feeling they wouldn''t let us off the hook that easily."

    Goh Yoo-Joon jokingly suggested, ¡°Just ignore the call. It''s clearly about the mission."

    Following his cue, I promptly hit the decline button on the call. This little act of rebellion sent a ripple of chuckles through the group, and we started heading back to the house.

    ¡°Director, you said we could do whatever we wanted, but look at this."

    ¡°To make braised short ribs with aged kimchi, we practically have to camp out in the kitchen."

    ¡°Come on, let''s just forget the mission. We''re here for rxation, and it''s ourst shoot anyway."

    ¡°It''s not like we can actually make any of these dishes on the list."

    ¡°How about ramen? Director Lee probably nned for this. Well, no mission means no starvation."

    Perhaps it was our newfound boldness as newbies or the confidence we gained from experiencing <i>Flying Man</i>, but we firmly refused the production team''s persistent attempts to make us cook. Even as more calls came through, Joo-Han consistently declined them while we nonchntly prepared a pot for ramen.

    Eventually, the persistent production team that was monitoring us from elsewhere showed up and insisted that we answer the phone. When it rang again, with evident reluctance, Joo-Han pressed the answer button. To our surprise, it was Director Lee Won-Jae¡ªnot Manager In-Hyun¡ªon the line.

    - Chronos, ramen is off-limits today.

    Director Lee blurted out immediately.

    ¡°What! You said we could do whatever we wanted!" Lee Jin-Sung eximed, his protestced withughter.

    - You can, but no ramen or starvation is allowed.

    Director Lee asserted with urgency in his tone. Clearly, he was taken aback by our unexpected defiance. After all, we usually followed his directions without fuss, but everything changed when the fir¡ªehm, ever since we appeared on <i>Flying Man.</i>

    - Look, did you see the paper? There are scores next to each dish. You can earn the ingredients for your chosen dish by scoring with the karaoke machine in the house.

    ¡°Then, you are giving us the dish?"

    - We will give you the ingredients for those dishes, and all members must participate. We''ll average your scores to determine which ingredients you get.

    ¡°But Director, if we score ny, can we choose the eighty or seventy-point dishes?"

    - You need to score within the seventies to get the ingredients for the seventy-point dishes like meat and stew.

    ¡°Wow, that''s challenging." Our collective befuddlement seemed to restore Director Lee''s slightly annoying demeanor.

    - You got this!

    ¡°Ugh..."

    Director Lee abruptly hung up the call. With a collective sigh, we set aside our water-filled pot and made our way to the living room.

    It appeared Director Lee had caught wind of our entertaining karaoke session, probably through his connection with Director Han Bu-Joon.

    ¡°Given our culinary skills, wouldn''t aiming for meat and stew be the most realistic option?"

    ¡°Exactly. Anything higher would require us to actually follow the recipes closely."

    It seemed that they deliberately ced the straightforward meat dish in the seventy-point range. Generally, as long as you didn''t sing too softly, scoring above seventy was feasible. However, if any of us hit the nies, we¡¯d be forced to spend hours meticulously making curry or chicken soup.

    Joo-Han bit his lip thoughtfully and then reached for the microphone. ¡°The trick with the karaoke machine is that louder singing usually means higher scores. Let''s try to control our voices to hit just the seventies."

    ¡°Understood!"

    The first to sing was Park Yoon-Chan. He punched in the song number and grabbed the microphone. The song that shed on the screen was none other than... the national anthem!

    ¡°...Dang, Yoon-Chan, your song selection never ceases to amaze us," Goh Yoo-Joon and I quietly murmured.

    ¡°Truly creative.¡±

    Joo-Han let out a light chuckle. ¡°I should have guessed from his earnest posture."

    <i>Until the East Sea¡¯s waters and Mount Baekdu are dry and worn away,</i>

    <i>May God protect and preserve our nation, forevermore?</i>

    He was singing with unwavering earnestness while holding the microphone firmly with both hands. Unsure of how to react, the rest of us simply raised our arms and swayed from side to side, flowing with the rhythm.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan is doing really well. Maybe we should hold the mic a bit farther from his mouth?"

    Following Joo-Han''s subtle hint, Park Yoon-Chan adjusted the microphone a little further from his lips.

    Watching this, Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but remark, ¡°It''s kind of funny how serious he is, especially that expression of his."

    ¡°But that''s exactly what the fans adore about Yoon-Chan." His blend of rigidity and pure kindness¡ªapanied by genuine care, deep earnestness, and thoughtfulness¡ªmade him a unique member of Chronos. As one of the most visually appealing members, it was hard for him to look anything but good. He simply had all the qualities of an innocent baby brother: sincere and willing to try hard, even in the face of shorings.

    As Park Yoon-Chan reached the fourth verse of the national anthem, Joo-Han passed the other microphone to me. ¡°Just look at him, not missing a single beat. What can we do? He''s singing the anthem with such gusto that it doesn''t feel right to ask him to tone it down."

    ¡°Hyung... remember manager hyung''s advice about being careful with what we say on the mic."

    Ignoring my caution, Joo-Han patted my shoulder encouragingly. ¡°Hyun-Woo, I''m counting on you. I''m just concerned about someone getting hurt if we use a knife during cooking."

    ¡°Alright, understood."

    As Park Yoon-Chan finished his wless rendition of the anthem, we all pped in appreciation and eagerly awaited the score.

    [Singer material! 87 points!]

    That meant it was curry for us. Joo-Han''s strategy of keeping the volume low paid off with a score of 87.

    I quickly scanned through the karaoke songbook, searching for a song that I could sing without attracting too much attention...

    ¡°This one''s perfect!" I punched in the song number and stood up, gripping the microphone with a sense of resolve. The time hade to once again surrender my soul to the musical abyss. At this moment, the song title shed on the screen.

    ¡°Adult¡±

    Thiste ¡®90s hit was known for its seductive blend of seventy percent airy vocals and thirty percent actual sound. As a masterpiece of a famous sexy singer, it featured iconic sultry sighs that added to its allure, starting with a distinct... heavy breathing sound.

    In an instant, Joo-Han''s worried expression turned to one of recognition. ¡°Ah! I know this song!"

    Brimming with excitement, Lee Jin-Sung gestured for Park Yoon-Chan to join him at the front. The introductory dance was a ritual for anyone familiar with the song.

    ¡°Should I join too?" After a brief moment of hesitation, Park Yoon-Chan stepped up beside us with a determined look.

    Together, the three of us embarked on the seductive dance, our hands gliding down our thighs as the music swelled. After that, I started to sing, my voice rich with the breathy tones characteristic of the song.

 Chapter 95: Debut (18)

    <h4>Chapter 95: Debut (18)</h4>

    I ended up barely singing. My performance consisted of about fifty percent huffing and puffing, twenty percent singing, and the remaining thirty percent dancing. While performing, I felt like I could hear theughter of the production team from the next room.

    <i>When the moon rises (gasp), I sit (ha)... on the edge of your bed (huff)...</i>

    <i>Now it''s midnight(huff), and now I have be an adult (heup)...?</i>

    What would one feel if a friend of theirs unraveled themselves like this right before their eyes? At least for Goh Yoo-Joon, it was hrious enough to roll on the floorughing. Hisughter was so infectious that even Lee Jin-Sung, who was dancing next to me, couldn''t hold back and burst into a fit ofughter.

    I directly became the center of attention. Hearing themotion, the production team had gathered outside therge ss windows of the house. At this moment, we were the hottest spot in the vicinity, and there I was, the sexy star of the show.

    But then, this weird thought hit me. ¡®<i>Why am I going all out for this?</i> <i>I''m twenty-four, looking neen, and honestly, I don''t care if we have to cook curry or braised short ribs with aged kimchi.¡¯</i>

    <i>Why (gasp) are you looking (heup) at me like that? (Huff)...</i>

    <i>Is it still... awkward??</i>

    After receiving the microphone from Joo-Han, I came to my senses and realized that my sole focus was to lower the score. Therefore, I enthusiastically sang while crawling on the floor.

    This was the problem. Turning neen again, I found myself doing everything with all my efforts, even feeling proud and amused, which was a bit strange. I then gave up on singing and justy on the floor, finishing the song with a sentimental pose and expression from around 2009.

    ¡°Let''s apud Hyun-Woo!" Joo-Han warmly pped at my fiery performance, and so did the members and the production team outside the house. The karaoke machine then announced my score.

    [We support your passion! 54]

    The hard work paid off. Amidst the cheers, I bittersweetly got up and sat on the couch, wishing no one would talk to me anymore.

    ¡°Thanks to Hyun-Woo''s effort in getting a low score, the rest of the members don''t have to worry about their scores. I''ll sing next," said Joo-Han, confidently taking the mic and pressing buttons on the remote control. He suddenly looked sad, reminiscent of my ¡°2009 expression¡±.

    The song was ¡°Don''t Know How to Not Love You,¡± the original soundtrack from the inte novel-based movie<i> My Boyfriend is Alien</i>. The song was very beloved during thete 2000s.

    ¡°Wow!" All of us cheered. The lyrics of the song were cheesy, but itsposition was a masterpiece, making it tough to sing. Joo-Han was not a bad singer, but he still struggled with the song¡¯s emotional expression and high notes, which posed a challenge even for the original singer.

    I watched him with interest, lost in nostalgia. Joo-Han bravely held the mic.

    <i>Are you happy there?</i>

    <i>I loved and missed you</i>

    <i>I can¡¯t consider that a memory</i>

    <i>Because the scars in my heart haven¡¯t healed</i>

    <i>Please let me live</i>

    <i>Please let me forget about you...?</i>

    ¡°Dang, haha..." Joo-Han suddenly covered his eyes and lowered his head while singing well.

    ¡°What is going on, hyung?"

    ¡°Ah... tears just..." Joo-Han pretended to hold back tears and put down the mic without singing another verse.

    ¡°What''s this!" Goh Yoo-Joonughed and cried out. Feeling dumbfounded, I asked the production team outside the window, "Is this how it''s supposed to be?"

    Joo-Han pretended to cry, alternating between singing and murmuring, ¡°it hurts,¡± while clutching his chest. Wasn''t Joo-Han a bit too different from his usual image, or had I been mistaken about the twenty-one-year-old Joo-Han all along? He ended up scoring 53 points, somewhat simr to mine.

    ¡°...¡±

    He sat down, looking dazed, and then got up. ¡°Now, Jin-Sung and Yoo-Joon can singfortably. Hyun-Woo and I have lowered the scores, so sing whatever you want."

    ¡°...Hyung, thank you so much.¡± It was fun to see Joo-Han''s serious sacrifice and how the members were sincerely moved. I looked at them disdainfully and leaned back on the couch.

    ¡°Isn''t this the first time Goh Yoo-Joon is properly singing on the show?" I remarked.

    Surprised, Yoo-Joon stopped pressing buttons and said, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s true.¡±

    ¡°The fans will love it if it''s broadcasted. Yoo-Joon hyung''s voice is a killer."

    ¡°Ah, what! Don¡¯t hype it too much!" Yoo-Joon yelled and turned his head as he got embarrassed, but he seemed quite pleased.

    ¡°Hey, since you are up for singing, choose something you really shine in. I have been dying to hear the one you belted out at your debut audition.¡±

    ¡°The song I sang at the audition?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon paused for a moment and then removed the song number he had pressed in.

    ¡°Alright, then I am going for Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s request.¡± He punched in a well-memorized number with confidence. It was ¡°Blue Night,¡± a smooth,te-night vibe R&B track¡ªsimply a perfect match for Goh Yoo-Joon''s rich, deep voice. Personally, I always had a soft spot for his rendition. Keen to share his ster vocals, I flung the window open for the production crew to get an earful and let my eyes drift shut.

    When Goh Yoo-Joon''s velvety tones filled the air, tranquility enveloped the room, and even the rowdiest members and crew hushed down... As thest notes of Goh Yoo-Joon''s song faded, he nabbed a whopping 98 points. Pleased as punch with Yoo-Joon¡¯s scores, Joo-Han nodded in satisfaction.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, just go with the flow, man."

    ¡°What¡¯s ''go with the flow''? You''re asking the impossible, hyung."

    ¡°Just wing it."

    Lee Jin-Sung grumbled under his breath after hearing Joo-Han''s peculiar request and gripped the mic. It looked like he''d set up his song choice while I was lost in the melody. It was Chronos''s ¡°Parade¡±, marking the finale of this game. Despite our exhaustion fromughter, tumbling, and dancing, our youngest¡¯s ¡°Parade¡± recharged us. We then pped along with tambourines and cheered him on.

    ¡°You are a bit tired, aren¡¯t you?"

    ¡°Yup."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shed a mischievous grin, seized the remote, and nced at Lee Jin-Sung, who was cutting a rug barefoot. Then, Goh Yoo-Joon hit the trot[1] music button.

    ¡°When you''re getting tired, trot''s the beat."

    ¡°Huh?" The sudden trot rhythm threw Lee Jin-Sung off his groove, making him gawk at Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Ah, this is the stuff!" From lounging on the couch, Joo-Han directly perked up and got into the swing. Lee Jin-Sung was also getting carried away with his moves and shifted into a lively shoulder dance.

    ¡°This is it!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon sprung to his feet and made a beeline for Lee Jin-Sung.

    ¡°We''ll make it through! We''ll make it through! Once this struggle is over! The glitz will just fade away?!"

    ¡°Ahahaha!¡± I lost it. Theughter just burst out of me. Flipping a cool song into a trot hit? I couldn¡¯t keep a straight face like this.

    Lee Jin-Sung wrapped up his turn amidst a wave of affection from the crew and members. He snagged a solid 72 points, smack dab in the middle of the pack. With Joo-Han''s spot-on calctions and a few selfless acts, we scored enough to snag our grilled meat and Doenjang Jjigae[2] fix.

    ***

    Before we dove into dinner prep, we squeezed in a quick breather. Everyone unpacked in their rooms and then gathered around in the living room.

    "Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han''s guide tracks have been sent over to Producer Do, and we are still waiting to hear his opinion. Hyun-Woo, are you gonna kick off the choreography once the track''s locked in?"

    ¡°Yep. Still gauging how Producer Do might switch up the tune."

    I guessed the grind of the past few months had us all in work mode, so we were still hashing out details for the uing live show.

    ¡°After this shooting, let''s drill ording to the setlist. ¡®Need'' is Hyun-Woo¡¯s unit battle tune, so he''s on point for that, and I''ll handle ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡¯"

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°The real question is when Supervisor Kim and In-Hyun will schedule the live broadcast. With just two weeks left on our promotion schedule with ¡®Parade,¡¯ I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to do the live broadcast so soon."

    ¡°Yeah, it might be better to push the live broadcast back for the next song promotion.¡± I couldn''t mask my sourness as I responded to Joo-Han. After all, abandoning ¡°Parade¡± really felt like a missed opportunity.

    I was the only one who truly grasped the raw potential of ¡°Parade.¡± Ending our debut schedule of the song without a clean sweep of the school charts or iming the top spot was a bitter pill to swallow. Sure, the sess of a hit track wasn''t a solo act. Timing, opportunities, thebel, and the entire group of five boys had to coborate, giving their best. But there had to be another rung to climb.

    ¡°What''s up, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Hyung, what if we do <i>a</i> challenge before wrapping up ''Parade?¡¯"

    ¡°...A challenge?" Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung were quick to jump on board.

    ¡°Awesome, I''m all in! Let''s roll with it."

    ¡°Yeah, me too. ''Parade'' has got some slick moves. Teens will eat it up."

    Joo-Han reacted thest. ¡°What is the challenge? Like that Ice Bucket thing?"

    ¡°Well, not quite the same..."

    While most of the younger crowd was immersed in social media, dance challenges were still on the rise. A few years down the line, they would be mainstream. If Chronos, with our current buzz, kicked off a dance challenge, the teen scene would go wild for it. The quick and enthusiastic response from Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung was evidence enough, as they were high schoolers.

    ¡°Come on, hyung! Let''s give it a try, yeah?"

    ¡°You really think it''ll fly? Isn¡¯t that more of a <i>Teen&Talk</i>[3] craze?"

    ¡°<i>Teen&Talk''</i>s where the teens are at."

    Joo-Han''s lukewarm reaction spurred the high schoolers to hustle and convince him. For those not familiar with <i>Teen&Talk</i>''s dance challenge origins, it might seem off-putting at first, much like Joo-Han''s reaction. For them, it was just another app that was more notorious for spammy ads than anything else.

    ¡°Hmm... I''d love to back whatever you guys are into, but I''m concerned Chronos might catch heat from that app''s rep."

    I shook my head. ¡°Hyung, the dance challenge doesn''t have to be a <i>Teen&Talk</i> exclusive. We could kick it off on <i>UTube</i>."

    While trends might start on <i>Teen&Talk</i>, once dance challenges hit the mainstream, they would spread across many tforms like <i>UTube</i> and <i>Teen&Talk</i>. Hence, if someoneunched a viral video on <i>UTube, </i>it would spread to <i>Teen&Talk</i> as well.

    Joo-Han was wary of jumping in due to potential bacsh, but he was tentatively swayed by the idea of posting on <i>UTube</i>. ¡°I will discuss it with In-Hyun hyung.¡±

    1. A popr genre of Korean music with a distinct rhythm and vocal style, characterized by repetitive and simple melodies. ?

    2. A traditional Korean stew made with fermented soybean paste, various vegetables, seafood or meat, and often tofu, known for its hearty and savory vor. ?

    3. It¡¯s TikTok ?

 Chapter 96: Debut (19)

    <h4>Chapter 96: Debut (19)</h4>

    The break was short. Right after we finished talking about the live show and dance challenges, a knock at the door disturbed our peace.

    ¡°The ingredients must be here! I will check it out!¡± Lee Jin-Sung leaped up and made a beeline for the door, only to let out a baffled gasp. ¡°What the heck is this? Why are there so many boxes?¡±

    ¡°Did a whole bunch of them arrive?" Park Yoon-Chan sauntered over to the entrance and then shot a puzzled nce back at us.

    ¡°What''s going on?"

    ¡°We''ve got a mountain of boxes here." Certainly, all of this wasn''t just for grilling meat and whipping up Doenjang Jjigae. With a furrowed brow, I stood to inspect the chaos outside the entrance, where boxes were stacked so high they nearly blocked the door.

    ¡°What in the world? Please don''t tell me all this is meat?" Goh Yoo-Joon was utterly dumbfounded, so he hefted the top box and peeked inside. Then, he exhaled a sigh of pure exasperation. ¡°This is going to be a marathon cooking session, isn''t it? Whether it''s spicy pork ribs or anything else."

    ¡°What''s inside?" I pried open the box further to reveal its contents.

    ¡°...¡± Oh man. I shot a re in the direction of the production team''s lodging. The box was crammed with unmistakably outdoor prep items like charcoal and a grill.

    ¡°Does this mean we are doing this outdoors?"

    ¡°Looks like they are throwing us a barbecue party," Lee Jin-Sungmented and then took out a folded tent from one of the boxes.

    ¡°A tent... are they serious?"

    Meanwhile, Joo-Han frowned deeply and started kicking the obstructive boxes aside. ¡°All that effort for a precise seventy points at karaoke, and they pull something like this?"

    ¡°Joo... Joo-Han... hyung..." Park Yoon-Chan was clearly concerned and clutched at Joo-Han''s arm, as Joo-Han seemed like he was moments from storming the production team¡¯s quarters in a fury. However, Joo-Han wasn¡¯t that kind of an asshole. He just reassured the worried Park Yoon-Chan that he wouldn¡¯t go fight with the director and then started tearing into the boxes with a simmering rage.

    ¡°Everyone, let''s get moving. If we want to eat anytime soon, we gotta hustle." With Joo-Han at the helm, we kicked into high gear, prepping for the barbecue bash and setting up the tent. Joo-Han seamlessly flitted between the barbecue squad and the tent team, tranting instructions and simplifying them for us. Thanks to his dedication, our preparation time was cut in half, going from an hour to just thirty minutes.

    ¡°Feels like the only true downtime we had was ying with the puppy when we had just arrived."

    ¡°Healing for Chronos? Nah, it''s more about healing for our viewers," Goh Yoo-Joon mused while diligently working on the grill. Meanwhile, Joo-Han had wandered off to prepare some ramen, apanied by a grumbling Jin-Sung. Surprisingly, the management team didn''t seem bothered by the breach of the no-ramen rule, implying they were flexible as long as we stuck to the provided ingredients.

    Stationed beside Goh Yoo-Joon, Park Yoon-Chan and I were busy fanning the mes and muttering to each other. We vowed never to fall for the production crew''s tricks again. Their version of a ¡°trip¡± or ¡°healing¡± wasn¡¯t what we had thought of, so we really felt like we were getting a crash course in variety show survival from <i>Chronos History</i> and <i>Flying Man</i>.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, is the fire good to go?"

    ¡°Yeah, it''s lit. But back off, it''s scorching." Goh Yoo-Joon ushered us away and set the grill in ce. At this moment, Joo-Han returned with Jin-Sung and a pot in tow, which they then ced atop the grill.

    ¡°Start with the ramen. Grilling the meat''s going to take a while,"manded Joo-Han.

    ¡°Good news, guys! The Doenjang Jjigae ingredients are all prepped. I saw it while helping Joo-Han hyung. That''s a relief, right?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and Park Yoon-Chan then huddled around the ramen pot. Our hunger from the non-stop shooting made us move our chopsticks so fast that they blurred when they moved, snatching up noodles.

    ¡°Seeing you guys eat makes all this worth it," said Joo-Han. Seated next to a tent, he watched us with a warm smile. I then sat beside him, cooling my fire-warmed face, and grabbed a slice of pork belly.

    ¡°I''ll take over the grilling," I said.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you not joining them for ramen?"

    ¡°I''m fine. Better to grill now so they won''t have to waitter." As Iid the meat on the grill, Goh Yoo-Joon slipped off his work gloves and handed them over. Soon, Joo-Han came over to lend a hand with the grilling and said, ¡°Everyone, ears open."

    ¡°What''s up?" After all eyes turned to Joo-Han, he scanned the group and nodded as if steeling himself. ¡°I have been mulling over this for a while, but what do you say we all drop the formalities and talk casually from now on?"

    ¡°...Excuse me?" We were all dumbfounded, and I was no different. It was such an out-of-the-blue suggestion that I wondered if I''d misheard or if Joo-Han had snuck off for a drink out of stress.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung, what''s gotten into you? Did something happen?" Goh Yoo-Joon snatched the tongs from Joo-Han¡¯s hand and probed him. Park Yoon-Chan also set his chopsticks down and felt Joo-Han''s forehead. ¡°You are burning up. Are you feeling okay?"

    ¡°No, it''s just the heat from the grill, you goof," mocked Joo-Han

    ¡°It''s because of those darn production folks. Now, our Joo-Han hyung is sick!" Jin-Sung yelled, his eyes darting around and searching for the production crew.

    Joo-Han''s brows turned into a tight frown. He was evidently not thrilled with how the members were taking it all in.

    ¡°Listen up, guys. That''s not the point here. We are a team now, right? It got me thinking, do we really need to keep up this whole formal charade?"

    ¡°...Man, Joo-Han hyung, you really are the grown-up among us. What you just dropped was pretty epic."

    ¡°I get the feeling that you are all a bit wary of me, but honestly, I''d rather we all gotfortable with each other," Joo-Han said.

    Lately, I had observed Joo-Han taking on a more active role¡ªwhipping up ramen and contributing more to our conversations. Perhaps, his recent karaoke performance, where he let loose and shed some of his dignity, was his way of bridging the gap among us. Having assumed the leader role for around fifty trainees ever since his trainee days, Joo-Han naturally distanced himself from us. He was a bit more guarded than the rest of us as he shouldered more responsibility.

    Eight years down the line with Joo-Han, I only got scolded whenever I really messed up, but the others might be more intimidated by him. But really, was there any need for him to keep this distance with his own team?

    ¡°Sure thing, Joo-Han," blurted Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°...You cheeky thing!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon dropped the formalities in a sh, earning a swift kick from Joo-Han. Ah, that lovable goof...

    ¡°If you are kicking off the casual talk, it''ll make things easier for the rest of us too. I''ll ditch the formalities, so Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung, feel free to follow suit." I threw this suggestion into the mix, and while Goh Yoo-Joon and I easily slipped into a more rxed way of speaking, the others seemed to wrestle with it a bit. However, Joo-Han didn''t look like he would press the issue.

    ¡°Guys, check out the sky. The stars are just unbelievable!" Utterly mesmerized by the nket of stars above, Goh Yoo-Joon filched a phone from Joo-Han''s pocket.

    ¡°I''m gonna put on some tunes to match this vibe."

    ¡°Go for it."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, meat is ready."

    I received the grilled meat from Park Yoon-Chan with a pair of tongs and settled back into my chair. Soon enough, Goh Yoo-Joon''s chosen melody wafted through the air, creating aid-back, cozy night scene.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, can I snag this piece?"

    ¡°Huh? Oh, no, not that one. It''s not done yet. Try this piece instead."

    Jin-Sung chatted awayfortably with Yoon-Chan, who reciprocated albeit a bit awkwardly. The warm atmosphere then blended into the tranquil night around us.

    ¡°Joo-Han, why aren''t you eating any of that meat? You''ve been at the grill forever!"

    ¡°Are you out of your mind?!"

    ¡°Ahahaha!" Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han''s yful squabble seemed like it could use a different venue. Full and feeling toasty, I found my eyelids growing heavy, and finally, I pushed myself up. ¡°Think I will rest in the room.¡±

    ¡°Off to bed, Hyun-Woo hyung?" Jin-Sung asked.

    I nodded and made my way toward the house. Thoughts of needing a shower circled my mind until Iid eyes on the bed in the open room. All of a sudden, the notion of skipping it on a trip didn''t seem so bad.

    <i>¡®Forget it, I''m just wiped out today.¡¯</i>

    As soon as I sank onto the bed, I fell into a deep sleep.

    ***

    ¡°Where''s Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Looks like he is tired. Must''ve been beat."

    ¡°Already? It''s barely 8 PM."

    ¡°He''s not the most resilient out of us. Trekking all the way here, belting out songs, dancing, and getting the barbecue going, he''s held up pretty well." Goh Yoo-Joon''sment was met with a nod from Park Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°He was looking worn out from the get-go."

    ¡°He needs the rest, so let''s not disturb him. We can handle the cleanup," said Joo-Han.

    The night seemed to be winding down, yet nobody made a move from their seats. They were all too entranced by the sound of dying embers and the peacefulness of the night. This moment of calmness was a rare treasure for them, a respite from the relentless pace of their lives.

    ¡°By the way, Joo-Han hyung, did you ever get around to telling Hyun-Woo about that thing?" Park Yoon-Chan''s question prompted Kang Joo-Han to shake his head.

    ¡°Not yet. Didn''t feel like the right moment."

    ¡°That thing? What''s that about?"

    ¡°What are you two on about?"

    Curiosity red in Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s eyes. Park Yoon-Chan then nced at Kang Joo-Han, who readily nodded in agreement, so he continued, ¡°Turns out, Joo-Han hyung''s been crafting a solo track for Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°What! Why keep it a secret? Why''s it just for Hyun-Woo hyung!"

    ¡°Seriously? Since when? Yoon-Chan, how did you find out?"

    ¡°Just... you know... during the ''Parade'' video shoot, I heard Joo-Han hyung ying this gorgeous tune on the piano and asked him about it." Park Yoon-Chan grinned, remembering the day.

    Back when they were filming the music video, a melody that Joo-Han yed struck a chord with Yoon-Chan and Hyun-Woo. It was a beautiful but unfamiliar piece. After the filming wrapped, drawn to the music, Park Yoon-Chan asked about the song''s title.

    Then, Joo-Han responded nonchntly, without any particr expression. ¡°I made it myself. It¡¯s a congrattory gift for Hyun-Woo for his debut.¡±

    Since it wasn¡¯t done yet, Park Yoon-Chan couldn¡¯t reveal it to Hyun-Woo.

    Kang Joo-Han smiled sheepishly. ¡°I''ll give it to him once it''s done. Keep it a secret for now. Good timing, Yoo-Joon, could you help with the guide recording?"

    ¡°Huh? Oh, sure, no problem. This is quite sudden news, though."

    ¡°What about us!? Why don''t we get a present!? Joo-Han hyung, can''t you make me a dance track?" Lee Jin-Sung clung to Kang Joo-Han, whining.

    Kang Joo-Han patted his head but firmly shook his head. ¡°Not right now, Jin-Sung. I''ll get around to making tracks for you guys too. Just understand why I''m doing Hyun-Woo''s first."

    ¡°Right, Jin-Sung." Goh Yoo-Joon pulled Lee Jin-Sung away, adding his two cents. ¡°Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo have been training together for a while, and I''m all for starting with Hyun-Woo''s track."

    For Kang Joo-Han, all the Chronos members were dear younger brothers, but Suh Hyun-Woo was special. He was a ten-year veteran trainee and had joined two years before Joo-Han, doggedly holding on to his dream of debut. Of course, there were times when he seemed as if he''d given up, teetering on the edge, but Joo-Han couldn''t forget the desperate fight that Suh Hyun-Woo showed in hisst audition.

    Joo-Han was the person who, as a hyung, had been supporting Suh Hyun-Woo''s debut from the closest quarters for eight years, so he decided to give his ownposition to celebrate his dear friend''s debut.

 Chapter 97: Debut (20)

    <h4>Chapter 97: Debut (20)</h4>

    In my sleep, I vaguely felt itchiness on my face and heard intermittent chuckles and murmurs, but I was too deep in sleep to bother. The next morning, I found myself scrunched at the edge of a massive bed, with Goh Yoo-Joon spread eagle in the center, iming almost all of the bed. Seeing him, I got annoyed and shoved his arm away to get up.

    ¡°This bed isn''t just yours, you know?" I grumbled under my breath. I was already irked by having to share the bed, so I gave Goh Yoo-Joon''s back a little stomp as I got off and then quickly withdrew my foot upon spotting the camera.

    Heading to the living room, I saw Yoon-Chan dozing on the couch.

    <i>¡®Why here of all ces?¡¯</i> I wondered briefly about Yoon-Chan''s impromptu bed choice before settling down in an empty spot. After I thought about it, everyone had to be very tired from the trip, and probably Jin-Sung or Joo-Han was snoring louder than usual, driving Yoon-Chan out here.

    As I watched the TV on low, I noticed the clean remnants ofst night''s feast, likely Joo-Han''s handiwork. I then felt a twinge of guilt. I should''ve offered to do the dishes.

    Shaking off the thought, I flicked through UNET''s channels. Their daily MV medley was on, showcasing theirtest hits. As I zoned out to the videos, Yoon-Chan stirred awake, looking up at me groggily. ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung... you''re up already?"

    ¡°I slept earlyst night. Why are you out here?"

    ¡°Jin-Sung''s snoring was unbearable."

    ¡°Go crash in our room, next to Goh Yoo-Joon."

    He likely didn''t catch much sleep thanks to Jin-Sung''s snoring, but Yoon-Chan declined, wiping his face instead. ¡°Ah... I feel so stiff."

    ¡°That''s what you get for sleeping on the couch. I feel bad for you to have to share a room with them most of the time."

    ¡°No, it''s not that bad." Yoon-Chan stretched to loosen his stiff muscles and then made for the door.

    ¡°Where are you going?"

    ¡°Off for a jog. I had too much food yesterday."

    ¡°Still sticking to the routine, huh?"

    Ever since a weight warning nearly derailed his debut, Yoon-Chan hadn''t missed a day of his morning workout.

    ¡°If I miss a day, I get anxious. Let the others know not to wait for me for breakfast."

    He would probably be famished after skipping breakfast today.

    ¡°Make sure you eat something, though."

    ¡°No, I''ll be fine. And, Hyun-Woo hyung... um, about the look..."

    ¡°What''s up?"

    ¡°...Never mind."

    Yoon-Chan left with a look of concern, but I had seen him skipping meals before, so I just went back to watch the music videos. High Tension, Street Center, and Chronos''s videos yed one after the other. While watching them, I wondered about what the other groups were doing now. Rumors circted that True Bye was timing their debut, and Air Senior had disbanded. However, there was no information about Ash ck, On-Sae¡¯s group. Thest time Team D got together, the situation didn''t look very promising, and I hadn¡¯t received any news of On-Sae switching to YU yet.

    ¡°Hyung, you''re already up...?" Jin-Sung wandered into the living room, smiling upon seeing me.

    ¡°Why the smile? I woke up early because I went to bed early. What about you, Jin-Sung? Why are you up already?"

    ¡°My eyes opened," answered Jin-Sung. He sat next to me, and after a bit of watching the music videos, he shyly spoke up, ¡°By the way, hyung.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Can I talk informally with you too?"

    ¡°Of course. We don''t have that big of an age difference." I had encouraged them to do that yesterday, but Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung seemed hesitant.

    Jin-Sung''s smile widened. ¡°Alright! Hyung[1]."

    "Yeah."

    <i>¡®But why does he keep ncing at me and grinning?¡¯</i> Then I remembered something.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, who''s got the Chronos phone right now?"

    ¡°Should be with Joo-Han hyung. Want me to grab it?"

    Before I could respond, Jin-Sung bolted into Joo-Han''s room and came back with the phone. I then took it from him and hit the video button.

    ¡°Why do you need the phone, though?"

    ¡°Stand by the TV for a sec, Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Here?" Jin-Sung shuffled beside the TV, but the backlighting was terrible. Mulling over a better filming spot, I decided outdoors would do the trick. I then grabbed Jin-Sung by his arm and walked outside.

    ¡°Why are you doing this all of a sudden?¡±

    ¡°It''s for the dance challenge. I doubt Joo-Han has cleared it with our manager, but I think it''s smarter to shoot in various spots rather than cramped up in one.¡± I envisioned some taking shots indoors and others outdoors¡ªby the stream or at the lodge. It would give the impression that we were more rxed and visually appealing, rather than rushed.

    I was not sure if we would even get the green light for the challenge, but rare trips to the mountains deserved to be captured.

    ¡°Stand by that tree, Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Right here?"

    ¡°Perfect. I will turn on the music. Just forget the strict choreo and dance as you like it."

    ¡°My style..."

    ¡°And... action."

    After cueing up ¡°Parade¡± just before the chorus, I hit record. At the same time, Jin-Sung burst into a dance, disying a level of animation and vigor beyond his usual style as the chorus kicked in.

    ¡°Ha! Cha! Ta-da!"

    ¡°Whew, heh!" I couldn''t help but chuckle at his over-the-top morning talent show, so I just looked up to contain myughter.

    Once Jin-Sung wrapped up his mboyant dance, I gave him a thumbs-up. ¡°Spot on."

    Checking the footage, Jin-Sung grinned as he felt pleased. ¡°Hope this catches on. Wouldn''t that be something, Hyun-Woo hyung?"

    ¡°Fingers crossed. Got friends on <i>Teen&Talk</i>? Give it a plug."

    ¡°Will do. But hyung."

    ¡°Hmm?"

    With a crafty smile, Jin-Sung handed me the phone. ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung swore us to secrecy, but I just can''t keep it in."

    ¡°About what?"

    ¡°Well, it wasn''t just me. We all saw it, but it was Joo-Han hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung''s idea. The, um, mirror... go see for yourself. Hurry up."

    Mirror? After Jin-Sung said that, he sprinted off toward the valley. He was more like flying than running.

    <i>¡®What''s going on here? Yoon-Chan''s awkward exit and Jin-Sung''s constant grinning...¡¯</i>

    I felt uneasy and was about to check my reflection on the phone when...

    ¡°Gosh, Hyun-Woo! What in the world is on your face?"

    ¡°What the... Did the others do that? It''s quite something!" The production crew who came to wake us up erupted intoughter at the sight of me.

    I quickly checked my reflection on the phone. ¡°Ah, Goh Yoo-Joon, you bastard!"

    My face was stered with doodles, giving me a panda-like appearanceplete with whiskers. A tiny message on my cheek humorously dered, ¡°Sleep early on a field trip, and this happens.¡± It was a ssic Goh Yoo-Joon move.

    Seething, I stormed into the house and bellowed, ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, I am going to kill you!¡±

    I barged into the room and relentlessly kicked the still-sleeping Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Ouch, ouch! What the heck!"

    Jolted awake by the kicks, Goh Yoo-Joon propped himself up. I then grabbed a pillow and smacked it across his face. ¡°What''s this nonsense on my face?"

    ¡°What''s with your face? Why the drama so early... Pfft! Ha!" Goh Yoo-Joon lost it in a fit ofughter upon seeing my artistic makeover, and no amount of pillow-pelting could stop his hystericalughter.

    ¡°How do I get this off!? This is freaking annoying! Ah, seriously!"

    ¡°It''s a water-based pen! Ow, that hurts!" Overwhelmed by the assault, Goh Yoo-Joon eventually armed himself with his pillow. Then, a chaotic pillow fight ensued.

    ¡°You two, keep it down!" Roused awake by the ruckus, Joo-Han then came to our room and swiftly confiscated our pillows, putting an end to the pillow fight.

    ¡°You are no different, hyung. I heard you and Goh Yoo-Joon did this to me."

    ¡°Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan were directing the whole thing."

    ¡°That bastard Jin-Sung, pretending he''s all innocent."

    As a gesture of truce, the other members agreed to let me skip breakfast prep, and I spent an hour erasing the doodles with the stylists'' help.

    Breakfast was a makeshift stew using leftover meat and kimchi with a dash of ramen seasoning.

    After a surprisingly decent meal, the main shoot kicked off with cameras set up around the house.

    ***

    - Did everyone sleep well?

    ¡°Did you hear all themotion this morning, Director?"

    Director Lee Won-Jae nodded with a thoroughly amused expression.

    - I heard Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon had a pillow fight early in the morning."

    ¡°Aren¡¯t they so mean? My face was almost covered by doodles."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s all part of the travel memories. It made things fun, right?"

    ¡°Fun? For everyone but me, maybe!" No matter how much I protested, my fellow members just chuckled.

    - I am d that everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Now, we will proceed with thest game of <i>Chronos History</i>."

    All of us groaned at Director Lee''s words. The final game of <i>Chronos History</i> signified the end of our first variety show.

    - For thest game, we''llpete for a delicious chicken soup. It''ll be between Chronos and our staff who''ve been with you for almost half a year, from <i>Pick We Up</i> to <i>Chronos History</i>."

    ¡°Apetition against the staff?"

    - Yes, it''s called the ''Speak Your Mind'' game! We''ve all umtedints and so on during our time together. So, in this final round, we''ll openly air them out.

    The game involved randomly paired staff and members holding hands and sharingints. The listener had to respond with ¡°I''m sorry. Thanks for telling me.¡± If the listener showed any hint of agitation, they lost.

    - Understood, everyone? Then, let''s have Chronos''s leader, Joo-Han,e forward and pick his opponent.

    ¡°Okay."

    A stic box was handed to Joo-Han.

    - Inside are the names of all the staff, including the Chronos team. The person on the paper Joo-Han picks will be his opponent.

    Joo-Han reached into the box and pulled out a paper. As soon as he read it, his expression shifted sinisterly. The visible change rmed both the production team and his fellow members.

    ¡°Who is it? Who could cause such a reaction?"

    ¡°Who is it? Is it Director Lee?"

    ¡°No." Joo-Han revealed the name on the paper to the camera.

    [Joh In-Hyun (Chronos Manager)]

    ¡°Ahh." Every member sighed. In-Hyun, of all people, had to be paired with Joo-Han. Joo-Han was likely the member with the most grievances against the manager, and certainly the most direct in expressing them.

    ¡°In-Hyun, pleasee forward."

    Sensing his impending defeat, our manager came forward, pale-faced.

    1. From this point onward, Jin-Sung starts talking informally to Hyun-Woo. It¡¯s a bit hard to make it obvious in English, so yeah.... it is what it is ^^ ?

 Chapter 98: Debut (21)

    <h4>Chapter 98: Debut (21)</h4>

    Why did we appoint Joo-Han as our leader during our trainee days? The answer was simple: he was the only one who dared to speak his mind to the manager. In a way, even the manager couldn''t help but feel a bit intimidated by Joo-Han. His trainee nickname was ¡°No Regret Revolutionary,¡± a tribute to his fearless candor.

    - Ready to share somest words before the big face-off?

    ¡°This is the showdown of the century, folks."

    ¡°These two always have conflicts, with or without a game." Amidst our buzz of anticipation, Joo-Han and the manager sped hands.

    - First up, In-Hyun.

    ¡°Joo-Han, take it easy, will you? You know I''ve got my own list ofints."

    ¡°Oh boy, In-Hyun! What bombshells are you nning to drop?"

    ¡°Dang!¡±

    - Now, Joo-Han''s turn.

    ¡°Let¡¯s pretend that there are no cameras today, hyung. Let''s have it out for real."

    <i>¡®Someone, hand him a mic to drop.¡¯</i> The nervous quiver in In-Hyun''s eyes said it all.

    -Let''s begin with In-Hyun!

    ¡°Joo-Han, why not let the others use the goodputer in your room sometimes? Since you monopolize it, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo have to use ourpany¡¯s officeptops for gaming and monitoring!¡±

    ¡°Yooooo, spicy!¡±

    ¡°Yes! We want our turn with theputer too!"

    Though everyone was aware of Joo-Han''smitment to music production and monitoring, the awkwardness of using theputer in his absence was amon source of frustration.

    ¡°Let''s move theputer to the living room!"

    ¡°Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo!¡±

    Joo-Han barely managed to sh a smile, but his expression was still grave. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Thanks for telling me."

    I could hear the trembling in Joo-Han''s voice.

    ¡°But hyung, I use thatputer for our music. Shouldn''t thepany purchase another one for the members or provide me with a separate studio? Is it really fair for a five-member dorm to have just oneputer? We can''t buy our own since we''re still awaiting our pay."

    ¡°Exactly! Anotherputer is needed!"

    ¡°Joo-Han deserves his own studio!"

    ¡°And why are we still waiting on our paychecks since <i>Pick We Up</i> ended?"

    ¡°...I''m sorry... Thanks for... telling me." The manager barely caught his breath after his scripted response.

    ¡°But hey! You''re spillingpany secrets here...!"

    As the manager attempted to protest, Joo-Han tightened his grip on the manager¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Your turn to air the nextint, In-Hyun hyung."

    ¡°...Alright. I always tell you when to wake up the next day, right? But when I arrive at your dorm the next morning, it''s still pitch ck with no one awake. I end up having to rouse everyone, even carrying Jin-Sung on my back to the schedule sometimes. Shouldn''t that be your responsibility, Joo-Han, as the leader?"

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Thanks for telling me. But hyung, I''m only human. I''ve been practicing till 2 AM and then waking up at 5 AM to keep up with our hectic schedule for a month. If you expect me to get the kids ready in advance, shouldn''t I be allowed at least five hours of sleep?"

    The true essence of the title ¡°No Regret Revolutionary¡± was on full disy. While everyone harboredints, they typically remained unspoken. On the other hand, Joo-Hanid them all bare on the broadcast, unfiltered.

    ¡°He is right! To be honest, we are too exhausted, In-Hyun hyung! I think today is the first time we''ve had a proper sleep."

    ¡°Our manager gets to catch naps at home while we''re grinding away in practice."

    Our uproar in solidarity was obvious as we agreed on each others¡¯ points.

    ¡°...Ah, that is mean.¡±

    ¡°Can this really go on air? Isn¡¯t the schedule brutal enough to get criticized?¡±

    ¡°Even if Chronos is skyrocketing in poprity, three hours of sleep is a bit...¡± The production team started whispering among themselves.

    From my observations during my trainer days, it was not just Chronos. Most popr idols barely slept during their active periods. Two to three hours a day was sadly the norm, which caused many idols to faint from exhaustion or suffer from narcolepsy[1]. But being universal didn¡¯t mean that it was eptable.

    Faced with Joo-Han''s pointed remarks, the manager retreated without a reply, likely fearing a fan revolt that could rock thepany.

    After Joo-Han, Jin-Sung faced off against Director Lee Won-Jae, Park Yoon-Chan was paired with a random cameraman, and Goh Yoo-Joon with the audio director. When my turn arrived, I delved into the box, shuffling the papers before drawing one. After I unfolded it, it revealed ¡°Kim Dong-Woo (Suh Hyun-Woo''s designated cameraman)¡±.

    ¡°This will be interesting."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, are you on good terms with your cameraman?"

    ¡°We''ve never had issues."

    However, the production team''s snickering puzzled me. Feeling slightly awkward, I extended my hand to a clearly embarrassed Dong-Woo.

    ¡°Dong-Woo hyung, eye contact is part of the game. Why won''t you look at me?"

    His ears flushed as he avoided my gaze. Suddenly, Director Lee Won-Jae announced with a grin.

    - Dong-Woo must make eye contact with Hyun-Woo to start the game.

    Finally, he met my eyes, only to shyly look away once more.

    - Dong-Woo,e on, eye contact.

    I had no idea he was this shy. I only knew him as an always-smiling presence.

    Eventually, he locked eyes with me.

    - Then, let¡¯s begin. Dong-Woo, your turn.

    After hesitating for a bit, he said, ¡°Honestly... you''re such a nice person that I seldom have issues with you, but at times, you''re so engrossed in games that you forget the camera. Because of it, I have to run around so much to capture your face. A little pose here and there would be nice, though it''s not a frequent issue."

    The team erupted with mock disapproval. ¡°That''s all? Put some punch into it!"

    ¡°That¡¯s such a trivialint!¡±

    Dong-Woo remained calm amidst their teasing.

    ¡°I''m sorry. Thanks for telling me."

    I wondered if his gentle approach was a mind game to catch me off guard, so I decided to mirror his style. ¡°Once in a while, when I''m in action, you struggle to keep up, affecting my flow. A little more stamina would be great."

    ¡°Dial it up, you two!" the team jeered.

    Acknowledging the mild critique, Dong-Woo responded graciously by nodding. ¡°I''m sorry. Thanks for telling me. I will work out a bit more. And Hyun-Woo, you smile at the camera by looking straight at it too much. I know it¡¯s a joke to me, but I''d appreciate it if you could tone it down a bit."

    I was taken aback. I did it only because I felt I was pretty close to him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, and thanks for telling me. Umm... Did that upset you?"

    He hurriedly shook his head/ ¡°No, no, no! Not at all! It''s just that..."

    Before he could continue, Director Lee Won-Jae intervened. ¡°Dong-Woo''s actually a big fan of yours, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Is that so?"

    Blushing furiously, Dong-Woo nodded.

    ¡°I''ve been a fan since <i>Pick We Up</i>. It was just my luck to be assigned to you... Your on-camera antics sometimes make my mind go nk."

    This revtion left me genuinely astounded because he acted like a close friend without being shy in front of me. ¡°I had no idea, thanks for the support. But I''ll keep up my camera antics."

    As Dong-Woo''s face turned beet red, Director Lee Won-Jae looked at him fondly and remarked, ¡°He tries to stay calm in front, but behind the scenes, he''s all over the ce. Despite his size, he''s quite the romantic. He even secretly makes coffee runs whenever Hyun-Woo shines."

    <i>Wow</i>, I was really surprised. I directly let go of Dong-Woo''s hand and offered a proper handshake. ¡°I had no idea. Thank you for liking me. But just so you know, the camera teasing will continue."

    Dong-Woo sped my hand with both of his. ¡°I''ll keep supporting you even after the show ends. And, well, even from a guy''s perspective, you''re quite handsome." The game shifted to a warm atmosphere, and at Director Lee Won-Jae''s suggestion to continue properly, Dong-Woo graciously bowed out.

    We won the game 3:2 and earned a delicious chicken soup. While the production team prepared it, we spent time in the valley. Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung were topless, energetically ying in nature, and Yoon-Chan became the target of Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung''s yful attacks after hesitantly joining in, getting thoroughly soaked.

    Meanwhile, Joo-Han and I simply rxed atop arge rock, watching the trio with leisure. ¡°Hyun-Woo, about the dance challenge, I sneakily asked the manager earlier. He said he''d ask the nning team and let us know."

    ¡°Good, I hope they approve it. What about my song? Did you hear from PD Do?"

    ¡°Yes, he said it would be ready by the time we return, soe and check it out."

    ¡°Send it to me as soon as you get it. I''ve got some preliminary ideas, but I need to see how they fit."

    Joo-Han nodded and started applying the sunscreen the stylists had left us. ¡°Want to join me when I go to check out the song?"

    ¡°Me too? Sure, but why? I''ll just be there to listen."

    ¡°Well, we could grab a meal together. I have something to give you," Joo-Han said this as he drew a long line of sunscreen on my leg. I then spread it out and nodded, curious but not thinking that it was anything serious.

    ¡°Joo-Han, Hyun-Woo! The chicken soup is ready!" called the production team from the house.

    Joo-Han checked the pot and then drew another line of sunscreen on my other leg before standing up. ¡°I''ll bring bowls of soup here. They won¡¯t be that heavy."

    ¡°...Oh, okay." Lately, I had noticed that Joo-Han was trying harder to fulfill his role as a caring brother. It was both new and heartwarming to witness this transformation in him¡ªfrom a stern leader to someone trying to connect with members who still found him a bit intimidating.

    1. A chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain''s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day. ?

 Chapter 99: Debut (22)

    <h4>Chapter 99: Debut (22)</h4>

    The final shoot for <i>Chronos History</i> had just concluded, and all that remained was to tidy up and bid our farewells. I had expected cheerful goodbyes after our yful shooting, but the tender gazes of the production crew stirred an unexpected pang of sadness in us.

    ¡°How''s everyone feeling now that it''s alling to an end? Let¡¯s start with Jin-Sung," I asked.

    ¡°Umm, I''m not sure. We''ve bonded with the crew, and now suddenly it''s the finale. It feels surreal to me," he replied.

    The sentiment passed from Jin-Sung to Goh Yoo-Joon, Park Yoon-Chan, and finally me.

    ¡°What about you, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°I''m overwhelmed with gratitude. Even now, your kind gazes are upon us, and you''ve always been our pirs of support. I''m immensely thankful to the crew and our fans for this journey. It means the world to us.¡±

    After I expressed my appreciation, Joo-Han also shared his feelings. ¡°It''s been a period filled with gratitude. We''ve learned so much from our first stage to our first broadcast with this incredible team. While we will gather more experiences in the future, this unique feeling and journey will forever hold a special ce in our hearts."

    - Everyone''s worked so hard. We will keep cheering for Chronos. Shall we wrap up with a final goodbye?

    Director Lee Won-Jae suggested. After that, Joo-Han nced around at us and said, ¡°Thanks for watching!¡±

    ¡°Cut! Well done, everyone!" A collective sigh of relief echoed as we basked in thepletion. It was a mix of relief and nostalgia, but I was content we''d wrapped up well.

    ¡°Thank you, everyone!¡±

    I made sure to personally express my gratitude to each crew member, noticing the mixed emotions in their faces. Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung were visibly moved, tears and all. Even Dong-Woo, my cameraman, was moved to tears.

    ***

    With our final farewells exchanged, we boarded the van back to Seoul, leaving the <i>Chronos History</i> chapter behind us.

    ¡°They approved the dance challenge. But what exactly is <i>Teen&Talk</i>? Is it truly that famed among teens?"

    I replied, ¡°So it seems. I only got wind of this dance challenge recently.¡±

    ¡°The nning team loved your idea. How did youe up with it?" our manager asked.

    ¡°It just hit me. But hey, I''ve already got Jin-Sung''s dance challenge filmed at the house. Can I capture another one at the rest stop?"

    ¡°Sure, just find a quiet area where no one is around.¡±

    Joo-Han passed me the phone, and I tapped the video icon, surveying the other members.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, how about pairing up with me?"

    ¡°Sure, why not." We understood not everyone needed to participate, especially in the hustle of a rest stop. Plus, it would be awkward for only one person to dance around these many people.

    Once there, Yoon-Chan, Goh Yoo-Joon, and I scouted for an ideal location, which proved challenging given our need to avoid crowded areas and unwanted attention. Finally, we chose a secluded spot behind the restrooms, shrouded by trees and teeming with ants.

    ¡°Don''t fret about mimicking the choreography exactly. The essence of a dance challenge is to reinterpret the original moves in your style."

    ¡°So, just the chorus?"

    ¡°Exactly... just the chorus," I confirmed.

    ¡°Should I cue the music, hyungs?" Yoon-Chan asked.

    ¡°Please do."

    He hit y on the chorus and started the recording. After engaging in a yful and meaningless high-five, we dove into the dance. Simplifying the chorus as per my suggestion allowed for ample room for creativity, leading to a moment where Goh Yoo-Joon and I locked eyes mid-dance, culminating in extravagant poses as the tune ended. Unlike us, who were having fun by doing silly dances, Yoon-Chan promptly vanished after he said, ¡°Done.¡±

    Crouching behind the restrooms, we reviewed the challenge footage before heading back to the van.

    ¡°Is everyone back?"

    ¡°Smells like butter-grilled squid in here.¡±

    The van was filled with the smell of grilled squid. After we all took a seat, the car started moving again.

    ¡°Where should I shoot mine?" asked Yoon-Chan as he chewed over, with a squid in hand.

    ¡°Hmm, where indeed?" I mused, sighing deeply. We had thought about the practice room and the dorm, but the manager opposed the idea of the dorm for privacy issues, and the practice room would be for Joo-Han¡¯s part.

    As I was lost in thought, Jin-Sung chimed in, ¡°What about at school?"

    ¡°School?" I echoed, intrigued.

    He nodded confidently. ¡°Many students do dance challenges there. I will team up with Yoon-Chan for it."

    What a ster suggestion, so I gave Jin-Sung an approving pat, impressed by his trendy high schooler insight. ¡°Then it''s settled."

    With just two weeks left in our debut run, I wondered if we could truly unlock the full potential of the song. For now, the dance challenge was our sole venture for ¡°Parade.¡±

    ***

    Jin-Sung''s dance challenge and my challenge with Goh Yoo-Joon made their way onto <i>UTube</i>, tagged with the hashtag #Parade_Dance_Challenge. Dance challenges like these didn''t usually get instant feedback, so checking the metrics right away wasn''t really an option.

    Meanwhile, we found ourselves in the YMM conference room with a packed agenda ahead of us. A flurry of decisions awaited us, from scheduling the uing live broadcast to determining the direction for the follow-up song. Plus, we had to weigh the option of releasing Joo-Han''s selfposed track as a digital single, especially after Producer Do''s enthusiastic backing.

    ¡°Chronos is hoping to align the live broadcast with the follow-up song schedule, so we''re thinking of going ahead with that. It''s a golden opportunity, after all, and it would be a shame to wrap everything up with just the ¡®Parade.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Then, Mr. Seong, please coordinate with UNET and, um, shall we listen to Joo-Han''s selfposed song? Producer Do has been praising it to the skies.¡±

    Producer Do handed a USB to Hye-Ri and said, ¡°I''m quite pleased with it. I''ve been guiding him a bit before, but I never expected him to produce something of this caliber so soon. It''s seasonally apt, and honestly, if Joo-Han had just a bit more confidence, I''d be pushing for it to be a follow-up song rather than just a digital release."

    As Joo-Han''s new song filled the room, it was evident that the guide version crafted by myself and Goh Yoo-Joon had evolved into a tune much more vibrant and lively than before. Even Supervisor Kim, Mr. Seong, and the other nning team members, who weren¡¯t familiar with the song, couldn''t help but break into smiles.

    ¡°Definitely... It''s impressive. It seems like Producer Do has also added his touch. Releasing it merely as a digital single seems like a waste.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. It would be lovely to release it as a follow-up song with a fittingly beautiful name.¡±

    ¡°No," objected Joo-Han. The nning team then looked at him with perplexed looks.

    ¡°Isn''t it somewhatcking for an official title track? There will be plenty of better songs for the nexteback, so insisting on my song doesn''t feel right." Joo-Han was evidently feeling the weight of Chronos performing his song. Despite his talent, he hadn''t reached a point of being objective with his work, always sensing some ws even in his bestpositions.

    Producer Do put down his pen and responded with a poker face, ¡°Your song is good, and I''ll address any ws to perfection. I personally believe it''s too valuable to be just a digital release."

    Yes. Everyone was sharing the same thought. Our collective experience in music was non-negligible, and frankly, for what was supposedly his first seriousposition, the song was astoundingly well-crafted. The only issue was Joo-Han''sck of self-confidence.

    ¡°I am not sure." Joo-Han hesitated once more.

    This would not work. Without ying our trump card, he''d keep refusing.

    I muttered quietly, ¡°Royalties..."

    At my utterance, Joo-Han''s gaze snapped my way, and he whispered back, ¡°Royalties. First ce. A cushion of money."

    Joo-Han''s reaction was immediate. Catching on the situation, Mr. Seong said, ¡°Royalties. Independent from group earnings. Exclusively for Joo-Han."

    ¡°Separate from... the group pay?" As Joo-Han started to waver, everyone in the room started muttering about royalties.

    ¡°Royalties..."

    ¡°...but, how could..."

    ¡°Royalties..."

    ¡°Still, how can we..."

    ¡°Royalties..."

    <i>¡®What should I do with such a materialist hyung?¡¯</i>

    Finally, Producer Do, who had been silent to keep his charismatic image, murmured, ¡°Parade... monthly revenue seventy thousand dors..."

    Joo-Han stood up abruptly, his eyes aze with a mix of greed and realization. He and Producer Do were locking their eyes. Eventually, Joo-Han conceded. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do it.¡±

    <i>¡®Money talks, after all.¡¯</i> Joo-Han quietly withdrew his opposition, and so his selfposed song transformed from a simple unreleased track to our official follow-up song.

    ***

    I apanied Joo-Han to the practice room with the finalized selfposed track in hand. We also had to shoot his dance challenge video and brainstorm choreography.

    ¡°Hey, isn''t this the first time in eight years we''vee to the practice room with just the two of us?"

    ¡°Yeah, now that you mention it, I''ve never had a practice session just with you." While I had frequently visited the practice room with Goh Yoo-Joon or Lee Jin-Sung, Joo-Han typically headed straight back to the dorms after group practices.

    ¡°Hyung, have you decided on the name of your selfposed song?" I asked as I set up the camera on its tripod.

    ¡°Not yet. I''m still pondering, but all thates to mind are mundane titles."

    ¡°How about Blue Summer Night?" I suggested tentatively, and Joo-Han chuckled.

    ¡°Oh, that. Because of Yoo-Joon''s lyrics, right?" It was a very ordinary title indeed. But since we couldn''t keep referring to it as ¡°the selfposed song¡±, I mulled over a title while Joo-Han prepped for his dance challenge. Brimming with a drunkenly joyous vibe, the tune kept leading me back to the names of alcoholic drinks. Hmm... but that might not fly, given all the members except Joo-Han were underage.

    ¡°Oh, right, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°What''s up?"

    ¡°I have something for you," Joo-Han suddenly said.

    <i>¡®Ah, yes. I vaguely remembered him mentioning it before.¡¯ </i>

    Joo-Han pulled out his phone, sat down beside me, and said, ¡°You were curious about this song, right? Listen to it."

 Chapter 100: Debut (23)

    <h4>Chapter 100: Debut (23)</h4>

    ¡®<i>Ah, this song... I have heard of it, but I don¡¯t know exactly when or where.¡¯</i>

    It oozed a new-age vibe, crafted mainly from piano melodies, yet it wasn''t a tune I recognized.

    ¡°Ah, this one! Isn''t it the song you yed during the music video shoot?" I said.

    ¡°You remember that?"

    ¡°I was curious about the title since the song is so good. Yoon-Chan mentioned he''d ask and tell me, but I''ve heard nothing yet."

    ¡°Yoon-Chan did ask, but I told him not to disclose it."

    I gazed at Joo-Han, his smile so puzzling that I couldn¡¯t guess the meaning behind it. Why? My head tilted inquisitively as I sought an exnation. The song then evolved, weaving more instruments andyers in it with each moment.

    After a brief pause, Joo-Han looked at me and casually dropped a bombshell. ¡°It''s your solo song."

    ¡°Huh? Wait, what?" His tone was so nonchnt, as if he was discussing something mundane. I was stunned and just stood there, staring nkly. Feeling the awkwardness, Joo-Han quickly moved to the next track.

    The new melody that filled the room felt like an upgraded version of the solo track Joo-Han had just mentioned in passing. Now, it really sounded like aplete music piece.

    As the intro faded, Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice emerged. It was a temporary guide track in English. However, the fact that Goh Yoo-Joon recorded it and Yoon-Chan intentionally kept me in the dark suggested that all the other members were in on it.

    ¡°Why? Did youpose it, hyung?"

    ¡°Yeah. ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow¡¯ was just a fun little thing I made when I first downloaded the editing program. But this, your solo, is my first serious piece, man."

    ¡°Why? Why my solo song..."

    Overwhelmed by the unexpected gift, confusion hit me before joy could take hold. As if expecting my reaction, Joo-Han simply replied, ¡°It''s called ¡®Once Again.¡¯ You''ve been in this industry for ten years. Think of it as my debut gift to you."

    ¡°...¡± The tears I had held back during <i>Pick We Up</i> and my debut now burst forth uncontrobly at Joo-Han''s words.

    ¡°Hey, don''t cry here," he said, patting my back in an awkward attempt tofort me. Despite my best efforts to wipe them away, tears kept streaming down my cheeks. I should''ve let it all out when I debuted. Now here I was, ridiculously sobbing on the practice room floor, not even during my debut or <i>Pick We Up.</i>

    ¡°Hyung..."

    ¡°I know. Stop crying. Jin-Sung''s going toe for practice soon, and you know he will start crying if he sees you like this."

    I cried a lot, probably making Joo-Han feel pretty ufortable, but he stayed by my side,forting me until the end.

    Finally, when a throbbing pain hit my head, I managed topose myself and act as if nothing had happened.

    ***

    ¡°Since it''s a follow-up song wrapping up the ¡®Parade¡¯ schedule, and the song itself has a ''let''s enjoy it'' vibe, we shouldn''t make the choreography too rigid."

    ¡°How so?" Yoon-Chan asked. I then grabbed some paper and started outlining the choreography.

    ¡°We will ce the camera at the center, so just focus more on the beat rather than strict choreography. Whoever''s singing the first part will lead the camera, and then we¡¯ll take turns to create a smooth transition."

    ¡°Ah, I see."

    ¡°Since we''re going for a fun summer night vibe, the members on screen should look excited but rxed," I suggested. I was the one who said I''d handle the choreography, but this felt more like entrusting the song to the members'' unique personalities and talents. Nheless, we would focus on visually appealing moves for the chorus. Unlike our approach with "Parade," where we focused on synchronized movement and tension, this time we wanted both fans and ourselves to rx and enjoy the performance.

    ¡°I recorded some choreography for the chorus earlier. Take a look." I showed them the video I had filmed earlier with Joo-Han''s help. I had lost count of how many dance videos I had reviewed for just a few lines of this song.

    The choreography needed to be light, visually pleasing, not overly simplistic, and on-trend. It was a tough puzzle, but after a few days of deep contemtion, I cracked it thanks to the catchy tune.

    ¡°Looks good, right?"

    ¡°See, I told you Hyun-Woo hyung is really good at this! I didn''t know he was also a pro at choreography," eximed Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Just the power of intensive study."

    The members seemed pleased, which was a huge relief to me.

    ¡°We haven''t finalized the parts yet, so I couldn''t set the movement sequence. Joo-Han hyung, when are we recording this?"

    ¡°Producer Do is busy with Allure''s songs. So, maybe the day after tomorrow?"

    ¡°Alright, we will finalize the parts and movements by then." We wrapped up discussing Joo-Han''s selfposed song and started warming up.

    After all, Joo-Han¡¯s song wasn¡¯t the only one that demanded our attention. We also had to pay attention to other songs we had performed during <i>Pick We Up</i> like ¡°Need¡±, ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡±, Street Center''s ¡°ONE¡± (as a penalty for losing a bet with them), and ¡°Goblin.¡± It seemed that a packed schedule was just our destiny. Fortunately, we were now able to pick up choreography quite swiftly.

    We could memorize ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± in less than thirty minutes, and we had been spontaneously practicing ¡°ONE¡± and ¡°Goblin¡± without any prompt, so we just needed to fine-tune the details.

    The issue at hand was ¡°Need.¡± This particr track was famed for its zombie concept and notorious for its demanding choreography. It was so intense that it made us question Joo-Han''s decision to include it in our setlist. Much like ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡±, ¡°Need¡± was another cover song that fans were moring to see Chronos perform. This was probably why Joo-Han included this song.

    However, performing it live might transform us into actual zombies,pletely drained and barely able to muster the energy for the next song.

    ¡°Uh, this isn''t going to work. We need to trim this song down,¡± remarked Joo-Han. He also sensed something amiss after watching Lee Jin-Sung and me, who had memorized the dance beforehand. He just tilted his head perplexedly.

    Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to believe it was doable, while Yoon-Chan didn¡¯t say anything and just put on a look of ¡°how are we supposed to pull this off?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s just hit the key parts: the dance breaks at the start, the opening, and the chorus. After that, we should swing right into Meong Meong," I suggested. Jin-Sung nodded in agreement and then added, ¡°I gave it a go yesterday, and man, I couldn''t endure it. Now, I get just how much Hyun-Woo hyung had to grit his teeth to perform this song. I was already gasping for breath right after the intro."

    Eventually, we unanimously decided to stick to only the key parts of ¡°Need¡± and move on to the next song.

    ***

    On an unusual day off, with no schedule to rush to, I found myself practicing into the wee hours of the night. By the time I woke up, it was already past 2 PM.

    <i>¡®Hmmm... I wonder if Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung made it to school.'' </i>As I sipped water in the kitchen, I was lost in thought and just gazed into the empty living room. At that moment, my phone buzzed.

    - Hyung, I''ve sent you our dance challenge video.

    Jin-Sung shared a clip of him and Yoon-Chan doing the dance challenge in their school corridor.

    ¡°...Heh, this is going to be a hit with the Rings. They will love this."

    There they were, in their school uniforms, dancing to ¡°Parade¡± amid the raucous cheers of their fellow students. Filmed by a friend of theirs, the video captured livements like ¡°Wow, awesome!¡± in the background.

    Watching them, one overly gentle and the other a bit too fussy, I had my doubts about how they''d fare in school. However, it was evident that they were quite a popr duo.

    I forwarded the video to our social media manager and, for the first time in ages, logged onto the Chronos <i>UTube</i> page. My schedule had been so packed that I hadn''t checked the recent uploads, and since dance challenges weren''t known for immediate responses, I hadn''t bothered to check.

    However, feeling somewhat cut off from the world with all the rehearsals and performances, I figured it was time for a bit of ¡°checking the world.¡±

    ¡°What''s this? Huh? What?" I couldn''t help but mutter in disbelief. The views on the dance challenge were skyrocketing. Was I seeing this right? In just three days, the video had surpassed a million views¡ªan unprecedented feat for our channel! My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

    The sheer influence of teenage power was evident here, with a slew of videos from individuals joining the challenge cropping up as rted content under the same hashtag. And we hadn¡¯t even uploaded the clip from Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, which was anticipated to generate the most buzz.

    ¡°Wow... Wow..." As I continued to watch the rted videos in astonishment, one particr video caught my eye. It was a ¡°Parade¡± dance challenge done by a foreign reactor, a name familiar to anyone who followed K-POP reaction channels.

    ***

    Something was shifting in the world of ¡°Parade¡± and Chronos. As expected, the dance challenge video featuring Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan in their school uniforms quickly went viral, racking up an impressive number of views.

    The ¡°Parade¡± dance challenge had officially be a trend, so students were copying Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan''s routine in school corridors, and as the buzz grew, not just fans and the general public, but even renowned celebrities started participating in our dance challenge. In an instant, the recognition for both Chronos and our debut track ¡°Parade¡± soared.

    A mere ¡°why not give it a try?¡± idea had ballooned into something massive, much to YMM''s delight. They even roped in Allure to join the challenge and managed to get our manager In-Hyun, Supervisor Kim, Mr. Seong, and even the stylists on the bandwagon.

    By this point, we had clinched both first and second spots on the music charts with ¡°Parade¡± and ¡°History.¡± We were physically, emotionally, and mentally riding the wave of sess.

    It had been exactly a week since we uploaded the first dance challenge, so our expectations started to swell. It felt like we were surfing on a tsunami, amidst a surge of incredible firepower and an influx of new fans. We were looking forward to the first ce on the digital music charts, and it seemed within reach.

    ¡°We''re going to snag first ce in Parade''s final week, right?" the manager dered confidently as we headed to the KEW Music Showcase. No one responded, but deep down, we all entertained the possibility, especially given the frighteningly swift ascent of Parade''s poprity. Filled with anticipation and secretly hoping for that coveted top spot, we made our way to the music show.

 Chapter 101: Debut (24)

    <h4>Chapter 101: Debut (24)</h4>

    By the time we hit the fifth week of our debut, we''d eased into the rhythm of stage performances, so much that we could actually kick back and enjoy other artists'' stages before our own. The TV in our dressing room was broadcasting Street Center''s farewell performance.

    ¡°Wow, look at those hyungs pulling out all the stops for their final stage. Fans must be all over the moon," Lee Jin-Sung remarked. On screen, Street Center members were engaged in a rose-throwing event, each taking their turn during their parts.

    ¡°Right? Ourst week is just around the corner too. Maybe we should think of doing something special?"

    ¡°Whoa! Hyung, yes, we totally should!" Jin-Sung seemed very excited. After all, whether we won or lost, it seemed only right to give a gesture of appreciation to our fans.

    ¡°Any great ideas, Jin Sung?" asked Joo-Han as he settled beside Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Uh, not at the moment? I''ll give it some thought."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, and everyone else, let''s all pitch in ideas for our final performance. Let''s make it memorable."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    "May I throw in a suggestion too?" a stylist asked, as she fashioned Yoon-Chan''s hair into curls.

    ¡°Absolutely. What''s on your mind?" Joo-Han responded. The stylist then shed a knowing smile, reminiscent of the time she''d nonchntly dropped off those oversized ¡°Cha-Cha¡± costumes.

    ¡°Your fans sometimes DM[1] me," she said.

    ¡°Our fans? What do they say?"

    ¡°They''ve been asking for you guys to wear harnesses[2]."

    ¡°...Hyung, what''s a harness?" Jin-Sung nudged me, seeking rification. I just shook my head, pretending I was clueless, and just prompted Joo-Han to search for it on Google.

    ¡°It''s a... dog''s chest strap?"

    ¡°Oh, you sweet, naive boys. That''s not how you look it up. Here, let me show you." The stylist set her curling iron aside and pulled up images on her phone under ¡°Idol harness.¡± In an instant, pictures of idols adorned in stylish ck leather straps filled the screen.

    ¡°...This is a harness?"

    ¡°Yep. Sexy, isn''t it?" I''d seen these on other artists during performances, and they were always a hit with the fans.

    ¡°Fans love this type of stuff.¡± She pocketed her phone and sauntered over to manager In-Hyun, showing him the images. ¡°Manager oppa, how about we go with these for next week''s outfits?"

    ¡°Great idea!" In-Hyun nodded with a pleasant smile. Had the decision been made without our opinions? Our thoughts seemed somewhat irrelevant nowadays.

    Joo-Han exhaled a sigh. ¡°You can wear it for your personal event, but for now, let¡¯s brainstorm something else amongst ourselves."

    ¡°But hyungs, shouldn''t we first figure out what we''re promising if we get the first ce?" Yoon-Chan interjected, twirling his now-fluffy hair.

    ¡°Ah... yes, of course." A collective sheepishness washed over us.

    ¡°Always dreaming up first-ce promises is a tad awkward," Goh Yoo-Joon confessed. Ever since our debut, we''d been perpetual contenders for the top spot, always with a new promise up our sleeve. From free hugs to barefoot encores, we''d pledged it all, yet we never managed to fulfill a single one. This cycle of hope and disappointment started to feel more like a curse to us.

    Amidst our collective sighs, Joo-Han chuckled weakly, ¡°But the challenge got great feedback, and we are justcking in global votes. Maybe this time, we can hope?"

    ¡°...Joo-Han might be onto something."

    Despite our history of letdowns, overseas K-POP fans had started emting the dance challenge. So there was some hope.

    ¡°Yeah, maybe this time we''ll make it. So, any ideas?" Goh Yoo-Joon attempted to change the gloomy atmosphere.

    ¡°What about going into the audience?"

    ¡°We did that the first week."

    ¡°A dialect version then... oh, that wasst week." We''d made many promises but never got the chance to put them into action. Sinking into a fresh wave of bitterness, I pondered. What hadn''t we promised that the fans would love?

    From <i>Chronos History</i> to <i>Flying Man</i>, fans always got a kick out of our goofier moments. That was when it struck me. As I recalled the curly wigs from <i>Flying Man</i>, an unexpected idea sparked to life.

    ¡°How about we switch parts and sing each other''s lines?"

    ¡°...Deal!" Jin-Sung sprang to his feet, rallying behind the idea.

    ¡°Fans do love when we make a fool of ourselves." Though the connection between curly wigs and part-switching was a mystery, the intent to entertain was mutual.

    Joo-Han agreed, nodding. ¡°Let''s swap to parts that contrast our usual image."

    He started assigning parts to each of us.

    With their unique,pletely opposite ir and vocal styles, Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan ended up swapping parts in a twist of fate. I also stepped into Jin-Sung''s shoes, tackling the rap part, while Joo-Han grappled with my part, which was notorious for its high notes and pitch pitfalls. In turn, Jin-Sung took Joo-Han''s part, which wasden with emotive narration.

    Jin-Sung''s eyes sparkled with mischief as he eximed, ¡°This is great! Wouldn''t it be epic if we actually pulled off this promise? It''s going to be a riot!" I couldn''t help but wonder, when did we morph into a group so earnest about making peopleugh? Even Joo-Han, I, Park Yoon-Chan, and Lee Jin-Sung¡ªwho had never shown a flicker of interest inedy before ¡°Cha-Cha¡±¡ªwere all in.

    ¡°Chronos, it¡¯s your time to hit the stage!" a voice boomed.

    ¡°Yes!" we chorused. A broadcast staff member then breezed into our waiting room, signaling our imminent performance.

    ¡°Look, it''s no big deal if we don''t clinch first ce. What will be, will be. But just in case the stars align, we''ve got our <i>Chronos History</i> penalty outfits at the ready. And if, by some miracle, we do snag the top spot, Yoon-Chan, you''re sprinting backstage!" Our manager''s words followed us as we nodded nonchntly and drifted toward the MC seats.

    After a quick interview and a nod to our first-ce vow, we slipped backstage. Joo-Han reached out, his hand bing the foundation for a stack of our own as we huddled close.

    ¡°Let¡¯s¡±

    ¡°Nail this!¡±

    ¡°Yay!¡±

    Our voices melded into a unified battle cry, and just then, a video heralding us as first-ce contenders flickered to life, followed by the MC''s booming introduction of Chronos.

    ¡°Chronos, take the stage!"

    After that, I surged forward, and the crowd''s roar washed over me.

    ¡°Whoa! Don''t the cheers sound way bigger today?" Jin-Sung mused, ncing my way.

    I nodded in agreement. "Definitely, they''ve grown."

    The fans'' enthusiasm was palpable, more intense than any previous show. Though I was aware of our swelling fanbase, feeling its force in real-time was something else. Riding the wave of excitement, I waved back and then poised myself for the performance.

    ¡°Seriously! With fans like these, Haru would be over the moon! Better kick off the show before he faints from anticipation! Now, behold Chronos''s ''Parade!¡¯" As the stage plunged into darkness, a symphony of pastel lights soon bathed us, heralding themencement of ¡°Parade.¡±

    ***

    I hade to learn that being on the cusp of victory was precarious. The full impact of our dance challenge hadn''t quite hit yet, and though a part of me sensed this week might veer off the usual script, I kept my lips sealed, wary of tempting fate.

    Despite the buzz we''d generated, today marked the final showdown of Street Center''s ¡°ONE¡±, so their fans were undoubtedly out in full force.

    As we reassembled on stage for the big reveal, a cocktail of excitement and dread churned within us. It was like sitting on a couch full of thorns and needles.

    ¡°And now, who will clinch this week''s <i>Music Case</i>¡¯s crown? Let''s see the scores!"

    Chronos and our loyal fans stood undaunted, a testament to our collective spirit.

    The scoreboard lit up.

    Digital Music Scores

    Chronos: 4121

    Street Center: 3587

    Global Fan Vote

    Chronos: 670

    Street Center: 1000

    Broadcast Score

    Chronos: 1717

    Street Center: 1980

    Album Sales Score

    Chronos: 4543

    Street Center: 3966

    ¡°The first ce of this week¡¯s <i>Music Case</i> is...!¡±

    As the scores soared, we stopped trying to track the neck-to-neck race and just braced for the result.

    ¡°...Just a moment." Joo-Han, who''d been a silent presence beside me, suddenly stuttered and clutched my arm. I turned to him, and the instant I saw his shocked face, my eyes went wide as well. I quickly turned my head toward the screen and couldn''t look away from it. And then, it was announced.

    Total Scores

    Chronos: 11051

    Street Center: 10533

    We''d done it. We''d overtaken them!

    ¡°Chronos wins first ce! Congrattions!" Fireworks exploded, showering us with paper flowers as the fans cheered wildly. However, we were motionless, with our eyes locked on the screen, unable to process the moment. This was unexpected, unlike during <i>Pick We Up. </i>

    ¡°Congrattions, Chronos! Pleasee and receive your trophy." We, who''d only ever been nominees, were stunned into silence. Still gripping my arm, Joo-Han continued to stare until the MC practically forced the trophy into his hand.

    ¡°It looks like Chronos is quite surprised by their first win," the MC joked. ¡°Now, please get ready for your encore. Remember, <i>Music Case</i> is here every Sunday with more incredible stages!"

    ¡°Live show<i> Music Case! </i>See you next week!¡±

    The performers started their descent. Street Center, who was standing across from us, approached us and offered hearty congrattions.

    ¡°Knew you guys had it in you!" Woo-Jeong said as he patted my back. His tone was sincere despite his disappointment. However, even as he congratted us, I couldn''t peel my eyes away from the trophy.

    ¡°Are you going to cry?" he teased.

    ¡°...No," I insisted.

    ¡°Don''t cry. Anyway, you guys are the talk of the town these days. We''ll be joining your challenge this week. But really, congrats." He left the stage after giving me the final pat. I hadn''t shed a tear as I was too stunned, staring at the trophy in Joo-Han''s hands.

    However, when our eyes met, when Goh Yoo-Joon gathered us together, when the fans'' cheers filled the air, when the music of ¡°Parade¡± started, and when I saw Jin-Sung sobbing, my tears finally welled up.

    <i>¡®We should be performing an encore or say something.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Good job, everyone. Well done." We reassured each other and huddled together, a mix of emotions swirling among us.

    ¡°Thank you," Joo-Han said. His voice was quivering, not from tears, but from the weight of the moment. We might have lingered there until the song''s end if Joo-Han had not finally broken the embrace.

    ¡°We''ve got a problem. We have to switch parts..." Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice was low.

    Ecstatic over our win, the fans seemed to have forgotten all about the promised switch. Yet, there we were. Park Yoon-Chan, Lee Jin-Sung, and I were too overwhelmed by tears to start.

    Even the penalty outfit for Park Yoon-Chan from <i>Chronos History</i> remained backstage, forgotten in the chaos as the manager was crying his eyes out. So, with the members, fans, and even our manager in tears, Chronos''s first win encore ended not with a bang, but with a heartfelt and tearful huddle.

    1. Direct messages. ?

    2. What the heck??? :0 ?

 Chapter 102: Debut (25)

    <h4>Chapter 102: Debut (25)</h4>

    Question: We descended from the stage, while our first win promise and the <i>Chronos History</i> penalty are left unfulfilled. What''s our next move?

    Answer: What else can we do, other than do it? Even if we are off the stage.

    That was precisely why we were here, huddled in the practice room. Surrounding me were the other crew and manager, their eyes still red from tears. Our somewhat dazed leader and Goh Yoo-Joon, who was just going with the flow, were also present.

    Seemingly swept away by the tion of our first victory, the fans viewed it as a memorable hup. Yet, there was still a hint of disappointment in their eyes¡ªfor the part switch and the penalty outfits. Post <i>Music Case</i>, we made a beeline for the practice room and swiftly slipped into our stage attires. Of course, Park Yoon-Chan donned his ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± penalty costume.

    ¡°Everyone needs to sing really loudly since we don¡¯t have mics. Got it?" Joo-Han''smand was met with a sea of nods.

    I hesitated before sheepishly raising my hand. ¡°But, hyung, what about the dance moves?"

    ¡°...Uh."

    It was clear that Joo-Han hadn''t considered this aspect. While we could have potentially skipped the choreography for the encore stage, settling for a simple stroll while singing each other''s parts, now that we were fully dressed in the practice room, a mere vocal swap seemedcking.

    ¡°We can switch up the choreography as well," Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in, his tone casual.

    ¡°You know Yoon-Chan''s part?"

    ¡°Not a clue. But imagine the hrity that would ensue."

    ¡°Hyung! Hyung! I''ve got Joo-Han hyung''s dance part down!" Jin-Sung piped up, brimming with enthusiasm.

    Joo-Han nodded, not surprised. ¡°Impressive, Jin-Sung."

    We all silently acknowledged that if there was someone who could memorize all of our choreo, it''d be Lee Jin-Sung.

    ¡°So, we swap the dances too. We''re here to make augh-out-loud video, so whatever happens, happens," Joo-Han dered as he rose to his feet. Spontaneity was the key here¡ªno rehearsals or prior coordination, just diving right into our new roles.

    ¡°Okay, where am I? Jin-Sung, where do you stand?" I asked.

    ¡°Oh, hyung! Are you for real? I''m over here." Jin-Sung pulled me to his spot, and the others were scrambling to find their new spots as well. I thought I had a vague grasp of everyone''s parts, but now, I was lost when put to the test.

    Once we got into our temporary positions, our manager took his ce behind the camera and fiddled with it before shing us the okay sign.

    ¡°And we''re rolling! One, two, three!"

    ¡°Hey there! We are Chronos, and we''ve got something special for you!"

    ¡°You must wonder why we''re all dolled up in our stage gear, facing the camera. Well, let me tell you."

    ¡°It''s because we botched our first-ce encore!" Our collective embarrassment was palpable, but we spun it with as much cheer as we could muster.

    ¡°Waaah!¡±

    ¡°Whoo, whoo!¡±

    "We had a few tearful members and shocked ones, so we missed our chance to fulfill the part-switch promise. But here we are, dressed up and ready to make it right."

    ¡°And we''ve decided to switch up our dance parts too. If we''re doing this, we should put everything into it!"

    ¡°And then..." Joo-Han ushered Park Yoon-Chan to the spotlight. ¡°Yoon-Chan was meant to face the <i>Chronos History</i>¡¯s penalty too, but we got sidetracked."

    ¡°We were already prepared just in case. But amidst the backstage chaos, it slipped our minds. Our manager behind the stage was busy crying too, so we all forgot. Without further ado, here¡¯s the moment."

    Park Yoon-Chan''s face disappeared behind his hands as Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon carried on with their conversation. The floppy bunny ears perched atop his head spoke volumes about his current state.

    Goh Yoo-Joon could barely contain hisughter, but he still threw out a suggestion. ¡°How about we all switch into the costumes of the members we''re covering?"

    ¡°Huh? You will pop the seams of Yoon-Chan''s costume," Joo-Han retorted, eliciting a shrug from Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°That¡¯s the fun of it. So, what do you say, team? Ready for a costume change?"

    ¡°Sure, why not? Let''s dive in headfirst. Cut, cut!" I made a dramatic ¡°X¡± with my arms and stepped out of the frame. If we were going to aim forughs, I secretly wished to see Goh Yoo-Joon burst out of Yoon-Chan''s costume mid-dance.

    We paused the filming briefly to change into each other¡¯s attire. True to my prediction, Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled about the snug fit of Yoon-Chan''s costume as he struggled to move, while I found Lee Jin-Sung''s attire a bit too loose. Luckily, Joo-Han hyung looked just fine in my attire due to our simr builds. Lee Jin-Sung, on the other hand...

    ¡°Hyung! In-Hyun hyung! No, wait, Joo-Han hyung! I can''t button this up!" Jin-Sungmented, struggling with the stubborn buttons of Joo-Han hyung''s shirt because of his muscr build. If he attempted to squeeze into Yoon-Chan¡¯s outfit with his muscr physique, it would have been quite the sight to behold.

    ¡°Just leave the top buttons undone. It''ll be alright." It was quite a casual solution.

    ¡°But the stylist noonas will definitely be upset about this video..." Yoon-Chan murmured, casting worried nces at the strained shirt. Nevertheless, the members were resolute, choosing temporaryughter over the inevitable scolding.

    ¡°Hyungs, think the fans willugh if I just rip this shirt?"

    ¡°You will definitely be scolded by noona."

    ¡°Then, I''ll just rip and sew itter. I''m decent with a needle, you know."

    <i>¡®Oh boy, oh dear! How did we ever get to this point?¡¯</i>

    We regrouped before the camera, fresh from our hasty wardrobe change. When our manager, who''d stepped out for coffee, returned to this pandemonium, he let out a deep sigh before stepping out again, likely to inform the stylists.

    I took charge of the camera. ¡°Ready to go? Everyone set?"

    ¡°Yeah!"

    ¡°Okay." I turned the camera on and stepped into view.

    ¡°Should we reintroduce ourselves again?"

    ¡°No need, let''s pick up from before the wardrobe change."

    ¡°Then let''s say. We''re back after changing. How do we look?¡±

    As soon as Joo-Han finished, I exaggeratedly ran my hand down Jin-Sung''s arm, feigning shock. ¡°Gosh, you look like you''re about to burst out of that, Jin-Sung."

    He just grinned and nodded. ¡°I''ll dance with all I''ve got, even if it rips. I''ll handle the sewing if we get in troubleter."

    ¡°But Jin-Sung isn''t the only eye-catcher. Take a look at Yoo-Joon over there." Joo-Han beckoned Goh Yoo-Joon forward, tugging at his overstretched shirt. Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s body just swayed in response as there was no more give in the fabric.

    ¡°And there''s Yoon-Chan, silent through all this chaos."

    ¡°Ah..." As the focus shifted to him, Park Yoon-Chan bashfully covered his face with his hands, eliciting a chuckle from Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Why worry? It''s actually kind of cute."

    ¡°Yeah, it''s fine because it''s you, hyung. If Yoo-Joon hyung were in that spot, it''d be unbearable," said Jin-Sung.

    ¡°What!?"

    ¡°Alright, let''s stop the teasing!" Joo-Han separated the bickering Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Now, let''s start with the part-swap we promised for our first win!"

    Just then, our weary manager re-entered the room. ¡°You''re really going to dance in those? Just so you know, the stylists are on the warpath."

    In-Hyun sighed once more and cued up the music. After that, the intro to ¡°Parade¡± echoed through the room. As the music kicked in, we switched gears and prepared ourselves.

    <i>Thrrrip-.</i>

    Immediately, the sound of a shirt tearing resounded. It was Jin-Sung¡¯s.

    ¡°Haah¡ª!" Goh Yoo-Joon tried to stifle hisughter as he continued to move, and the dance kicked off with high energy.

    ¡°Ah!"

    ¡°Whoa! Wow!"

    ¡°Hey! Not there!"

    A flurry of tangled feet, followed by tripping and tumbling, ensued. Assigned with Jin-Sung''s part, I found myself in a jumble, while Joo-Han, handling my role, mirrored the chaos. We froze in ce right from the intro.

    ¡°How do you dance this? I have no clue about this part."

    My mind just nked out.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, you watch me dance every day. How do you not know? That''s disappointing!" eximed Jin-Sung, as he sprawled on the floor after colliding with Goh Yoo-Joon. But what could I do? Jin-Sung''s part was notoriously difficult. So, I just skipped the intro and stood still beside Joo-Han.

    Now came the moment for the first verse. It was the line that Goh Yoo-Joon was supposed to whisper, and Yoon-Chan stepped forward and whispered, ¡°Let the skyyy faaall..."

    Dressed in bunny ears and an animal onesie, Park Yoon-Chan earnestly yet amusingly belted out ¡°Skyfall.¡± However, his delicate voice, silly bunny ears, and absurd pajamas were just too out of ce, or perhaps Goh Yoo-Joon''s inherent solemnity simply couldn''t be mimicked.

    ¡°Haah! I can''t, it''s just too hrious!¡± Goh Yoo-Joony sprawled on the floor,ughing uncontrobly.

    Yoon-Chan cast a resentful re at Goh Yoo-Joon and retreated after his bit.

    My original part wasing, and it was Joo-Han''s moment to shine... or at least attempt to. He was prepped for a particrly tricky part, one that involved kneeling and then rising with the sheer force of his thighs.

    We all held our breath, wondering if Joo-Han could actually pull it off. There he was, sinking to his knees, bing the center of our collective gaze. Technically, he should''ve been down on his knees from the get-go, but there was no way Joo-Han, who''d been statue-still during the intro, would have knelt down from the beginning. That was a sight.

    ¡°Into my world you''ve stepped?¡ª<i>tsk</i>, ah, nope, this isn''t happening." After trying to muster strength in his thighs to rise, Joo-Han slumped back down in defeat.

    ¡°Looks like age has caught up with hyung. I swear I heard his knees creaking.¡±

    ¡°Move over, hyung!" Assigned with Park Yoon-Chan''s fiery part, Goh Yoo-Joon vaulted over Joo-Han''s weary knees, singing with gusto as he soared past.

    <i>Ziiiik!</i>

    Then, a sinister ripping sound resonated. Goh Yoo-Joon''s pants had betrayed him. When he nced down, a burst ofughter overtook him, rendering him incapable of finishing his part as he staggered backward.

    ¡°Ah, is it Hyun-Woo¡¯s part again?" asked Joo-Han. Having been a mere spectator to Goh Yoo-Joon''s pant debacle, he swiftly scrambled to his feet, poised to seamlessly step into my part.

    Meanwhile,pletely sidelined by his pants malfunction, Goh Yoo-Joon was in stitches on the floor.

    ¡°Why isn''t anyone dancing?" inquired Lee Jin-Sung. After he managed to stand, he confidently took over Joo-Han''s part. Seeing this chaos, Yoon-Chan just gave up and crouched down to enjoy the show.

    Joo-Han surged forward with a dramatic flourish, belting out my lines.

    ¡°Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles, you will be by my side. Skyfall! Skyfall!"

    ¡°...Wow.¡±

    It was an utter disaster but somehow ludicrously entertaining.

    <i>Thud! Rip!</i> Finally, Jin-Sung''s shirt gave way. Amidst the madness, he had been the only one earnestly moving, and now his shirt split right down the back, baring his skin for all to see.

    ¡°Whoa!" Jin-Sung halted, crossing his arms over his chest in a modest attempt to cover himself, and then sheepishly sidled out of the camera''s view.

    ¡°This is insane! Ahahaha!" Unable to endure it anymore, I couldn''t help but copse inughter.

    ¡°What are you doing over there, Hyun-Woo!? Get over here now!¡± As I copsed with my back to the camera, howling withughter, Joo-Han scooped up a prop cane and dragged me to the center of the stage again. He was seemingly unfettered by Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s ripped shirt.

    Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been rolling on the floor inughter, and Yoon-Chan, who was crouching down to enjoy the show, hurriedlyposed themselves and returned to their spots.

    Then came the pair dance between Joo-Han and me. The foot-rolling move that both Jin-Sung and I dreaded caused Joo-Han to freeze up again. Doing my best, I attempted Jin-Sung''s solo choreography and reached down to grasp the cane that Joo-Han held loosely. This unexpected turn led to an impromptu solo performance by Joo-Han. I never expected to witness a solo by Joo-Han!

    ¡°Wow!"

    ¡°Hyung''s doing great!" Though a few moves were missing, we cheered Joo-Han on with a mix of amazement and surprise.

    ¡°Stopughing and get back in position! <i>Ck</i>, you guys!" Hearing Joo-Han''s sternmand, we scrambled back into formation and somehow, just somehow, steered ¡°Parade¡± toward its conclusion. It was a mess, with even one member missing due to a burst shirt, but wasn''t that what a promise was all about? To provide some unexpected entertainment?

    And then, the real finale.

    "Forever?!" As Joo-Han concluded the song, Jin-Sung, who had slipped away midway, managed to sneak his hand back into the frame, making a ¡°V¡± sign.

    ¡°Whew!" Despite it being more of aedy than an actual performance, I was out of breath as if I''d run a marathon. After that, the afterughter and the realization of what we''d just done hit us. Copsed on the floor, we just chuckled and looked at the camera.

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°Thank you for making us first ce!"

    ¡°Goodbye! See youter!" We each bid our farewells as the filming concluded.

    ¡°This is going to be a sensation once it''s uploaded. Mark my words," Goh Yoo-Joon said, sprawling out confidently.

    Sure enough, just as Goh Yoo-Joon predicted, our video was uploaded to <i>UTube</i> in the afternoon, and shortly after, we were trending on <i>BlueBird </i>once again.

 Chapter 103: Debut (26)

    <h4>Chapter 103: Debut (26)</h4>

    It wasn¡¯t just Chronos who felt a sting of defeat whenever they missed out on first ce. Their fans, the Rings, were also right there with them, living through each moment of frustration and heartache. The first ce seemed so close yet always out of reach.

    In the midst of all this, Chronosunched the ¡°Parade¡± dance challenge. Convinced this was their final shot at clinching the number one spot with ¡°Parade,¡± the Rings threw themselves into promoting the hashtag #Parade_Dance_Challenge with all their might.

    Some daringly joined the dance challenge, while others edited and uploaded the members'' videos in differentnguages on <i>UTube</i>. The Rings couldn''t help but wonder, were wecking in international or domestic support?

    Nickname Donation Wanted @uuoi ¡¤ 3 hours ago

    (Gif of Suh Hyun-Woo''s Parade stage fancam)

    Stumbled upon this group trending with a dance challenge, got curious, and almost fell down the fan rabbit hole, ah. Don''t know who he is, but I like this one here.

    Replies 14 RT 2 Likes 57

    ©¸Crazy About Chronos @hancro ¡¤ 4 minutes ago

    Reply to @uuoi

    (Photo of Suh Hyun-Woo in a red cape.jpg)

    Hey there! Sorry for intruding! You might not be interested, but the guy you''re asking about is Suh Hyun-Woo! He''s the famous center from Red Riding Hood Cha Cha and the idol who turned down the offer to be a cast member in <i>Flying Man</i>! Thanks for liking him!

    Nickname Creation @himduro ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    (Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung''s dance challenge video.jpg)

    Caught up in the Chronos Dance Challenge, but who''s the cutie on the right? Totally my type!!!

    I only recognize the good-looking dancer beside him.

    Replies 12 RT 82 Likes 201

    ©¸ParkBunny @ttokkissi ¡¤ 16 minutes ago

    Reply to @himduro

    Apologies for butting in! The cute bunny-like beauty on the right is Park Yoon-Chan, the second youngest member of Chronos! They''re a fairly new group, but all five members are visually appealing and stage prodigies. Do look at their videos if you can!

    *I personally rmend Cha Cha, Moon Sea, Chronos, and History stages!

    ©¸Nickname Creation @himduro ¡¤30 seconds ago

    Reply to @ttokkissi

    Oh my...thank you! I went to check out your rmendations and ended up watching all their rted videos...I''ve never seen a group so hrious and cool, huge thanks!

    The dance challenge didn''t just spark interest but also pulled in a whole new crowd of followers. Given the domestic fervor, even international K-POP enthusiasts started showing some curiosity. When the most renowned international UTuber among K-POP fans took part in the challenge, more and more international fans also joined in, intrigued simply by the fact that this challenge was about a K-POP idol group.

    Naturally, the fans were filled with anticipation. Despite Chronos narrowly missing first ce inst week''s <i>Music Case</i>, the response from both domestic and international fans was heating up. Now, the gap between them and the perennial winners, Street Center, was frustratingly minimal. While the fact that Street Center had just had theirst performance this week was a bit of a worry for Chronos¡¯s fans, their hope was still alive!

    And atst, Chronos and the Rings made it happen. After a grueling five weeks of ¡°Parade¡± promotions, they finally snagged their first-ever number one in a music show. Could there be any greater joy for the Rings? Their forums were brimming with pride and emotion for Chronos.

    1st Win Celebration @UJUN ¡¤ 1 day ago

    (Edited scene of the encore stage, all members standing shoulder to shoulder without moving.gif)

    The members'' emotions at this moment are so intense. You guys did great. Congrats on the win.

    Really, love you all so much.

    #Chronos1stWin #Chronos

    Replies 3 RT 3.7k Likes 1.9k

    True Ring @jjingori ¡¤ 1 day ago

    (The moment when Kang Joo-Han and Suh Hyun-Woo freeze upon winning 1st ce.gif)

    To all the Rings out there, you streamed, voted, promoted the challenge...and even fought through the sadness with other fans. But seeing our boys this happy makes everything worth it!

    Massive congrats????

    #Chronos1stWin

    Replies RT 103 Likes 588

    Seo Gyeo-Wool @diuslin ¡¤ 20 minutes ago

    (Chronos bowing at ny degrees with red eyes.gif)

    Turns out I''m a bigger Chronos fan than I thought. I ended up screaming and crying when the guys clinched 1st ce...They''ve worked so hard and struggled so much, and I''m just so happy and grateful that they finally made it. Here''s to the first win, and I hope today all of you can rest easy.

    #Chronos1stWin

    #Congrats_on_your_first_win_Chronos

    Replies RT 899 Likes 2.6k

    In fact, the Rings had hoped that Chronos would fulfill their first-ce vow during the music broadcast. However, now that they had actually snagged first ce and the boys were bawling their eyes out in sheer joy, the promise didn''t matter anymore. The Rings were throwing an all-nighter, partying hard, totally oblivious to the <i>Music Case</i>¡¯s first-ce pledge they were so hyped about before.

    Then, out of nowhere, a new video popped up on Chronos''s <i>UTube </i>channel the next afternoon. This video, which was just a tad over ten minutes, seemed off right from the get-go.

    First off, the thumbnail was strange. It seemed to show the members, but their silhouettes were shaking violently, as if they were headbanging or something. The Rings started getting excited, anticipating what kind of weird and hrious video their Chronos had uploaded this time. With bated breath, they clicked on it.

    In the video, the boys were in their stage costumes, and they expressed their intention to fulfill the first-ce promise that even the Rings had forgotten about. While Park Yoon-Chan stood out in his bunny pajamas and bunny ear headband, the Rings soon shifted their attention to the other members as they were aware of where it came from.

    - Should we change into our costumes too? Maybe into the outfits of the members we represent?

    Hearing Goh Yoo-Joon''s suggestion, the members stopped chatting and started to go off-screen one by one, beginning with Suh Hyun-Woo. As they reappeared on camera after being fast-forwarded, their appearance was...

    - We''re back after changing. How do we look?

    - Gosh, you look like you''re about to burst out of that, Jin-Sung.

    - Hehe, I''ll dance with all I''ve got, even if it rips. I''ll handle the sewing if we get in troubleter.

    - But Jin-Sung isn''t the only eye-catcher, just look at Yoo-Joon over there.

    His shirt and pants seemed about to burst, Hyun-Woo¡¯s outfit was a bit loose, and Park Yoon-Chan looked like a bunny. The members were giggling in their ill-fitting clothes, finding something amusing about the situation.

    <i>¡®Well, as long as you''re happy, I''m happy too.'' </i>

    And wasn''t that what counted? It was not the first time Chronos had set aside their idol-ish image to be genuinely funny. By now, the fans had also grown ustomed to their idols'' silliness, and they also enjoyed it so much.

    The dance and live performance that followed were... Kang Joo-Han kept pausing and resumed dancing, while Goh Yoo-Joon, whose pants had ripped early on, gave up on the choreography to justugh like a madman. Suh Hyun-Woo, who had started off somewhat serious, soon turned his back to the camera and sat down to watch this spectacle in amazement. The entire time, Park Yoon-Chan was blushing red. Only Lee Jin Sung was dancing properly in his tight outfit... until he inadvertently stripped off his top and disappeared.

    The situation was totally chaotic, with the manager''s sighs audible amidst themotion. Why would the person in charge simply upload it as it was? It was utter pandemonium. But then, who would dislike seeing this side of their idols? The perfect execution of Chronos''s first-ce promise naturally garnered a hot response from the fans.

    Kkungya @po ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    (Chronos starting off and immediately tumbling over.gif)

    Ah, from today onward, I will watch the first-ce promise video every day.

    Replies RT 569 Likes 321

    Gorinos @gorinous ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    (Link to Chronos'' first-ce promise video)

    Ah, please, for the love of everything, watch this!!! I''ll give you five thousand won, just please watch our kids making a mess!

    Replies RT 285 Likes 263

    Aengdu @dotdoru ¡¤ 5 hours ago

    It was supposed to be a rare pair dance between Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo. However, one of them malfunctioned, while the other stumbled and just clung to the stick, lololololol!

    Replies RT 121 Likes 323

    Moya @MUA ¡¤ 2 hours ago

    (Suh Hyun-Woo turning his back to the camera.gif)

    Hyun-Woo, show your face before we get mad... Do you want your noonas to die ofughter???

    Replies RT 7 Likes 11

    Favorite Third @SHW_4 ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    I am not going to say much. I''m just going to bunker down today and watch this all day.

    (Jin Sung''s shirting apart, hastily covering up.jpg)

    Replies RT 26 Likes 35

    After taking over <i>BlueBird</i>¡¯s<i> </i>trending list and appearing on <i>UTube¡¯</i>s trending searches, Chronos caught the public''s attention once again with their unique B-gradeedic sense, which was really different from their stage performances.

    Meanwhile, Chronos''s manager, Joh In-Hyun had been monitoring the situation the entire time and was itching to share the fans'' heated reactions with the fervently discussed Chronos. However, Chronos was currently taking a break from practice for a meeting, nning on how to spoil their uing live broadcast to the fans.

    ***

    With only one week left of ¡°Parade¡± promotions and no significant break in sight, we nned to transition directly into promoting our nexteback song. We decided to kick off the promotions for the follow-up song with the final gift from <i>Chronos History¡ª</i>a live broadcast.

    The question arose of how and where to hint at the live broadcast and the follow-up song to the fans. While thepany and UNET would naturally guide the crowd, I wanted to ensure that the Rings were informed first.

    ¡°We can do the spoilers on Q-app, but are we going to do it together this time?¡± asked Joo-Han. We just looked at each other, hesitant to answer Joo-Han''s question, as we seemed unsure about what approach to take.

    After a moment of contemtion, I suggested, ¡°Instead of all of us doing it together and making it obvious, why don¡¯t we split up and do it? That way, we can also engage more directly with the fans.¡±

    We could divide into teams: one for the live broadcast and the other for spoiling the follow-up song. Going solo or in pairs on Q-app could lead to more focused interactions with fans than when we were all together.

    Joo-Han looked around at the other members and asked, ¡°Hyun-Woo suggested splitting up. Any other thoughts?"

    ¡°I prefer splitting up too. It gets hard to keep up with the chat when all five of us are on the screen."

    ¡°Right! I''m for splitting up too!"

    ¡°I like that idea."

    ¡°Okay, let''s decide how we''ll split up then."

    We agreed to pair up inbinations that would generate the most conversation. Naturally, teaming up with roommates seemed like the best choice. Goh Yoo-Joon slid next to me, asking for a high-five for no particr reason, while Yoon-Chan moved to upy the empty seat next to Jin-Sung. After some deliberation, Joo-Han decided to join the younger members, predicting that they would be more chaotic.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo will go first, and then we''ll follow. Is that okay?"

    ¡°Sure, the order doesn''t matter. Right, Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Yeah, We will go first."

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement. After that, he said, ¡°Decide what you''ll do on Q-app individually and what you''ll spoil. Make sure to get permission from the agency first, alright?"

    ¡°Okay."

    Just like that, our brief meeting during the break was over. As our conversation seemed to have concluded, our manager approached us, his face lit with excitement. With his phone in hand, he eximed, ¡°Guys, check this out during the break. The reaction to your promise video is no joke!"

    ¡°Really? I want to see!" Jin-Sung eagerly leaned toward the manager.

    Apparently, the response was overwhelmingly positive, and it looked like our practice resumption would be dyed a bit.

 Chapter 104: Blue Room Party (1)

    <h4>Chapter 104: Blue Room Party (1)</h4>

    The ns for the Q-app broadcast, which I would be hosting with Goh Yoo-Joon, got locked down way faster than I thought they would. It had been ages since I had a Q-app session with fans, and my initial thought of just running a typical chat session was swiftly shelved when I heard the other team was cooking up a culinary show.

    Our n was a gaming broadcast. The fans already knew Goh Yoo-Joon and I were no strangers to gaming, so we figured it was a solid idea. For this little venture, we decided tomandeer theputer that Joo-Han usually used, which was<i> technically</i> ours.

    It was the day of the Q-app broadcast. Goh Yoo-Joon hit the connection button and straightened up from his stoop.

    ¡°Hey, we should give this a try.¡±

    ¡°Should I hit the preview button?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    With a press, the Q-app preview came to life, showing our faces and theputer screen simultaneously on the monitor.

    ¡°Nice, but how do we shrink this screen?"

    ¡°Hold on, it''s probably in the options." Goh Yoo-Joon managed to downsize our screen effortlessly with a few clicks and swipes.

    ¡°Dude, you are pretty savvy with this tech stuff."

    ¡°Just did some quick online research earlier," he replied as he shrugged off.

    Only five minutes were left until we had to go live. We adjusted the settings, filled the monitor with the camera feed, and settled into our chairs.

    ¡°I feel jittery," Goh Yoo-Joon confessed.

    ¡°Why? We gotta be chill for this to work. Tension''s contagious, you know. The Rings will get nervous too.¡±

    "What if we get hatements?"

    ¡°Just brush them off," I said coolly, but honestly, my nerves were rattling as well. We had only ever done broadcasts together with the others, and Joo-Han was usually the one steering the ship, handlingments and the flow. Would we be able to pull off a whole hour just by ourselves?

    ¡°One minute to go."

    We were both fixated on the ticking clock on the monitor, our faces taut with anticipation.

    ¡°Go time!" I announced, and with that, Goh Yoo-Joon hit the record button.

    The broadcast was live.

    ¡°Uh... Should we wait a bit before diving in?" I wondered aloud.

    ¡°Seems like a smart move."

    We watched the viewer count tick upward slowly but surely. We had picked 8 PM, the time post-school and work, so we were curious about how many viewers would show up. One hundred, three hundred, five hundred...

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°Hi there!"

    ¡°We''ll kick things off properly at a thousand viewers... Oh, look, we are there."

    ¡°Still, let''s give it a moment. Not everyone has gotten here yet."

    The viewer count was climbing fast. One thousand, two thousand, three thousand...

    I greeted the fans, feeling a wave of excitement as we crossed the three-thousand mark.

    ¡°How''s everyone doing? It''s been a while since west hopped on Q-app, hasn''t it?"

    The chat exploded.

    ¡ª Omg, what''s happening? I never expected this :0

    ¡ª Just got home, and what a treat!!!

    ¡ª Oh my gosh, I can¡¯t stop crying :¡¯(

    ¡ª Is it just Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo today?

    ¡ª- Whoa, where are you guys at???

    ¡°Yep, it''s just the two of us today. Our first time without the crew.¡±

    ¡°We are at the dorm. This is Joo-Han''s room to be precise. You know, the one with the infamous vibe."

    The chat was a blur of excitement and emojis.

    ¡ª <i>Woah</i>, my favs in Joo-Han''s gloomy room, and getting allfy at that? A I''m over the moon!

    ¡ª What were you up to just now???

    ¡ª I''ve missed you guys so much <i>waaaaah.</i>

    ¡ª <3 <3 <3

    Goh Yoo-Joon took over. ¡°We''ve been practicing and preparing for this broadcast."

    ¡°We were brainstorming about what to do today."

    ¡ª I''d be blissful to just stare at your faces...

    ¡ª What have you been prepping? You don¡¯t need to... Just seeing you guys¡¯ faces is good enough.

    ¡ª You guys look even more stunning up close...

    ¡ª This chat alone is making my day!!!!

    ¡°...Oh, is that so?" I sensed the chat''s preference for conversation over gamey. Did we miss the mark with our n?

    ¡°We were thinking of gaming today, but if a chat is what you are after, why not?" I offered.

    ¡°Let''s chat for a bit. We''ve got time," Goh Yoo-Joon quickly added.

    Normally, we''d mingle and talk before jumping into any game. After all, a little warm-up and a bit of banter would be perfect.

    ¡ª What about the other members?

    ¡ª Can you guys get a bit closer? I want a better look!

    ¡ª Just tuned in, how long''s it been on? :¡¯(

    ¡ª Getting enough sleep? Still running for just a few hours???

    ¡ª Ahh, you guys better be resting well, seriously!!!

    ¡ª Just started, you are right on time.

    We pulled our chairs closer to the camera.

    ¡°Recently, we are getting more sleep... Well, more than during our busiest times."

    ¡°Right. We are wrapping up our promotion for ¡®Parade¡¯, and <i>Chronos History</i> is over too."

    ¡°We are a bit busy because of the thing we are practicing now," I subtly said this and nced at Goh Yoo-Joon.

    He hesitated for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders while ncing at me. It was a clear ¡°we are preparing something¡± and ¡°we are hiding something¡± kind of awkward hint-dropping. Then, as our suspicious behavior continued, the chat room started to buzz.

    ¡ª ?????? LOL What? What is it!

    ¡ª Ahahahha. You can tell they are hiding something

    ¡ª What??? What are you doing??? What''s Chronos up to now???

    ¡ª Tell us!!! Please!!! I''m so curious, aaaah!

    ¡ª You two look so pretty in casual clothes, aww. So lovely!

    ¡ª Could it be a spoiler for the next song??

    ¡ª The most annoying thing is when someone starts to say something then stops :(

    ¡ª Ahhh!!!!

    As the chat became more lively, Goh Yoo-Joon yfully spoke while doing something else. ¡°Well, it''s not like we have something to hide. Just practicing something."

    I patted Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulder meaningfully and proudly smiled. ¡°Right. Just, you know, something our fans might like. We are practicing that."

    Hearing us say this conspicuously, the Rings sensed that there might be some exciting newsing.

    We quickly changed the subject after checking the chat room.

    ¡°So, for our student Rings, are your exams over?"

    ¡°True, our youngest members are still taking exams. They are studying right now," I said and Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled while ncing at a closed door.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung is teaching Jin-Sung English in the kitchen right now. He was shocked to see Jin-Sung''s report card circting online."

    ¡°The score of twenty... that means you just guessed all of the questions, you dumb!" I mimicked what Joo-Han said when he saw Jin-Sung''s report card. It probably leaked during a fandom fight when <i>Pick We Up </i>was ongoing, but for Joo-Han, the grades were a bigger shock than any insult.

    ¡°If anyone in Chronos gets grade twenty in English again, he said he''ll kick them out of the dorm."

    ¡ª I feel guilty somehow... Oof.

    ¡ª He shouldn''t have said that :¡¯(

    ¡ª I''m doomed, <i>ughhh</i>.

    ¡ª Twenty is pretty good!!

    ¡ª LMAO Embarrassing history being revealed here hahaha

    ¡ª I have exams starting tomorrow!

    ¡ª Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han must be good at studying!

    ¡ª Joo-Han is like Chronos''s mom.

    We continued talking about what we ate today, any TMI[1], stories about us, and other topics.

    Twenty minutes had passed, so I pped my hands to wrap up the conversation. ¡°Everyone, now we''ll return to our original content. We''ve prepared a game, something we all can y together."

    As I said this, Goh Yoo-Joon zoomed in on the monitor and muttered, ¡°It''s our first time trying this on aputer."

    The fans already had an idea of what game we were going to y, given how often we had talked about ying it while on the move.

    ¡°Ah, you all know."

    Goh Yoo-Joon started the game. Soon, a familiar opening background music yed, and the chat room became filled withughter.

    ¡ª Why does that music seem so familiar? Lol.

    ¡ª Wow, I tried this in elementary school and never yed it again since then, ahahaha!

    ¡ª It''s been so long since I yed that.

    Yes, we started a balloon-popping game, the old, worn-outptop game we yed every day. Many fans mentioned that they installed the balloon game after we talked about ying it often.

    ¡°This game can only amodate eight yers at a time. We will keep ying until the time is over, so if you haven¡¯t installed it on yourputer yet, please install it quickly~."

    While Goh Yoo-Joon was talking, I created a game room and set a password.

    ¡°The password is... let¡¯s do my birthday."

    ¡°For those who might not know, Hyun-Woo''s birthday is October 29th."

    ¡°You remember my birthday well, but I don''t even know yours."

    ¡° I don''t know. I somehow remembered it."

    ¡ª LMAO You two are definitely real best friends. The way you talk... hahahaha!

    ¡ª Do you usually talk like this? ??

    ¡ª Hyun-Woo¡¯s birthday ising up soon, right?

    ¡ª Yo, it¡¯s still over a month away ahahaha

    ¡°Alright, I''ll tell you the room name now. First, six people! The room is named ''KrongKrongKkrrong."

    As soon as I mentioned the room name, it was already full.

    ¡°Whoa!"

    We were momentarily taken aback but quickly started the game without further conversation.

    ¡°We want to y with as many of you as possible, so those who join next, please hit the ready button straight away."

    The fans who became our team members were jumping around excitedly. It was just a game and in-game chat, but their excitement was intense, making me smile without realizing it.

    ¡°Why are you smiling?"

    ¡°The chat is cute," I muttered in response to Goh Yoo-Joon''s question, focusing on the game and gathering items while slowly clearing the surrounding blocks. The fans didn''t hold back just because it was us, and they sent water balloons my way mercilessly.

    ¡°Whoa! Why is everyone so good!?"

    ¡°Hey, are we going to lose?"

    ¡°No, our team''s fans are really good too."

    ¡°No, I mean we are going to die."

    ¡°No! Dying is all on you, Yoo-Joon.¡± I was actually doing quite well, running aroundying water balloons everywhere. However, Goh Yoo-Joon was not so good atying them and was busy saving our teammates who were trapped in balloons. Eventually, we burst the balloon that trapped the opposing team one by one until we trapped thest enemy in a balloon.

    ¡ª Save me :¡¯( I want to y a little longer!!!

    ¡°Oh no...... I have no choice. I''m sorry." I sighed with sympathy for the trapped and pleading fan, sending them off with a polite apology.

    The first game ended. There was about twenty-five minutes left until the end of the broadcast.

    ¡°We can y about three more rounds. Those who have joined the game, please give others a chance in the next round. To be fair, I''ll change the password. The password is zero, nine, three, zero."

    ¡°Hey, what? I thought Suh Hyun-Woo didn''t know my birthday."

    ¡°Just kidding, silly. Anyway, quickly! Start!"

    We were short on time, so we proceeded, and the second game also went smoothly. This game was familiar to many people, so the watching fans seemed to be quite engaged.

    Then, there was a knock.

    ¡°Hyung, can Ie in?" Jin-Sung, who had been caught by Joo-Han for English lessons, peeked his head in, looking haggard as if he''d just gotten a break.

    1. Too Much Information ?

 Chapter 105: Blue Room Party (2)

    <h4>Chapter 105: Blue Room Party (2)</h4>

    Jin-Sung, who had been hitting the books in the quiet living room, seemed eager to jump into the noisy fun of this room.

    ¡°Are you done with your studying?"

    ¡°Ah, hyung! I just finished! Joo-Han hyung said that I could take a thirty-minute break."

    Jin-Sung casually flopped onto the chair''s armrest. ¡°What''s this, a water balloon game? No wonder it''s so loud."

    ¡ª LMAO Chronos, guaranteed A''s

    ¡ª Jin-Sung, are you on informal terms with your hyungs now? Weren''t you polite before?

    ¡ª Yeah. When did you guys decide to talk casually to each other?

    ¡ª Hey Jin-Sung!!!

    ¡ª Jin-Sung, did you ace your test? I bombed mine :¡¯(

    ¡°Ah, let''s not dive into test talk, Rings. We''ve all agreed to go informal, yeah?"

    ¡°Yes, it was Joo-Han hyung''s idea."

    The Rings found this new casual banter a bit unfamiliar as thest episode of <i>Chronos History</i> had not been broadcast yet.

    Goh Yoo-Joon stretched his arms and said, ¡°But Yoon-Chan still can''t drop the formalities."

    ¡°Exactly. Even when the other hyungs encouraged him, Yoon-Chan hyung couldn''t break the habit. It¡¯s just like him, right?"

    ¡°But Jin-Sung, you are still talking formally with Joo-Han hyung, huh?"

    Right then, the door swung open again, and Joo-Han stepped in. ¡°I was wondering where Jin-Sung scampered off to. You guys talking about me?"

    ¡°Ah, hyuuung...... you are not here to drag me back already, are you? It''s not been thirty minutes yet."

    The chat room was abuzz with the members'' sessive appearances. Being on casual chats inid-back attire was not something people would usually see from a rookie idol group.

    ¡°Why are you here, Joo-Han hyung?"

    ¡°Thought I''d bring some drinks for your broadcast. Then I overheard you guys mentioning me."

    ¡°Ah, yeah. About Jin-Sung not going informal with you."

    ¡°Ah." Joo-Han let out a chuckle and gave Jin-Sung''s back a couple of friendly pats. ¡°True, he won''t drop the formalities even if I tell him to. But then, we have someone here who switched to informal in a heartbeat when asked."

    Joo-Han grinned slyly and rested his hand on Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulder. Suddenly, a memory from the trip made me burst intoughter. ¡°Hahaha, the moment Joo-Han hyung said ''go informal,'' Goh Yoo-Joon was like ''Joo-han-ah!''"

    - HAHAHAHAHA! Joo-han-ah...

    - Lol, just seize the moment hahaha!

    - Ah, Yoo-Joon-ah XD

    Goh Yoo-Joonughed, reminiscing about that instant, while Joo-Han shot him a look of mock disdain. ¡°That moment will probablye out in <i>Chronos History</i>, so make sure to watch it."

    ¡°Whoa, you are amazing, hyung. I didn¡¯t think you would promote the show even during the Q-app session."

    ¡°Hehe." Joo-Han just chuckled lightly and stood up from his rxed perch.

    ¡°So, should I bring in some drinks?"

    ¡°No, we are fine." I nced at the live stream timer on the screen and realized that we had barely ten minutes left.

    ¡°Looks like we are almost done here."

    ¡°Ah, really? Got it. Jin-Sung, stop bugging them ande out with me. You are a nice boy, right?"

    ¡°Ah, hyung! I''m not done resting!"

    ¡°Shush! Take a leaf out of Yoon-Chan''s book! He is still studying in his room!" Joo-Han hoisted Jin-Sung to his feet.

    Making a pouty face, Jin-Sung looked at the camera. ¡°Ahh! How would anyone know if Yoon-Chan hyung''s studying or snoozing!?"

    ¡°Doesn''t matter if Yoon-Chan''s studying or sleeping, he''s always top of the ss. Stop bothering them ande on. Let the guys wrap up."

    We waved Jin-Sung goodbye as he was ushered out and then turned our attention back to the screen. I was worried the Rings might not appreciate our random chit-chat, but it turned out that they were actually enjoying it. It seemed they liked the genuine, unscripted vibe.

    ¡ª It''s like I''ve sneaked a peek into Chronos''s real talks, and I''m loving the vibe.

    ¡ª Jin-Sung, the ultimate baby of the group haha!

    ¡ª And there''s Yoon-Chan, even acing his studies, wow...

    ¡ª Oppas, could you send us some good luck for our exams?

    ¡ª Ahh... Looks like I''ll be hitting the books after this live show.

    ¡°Man, I wanted to y with you all a bit more, but look at the time. We are done for today."

    ¡°Apologies for not dropping by more often, everyone. We''ll make time, I promise."

    And just like that, it was time to wrap up the live.

    ¡ª Noooo. Please, don''t go :¡¯(

    ¡ª Then how about we keep gaming post-live? We''ll slyly figure out the password ourselves!

    ¡ª Ah, take care... You guys need the rest.....

    ¡ª Make sure to visit more often!

    We exchanged heartfelt goodbyes and a bit more banter with the Rings, feeling their disappointment as the live came to an end. Though it started off as a spoiler session, the Q-app became an enjoyable mix of gaming and bonding, bringing us closer to our Rings.

    Stepping out of Joo-Han''s room, we found ourselves next to Jin-Sung, who was back to studying amidst tears.

    ¡°So when are you all going live? Tomorrow?"

    Instead of Jin-Sung, Joo-Han responded, ¡°Nope, can''t do it tomorrow. We have the final stage for <i>Music World</i> tomorrow, so the day after?"

    ¡°Ah, already the final curtain."

    <i>¡®Time sure does fly.¡¯</i> It felt like it was just yesterday when we kicked off with our debut showcase and the ¡°Parade,¡± and now we were already winding down. However, at least, we are bowing out on a high, having snagged all that attention and topped the charts.

    ¡°Anyway, look at the time, it''s already 10 PM. Better catch some sleep when you can. We gotta be in top form for the final run starting tomorrow."

    Joo-Han nudged us, and we went off to bed earlier than usual. Typically, with rehearsals stretching into the wee hours, sleep was a rare guest. However, my eyes shut surprisingly fast tonight.

    ***

    ¡°Something about today feels...off."

    We were backstage at <i>Music World</i>. Thanks to a solid sleep, I was feeling pretty good, although the harness or whatever it was that wrapped tightly around my upper body to my thighs was a bit annoying. Anyway, I was in a more peaceful state than usual, which was often marred byck of sleep.

    On the other hand, Jin-Sung was constantly trying out the choreography and frowning. At first, I thought it was just his usual habit of enjoying dancing, but Jin-Sung¡¯s behavior started to irritate me. So I asked, ¡°Why are you doing that, Jin-Sung? What is bothering you that you keep repeating the same part?¡±

    ¡°Uh... Ah, seriously!" Jin-Sung finally lost his temper and sat down beside me. ¡°I feel so heavy today. Is it because of studying? I did stretch properly earlier."

    ¡°Are you not feeling well?"

    Jin-Sung shook his head. ¡°Not at all. Hmm, maybe I gained weight."

    The part Jin-Sung was repeating was a rolling foot choreography, which often caused mistakes during practice. Although he asionally stumbled or fell during practice, he always clenched his teeth and performed perfectly during the live shows. But today, he seemed to be struggling more with that part.

    ¡°I shouldn''t have taken a day off." Jin-Sung gritted his teeth in frustration.

    Recently, we took a single day off at the dorm to rest and adjust our condition amidst the severe practice schedule for the live performance of <i>Chronos History</i>. Jin-Sung usually headed to the practice room even on his days off, but yesterday, he had to stay in the dorm all day because of an exam. It seemed like just one day off was enough to disrupt his rolling foot movement.

    Unlike me, who was quite rxed and flexible with my dance movements, Jin-Sung put a lot of strength into every move. That was the characteristic of Jin-Sung''s dance, but putting so much force into each movement meant that he often slowed down or fell during the parts where he needed to move his legs quickly.

    ¡°But you''ll be fine once you''re on stage, right? You always do better there," I said.

    ¡°But you know those days, hyung. The ones when everything just doesn''t go well. Today seems to be one of those days. It''s really bad."

    As I was considering whether to take a look at his moves, a staff member entered and informed us that the stage was about to start. In the end, Jin-Sung didn''t manage to perfect the rolling foot choreography before going on stage.

    And the stage started. Perhaps it was due to the anticipation of the leather straps that fans had eagerly awaited, or perhaps it was because it was the final stage. However, the cheers from the fans seemed louder than usual.

    Encouraged by the strong support, I performed the live show in top condition. After that, the dance break started. I was worried about Jin-Sung, who was particrly anxious today, but I trusted that he would not make a mistake on stage as always. Then, I continued with my part of the choreography.

    Then suddenly...

    ¡°Ah!"

    ¡°What? Oh!"

    My surprised voice echoed through the microphone. There was a reason for Jin-Sung''s anxiety. He indeed failed to execute the rolling foot choreography and fell.

    I hesitated for a moment while looking at Jin-Sung but soon continued with my choreography. It wasn''t the first time Jin-Sung had fallen in that part, but it was the first time on stage. Usually, he would quickly get up and join the formation.

    However, I was wrong. Jin-Sung couldn''t get up until I received the cane from the dancer. I tried to help him up in a panic, but Jin-Sung was in pain and couldn''t get up at all.

    <i>¡®What should I do?¡¯ </i>This was the first time I faced such a situation, and my mind seemed to stop for a moment. It seemed like Jin-Sung had fallen quite badly. However, this was a live broadcast, and the live performance was still ongoing.

    As I looked back at the stage while singing, the staff came up and took Jin-Sung down. Despite the sudden ident, the song continued to y, and the stage had to go on. Exchanging nces, we improvised as best we could, with the member who had sung the previous part taking over Jin-Sung''s part. Because of it, we had to leave a space empty in the choreography.

    ...And like that, ourst stage ended with a lot of regrets. It was definitely not a satisfyingst stage.

    ¡°We are so sorry! Thank you." We apologized to the surprised and murmuring fans and hurriedly headed backstage.

    ¡°Is Jin-Sung okay?"

    It wasn''t the time to worry about ruining the live broadcast. He had fallen so badly that he couldn''t even get up. The quality of our stage didn¡¯t matter at this point.

    ¡°Where''s Jin-Sung, In-Hyun hyung? Is he in the waiting room?"

    ¡°Yeah, we moved him to the waiting room. He seemed to be in a lot of pain."

    ¡°We should go to the hospital, not just move him to the waiting room," Joo-Han shouted, frowning.

    As we rushed to the waiting room and opened the door, Jin-Sung was spraying pain relief spray on his ankle and shedding tears.

    ¡°Hey, you! Are you okay?" We rushed to Jin-Sung andforted him.

    Jin-Sung sobbed silently, shaking his head. His ankle was visibly swollen. ¡°It''s been hard... <i>heup...</i> today... <i>sob...</i> Ah, the choreography didn''t go well,<i> sob</i>."

    As I had thought, he failed to perform a perfect dance and was in excruciating pain.

    The manager looked at Jin-Sung worriedly and said, ¡°I''ll take Jin-Sung to the hospital. You guys are candidates for first ce, so finish up until the end. The fans must be shocked too, so reassure them that it''s okay."

    ¡°Okay...."

    Jin-Sung was carried to the hospital on the manager''s back.

    It was ourst stage, which should have ended in joy. After Jin-Sung left, the waiting room was filled with a gloomy silence.

 Chapter 106: Blue Room Party (3)

    <h4>Chapter 106: Blue Room Party (3)</h4>

    We intentionally steered clear of the live broadcast reactions. As candidates for first ce, we had to get up on the stage again, this time with the burden of assuring everyone that Jin-Sung was doing just fine.

    ¡°Jin-Sung''s ligament is stretched, but there is no damage to the bone," ryed Joo-Han after he received a call from the manager.

    ¡°Man, what a scare. I was scared he''d broken something. You know Jin-Sung. He''s the type to keep dancing unless he''s really hurt," Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in. It was, in any case, a massive relief that he wasn''t seriously injured.

    On the surface, YMM would probably announce that Jin-Sung was either fine or just had a stretched ligament. The fall would be a fleeting issue, sparking brief interest before fizzling out.

    However, if we were being brutally honest, the real problemy not in the present moment.

    ¡°After the broadcast, let''s meet in the YMM conference room. There''s a meeting to discuss how to adjust the uing live broadcast due to Jin-Sung''s injury."

    With Jin-Sung, the main dancer of Chronos, out because of injury, the entire dynamic of our performance was upended. His dance style had always been integral to our stage presence, and his absence meant a significant shift in our routines. Now, all the stages we had meticulously prepared would require drastic reconfiguration to amodate his absence.

    With less than a week left until the live broadcast, we barely got a hang of all those cover songs, and now that we had to revise many parts, the sensation was suffocating, like a tight grip around my windpipe.

    A heavy silence hung in the waiting room.

    <i>Knock, knock-.</i>

    ¡°Excuse me, you guys need to go on stage. Are you guys okay?"

    It seemed like all the performances for <i>Music World</i> had wrapped up. The stage staff was mindful of Jin-Sung''s injury, so he asked with caution.

    We mustered a smile and replied, ¡°Yes!"

    Back on stage, we clinched first ce once again, followingst week''s triumph. Street Center, our formidable rival, had wrapped up their schedule, and the dance challenge''s impact was growing. To be frank, the result was expected.

    ¡°Congrattions, Chronos, on the first ce! Could we hear your thoughts?"

    Joo-Han took the microphone. ¡°Uh... First, we thank you all who have been supporting us. Today is ourst stage for ¡®Parade¡¯ and what a joy to end on such a high note. We want to dedicate this glory to our fans, Rings. And about our member Jin-Sung''s condition..."

    ¡°Kyaaaah!"

    ¡°Lee Jin-Sung! Lee Jin-Sung! Lee Jin-Sung! Lee Jin-Sung!"

    As soon as Jin-Sung''s name left Joo-Han''s lips, fans burst into a chorus of cheers and words offort. They were not just our fans; even those present for other artists sent their reassurances our way.

    Joo-Han continued with a bittersweet smile. ¡°He is receiving treatment and is said to be okay, so please don''t worry too much. We''ll be back soon with a better song. Thank you!"

    The hosts wrapped up the show, and ¡°Parade¡± started ying for the encore. However, missing one of its stars, the stage felt hollow. We simply swallowed our sadness and sang for our shocked fans.

    Jin-Sung''s part was sung by all members, without any specific arrangement. Then, our fans and others even joined in, singing Jin-Sung''s part.

    ¡°Thank you so much! We promise to keep giving our all!" We bowed deeply to the crowd and descended from the stage.

    The mini fan meeting, which was intended as a brief farewell gathering in front of the broadcasting station, was canceled due to the prevailing concern over Jin-Sung''s condition.

    ***

    ¡°I am so sorry. Actually... truly sorry," said Jin-Sung. He looked at us with eyes swollen from tears. Truth be told, he was probably the most upset among us all, so we simplyforted him, insisting that everything was okay.

    ¡°The choreography was always challenging. You''ve done so well up until now, Jin-Sung. You shouldn¡¯t be so hard on yourself,"forted Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Right. Dude, you''ve cried so much your eyes have swollen to billiard balls¡¯ size," Goh Yoo-Joon teased, lightening the mood by pinching Jin-Sung''s nose.

    ¡°How did you manage to cry enough to soak even your bangs? Seriously, man." I then brushed back Jin-Sung''s damp bangs, trying to offer him some sce.

    ¡°<i>Sob... </i>Hyungs... But what about the live broadcast... <i>Waaaah</i>."

    Joo-Han just nodded, his smile conveying reassurance. ¡°You''ll still sing. Sure, the stage might look a bit empty without you, but we''ll manage somehow. It''s going to be okay."

    As always, we were confident we''d navigate through this crisis too.

    ***

    In the YMM conference room, the air was thick with tension, and it caused us to nce around nervously, shrinking into ourselves.

    ¡°This is... we have less than a week until the live broadcast," Supervisor Kim admonished. There was a stern edge to his voice that made Joo-Han frown.

    ¡°I don''t think it¡¯s our fault here, Supervisor. Falls usually happen due to something external."

    ¡°...Sigh, I''m not trying to pin this on you."

    ¡°Supervisor, let''s just focus on the live performance, shall we?" Mr. Seong intervened, his tone soothing as he attempted to diffuse the tension. It wasn''t the time for pointing fingers. We were here to n a perfect performance, with or without injury.

    ¡°Jin-Sung will still be singing, but he''s our main dancer."

    ¡°Chronos has plenty of dance parts, and each member''s choreography is quite distinct, making it tough to fill his spot."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung often dance in pairs, so passing Jin-Sung''s parts to Hyun-Woo isn''t really an option."

    The room buzzed with concerns and suggestions regarding how to rece our main dancer, who was known for pushing boundaries with hisplex dance moves. He hadnded us in this predicament.

    Mr. Seong tapped his pen against his journal. After thinking for a bit, he finally nodded decisively. ¡°Alright. Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°You''ll take on the pair dancing with Hyun-Woo. It''s a live show without an audience, and the camera will focus on Jin-Sung for his parts, so we don''t really need to rece him for those."

    No one opposed Mr. Seong''s decision.

    ¡°Uh... okay," Yoo-Joon agreed, though the reluctance was clear in his eyes. We knew what happened when someone else took over Jin-Sung''s parts. After all, we had practiced swapping roles not long ago.

    Joo-Han might falter, possibly running out of stamina during the dance break. As for Yoon-Chan, he was still honing his skills, making him a risky choice to do Jin-Sung''splex choreography. This left Yoo-Joon as the safest bet. While he was often underestimated, he was talented in both dancing and singing.

    Supervisor Kim sighed, a weight seemingly lifting off his shoulders. ¡°Since it''se to this, Yoo-Joon, just be careful. If any move seems too risky, talk to Hyun-Woo and tweak the choreography."

    ¡°Okay."

    The nearly finalized setlist and choreography would need to be revised, and time was more than just tight¡ªit was scarce. Thus, the meeting wrapped up quickly.

    ***

    Injured Jin-Sung was practically herded back to the dorm by the overly concerned members. After the meeting, we threw ourselves into aligning steps and dance moves with the choreographer.

    After being tasked with the main dance break for the first time, Yoo-Joon stayed back to practice tirelessly until he was done. For the parts Yoo-Joon couldn''t cover, Park Yoon-Chan, who had synced with us once in a keywordpetition, was chosen.

    Yoon-Chan received crash course training from the choreographer while Yoo-Joon and I tackled the intense pair dance. Joo-Han was caught up with practice and wrapping up the follow-up song. Jin-Sung was drained and apologetic, but he managed to hold on as we distributed the burden among us.

    The day after Jin-Sung¡¯s injury, in the early hours...

    ¡°We''ve settled on a title for the follow-up song, ''Blue Room Party.''" On the way back from the practice room to the dorm, Joo-Han suddenly dropped the news.

    ¡°¡®Blue Room Party''? Sounds catchy, but what does it mean?"

    ¡°It''s a title that embodies a cool, fun, and raucous vibe. We targeted the audience in the age range of twenties and tried to make it as trendy as possible." It seemed that he was just winging it, not much thought behind it at all.

    While everyone was buzzing about the title, Jin-Sung was silent. He had been listless, sitting and singing during the entire practice. I could only imagine how he felt, but it was a sentiment that would likely linger until his leg healed.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung."

    ¡°...Yeah?"

    ¡°There''s something I want to ask. Are you too tired right now?"

    ¡°Uh... I can manage."

    Jin-Sung''s face was a picture of seriousness. ¡°Could you just spare ten minutes a day to check my vocals?"

    <i>¡®Vocals? Out of the blue?¡¯</i>

    Jin-Sung was renowned as a dancer and basking in poprity for his dancing skills; therefore, he somewhat neglected his singing.

    As I showed a hint of surprise, Jin-Sung''s face fell again. ¡°I can''t just sit around doing nothing when it''s all my fault. I want to sing the songs perfectly..."

    ¡°Ah."

    For Jin-Sung, it was a silver lining that the setlist included many cover songs, giving him the chance to explore vocals he hadn''t tried before. Unlike before, when his shaky vocals could be excused due to his main dancer status, he had to focus entirely on his singing now. He had always seen himself as a dancer, but now, he seemed ready to take singing seriously for the first time.

    Our youngest was stepping up... My chest swelled with a mix of pride and emotion. I then smiled warmly and nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright. Let''s start with the cover songs."

    I''d support my fellow member''s growth any day.

    ***

    It had been nearly a month since we started preparing for the live performance. Yoo-Joon and I had hinted that we were preparing something through Q-app, and after a brief pause due to Jin-Sung''s injury, the other members'' Q-app broadcasts finally resumed four dayster.

    Joo-Han and the youngest members turned on Q-app to spoil Jin-Sung''s condition and the title of the follow-up song. Our fans, who spected that Yoo-Joon and I had hinted at the follow-up song, were vindicated when the official UNET website announced the live performance¡¯s setlist.

    The list included the <i>Pick We Up</i> medley from the unit stages, a performance our fans had longed to see being performed by us, and ¡°Parade,¡± which our fans thought they wouldn''t see for a while after our promotion schedule ended. Among them, ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± Joo-Han''s originalposition, piqued the most interest.

    After all, it wasposed by Kang Joo-Han, written by Goh Yoo-Joon, and choreographed by me. A song crafted by the members as Chronos''s follow-upeback? Our fans were understandably ecstatic to hear this news.

    We felt the fans'' anticipation as we cleared all schedules to immerse ourselves in practice.

    And it was today.

    ¡°Why does this stage feel so vast?" Yoo-Joon chuckled as he surveyed the stage.

    After about four weeks of preparation, the day had finallye for us to unveil our long-prepared performance to fans and viewers on the live broadcast.

 Chapter 107: Blue Room Party (4)

    <h4>Chapter 107: Blue Room Party (4)</h4>

    With the audience seats gone, the stage expanded like magic, almost doubling in size. We had practiced with this extra space in mind, but witnessing the set that was created solely for our performance still left us utterly awestruck.

    ¡°Jin-Sung would be soaring across this stage if his legs were fine.¡±

    ¡°Right? He''s been pouring his heart into vocal practice, yet he can''t shake off that gloom. He''s be so much quieter."

    ¡°It''s a tough break. From dancing in the skies to being tethered to vocals... He wouldn¡¯t be satisfied with that. But I think it''s the guilt toward us that¡¯s weighing him down more than anything," I said. Well, his vocals and rap had significantly improved, a silver lining to his cloud of sadness.

    As Yoo-Joon and I dissected the situation, Joo-Han joined us and let out a deep sigh. Yoo-Joon then teased him with a sly smile, ¡°What''s up, Joo-Han?"

    ¡°Hey, stop calling me only by my name. You should call me ¡®hyung,¡¯ dude. I''m in a serious mood here. I''m worried he''ll carry that somber expression right into the performance."

    Jin-Sung, who would usually bounce back quickly, had been devoid of smiles for days now.

    ¡°But what can we do?" I said, more to myself than anyone.

    ¡°Being relegated to the stage''s corner, singing alone... Of course, he¡¯ll feel isted like that."

    Considering the changes made to the performance because of him and the loneliness of watching his fellow members move energetically while he remained still, he had to feel quite low now.

    ¡°Or maybe we put him right at the center." Yoo-Joon threw out the idea.

    ¡°ce Jin-Sung in a chair in the center and let him sing from there? ...Oh."

    Yoo-Joon was typically stoic, but even he couldn''t help but be impressed by his own suggestion. Joo-Han and I joined in the chorus of awe. ¡°That''s a brilliant idea. Where''s Yoon-Chan?"

    Joo-Han quickly brought Yoon-Chan into the fold, and we whispered together.

    ¡°Let''s surprise him."

    ***

    In a spur-of-the-moment decision, we whipped up a simple but meaningful surprise for the dejected Jin-Sung. When we proposed it to the manager and the director, the director''s face lit up with an enthusiastic ¡°yes¡±, while the manager tried in vain to stop the flow of his unnecessary tears.

    ¡°Alright, Chronos, time to head in."

    We get on the set along with the dancers. When Jin-Sung took his ce on the designated chair, the rest of us steadied our nerves and readied ourselves for the ¡°Moon Sea¡± stage.

    ¡°Ah, these pants. They''re so tight that sitting is a chore," Yoo-Joon grumbled, kneeling and adjusting his position.

    Tight leather pants, buttoned-up shirts, and stylishly wrapped harnesses around our necksprised a bold set of outfits chosen by our stylist. She believed the fans deserved more ¡°service¡± after thest music show.

    ¡°Please remember, this is a live broadcast. It¡¯s a one-take deal, so stay focused for the next thirty minutes. We''ll need quick set changes between songs, and make sure there are no mishaps during the costume changes. Just follow the rehearsal script."

    The lights dimmed to a near shadow, and some mist filled the stage floor. This marked our first venture into such an extended performance. We were indeed nervous, but the nerves were overshadowed by the confidence we had built from relentless practice.

    ¡°Three! Two! One! Cue!"

    Without any prior announcement or preamble, the intro of ¡°Moon Sea¡± filled the air. The dim lighting that was barely enough to reveal silhouettes started to brighten slowly, and Yoo-Joon emerged from the darkness of the set.

    <i>...Sigh?</i>

    The atmosphere instantly turned heavy. Locked in a silent battle with the camera, Yoo-Joon started his rap. While the dancers headed to the back, I justy sprawled on the floor instead of on the bed. Then, I gazed up at the camera dangling from the ceiling and opened my mouth.

    <i>ck sea?</i>

    As the first note escaped my lips, I rose to meet the gaze of the unseen audience. While I sang, the other members readied their synchronized steps on the opposite side of the camera along with the dancers. With no physical audience and the spacious stage, our possibilities for stage expression had multiplied, like a vast canvas for us to paint our performance on.

    <i>Abandoning you in the sea?</i>

    I sang the final verse and let my gaze drift down. At the same time, the camera pivoted to the opposite side, catching the other members as theyunched into their well-rehearsed choreography. It was a dance executed by just three members, without Jin-Sung and me.

    The hours of practice were evident in their every move. Standing at the center, Yoo-Joon led, with Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han following closely behind, and they delivered a performance so moving it was almost mesmerizing.

    As they wlesslypleted the first verse of ¡°Moon Sea,¡± the once dim lights shifted to a tranquil blue, heralding a change in melody. A majestic, cold, and solemn prelude directly filled the space.

    As the camera zoomed in on Park Yoon-Chan, the song''s protagonist, the dancers quietly slipped behind me to avoid the frame. Just like that, the second track, ¡°No Nights for Me,¡± started.

    <i>Whatever I say?</i>

    The moment Park Yoon-Chan''s voice hit the first verse, the camera retreated. As another cameraman signaled me, I opened my mouth at the perfect time.

    <i>Silently endure through the night?</i>

    I continued the choreography with the dancers. As the camera¡¯s attention alternated between me and Park Yoon-Chan, the other members stepped out of the spotlight briefly, catching their breaths. When Park Yoon-Chan joined me afterpleting his verse, the serene blue lights suddenly turned crimson, and then a gunshot echoed through the air.

    Park Yoon-Chan, the dancers, and I directly ducked down, disappearing from the frame as the camera whirled one hundred-eighty degrees to capture Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han amid the dancers.

    As Team D''s unit song ¡°Need¡± unfolded, Yoo-Joon led the performance with Joo-Han a step behind him, reenacting the zombie-inspired performance. Meanwhile, Jin-Sung delivered Kim Jin-Wook''s rap lines. His relentless practice, which was fueled by a desire not to be a burden, paid off as he effortlessly tackled the rapid beat.

    As they performed ¡°Need,¡± the stylists rushed out to dress Park Yoon-Chan in an animal onesie.

    ¡°...Sigh."

    An animal onesie with matching ears headband. Moments ago, we were the epitome of cool, but now one was a rabbit, and I had be a cat.

    ¡°Hyung, I think I''ve figured out how to make this less awkward," Park Yoon-Chan murmured.

    ¡°How?" I asked.

    ¡°If I raise my pitch by three keys, it wille off as deliberately funny, less cringe-worthy," replied Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°...Ah, right." Well, at this point, it was whatever. I just epted the weird pig doll from the stylist and took my position. Soon the lights brightened, and the prelude to ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± resonated. The transformation from an apocalyptic vibe to sheer cuteness was instantaneous, almost dazzling even.

    I shook my hips in a trance, feeling the attached tail sway from side to side.

    <i>Meow. Even if I''m willful, shower me with love.</i>

    <i>I am just lonely.</i>

    <i>Meow. Even in my fuss. All I''m hoping for is a hug, hmph?</i>

    I suddenly craved soju. Despite my experience with ridiculous antics like wearing red capes and swapping karaoke parts, this was just too much... It was too embarrassing. Even the devil wouldn''t take my soul after ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡±

    <i>I am not lonely anymore.</i>

    <i>Because I have someone to sleep with!</i>

    <i>I might cry from missing you. But still, love me!?</i>

    Surprisingly, Park Yoon-Chan managed to perform well. As I awkwardly navigated my part and shuffled back, Park Yoon-Chan hopped forward like a bunny, looking energetically charming with his elevated pitch. Apparently, he could execute <i>this </i>move wlessly.

    Next up, Yoo-Joon emerged in a dog onesie and Joo-Han in a bird one. Well, Yoo-Joon''s face was flushed, clearly hit by reality.

    I let out a sigh and turned to Jin-Sung, who was sitting in his chair, quietly observing the members. After Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han''s stint, it was Jin-Sung''s turn. He had nned to wear a dinosaur costume, but due to his injury and the necessity to keep his leather outfit for the next song, "Chronos," he ended up staying as he was.

    <i>I might be so big that people get afraid of me?</i> ¡°Huh...? Why...¡±

    Jin-Sung started his part but soon faltered as he saw us approaching. We yfully smiled, cing all our headbands on him and giving him reassuring pats on the back. After all, ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± was just a fun interlude we had thrown in. Even if Jin-Sung missed his part, or if no one sang while the music continued, it would be fine. After all, the director was content with capturing our funny moments.

    Eventually, Jin-Sung lowered his microphone and looked down with a bashful look.

    ¡°Is Jin-Sung crying?"

    ¡°Is he actually?¡±

    ¡°Nah, no way, right? No, no."

    ¡°What''s there to cry about!? I''m not crying! It''s just... too embarrassing...!"

    ¡°Hey, hey! Don''t make the youngest cry! Back to our spots. Hurry up."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Ah, hyung!"

    We teased Jin-Sung to our heart''s content before returning to our positions. Momentarily speechless, Jin-Sung chuckled and watched as we disappeared off-camera before picking up his microphone again.

    ¡°...Ah, I forgot the lyrics.¡±

    With Jin-Sung¡¯s momentarypse, ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± drew to a close. After performing ¡°Chronos,¡± ¡°History,¡± ¡°Goblin,¡± ¡°One¡±¡ªStreet Center¡¯s cover song, and ¡°Parade¡± non-stop, we barely had thirty seconds of break to catch our breath and slip into new outfits for ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± Soon after, we were back in front of the camera in our distinctively colored short-sleeved shirts and cks. The air of rxation was palpable.

    Jin-Sung was the one to lead off the ¡°Blue Room Party.¡±

    <i>Hey, no need to roam afar,</i>

    <i>Beach? Summer? Outdoors?</i>

    <i>I''m all for the air conditioner?</i>

    Jin-Sung casually pointed right while facing the camera with a flick of his hand. Following his cue, the camera panned right to find Yoo-Joon, who seemed to be taking the camera on a stroll.

    <i>Thepping of waves from the radio,</i>

    <i>sses clinking in the blue light glow,</i>

    <i>The cool fizz and barbecue,</i>

    <i>Blue Room Party?</i>

    Next, the camera''s gaze shifted to me. As rehearsed, I took the cameraman''s hand and walked in tandem with him. The broadcast was likely capturing just the sped hands and our synchronized steps.

    <i>As the sun sets outside the window,</i>

    <i>Embrace the cool evening air,</i>

    <i>Among people basking in the warmth,</i>

    <i>Savor a city break,id-back and fair,</i>

    <i>Blue room, blue room party?</i>

    I handed off the cameraman''s hand to Joo-Han, and subsequently, Park Yoon-Chan took the reins. Our rendition was leisurely and emotive. It was a trendy pop not weighed down by seriousness, akin to watching a sunset on holiday.

    As we eased into the rhythm and let go, our faces naturally softened. When Park Yoon-Chan finished his verse, we quietly gravitated toward Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Why are you alling here?" Jin-Sung became bewildered once again, and we grinned at him without saying a word. We then arranged ourselves around him, forming a formation as Park Yoon-Chan made his way toward us.

    <i>Pour memories into the deep ss,</i>

    <i>Feel the thrill as the night surpasses?</i>

    Park Yoon-Chan approached at a measured pace, left the camera¡¯s view, and found his spot amongst us. We then started the chorus, with Jin-Sung at the center. Every member''s gaze rested on him.

    As Jin-Sung sensed the moment, he bit his lip, nced around, and lowered his head again.

    <i>Cradle the coolness between your lips,</i>

    <i>Ignite the thrill, relish the chill,</i>

    <i>This moment too shall be etched as a keepsake,</i>

    <i>Blue room party?</i>

    I couldn''t see Jin-Sung''s expression as he looked down, but from the way he kept pressing his face down, he seemed to be holding back tears. The poor kid had been through so much.

    We continued our dance, our smiles unwavering.

    Then came Jin-Sung''s solo part. He lifted the mic to his lips, but no sound emerged.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, how about we sing it together?" Yoo-Joon''s voice boomed, and amidst our collectiveughter, we all joined in the chorus for Jin-Sung''s part.

    Now, only the song''s finale remained. With a serious effort to suppress my chuckles, I sang the final lines.

    <i>Ignite the thrill, relish the chill,</i>

    <i>This moment too shall be etched as a keepsake,</i>

    <i>Blue room party?</i>

    <i>This moment too shall be cherished,</i>

    <i>Blue room party?</i>

    ¡°Huff... huff..." Frozen in our final poses, we awaited the director''s signal of approval. Honestly, I was beyond exhausted, so I was silently pleading for that cue to rx. The stifled breaths of my fellow members buzzed through our earpieces.

    Then, atst.

    ¡°Okay, cut! Great job, everyone!" At the director''s voice, I allowed myself to copse, embracing the stage floor.

 Chapter 108: Blue Room Party (5)

    <h4>Chapter 108: Blue Room Party (5)</h4>

    We had meticulously nned breaks within each song and practiced a lot, hoping to manage our stamina during this live broadcast. However, the reality of tight outfits, ufortable shoes, and quick costume changes during these fleeting moments of rest made the show an exhausting endeavor.

    As the stage ended, we found ourselves sprawled on the floor, gathering the energy to stand. We were drained but we approached Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Is the youngest crying?"

    ¡°Why the tears, Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°Was it all too much? Poor thing." We circled Jin-Sung, offering sce as he sniffled amidst us.

    ¡°Ah... really... you guys... seriously..." Jin-Sung feigned annoyance at our teasing but didn''t shy away from ourforting gestures.

    ¡°Everyone has worked hard! Well done! Let''s exit the set and tidy up!"

    ¡°Man... I almost cked out there." Slinging an arm over my shoulder, Yoo-Joon shared his exhaustion.

    ¡°Same. Hey, you really pushed yourself. You looked amazing on the stage."

    ¡°It better be, after all that practice," he replied. This concluded our long-anticipated live show. We didn''t know how the audience would react, but it felt impossible for it not to be favorable. We weren¡¯t able to sing every song perfectly due to surprising Jin-Sung, but that likely added an unexpected charm to the performance.

    Our manager rallied the troops and said, ¡°Great job, everyone! There are no more schedules today, so go and rest."

    Utterly exhausted, we directly left and made our way back to the dorm. After that, everyone promptly copsed into bed, surrendering to sleep as if making up for lost time. But I pushed back my fatigue and headed to thepany. There was still something left for me to do.

    ***

    ¡°Lyrics written by someone who knows you well would resonate more," Producer Domented in the YMMpany''s studio. It was about my solo song, a debut gift from Joo-Han. The melody was exquisite, but now the challenge was to pen lyrics worthy of the tune.

    I wondered if I would be able to find a lyricist who would encapste my decade of experience. Then, an idea struck.

    ¡°Producer, should I write the lyrics?¡±

    ¡°You? Do you even know how?"

    ¡°No, but since it''s a gift, I''d like to give it a shot, even if it falls short."

    ¡°Alright, then give it a go," Producer Do agreed readily. Despite his seemingly indifferent demeanor, I always knew he had a soft spot for Chronos.

    ¡°Just write something and show me. I''ll help polish it."

    ¡°Okay. Thank you!" With talents like Yoo-Joon in our group, I wasn''t entirely on my own.

    ¡°Good luck. Oh, and I watched the live show. You guys have really grown." He was typically reserved with praise, so his acknowledgment meant the world to me.

    I smiled broadly and nodded. ¡°Thank you!"

    When I left Producer Do''s studio, the exhaustion hit me like a wave. I considered heading back to the dorm but found myself just sitting, blinking tiredly on the lobby couch. Then, I suddenly locked eyes with the busy Supervisor Kim, who was heading somewhere with a broad smile.

    <i>''Ah, darn. I don¡¯t want to see him today, ugh''</i>

    I mustered a greeting despite wanting to vanish from my spot. ¡°Hello."

    ¡°Oh? Hyun-Woo, why are you alone here? Where are the others?"

    ¡°They are at the dorm, sleeping. I just had a chat with Producer Do."

    ¡°I see. Good job, by the way! You guys are the topic of the town now!"

    ¡°Really?"

    ¡°Of course! It''s Chronos. I knew people would love you. By the way, the ratings of the show are sky-high!"

    So that was why Supervisor Kim was so excited. I nodded, encouraging him to move along, but he continued, ¡°What were you discussing with Producer Do?"

    ¡°Oh, I received a solo song from Joo-Han as a debut gift. We were discussing the lyrics."

    ¡°A solo song!" His surprise was evident. ¡°Joo-Hanposed a solo song for you?"

    ¡°Yes, as a debut gift..."

    ¡°...Well, you two have indeed been practicing together for a long time."

    His thoughtful frown and muttering piqued my curiosity, but I felt a tad awkward, so I just forced out a smile and asked, ¡°Is there anything wrong with it?¡±

    ¡°Joo-Han giving Hyun-Woo a solo song as a debut gift, eh? The fans will go crazy."

    ¡°Pardon me?" The song was still in its infancy, but I could see Supervisor Kim''s eyes alight with money.

    ¡°Anyway, Hyun-Woo, once the song is ready, let me know through In-Hyun or thepany. We may not release it, but we''ll definitely make a video for it."

    ¡°Really? ...Ah, yes. Thank you."

    ¡°Take care." Supervisor Kim gave my shoulder an encouraging tap before vanishing into the building''s bustle. My n was a simple voice release on <i>BlueBird,</i> or perhaps even a fancafe[1] post if one existed, but we didn¡¯t have any. For an unofficial solo track like mine, the release was typically limited to recordings.

    ¡°..." I sighed with relief as Supervisor Kim finally walked away. After that, I looked at the path Supervisor Kim had disappeared to, pondering. This man had once been so frugal with our budget that he had brought B-grade songs for <i>Pick We Up</i>, but it seemed he had finally decided to invest in us properly.

    Stepping outside, I was greeted by the sky cloaked in dusk. It seemed like just hours ago we were pouring our hearts out on stage under the zing sun. Time had slipped away so swiftly.

    Lost in thought, I was about to head back to the dorm when someone interrupted.

    <i>Jingle!</i>

    ¡°Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Yes?"

    The door of the cafeteria, which was located on the first floor of ourpany, suddenly swung open and three girls approached me. The unexpected advance of strangers left me momentarily retreating and then standing frozen in ce. By the looks on their faces, they seemed to be fans of Chronos.

    ¡°Ah, did we startle you? So sorry!"

    ¡°We are your fans!"

    ¡°I can''t believe we are seeing you like this... We watched the live show! You were so awesome that it brought us to tears."

    ¡°Ah, haha. Thank you!"

    Their faces glowed with excitement as they poured out their appreciation for the live performance. I was truly grateful, but this was the first time I''d encountered fans alone, so I wasn''t quite sure how to respond.

    ¡°Could we take a photo with you?"

    ¡°Uh... that''s... I''m sorry."

    ¡°Then, maybe an autograph?" The gazes from the cafeteria started drifting our way, and they came over, forming a growing audience I wasn''t prepared to face. My heart started pounding crazy. Just then, another figure from the cafeteria walked toward me.

    ¡°Excuse me."

    ¡°Yes?" I responded

    A stern-faced woman then nodded reassuringly at me and called the fangirls. ¡°You girls."

    ¡°Us?"

    ¡°Yes. You are not the only ones here who love Chronos. Everyone came here because they are fans, but they''ve been pretending not to notice Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°..."

    The girls were being reprimanded.

    ¡°Can''t you see Hyun-Woo''s difort? Don''t you think he¡¯s ufortable?"

    ¡°...It''s okay," I said, but she firmly shook her head.

    ¡°This is a promise among Rings... I''m sorry for blocking your path, please go ahead." She gave me a quick nod and then turned her back to continue scolding the girls. I moved a bit further away, feeling awkward yet grateful.

    ¡°Don''t be too harsh. I am actually okay. Thank you for looking out for me."

    ¡°Ah, right. Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yes?"

    The strict-looking woman now smiled broadly once more. ¡°Congrattions on ''Blue Room Party'' hitting number one on the music chart."

    It was a revtion, unexpected and unknown to me at that moment, that lingered in the air as I continued my walk back.

    ***

    The pure, unadulterated vocals of Chronos resonated through the huge stage, their live performance uninterrupted by audience cheers. They utilized the entire set, and the show unfolded wlessly, revealing sides that the Rings had never seen. It then culminated in a heartwarming surprise event for the disheartened Jin-Sung.

    It was a wless live performance, a treasure trove of moments to cherish for years. Even non-fans admitted to rewatching the live clips multiple times, so the Rings must have rewatched the clips a lot.

    Chronos was d in tight leather pants and harnesses. The opportunity to witness Jin-Sung''s dance breaks performed by other members was unique and delightful, not to mention their group performance in animal onesies for ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡± On top of that, the performance of ¡°Need¡± was wless!

    The show continued without pause, featuring penalty performances of Chronos covering Street Center''s ¡°ONE¡± and their senior Allure''s ¡°Goblin.¡± Then, Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo''s pair dance unfolded, and finally, the members yfullyforted Jin-Sung just before the end of the broadcast.

    Each rewatch unveiled something new, anotheryer of depth. But amidst this grand setlist, the real sensation was Chronos''s newly debuted follow-up track ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± Their outfits¡ªincluding casual short-sleeved shirts, cks, and effortlessly tousled hair¡ªwere clearly different from the intense ¡°Parade.¡± With them on, the members exuded a rxed vibe with yful antics.

    It was a trendy pop that felt like a cool summer evening breeze. Although it wasn¡¯t a style that Chronos usually carried out, they embraced it and made it uniquely theirs.

    @PompPomparee @bbang ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    (Comption of members receiving the camera.jpg)

    I finally decided today. I''m officially a ''Blue Room Party'' devotee, don''t even try to stop me.

    Reply RT 2 Like 2

    ¡ïGoh Yoo-Joon¡ï @going_goir ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    (Yoo-Joon''s fiery main dance break.gif)

    1. Was he in leather pants? o

    2. Did he sport a harness on his thighs? o

    3. Did Yoo-Joon snap those hips? o [2]

    4. Were those abs making a glorious appearance? o

    5. Did the camera catch the right moments? x

    Ah, that clueless camera focused on his lower half when his abs deserved the spotlight! Stupid.

    Reply RT 3 Like 2

    Suh Hyun-Woo Obsession @garas ¡¤ 15 minutes ago

    (Suh Hyun-Woo''s tender smile at the camera, like a selfie - an edited GIF)

    Ah... my darling... no, oppa (no conscience...) I''m steadfastly waiting for a full-focus fancam of the live...

    Reply RT 81 Like 70

    Cloudy @mongsill ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    (Members joyfully dancing around seated Jin-Sung during Blue Room Party stage when Jin-Sung is fighting back tears - an edited GIF)

    This, right here, is my emotional button :¡¯( Jin-Sung <i>uggggh</i>, you guys

    Reply RT 286 Like 299

    Youjin @youjin ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Members: Is Jin-Sung tearing up???

    Jin-Sung: What? No crying here. I''m not.

    ???: Crying? He looks like he''s crying, right?

    Jin-Sung: No, I''m not, really!

    ???: Look! Jin-Sung''s crying!

    Jin-Sung: (getting pissed)

    Reply RT 452 Like 865

    Chronos Fan World @crolol ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    But let''s admit, not only did our boys rock the stage, ''Blue Room Party'' is objectively a banger, right? Isn''t our Joo-Han nothing short of a genius??? How do both ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow¡¯ and ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯ spring from the same brilliant mind????

    Reply 15 RT 125 Like 268

    ©¸Nickname Struggle @himduro ¡¤ 1min

    Reply to @crolol

    Exactly! The moment it hit my ears, I knew... This is an anthem to me <3

    Indeed, ¡°Blue Room Party¡± was more than just a song; it was a masterpiece resonating with the emotions of the twenties, striking chords in our hearts both objectively and subjectively. Aligned perfectly with the live performance, ¡°Blue Room Party¡± was rapidly streamed and soared up the music charts upon its release. It transcended being only the Rings¡¯ favorite; it was a melody that captivated all who listened, drawing in even those who hadn''t witnessed the live performance.

    Hours had passed since then. When a snippet of the live performance, which was uploaded by UNET on <i>UTube</i>, clocked four hundred thousand views, ¡°Blue Room Party¡± quickly climbed to the number one spot on music sites just four hours after its release. It marked Chronos''s quickest ascent to the top in their history.

    It was a historical moment for Chronos, a record that would be celebrated for years toe.

    1. A fancafe is just like a blog. But it is dedicated to a certain artist, specifically Korean artists. ?

    2. What the heck? Lol ?

 Chapter 109: Blue Room Party (6)

    <h4>Chapter 109: Blue Room Party (6)</h4>

    Chronos had hit the top of the music charts even beforeunching their follow-up promotions, so both the internal crew and fans naturally found themselves celebrating with mini parties. As Chronos delved into their packed schedule, the anticipation and excitement reverberated not only among the crew but also within the folks at YMM.

    ¡°Right after our first gig on <i>Music Case</i>, we''re heading straight to a radio broadcast."

    ¡°Where at?"

    ¡°<i>Reina¡¯s Hot Evening Radio</i>. You have heard about it, right?"

    Everyone knew <i>Reina¡¯s Hot Evening Radio</i> was a big opportunity for new singers. It was the go-to tform for hotshot artists dropping fresh tracks, but invitations were not extended to just anyone. The guests had to have made a substantial buzz, so for rookies who got on <i>Reina''s Hot Evening Radio</i>, it was a sign that they had really made it.

    It was tough to get a spot, but once you did, it became a goldmine of airtime and <i>UTube </i>clips. The show was selective about its guests but treated them like royalty, always cooking up special segments for each. And the <i>UTube</i> hits? Through the roof. It was a sweet deal for newbies and big names alike.

    ¡°Chronos is going to do live sets of ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯ and ¡®Parade,¡¯ and solos for Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, and Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Really?"

    ¡°Yeah, they''re setting up solo live spots for the three of you. Start thinking about your cover tracks."

    ¡°...Okay!¡±

    True to the reputation of the host Reina, there was always a special event when a skilled idol group appeared on her show. It was called ¡°Today''s Live,¡± a part where the vocalists of the guest group could perform cover songs. While time constraints meant not all members could participate in the live performance, the group¡¯s poprity generally dictated the amount of airtime they would receive. Given that Chronos secured three slots for this section, it seemed that they received quite the exceptional treatment.

    ¡°Joo-Han and Jin-Sung will get plenty of spotlight too, so don''t sweat it."

    ¡°Eh, I''m cool with that," Joo-Han said, all smiles. Having just topped the charts with his song, he was probably buzzing from the fame and the cash. He seemed happier than anyone else.

    ¡°That¡¯s fair. I am cool to know they''re looking out for us." Jin-Sung seemed chill with the whole thing too.

    ¡°Blue Room Party¡± had kicked off with a bang. The debut was spot-on, and now we were diving into the follow-up frenzy.

    ***

    Opportunities always had a way of popping up when you least expected them. Therefore, I had to be ready to grab them, but it seemed like my timing was a bit off this time.

    ¡°Have you been doing well, hyung? You''re prettyte."

    ¡°Told you I''d bete."

    As my adversary sat across me, I shot him a re loaded with all the feeling I could muster. He shot one right back and sneakily flipped me off by raising his middle finger, which was unnoticed by the others.

    Kim Jin-Wook and I were chilling at the coffee shop in YU Entertainment''s building, and I came here to meet him for a reason.

    ¡°You call me here and then re at me? What''s up with that?"

    ¡°If you said you''de, you should''ve been on time. I don''t have a lot of free time to burn."

    Kim Jin-Wook looked at me and countered, ¡°You seem pretty free to me."

    ¡°You might not know, but we''ve kicked off our follow-up promotions. I''m just off today."

    <i>¡®Well, actually off for a week.¡¯</i>

    After a never-ending back-and-forth, Kim Jin-Wook finally mmed up and let out a sigh. ¡°Why''d you call me? Looking for a fight?"

    Would I really bother Ji-Hyuk to get Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s number just to pick a fight? That would have been too much of a hassle.

    With a hint of hesitation, I asked, ¡°Can you help me out? Think about the time we spent together in the past.¡±

    After all, when it came to rap, Kim Jin-Wook was the first name that popped into my head. Chronos''s rappers were Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung, but Goh Yoo-Joon was busy with a cover for the radio, while Lee Jin-Sung was not quite there with writing lyrics.

    Kim Jin-Wook frowned and scoffed at my polite question. ¡°No."

    ¡°Seriously?" I was peeved. ¡°Do you remember how I helped out when you were iling around in thepetition?"

    ¡°So?"

    ¡°Ah,e on, I''ll buy you coffee."

    ¡°I''m out." Kim Jin-Wook directly stood up to leave, and I thought,<i> ''That bastard!¡¯</i>

    ¡°Ah, but why are you talking to me informally?" I asked.

    ¡°Then you should do the same, if you care."

    ¡°Hey, Jin-Wook!"

    He flinched and then gave me the most pitiful look he could muster. I knew it was a bit childish, but I had to get him to sit back down.

    ¡°I came to you because I think you''re the best at writing raps out of everyone I know."

    After a bit of nagging, Kim Jin-Wook finally showed a flicker of interest. ¡°Rap?"

    The moment the words ¡°solo live radio performance¡± echoed in my ears, the first thing that leaped to mind was the song gifted to me by Joo-Han. I had broached the topic of the lyrics with Producer Do and managed to scribble down a few lines as they flowed from my thoughts.

    Yet, there remained one elusive section. It was a part where the music, apanied by the strum of an electric guitar, took a steep and sudden turn. I hadn''t asked Joo-Han about his intentions, but it was ringly obvious that this segment was tailor-made for rap rather than singing.

    I felt somewhat confident that with Producer Do''s assistance, I could cobble together the song lyrics. But rap, with its rhythm and beats, was a beast of a different nature that I couldn''t tame.

    In our group, Goh Yoo-Joon had dabbled in lyric writing, but even he would find writing rap a formidable challenge, especially while preparing for his own solo live. It seemed unfair to burden him further. Tormented by the desire to present the best live performance on the radio, I found myself seeking out Kim Jin-Wook.

    He regarded me with an air of annoyance before reluctantly sitting again. ¡°Rap? Why?" His curiosity was piqued now.

    ¡°I''ve been given a solo piece, and I was hoping you''d pen the rap part since you''re the best among everyone I know."

    Kim Jin-Wook was silent after hearing my request.

    I''d heard rumors from Ji-Hyuk that Kim Jin-Wook''s transfer to YU had been favorable, but he steadfastly refused to debut in a group. I could somewhat understand him. His previous group experience had been disastrous, and for someone whose destiny was to rap solo, he wasn¡¯t suitable for a group life.

    However, an unknown trainee wouldn¡¯t get many song offers, so I could imagine Kim Jin-Wook''s frustration building by the day. Anyway, this suggestion was mutually beneficial. ¡°Don''t let pride get in the way. Help me out. We''re Team D, after all."

    It was an arrangement where I''d receive a ster rap, and Kim Jin-Wook would get the opportunity to showcase his voice on an original track. It was a win-win for both of us.

    After a moment of feigned contemtion, Kim Jin-Wook finally nodded. ¡°I''ll do it. But I''ll only record once. Don''t expect me to join you live."

    ¡°Understood, of course not. I wouldn''t dream of going on stage with you anyway. Thanks. So, about the song¡ª" I handed over the concept and unfinished lyrics of the song to him. Despite seeming less than thrilled, he still read through the lyrics with a seriousness that belied his reluctance.

    ¡°Write it however you want, but just keep it clean for the public. No swearing, alright?" I advised.

    Kim Jin-Wook scowled but nodded in agreement. ¡°I''m not an idiot."

    ¡°Ah, the very same non-idiot who smoked at the house, right?"

    ¡°Should I leave now?"

    ¡°No, I am just saying that your reformation is truly admirable."

    He took a picture of the lyrics with his phone and got up. After that, he said, "Send the MR to me through email. I''ll record and send it back."

    ¡°Thank you, truly. I''m looking forward to it."

    ¡°And..." he looked somewhat hesitating.

    ¡°Yes?"

    He fumbled with his phone, seemingly at a loss for words, so I just tilted my head, prompting him to continue.

    ¡°The number you called me from... is it yours?"

    ¡°No, it''s the shared phone for Chronos."

    He awkwardly extended his phone toward me and said, ¡°Give me your number. You have your own phone, right?"

    ¡°Wow, sure. But you could just call my group¡¯s phone if you need to." Nevertheless, I took his phone, punched in my number, and handed it back. ¡°I really appreciate this. Feel free to reach out anytime, hyung."

    Kim Jin-Wook then left without saying another word.

    <i>¡®Ugh¡¯</i> I knew that even if I tried my whole life, I would never truly get close to Kim Jin-Wook. I then exited YU Entertainment''s building under the gaze of those wondering why I was there. After that, I made my way back to the dorm.

    That evening, I added the finishing touches on the lyrics for my solo song, wondering when Kim Jin-Wook would send me his recording.

    [1st. M4A]

    After a brief wait, a recording file arrived in my inbox, and I eagerly listened to it. To my delight, the rap nestled within the file perfectly captured the essence of my lyrics and the song''s meaning. The brilliance of it all seemed nothing short of genius. I had assumed he''d only half-listened, but it was clear that he''d absorbed every word.

    I sent Kim Jin-Wook a gift card as I was ovee with gratitude. His lyric-writing skills seemed to have improved remarkably. People indeed flourished under the tutge of major agencies... Kim Jin-Wook''s rap inspired me to find my groove in lyric writing. As if all my prior struggles were a mere illusion, I swiftly brought the song topletion.

    ***

    My first solo song was unfolding at a brisk pace. Joo-Han was the first to hear the recording, and he beamed with pride and gave me a thumbs-up. Producer Do, too, echoed his approval.

    <i>¡®For a first try, this is quite remarkable.''</i>

    Kim Jin-Wook''s rap required no additional praise; the man was undeniably a genius. Despite having to hastily pen the lyrics, I still receivedmendations from Producer Do and sessfullypleted the song.

    While I was in thepany studio, finalizing the song with Producer Do, Supervisor Kim walked in and started expressing his interest in the solo song. ¡°Is this the piece Joo-Han gifted you?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°Impressive... Joo-Han and that YU trainee, Jin-Wook, did well, but what can¡¯t our Hyun-Woo do?"

    I found it puzzling why Supervisor Kim was so ted over a song that wouldn''t even be officially released and wouldn''t generate revenue. Furthermore, it was out of the ordinary for him to voluntarily visit the studio, as he typically never stopped by.

    Just as I was suspicious of his motives, he dropped a bombshell. ¡°The fans will adore this, don''t you think? It''s a meaningful gift from Joo-Han and also the first solo for Chronos. Let''s put some effort into this."

    ¡°What kind of effort?" I asked.

    ¡°Officially invite the YU trainee. Let''s create a video with him and release it on <i>UTube</i>. If it gains traction, we might even consider an official release." The thought of coborating with Kim Jin-Wook, let alone making a video together, was repugnant to me. Yet, Supervisor Kim seemed to have his mindset, rattling off his ns one after the other.

    The situation was escting. As Supervisor Kim spoke, Producer Do cracked a smile for the first time in his presence. ¡°I''ve never seen Supervisor Kim so eager to spend money. Looks like Joo-Han is set to be a royalty millionaire this year, haha."

 Chapter 110: Blue Room Party (7)

    <h4>Chapter 110: Blue Room Party (7)</h4>

    No matter how skilled one was, it was tough for a trainee to refuse the agency''s schedule. Kim Jin-Wook could have been able to get away from group activities if he or the other members objected, but he had to follow the agency''s decisions for individual schedules no matter how stubborn he was. Therefore, as a powerless new idol and trainee, Kim Jin-Wook had no choice but to meet me again.

    ¡°Weren''t you two close? Or are you just quiet because you''re nervous?"

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...No, we''re not close."

    I didn¡¯t have much to say back to Supervisor Kim''s teasing. Both of us were unhappy about being forced to see each other again.

    ¡°I should''ve just said no," I said as I let out a sigh.

    ¡°No, you agreed, so no regrets, okay? You wanted this." Kim Jin-Wook shot me a re and then looked away.

    In YU Entertainment''s recording studio, the space buzzed with activity as cameras, lights, and staff filled the room. Kim Jin-Wook had to join in for the lip-syncing as he was featured in my solo song, all in preparation for creating the video.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are those your own clothes?" the stylist asked while adjusting my hair.

    ¡°Huh? Oh, yes." I was in a simple outfit¡ªa white t-shirt and ck pants tucked in.

    However, the stylist seemed impressed. ¡°It''s simple and nice. Let''s just go with what you''re wearing."

    She finished up by adding some bracelets and rings on me.

    ¡°All set? Just lip-sync to what we''ve already recorded, and we can wrap up fast. Hyun-Woo, go on in."

    ¡°Okay." I rose from the couch and headed to the recording booth. Lights and cameras crowded in after me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you ready?"

    ¡°Yes!" I donned the headset and positioned myself before the mic. When the music started, I began lip-syncing.

    <i>Is there a ce to step,</i>

    <i>Or nowhere to stand?</i>

    <i>Suddenly, anxiety creeps in?</i>

    Following Producer Do''s advice to write from experience, I filled the lyrics with my emotions and memories. Therefore, it turned out into something more poetic with his help.

    <i>Even if I run nonstop, there''s no end in sight,</i>

    <i>Time keeps slipping by, leaving me behind</i>

    <i>The resolutions that once tore through my heart...?</i>

    <i>Despite the unchanging reality,</i>

    <i>I gaze at the dawning day and murmur,</i>

    <i>Once more, just once more?</i>

    I was just listening and following the song, but I started feeling teary. ck and white memories of my trainee days kept surfacing, making me more emotional.

    <i>I used to envy those footsteps.</i>

    <i>Maybe this is my final stop?</i>

    <i>Feeling anxious when I halt my run</i>

    <i>My breathing is rough,</i>

    <i>And the morning begins without me</i>

    <i>To the boy who once wanted to give up,</i>

    <i>Opportunity whispers again,</i>

    <i>Once more, just once more?</i>

    It was a song that consoled me, who had once been lost in despair and on the brink of giving up. Yet, it was also a song meant to uplift those who found themselves in simr situations. With Joo-Han''s melody and my heartfelt lyrics, it was no surprise that it moved me deeply; after all, I was the writer behind its emotional resonance.

    Thank goodness it was just lip-syncing. If it had been a live performance, it would''ve taken all day.

    As my part ended, Kim Jin-Wook''s rap started. Unlike how he looked in person, his lyrics were incredibly delicate.

    I maintainedposure as I passed his part. After that, I leaned in closer to the mic for my next lines. The camera shifted to capture me from a different angle, and I closed my eyes, mouthing the lyrics once more.

    <i>It''s going to be okay.</i>

    <i>At the end of this long run, there''ll be a finish line,</i>

    <i>It''s alright,</i>

    <i>Dreams doe true after trials?</i>

    The song came to an end. I opened my eyes and looked at the outside of the recording booth.

    - Great job, Hyun-Woo. Come on out.

    ¡°Huh? Is it over already?¡±

    - Yeah, well done.

    I awkwardly took off my headset and put it down. Compared to the music video shoot, it ended embarrassingly quickly. Emerging from the booth, I showed uncertain feelings on my face, wondering if it was okay to finish my part in one take without any retakes.

    ¡°Isn''t this too quick? Supervisor Kim, you didn''t even check the camera."

    ¡°Don''t worry, Hyun-Woo. I''ve done this more than a couple of times."

    <i>¡®Well, he will handle it, I suppose.¡¯</i> It was no use to stress over something that couldn¡¯t be changed. So, I just nodded nonchntly to Supervisor Kim''s words and sat down on the couch.

    While I was talking with Supervisor Kim, Kim Jin-Wook entered the booth and put the headset around his neck.

    ¡°Jin-Wook, just rx. If something''s wrong, tell us immediately."

    - ...Okay.

    ¡°You got this!¡±

    - ...

    Kim Jin-Wook pretended not to hear Supervisor Kim and put on the headset. He had probably figured out how tiresome Supervisor Kim was as a person while I was shooting.

    ¡°y the MR."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    The staff promptly yed the MR as instructed by Supervisor Kim. The track moved to just before the rap part, and Kim Jin-Wook started nodding to the rhythm, mouthing the lyrics.

    <i>The boy''s hope is trampled even with gritted teeth and effort, </i>

    <i>Nothing goes as nned,</i>

    <i>Blocked on all sides,</i>

    <i>Enemies everywhere?</i>

    I was amazed when I first received Kim Jin-Wook''s recording and the transcribed text, but it was especially much more impressive when heard through good speakers.

    <i>Falling, kneeling, tears flowing,</i>

    <i>Stand up again,</i>

    <i>Close your eyes,</i>

    <i>And run,</i>

    <i>Bing an adult wounded like a child?</i>

    I could hardly believe these delicate and emotional lyrics came from Kim Jin-Wook. This was why people loved Cold E Chil''s songs so much.

    <i>But it''s okay,</i>

    <i>When light seeps into your closed eyelids,</i>

    <i>Slowly open your eyes,</i>

    <i>And before you know it, you''ll be holding your dream?</i>

    Kim Jin-Wook also finished shooting in one take. He seemed uncertain whether it was okay to end so quickly as well, but after leaving the booth and greeting the higher-ups, he disappeared without even looking at me. It was an indifferent farewell, uncharacteristic of people who had shared such great lyrics. However, I wasn''t particrly bothered by it.

    That evening, the video for my solo song waspleted and sent to me. Since it was shot without any mistakes, editing must have been easy.

    <i>¡®But... isn¡¯t this too fast?¡¯ </i>I was almost worried. But putting my concerns aside, the video turned out to be surprisingly good, worthy of being an official video. It was indeed a well-packaged gift for the fans.

    Rxing and enjoying the video after the perfect first verse, I stopped at thest part of the video.

    [Congrattions on your debut, Hyun-Woo. Love you.]

    I paused at the message written in Joo-Han''s handwriting and then burst outughing.

    ***

    Once Again @sudm ¡¤ 50 minutes ago

    It is a song to listen to alone in your room when you''re really tired and needfort.

    #SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

    Thanks for the gift to the Rings. And thank you, Jin Wook, for the rap.

    Replies RT 23 Likes 41

    Luce @RUS_20 ¡¤ 40 minutes ago

    So many emotions packed into a song in less than five minutes. It touched my heart as I could tell how Joo-Han must have felt writing this song for Hyun-Woo, what Hyun-Woo felt writing the lyrics, and their struggles till now.

    #SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

    Replies 1 RT 5 Likes 23

    ©¸JinSungChaCha @jincha ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Replying to @RUS_20

    Right?! I almost cried when Joo-Han''s message came up at the end...

    Chronos Fan ount @crolol ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    (Joo-Han''s message in the video)

    You can see how much Joo-Han cherishes Hyun-Woo... I wondered why Joo-Han gave Hyun-Woo a solo song, but it makes sense since they trained together for so long. Hyun-Woo''s debut must have been special.

    #SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

    Congrats on your first solo, Hyun-Woo! Please release it officially... It''s too good to end here.

    Replies 2 RT 221 Likes 325

    Dovi @dovi ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    But besides Joo-Han''s message, the song itself is a masterpiece, and Hyun-Woo''s voice is so good... I''ve been a fan of Hyun-Woo''s vocals, but this is the first time I''ve heard them so fully. It''s clear yet powerful and filled with sadness... Fans will know what I mean...

    #SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

    Replies 3 RT 352 Likes 886

    The video for ¡°Once Again¡± was uploaded to <i>UTube</i>. It was my first solo, so I was worried about the fans'' reactions. However, thankfully, many seemed to resonate with it and like the lyrics.

    ¡°Hey, are they not releasing the song?"

    ¡°Probably not." I let out a sigh, and Goh Yoo-Joonmented, ¡°It''s such a good song though. You have it, right? Can you send it to me?"

    ¡°Well, I was thinking about uploading the song on <i>BlueBird</i> anyway."

    ¡°Hyung, send it to me too! I almost memorized the lyrics."

    ¡°Share it here as well. The song is good, and Hyun-Woo hyung''s vocals really fit it...."

    I dly shared the song with the members. Watching us excitedly discuss the solo song through the rearview mirror, our manager grinned. ¡°Jin-Sung, have you been listening to the song a lot? Can¡¯t believe you even memorized the lyrics."

    ¡°Of course. I''d do the same even if it was another artist''s song on a music site."

    ¡°For Jin-Sung, who usually doesn''t listen to bads, to say this means it''s genuine." After Goh Yoo-Joon said this, he and Lee Jin-Sungughed and looked at the manager.

    ¡°Then, Jin-Sung, how about singing the rap part on the radioter?"

    The lively car suddenly went silent.

    ¡°...Me?" Jin-Sung asked, doubting his ears.

    The manager calmly nodded. ¡°Instead of ying Jin Wook''s part from the MR, wouldn''t it be better if one of the members sang it?"

    ¡°Me?"

    ¡°Yeah, you. In Chronos, it''s either you or Yoo-Joon who does rap, but Yoo-Joon is already doing a solo cover. So, it''d be good if you did it, right?"

    ¡°Umm...." Jin-Sung hesitated to answer as he wasn¡¯t too confident in anything other than dancing. Moreover, he felt a bit inferior because Jin Wook had done his part really well.

    ¡°Jin-Sung will do fine. He did great in ¡®Parade¡¯ and ¡®Chronos,¡¯" I said

    ¡°Right. He was good at thest live show. He''s improved a lot after learning from Hyun-Woo."

    Only after Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s encouragement did Jin-Sung reluctantly nod. It was indeed problematic when someone like Jin-Sung or Yoon-Chan was too self-aware.

    ¡°I''ll try. Hyung, can I borrow your phone?" After the live show, Jin-Sung''s lively nature returned, but at this moment, he became serious. He took the Chronosmunal phone and hummed the rap part repeatedly, looking both admirable and funny. The other members also stopped chatting, not wanting to distract him.

    There was still some distance to the broadcasting station, so I murmured the lyrics of ¡°Once Again,¡± gradually getting used to my somewhat awkward song.

 Chapter 111: Blue Room Party (8)

    <h4>Chapter 111: Blue Room Party (8)</h4>

    ¡°Good work, Chronos."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    The rehearsal for this week¡¯s <i>Music Case</i> had just ended. Unlike the previous live performance, this show had an audience, and the movements of the camera were restricted. So, we had to adjust the choreography of ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± which was designed with camera interaction in mind, to better fit the format of the music show.

    However, even with these adjustments, we still had to minimize our movements, so we ended up repeating the rehearsal a couple more times. It was a relief that the choreography was simpler. Otherwise, we would be too exhausted to perform even before the music show started.

    ¡°Great job. I''ve brought some lunchboxes to the waiting room."

    ¡°Could you check something for me, noona? Something seems to be scratching my waist when I walk."

    ¡°Sure, I''ll check it."

    ¡°Can I go grab some coffee? I feel like having coffee more than eating right now."

    ¡°Coffee? Let''s go togetherter."

    It became quite noisy as we and the staff entered the waiting room. Since there weren''t any issues with the stage or my costume, I decided to eat my lunchbox in a corner to avoid getting in the staff''s way.

    Joo-Han went with the manager to get coffee, Yoon-Chan was surrounded by stylists checking if there was an issue with his costume, while Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung were chatting in front of the camera. The scene was nothing out of the ordinary.

    However, I suddenly noticed that the staff in the waiting room seemed to be thinning out. Indeed, the once crowded room now felt more spacious, and familiar faces were subtly disappearing.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, where did all the staff go?"

    ¡°Huh?"

    When I asked, Goh Yoo-Joon rolled his eyes and smirked. ¡°Uh, I don''t know."

    That was not true. The way he giggled while looking at Lee Jin-Sung... It seemed like he knew something.

    ¡°You definitely know something.¡± I put down my lunchbox and approached them, sensing that they were up to some prank.

    ¡°We really don''t know," they insisted.

    ¡°Your faces are giving it all away, you fools."

    When I was about to interrogate them further...

    ¡°Hello there! A, Chronos!"

    ¡°Whoa! You startled me! What''s this!" The waiting room door suddenly flung open, and familiar faces came pouring in.

    ¡°Oh, Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung! How have you been?"

    ¡°Where are Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han?"

    I was surprised and reflexively trembled, retreating to a corner. They greeted the other members and then swarmed toward me. ¡°Hyun-Woo! Oh, our Hyun-Woo!"

    The person calling my name so warmly was none other than the national MC, Yoo Il-Seok. To my surprise, not only he but also the regr cast of SES <i>Flying Man</i>, along with the cameras, lights, and microphones from the program poured into the room. ¡®<i>Wait, isn''t their program from another broadcaster?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Why are you here? Hello..." I greeted them with a surprised face.

    Then, with a half-apologetic and half-amused smile, Yoo Il-Seok brought me in front of the camera. ¡°Ah, our Hyun-Woo! Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung,e here too!"

    I was still clueless about the situation. However, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung seemed to already know this, so they weren''t surprised at all and were chatting with the cast.

    ¡°Did you know about this?"

    ¡°Yeah, we knew." The brazenness of Goh Yoo-Joon''s reply was astonishing. No wonder the staff were disappearing one by one.

    While I was half-heartedly epting our sudden appearance on <i>Flying Man</i>, suddenly Yoo Il-Seok and Dada, along with the rest of the <i>Flying Man</i> cast, started kneeling in front of me.

    ¡°Hey, why are you doing this, seniors?" I tried to help Yoo Il-Seok up, but he wouldn''t budge.

    ¡°We are so sorry! Hyun-Woo! And all of Chronos!"

    ¡°Huh?"

    ¡°That brat dared to get Hyun-Woo''s number!"

    ¡°Ah, that idiot!"

    ¡°We do not have the face to show anymore, but we still felt like we needed to apologize!"

    ¡°No... it''s okay..." I said.

    Of course, <i>Flying Man</i>¡¯s members weren¡¯t at fault. They had merely featured a rookie idol, and Goh Seong-Cheol was the source of controversy. The cast members were also aware that they weren''t at fault, and the atmosphere was more like a skit, a situational act. It felt more like they were extracting footage for the guest rather than an actual apology orpensation.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, did you see the video we sent you?"

    ¡°Yes, I saw it. The members teased me a lot."

    ¡°Oh dear, you got teased. What can we do about this!?" Yoo Il-Seok kneeled again, and the other cast members dramatically sighed and knelt as well.

    ¡°No... haha, what''s even happening here?" I asked.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, please tell us clearly. Will you ept our apology? Yes or no! Choose one." Yoo Il-Seok''s yful words made the kneeling Wo-Seok burst intoughter.

    ¡°Who apologizes like that!?"

    ¡°Right, oppa! How can you apologize like this?" Dada got up, expressing her dissatisfaction, and tried to lift Yoo Il-Seok, but he stubbornly maintained his kneeling position with a smile.

    ¡°Ha-ha! Hyun-Woo! Please decide! ept our apology! Yes or No?"

    ¡°Ah, hyung! Why are you doing this to Hyun-Woo?"

    Having been quietly observing the situation, Jang Seok now stepped forward and gestured for the <i>Flying Man</i> members to step back. Then, he slipped his hand under Yoo Il-Seok''s armpit and swiftly lifted him to his feet. Yoo Il-Seok popped up as if sprung from a spring.

    ¡°Goodness, what is this all about!?" Yoo Il-Seok got embarrassed and grabbed Jang Seok''s cor, but Jang Seok simply released his grip with pure strength. The entire situation was so amusing that it was hard not tough at it. Goh Yoo-Joon was already rolling on the floor,ughing uncontrobly in one corner. Well, he was easily amused after all.

    ¡°Anyway, Hyun-Woo, ah, no, Yoo-Joon, get up. You shouldn''t be rolling on the floor in your costume!"

    Following Yoo Il-Seok''smand, Jang Seok picked up Goh Yoo-Joon. Despite Goh Yoo-Joon being quite muscr and heavy, Jang Seok lifted him effortlessly¡ªtruly the fitness icon of the entertainment industry.

    I watched this spectacle unfold and then spoke up. ¡°But seriously, why are you all here? Isn''t this another broadcaster''s territory? Is this even allowed?"

    I asked out of genuine concern, but it seemed like being from different broadcasters wasn''t much of an issue for these veterans.

    ¡°Ah, it''s fine. Don''t sweat the small stuff. Anyway, we do have a reason for being here."

    Only after a couple of skits did I finally learn why <i>Flying Man</i> hade here. Once all the members were back in their ces, Producer Han Bu-Joon spoke.

    - <i>Flying Man</i> is looking for a new member! The second contestant in this race is none other than Chronos''s Suh Hyun-Woo. Il-Seok, please pose the official question to Hyun-Woo.

    Only then did I fully understand the real reason behind their appearance. The vacancy in the regr cast of <i>Flying Man</i> seemed to be the theme of this race¡ªto find a new permanent member.

    ¡°Yes, then, Hyun-Woo, I will pose the question."

    ¡°Ah, okay." I matched Yoo Il-Seok''s serious demeanor and put on a grave face. Behind me, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung watched with keen interest, while Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan were peeking out from behind the door to keep an eye on me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, will you be a regr member of <i>Flying Man</i>?"

    ¡°It''s not an opportunity thates easily. You understand that, right Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Being a regr on <i>Flying Man</i> practically guarantees your pension!"

    As Yoo Il-Seok asked his question, the other cast members chimed in.

    ¡°Now! What''s your choice, Hyun-Woo? YES or NO?"

    It felt as if dramatic music should be ying in the background. In response, I pretended to ponder seriously. Looking back at our manager behind Joo-Han, I received a signal to choose as I wished. Popr shows were indeed different. They just decided things on the spot.

    ¡°Well, Hyun-Woo, you''re deep in thought, but...."

    ¡°But you have to do it. Honestly, what entertainer wouldn''t want to be on this show?"

    ¡°That''s true. Even in the earlier first race, they lost the game and it was canceled. However, they really wanted to do it, didn''t they?"

    The cast kept chattering, giving me time to think. Yes, such opportunities were rare.

    ¡°I''ve made my decision." Still, it took courage to say it.

    ¡°Oh! Good." Yoo Il-Seok got excited. He then returned to a solemn face and asked, ¡°What''s your answer, Hyun-Woo?"

    I replied just as solemnly, ¡°I decline."

    ¡°...Huh? Again?"

    It took me even greater courage to decline the offer this time.

    ¡°No, why! Why?"

    ¡°Why on earth?"

    ¡°How can you decline?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you don''t have to maintain a refusal image at times like this!" The <i>Flying Man</i> cast was shocked by my refusal.

    I awkwardly smiled and shook my head. ¡°It''s not that, haha... It''s the same reason asst time. We are still neers, so I want to focus on our group for now."

    From the mention of ¡°second contestant,¡± it seemed there were other candidates for the regr member position. That made it easier for me to decline. After all, I wanted to be a singer, not a variety show entertainer. If my group was doing well, I wouldn¡¯t need to divide my time by joining as a regr member of a variety show.

    ¡°Popr idols really are different. ''Wanting to focus on the group,'' that''s seriously cool!" The cast seemed convinced by my refusal. While my refusal would likely bring the shooting to a close, that was enough for me.

    I wore a polite smile, ready to wrap things up. But...

    ¡°Alright!" Yoo Il-Seok pped his hands, changing the atmosphere.

    ¡°Then let''s start the game!"

    ¡°...Senior, wasn''t it over?" I asked in confusion, gripping his arm, and Yoo Il-Seok just shook his head with his characteristic yful look.

    ¡°Hardly! How could we gather such esteemed guests and just leave? Hyun-Woo, you wanted to decline the regr appearance, right?"

    Wanted to decline? Not just that, but this question left me puzzled.

    Despite my doubts, I nodded. ¡°Yes."

    Following my response, Director Han Bu-Joon spoke.

    - Today''s game, which is about ¡°winning the right to decline¡±, will be exined.

    ¡°The right to decline?"

    Not the right to appear but to decline... what was that even about? As I chuckled at the forced game prize, a table was brought into the waiting room as if everything had been nned. On the long table, there were ordinary dumplingsid out. I just looked at Director Han Bu-Joon in disbelief, but he ignored Yoo Il-Seok''s grumbles and continued speaking impassively.

    -Today''s game is ''Avoid the Wasabi Dumplings!'' Out of ten dumplings, only five are normal. If Hyun-Woo picks and eats a normal dumpling, we will give you the right to decline the invitation to <i>Flying Man</i>.

 Chapter 112: Replacement (1)

    <h4>Chapter 112: Recement (1)</h4>

    The moment I heard the term ¡°Wasabi Dumplings,¡± my mind started whirring. This was a race to find a new member, and I was the second contestant.

    As the manager had given me a signal to make my own decision, it became apparent that despite the race being named ¡°Find a Regr Member,¡± they might not be seriously considering using the participants as regr members. Hence, it seemed like I could just participate as a popr guest for the audience¡¯s entertainment. So, was the ¡°Avoid the Wasabi Dumplings!¡± just for a fun game where my participation didn¡¯t carry much weight?

    Caught in a moment of confusion, I nced at Yoo Il-Seok, who responded with his characteristic smile, nodding in understanding as he offered reassurance. ¡°Haha! Hyun-Woo seems quite flustered right now. Is this your first time on such a show? Don''t worry, we''ve all felt the same way before."

    ¡°Yes? Yeah...."

    Of course, I was baffled. I mean, who wouldn''t be confused when faced with the prospect of consuming wasabi just before going live on a show? I eyed the dumplings on the table. Noticing my determined expression, the members of <i>Flying Man</i> couldn''t help but amuse themselves by teasing me or carrying on with their banter.

    ¡°So! Will you take the challenge, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°The odds are fifty-fifty anyway. Give it a try."

    ¡°Right. Hey, finding a dumpling with wasabi could indeed add an extrayer of challenge,¡± remarked one of the cast members, subtly nudging the conversation toward my involvement in the game. As a neer, I found myself unable to refuse and inevitably had to participate. Meanwhile, my fellow Chronos members watched me with worried expressions, perhaps sensing my unease.

    ¡°But if I eat one with wasabi and don''t show it, do I pass?"

    Hearing my question, Woo-Seok and Dada nodded, feeling impressed. ¡°This guy knows how to be in variety shows."

    ¡°If you can endure it, then that''s a pass. Isn''t that right, hyung?"

    ¡°Absolutely. If Hyun-Woo eats a wasabi dumpling and pretends to be calm, we will acknowledge it."

    I wasn¡¯t actually curious about that. With the odds at fifty-fifty, I simply posed this question for entertainment purposes. After all, I had no intention of eating wasabi before a live show. If it was unavoidable, then so be it. I would just show them a solid reaction and produce some good footage for Producer Han Bu-Joon.

    ¡°Now, Hyun-Woo! The time hase for you to choose a dumpling and stake your right to decline our invitation."

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°Choose wisely."

    ¡°You have a live performance, so just eat a little," Joo-Han whispered urgently as I reached for a dumpling. I felt his presence behind me but remainedposed, turning back to reassure him with a smile before calmly selecting one of the indistinguishable dumplings.

    ¡°Are you ready, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Yes!" Without hesitation, I popped the dumpling into my mouth.

    ¡°Huh? Did you just put the whole thing in your mouth?" The astonished voices around me, especially Joo-Han''s gasp, echoed in the air. Then, as soon as I bit down, the unmistakably strong aroma of wasabi hit me. <i>''Damn it, luck isn''t on my side,''</i> I thought ruefully.

    ¡°...Heup!"

    Before the wasabi dumpling''s intensity could fully reveal itself, I covered my mouth and started to tear up, prompting the <i>Flying Man</i> cast to react swiftly.

    ¡°Is Hyun-Woo crying?"

    ¡°Director Han! This isn''t a joke. We''re really going to get scolded!"

    ¡°Are you okay?"

    I shook my head to the side with my mouth firmly closed.

    ¡°Is Hyun-Woo crying?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked worriedly.

    <i>¡®No, I''m not crying. I haven''t even chewed properly.¡¯</i> As I gestured for tissue paper, Woo-Seok quickly handed me some, understanding the need to maintainposure and avoid appearing careless on the variety show.

    The tissue now held the intact, unchewed dumpling. Only the pungent taste remained in my mouth.

    <i>¡®But wait, why are my tears falling?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Ugh...."

    - Hyun-Woo failed!

    ¡°Oh no! Hyun-Woo, looks like you have to join <i>Flying Man!</i>"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo''s participation is confirmed!"

    I only held it in my mouth for a moment, and it wasn''t too spicy. However, the wasabi smell immediately irritated my nose.

    As tears fell from my eyes, the Chronos members rushed over in rm.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo."

    Joo-Han kept muttering ¡°oh no¡± as he wiped away my tears.

    ¡°Do you want some water, hyung? Are you okay?"

    ¡°Is Hyun-Woo really not okay?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, there''s a water dispenser down the right hallway, can you get some water?"

    ¡°It''s okay. Really, it''s okay," I said. My eyes felt hot, but there was no real harm.

    ¡°You guys really do care for each other. They''re looking after Hyun-Woo well." Dadamented.

    Director Han Bu-Joon saw that I had somewhat calmed down, so he spoke.

    - Since Hyun-Woo has failed the mission, he cannot refuse if <i>Flying Man</i> extends an invitation. Shall we move on to the next location?

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, we wille back to see you after meeting the next guest!"

    ¡°Anyway, good work, Hyun-Woo! It seems like every time we meet Chronos, we end up feeling sorry!"

    ¡°We apologize for introducing you to such a show for your first broadcast. I mean it!"

    ¡°No, it''s okay. Thank you, seniors!"

    It was indeed a brief appearance, but perhaps that was fortunate, given the number of guests this episode had. As soon as the game ended, they promptly wrapped up the filming and left the waiting room.

    ¡°Here, drink some water. Water."

    ¡°How spicy was it, hyung?"

    I shook my head. ¡°I didn''t chew it because we will have a live performance soon. I just felt the wasabi. Still, it was spicy enough to make me tear up."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, your throat might be severely affected. But In-Hyun hyung, did you know that they would make him eat wasabi? This could seriously impact our performance," eximed Joo-Han. He seemed quite angry.

    The manager hesitated, clearly flustered. He exined, ¡°Ah, I knew... but they were supposed toe after the stage was over. Then I received a call saying the schedule had been moved up."

    ¡°We only heard that Hyun-Woo was filming for <i>Flying Man</i>. No one told us any details about this."

    ¡°...Wait. You knew about the wasabi too?" Goh Yoo-Joon also frowned.

    ¡°This really isn''t right. Hyung, what would happen if Hyun-Woo had to perform live right after eating wasabi?"

    ¡°I made a big mistake this time. I''m sorry."

    Joo-Han reced the cold water I was holding with lukewarm water. ¡°Even if you didn''t eat it, seeing you tear up earlier got me worried. Drink plenty of water."

    Everyone was being cautious with their words, but it was evident the manager had made a mistake. He had been scolded a few times by Mr. Seong about the schedule before this.

    ¡°It''s fine now." I tried to calm down the pissed Joo-Han and soothed my throat. As the tumult of <i>Flying Man</i> and the dumplings settled in the waiting room, a stage staff member peeked through the door.

    ¡°Chronos, it''s time to move!" With that cue, the tension swirled again, and we adjusted our outfits as we moved backstage.

    ¡°You all know the atmosphere is different from ¡®Parade,¡¯ which focused heavily on group dance, right? Keep a rxed expression and smile while walking. There''s a lot of interaction with the camera, but don''t forget to engage with the audience too."

    ¡°Okay!"

    Joo-Han looked over and then extended his hand. We then ced our hands one by one on top of Joo-Han''s.

    ¡°Let¡¯s!"

    ¡°Let''s give it all out!"

    ***

    - We are not going anywhere! On such a hot day, staying home is the best! Turn on the air conditioning and lie in bed! Ahh...

    While the MCs were speaking, we headed onto the stage and took our respective positions. As we appeared, the fans'' cheers resounded through the air. I just waved lightly to them and tried topose myself, determined not to make any mistakes. As the camera entered the stage, it focused on Lee Jin-Sung sitting on a chair.

    - Yi-Jee seems confused right now! But once you hear their song, you will understand what I mean!

    - Who are they?

    - It''s Chronos performing ¡®Blue Room Party!¡¯

    As the MCs concluded their introduction, the fans'' cheers grew even louder, and the music of ¡°Blue Room Party¡± started to fill the air. Lee Jin-Sung locked eyes with the camera and started the first verse on the cool set, surrounded by the soft blue lighting, which was the vibe you''d expect to see on social media.

    <i> </i> *

    The stage exuded a sense of liberation and rxation, with both the song and the members echoing thisid-back vibe. Despite my frustration due to the unexpected wasabi dumpling, I tookfort in the fact that my voice remained steady.

    This performance offered more chances to connect with the audience through meaningful eye contact than during previous ¡°Parade¡± shows, and everyone''s expressive engagement with the camera had notably evolved. Hence, we wrapped up the performance wlessly, setting the stage for the announcement of the first-ce winner. Thepetition was fierce, pitting us against a solo artist fresh from aeback. However, given that thepetitor had just made aeback and that ¡°Blue Room Party¡± was dominating the music charts, the announcement came as no surprise.

    ¡°The first ce goes to Chronos! Congrattions!"

    Chronos celebrated the monumental achievement of clinching the top spot on our debut stage for ¡°Blue Room Party¡±, a stark contrast to the five-week journey that ¡°Parade¡± took to secure its first victory. This was a milestone for us.

    ¡°Congrats, hyung!" Goh Yoo-Joon immediately patted Joo-Han''s shoulder. In a show of respect and camaraderie, we handed the trophy and bouquet to Joo-Han.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, you contributed to the lyrics as well. Share your thoughts." I gently prompted Goh Yoo-Joon to join Joo-Han at the center. Both of them were initially bashful, but they quickly adapted and interacted with the audience.

    ¡°Thank you so much. We poured our hearts into ¡®Blue Room Party,¡¯ aiming to present a moreid-back and enjoyable performance with theeback. We are overjoyed that so many have embraced and cherished our ¡®Blue Room Party.¡¯ Thank you."

    Goh Yoo-Joon received the microphone from Joo-Han and said, ¡°A heartfelt thanks to everyone at YMM, Manager In-Hyun hyung, our stylists, and above all, our cherished fans."

    ¡°Kyaaaaa!¡±

    ¡°We love you so much!¡± The crowd erupted with cheers and congrattions. So, Park Yoon-Chan and I waved at the Rings standing at the back.

    ¡°We''re profoundly grateful for your unwavering support and love for each song. We love you!"

    - Once again, congrattions to Chronos. <i>Music Case</i> will return at the same time next week. Thank you!

    As the encore of ¡°Blue Room Party¡± filled the air, the hosts and guests gradually exited the stage.

    ¡°Congrattions."

    ¡°Well done."

    ¡°Thank you! Seniors!" We bowed deeply to the seniors leaving the stage and then turned our gaze to the audience, who were enthusiastically celebrating our first victory with ¡°Blue Room Party.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!" Goh Yoo-Joon lifted Jin-Sung, who had been watching from backstage, into the spotlight. Amidst escting cheers, we joyously danced the encore of the song to a close.

    After that, there was one remaining item on today''s agenda. The long-anticipated guest appearance on Senior Reina''s radio show.

 Chapter 113: Replacement (2)

    <h4>Chapter 113: Recement (2)</h4>

    ¡°Two, three! Hello! We are Chronos! Nice to meet you all!"

    ¡°Hey there! Chronos!"

    We greeted everyone with the brightest smiles we could muster, as we were determined not to let the residual gloom from earlier affect our radio appearance.

    ¡°Wee. I heard about your recent win on a music show. Congrattions on taking first ce."

    ¡°Thank you! We are looking forward to today''s show."

    The radio show was transitioning into the next section withmercials airing. While the director, Joo-Han, and In-Hyun exchanged a few words, we warmly greeted Senior Reina, who was waving enthusiastically from inside the booth, with a beaming smile.

    ¡°Keep the energy up, higher than usual. There''s a script, but feel free to stray from it as long as you keep the flow going."

    ¡°Chronos is ready to go in."

    ¡°Yes!" We entered the booth, once again saying hello to Reina.

    ¡°Senior, we are counting on your guidance today!"

    ¡°It''s been a while! I''ve been following Chronos''s journey. I always knew you''d do great!" Reina spoke energetically and gestured toward the radio''s front camera.

    ¡°Please give a wave to the camera for the listeners."

    Upon Reina''s cue, Goh Yoo-Joon pulled me toward the camera. ¡°Let''s act like we are all buddies here."

    ¡°Act friendly? What does that even mean?" Iughed and waved at the camera along with Goh Yoo-Joon. Behind us, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan bowed deeply toward the camera with their formal grace.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? Why are you guys so formal?"

    ¡°We should do the same!" Seeing them, Goh Yoo-Joon and I hastily bowed as well.

    Reina watched and chuckled at our actions. ¡°You''ve been on variety shows, and now you are not even nervous in front of the camera, are you?"

    ¡°We do get nervous, but it''s getting a bit morefortable. Haha. Guys, let''s take our seats,"

    Joo-Han instructed. The director outside the booth signaled the end of themercials, and we settled into our seats.

    ¡°Eh-hem, uh-huh. Ah." We cleared our throats, mentally preparing for the broadcast to resume. Soon, the show rmenced with the intro.

    - Do you know who¡¯s with us today? They are the monsters of the industry who are dominating stages and variety shows! The phenomenal neers who just clinched their first music show trophy today! We''ve got the members of Chronos with us!

    ¡°Two, three! Hello! We are Chronos. It¡¯s an honor to be invited here!"

    - It¡¯s great to have you, Chronos. Fans have been eagerly waiting. First, congrattions on your first ce!

    ¡°Thank you."

    - You must be having hectic days. Are you getting enough rest?

    ¡°Yes, we are well-rested and in great condition as we prepare for our follow-up song."

    - That''s a relief. It''smon for artists to struggle with sleep during their activities, especially those who are newly debuted. I am concerned as a senior, and I''m sure your fans have the same concern.

    ¡°Ah, thank you. We are taking good care of our health, so don''t worry!" Joo-Han reassured. Despite the close call with the wasabi earlier and the struggle to recover during our activity period, we managed to maintain our health until the official activities for ¡°Blue Room Party.¡±

    - I¡¯ve had a connection with Chronos since before your debut, haven''t I? I''ve been watching and supporting you since then, as you''ve always been impressive on stage.

    We continued with updates and reminiscences for a while. Having known Reina since our time on <i>Pick We Up </i>and up to ¡°Parade,¡± we easily filled the time with lengthy conversations recalling mutual memories.

    - Personally, I adore the ¡®Blue Room Party.¡¯ From the intro, I already thought, ''Ah, this is a masterpiece. Who created it?'' And listeners, believe it or not, the leader Joo-Han is theposer.

    Joo-Han shyly acknowledged with a nod. ¡°Yes. It was surprising and heartwarming to see how much love it received. It¡¯s beyond my expectations."

    - I already had a feeling from the start. It''s just too good. Now, as we are about to dive into the main session, we received numerous messages on ¡®Reina¡¯s Hot Radio¡¯ website once the listeners heard Chronos was showing up. They said, ''Ask Chronos Anything!'' Joo-Han, would you please read one of the messages for us?

    At that moment, a message popped up on the monitor for Joo-Han to read.

    [My dearest Joo-Han, I''m always watching and supporting you. You consistently prioritize the members, showing your steadfast leadership. But beyond what we see on screen, I''m curious about what the members think of you!]

    - Wow. Our listeners are curious about the real Joo-Han¡ªthe one off-camera¡ªas he always exudes such maturity. So, Joo-Han, hush! Chronos, what kind of person is Joo-Han to you?

    Excluding Joo-Han, the members collectively let out a yful "Hmm-" in response.

    Joo-Han simply shrugged his shoulders and asked, ¡°What? It''s not like there''s anything particrly different about me, right?"

    - Joo-Han, please, stay quiet for now. Haha!

    After a brief pause, Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in. ¡°Joo-Han hyung is always a reliable figure, even off-air. Well, he''s a bit more sensitive and sharper off-camera. All in all, scary when he''s scolding us but always dependable."

    Yoon-Chan nodded in agreement. ¡°That''s true. He pretends otherwise but deeply cares for the members. Since our trainee days, he''s been the leader, always bearing his own grievances while standing up for us, even if it means facing bacsh."

    - Indeed! It''s clear that Joo-Han is deeply trusted by the members. This must be why he''s the leader, right?

    We yfully continued to reveal various aspects of Joo-Han¡ªsuch as Jin-Sung¡¯s frequent scoldings from him, his subtly dual nature, his notorious sleep talking, and more¡ªall while exchanging knowing nces with each other.

    ¡°Still, I love Joo-Han hyung to the moon and back."

    ¡°Who else could lead us if not Joo-Han hyung?"

    ¡°We love you, hyung."

    - Now, the members are trying to smooth things over. But it''s evident that Joo-Han is a respected and beloved leader to the other members! Next, Hyun-Woo, would you mind reading the following message?

    ¡°Not at all!"

    The message on the monitor changed, and I calmly read it out.

    [Hello! I''m a fan in my forties and have been ardently loving Chronos since before your debut! Watching Chronos grow fills my heart with pride! After hearing about Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung''s grades during Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo''s live broadcast, I''ve be curious. What were Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo''s school days like?]

    - Oh! About the school days of these two! As far as I know, both Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo took the GED, right? Did you attend high school up to the first year?

    ¡°Yes, we were in the same school and ss."

    ¡°We were even desk mates."

    - Wow, that''s quite a bond. Any memorable experiences?

    ¡°More than anything, I remember the daily battles of waking up every morning."

    Hearing this, Goh Yoo-Joon made a face of sheer distaste. ¡°Ah, right. Back then, with Joo-Han hyung and most trainees being students, rms would ring throughout the dorm every morning. There was chaos as we tried to wake those who overslept. We then rushed to shower one after the other."

    ¡°Everyone practiced till dawn, so we were half-asleep at school. We even had bets on treating each other to the snack bar if we woke upte. Things like that."

    Struggling to wake up after practicing until dawn, yet unwilling to be tardy, we ended up making such bets to motivate each other. Though, we''d end up dozing off at school anyway.

    ¡°Oh, I just remembered. Amidst the tight schedule, Joo-Han hyung would diligently wake up early and manage to secure good grades, right?"

    As I spoke, Reina''s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Joo-Han.

    - Joo-Han was a good student?

    Joo-Han confidently replied, ¡°I was consistently top of my ss until my third year of high school. My grades did drop a bit then."

    - That''s impressive.

    ¡°The truly impressive part was him waking up earlier than other trainees, attending early morning sses, practicing, and almost achieving perfection. That¡¯s just him."

    The members took turns reading messages and engaging in conversation. Thanks to Reina''s amodating hosting skill, we gradually rxed, and the conversation flowed more naturally. Then, a message appeared on the monitor, signaling the end of the session.

    - Dear listeners, we''ve read various messages from you. Now, it''s time to listen to some live music, and we''ve got a special treat today! Chronos has prepared solo cover songs for us!

    At Reina''s cue, we made an effort to refocus. Even Jin-Sung, who was getting ready for Jin-Wook¡¯s rap part, bit his lip nervously. After all, it was our first time unveiling the solo songs to the public, so my heart pounded with excitement.

    - So, who shall we start with? Let''s begin with Hyun-Woo! Hyun-Woo, you recently released your solo song ¡®Once Again,¡¯ right? Could you give us a brief introduction to the song?

    I was the first to go. ¡°¡®Once Again¡¯ is my first solo song,posed by our leader Joo-Han and written by me. Oh yes, Jin-Wook, who appeared with us on <i>Pick We Up</i>, contributed with the rap lyrics and featured in the music."

    - Joo-Hanposed the first solo song for you, right? Joo-Han, could you tell us why you decided to give the first song to Hyun-Woo?

    Joo-Han responded, ¡°Hyun-Woo has been a trainee for a decade, and I''ve been one for eight. Over the years, I''ve seen how diligently Hyun-Woo has worked."

    - Ten years? That''s a long time. Such perseverance is trulymendable.

    ¡°Yes, that''s why I had always hoped Hyun-Woo would debut. When we finally debuted together, I gave him this song as a celebration."

    - It''s evident that Chronos members share a deep bond with each other. The lyrics must resonate with many young people, especially since Hyun-Woo wrote them.

    I added, ¡°I tried to encapste the emotions I felt during my trainee days in the lyrics. Jin-Wook also helped me a lot with writing the rap.¡±

    - Nice! Jin-Sung is going to take the rap part today instead of Jin-Wook. Why don¡¯t we listen to it now?

    Jin-Sung and I moved forward to the microphone.

    - It¡¯s ¡®Once Again¡¯ by Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung.

 Chapter 114: Replacement (3)

    <h4>Chapter 114: Recement (3)</h4>

    Reina observed Hyun-Woo with her chin resting thoughtfully on her entwined hands. He seemed quiteposed, casually adjusting the microphone with his headset on.

    ¡°Cough. Hmm." His asional coughs suggested that his throat might not be in the best condition, but the anticipation still hung in the air. Park Yoon-Chan and Reina really liked his voice; it was quietly powerful.

    Even during the <i>Pick We Up</i>, she had noticed that Hyun-Woo''s voice was effortlessly pleasant. She thought that he had the best skills among the main vocals.

    Soon, the intro of ¡®Once Again¡¯ filled the air. Hyun-Woo took a deep breath before he started singing.

    <i>Is there a ce to step,</i>

    <i>Or nowhere to stand?</i>

    <i>Suddenly, anxiety creeps in?</i>

    ¡°...Wow.¡±

    His voice had the power to draw people in with a mere sigh. Indeed, live performances had such a unique charm.

    In Chronos''s songs or on <i>Pick We Up</i>, there hadn''t been a chance to fully appreciate Hyun-Woo''s vocals as there were a significant amount of distributed parts and voice adaptations. Hence, this showcased Hyun-Woo''s solo live performance in its purest form.

    Reina closed her eyes, smiling subtly.

    <i>¡®How can his voice be so stable?''</i>

    Despite his throat condition seemingly affecting his power, his voice was clearer, grittier than Park Yoon-Chan''s, yet still strikingly sweet.

    <i>Despite the unchanging reality,</i>

    <i>I gaze at the dawning day and murmur,</i>

    <i>Once more, just once more?</i>

    The lyrics were crafted to grab the listeners¡¯ attention as well. As a result, the flood of radio messages from the listeners slowed down for a moment. It was a song tofort the blunt youth, who rose repeatedly despite breaking down.

    Reina held this song in high esteem. ¡®<i>Such a talent shouldn''t be confined to a group.''</i>

    She hoped that someday... his voice would shine more prominently, not just on a radio show but recognized by many. While Reina immersed herself in Hyun-Woo''s performance, the song reached its climax, and soon, Jin-Sung''s rap partmenced.

    <i>The boy''s hope is trampled even with gritted teeth and effort,</i>

    <i>Nothing goes as nned,</i>

    <i>Blocked on all sides,</i>

    <i>Enemies everywhere?</i>

    Though Jin-Sung showed some unfamiliarity with rapping, as he usually shared the rap part with Goh Yoo-Joon in Chronos, he managed it well enough. His voice might notpare to Kim Jin-Wook''s, but it wasn''tcking at all.

    Reina felt the studio''s atmosphere shift warmly. Suh Hyun-Woo stood beside Jin-Sung and looked at him. The other members also wore the same fond look, akin to watching a younger sibling proudly take their first steps. Hyun-Woo even nodded gently, helping Jin-Sung keep the beat.

    Jin-Sung naturally locked eyes with Hyun-Woo and continued his rap.

    <i>''...What''s this?'' </i>Reina suddenly felt an overwhelming warmth in her chest. <i>¡®Why am I feeling this fondness here?¡¯</i>

    ¡ª Look at[1] how the members are looking at Jin-Sung so affectionately... <i>aaah</i>

    ¡ª The youngest love from the members... <i>a</i>

    ¡ª Hyun-Woo AHAHA helping Jin-Sung with the beat? <i>Aww</i>

    The fans, too, were experiencing the warmth through the radio, sharing Reina''s sentiments.

    Reina smiled reminiscently of the <i>Pick We Up</i> keyword contest and then quickly reduced her smile, as she couldn''t afford to show too much personal bias. Otherwise, her fond face would be captured and circted around the idol forums.

    <i>...Though it might be toote for that?</i>

    As Jin-Sung''s rap part concluded, Hyun-Woo gave him an approving smile, quickly regaining hisposure.

    <i>It''s going to be okay.</i>

    <i>At the end of this long run, there''ll be a finish line,</i>

    <i>It''s alright,</i>

    <i>Dreams doe true after trials?</i>

    Hyun-Woo sang the final lines, and as the music swelled to its climax, he stood silently until the song ended before removing his headset. Reina, who had been staring nkly at them, btedly turned to face the front.

    - Okay! That was Joo-Han''sposition and Hyun-Woo''s lyrics for ¡®Once Again.¡¯ It''s incredibly moving. What a live performance!

    Returning to his seat, Hyun-Woo bowed his head in thanks.

    ¡°Thank you!"

    - Will this song be released as a single?

    ¡°Um, no ns yet, but we''d love the opportunity."

    It was indeed challenging for a newly debuted idol group to release a solo track. Reina pushed her disappointment aside and continued the show.

    ***

    The live performance left me somewhat discontented. Already strained from the day''s exertions, my voice had roughened from the intermittent coughing. Despite my best efforts, I couldn''t produce the sound quality I desired. However, pushing aside the lingering dissatisfaction, I forced a rxed expression onto my face.

    - The song intrigues me. I have a few questions, especially about the rap part expertly performed by Jin-Sung. Is it initially featured by Kim Jin-Wook from <i>Pick We Up?</i>

    ¡°Yes, we''ve had a connection since the team performance in the show. He''s an exceptional rapper, and when I approached him, he generously agreed to feature in it.¡±

    Truth be told, it was more of a reluctant agreement, secured through persistent negotiations and a bribe of a coffee gift card.

    - It seems like you''ve maintained a strong bond with the other groups, even securing a feature with one of them. You must be quite close with Jin-Wook, right?

    ¡°Well, somewhat.¡±

    <i>¡®Not exactly.¡¯</i>

    - Reading these rap lyrics...

    Reina leafed through the lyric sheet with pure admiration.

    - They resonate with such affection for you, Hyun-Woo. It''s not something one could pen without a deep fondness.

    ¡°Haha, do you think so?¡± It was a rapidption and waspleted in three minutes, as indicated by Jin-Wook¡¯s grudgingment.

    - He must cherish you deeply as a younger brother. It''d be delightful to witness both of you perform this piece live on a music show someday.

    ¡°I hope for such an opportunity too. I wish Jin-Wook would debut soon.¡±

    Kim Jin-Wook himself had dered that there''d never be a joint live performance of this song.

    Still, why did everyone, including our agency, think Jin-Wook and I were close? As I mulled over this, Reina continued her questioning and asked Jin-Sung.

    - Jin-Sung, your rap wasmendable. As the main rapper in Chronos, you''ve proven your reliability once again!

    ¡°Thank you. It was somewhat rushed, but as I''ve been familiar with the song from the start, I performed with pleasure.¡±

    - Listeners, did you notice how tenderly the Chronos members watched Jin-Sung rap?

    ¡°Ah, did we really?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon responded, surprised by Reina''sment.

    - Yes! It was evident how much the youngest member is cherished.

    The conversation about ¡°Once Again¡± concluded, and Park Yoon-Chan''s turn arrived.

    - Yoon-Chan prepared...oh my, I''m so thrilled that I might cry. He''s chosen my third album track ¡®No Nights for Me.¡¯

    ¡°Yes, I''ve performed the rearranged version on a show previously. It''s a personal favorite, and I''ve always wanted to sing the original version.¡±

    - I''m overjoyed! I had a fantastic time during the previous rendition, and personally, I adore Yoon-Chan''s voice.

    ¡°Ah! Thank you so much, senior!¡± Yoon-Chan responded, visibly touched.

    - The song suits your tender falsetto perfectly, so I''m eagerly anticipating it.

    ¡°For sure!¡± Yoon-Chan approached the microphone.

    - Now, let''s hear Yoon-Chan sing Reina''s ¡®No Nights for Me.¡¯

    A grand, medieval tune filled the air, perfectlyplementing Park Yoon-Chan. Although it was originally Reina''sposition, it had be synonymous with Park Yoon-Chan in our minds.

    I watched Yoon-Chan with keen anticipation, wondering how his delicate voice would interpret the original version. His voice was slightly higher than usual and delicately conveyed the song''s essence. He showcased his rapidly improving skills, handling the challenging high notes and emotional depths with aplomb.

    When had he be so adept at conveying emotions? I couldn''t help but feel a surge of pride.

    He wisely opted for falsetto for the climactic high notes, a decision that enhanced the performance.

    I caught a glimpse of Reina''s reaction, and she seemed thoroughly pleased.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan''s doing great,¡± Joo-Han whispered.

    I grinned and nodded in agreement. ¡°He''s worked hard. Impressive.¡±

    As Yoon-Chan''s song concluded, Reina stood up, apuding enthusiastically.

    Seeing this scene, Yoon-Chan bashfully scratched his neck and then returned to his seat.

    - Oh my gosh, it was perfect!

    ¡°Thank you. The final high note was a bit disappointing th¡ª¡±

    - Not at all! Your unique touch made it all the more enjoyable.

    Yoon-Chan smiled, a hint of shyness in his expression.

    - If we delve deeper, I remember being particrly impressed by Yoon-Chan when Chronos first covered this song.

    ¡°Really?¡±

    -Yes, a total reversal! Up until then, his talents hadn''t fully shone, but suddenly, he surged forward, and that moment is still vivid in my memory.

    Yoon-Chan nodded. ¡°Honestly, I was incredibly grateful to my fellow members during that cover.¡±

    - What specifically made you feel grateful?

    ¡°Being rtively less experienced, I was unsure of what to showcase.¡±

    - Oh, was that so?

    ¡°They spontaneously suggested to focus the song around me, so I was truly grateful. It felt like they were creating opportunities for me.¡±

    - Once again, I must say, Chronos shares a deep bond. It makes even the onlookers feel good. Now, over to Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon answered energetically, his confidence contrasting with the previous nervousness of me, Jin-Sung, and Yoon-Chan.

    - Yoo-Joon has selected Radical Mood''s <Blue Night>. Ah, this song is known only to the true connoisseurs.

    ¡°Yes, I performed it during the debut group audition back in my trainee days.¡±

    - Oh, it must hold a special ce for you then.

    ¡°Indeed. I''ve always loved it, feeling it suits my voice well. I''ve always wanted to share it with everyone.¡±

    ¡°This song is also one of Hyun-Woo''s favorites,¡± Jin-Sung added.

    - Really, Hyun-Woo?

    I nodded. ¡°I really like it. I do love the original, but personally, I prefer Yoo-Joon''s rendition better. I''ve asked him to sing it whenever there''s a chance.¡±

    ¡°Don''t get me wrong. I haven''t sung it for him.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon''s firm response filled the studio withughter.

    - Well, with Hyun-Woo''s endorsement, my anticipation grows. Shall we listen? Yoo-Joon will perform Radical Mood''s ¡®Blue Night.¡¯

    Goh Yoo-Joon moved toward the microphone as the song started. From the very start, his deep voice slowly built the emotion and enveloped the studio. I then closed my eyes.

    <i>¡®That guy, my friend, really sings beautifully.¡¯</i>

    Reina flinched in surprise before turning to watch Goh Yoo-Joon perform. Meanwhile, I felt a subtle sense of pride, smiling as I listened to Goh Yoo-Joon''s song. With his performance, the radio show approached its conclusion.

    1. There is a type of radio broadcast or show that includes a visualponent, typically streaming video along with the audio broadcast. Viewers can see the radio host and any guests, as well as any additional visual content thatplements the audio content of the radio show. ?

 Chapter 115: Replacement (4)

    <h4>Chapter 115: Recement (4)</h4>

    - Alright, <i>Reina''s Hot Evening Radio</i> Part Two was with Chronos today, and it was truly exhrating. I wonder if everyone found as much joy in it as I did.

    ¡°Absolutely."

    ¡°It was a st."

    - We are so pleased to have you all. I hope we''ll cross paths often in the future. Joo-Han, as our representative, would you like to address our listeners?

    ¡°Yes, first off, a heartfelt thank you for inviting us to <i>Reina''s Hot Evening Radio</i>. Senior Reina''s warm hospitality made us feel at ease, allowing us to speak freely andfortably."

    - Haha, thank you.

    ¡°This was an invaluable opportunity for us to showcase the unique charm of each member. We are immensely grateful. The song we just performed live, Chronos''s ¡®Blue Room Party,¡¯ was abor of love that was meticulously crafted by me, Yoo-Joon, and Hyun-Woo. We earnestly hope you''ll give it a try. Thank you!"

    - You are quite the orator. I know you''ll be bustling about from dawn tomorrow. Take good care of yourselves and continue to bring joy with your performances.

    "Thank you!"

    - Unfortunately, the time hase to bid farewell to our friends from Chronos.

    ¡°Ah..." We did our utmost to express our disappointment. Never before had a broadcast allowed us to speak so freely, so we were truly sad that it ended.

    Reina empathetically continued, her expression mirroring our sentiment.

    - Thank you, Chronos. We''ll listen to ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯ again and return anew!

    Not long after, the song filled the air, and we gracefully removed our headphones and rose.

    ¡°Thank you, Senior."

    ¡°You guys were exceptional, especially for a first-timer. You nailed the solo tracks too. I should be the one thanking you."

    ¡°It''s all thanks to your supportive atmosphere." As Joo-Han and the others conversed with Reina, I stepped outside the booth and collected the album we had signed earlier from the manager.

    ¡°Senior, this is ourtest album, and we''d be honored if you''d ept it."

    ¡°Oh? A present? How thoughtful! I''ll cherish it. Seeing how much my juniors have grown fills me with joy. You''ve all done well today!"

    We exchanged nods with Reina and the cameramen before swiftly exiting the booth. The director and the writer, who had been observing from the studio, also received our albums and brief greetings as we wrapped up our first radio schedule.

    ¡°Great work today. Let''s practice quickly and head back."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Once all ourmitments were concluded, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung shared a phone in the car back to thepany, discussing the radio feedback. In the meantime, Yoon-Chan had dozed off as he was evidently exhausted.

    The tension of the entire day justified our weariness. I nced at Joo-Han, who was seated next to me in the back. His headphones were on, and he wore a contemtive expression, his thoughts seemingly miles away.

    ¡°What''s on your mind?" I nudged him gently, and he looked at me, attempting a nonchnt shake of his head.

    ¡°Nothing. Aren''t you tired? Maybe you should rest a bit too."

    ¡°No, I n to freshen up and sleep at the dorm, but you seem troubled."

    Joo-Han forced a smile and averted his gaze. It was rare for him to evade conversation, and his mood seemed significantly off. I had an inkling of the cause but chose not to probe.

    ¡°We are almost there. Let''s get off," said the manager, likely in a sour mood from enduring the members''ints after the <i>Flying Man</i> shoot.

    We were about to enter the practice room when Joo-Han stopped. "In-Hyun hyung."

    "Yes?"

    Just as Joo-Han got out of the car, his face was a mix of neutrality and slight irritation as he addressed the manager. ¡°If you are not too worn out, could we have a word?"

    ¡°...Sure. The rest of you, go ahead to the practice room."

    ¡°Okay."

    We left the two alone without further question, sensing the gravity of the moment. As we walked away, Goh Yoo-Joon muttered beside me, ¡°It''s been a while since the ¡®No Regret Revolutionary¡¯¡¯ made an appearance."

    ¡°Ah."

    ¡°In-Hyun hyung definitely crossed the line with the wasabi thing."

    ¡°Yeah. I was quite pissed too." Jin-Sung hurried over and chimed in. Given Joo-Han''s expression earlier, he seemed extraordinarily angry, perhaps nning not to return until the wee hours.

    I stretched my tired body and made my way to the center of the practice room.

    ¡°It seems we''ve all run out of steam today. Practice might just wrap up before Joo-Han returns."

    ¡°Maybe, but he seemed more resolute than ever today."

    ¡°Everyone, rise. We will start practicing now." Prompted by Jin-Sung''smand, I gave onest stretch and moved toward the center of the practice room.

    ***

    In the secluded small conference room of YMM, distant from the lively echoes of Chronos''s practice sessions, two figures sat across from each other in darkness, illuminated only by the ghostly glow from the corridor lights streaming through the expansive ss. The air between them was thick with a tension so palpable it was almost audible.

    Kang Joo-Han''s eyes were downcast, a storm of thoughts swirling behind his lowered lids as he pondered over the right words to address the manager, whose face was a mask of grave contemtion.

    After what felt like an eternity, Kang Joo-Han broke the silence, his voice carrying the weight of years. ¡°Since our days as trainees, I''ve always looked up to you, hyung. You''ve been a guiding star, so I''ve remained silent even when the road was rough."

    The imperfect system of YMM wasn''t foreign to them. After all, Chronos was a far cry from demanding perfection, so they had swept minorints under the rug with a smile. However, it was different this time.

    ¡°But hyung, no matter what, I can''t understand the idea of feeding wasabi to an artist before a performance, especially when it''s the main vocalist. The very essence of Chronos''s performance was nearly sabotaged."

    The air thickened with unsaid words as Kang Joo-Han continued, his frustration evident. ¡°All this while, I thought these abrupt, breathless schedules were things beyond our control. But even then, shouldn''t you be there for us when we needed you the most?"

    ¡°I''m sorry, Joo-Han. This time with <i>Flying Man,</i> the schedule got entangled beyond repair......"

    ¡°It''s not just about the schedule, hyung. If Hyun-Woo is put in a situation where he has to consume something as ridiculous as wasabi right before a stage, shouldn''t you be the one to shield him?"

    Indeed, their status as fresh-faced idols in the high-stakes game of <i>Flying Man</i> was no secret, but what use was a manager if not to back them in their most vulnerable moments? At that critical moment, Joh In-Hyun had stood by, wringing his hands, awash with worry but silent as a shadow. That... was something Kang Joo-Han couldn¡¯t ept.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo was coughing his soul out, hyung. You knew about the wasabi stunt, didn''t you? Did you spare a thought for the solo radio live that was to follow?" Joo-Han¡¯s voice was a low growl, each wordced with usation.

    ¡°...I''m sorry.¡±

    ¡°I''m not seeking apologies. I''m seeking change." Their camaraderie had once been a haven, but it was now a breeding ground forcency. The mistakes were piling up, each worse than thest. If they continued down this path, Kang Joo-Han was concerned about the future¡ª together with Joh In-Hyun.

    ¡°I think...¡±

    As they delved deeper into the heart of the matter, the room suddenly flooded with light. Then, Supervisor Kim walked in, his brows furrowed in concern. ¡°What''s this about, In-Hyun? I heard something about wasabi."

    The sight of Kang Joo-Han''s fierce anger and Joh In-Hyun''s serious demeanor told Supervisor Kim all he needed to know: something significant had happened with Chronos. ¡°Was it rted to today''s <i>Flying Man</i> shoot or the performance?"

    ¡°Umm... We are just...¡±

    Supervisor Kim naturally seated himself beside the manager. Joh In-Hyun''s face was etched with embarrassment. Seeing this, Kang Joo-Han didn''t hesitate to speak up. ¡°We were just discussing the <i>Flying Man</i> shoot."

    ¡°Why do you look so grim?"

    ¡°There was a part in <i>Flying Man</i> where Hyun-Woo had to eat wasabi dumplings, and it was right before our performance."

    He didn''t beat around the bush. Honestly, this incident hadpletely soured Kang Joo-Han''s feelings toward Joh In-Hyun. While he held affection for In-Hyun, he knew there were times when one had to be dispassionate. After all, his loyalty to the Chronos members and Suh Hyun-Woo was stronger, fostering a desire for a managerial change.

    Supervisor Kim''s expression hardened as he looked at Joh In-Hyun.

    ¡°In-Hyun, again!"

    ¡°...Again?"

    <i>¡®What does that mean?¡¯ </i>Kang Joo-Han was puzzled.

    With face reddening in frustration, Supervisor Kim looked at Joh In-Hyun with disdain and gestured for Kang Joo-Han to leave. ¡°Sorry to interrupt your talk, but could you leave us to discuss this privately? Why don¡¯t you head to practice now?"

    ¡°Uh? Oh, okay," answered Kang Joo-Han as he left the room, flustered. After all, he had no idea how Joh In-Hyun had transitioned from managing Allure to trainees and then to Chronos.

    Once Kang Joo-Han had left, Supervisor Kim was severely upset as he spoke to Joh In-Hyun.

    ¡°I told you to check on the kids'' conditions, didn''t I? Even with a tight schedule, you need to think ahead, especially with high-rated TV shows like this."

    This was simr to what had happened with Allure. Joh In-Hyun had been overwhelmed by the desire to get the group on more programs and festivals, so he had scheduled them so tightly that he failed to notice Kim Sae-Yeon''s deteriorating condition due to his diet, which ultimately led to his fainting.

    As a consequence, the manager was reced, and Joh In-Hyun was demoted to assisting with Allure and managing trainees before being reassigned to Chronos.

    ¡°Now wasabi? Did it not affect Hyun Woo¡¯s voice? Even if <i>Flying Man</i> forced it, you should''ve intervened. Please focus on the kids'' well-being and not just sess. Don''t overwork them like you did with Sae-Yeon. Got it?"

    Because of the incident with Allure, Supervisor Kim was particrly sensitive, not just for the artists'' sake but also because of how much YMM''s image had suffered at that time.

    ¡°I''m sorry, sir."

    ¡°I can''t overlook this. Even if the shooting ended safely this time, how can we trust you not to overstep your bounds again? ...Sigh, there''s a meeting tomorrow. Be aware of that."

    This was a matter that required firm action, regardless of personal feelings. The past shouldn''t repeat itself. As Supervisor Kim walked away, it was clear he had decided to rece Chronos''s manager.

 Chapter 116: The Singer in the Memories (1)

    <h4>Chapter 116: The Singer in the Memories (1)</h4>

    In the morning, the day unfolded differently than usual. It was Joo-Han, not our manager, who roused us awake and hurried us through our morning routine. The air was thick with unspoken tensions, a residue of yesterday''s unresolved issues between In-Hyun and Joo-Han. The foreboding sensation hung over us as we noticed Joo-Han''s taut expression and the manager''s absence, which wrapped the dormitory in an eerie silence.

    ¡°Ah, you are up? Joo-Han did a good job waking everyone up."

    ¡°You know, Joo-Han is surprisingly tender when waking people up. I almost expected a swift kick to start the day."

    Hearing Goh Yoo-Joon''s jest, Joo-Han let out a scoff. ¡°I''m not that mean, alright?"

    ¡°Nah, I am just saying that I like your hearty back p~."

    <i>Whack!</i>

    The crisp sound of Joo-Han''s palmnding squarely on Goh Yoo-Joon''s back echoed, a yful punishment for his teasing. I''d always known that one day, his yful banter would circle back to him. Despite wincing in mock pain, Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t suppress hisughter.

    I climbed into the car while shaking my head with a light chuckle.

    ¡°Come on, Yoo-Joon hyung, hurry up! Every single day, you are blocking the door." Armed with his crutch, Jin-Sung rhythmically tapped the ground, urging Goh Yoo-Joon along.

    Meanwhile, Yoon-Chan was the silent one. He tied his hair with a rubber band and smoothly maneuvered under Goh Yoo-Joon''s arm to get into the car.

    ¡°Will there ever be a day when we all get in the car without somemotion?" Despite Joo-Han''s rhetorical question, the car buzzed with our usual lively chatter. But amidst theughter, Jin-Sung, who had been yfully jostling with Goh Yoo-Joon, suddenly leaned forward from his seat. ¡°By the way, why is In-Hyun hyung so quiet today?"

    ¡°Uh?"

    ¡°Are you feeling alright?" His voice was tinged with a deliberate sweetness, a subtle consideration for the manager who had had a serious talk with Joo-Han just the night before.

    The manager shook his head and started the car. ¡°Nothing''s wrong. I''m not sick, so don''t worry about me. Jin-Sung, please buckle up."

    ¡°If you are fine, then that''s a relief." Jin-Sung slowly leaned back to his seat and fastened his seatbelt. The manager¡¯s usually bright features looked worn today, but I knew that time would heal whatever was weighing on him.

    Ourpany and dorm were just a five-minute walk apart, but now that people started to recognize us, we had to drive there.

    ¡°Isn''t that Chronos''s car?"

    ¡°Seems like it. They must be entering thepany." Someone''s voice drifted in as we pulled into the parking lot.

    When we arrived at YMM''s small conference room, we hesitated at the door as we sensed an unusually solemn atmosphere inside. But we had no other choice and had to go in.

    ¡°Did you have a good sleep?"

    ¡°Yes! Good morning."

    <i>¡®Why does Supervisor Kim look so troubled?¡¯</i>

    The usually weing faces of ourpany staff were etched with seriousness, as if we had stirred some trouble. With dampened spirits, we then took our seats, and the meeting started as soon as we settled down.

    ¡°The ''Blue Room Party¡¯ has officially kicked off its promotions. The performance is ster, and we are seeing a steady influx of fans."

    ¡°Understood."

    ¡°Now that Chronos seems to be entering a stable phase, we want to organize some events and individual variety shows for you guys."

    As the discussion unfolded during the ¡°Chronos team meeting,¡± all members, including myself, were engulfed in a nket of confusion.

    <i>¡®Were we usually included in such strategic discussions?¡¯ </i>We were always present for album meetings, but schedule discussions typically started and ended with mere notifications.

    Supervisor Kim noticed my puzzled expression and paused mid-sentence. ¡°From here onward, we n to involve you all more in discussing uing schedules. As the time goes by, all of you will participate more often. Feel free to voice your opinions, okay?"

    ¡°...Okay!"

    So this was what it meant to be involved from the nning stage, much like our seniors, Allure and YMM¡¯s bad singers. As one''s career progressed, their level of involvement would increase as well.

    ¡°Let''s ensure that the events are manageable and not straining the members."

    Supervisor Kim flipped through his notebook. ¡°Oh, right... Regarding individual variety show appearances, Yeong-Yee, who''s been on an extended hiatus, has expressed her desire to gradually return to the scene."

    The room buzzed with excitement to hear his announcement.

    ¡°Senior Yeong-Yee?"

    ¡°Yes, she''s not asking for much and just wants to release a modest album."

    Yeong-Yee was a name that demanded reverence. More than just being our senior, she was a celebrated veteran from the 80s and 90s. As one of the female powerhouses of the mixed-style[1] dance trio Tenten, she had reigned over the golden era of the Korean music industry.

    After Tenten''s disbandment, she transitioned into a bad singer in thete 90s and early 2000s and signed with YMM, currently in a semi-retirement state. Despite the fact that we were under the samebel, our paths had barely crossed during my decade-long trainee days.

    ¡°Our beloved Yeong-Yee is nning a much-awaitedeback. It wouldn''t suffice to just release an album for her. We are considering lining up some variety shows for her during hereback period."

    Supervisor Kim''s weary eyes shifted between me and Goh Yoo-Joon. After that, he cracked a sly smile and suggested, ¡°How about we let Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon join Yeong-Yee in her schedule? It¡¯s just a thought."

    <i>¡®...Huh?¡¯</i>

    Silence fell over the room. Everyone was likely as baffled by this sudden proposal as I was. After all, Supervisor Kim had brought this idea up out of the blue.

    ¡°Of course, not for the long term. During her promotion period, there might be opportunities to perform old Tenten songs, right? It would be good to expand Chronos''s activities by having them participate as guest members for their senior."

    Then, Mr. Seong nodded in agreement. ¡°That''s an excellent idea. Incorporating Tenten''s songs will broaden the range of shows Yeong-Yee can participate in, and it will offer a valuable promotional opportunity for Chronos as well."

    Yoo-Joon and I exchanged a look and then replied with bright smiles and enthusiastic nods. ¡°We will do our best!"

    ¡°Perfect, but don''t worry. The schedule won''t sh with the ''Blue Room Party.'' Yeong-Yee needs time to prepare as well," Supervisor Kim assured.

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°We will arrange a meeting with Yeong-Yee soon. Oh yeah, Joo-Han, about your solo track... are you considering releasing it on an album?" Mr. Seong asked.

    ¡°Ah, ''Once Again¡¯..." Joo-Han shook his head. ¡°Thank you for the opportunity, but I''d like to release it for free if possible. What do you think, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°I agree with Joo-Han. I''d like to release it for free as well. It might be too soon to release a solo track while we are still focused on Chronos activities," I added.

    ¡°Hmmm...¡± Mr. Seong looked disappointed but nodded. ¡°I guess you have a point, though it''s a shame since the song is so good."

    While it wasmon for idols to release solo tracks, I still needed to focus more on the group than pursuing a solo career. This was also the reason I declined to be a regr member of <i>Flying Man</i>. With this, the meeting was nearing its end.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, just concentrate on healing your leg.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°That''s all for today''s meeting. And..." Supervisor Kim chewed his lip and let out a heavy sigh. ¡°And... uh..."

    ¡°What''s wrong, Supervisor Kim?" I asked.

    His face looked extremely troubled. Not only him, but suddenly, everyone in the room reverted to the peculiar, subdued atmosphere before the meeting, including Joo-Han and the manager.

    <i>''What''s going on?''</i> I wondered. Could it be rted to the incident from yesterday?

    As I was trying to gauge the mood, Supervisor Kim hesitated before finally speaking. ¡°In-Hyun will not be in charge of Chronos any longer and will go back to taking care of the trainees."

    ¡°...What?"

    ¡°In-Hyun hyung is not managing Chronos anymore?"

    ¡°Out of nowhere?"

    Was it really because of yesterday¡¯s events? Did Joo-Han, the No Regret Revolutionary, say something to upset the manager?

    However, neither Supervisor Kim, the manager, nor Joo-Han provided any details regarding the sudden change.

    ¡°We have collectively decided that it''s in everyone¡¯s best interest for In-Hyun to resume his responsibilities with the trainees," Supervisor Kim rified.

    ¡°Umm... Did we do something wrong...?"

    ¡°No, it''s not your fault. It''s an internal matter of thepany. It''s unfortunate, though."

    ¡°But he''ll stay with us until the new manager arrives, right?" Jin-Sung asked.

    Supervisor Kim shook his head firmly. ¡°No, Yeong-Yee''s manager will take care of you guys until a new one arrives. In-Hyun is only in charge of Chronos until today."

    Everything was happening so suddenly... not even a few days'' notice?

    This was too abrupt. I then looked at Joo-Han, and he simply nodded, his eyelids lowered. Before we could fully grasp our confusion, the meeting already ended.

    ¡°Dismissed. Good work everyone."

    After the management team left the conference room, Chronos members and In-Hyun remained, enveloped in silence. With a particrly somber expression, Yoo-Joon finally broke the silence. ¡°Hyung, was this decision made a long time ago?"

    ¡°No, it was sudden. I didn''t have time to tell you all, except for Joo-Han."

    ¡°Are you leaving us because we didn''t listen to you well?"

    ¡°No... Hyung..." Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung''s voices quivered.

    ¡°It''s not that. Where would I find nice kids like you guys?"

    As the other members expressed their confusion and disappointment, I had somewhate to terms with it. When In-Hyun moved from Allure''s manager to trainee care, it was a subtle warning sign. I knew I''d have to ask Joo-Han for more details, but Supervisor Kim¡¯s unwavering stance suggested that the manager''s change in role wasn''t voluntary but rather a demotion.

    ¡°Anyway, sorry it''s so sudden. Now, let''s go for the music broadcast, and don''t be gloomy because of me. I''m sorry I wasn''t enough," In-Hyun said, trying to lift the mood as he stood up and rallied the members.

    As the manager led the others to the parking lot, I deliberatelygged behind to speak with Joo-Han. ¡°Did something happen yesterday?"

    Joo-Han nodded and exined briefly, ¡°In-Hyun and I were talking, and Supervisor Kim overheard our conversation about wasabi."

    ¡°Ah... so that''s it."

    ¡°It was simr when he managed the Allure seniors," Joo-Han added.

    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡±

    Joo-Han patted my back, trying tofort me. "I know it¡¯s too sudden, especially since you are fond of In-Hyun hyung. I''m sorry."

    ¡°It''s not your fault, hyung. I am sure you must feel worse than I am now. In-Hyun hyung did genuinely care for us, but it''splicated," I said as I forced a smile to form on my face. Frankly, I didn''t fully trust In-Hyun''s sincerity. He seemed nice when he was around, but... well.

    The person who imed to care so much about me on the day I left YMM never personally reached out to me afterward. Was the manager really looking out for us? If I felt relieved about the change, did that make me a bad person?

    I started walking again. Though I tried not to dwell on it until now, returning to the past didn''t erase my disappointment toward him.

    1. Mixed Style Dance fuses a mix of jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. It incorporates the technical elements of ballet with the freedom, fluidity, expressiveness and airier aspects of jazz, as well as contemporary and modern dance ?

 Chapter 117: The Singer in the Memories (2)

    <h4>Chapter 117: The Singer in the Memories (2)</h4>

    We were enjoying a much-needed break after a long while. Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung had headed off to school, leaving the rest of us lounging in our own rooms at the dorm.

    ¡°...<i>Pfft!</i>¡± Goh Yoo-Joon couldn¡¯t help but giggle as hey on his bed, diving deep into <i>UTube</i>. He had headphones plugged in, so I couldn¡¯t tell what he was watching, but it was probably his favorite game streamer again.

    <i>¡®Man, I am tired.¡¯</i> Ever since our debut, sleeping well was just a myth. These days, I could doze off just by sitting still. Just as Iy on my bed, staring nkly at the ceiling and almost falling asleep, someone rang the doorbell.

    ¡°What now?" I groaned, forcing my eyes open and sitting up.

    Yoo-Joon took his earphones out, nced back at the door, and then mumbled, ¡°Ah, must be the new manager they said wasing today."

    He got up and cracked the door of our room open, peeking out before turning back to me. ¡°Hey,e out. It''s kinda awkward greeting the new manager alone. Let''s say hi together."

    ¡°Sure," I grumbled as I hauled myself out of bed and followed Yoo-Joon out. We had been notified about this visitst night via a message on the Chronos group phone.

    ¡°Who is it?" Yoo-Joon yelled at the door, seemingly preferring the direct approach over the inte.

    After hearing a reply, he opened the door, and I slowly walked over to join him.

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°Ah! Hello!" We greeted, and the new manager paused at the door for a moment before entering our dorm and returning the greeting.

    ¡°Hello. I am Lee Su-Hwan, your temporary manager."

    ¡°Nice to meet you! Please,e in," said Yoo-Joon. We then stepped aside, making room for the new manager to enter.

    ¡°I wille in then," the new manager replied as he passed both of us and headed toward the living room. We just followed suit.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung is probably busy working right now. Just a sec, I will go get him."

    ¡°Thanks."

    Yoo-Joon headed toward Joo-Han''s room, and suddenly, it was just me and the new manager...

    ¡°..."

    ¡°..."

    This was awkward.

    ¡°...Do you want something to drink?"

    ¡°Oh, yes. Thanks. Anything''s fine..."

    ¡°How about some juice?"

    ¡°Just water, please."

    ¡°Got it!"

    This was seriously awkward. The new manager seemed as shy as I was, so I quickly stood up and headed to the kitchen.

    <i>¡®Aren''t managers supposed to be outgoing?¡¯ </i>

    Maybe he was just as nervous as we were right now.

    As I poured water into a cup, I seriously started to wonder what I should talk about with the new manager. Talking with someone older was always a bit tricky. Luckily, by the time I brought the water back, Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon hade out to greet the new manager.

    ¡°Hello, I am Kang Joo-Han, the leader of Chronos."

    ¡°Hi, I am Lee Su-Hwan, currently managing Yeong-Yee and temporarily taking over for Chronos until a new manager is hired. Looking forward to working with you all."

    He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, neatly dressed in a suit with a tidy face, and slightly shorter than Yoon-Chan. With his left hand holding two phones, he extended his right hand to hand his business card to Joo-Han.

    ¡°Sorry, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung can''t meet you right now. They are at school."

    ¡°Ah, I knew they were at school. I just thought I''de by a bit early to get to know the group," the new manager exined. He appeared to be the total opposite of In-Hyun, exuding a super calm and collected demeanor. Although we hadn''t conversed much yet, his quiet vibe seemed like something Joo-Han would really appreciate.

    ¡°To be honest, this is my first time managing a group. Even though it''s only temporary, I thought it''d be good to understand each member''s traits."

    ¡°That''s considerate of you," Joo-Han said, offering a warm smile. He didn''t often sh that smile to just anyone, which indicated that the new manager had made a positive impression on him.

    After quietly observing for a while, Goh Yoo-Joon finally cleared his throat and said, ¡°By the way, you can be more casual with us. No need for too much formality. We are much younger, so please feel free to address us normally."

    The new manager smiled at Yoo-Joon. ¡°I will get there in time."

    ¡°Okay," Yoo-Joon replied with a hint of awkwardness in his voice.

    The new manager had a very professional mindset. But honestly, I thought it was better to keep some professional distance than getting too close and having issues.

    The new manager calmly started asking about what we were curious about, any issues we had with In-Hyun, and stuff like that.

    Joo-Han gave him quite a bit of information, even spilling about my fear of heights, Jin-Sung''s clinginess, and Yoon-Chan''s love for ¡°Rasputin.¡± Whether big or small stuff, the new manager jotted it all down in his notebook.

    Of course, I noticed the new manager subtly avoiding the real juicy TMI stuff.

    "I will pass everything you''ve shared to the next manager whoes in. Thanks for filling me in," he said, acting all cool and collected.

    ¡°We are the ones who should be thanking you for being so attentive," we chimed in, expressing our gratitude in unison. The conversation felt a bit stilted and formal, causing Yoo-Joon to visibly squirm as he despised awkward silence. However, Joo-Han and I found the quiet somewhatforting.

    ¡°And Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo," the new manager suddenly addressed us.

    ¡°Yeah?"

    ¡°I heard you will be guesting in Yeong-Yee''s next gig."

    ¡°Yep, that''s the n," I confirmed.

    ¡°How about we all meet up with her in a week?"

    ¡°Sounds perfect...!" Yoo-Joon replied, trying hard to adapt to the new manager''s formal tone. It was honestly quite amusing to witness, as it seemed to be his first encounter with someone so formal. He was clearly not ustomed to this official vibe.

    ¡°Great, Chronos''s schedule is open in a week then. Oh, I will sort out a gift from you guys to Yeong-Yee too,¡± the new manager confirmed.

    ¡°...Wow."

    ¡°Thank you so much."

    He was indeed different from In-Hyun as he was all crisp and proper. His thoughtfulness and the unique tone in announcing the schedule almost gave me goosebumps; I was deeply touched. And it seemed I wasn''t the only one feeling this way.

    ¡°I will fill in Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung about the event schedule when they get back.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±

    He continued, ¡°Chronos is gaining fame, and with individual schedulesing up, I''m nning to bring in another road manager[1] to help all of you out."

    ¡°Seriously, thank you, manager!" Joo-Han was practically beaming with trust and appreciation toward the new manager. He was all business, sure, but incredibly attentive too. Though we hadn''t really started working together yet, I had a hunch that the next few months would be smooth sailing.

    After a hearty chat, the new manager stepped out briefly for a call with Supervisor Kim. We then exchanged nces, all smiles and bright eyes.

    ¡°He''s pretty impressive, isn''t he?"

    ¡°Totally. Just what you''d expect from Yeong-Yee''s manager."

    Yeong-Yee, a name that asionally popped up on shows, was infamous for her fiery temper and tough demands. We''d heard stories from celebrities who''d worked with her, saying that only super meticulous individuals could stick around as her staff. And here was our manager, steadfastly supporting her for a solid three years. It was evident that he possessed abination of qualities: polite demeanor, meticulousness, and efficient management skills.

    ¡°I''m more than content. Working with him is gonna make our lives a breeze." Joo-Han''s words left Yoo-Joon with a conflicted look.

    ¡°I''m still getting used to it. He''s so professional that it kind of intimidates me. But I do trust him a lot." Yoo-Joon''s smile was tinged with a touch of sadness. He had to be missing In-Hyun. Going from an easygoing friend to a strict professional had to be a bit of a shock to his system.

    As I sneakily peeked at the new manager''s diary, my heart swelled with appreciation. ¡°It''s really nice to see how much he cares about us. I''m thankful," I said as I flipped through what must have been over twenty pages of notes about us, Chronos. It was rare to find someone who went to these lengths for artists they had just met.

    - <i>Bzzzzz!</i>

    When the new manager''s other phone vibrated, our eyes naturally drifted toward it. The phone he''d taken for the business call was probably for work, and the one left here was likely his personal one. Our attention was drawn to the partially obscured messenger app on the lock screen.

    <i>¡®...What''s that?¡¯</i> My mouth fell open in surprise as I saw the lock screen image.

    ¡°...Uh."

    ¡°Uh? Is that Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Isn''t that Hyun-Woo in the picture?" The picture dominating the phone screen was none other than my infamous ¡°I am serious¡± thumbnail that was taken during Cha-Cha.

    ¡°...Ah, you saw it." The new manager walked back in and spoke nonchntly.

    ¡°Whoa!" We all jumped and quickly stood up. Had we unwittingly opened Pandora''s box? What if we''d just made things irreversibly awkward?

    However, the new manager was soposed and simply ced his work phone next to the personal one.

    ¡°I''m not a fan of Chronos. Don''t get the wrong idea."

    ¡°Of course, we understand. Sure," Yoo-Joon hurriedly responded.

    ¡°When I first heard that I would be your temporary manager, I started looking up some videos and coincidentally..."

    ¡°Coincidentally became a Hyun-Woo fan or something?"

    ¡°No... I just found the thumbnail too funny and kept it to cheer me up whenever I got depressed..."

    <i>¡®Ah.¡¯ </i>

    ¡°Actually, I found all of you quite humorous. I had a goodugh watching <i>Flying Man</i> at the karaoke and <i>Chronos History.</i>¡±

    ¡°...We are honored you enjoyed it."

    While I would''ve preferred him to be a fan of our performances, making him happy like this was satisfying enough. It seemed like our temporary manager had a low threshold for humor and really enjoyed a goodugh.

    Right on cue, the sound of the door lock being keyed rang out. Then, Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan entered the dorm.

    ¡°We are back! Huh?" eximed Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Hmm, Jin-sung, what''s wrong? Oh. ...Ah, our temporary manager," said Yoon-Chan

    ¡°Hello, I''m Lee Su-Hwan."

    As the two walked in, the new manager, who had momentarily let his guard down, quickly reverted to his professional demeanor.

    1. A person who handles the day-to-day activities and logistics for celebrities, particrly musicians or bands. ?

 Chapter 118: The Singer in the Memories (3)

    <h4>Chapter 118: The Singer in the Memories (3)</h4>

    The rain that had been drumming down since dawn finally ceased, casting a fresh stillness in its wake. The bustling schedule of ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± our chart-topping debut sensation, was inching toward its grand finale.

    My once-vibrantly dyed hair was gradually turning into washed-out gray, and just as I''d gotten used to hamming it up for the cameras, Chronos snagged its first university festival stage.

    ¡°Mmm.¡± Our new schedule sparked a moment of serious consideration from our head hair stylist, her gaze fixed on myckluster hair hue. ¡°Hyun-Woo, what do you think about going tinum blonde? Hye-Ri, do you think that¡¯s cool?"

    ¡°tinum blonde? Well, it should fit pretty much any uing concept," Hye-Ri concurred, nodding with enthusiasm. "I think tinum blonde would look good on you."

    Oh boy. I recalled my former student from my trainer days saying, ¡°Once you start dyeing, your hair color bes a revolving door, and the scalp of a <i>dye-hard</i> member doesn''t get a say until it''s toote.¡±

    Now, I was living the <i>dye-hard</i> life.

    ¡°You know, light-haired guys always pop in those fancams."

    ¡°Right? Especially Hyun-Woo''s type. The more mboyant they look, the brighter they shine. Please make it happen."

    ¡°Okay!"

    <i>¡®Oh no. Looks like my scalp''s in for a scorching session today.¡¯</i>

    The rxed and natural vibe of ¡°Blue Room Party¡± had tranted to low-key makeup, effortless hairstyles, and simple shirts with cks. But now, we were all decked out again after the break.

    Chokers tight enough to be leashes, frilly medieval-inspired white shirts, ck trousers, oversized jewel earrings... Our stylists went all out for this event, recognizing that our uing performances of ¡°Parade¡± and ¡°Chronos¡± demanded attire far from our usual ¡°Blue Room Party¡± aesthetic.

    ¡°I''ve always favored this concept. Chronos kids just suit the glitz."

    ¡°Excuse me. I want to dye my hair like that of Hyun-Woo hyung for the next album. Can I, Hye-Ri noona?" Jin-Sung eyed the bleach being mixed for my hair, and he was pestering Hye-Ri with his <i>dyeing</i> wishes.

    ¡®<i>But no, Jin-Sung, you''ve got to cherish your scalp health while you still can</i>.¡¯ I silently watched him almost activate a trap card on himself.

    I hadn''t even felt the bleach yet, and my skin was already prickling at the mere thought of the impending pain. Why on earth did he want to dive into this torturous process?

    Hye-Ri, however, chuckled and brushed Jin-Sung off. ¡°Jin-Sung, wait till you graduate!"

    ¡°But Yoon-Chan got to dye his!"

    ¡°Jin-Sung, you are a year younger than Yoon-Chan, right? You look great as you are."

    ¡°Tch." Jin-Sung knew too well there was no budging Hye-Ri. Despite his disappointment, he quickly turned to get his makeup done.

    The chief stylistughed heartily, yfully cupping Jin-Sung''s cheek. ¡°Jin-Sung is handsome enough without it! Heal up soon, and let''s focus on skincare, shall we?"

    ¡°Ah, ma¡¯am!"

    ¡°Your skin''s a bit rough, baby Jin-Sung."

    ¡°I''ve been losing sleeptely. My skin''s usually good."

    ¡°Is it because of the schedule?" asked the chief stylist. As she fixed Jin-Sung''s hair, Jin-Sung shook his head.

    ¡°Partly, but there''s this persistent cigarette smelling from the apartment below or somewhere."

    The persistent cigarette odor had been a constant challenge since we moved into the dorm, but recently, it had be unbearable. Jin-Sung was currently expressing his frustration with it.

    The manager observed him briefly, jotting down notes in his notebook before turning to me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, I''ve emailed you some of Yeong-Yee''s old Tenten performance videos. Watch them with Yoo-Joon and learn the choreography and lyrics ahead of time."

    ¡°Ah, thanks." What a timely present. I had been fretting about where to start with Tenten''s stuff, as they weren''t exactly from our generation.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, we are starting on the root bleaching."

    ¡°Whew... Okay!" After steeling myself, I nodded. The chemical felt cool on my scalp, but soon enough, it would turn into a fiery tormentor.

    I nced around and saw Yoon-Chan wearing a simr expression. Together, we endured the pain, and my hair transformed into a pure tinum blonde.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it was tough, but the fans are going to love it."

    ¡°Yeah, it''s pretty. Thank you." For the next album, I would beg for a return to ck from the start.

    ¡°Su-Hwan, the boys are all set!"

    ¡°Thanks. Good job, everyone. Chronos, let''s get moving."

    ¡°Okay!" As we prepared to hit the stage for the music broadcast, the clouds that had obscured the sun in the morning hadpletely dissipated by evening.

    ¡°The humidity''s insane."

    ¡°Might rain again soon."

    As Yoo-Joon and I mumbled to each other, Joo-Han breezed past us into the car and warned, "Be extra careful on stage, it''s going to be slippery. Especially both of you, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Got it."

    Jin-Sung was nursing an injured leg, so we had agreed to let him handle his vocal parts while Yoo-Joon filled in for his dance segments in ¡°Parade.¡±

    The wind was howling, hinting that more rain could be on its way. The car rumbled on toward the event venue. Joo-Han was busy rehearsing his mid-song banter, while the rest of us silently honed our stage personas. The manager caught our reflections in the rearview mirror, casting a nce back at us.

    ¡°I will give you a heads-up while we are on the way," announced the manager in his even tone.

    ¡°Yes? About what?"

    ¡°The first song ''Parade'' is scheduled to be live, but if the rain returns, even that might be off the table. Just wanted to prepare you," he exined.

    ¡°Ah, can''t be helped. Got it," we replied with a collective nod.

    ¡°If you end up having to lip-sync, we will turn off your mics until it''s your cue to avoid any mishaps, so please don¡¯t sing out loud or do something unexpected.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right, sorry..." we mumbled, a bit sheepish. Throughout the ride, the manager continued to list things we needed to watch out for. Meanwhile, the rain yed its own unpredictable symphony, stopping and starting without warning.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, be extra careful not to slip. If you feel unsteady, it''s better to simplify your moves," Joo-Han cautioned us.

    ¡°Guess I will have to put some extra strength into my legs," Yoo-Joon murmured.

    I nced back at him from my seat and shook my head. ¡°No, that will just make you slip on a slick stage. It''s better to go with the flow, like you are in a rehearsal." Putting too much force, especially on a slippery surface, usually ended in a less-than-graceful tumble.

    ¡°Ah, really?"

    ¡°Yeah, let''s prioritize safety, even if it means dialing down the moves," I assured. Ever since Jin-Sung''s injury, safety had been our primary concern.

    ¡°We''ve arrived," the manager informed us as the vehicle came to a halt behind the college stage. We then stepped out and made our way to the makeshift backstage set up by the school. After that, the stylists sprung into action, and Yoo-Joon hastily grabbed me to rehearse our pair dance.

    After a brief discussion with the event staff, the manager returned with an update. ¡°Today''s first song will be lip-synced."

    ¡°Understood!"

    In the thick of our busy preparations, the event organizer checked in. ¡°Is Chronos ready?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°You are on in five minutes."

    With that directive, we all congregated around Joo-Han and discussed.

    ¡°Let''s use the safety version of our cheer today."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s!"

    ¡°Be careful!" It was a new chant we''d adopted post-Jin-Sung''s injury.

    We followed the staff''s lead onto the stage. After a college presenter introduced us, we got up on the stage and were met with a different kind of cheer from the packed music shows.

    ¡°Whoaaaaa!¡±

    Countless cameras and phones pointed our way. With a smile stered on my face, I stepped onto the stage and promptly assumed my position for ¡°Parade.¡± The stage lights emitted a gentle warmth, but at this moment, a light drizzlemenced just as the song kicked off. Just like that, fears of slipping added to the already charged atmosphere.

    As ¡°Parade¡± filled the air and we started moving, we were all keenly attuned to our surroundings. Things seemed to be going smoothly. Keeping a vignt eye on the slick stage, Yoo-Joon energetically executed the choreography in Jin-Sung''s usual position in front of me.

    While most of the audience remained oblivious to the substitution, emitting general cheers, a few discerning fans visibly acknowledged Yoo-Joon''s performance with pride, asionally murmuring "Well done."

    I smiled at them and blocked Yoo-Joon''s chest with my cane, and then he grabbed the end of it.

    ¡°Oof!"

    ¡°Oh, sorry." I almost took a tumble due to Yoo-Joon''s enthusiastic pull, but it ended as a minor hup, and ¡°Parade¡± concluded without any issue.

    ¡°Wow! So good-looking!"

    ¡°Amazing!"

    The mic was handed to us, and we assembled at the center of the stage for our greetings.

    ¡°Let''s formally introduce ourselves. Two, three, one!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Thank you for having us!"

    Joo Han kicked things off with enthusiasm. "Wow, what an electrifying crowd! We''re absolutely loving the energy here." Then Yoon-Chan chimed in, "This is our debut performance at a college venue¡ª"

    That was when it happened.

    ¡°Uh. Ah." Yoon-Chan stuttered as a moth started fluttering around him. Uncharacteristically flustered, he attempted to evade it. Was he afraid of bugs? Without hesitation, I extended my hand, capturing the moth and swiftly releasing it offstage.

    ¡°Thank you. Oh, I''m sorry."

    ¡°No problem!" The cheerful atmosphere easily absorbed the little mishap, easing our nerves for our first college stage.

    Yoon-Chan sheepishly grinned and continued, ¡°Actually, this isn''t just our first college show but our first event in general, and it''s shaping up to be an incredibly fun memory. Alright, let''s move on to the next song! The second song is ''Chronos,'' a track from our debut single <i>The Parade</i>. We hope you enjoy it!" With Yoon-Chan''s words, we all set down our mics and took our positions.

    ¡°Chronos¡± was a song we''d only ever rehearsed in the studio post-<i>Pick We Up</i>. It could have been unfamiliar to the audience here, so I felt a twinge of concern, almost as if we were debuting a new song.

    The other members got off the stage, leaving me alone in the spotlight as ¡°Chronos¡± started with my solo dance.

    Before the music started, I took a moment to collect my thoughts, lowering my eyelids in focus. When I looked up again, I was struck by what I had overlooked in the excitement of our initial performance¡ªthe drizzling rain, the audience holding up their phones to film me, the lights blurred by the rain, and above all, our dedicated fans. Some had even set up tripods, recording me with professional precision.

    I took a deep breath. I couldn¡¯t make a mistake in front of all these cameras. If I slipped, it would forever haunt me, teased by the members and fans alike.

    <i>¡®Let¡¯s... Let¡¯s be safe...¡¯</i>

 Chapter 119: The Singer in the Memories (4)

    <h4>Chapter 119: The Singer in the Memories (4)</h4>

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo''s Genius Moments¡± was a phrase that had be legendary among the Rings, a secret that Chronos was yet to discover.

    Every Chronos devotee was aware of Suh Hyun-Woo''s ster stage presence, but there were times when his performance was so breathtakingly masterful that it left a lingering ache. Even though he was a rookie, his nuanced expressions, the effortlessmand he held over the stage while his voice cut through the music, and the wless precision of his dance moves were asions that had earned the moniker of ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo''s Genius Moments.¡±

    And today, Suh Hyun-Woo was about to etch another such moment in history, as he stood on a university¡¯s festival stage in Seoul.

    ¡°It''s insane. It''s been ages since I saw the performance of ''Chronos,'' but why is Hyun-Woo on another level today...." A fan''s words trailed off as she became utterly engrossed in Suh Hyun-Woo''s presence.

    The stage lights, diffused by the rain, created a mesmerizing blur, while Suh Hyun-Woo''s newly dyed tinum blonde hairplemented his wless skin. Adorned in a frilly medieval-style shirt, snug ck pants, oversized jewel earrings, and choker, all entuated by the day''s heavier eyeshadow, he looked more borately styled than ever before, even surpassing his appearances on broadcasts. Whether it was the stage or the rain enhancing his features, he exuded an ethereal aura.

    One thing was certain: Suh Hyun-Woo, captured through the camera''s viewfinder, was redefining the concept of legend. Onstage, he casually tested the floor''s slickness with a few deliberate slides, quickly gauging the conditions.

    As ¡°Chronos¡± started, so did his dance.

    ¡°Wow!" Seeing his first move, the crowd erupted as they were new to this spectacle. Unfazed by the cheers, Hyun-Woo continued his dance with his signature fluidity before seamlessly transitioning across the stage.

    Then, the other members and dancers joined in. The choreography had been simplifiedpared to thepetition, but it didn''t diminish the song''s captivating power.

    <i>''Hyun-Woo...''</i> A fan, who was capturing every moment through a focus cam, couldn''t peel her eyes away from the screen.

    <i>¡®No need for edits. Scrap them all.'' </i>Worries about him slipping in the rain vanished as he performed with such stability that it seemed effortless. His energy in the choreography, even during parts not his own, and the asional grimace hinting at the exhaustion from consecutive dance numbers were god-like. Today''s Suh Hyun-Woo was beyond any praise, worthy of every bit of admiration and more.

    <i>Even if you call it an obsession,</i>

    <i>Even if it''s discarded the moment it''s touched,</i>

    <i>We will meet again?</i>

    The fan''s mouth hung open, mirroring the stunned silence that often followed a truly remarkable performance. Those who had been cheering moments ago now watched Chronos''s performance in silent awe.

    As the final dance break of ¡°Chronos¡± unfolded, this time, it was Suh Hyun-Woo taking on Jin-Sung''s dance part instead of Yoo-Joon. And with that, cheers surged once again. Seeing the crowd''s reaction from up close, Suh Hyun-Woo finished the dance with a mischievous smile, and then Joo-Han patted his shoulder reassuringly. Following Jin-Sung''s choreography, Hyun-Woo knelt, lowering his head in a poignant moment of unity.

    ¡°Kyaaaa!¡±

    ¡°Amazing!"

    When the song ended, the audience apuded. Among them, the asional "who''s that?" questions made the Rings feel a surge of pride.

    After the performance, the Chronos members gradually rxed, retrieving their microphones and repositioning themselves on stage. As Hyun-Woo was visibly drained, he stayed kneeling for a while, panting heavily before he unsteadily stood up and joined the others at the center of the stage.

    "Wow, thank you," they panted, their breaths heavy as they continued, "so much. Your reaction was more enthusiastic than we could''ve ever hoped for, driving us to give our all," eximed Joo-Han.

    ¡°Thank you!" All members of Chronos bowed in sync.

    ¡°Now that we see all of you again, it seems Tinta University is brimming with passion."

    ¡°Woah!"

    ¡°We hope the festival stays fun and passionate till the end. But sadly, our next song will be our parting goodbye."

    ¡°Nooo!" Disappointed sighs filled the air as the audience realized that the next song would be thest. Chronos, a group that was not just a treat for the ears but a feast for the eyes, left the crowd craving for more.

    Despite the shared disappointment, Joo-Han smoothly carried on. ¡°We are really sad too. We''d love to be invited back. The next song might be familiar if you are into music sites. It''s ''Blue Room Party.¡¯"

    ¡°We know it!¡±

    ¡°You do? Haha, thanks for recognizing it!" As Chronos continued their performance, whispers spread among the audience who''d been watching from the back.

    ¡°¡®Blue Room Party'' is their song? Wow, I had no clue it was an idol track."

    ¡°Seriously. I thought it was some indie band''s creation."

    ¡°Blue Room Party¡± stood out as a song that even the general public recognized. It was a trendy, emotionally charged hip-hop track that people knew even if they didn''t follow Chronos. Thanks to this hit, Kang Joo-Han would likely make a pretty penny.

    ¡°¡®Blue Room Party'' is a track Iposed and written by our Yoo-Joon. It seems to be particrly popr among college students."

    ¡°Yeah!"

    ¡°We thought perhaps not everyone knew it was our track, so we prepared it for today. Our final song is ''Blue Room Party.'' We hope you enjoy it and continue to have fun at the festival!" As Joo-Han concluded his talk, the music for ¡°Blue Room Party¡± started rolling.

    On music shows, Chronos had charmed audiences with their engaging performances, incorporating dynamic camera movements. Since the songcked intricate choreography aside from the chorus and ending, each member would step forward during their parts, captivating the audience with their individual charisma. Though they couldn''t fully replicate the yful interactions seen on camera, even simple waves and crowd engagement elicited enthusiastic responses from the energized audience.

    They gracefully made a light round on the stage, uniting for the chorus, and sometimes sat on chairs to deliver their lines. They also didn¡¯t forget to yfully tease Jin-Sung during ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± The fans, who''d been worried about a rainy day for their first event, started to rx and genuinely enjoy themselves. And then, it happened.

    <i>Cradle the coolness between your lips,</i>

    <i>Ignite the thrill, relish the chill,</i>

    <i>This moment too shall be etched as a keepsake,</i>

    <i>Blue room party?</i>

    As Chronos gathered again for a light dance, Yoo-Joon started slipping, struggling not to fall.

    ¡°Oooh." Right next to him, Suh Hyun-Woo caught his hand, steadying him.

    ¡°What''s thaaaaat...?" A warmughter echoed among the audience. Suh Hyun-Woo''s expression remained serious as he held onto Yoo-Joon, perhaps caught off-guard or still tense from the performance, but his legs continued to dance to the rhythm of ¡°Blue Room Party."

    ¡°Pfft!" It was the ultimate show of professionalism. Noticing his <i>situation </i>from the audience''s reaction, Suh Hyun-Woo burst into embarrassedughter. Although the lip-sync prevented his words from being heard, it seemed like he was muttering ¡°Oh, how embarrassing.¡±

    Then, with Yoo-Joon now standing properly, he yfully grabbed Suh Hyun-Woo''s arm and started moving his legs back and forth in sync with the music, mimicking Hyun-Woo. What started as an unexpected moment turned into an impromptu waltz, much to the delight of the audience.

    ¡°So cute... How can they be so adorable!?" The fans were ecstatic to see Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s flushed face. He was dragged back and forth by Yoo-Joon, who was clearly having a st. Catching the vibe, the other members also swayed back and forth to the rhythm. In the end, the only one embarrassed was Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Theid-back,fortable atmosphere unique to college festivals allowed everyone to enjoy the lighter moments of ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± Sadly, the moment couldn¡¯tst forever. When the song ended, Chronos bowed out and eximed, ¡°Thank you! We were Chronos!"

    After the performance concluded, they lowered their heads and left the stage.

    ¡°Wow, thatst waltz was just perfect."

    ¡°They''ve set a legend right from their first event."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo''s tinum blonde hair is a killer. I spent the whole time staring at the screen, seeing a fairy, not a person. He is so precious." The fans were immersed in their post-concert euphoria, reviewing the videos they''d recorded.

    The rxed and energetic vibe of a college festival allowed the members, despite it being their first event, to ease their nerves and showcase their natural stage presence. ¡°Chronos¡± and the impromptu waltz had provided more than enough material for fans to talk about for days.

    Though Suh Hyun-Woo might have shone the brightest with his new hair, it went without saying that every other member was just as captivating.

    ¡°We all did great today. Let''s grab some food and head home," said one of the college fangirls.

    ¡°Yeah. Hey, when are you posting Hyun-Woo''s focus cam?"

    ¡°As soon as I''m done editing. Don''t call me until I start uploading. I want to make it perfect since it turns out so well."

    ¡°Okay. I''ll give you at least a hundred views when you post it." Their spirits were soaring and wouldn''te down anytime soon.

    Three dayster, a beautifully edited video surfaced on a fan channel on <i>UTube</i>.

    [4K]XX1023 Tinta University Festival Chronos Suh Hyun-Woo Focus Cam

    Even non-fans were captivated by the nearly fifteen-minute video, showcasing vibrant colors enhanced by the rain, pristine video quality, expert editing, and a thumbnail featuring a striking shot of Suh Hyun-Woo. As the video concluded, it left asting impression, ensuring that Suh Hyun-Woo''s ¡°Genius Moments¡± would be etched into memory and cherished for years toe.

 Chapter 120: The Singer in the Memories (5)

    <h4>Chapter 120: The Singer in the Memories (5)</h4>

    [4K]XX1023 Tinta University Festival Chronos Suh Hyun-Woo Focus Cam

    Comments 1,214

    ©¸Rikds: How did I ever live in denial of being a fan of this guy...? He''s breathtakingly good-looking. I once thought he was just another pretty face, but now, I''m utterly captivated. His waltz with the member? Sheer perfection.

    ©¸Ioso: This fancam is a beautiful masterpiece ????

    ©¸Suh Hyun-Woo Fan: ?????? Is he really a rookie? Suh Hyun-Woo... every furrow of your brow is lethally charming... I love you... so much...!

    ©¸hotb: Oppa... you won''t believe how many times I''ve reyed this. It''s addictive...

    ©¸Jeong-Ha: Isn''t his solo performance just spellbinding???? The way he casually checks the stage for slipperiness before owning it... Now, I get the hype about Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ©¸mayui: This is the kind of talent that deserves the spotlight. I was ensnared by this fancam for ages. While everyone''s all about his looks, I''m here for his immacte expression, the finesse in his dance, and his chemistry with the other members.

    ©¸cu sl: Folks, this is Chronos''s debut event ???????? They''ve outdone themselves for their first show ?????? It''s phenomenal ??????

    ©¸dianne: Who is this angel? This fancam is divine!!!

    ©¸whffu: Today, Suh Hyun-Woo''s beauty is on another level, right??? His looks, hair, outfit, setlist¡ªall of them are off the charts.... That tinum blonde hair is a serious statement!!! It fits him so well ????????

    ©¸My Precious Kid, Do What You Want: How is he even real? He looks like an angel that has just descended from heaven... Proud to be a fan of Suh Hyun-Woo, the stage maestro ????????

    ©¸oo: LOL, that ending duo with Yoo-Joon ???????? Pure capitalism wins ???????? Just another peaceful day with the Roommates¡ï

    Ji-Hyuk sent me the link to my fancam video on <i>UTube</i>, brimming with excitement that I was getting lots of positive reactions. Woo-Jeong from Street Center and our very own Jin-Sung also urged me to watch it. I thought that the footage that our manager captured during the event would suffice, even with the inclusion of the embarrassing ¡°Blue Room Party¡± mishap.

    However, Goh Yoo-Joon made me watch it eventually as I tried avoiding it. To my surprise, the video¡ªa solo fancam of a rookie idol like me¡ªhad amassed an impressive number of views, and the fans'' adoration was evident. Maybe this ¡°embarrassing¡± video wasn''t so bad after all.

    ¡°See, I told you you''d like it," Goh Yoo-Joon said with a knowing smile. It was then that I realized I was smiling too.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t," I protested half-heartedly.

    But deep down, I knew it was true. Being praised felt good as I was just a human after all.

    ¡°You were incredible, hyung. I''ve watched it over and over as well. How do youmand the stage like that?" asked Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Thanks, Yoon-Chan," I replied, grinning at Yoon-Chan who sat beside me.

    The car continued to rattle along the winding country road, each bump a reminder of our journey''s purpose. We were all heading to meet Senior Yeong-Yee, a meeting originally nned for just Goh Yoo-Joon and me.

    However, our shared shyness around adults led the manager to include Yoon-Chan as well. With a matter-of-fact tone, the manager had stated that out of all the Chronos members, Yoon-Chan was most likely to win Yeong-Yee''s affection.

    Each of us held a gift for Yeong-Yee, our eyes taking in the serene countryside passing by the windows. Despite the tranquil scenery outside, a sense of turmoil brewed within me as we approached the home of our esteemed senior.

    ¡°But manager." Yoon-Chan''s voice cut through my thoughts, his gaze fixed on the pink box in hisp. He then asked, ¡°Is this not a gift for Yeong-Yee?"

    The manager nced at the box through the rearview mirror and nodded affirmatively. ¡°Yes, it is."

    ¡°What''s inside?" Goh Yoo-Joon leaned in to get a better look at the box Yoon-Chan was holding, his expression mirroring Yoon-Chan''s curiosity. ¡°A toy doll set?"

    ¡°To be exact, it''s for her granddaughter.¡±

    ¡°Her granddaughter?¡±

    The manager simply gave a nod in response, his silence filled with unspoken thoughts. I couldn¡¯t help but notice his unusually pale expression through the rearview mirror. Was it just my imagination?

    ¡°We will arrive soon. If Yeong-Yee opens the door herself, greet her politely, and if not, quietly enter the house.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    The car then gilded effortlessly into the expansive underground parking of the mansion.

    ¡°This is... Senior Yeon-Yee¡¯s house? It¡¯s... astonishinglyrge,¡± marveled Goh Yoo-Joon as he shifted his gaze around in sheer amazement.

    The mansion surpassed any television rumor with its grandiosity, boasting a capacious parking area and a personal elevator.

    ¡°Yeong-Yee might be preupied, so let''s walk in quietly," the manager advised softly.

    ¡°Understood.¡±

    Pausing at the door that connected the parking area to the house, the manager took a moment, deeply inhaling and fixating on a photo on his phone''s wallpaper.

    ¡°Manager, maybe it''s not the best time to look at the embarrassing picture, especially with the person right here.¡±

    ¡°My apologies, Hyun-Woo," he said, a hint of embarrassment in his tone. It was clear that even the manager was mentally bracing himself for the encounter.

    After a brief adjustment of his attire, he solemnly opened the car door. What kind of charisma did Yeong-Yee possess to evoke such nervous anticipation from our manager?

    The door swung open, revealing a hallway that instantly exined the manager''s apprehension.

    ¡°Leopard prints?" I murmured, taking in the red, butcher-shop-like lighting and the extravagant wallpaper.

    The fancy corridor seemed to draw me in, itsvishness almost overwhelming. As we hesitated at the door, the manager offered us a reassuring nce before leading us up the stairs. Upon reaching the entrance that was adorned with shimmering artificial marble, he rang the doorbell.

    ¡°Is this really a house?" whispered Goh Yoo-Joon. The hint of doubt in his voice was audible only to me and Yoon-Chan. It seemed like it, but the line between avish home and a secluded club seemed blurred in this extraordinary setting. It was... amazing...

    The manager pressed the doorbell again, and soon the front door creaked open.

    ¡°Who is there?" a youthful voice asked. After a few shakes on the doorknob, the room swung open. Arge tiger painting dominated the entrance, and instinctively, my gaze dropped, unable to locate the speaker.

    ¡°Ah..." Yoon-Chan exhaled softly. In front of us stood a little girl, no older than seven, her eyes wide with curiosity.

    I flinched and took a step back, but quickly regained myposure and crouched down to her eye level.

    ¡°Hello," I greeted her, receiving a cautious nod in return.

    Then, with unusual warmth in his smile, the manager addressed the child, ¡°Ro-Ah, these oppas are here to visit your grandmother. May wee in?"

    ¡°Manager, who are they?" Ro-Ah asked with a tone reflecting her uncertainty.

    ¡°They''re friends of mine," the manager exined with a gentle voice.

    With that, Ro-Ah opened the door wider, allowing us entry.

    ¡°Thank you," we expressed our gratitude, bowing politely as we passed by.

    After we were inside, we felt the house''s imposing aura intensify. The interior dazzled us with its stained ss-like marble floors, jewel-embedded red wallpaper, and striking tiger motifs. Honestly, the extravagance was almost intimidating.

    As we lingered in uncertainty, the manager gestured toward a couch. ¡°It appears she is busy. Please, take a seat here and I''ll inform her of your arrival."

    ¡°...Alright," I responded, a mix of anticipation and apprehension tinged my voice.

    The manager vanished down the corridor, leaving us under Ro-Ah''s inquisitive gaze.

    After a moment of hesitation, Yoon-Chan extended a box toward Ro-Ah. ¡°Um, this is a gift for you."

    ¡°For me?" Ro-Ah''s eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°Yes, especially for Miss Ro-Ah," Yoon-Chan confirmed, presenting her with the toy doll box.

    Ro-Ah examined the gift and then nced back at Yoon-Chan with innocent curiosity.

    ¡°Did you buy this, unnie[1]?" she asked.

    ¡°...Unnie?" Yoon-Chan''s response was one of bewildered amusement. The conversation halted, leaving Yoon-Chan momentarily speechless.

    <i>¡°Pfft! </i>Yoon-Chan, being called unnie?" Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t hold back hisughter, joined shortly by me. The term ¡°unnie¡± for Yoon-Chan seemed amusingly inappropriate.

    ¡°Hyung..."

    ¡°Why are you calling this oppa ¡®hyung,¡¯ unnie?¡± Ro-Ah corrected Yoon-Chan, yet her next question only deepened his embarrassment.

    ¡°I am not unnie...¡±

    Well, he was quite pretty, so he could be mistaken for a female from a child¡¯s perspective.

    ¡°You are not... unnie?¡± Ro-Ah looked almost tearful, disappointed, and upset. It was hard to understand a child¡¯s mind, but her cute and pitiable look was enough to bring out Yoon-Chan¡¯s heroic side again.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay... You can call me... unnie... That¡¯s alright...¡±

    ¡°No way... <i>pfft... </i>Yoon-Chan...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon and I struggled desperately to hold back ourughter. It was unnecessary to let her call him unnie, but then again, it was a very Yoon-Chan thing to do.

    However, it didn¡¯t take long for us to realize that it wasn¡¯t the time tough at Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Oppa! Why is your hair color like that? My grandma¡¯s hair is also red!¡±

    ¡°Your grandma has red hair, Ro-Ah?¡±

    ¡°Your hair is yellow, oppa! You are like a prince! Ro-Ah wants to have hair like oppa¡¯s too...¡± Ro-Ah was fascinated by the color of my hair. She suddenly ran off and came back with a human-shaped doll. After that, she started topare the doll¡¯s hair color to mine.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same as oppa¡¯s hair color!¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is. Haha.¡±

    ¡°Can I tie your hair?¡±

    ¡°Tie my hair? Uh, sure, okay.¡± As I willingly let her handle my hair, Ro-Ah became delighted, brought a red heart-decorated stic band, and tied up my hair.

    I should not haveughed at Yoon-Chan. After all, it was hard to say no when a little child asked for something. Goh Yoo-Joon had beenughing at Yoon-Chan and me the whole time, but he wasn¡¯t in a different situation. Ro-Ah¡¯s next target was him.

    ¡°Can I tie your hair, too?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Me? Umm... okay...¡±

    I chuckled at Goh Yoo-Joon from behind Ro-Ah. As best friends, we had to suffer together, no?

    ¡°Uh, well... your hair is nicely tied, hyung. Ro-Ah, you are good at tying hair. They look like apples now.¡± In the midst of this, Park Yoon-Chan came over, trying to offer some sort of constion. But... What kind offorting words were these?

    After that, Ro-Ah made sure we didn¡¯t untie our hair.

    ¡°Have you been waiting long?¡± Not long after, Yeong-Yee burst through the door into the living room, and we quickly stood up to greet her.

    ¡°Hello, Senior!¡±

    ¡°...What is up with your hair? Did Ro-Ah do it? Haha.¡±

    ¡°Ah...¡±

    Oh, no. We ended up greeting Senior Yeong-Yee for the first time with our hair tied in heart-shaped buns.

    1. How females call other females older than them or older sister in Korean. ?

 Chapter 121: The Singer in the Memories (6)

    <h4>Chapter 121: The Singer in the Memories (6)</h4>

    Looking at us standing nervously with our hair whimsically tied with heart-decorated bands, Senior Yeong-Yee couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. We started to fumble awkwardly, attempting to untie our hair, but Ro-Ah was adamant and firmly stopped us with her hands.

    ¡°Why not keep it? It¡¯s cute. If you guys are fine, don¡¯t mind about it,¡± said Yeong-Yee.

    ¡°Oh, okay!¡±

    Yeong-Yee¡¯s striking red hair was a bit disheveled from what seemed like a busy work session, but she had such an imposing presence that we found ourselves unable to meet her gaze directly. It felt like sitting on pins and needles, yet she seemed quite used to seeing such reactions from her juniors.

    ¡°Now, what were your names again? Chrono... something?"

    ¡°Chronos, ma¡¯am," we answered and then introduced ourselves one by one. Yeong-Yee made a point of meeting each of our gazes, nodding thoughtfully as we spoke.

    ¡°The good-looking one with the yellow hair is Hyun-Woo, the purple-haired beauty is Yoon-Chan, and the robust, handsome one is Yoo-Joon, correct?" she remarked, and our manager confirmed with a nod. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°So, Manager, what''s the n with these boys?"

    The manager hesitated briefly before responding, ¡°As I''ve mentioned, they will asionally apany you as guest members in your album release schedule."

    ¡°Yeah, I know. I remember you mentioning that.¡±

    ¡°Yes, they will be handling the dance when you perform the Tenten songs. Many of your fans missed watching your tracks."

    Yeong-Yee listened with a bitter smile, nodding in understanding. ¡°Tenten songs are still more popr than my new ones, so it makes sense."

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that," the manager quickly added.

    ¡°Nah, I''ve been in this industry long enough to understand things. I am just saying it because I appreciate it, so just listen," Yeong-Yee responded with a dismissive wave.

    ¡°...Okay.¡±

    She was over fifty now. Despite her once-soaring poprity, Yeong-Yee''s career faced a downturn following Tenten''s disbandment. Her attempts to rebrand herself as a bad singer hadn''t garnered the anticipated response, and she couldn¡¯t shed her identity as a former Tenten member.

    Supervisor Kim tactfully described our involvement in this as a promotional effort for our group, but in truth, he was using our poprity to add more engagements to Yeong-Yee¡¯seback.

    ¡°...<i>Sigh.¡± </i>Yeong-Yee sighed and gave us a sharp look. Her gaze lingered on our faces before fixating on the heart decorations atop our heads. ¡°Well, at least you all seem well-behaved andpliant.¡±

    ¡°We will do our best, Senior!" We tried to assure her, though internally unsure about the rumored challenges of working with her. In fact, Yeong-Yee seemed more amodating and less intimidating than we had anticipated, leaving us puzzled about the manager''s earlier nervousness.

    The manager then opened his notebook and said, ¡°Your album release is scheduled for mid-November as previously discussed. Also, you are booked for <i>Halo''s Music Bus</i> on November 20th, and they are nning a special feature for you."

    Yeong-Yee''s eyes crinkled with a smile at this news. ¡°Oh, wonderful! Chronos will be joining me, I presume?"

    The manager responded with a warm smile. ¡°Exactly. The n is to perform three of your solo songs and a Tenten medley. How does that sound?"

    ¡°Perfect. I will choose the songs. When do we start rehearsing with the boys?"

    ¡°From next week, after Chronos''s promotion schedule wraps up."

    Yeong-Yee continued to ask about various details of the uing activities, and the manager responded promptly to even the most unexpected questions. Clearly, he had done his homework and was familiar with Yeong-Yee''s habit after three years of working together.

    ¡°Alright, I understand. Just keep the schedule tight. Sadly, I need to get back to work now." Yeong-Yee abruptly concluded the conversation, leaving us entirely out of the discussion. Her nce clearly signaled that it was time for us to leave.

    We reluctantly rose as we caught the cue.

    ¡°You''vee a long way, boys. Let''s catch up next time. I can''t chat much since I''ve been busyposing."

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, we will see you next time."

    ¡°Why are you leaving so soon?" Ro-Ah protested, running up to Yoon-Chan and tugging at his sleeve as we stood up. ¡°Can''t you stay and sleep over?"

    ¡°...Sorry?"

    ¡°Ro-Ah,e here. The oppas have to go."

    ¡°Grandma, no! He''s not an oppa, he''s an unnie!"

    ¡°...unnie?" Yeong-Yee frowned, looking at Yoon-Chan, who seemed to have frozen.

    ¡°Hey! Ro-Ah,e here! Don''t make things difficult for the manager," Yeong-Yee chided.

    ¡°But Ro-Ah tied their hair! They should stay if they''re grateful."

    ¡°Ro-Ah, don''t be unreasonable! The oppas already gave you a doll." Yeong-Yee tried to reason with her granddaughter, but Ro-Ah red back at her defiantly.

    ¡°I don''t like Grandma!" she protested, plunging us into an incredibly awkward situation, almost simr to when we first met Yeong-Yee with our apple hair.

    Feeling clueless, we all turned to the manager for guidance. However, he just looked exhausted and nced at my photo on his phone again.

    <i>¡®Why here, of all ces?''</i>

    After a while, the manager put on a professional smile and made a suggestion. ¡°Ma¡¯am, since it''s lunchtime, how about we go out for a meal together?"

    ¡°Lunch?"

    ¡°Ro-Ah could spend more time with them, and we would be happy to host them," he offered.

    Yeong-Yee sighed and then nced between Ro-Ah and her watch before nodding in agreement. ¡°Let''s head out then. We need to go to the market. I will go ahead, and you can follow with the kids in my other car."

    ¡°Okay, ma¡¯am."

    It was clear this wasn''t the first time the manager had dealt with Ro-Ah''s tantrums. Ro-Ah was particrly fond of ¡°unnie¡± Yoon-Chan, so she joined us in the car.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, could you help Ro-Ah with her seatbelt?"

    ¡°Of course." Goh Yoo-Joon took the front passenger seat, and Yoon-Chan, Ro-Ah, and I settled in the back. Ro-Ah simply swung her little legs and held onto Yoon-Chan''s and my hand. When I tried to untie my hair band, Ro-Ah was so stubbornly against it.

    ¡°Don''t untie it, Oppa!"

    ¡°Um, Ro-Ah, it''s a bit embarrassing to keep this on outside the house. Can I untie it?" I pleaded with an apologetic look, but Ro-Ah firmly shook her head.

    ¡°No! If you untie it, you will turn into a blonde prince!"

    ¡°...A prince?" I got confused. Sensing my bewilderment, Ro-Ah then patted her chest impatiently.

    ¡°If you untie your hair, you be a blonde prince! Princes can only hold hands with princesses, so then you can''t hold hands with Ro-Ah."

    ¡°...Oh."

    Her reasoning was unexpectedly cute. It seemed my hair color reminded her of a fairy tale prince. In her logic, as long as my hair was tied up, I wasn''t a prince¡ªwhat an odd but sweet notion.

    I shook my head, meeting Ro-Ah''s eyes. ¡°No, Ro-Ah. You are a princess, so even if I untie my hair, I can still hold your hand. Now, can I untie it?"

    Despite my pleading, with a determined look, Ro-Ah shook her head again.

    ¡°No." It was clear that the hair bands had to stay where they were.

    ¡°We''ve arrived." So we arrived at the market with our hair still in heart-shaped buns.

    ¡°I just want to go back to the dorm," Goh Yoo-Joonmented, his quirky hairdo bobbing each time he spoke. His hair was shorter than Yoon-Chan''s and mine, so he looked even more amusing with the headbands.

    ¡°Me too."

    People passing by did a double-take when they saw us, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity. The embarrassment was real. Was my face red from the sun or sheer mortification?

    ¡°Over here, Oppa!"

    While the manager and Yoon-Chan were dealing with the bags, Ro-Ah confidently led Goh Yoo-Joon and me to a familiar store. Yeong-Yee had arrived earlier, so she nced at us briefly before focusing back on her phone.

    As we approached her table, she asked, ¡°You''re still wearing those hair bands?"

    ¡°Yes... Ro-Ah insisted we keep them on."

    ¡°You can take them off. If she cries or throws a tantrum, she will be in trouble."

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I shook our heads nervously. ¡°It''s fine! We will just keep them on until we return."

    From Yeong-Yee''s expression, it seemed Ro-Ah would get scolded as soon as we left.

    Yeong-Yee chuckled yfully. ¡°Must be embarrassing. This area is frequented by a lot of young people, being near a university."

    ¡°Ah..."

    <i>¡®It''s okay... I guess...¡¯</i>

    As we settled into our seats, Yoon-Chan and the manager also entered the shop.

    ¡°Wee. ...Oh." The servering over with the menus hesitated for a moment upon seeing us but then continued on. I was not sure whether she recognized us as Chronos or was just taken aback by the hair bands. I did hope it was thetter. I wished she wouldn¡¯t notice us as Chronos, the idol group members.

    ¡°Do you like hot pot?" asked Yoe

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Then we will have a big bowl of hot pot." Yeong-Yee decided without even looking at the menu.

    During the silence of the wet wipe hand-cleaning ritual, Ro-Ah''s non-stop chatter thankfully broke the awkwardness.

    ¡°Ro-Ah really likes good-looking oppas. Is she bothering you guys too much?" Yeong-Yee asked apologetically.

    ¡°No, not at all. We are actually fine.¡±

    Yeong-Yee looked at Ro-Ah and said, ¡°Ro-Ah, do you know who these oppas are? They are some of the most famous singers of their generation.¡±

    ¡°Ro-Ah will be a singer too!¡±

    ¡°I was once a famous singer as well. But you might not recognize me because I am just a has-been.¡± Yeong-Yee joked with a bitter smile.

    ¡°Let me give you a piece of advice as a senior. In order to avoid being called a has-been when you are older, you should start building a solid foundation for your solo career now.¡±

    ¡°A foundation for a solo career?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon asked, feeling intrigued.

    Yeong-Yee nodded. ¡°A group can be doing well and then suddenly, who knows? If youy a good foundation now, you won¡¯t be forgotten even if you suddenly find yourself alone. Trust me, it will help you one day.¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t call yourself a ¡®has-been,¡¯ Senior. You are still a great and popr singer.¡±

    When I was protesting earnestly at Yeong-Yee¡¯s words...

    ¡°Excuse me.¡± A middle-aged man who appeared to be the owner of the restaurant approached us with paper, a pen, and some drinks. ¡°The drinks are on the house. And... if it¡¯s not too much trouble, could I please get the gentlemen¡¯s autographs?¡±

    He asked somewhat awkwardly as he ced the drinks on the table. ¡°My daughter, who was here earlier with the menus, said you guys are quite famous...¡±

    Damn. It seemed the server had flinched because we were Chronos, not because of the hairstyle.

 Chapter 122: The Singer in the Memories (7)

    <h4>Chapter 122: The Singer in the Memories (7)</h4>

    <i>*Warning: The fan reaction thates out at the beginning is a bit lengthy, but I''ve expanded the narrative to ensure itplements the main storyline rather than overwhelming it. Please enjoy the reading without concern!</i>

    [Community Board] [HOT] Chronos Just Visited My Dad''s Restaurant!!!

    This ce is a hidden gem, tucked away in a remote and rural market. I had to do a double-take when I saw them. I''m not exactly a fan of Chronos and can''t name all the members, but there was no mistaking their identity. Their faces are a regr feature on music shows. The reason for their visit was a mystery, but they arrived with a man who looked like their manager. They then joined a strikingly charismatic granny and a kiddo, who are frequent visitors to our restaurant.

    For those familiar with Chronos, here''s a bit of a description: one member had tinum blonde hair, oozing an attractively wild vibe that''s a sure hit with fans. Another had a rather intense look, reminded of a tough but popr kid at school, and the third was fucking beautiful, withrge, expressive eyes and a gentle attitude. Fans will likely recognize them from these clues.

    Anyway, the granny they came with is known for her vivid hair color and distinctive presence (my dad mentioned she was once a famous singer), and she initially came alone. I thought she came to grab lunch by herself, but Chronos and the kiddo joined her after that. From what I could tell, the child seemed to have tied all three Chronos members'' hair into small buns with red hair bands, which made them look like they had hearts or apples on their heads¡ªabsolutely hrious! Lol.

    It was so amusing to see these tall, imposing guys having such yful essories, and they tried hard not to show their difort, LMAO. It seemed like they were having a hard time with the kiddo, haha.

    I refrained from taking pictures because it didn''t feel right. Feel free to drop your questions in thements!

    Comments 862

    ©¸Enough with the made-up stories <i>ugh...</i>

    ©¸Please don''t post stuff like this on the Chronos forum... No one''s buying it.

    ©¸This sounds like Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, and Yoon-Chan with their manager and an old-time singer. Maybe they are working on a new project?

    ©¸Lolololol, did they seriously keep walking around with those hair bands? Lololol. Aren''t they too proud to handle such embarrassment? Lololol.

    ©¸©¸Writer here. The kid was pretty stubborn about them not taking the hairbands off lol. The one with the tinum hair seemed really bothered by it and kept trying to untie it, but the kid was having none of it, <i>AHAHA</i>.

    ©¸Why on earth would Chronos show up in some rural area? Seriously, why are people believing this...? No way... This is just made up... It''s exasperating, please stop believing such nonsense...

    ©¸Actually, it''s true. Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan might set aside their pride if there''s a reason, but Yoo-Joon probably felt the most embarrassed in that situation. He''s surprisingly the most down-to-earth among them.

    ©¸©¸Yeah, that''s right lol. Yoo-Joon usually goes along with things until he can''t handle the embarrassment anymore, then justughs it off. He''s rtively less crazy <i>haha</i>.

    ©¸The thought of them with hair bands is just too adorable, <i>A</i>. And them being all flustered by the kid lol I wish they had taken a photo and shared it.

    ©¸©¸Yeah, I couldn''t hear everything, but they seemed to be very polite to the kid. They were quite respectful and kept thanking me. Even my dad said he liked them.

    ©¸But really, what was the purpose of their visit? If Chronos was meeting an erstwhile famous singer, all under the watchful eye of their manager, it couldn''t have been just a casual encounter.

    When the witness post first surfaced on themunity forum, most fans were skeptical about it. They either dismissed it as a mere fabrication or diverged into discussions about the character interpretations of the members. The original poster was not even a fan of Chronos, so the post was brushed off as just another attention-seeking user.

    However, it wasn''t long before this post was elevated to legendary status. This was due to the emergence of candid shots of Suh Hyun-Woo, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Park Yoon-Chan on <i>BlueBird</i>, the popr social media tform.

    Yoon-Chan''s Sunflower @dkdjjj0305 ¡¤ 1 minutes ago

    OMG, it wasn''t just clickbait, it¡¯s real... What the...

    (Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, Yoon-Chan with apple hair, walking in the market with Ro-Ah.jpg) Comments 8 Retweets 2.7k Likes 4.1k

    Even in a tranquil rural area, perhaps the fact that it was near a university district contributed to the rapid spread of this news. Images poured in like a cascade¡ªdepicting the members who were towering over 180cm, strolling nkly with heart-shaped hair bands, and attentively caring for the child.

    Though fans initially suspected a made-up story, they couldn''t help but admit that they had always wanted to see them with this kind of ¡°apple¡± hair. They thenughed and eagerly saved the photos to their galleries.

    With the appearance of the new staff, spections about the change of Chronos¡¯s manager appeared. Someone also identified the famous old singer as Yeong-Yee from the same agency, parking theories of a potential agency-wide coboration.

    Fans were abuzz with various theories, eagerly anticipating Chronos members to shed light on this matter. As a result, their expectations for the uing project soared.

    On the other hand, having sessfully wrapped up their meeting with Yeong-Yee, Chronos gathered in a small conference room with their team staff.

    ***

    As thest week of ¡°Blue Room Party¡± schedule approached, Jin-Sung finally got his cast removed. However, it didn''t mean an immediate return to the stage as a separate rehabilitation period was necessary. In the end, Jin-Sung concluded his participation in the ¡°Blue Room Party¡± choreography without ever joining it.

    ¡°It''s already thest week of October. Time flies so quickly," said Supervisor Kim.

    Was it just my imagination, or did Supervisor Kim''s notebook appear more worn than usual?

    The final week of October, leading into the first week of November... While this held true for many professions, the entertainment industry entered its busiest period until early January. With various award ceremonies and special broadcasts scheduled for December, Chronos found themselves inundated with invitations, thanks to their significant impact in thetter half of the year.

    ¡°The peak season is upon us, but let''s all unite and pull together. Su-Hwan, ensure the kids don''t wear themselves out. Try to keep event schedules to a minimum."

    ¡°Understood."

    Supervisor Kim flipped through his notebook and mentioned, ¡°For now, Chronos is aiming for aeback in January, following the end of Allure''s activities."

    ¡°...That seems a bit tight."

    ¡°They are rookies after all. It''s better for rookies to have frequent broadcast exposure. The concept will be a continuation of the Chronos universe narrative, following the previous concepts and ''Parade.¡¯"

    Supervisor Kim''s words prompted Producer Do to nce at Joo-Han with half-lidded eyes. ¡°Joo-Han, would you like to be involved this time as well?"

    ¡°Am I allowed?"

    ¡°Of course. Who else would work on ''Blue Room Party?¡¯" It seemed Joo-Han''s working style had resonated well with Producer Do.

    Momentarily lost in thought, Joo-Han quickly nodded in agreement. ¡°I''d be honored!"

    Amidst discussions about coboration stages for award ceremonies, Chronos''s remix stages, and their schedules with Yeong-Yee, everyone was buzzing with excitement¡ªa stark contrast to their ¡°Blue Room Party¡±eback. As the meeting progressed, the members became increasingly nervous, realizing it was their first time facing the idol year-end season.

    As for me, having observed the hectic end-of-year schedules of top-tier agency idols during my time as a trainer, I knew they would somehow manage when the time came. However, this perspective was solely from the staff''s point of view.

    Supervisor Kim turned another page in his notebook. Even the experienced nning team, who had orchestrated several year-end seasons before, looked visibly overwhelmed, gasping at the packed schedule. Spearheading the Chronos project, Supervisor Kim spoke and everyone listened intently.

    ¡°I know it''s a bitte, but should we consider establishing an official fan club for Chronos? It seems like a crucial step, not only for the members but also for our nning team, who will undoubtedly have to put in extra work."

    ¡°Umm... yeah. That makes sense," agreed the nning team leader, nodding with a mix of tears and determination.

    The creation of the official fan club was somewhat overdue, particrly given that the fan name ''Ring'' had been coined early on. This dy highlighted YMM¡¯sck of experience in the idol industry, despite the strong unity among the fans.

    ¡°Let''s start recruiting for the first official fan club soon, and we''ll n the inaugural ceremony following oureback activities in February."

    ¡°Wow, an inauguration ceremony," Jin-Sung whispered in awe.

    Mr. Seong responded, ¡°Stay focused. We have a lot to do. Jin-Sung, make sure you concentrate on your rehabilitation."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°And... that''s a wrap."

    ¡°Thank you, everyone!" With that, our scheduling meeting came to an end.

    ***

    Although we had a packed schedule ahead of us, it was the manager''s task to distribute it appropriately, ensuring we could adapt without overextending ourselves. The immediate priority was our coboration with Senior Yeong-Yee and today''s final performance of ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± As this performance marked the start of a two-month break, we pondered how to best convey our gratitude to the fans.

    After much deliberation, we came up with an idea.

    - Hello, this is Tucan! We just stopped by the waiting room to see someone!

    - And hello, this is Ji-Eun! Let¡¯s meet Chronos, a candidate for first ce today!

    ¡°Two, three! Hello, we are Chronos! Nice to be back!"

    - Wee, Chronos. Congrattions on being nominated for first ce again this time.

    ¡°Oh, thank you so much. We are truly grateful."

    - Could we hear your thoughts on being nominated?

    Prompted by Tucan''s question, I eagerly grasped the microphone and replied, ¡°Yes, we are absolutely thrilled to be considered for first ce continuously during our promotion. We promise to keep delivering performances that won''t disappoint anyone!"

    - Excellent. And if Chronos were to secure first ce this time, what kind of special celebration can we expect?

    Goh Yoo-Joon seized the microphone and chimed in, ¡°Well, if Chronos does win first ce again, we n to read a letter we¡¯ve prepared for our beloved Rings to the tune of ''Blue Room Party!¡¯"

    Our way of expressing gratitude was straightforward and sincere. We had spent time brainstorming the content of the letter since yesterday, and I was curious to see if the fans would appreciate our heartfelt efforts.

    - Alright. Let''s see who will clinch first ce today. But first, could Chronos please introduce the next performance?

    As Tucan wrapped up, Jin-Sung mimicked a phone with his hand to his ear. ¡°...Are you asleep[1]?"

    Following suit, Yoon-Chan mockingly held his hand to his ear, casting a disdainful nce at Jin-Sung. ¡°Jin-Sung! Are you asleep!?"

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>!"

    Yoon-Chan groaned in mock irritation and brought his hand to his ears while looking at Jin-Sung¡¯s face with a disgusted expression. Then, Jin-Sung spoke again. ¡°Are you asleep? Are you asleep!¡±

    ¡°Ugh!¡± Yoon-Chan withdrew his hand and shook his body as if he got a chill to his spine. Then, Joo-Han walked between the two and said, ¡°Sa is singing ¡®You Should Change Your Number.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Music, cue!"

    ¡°...Okay!"

    ¡°Thank you!"

    Our pledge for first ce concluded, and the camera crew swiftly exited the scene.

    ¡°You''ve got our support. You always perform exceptionally well."

    ¡°Good luck, everyone!" Yoo Ji-Eun and Tucan were impressed by our resolve and cheered us on before leaving the waiting room.

    After that, I leaned back on the couch, unwinding a bit.

    ¡°If we win, Hyun-Woo, you start with the letter. Remember, it¡¯s all about matching the beat and capturing the right emotion."

    ¡°Me first? Alright, got it." I nodded in agreement with Joo-Han¡¯s direction and then turned to look for Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°Hey, where did Yoo-Joon go?"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung? Uh, maybe the restroom?"

    ¡°Oh, really? I wanted to sync up the harmonies with him."

    ¡°Haha. Not sure." Jin-Sung shrugged nonchntly, avoiding my gaze.

    ...Avoiding my gaze? That was suspicious.

    ¡°What is going on?"

    ¡°What do you mean?"

    I widened my eyes, starting to count the people in the waiting room. Goh Yoo-Joon was missing, the manager was absent, and so was Yoon-Chan. Here were just Jin-Sung, Joo-Han, and me.

    ¡°There¡¯s something you are hiding. Jin-Sung always has a reason for avoiding eye contact."

    ¡°No, I swear there''s nothing!" Jin-Sung protested, but Joo-Hanughed softly.

    ¡°Don''t worry about it. Just sit back and rx. Remember, you''ve got some practice in the evening."

    ¡°Hmm. Okay, for now," I answered.

    The fact that Joo-Han wasn¡¯t taking my side and was siding with Jin-Sung instead made it clear that they were hiding something. However, I decided to let it go, considering our uing performance.

    Soon, Supervisor Kim, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Park Yoon-Chan returned to the room. Goh Yoo-Joon fiddling with a cushion was a clear sign that they were up to something.

    <i>¡®Today''s a special day, isn¡¯t it?''</i>

    ¡°Excuse us, Chronos, please head to the stage for your performance!"

    ¡°Right away!"

    My moment of contemtion was interrupted by the stage staff. In the backstage, I shook off the usual nervous energy.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo is still as nervous as in his first performance. Got stage fright?" Goh Yoo-Joon teased, patting my back and guiding me toward Joo-Han.

    I ced my hand over Joo-Han¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s the final performance of ''Blue Room Party.¡¯"

    ¡°Let''s nail it!"

    ¡°Let''s deliver a wless performance, leaving no regrets."

    ¡°Absolutely!"

    ¡°Chronos!"

    ¡°Let''s shine!"

    Together, we shouted our motto as the MC introduced the ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± We stepped onto the stage, greeted by the Rings¡¯ cheer. It was the culmination of our debut activities. Our final performance was about to begin!

    ***

    ¡°And the winner for the final week of October is... Chronos! Congrattions!" With the resounding cheers of our fans echoing around us, fireworks burst into the sky, and bouquets and trophies were presented to us. To attain first ce from our debut to the final performance was an extraordinary honor for a rookie idol group. As I held thest trophy, I was overwhelmed with an indescribable feeling.

    ¡°Share your thoughts, Hyun-Woo," Joo-Han said, handing me the microphone and trophy. Despite the sudden task of expressing our sentiments, I quickly gathered my thoughts.

    ¡°Thank you so much. It''s truly an honor to have ranked first until the very end. This achievement is all thanks to the unwavering support from our behind-the-scenes team and most importantly, our beloved Rings. We are immensely grateful and promise to return with even better albums."

    - Congrattions to Chronos once again. We will see you next time on <i>Countdown</i>. Thank you!

    As the intro to ¡°Blue Room Party¡± started ying, Yoon-Chan, who had just returned from backstage, handed me a letter. I then cleared my throat and unfolded it, preparing to read it. Despite ¡°Blue Room Party¡± being a trendy hip-hop track, its slower beat seemed fitting for a letter reading.

    ¡°To our beloved, dear Rings," I started, reading slowly along with the beat.

    ¡°Kyaaaaak!"

    As I was startled by the fans'' roaring cheers, I looked up to find they weren''t cheering for me but something else.

    ¡°...What?"

    ¡°Hyung, happy birthday!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan were slowly approaching with a cake. ¡®<i>...Oh, that''s right</i>.¡¯ It was my birthday today. Following that incident, it had been so long since I had celebrated with a cake that I hadn''t given much thought to my birthday.

    1. Must be the concept of the next song performance lol ?

 Chapter 123: The Singer in the Memories (8)

    <h4>Chapter 123: The Singer in the Memories (8)</h4>

    ¡°How have you...¡±

    As the live broadcast wrapped up and the <i>Countdown</i> cameras stopped rolling, only the encore music lingered in the air. My fellow Chronos members approached me, proudly holding a birthday cake, and the fans joyously chanted as if they were already aware of the surprise.

    ¡°Happy Birthday!"

    I was so surprised that I stumbled over a few more lines of the letter before halting abruptly.

    ¡°Happy Birthday, Hyun-Woo," congratted Joo-Han.

    ¡°Uh... thank you," I stammered as I felt warmth radiating from Joo-Han''s smile. Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung then appeared, waving hand-written birthday cards in their hands, revealing that they had organized a well-nned birthday event for me without my knowledge.

    Unsure of the appropriate response, I simply smiled and asked, ¡°What''s all this?"

    I then wandered over to where Jin-Sung was seated. Ah, were my cheeks soaring to the heavens with joy? I only hoped my expression didn''t look too ridiculous.

    ¡°Blue Room Party¡± continued to serenade in the background. While I was momentarily enchanted by the cake, Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan whisked away the letter, dutifully fulfilling our first-cemitment.

    As the song concluded, we had a brief and precious moment to interact with the fans.

    ¡°Thank you so much," I said while holding the cake.

    Instantly, the audience burst into a prepared birthday song. Ah, I had never celebrated my birthday with so many people, and I was at a loss for how to react. So, I just... danced. Holding the cake, I infused all my gratitude into my movements. Though it was just a modest shoulder shrug, my gestures seemed to delight not only our Rings but also Joo-Han.

    ¡°Shall Hyun-Woo do the honors?" asked Joo-Han, extending the microphone toward me.

    ¡°Ah, yes, thank you, Rings... Thank you so much." Suddenly, three microphones were in front of me. Goh Yoo-Joon, Lee Jin-Sung, and Park Yoon-Chan sneakily positioned their mics near my face.

    After a brief pause, I resumed speaking. ¡°Thank you. We never imagined we''d conclude our promotion on such a high note. All thanks to our Rings." Despite their yful acts, I remained focused, though Goh Yoo-Joon teasingly ced his microphone against my stomach.

    Unfazed, I continued, ¡°We will keep striving to do better. Please wait for our improved songs and performances!"

    ¡°Yes! Thank you, everyone!"

    ¡°Thank you. We will work hard." Rookie idols should never skimp on expressing gratitude. After greeting the fans and production crew, we made our way backstage, where the behind-the-scenes camera captured me holding the cake.

    Then, my fellow members yfully smeared my face with some cream from the cake and congratted me. ¡°Happy Birthday, Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Happy Birthday, Suh Hyun-Woo, and congrats on the first ce."

    ¡°Really happy for you, hyung."

    ¡°Congrattions, hyung!"

    Being creamed on the face was a rite of passage during our trainee days, and I had wondered why they hadn''t done it onstage. So, they had been waiting to do it backstage all along. "Thanks," I said awkwardly, with cream on my nose and cheeks, and my fellow members jovially teased me. Everything was captured by the camera.

    Back in the dressing room, I wiped off my face and changed clothes. While waiting for the others to get ready, I snapped photos with the cake for <i>BlueBird</i> and picked up a chopstick. ¡°Having my birthday aligned with our activities and receiving such celebration... It''s truly wonderful."

    ¡°Have you had some seaweed soup[1] today?¡± asked a staff member as he pointed the behind-the-scenes camera at me.

    ¡°No, I actually forgot it¡¯s my birthday today. Been so caught up with scheduletely."

    ¡°Happy Birthday, Suh Hyun-Woo." Goh Yoo-Joon came over and perched on the armrest of my chair.

    ¡°So that''s why you were so quiet today. It was all for this, huh?"

    ¡°What are you talking about? I don¡¯t usually talk much anyway."

    ¡°Haha. That¡¯s not even funny." I then fed Goh Yoo-Joon a piece of cake with a chopstick.

    ¡°Oh wow, it''s sweet. Yoon-Chan will love this."

    ¡°Me too!" Jin-Sung approached. Seeing him, I snapped open a new pair of chopsticks and served him some cake.

    ¡°I thought you were on a diet, Jin-Sung."

    ¡°That''s right. I''m working on bing skinnier... Ah."

    ¡°Cake''s going to make you fat," Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled, yfully shoving Jin-Sung away. ¡°Back off! What kind of dieter eats cake?"

    ¡°Ah! I¡¯m not on a diet through food control, okay? I will work it off."

    ¡°The trainer said you need to manage your diet too." Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan quietly joined in, digging into the cake as if to spite Jin-Sung.

    ¡°That is a bit too harsh on the youngest,¡± I said.

    Jin-Sung pouted and shot me a yful re before announcing, "In celebration of Hyun-Woo hyung''s birthday, I will do an impression of him."

    ¡°What? An impression of Suh Hyun-Woo? That''s something new."

    I chuckled, intrigued. "Let''s see it, then.¡±

    I had never seen anyone do an impression of me before, so this was quite a novelty. The other members watched Jin-Sung with curious amusement, knowing he was doing this just for a bite of the cake. He theatrically wrapped a scarf around his face, resembling E.T. wrapped in a nket or a hoodie with its hood tightly drawn.

    Just when I wondered what he was up to, in a mockingly exaggerated tone, Jin-Sung blurted out, ¡°Yoon-Chan, is Cha Cha a joke for you?"

    The room erupted inughter. "That''s hrious!"

    It was an old catchphrase of mine, often a source of teasing among family and members. As the members chuckled, I couldn''t help but smile at the unexpected throwback. Feeling encouraged by theughter, Jin-Sung amped up his performance.

    ¡°Whoa, whoaaaaaa. The, pendant, ooh, ah, oh, magic! Ah, dang, I missed it," he intoned, sending us all into fits ofughter.

    ¡°Ahahahahahaha! Magic... hahahaha, pendant. Hahahahah!¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung sang it so easily, but it¡¯s actually hard. The pitch is too high.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon found it especially funny, so he rolled on the floor inughter. Even the staff behind the camera struggled to keep it together.

    ¡°No, I didn''t sound like that! Are you guys just making fun of me?" I protested, a hint ofughtercing my voice.

    Undeterred, Jin-Sung grinned and continued mimicking me.

    He then begged, ¡°Just one bite, please!"

    Despite his yfulness, I couldn''t help but give in. As I approached Jin-Sung with the cake, Joo-Han stopped me.

    ¡°Why?" I asked, puzzled.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, you''re a boy of infinite potential," Joo-Han said with unexpected solemnity, causing Jin-Sung to look wronged.

    ¡°What''s that supposed to mean now?"

    ¡°If you do an impression of Yoo-Joon too, you will get a bite," replied Joo-Han, bargaining with Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Ah! Ah! Hyung!" Jin-Sung protested, but his actions contradicted his words as he prepared to mimic Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°An impression of me? There''s nothing much to imitate, is there?" remarked Goh Yoo-Joon, though he looked forward to it. I also watched, barely able to hide my amusement, as Jin-Sung brought a chair for his act.

    Jin-Sung messed up his hair, slicked back his fringe, and slumped into the chair with a cool demeanor.

    ¡°No way," I realized immediately what he was imitating as I recognized the slouched posture and cocky expression. The behind-the-scenes camera zoomed in on Jin-Sung, capturing hisid-back but cheeky posture.

    He gazednguidly at the camera and uttered, ¡°Haah... <i>sigh</i>."

    ¡°Really? Doing that in a hoodie?" Joo-Han remarked, and both Goh Yoo-Joon and I fell to the floor, rolling withughter.

    Encouraged by his recent recovery and the anticipation of being able to dance again soon, Jin-Sung seemed to be in high spirits.

    ¡°Hehe, hyung, I''ve got more! Next up, Joo-Han hyung. ...You guys! What a mess at home! <i>p</i>, <i>p</i>!" Jin-Sung mimicked, causing another round ofughter.

    ¡°That''s me?" Joo-Han asked whileughing.

    Seeing our reactions, Jin-Sung energetically imitated all of us. Joo-Han''s morning nagging during cleaning, Yoon-Chan''s perpetually teary expression, and even our manager chuckling at his phone¡ªeverything was fair game for him. After a goodugh, I finally rewarded Jin-Sung with a piece of cake.

    As everyone finished up, we made our way to the parking lot. Joo-Han, Yoon-Chan, and Jin-Sung left with the manager for the dormitory, while Goh Yoo-Joon and I, along with a new road manager and the behind-the-scenes camera crew, headed to the practice studio.

    As soon as we got to the studio, we yed the video on theptop that the manager had sent us.

    ¡°Let''s analyze this video. The choreography is surprisinglyplex," I suggested as we settled down in the studio.

    "The dance is from an older era and predominantly lip-synced. Hmm, it will be quite challenging," Goh Yoo-Joon noted.

    Back in the day, Tenten was known for its intense dance routines. While the moves weren''t particrlyplex by modern standards, their acrobatic choreography would make live singing quite a challenge.

    ¡°Look, there''s even a backflip," I pointed out.

    It was the then-popr techno genre blended with rock dance. Moreover, Tenten''s songs were choreographed with such intensity that they were never performed live. Only those with strong joints could perform such dynamic dance moves.

    ¡°I can do this part well." The part Goh Yoo-Joon referred to involved wildly swinging his hips.

    ¡°This part is for me," I pointed out. It was about wildly flipping my head back and forth in true techno fashion, one of the most precisely choreographed sections of the song.

    ¡°...Let''s practice them first."

    Although the choreography would change a bit when we practiced it with Senior Yeong-Yee due to her age, it still felt good to practice it properly as a gesture of respect. Ifortably demonstrated the dance steps I had previously memorized to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Shake your upper body and head mboyantly while bending your knees like this."

    ¡°Like this?" Goh Yoo-Joon imitated my move by shaking his upper body side to side and bending his knees.

    I shook my head and demonstrated again. ¡°You have to exaggerate it more than you think. Back then, all the moves were meant to be really bold."

    ¡°Ah, so Senior Yeong-Yeees forward to sing at this part?"

    ¡°Yes, then we stand up, turn around, and jump while kicking in the air, right and left in session. It''s got to have some ir to it." I guided Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulders, helping him get the feel of the movement.

    ¡°<i>I was such a fool to give you everything?</i>" As Goh Yoo-Joon hummed the lyrics and tried the dance, he looked at himself in the mirror and eximed in amazement.

    ¡°It is a perfect 80s dance move! You watching all those Tenten videos really paid off, huh."

    I smiled awkwardly and moved on to the next step. ¡°But be careful with this one. The moves back then used a lot of footwork instead of hand gestures, so that means we have a lot of jumping around to do. Don''t fall."

    ¡°Okay."

    Just as we almost had the whole of Tenten''s first song down, a cheerful notification sound went off. The road manager then checked his phone and looked at us cautiously. ¡°Umm, guys.¡±

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°The other members at the dorm started a Q-app broadcast."

    ¡°They did?"

    The road manager nodded and approached us. ¡°Yes, you can continue practicing, but the broadcast title seems like something Hyun-Woo would like."

    ¡°Oh, what is it?" While sitting on the practice room floor and stretching his legs, Goh Yoo-Joon took the phone from the road manager. He then chuckled and showed it to me. ¡°They are funny. Ah, I should have been there."

    ¡°Why?" I looked at the phone and smiled.

    The Q-app live broadcast title was: [Cha Cha Center''s Birthday Special! Let''s Make Seaweed Soup Ourselves~]

    1. In Korea, it¡¯s a traditional custom to eat seaweed soup on one¡¯s birthday as it symbolizes good health and a mother¡¯s nourishment, as the soup is often eaten by mothers after giving birth. ?

 Chapter 124: The Singer in the Memories (9)

    <h4>Chapter 124: The Singer in the Memories (9)</h4>

    [You guys are really hopeless at cooking, aren''t you all? lmaooo]

    [Hyun-Woo''s definitely in for a stomach ache.]

    [AHAHAHAHAHAHA]

    [Keep this up and Joo-Han will be pping your backs again, hahaha!]

    ¡°No, seriously, we can do well this time. We''ve got a recipe, ande on, seaweed soup is easy, right? Don¡¯t worry about us.¡±

    ¡°Jin-Sung, is this amount of water okay?¡±

    ¡°Uh? ...um, give me one sec.¡±

    ¡°...Can I take a quick look at the recipe?¡±

    What exactly were they up to? I didn¡¯t even know if they even soaked the seaweed. It seemed like Joo-Han, who could at least manage cooking ramen, was at thepany to work on some stuff.

    Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan nced toward the camera as if seeking help and then abruptly emptied the pot''s water.

    ¡°Ah, the seaweed... no, first, fry the beef and seaweed, then add water."

    It looked like the manager was trying to guide them from behind the camera.

    [What are the other members doing?]

    [Happy birthday, Hyun-Woo!]

    [Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung, congrattions on getting first ce! <i>Aww</i> you guys are gorgeous!]

    ¡°Oh, about the others? Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon stepped out for a bit, and Joo-Han is busy with song editing.¡±

    ¡°We n to make seaweed soup before Hyun-Woo returns.¡±

    [Hyun-Woo: ??? (Please, just don''t)]

    [Hahaha! Hyun-Woo must be anxiously watching the Q-app right now.]

    [Looks like Hyun-Woo won''t being back to the dorm.]

    The Rings¡¯ments were spot on. I even briefly considered staying at thepany instead of returning to the dorm if they hadn''t even soaked the seaweed.

    ¡°Should I tell them that I''m watching?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked while lying on the floor.

    I pondered for a moment and then nodded. ¡°Manager, is this your ount?"

    ¡°Ah, yes! It''s my personal one."

    ¡°Can I sign out? I want to switch to the Chronos ount."

    ¡°Um... just a second!" Our new road manager hesitated before turning on his personal phone, apparently seeking permission from Manager Su-Hwan.

    From the app, Jin-Sung asked, ¡°Do we need to chop the seaweed before frying it? Like we do with kimchi?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I don''t think so? Or maybe use scissors...¡±

    ¡°The recipe doesn''t mention chopping it, just says to fry.¡±

    Watching the two fumbling from the start, the road manager beamed after getting permission from Manager Su-Hwan. ¡°Yes! You can sign out and switch to the Chronos ount."

    ¡°Thank you." We briefly left the live broadcast and logged into the Chronos ount before joining in again.

    While cooking, Yoon-Chan told the fans some stories. ¡°Back in our trainee days, we barely cooked because we practically lived in the practice room.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we were strapped for cash, often relying on meals at the trainee hyungs'' homes.¡±

    ¡°Among us, only Hyun-Woo and Joo-Han hyung had homes in Seoul. Yoo-Joon hyung would sometimes crash at Hyun-Woo''s for meals and sleepovers.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I stayed at Joo-Han hyung¡¯s home a lot. Remember how he treated the trainees with delivery food, furious over the measly five-thousand-won meal budget?¡± asked Jin-Sung.

    [Hahaha! Joo-Han''s been a mom since then!]

    [Joo-Han was so mad about the small meal allowance! lol]

    [Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon are truly close, aren''t they?]

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung has been training since he was a kid, so he probably got a lot of care from the older hyungs.¡±

    ¡°The seniors at Allure always dote on Hyun-Woo hyung. Kind of makes me jealous.¡±

    What happened while we switched ounts? Jin-Sung was slicing the soaked seaweed on the cutting board.

    Yoo-Joonmented, ¡°Can they really be this bad at cooking? It''s embarrassingly bad."

    I chuckled and nudged Goh Yoo-Joon''s side with my arm. ¡°Don¡¯t be harsh on our youngest. You are not much better yourself."

    I typed and sent the message with a smile.

    [Chronos: Hahaha, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung, you are doing great]

    <i>¡®Ah, they are too funny.¡¯</i> I was a bit concerned about the seaweed soup, but I had no ns to interfere. Whether they sliced the seaweed on the board or fried it in soy sauce instead of sesame oil, it was entertaining regardless.

    ¡°Who''s there? Is it Joo-Han or Hyun-Woo hyung?¡±

    [lol Are they making an appearance?]

    [Is that Hyun-Woo? Yoo-Joon? It must not be Joo-Han.]

    [LMAO they are doing great? Are you sure?]

    [Chronos: Hey, this is Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon. We support your live cooking show <3]

    [Why are you guys not stopping them? ahahahaha]

    [lol... they are definitely teasing them hahaha]

    It was Goh Yoo-Joon who wrote thements, not me. He continued to chat enthusiastically with a mischievous chuckle.

    ¡°Hyung,e back early today. I will make it delicious for you, really!¡±

    ¡°When are the hyungsing back?¡±

    [Chronos: We will be arriving soon. We will make it back before your seaweed soup cools down.]

    [Hahaha! Don''t forget to post the taste test on <i>BlueBird</i>!]

    [I hope you keep broadcasting until the others arrive.]

    [lol... You are not stopping them from cooking at least, how adorable.]

    I said, ¡°Let''s just watch up until here and get back to practice."

    ¡°Okay. They probably won''t finish within an hour. It will be epic if they are still cooking by the time we get there."

    [Chronos: Have fun, everyone! See you next time!]

    ¡°Hyung, Hyung! We will cook the soup well!¡±

    After a final farewell to the fans, we turned off the live broadcast and dove back into practice. Having already memorized one song, we only had to get halfway through another to call it a day. It was easy to be exhausted if you tried to learn too much in one day.

    Carefully examining the second song on hisptop, Goh Yoo-Joon reyed a specific part repeatedly. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, in this part, ''Even if I go back, I will be with you,'' Senior Yeong-Yee wants two male members to add a harmony to ''I will be with you.¡¯ But our vocal ranges don¡¯t match."

    ¡°Vocal range?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon rewinded the video for me to hear. Certainly, the lower tones fit Goh Yoo-Joon perfectly, while the higher ones were a key above my range. This part seemed more suited for Yoon-Chan than me.

    ¡°I will give it a try at a higher pitch." As I spoke, Goh Yoo-Joon looked at me with concern.

    ¡°Can you handle it? If you are going to hit the wrong note, let''s just ask them to lower the key."

    ¡°That would make Senior Yeong-Yee''s high notes less impactful. Only two or three phrases, this should be a piece of cake for Chronos''s main vocalist," When I said this, I puffed up a bit in confidence. Although the notes were high, I had belted out higher ones in Chronos''s songs like ¡°Chronos,¡± ¡°Parade,¡± and ¡°Once Again.¡± It was not too much of a challenge for me.

    ¡°Let''s try to match it up. I find adding harmonies to songs incredibly enjoyable."

    Goh Yoo-Joon pulled up the lyrics. I naturally started singing from ¡°Even if I go back¡± which Yeong-Yee would sing, giving Goh Yoo-Joon the cue to add the harmony. However, my voice thinned a bit due to the higher key.

    ¡°Oh..." Goh Yoo-Joon seemed really impressed with the vocals he had just tried, breaking into a broad smile.

    ¡°Our Hyun-Woo has really matured~ You handle different ranges so well."

    ¡°Hey,e on! Let''s call it a day!"

    ¡°Let''s head out together!"

    We had met our goal for the day. As expected, Goh Yoo-Joon was not only exceptional in singing but also had no shorings in dance. After finishing practice much earlier than anticipated, we returned to the dorm.

    ¡°Are you guys still at it?" As soon as I opened the front door, I was greeted by the warm air and the inviting aroma of seaweed soup in the house.

    ¡°Whoa, hyung, you are back already?" asked Jin-Sung.

    Goh Yoo-Joon snickered at Lee Jin-Sung''s surprised question. ¡°It''s been over an hour. How far have you gotten?"

    Joo-Han had also finished his work and was lounging on the living room couch with the manager, wearily observing the clumsy acts of Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung.

    I sat down next to Joo-Han and whispered, as I was careful not to be heard on the broadcast. ¡°What have they been doing until now?"

    ¡°Exactly. What have they been doing for an hour?" Joo-Han turned to ask the manager.

    The manager exined calmly, ¡°They were cutting and frying the seaweed while looking for sesame oil. After that, they identally fried the seaweed first instead of the beef, and the fansmented that it wasn''t the right way. As they wanted to do it properly since it was for you, Hyun-Woo, they dumped everything out and started over by frying the beef first."

    So, that was why they were still busy. I sighed and eventually looked toward the kitchen, where Goh Yoo-Joon had joined in. Goh Yoo-Joon was fussing about the heat in the house, opened the kitchen window, and tasted the soup, which was about to bepleted.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t the Rings getting bored?¡±

    The manager and Joo-Han shook their heads. ¡°We were worried too, so we kept monitoring. But every time those two did something, the fans reacted so positively, so we are just watching for now.¡±

    The manager handed me his phone.

    [LMAOOOO... There is a hundred percent chance Joo-Han is ring at them from behind the screen!]

    [lol... There is a two hundred percent chance Hyun-Woo is sighing and watching them from behind hahaha.]

    [Yoo-Joon!!! Please tell the kids to add some salt to it!]

    <i>¡®Ah, why is this getting such a good response?¡¯</i>

    <i>ng!</i>

    ¡°Whoa! It''s okay, everyone. I am really fine. I didn''t spill it. It''s okay." It seemed like Jin-Sung dropped one metal bowl of soaked seaweed.

    ¡°Should we turn off the stove now?"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon Hyung, sorry, but can you turn it off for me? I''m going to get a cloth to clean this up."

    ¡°Did you cook rice?"

    ¡°Eh? Hyung, we have instant rice. What do you expect from us?"

    ¡°Right..." Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled and took out some instant rice from the cupboard.

    Joo-Han put his hand on my shoulder. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, are you mentally prepared?"

    ¡°I, your humble servant, have been prepared even before entering the pce[1].¡±

    ¡°Then proceed to the kitchen table. I wish you good luck," said Joo-Han as he mockingly saluted me. I weakly returned the salute and headed to the dining table.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo Hyung, the process isn''t important. It''s the result that counts, right?"

    ¡°I did put in a lot of effort, Hyung. I think it will taste okay."

    I smiled at our two youngest members. ¡°Well, isn''t the process important too? Haha, no, it''s fine. I like everything. I''m looking forward to it."

    Yoon-Chan then wiped the wet dining table with a dishcloth and sat down.

    [LOL Hyun-Woo likes everything???]

    [lmao It seems like Hyun-Woo has given up hope!]

    [Hahaha! Yoo-Joon burst outughing again!]

    Finally, the seaweed soup was ced in front of me. ¡°The color of the soup is a bit dark."

    Hearing myment, Yoon-Chan scratched his neck. ¡°The recipe said to season it with soy sauce, but it was too nd, so I added quite a bit."

    ¡°I see. I''ll enjoy it."

    <i>¡®Let''s not embarrass the kids further. Look at those eyes, shining with the hope of praise.¡¯</i> I didn¡¯t dy any longer and took a spoonful of the seaweed soup. ¡°...Hmm, ...uh, it''s tasty."

    The seaweed soup tasted like soy sauce diluted in water.

    1. They are having a role y lol ?

 Chapter 125: The Singer in the Memories (10)

    <h4>Chapter 125: The Singer in the Memories (10)</h4>

    The seaweed soup that the two prepared was surprisingly edible. As I savored it, a subtle hint of seaweed emerged. It was slightly off, but it was hard to criticize the taste when they had spent an hour and a half trying to cook something they were not skilled at, just to treat me.

    However, Joo-Han, who just caught my eye, seemed to pick up on my thoughts and approached me with a yful look.

    He asked, ¡°Hey, does it taste good? I want to give it a try too."

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    ¡°I was watching them from behind, and it didn''t seem like the process would yield something delicious."

    "Ah, Hyung! It''s the end result that matters! You really don''t trust us." While Jin-Sung was indignantly protesting, Joo-Han scooped up some seaweed soup with a spoon without any concern.

    A momentter...

    ¡°Hmm." Joo-Han silently gazed at me, his lips breaking into a meaningful smile.

    I urgently said, ¡°Why, why? No, I like it. It¡¯s the first time the two youngest have made something for me..."

    ¡°Oh my! Jin-Sung!" Joo-Han shouted out loud, turning his attention to Jin-Sung.

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°Make me a fried egg, will you?"

    ¡°A fried egg? Why? Hyung, do you want some rice as well?"

    Joo-Han smiled mischievously and shook his head. ¡°This seaweed soup is just like, umm. Add an egg to the rice, a couple of spoonfuls of this soup, and you will get soy sauce egg rice[1]."

    At Joo-Han¡¯s words, Yoon-Chan''s face turned ashen, and Jin-Sung quizzically tilted his head. ¡°What do you mean?"

    <i>¡®You... you! What a cold-hearted guy.</i> <i>To the innocent Jin-Sung!¡¯</i> I nudged Joo-Han''s back to tell him to stop, but Joo-Han continued as he was undeterred.

    ¡°What I mean is, this is basically soy sauce."

    ¡°...That can''t be. It was fine when I tasted it earlier?"

    ¡°Maybe it became saltier as it cooled down."

    With a face filled with worry, Yoon-Chan firmly grabbed my spoon-holding hand and said, ¡°Hyung, don''t eat anymore. Too much salt is bad for you..."

    ¡°Huh? It''s not that salty? ...Did you use regr soy sauce?"

    ¡°Oh, we only have regr soy sauce at home. Isn''t all soy sauce the same?"

    Using regr soy sauce for this was nonsense. In an instant, the chat room was bursting withughter, as they watched Jin-Sung, Yoon-Chan, and me.

    [I will never forget the ¡®Youngest Soy Sauce Soup Incident¡¯ LOL]

    [Soy Sauce Egg Rice hahahaha, what a disaster lmao]

    [Hyun-Woo sneakily put down his spoon HAHAHA]

    [Our Hyun-Woo keeps getting surprises on his birthday... We are having fun, so hang in there... hehe]

    ¡°Hyung, I am sorry. I really tried to make it tasty, but ah, it''s a pity."

    ¡°Hyung."

    ¡°No, I genuinely think it¡¯s good. I am touched. Thank you."

    I could finally stop eating the soy sauce soup thanks to Joo-Han, and the situation was winding down in a somewhat cheerful atmosphere. However, I forgot we had another viin in Chronos.

    <i>Drrrrrr-. Drrrrrr-.</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon approached, dialing someone on his phone and turning on the speaker mode.

    ¡°What''s up? Who are you calling?"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung, who is it?"

    ¡°Could it be one of the Team D members? The duo Street Center or Ji-Hyuk hyung, perhaps?"

    ¡°Jin-Wook hyung?"

    ¡°No way."

    I dismissed all the ridiculous line-ups and nced at the phone screen, thinking,<i> ¡®Oh, this number looks really familiar.¡¯</i>

    Just as I was thinking that...

    - Hello?

    A voice more familiar than the number itself rang out. Goh Yoo-Joon grinned and eximed loudly, ¡°Mom!"

    <i>¡®...Wait a minute.¡¯</i>

    ¡°...Hey!" As I yelled and reached for the phone, Goh Yoo-Joon burst outughing and lifted his phone-holding hand high into the air.

    ¡°Why would you call my mom?"

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo''s mother?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung''s mother?"

    ¡°Is Yoo-Joon hyung calling Hyun-Woo hyung''s mom right now?"

    - Oh my! Is that Yoo-Joon~?

    ¡°How have you been, Mom?"

    ¡°Seriously, Goh Yoo-Joon!" Aside from me and Goh Yoo-Joon, the other members understood the situation and burst intoughter, just like in the chat room.

    ¡°Hyung, your joke is...! Why would you call Hyun-Woo hyung¡¯s mom? hahaha.¡±

    [LMAO How does Yoo-Joon know the phone number of Hyun-Woo¡¯s mom?]

    [Lol I guess that¡¯s what happens when you are too close with your friend! HAHAHA!]

    [Yoo-Joon said he ate a lot at Hyun-Woo¡¯s in his trainee days, ahh]

    - Have you been doing well, Son~[2]?

    <i>¡®Why does mom always entertain Goh Yoo-Joon so easily?¡¯</i>

    I intervened. ¡°What''s going on? Mom, I will call you backter. You can hang up now.¡±

    - Hyun-Woo? Are you next to Hyun-Woo?

    ¡°Yes, I''m right beside him, Mom,¡± replied Yoo-Joon.

    At that moment, Joo-Han grabbed the phone and said, ¡°Hello, Mother! It''s Joo-Han speaking! Do you remember me?¡±

    - Of course! The leader! Thanks for always looking after our Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Oh no, it''s nothing. We called to celebrate Hyun-Woo''s birthday. We are very grateful to you for bringing Hyun-Woo into this world.¡±

    Wow, his tone was so focused on image management. As I stood there in disbelief, Joo-Han, followed by Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung, got all worked up.

    ¡°We even made him seaweed soup! And the fans are sending lots of love and congrattions. Please don''t worry too much.¡±

    - Oh, I''m not worried at all. I feel like I should be the one cooking something delicious for you boys, but I don¡¯t know when you all have some free time. I am sorry.

    ¡°Oh, please don''t worry about that. I will hand you over to Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°Hehe.¡±

    The phone finally reached me after being passed around by all the members. I promptly turned off the speaker mode and said, ¡°Yes, Mom. It''s Hyun-Woo.¡±

    - Hyun-Woo, you are well and healthy, right? I see you on TV, but it''s been so long since Ist saw you in person.

    ¡°I''m doing well, Mom. I wille visit as soon as I get some time off. Thank you for everything.¡±

    - Thank you for being a fabulous son. I love you. Happy birthday.

    ¡°...Yes.¡± Suddenly, I found it hard to find the right words, falling silent for a moment. Then, I spoke again after gathering my thoughts. ¡°I will call you backter.¡±

    Back then, I always avoided visiting my parents'' home, not wanting to see them fall apart at the sight of me. I barely kept in touch and just quietly acknowledged their messages on birthdays even though they asked me to at least pick up the phone. I often spent those days alone.

    Now, I realized that my family no longer had to shed tears over me. This sparked a glimmer of hope within me, and I wondered if I could meet them again without feeling guilty. It felt as if a long-held burden in my heart was finally lifting.

    After the call, our nearly two-hour-long Q-app session wrapped up. My day, filled with heartfelt congrattions from the members, fans, and family, came to an end.

    ***

    Oh Young-Il @O_012 ¡¤ 3 minutes ago

    LOL, this is just so hrious! The pranksters and their total meltdown, Hyun-Woo LOL!

    #Sunny_October_Hyun-Woo_Happy_Birthday

    (Hyun-Woo''s Birthday Party Q-app with Hrious Expressions.jpg)

    Replies 0 RT 42 Likes 73

    Hyun-Woo, Cry for Us @djimll_1029 ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    LOL, from the soy sauce water to the phone call, not a single boring moment in this Q-app live. Thanks for sparing time to see us on your birthday. Sleep well and lots of love. Happy birthday, Hyun-Woo <3

    #Sunny_October_Hyun-Woo_Happy_Birthday

    #Everyday_Is_A_Parade_For_Hyun-Woo

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 3

    Once Again, Drop The Track @hw_12 ¡¤ 15 minutes ago

    Revisiting Hyun-Woo''s chaotic, whirlwind birthday today

    1. Surprise birthday celebration during the final stage¡¯s encore(he truly didn''t know) - Behind-the-scenes, please release the backstage footage!!!

    2. Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon''s unexpected encounter leading to the youngest members'' seaweed soup saga.

    3. Seaweed soup that turned out to be soy sauce soup¡ªthe bizarre dish that Hyun-Woo had to eat. Thanks to Joo-Han, he narrowly avoided eating the entire bowl.

    4. The climax. Yoo-Joon calling Hyun-Woo''s mom LOL, absolutely hrious hahaha. How did he even get her number? Also, do they usually stay in touch? I was shocked to hear Hyun-Woo''s mom casually saying "Oh, son~." Hyun-Woo''s response seemed more focused on questioning the reason for the call rather than how Yoo-Joon got hold of the number.

    Replies 2 RT 15 Likes 386

    The birthday of Suh Hyun-Woo was a festive event for the fans of Chronos. Each viewing of their Q-app session revealed new and charming aspects about them, and the fans relived the countless highlights, keeping the party spirit alive for about a week.

    Meanwhile, Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon were preparing for a performance with Yeong-Yee. They were outside the practice room, cautiously waiting for the conversation between Yeong-Yee and the manager to end.

    ***

    ¡°I can¡¯t do live performances.¡±

    ¡°As I mentioned before, it¡¯s hard to appear on music broadcasts these days without performing live, ma¡¯am. For thepany to fully support and promote your new album, we would need your cooperation in this matter.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know I had to perform Tenten¡¯s songs live. What? I¡¯ve never sung Tenten¡¯s songs live before. What am I supposed to do?¡±

    ¡°...I did mention that it would be a live performance. Considering the juniors are here, why not give it a try?¡±

    <i>¡®What kind of situation is this?¡¯</i>

    Yoo-Joon and I had perfectly mastered the choreography for Tenten''s hit songs before starting the practice with Yeong-Yee. Today was the day we were going to match up with Yeong-Yee for the first time on a Tenten song.

    After singing and dancing to a few of Tenten''s songs, Yeong-Yee dered that she wouldn¡¯t do it. It seemed that she was very dissatisfied.

    ¡°It might be tough, but it seems like we could do it live,¡± Yoo-Joon muttered softly, making sure not to be heard.

    ¡°We are used to it, but Senior Yeong-Yee is older and has never done it before. There must be various reasons behind it.¡±

    She was known to be a perfectionist and quite particr, and everyone who mentioned her on the broadcasts called Yeong-Yee a perfectionist. But having met her in person, I knew that it was a generously embellished description.

    Yeong-Yee wasn''t a perfectionist; instead, she was inclined toward avoiding tasks she deemed challenging. She only engaged in activities she excelled at and adamantly refused those she perceived as beyond her abilities. Dealing with such a personality trait was the most stressful aspect of my days as a trainer.

    ¡°Hmm, the broadcasts might get canceled, right?¡± Yoo-Joon¡¯s words made me shake my head quickly.

    ¡°No, that can¡¯t happen. That would put us in a difficult position too.¡±

    Despite our primary goal being to support Yeong-Yee''s album release, we also had to leverage this schedule for our own purposes. Given Yeong-Yee''s status as a legendary singer whose influence persisted despite her long hiatus, where else could we encounter such a coboration opportunity? I wanted to recreate those joyful stages of the past that brought smiles just by watching them.

    This asion provided a fitting tform to exhibit our diverse talents and simultaneously marked themencement of my and Yoo-Joon¡¯s individual activities.

    ¡°The manager will persuade her. They¡¯ve been together for three years now, dealing with many such issues,¡± I said this while pondering.

    It seemed Yeong-Yee was stubborn because she wasn¡¯t confident in performing live while dancing. I wondered how we could persuade her. If she were a trainee, being a bit forceful could be the approach, but considering it was Senior Yeong-Yee...

    That was when I suddenly remembered that I had seen her on TV back then.

    1. Because the soup just tastes like diluted soy sauce lol ?

    2. It¡¯s Hyun-Woo¡¯s mom calling Yoo-Joon ¡°son¡± ?

 Chapter 126: The Singer in the Memories (11)

    <h4>Chapter 126: The Singer in the Memories (11)</h4>

    Yeong-Yee wasn¡¯t often seen on broadcasts. But after recalling all her broadcasts from the past, I remembered that she frequently portrayed a highly professional image. Perhaps it was more fitting to say she was professionally entertaining, rather than just serious or sincere about her work.

    I remembered that shepletely transformed in front of the camera. Of course, in future broadcasts, Yeong-Yee¡¯s unique personality was epted as part of her charm.

    I wondered, <i>¡®Could the camera be an effective solution in this situation?¡¯</i>

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± With a look of difficulty etched on his face, the manager emerged after a lengthy discussion with Yeong-Yee inside the practice room.

    ¡°Is she not willing to do it?¡±

    ¡°No, she has agreed to do the dance practice for today. I will try to convince her in the next few days, so please focus on your practice without worries.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work, Manager,¡± said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    After that, I held back Goh Yoo-Joon and the manager for a moment before we entered the practice room to have a brief discussion.

    ¡°What''s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Do you have something to share?¡±

    I nodded and drew them closer with my arms around their shoulders. ¡°Since Senior¡¯seback is nearing and we can''t afford to wait indefinitely to persuade her, I have a suggestion. It¡¯s this...¡±

    Hearing my idea, the manager flinched. However, he gradually smiled and nodded in agreement. ¡°It could be a viable approach. I will see about making it happen.¡±

    ¡°Supervisor Kim hates disruptions in work more than anything, so if we bring this situation to his attention, he will likely approve it immediately.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m of the same opinion. I will work on convincing Yeong-Yee before our next practice.¡±

    If this approach worked, we could prevent any uing issues beyond the live performance.

    After our quick discussion, we prepared some beverages for Yeong-Yee and entered the practice room.

    ¡°Oh, did you bring drinks? Thanks. I¡¯ve brought some lunch, so let¡¯s eat together after practice.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Senior!¡±

    Despite some work-rted challenges, Yeong-Yee was genuinely a kind person. It was rare in this industry for someone of her stature to extend such considerate care to their juniors.

    ¡°Shall we start the practice?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    We then demonstrated the choreography we had practiced in front of Yeong-Yee. The first one was the hardcore rock dance of Tenten''s techno song ¡°Twice the Love.¡± The second one was the mega-hit new jack swing song[1] ¡°OH! MY LOVE,¡± characterized by its light and lively dance. Thest one was the famous summer city-pop ¡°You in Azure Sea¡± known for its expansive limb movements.

    Yeong-Yee seemed highly satisfied with our dance, smiling and nodding throughout our demonstration. When we finished, she even pped her hands.

    ¡°For ¡®OH! MY LOVE¡¯ and ¡®You in Azure Sea,¡¯ I''d like you to be more naturally lively and cheerful, but with more practice, you will improve. Your dance skills already surpass those of my old members, you know?¡±

    The manager beamed with pride and nodded in agreement. He said, ¡°They have been practicing diligently, knowing that they would be working with such a respected senior. They are also exceptionally talented.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡± We felt happy to hear her praise.

    Yeong-Yee ced her drink down and positioned herself between me and Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°Manager Su-Hwan, could you please y the song?¡±

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±

    The practice continued with Yeong-Yee joining us. While her dance moves were slower than what we had seen in videos and she skipped some parts, her undeniable experience showed through. She skillfully transitioned through the non-dance sections, showcasing an impressive stage presence.

    ¡°For this part, I want Yoo-Joon toe forward without dancing, yfully approaching me with subtle movements.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about looking cool, just be as bright and joyful as possible. Hyun-Woo too, just focus on having fun rather than perfecting the dance.¡±

    Although acting yfully on stage was a tough task for a neer, we were dedicated to practicing it extensively to meet Yeong-Yee¡¯s expectations by the next session.

    Considering Yeong-Yee¡¯s stamina, we wrapped up the dance practice in about three hours.

    After bidding her farewell, we exited the venue with the manager, who mentioned, "I''ll drive you back to the dormitory," following a brief discussion.

    ¡°Oh, what about Senior Yeong-Yee...¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to apany me today. She ns to practice the title song and leave on her own.¡±

    Hearing his answer, we sent empathetic nces to the manager and headed to the car.

    ***

    The car ride back to the dorm was quiet. It wasn¡¯t due to any specific reason, but more out of consideration for the manager, who must have felt uneasy all day dealing with Yeong-Yee.

    I exchanged nces with Goh Yoo-Joon and then asked, ¡°When is the next practice, Manager?¡±

    ¡°The practice with her is in two days, but I will take you to the practice room again tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Then, silence ensued again. The manager was already a man of few words, but today, the silence on the way back felt particrly heavy. Seeing the manager, who always took meticulous care of us, in a bad mood was disheartening. I wondered if I should offer him some words offort.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon motioned for me toe closer with a gesture. Leaning forward, I brought my ear close to him as he whispered something. Instantly, I frowned and jerked my head back in disbelief. ¡°What? No way.¡±

    ¡°Oh,e on, just do it!¡±

    ¡°You do it.¡±

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t have the same impact if I did it. You are the only one who can make it work.¡±

    Our bickering caught the manager¡¯s attention, and he looked at us through the rearview mirror.

    As luck would have it, the car had just stopped at a red light. Now would be the perfect time. Goh Yoo-Joon nudged me with an encouraging, yful look.

    Alright, the manager¡¯s mood was down, so a little levity wouldn¡¯t hurt. I braced myself and turned to the manager, saying, ¡°Manager.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    Clearing my throat with an ¡°ahem, hem!¡± I took a deep breath and blurted out. ¡°...Whoa, ma, magic pen-dant!¡±

    Silence followed.

    ¡°Uh, heh, uh...¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon was biting his lip, trying hard not tough.

    ¡®<i>No... you couldugh. Justugh, please. It¡¯s too awkward otherwise.¡¯</i>

    Havingmitted to the act, I cautiously scanned the manager¡¯s expression from the rearview mirror. The manager stared back at me, his eyes wide open in a kind of stunned silence.

    ¡°Ah, sorry about that.¡± I offered an awkward apology, but instead of the usual ¡°it''s okay,¡± there was no response from the manager.

    <i>¡®What¡¯s going on? ... Does it work? Maybe?¡¯</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I tilted our heads to get a better look at the manager. ¡°Manager?¡±

    The manager gripped the steering wheel tightly, his hands shaking a bit. ncing up at the rearview mirror, I finally saw the manager¡¯s lips desperately trying to hold backughter.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, justugh. I feel more embarrassed now.¡±

    ¡°Ah... Hyun-Woo, why did you suddenly do that...¡±

    Well, I heard the manager needed a goodugh.

    ¡°Just trying to lighten the mood.¡±

    And I thought it would be safer while the car stopped, in case he burst intoughter.

    ¡°Pfft, uh, ha, ahem!¡±

    ¡°No, really, justugh out loud.¡±

    Luckily, it seemed the manager''s stifledughter cleared his mind. As the traffic light turned green, the manager resumed driving calmly, but the atmosphere in the car had be noticeably lighter. However, Goh Yoo-Joon still sat against the car window, trying to suppress his giggles.

    <i> </i> *

    The next day, news articles announced Tenten Yeong-Yee¡¯seback with the bad ¡°The Single.¡± The album was alreadyplete, and her entire schedule was set nicely. Our manager told us that her preparation for the live performance of the new song was wless. Now, all that remained was our surprise appearance on Yeong-Yee¡¯s first music variety show and the practice for Tenten¡¯s medley.

    As we warmed up in the practice room, the manager spoke up. ¡°Hyun-Woo, I¡¯ve already discussed your suggestion yesterday with Supervisor Kim. Now, I will try to get Yeong-Yee¡¯s approval.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so? Thank you.¡±

    The manager smiled. ¡°Supervisor Kim actually liked the idea. He said filming our practice sessions behind the scenes would be something fans would enjoy.¡±

    ¡°The key is Yeong-Yee¡¯s opinion though. If she¡¯s not on board, I really hope you can convince her,¡± I said, as I wanted to avoid lip-syncing on music variety shows at all costs.

    With the schedule already set, we couldn¡¯t afford to spoil the performance due to anyst-minute changes from Yeong-Yee.

    ¡°Leave it to me.¡± The manager assured us confidently.

    Yeong-Yee¡¯s professionalism shone the brightest in front of the camera, and we decided to utilize that fact. With her strong pride, it was unlikely she would say ¡°I can''t do the live performance!¡± in front of a camera. It was a bit of a forceful tactic, but it was necessary given our limited preparation time.

    We left the rest in the manager¡¯s hands and continued our practice.

    ¡°Hey, how about we practice with pens in our mouths, like old times?¡±

    ¡°I was actually thinking the same thing.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon handed me a pen, and I ced it horizontally in my mouth. It was an old technique we used to improve our facial expressions. Keeping a pen in my mouth helped rx the muscles around it, leading to more natural expressions.

    We faced each other with pens in our mouths. We had seen each other like this before, but it still seemed funny. As we giggled at each other, the manager, who was watching from behind, quietly covered his mouth. Then, after a while, he suggested, ¡°How about taking a photo of this scene and posting it on the official <i>BlueBird</i> ount?"

    ¡°Huh? This scene?"

    ¡°Yes, Supervisor Kim asked for a little hint of what you guys are doing, and the fans are already curious about your recent activities. Of course, let¡¯s take the pic with a less funny expression than you have now..." said the manager as he handed me his phone.

    ¡°Are you doing this because you find it funny and want to change your background photo again?"

    ¡°...No, not for that."

    ¡°Your response is a bit slow." Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled and turned on the camera. I then carefully positioned myself so only the end of the pen was in my mouth, to not distort my facial expression.

    Chronos @Officialchronos

    (Goh Yoo-Joon, Suh HyunWoo with pens in their mouths - dual shot.jpg)

    We are practicing~ Wonder what we¡¯re practicing?

    #Yoo-Joon #Hyun-Woo

    Comments RT Likes

    The photo we posted quickly garnered a flood of likes within just a minute.

    1. A fusion music genre that blends elements of rhythm and blues, hip-hop, funk, and pop, characterized by its upbeat, danceable rhythms and use of electronic sounds. ?

 Chapter 127: The Singer in the Memories (12)

    <h4>Chapter 127: The Singer in the Memories (12)</h4>

    Chronos @Officialchronos ¡¤ 2 days ago

    (Goh Yoo-Joon, Suh Hyun-Woo with pens in their mouths - dual shot.jpg)

    We are practicing~ Wonder what we are practicing?

    #Yoo-Joon #Hyun-Woo

    Replies 1.1K RT 6.2K Likes 38K

    A rehearsal room selfie featuring Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo popped up, brimming with spoilers. Each of them had a pen in their mouth, their expressions unreadable. Their hair was damp with sweat from practice, and it contrasted well with their pristine skin. Naturally, this post set off a wave of reactions from fans.

    Chronos Comeback When @cljillsi ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    (Suh Hyun-Woo, Goh Yoo-Joon, close-up of lips with pen.jpg)

    OMG...a pen...between the lips?...Really on the lips...?

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 0

    Goh Yoo-Joon Fan ount @UJunasara ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    Finally, the duo shot of the roommates I''ve been yearning for. They are holding not pens but my dream. I will inscribe this on my tombstone when I''m a 120-year-old granny...

    -Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo duo shot, simply legendary-

    Replies 1 RT 0 Likes 0

    ©¸©¸Goh Yoo-Joon Fan ount @UJunasara ¡¤ 8 minutes ago

    Reply to @UJunasara

    Their proximity, totally discarding personal space, the pens held between their lips, their soft skin... what a perfect capture! Their cheeky grin that reminds me of kiddos is another charming point of this picture. Here''s to more iconic duo shots. Love you guys!

    Replies RT 15 Likes 28

    The sudden snapshot on the official Chronos <i>BlueBird</i> ount was an unexpected gift to the fans. Everyone wondered what Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo were up to, especially since both had limited their solo activities, with the exception of Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo song gifted by Kang Joo-Han. The fans were abuzz with guesses.

    Daz @daz_1029 ¡¤ 58 minutes ago

    But are those two cooking up something? Why am I reminded of their recent meet-up with the old Tenten member? They were not with Yoon-Chan, but could it be connected?

    Replies 1 RT 1 Likes 2

    ©¸©¸Blond Prince @sokapa ¡¤ 40 minutes ago

    Reply to @daz_1029

    Whoa...Daz...that''s a sharp observation...It does seem rted...What could they be up to? I''m dying for more clues!

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 1

    Suh Hyun-Woo Serious ount @tewho ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Could it be that Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo were discussing some kind of project? Like when Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung uploaded that cover dance on <i>UTube</i>? The timing is right after Allure''seback.

    Replies 0 RT 1 Likes 3

    While there was much spection, the idea that idols on a break were preparing something was exciting. Fans were reveling in the duo shot of Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon, while the two had just finished nning a perfect stage together with their temporary manager Lee Su-Hwan to match the fans'' expectations.

    ***

    Fortunately, Yeong-Yee agreed to let Chronos''s behind-the-scenes camera film their rehearsal, all thanks to the manager''s persuasion. Despite the usual leniency broadcastpanies showed to stars like Tenten members, our situation was different. We were set to appear on <i>Halo''s Music Bus</i>, a live music talk show that demanded authentic band performances.

    ¡°I will smoothly introduce the idea of a live performance while entering with the behind-the-scenes camera. Continue practicing as you are now."

    ¡°Understood!"

    The manager opened the practice room door with a grave look. Inside, Yeong-Yee was already practicing theeback bad. She slightly nodded in greeting, and we responded with a quiet ny-degree bow. We were careful not to disrupt her practice by moving to a corner.

    Yeong-Yee was wearing heavier makeup than usual and was obviously conscious of our camera.

    - How does it feel to share the stage with such a revered senior in the dance industry?

    With a wide smile, I responded, ¡°To share the stage with a senior I''ve admired in the dance world is nerve-wracking. I''m so nervous I can barely breathe."

    Yeong-Yee briefly met my eyes before returning to practicing her song. My respect for the senior artist and the camera seemed to have inadvertently added some pressure on Yeong-Yee.

    As her song concluded, we seamlessly transitioned into practicing the Tenten medley. Aligned with that, the manager tinkered with aptop and suggested, ¡°Shall we try ying the MR?¡±

    ¡°...What?¡± asked Yeong-Yee.

    The manager smiled, but he looked somewhat sorry to do this. ¡°I reached out to the Halo team and learned that many Tenten fans on the <i>Music Bus</i> forum are eagerly anticipating Yeong-Yee''s live performance. Considering the fans, I think it would be beneficial to give this a try at least once. What are your thoughts on this, ma¡¯am?"

    Junior singers admiring her, the camera capturing every single moment, and fans expecting a live show... On top of that, the manager''s words were indeed rooted in truth.

    ¡°Hmm," Yeong-Yee pondered. She was always professional, yet known to be swayed by public expectations. However, the thought of performing her dance song live was daunting, presenting a challenge that involved battling her fears and revealing her true self in front of the audience.

    After a moment of contemtion, she responded, ¡°Then, shall we start by performing ¡®OH! MY LOVE¡¯ live?"

    ¡°Yes, senior!" I replied.

    Tenten''s mega-hit song, with its bright and joyful choreography, was an ideal choice for a live performance as it was simple enough to be a hit in karaoke rooms.

    ¡°...Ms. Yeong-Yee." The manager looked deeply moved by Yeong-Yee''s bold decision, nodding appreciatively before sitting down.

    ¡°We will skip the first song ¡®Twice the Love,¡¯ and start with ¡®OH! MY LOVE.¡¯ Here''s the MR."

    The lively new jack swing beat started to fill the room. All three of us moved in sync, with hands on our hips and shoulders rolling rhythmically. As we danced, Yeong-Yee''s soulful high notes started flowing from the MR. Goh Yoo-Joon and I started our routine with our brightest, most joyful smiles.

    ¡°YEAH, I Like you! You like me!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon added his English ad-libs. He delivered the line with a slightly retro pronunciation, reminiscent of the old ¡°Yea-I-Like-You¡± trend, which made Yeong-Yee burst outughing amidst her dance.

    <i>You are so smart, and that''s your charm</i>

    <i>Even in sses, you are beautiful</i>

    <i>Wow! My god!</i>

    <i>I wish I were right beside you!</i>?

    As Goh Yoo-Joon finished his part, he yfully kissed the back of Yeong-Yee''s hand and stepped back.

    Then it was my turn toe forward. While Goh Yoo-Joon''s deep voice was perfect for rap, I was responsible for the song''s killing part.

    <i>I always sat by the ssroom window and watched youugh</i>

    <i>You, popr and surrounded by friends, never even nced my way</i>

    <i>Icked confidence</i>

    <i>Couldn''t fathom your feelings</i>

    <i>Sassy you, now please look at me?</i>

    I performed the killing part[1] with all the mischievous charm I had developed in ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. I even raised my voice a tone higher than usual, which seemed to delight Yeong-Yee.

    As the male members'' parts concluded, it was time for the chorus¡ªYeong-Yee''s moment. I retreated to stand beside her. She then restrained her dance moves and started singing with a slightly tense expression.

    <i>It''s the same for me</i>

    <i>You are always surrounded by friends</i>

    <i>But I''m always there, watching you</i>

    <i>But Ick the courage to speak</i>

    <i>I''m waiting, why won''t youe to me</i>

    <i>Just take a chance, tell me you love me</i>?

    She performed so admirably that I wondered why she ever doubted herself. Yeong-Yee seemed surprised by how well the live performance was going, singing with a puzzled look as if wondering, ¡°Why is this working?¡±

    To be honest, I had anticipated this oue. As a former dance singer skilled in bads, she was bound to handle a live performance well, despite any choreographic challenges. As wepleted the medley, we all silently acknowledged, <i>''Hey, this is pretty good.''</i>

    After a moment, Yeong-Yee cautiously suggested, ¡°Shall we also try ¡®Twice the Love?¡¯"

    She seemed enthused by her first foray into live dance performances after nearly forty years since debut, so her suggestion was met with great enthusiasm from us. We nodded excitedly, all smiles.

    ¡°Yes!" we agreed.

    With a look of pride, the manager announced, ¡°We will y ¡®Twice the Love,¡¯ then. Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, remember to focus on harmony as you didst time, and Ms. Yeong-Yee, please be mindful of your joints. If it gets too challenging, feel free to switch to lighter movements."

    ¡°Su-Hwan, you know I''m adept at switching to lighter movements," Yeong-Yee quipped, readying herself.

    The MR for ¡°Twice the Love¡± then started to y. As the opening song of the medley, among Tenten''s medley, it was known for its intense dance routine, unlike ¡°OH! MY LOVE.¡±

    Considering her age, Yeong-Yee opted to wait in the back during the intro, leaving the acrobatic choreography to Goh Yoo-Joon and me. Although the dance routine wasn¡¯t particrly difficult, it involved so many leg movements that it felt more like an exercise disguised as a dance, resulting in extreme physical exertion. The highlight of this song¡¯s choreography was the backflip by the male members.

    I did the backflip as I was lighter than Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Wow!¡±

    ¡°Dang, well done!¡±

    As I performed the backflip sessfully, Yeong-Yee and Goh Yoo-Joon showered me with praises, visibly impressed. I then retreated to my position, feeling a pleasant sense of aplishment slowly rising within me.

    <i>Heyaomma Heyya Um</i>

    <i>Aiyawumma Aiyaa Um</i>

    <i>Haiyawumma Ai Um</i>?

    The song started with peculiar chants. The charm of this songy in the first verse, where Yeong-Yee awkwardly danced a robotic movement while singing. Unlike ¡°OH! MY LOVE,¡± this song required dancing and singing simultaneously. I wondered if Yeong-Yee would be alright with this, so I looked at her with a hint of concern.

    But then...

    <i>I realized the moment I saw you</i>

    <i>You and I are deeply entwined by fate</i>?

    Perhaps thanks to the good vibes from the song we had done earlier, Yeong-Yee¡¯s voice and expression were filled with confidence, a stark contrast to her previous worried expression.

    1. A part of choreography, song, music video, or performance that is considered the best. ?

 Chapter 128: The Singer in the Memories (13)

    <h4>Chapter 128: The Singer in the Memories (13)</h4>

    While Yoo-Joon and I were busy preparing a special stage with Yeong-Yee, the episode of <i>Flying Man</i> featuring us aired. However, we were too engrossed in practice that we didn''t get to watch it.

    Nevertheless, I heard that regardless of its cheerful edit, the broadcast sparked controversy. People were debating if the episode was shot before our live stage or not. Astute fans noticed details like our hairstyles and demeanor, leading them to realize that it was filmed before the live performance, which caused quite a stir at YMM.

    This was particrly troublesome for Supervisor Kim and our former manager, In-Hyun, who were already grappling with the prolonged controversy of Sae-Yeon¡¯s fainting incident. Eventually, he resigned, unable to even manage the trainees. Before my return to this time, he was expected to continue as manager until the contract renewal. However, my return dramatically altered the dynamics and environment within our team.

    Today, with a Tenten medley practice scheduled forte afternoon, I woke upte and was lounging in bed ying with my phone.

    ¡°Hey, is that funny? You always seem to find unique stuff,¡± asked Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°What''s so unique about this? It¡¯s just nostalgically charming. Quite entertaining actually.¡±

    ¡°Hm, I should watch itter then.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon replied, absorbed in a game on hisptop.

    I stumbled upon an old variety show showcasing the group Tenten during their prime. While searching for Tenten stage videos, I came across it and was instantly hooked by its unexpectedly enjoyable content.

    ¡°After you finish watching that, join me for a game.¡±

    ¡°No, I''ve had enough water balloon games. I will wait for a shooting game with Goh Yoo-Joon until he buys me aputer.¡±

    Hearing that, Goh Yoo-Joon sharply turned and red at me. ¡°Why would I buy you aputer?''¡±

    ¡°You will get paid for writing lyrics for ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯ soon,¡± I pointed out.

    ¡°Even if I buy one, I will be the one ying,¡± he retorted.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, you haven¡¯t deposited this month¡¯s friend fee yet.¡±

    When we were teasing each other and giggling, we heard a loud noise.

    ¡°Aaack!¡±

    <i>Bang! Crash!</i>

    ¡°...Huh?¡± Both Goh Yoo-Joon and I reflexively turned our heads toward the door.

    ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°''I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Someone must have finally lost it,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said. Instantly, Joo-Han came to my mind. They said geniuses had their moments of madness.

    We stared at the door with the seriousness of people witnessing a zombie horde at a subway turnstile.

    ¡°Hyung...¡± After a while, the door to our room opened, and there was Yoon-Chan, tearfully peeking in.

    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong with Joo-Han hyung...¡±

    ¡°What happened this time?¡±

    Yoon-Chan shook his head and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know because he hasn¡¯t left his room. But... did you hear that loud noise just now?¡± Yoon-Chan then opened the door wider, signaling us toe out. We reluctantly got up and walked toward Joo-Han¡¯s room.

    ¡°But he is working... Should we really just barge in?¡±

    ¡°Right? Joo-Han can be sensitive,¡± we muttered.

    Goh Yoo-Joon scanned the dorm. ¡°Where is Jin-Sung? This is when we send in the youngest.¡±

    ¡®<i>What a bastard.¡¯</i>

    ¡°...Jin-Sung is still sleeping,¡± answered Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Shame on you, Goh Yoo-Joon... using the younger ones as baits...¡±

    Yoon-Chan and I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon with disdain. Feeling our stares, he got embarrassed and shrugged. He then reached for the doorknob and said, ¡°Then I will open it. I''m used to Joo-Han¡¯s scolding, so it¡¯s fine.¡±

    As Goh Yoo-Joon casually turned the doorknob, we heard a voice. ¡°...Is that Hyun-Woo outside? Wait, Hyun-Woo!¡±

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>!¡± Suddenly, the door opened, revealing the emerging Joo-Han. Goh Yoo-Joon was holding the doorknob, so he got pulled into the room.

    ¡°Hyung, what¡¯s going on... you are a mess.¡±

    ¡°Ah, my arm hurts. You scared me.¡±

    ¡°Are you okay, Joo-Han?¡±

    It was hard to recognize Joo-Han in this disheveled state. While it was normal for him to wear sses during work, his unkempt hair, dry skin, and cracked lips were entirely out of character. This wasn''t the Joo-Han I knew. However, he quickly brushed off our concerns and pulled me back into his room upon making eye contact with me. The door then closed behind us.

    ¡°Huh? What?¡±

    <i>¡®Why am I in this Drac-like room without a single ray of sunlight?''</i> I stood there, momentarily dazed. After that, I cautiously and quickly opened the tightly shut ckout curtains.

    ¡°Aaack!¡± Joo-Han winced in pain

    ¡®<i>Get the heck out, evil spirits.¡¯</i>

    <i>Knock, knock.</i>

    In the midst of this, the other members cautiously knocked on the door as they were concerned about Joo-Han and me.

    ¡°Hyung, are you okay?"

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung, can wee in?"

    ¡°No, stay back. It¡¯s dangerous here," I replied. After dismissing them, I took a seat on Joo-Han''s bed.

    ¡°Hyung, why? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    After calming down, Joo-Han sat in his chair and let out a deep sigh. He then said, ¡°It¡¯s about the title track for theeback."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Producer Do gave me a few sources and instructed me to create something that fits the concept, even if it''s a bit rough."

    ¡°That sounds like a great opportunity. Isn''t it good?"

    Joo-Han shook his head and answered, ¡°I can''t figure out how the concept ''the first day of school'' should sound like."

    Previously, he hadposed whatever came to mind, but now there was a specific framework to adhere to. The constraint of a concept proved to be a significant source of stress for Joo-Han, who was ustomed toposing freely.

    ¡°It¡¯s meant for the school admission season, and I¡¯m thinking ofbining ''admission'' with ''spring''. But all I end up with are sweet and heart-fluttering songs, which just don''t fit our image. What should I do? Is this my limit?" Joo-Han seemed deeply troubled.

    During my immersion in Tenten''s practice, Joo-Han must have been struggling a lot psychologically, to the extent that he needed to share his worries with me.

    ¡°No, maybe it''s because you¡¯re focusing too much on spring. Let''s brainstorm together."

    ¡°Okay.... Listen to what I''ve made." Joo-Han turned to y the track he had been working on. It was a song in its stages. Joo-Han''sposition style was so distinct that I could immediately tell that it was his work.

    It was a sweet, rxed, and emotionally charged song. Even though it was a hip-hop track with a strong hook from the intro, it seemed tock space for our signature group dance as in ¡°Blue Room Party.¡±

    ¡°It''s good, but it definitely doesn¡¯t feel like a title track."

    ¡°Right? You think so too? Should I just give up? Maybe I was better off giving up. I''m still not there yet."

    ¡°Calm down. Does it have a love theme? It¡¯s very sweet."

    ¡°Yes, ''admission'' and ''first love''. ''First love'' is actually an extra keyword added by Producer Do," answered Joo-Han. Producer Do was probably aiming for a cheerful atmosphere.

    I thought for a moment and then said, ¡°In my view, ''admission'' and ''first love'' evoke feelings of excitement. A dance that captures that excitement might be good."

    As I fiddled with my phone to look for something, I asked, ¡°Hyung, are you familiar with the tropical house genre?"

    ¡°...Of course, tropical house. Hmm." Joo-Han yed a tropical house-style song he had. ¡°Are you talking about this one? I haven¡¯t used this beat before."

    While listening to the music, I said, ¡°Hyung, do you know about the beauty thates from imbnce?"

    ¡°What?"

    The term ¡°Tropical¡± evoked thoughts of summer, with its marimbas, lively rhythms, and invigorating synth sounds. While theeback was scheduled for spring, there was no genre quite like the tropical house for evoking emotions.

    Additionally, this genre was beginning to gain traction in Korea, presenting an opportune moment to lead the trend. Typically, songwriters didn''t lean toward using the tropical house genre for spring releases. After all, the mood of a song could vary greatly depending on how a genre was incorporated.

    "It''s a genre I personally enjoy. How about giving this approach a try?" With no prior experience in musicposition software, I conveyed my idea to Joo-Han using the genre as a reference to describe the vibe I envisioned. I exined that for the song''s beginning, I liked yful cuteness with synth sounds, gradually building up to a faster beat for a funky climax.

    Since Joo-Han''s initialposition was distinctly spring-themed, I suggested that simply adding a touch of excitement with a genre shift could evoke a fresh image of youth either starting school or graduating. It would also make choreographing a more challenging dance routine easier.

    Initially, Joo-Han seemed a bit lost, but after he experimented with various sources and listened to reference tracks, his eyes sparkled with renewed energy. ¡°The beauty of imbnce. I will remember that. Did youe up with it? Thanks."

    ¡°No, it¡¯s a phrase from aposer I admire. He said there¡¯s no need to stick to genres based on the season."

    ¡°Whoever thatposer is, they must be a genius. Thank you."

    ¡°You¡¯re wee." I patted Joo-Han''s back. He then waved his hand without taking his eyes off the monitor.

    The beauty of imbnce... That was something Joo-Han himself would start saying four years from now. It seemed I had unintentionally stolen his phrase.

    Listening to the song Joo-Han had temporarily inserted earlier, it looked like this album was going to be bright and fun.

    When I stepped out of Joo-Han¡¯s room, someone greeted me.

    ¡°Ah, Hyun-Woo. Is Yoo-Joon awake? We need to go and fit the costumes for the Tenten guest members,¡± asked the manager.

    ¡°Oh, gosh. When did you arrive, Manager? Yoo-Joon should be in his room ying games.¡±

    The manager was organizing the groceries in the fridge. Seeing this, I immediately took the bag from the manager''s hand and started arranging things in the fridge as well. Manager Su-Hwan tended to buy ingredients instead of instant meals, so these days we often cooked at home.

    ¡°Thank you."

    ¡°No problem."

    ¡°Ah, also, I sent a message to Chronos''s shared phone, but Joo-Han hasn¡¯t checked it yet." The manager pointed to the living room. ¡°I''ve ced individual profiles and Q&A sheets on the living room table. They are for the first fan club package. Please have them filled out by tomorrow."

    ¡°Ah, theunch of the fan club. Got it."

    ¡°The recruitment will be around the end of the year. I will bring Yoo-Joon, so please finish up with the fridge please."

    ¡°Okay."

    The manager smiled and went to get Yoo-Joon. Thanks to Yeong-Yee''s enthusiasm, the practice was going well, and now the special stage was just around the corner, only about a week left.

    After I uploaded a selfie, the schedule for <i>Halo¡¯s Music Bus </i>was posted on the Chronos website, generating some anticipation among the fans. I was also eagerly anticipating their reactions as the medley approachedpletion.

 Chapter 129: The Singer in the Memories (14)

    <h4>Chapter 129: The Singer in the Memories (14)</h4>

    It was the day before <i>Halo¡¯s Music Bus</i> shooting. As expected, we were swamped with work, leading up to the year''s end, and we barely had time to take care of ourselves.

    Gathering in the conference room after a long while, we all looked fatigued. In a heavy silence, everyone either flipped through their notebooks or let out deep sighs. It was clear that we were facing tough days ahead but felt fortunate for the amount of work we received.

    ¡°Firstly, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, make sure to smoothly handle tomorrow''s schedule."

    Of course, the most worn out among us was Supervisor Kim. With the aftereffects of the <i>Flying Man</i>¡¯s<i> </i>broadcast, end-of-year preparations,eback preparations, and theunch of the fan club, Supervisor Kim looked as though he needed five bodies to manage everything.

    ¡°If the reaction to the Tenten performance tomorrow is positive, we will n additional schedules. This is a rare opportunity for rookies, so make sure to make a strong impression."

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°And how''s the songing along, Producer Do?"

    Hearing Supervisor Kim''s weary voice, Producer Do nodded affirmatively. ¡°I will let you all hear it once it''splete. Joo-Han has found his rhythm."

    Then Joo-Han chimed in, ¡°Hyun-Woo has been a big help."

    Smiling slightly, he then hesitated a bit and added, ¡°Well, um, I actually have a suggestion rted to this."

    ¡°A suggestion? What is it?"

    ¡°Considering Hyun-Woo has many excellent ideas... I was thinking why not add him to theposers'' list and involve him fully."

    "Me?" I asked, startled, and Joo-Han nodded firmly. He seemed to have been mulling over this suggestion even before entering the meeting room, his face etched with seriousness.

    Producer Do nced over at me and asked, ¡°Will Hyun-Woo''s schedule allow for this?"

    ¡°Putting in the same amount of work as of now is fine. Even having him share what kind of vibe he prefers would be beneficial for the song creation."

    At that moment, I felt the enormity of the uing schedule looming under Producer Do and Joo-Han¡¯s gaze, but I still nodded in agreement. ¡°Sure, I am down.¡±

    Seeing my name on theposers'' list was something I had been eager to experience, and this busy period presented a perfect opportunity for me to dive into the deep end.

    Supervisor Kim observed our exchange and then made a note in his notebook. ¡°Let us know once it¡¯splete. Also, Su-Hwan, please update us on any contacts regarding the year-end stage."

    The manager immediately flipped open his notebook and responded, ¡°We¡¯ve received all proposals for the year-end stage as of yesterday. UNET proposed a coboration with the participants of <i>Pick We Up</i>. Since it was part of the contract during the program, I¡¯ve scheduled a meeting."

    Furthermore, there were ns for coborative dance stages featuring Lee Jin-Sung with other groups, myself with other groups, and a vocal stage showcasing artists like me and Goh Yoo-Joon, who wereing of age next year.

    Preparing for stages proposed by various award ceremonies, while also giving extra effort to Chronos''s unique stage, would certainly be exhausting. This applied to other artists as well, not just us.

    The recent silence in Team D¡¯s group chat was likely due to this reason.

    ¡°...The schedule is packed, but Su-Hwan, you are adept at managing schedules, so please pay attention to the kids'' conditions as well. It''s going to be tough on you, Su-Hwan."

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°And how is the fan club inauguration progressing?"

    At Supervisor Kim''s question, the nning team started bustling. ¡°We''ve gathered the profiles and Q&As from the members. Also, I have a suggestion. We are nning to drop hints rted to the Chronos universe with thiseback."

    The nning team leader handed out copies of a document to everyone.

    ¡°...Napolitan Ghost Story?"

    ¡°Our Chronos team¡¯s story writer provided this. It''s foundational to the universe''s narrative, but we are debating whether to include it in the fan club package or this album. Either way, it''s bound to spread on social media, and we are aiming for that."

    Listening to the nning team leader, Supervisor Kim pondered over the ghost story-filled paper and then decided, ¡°Include it in the album and just post it on the <i>BlueBird</i> official site before its release. It will also serve as a teaser for the music video."

    Today, the conversation rapidly shifted from one topic to another as usual, with decisions being made quickly. Joo-Han seemed ustomed to participating in the meetings, and I quietly read through the ghost story, finding no moment to interject.

    ¡°But Hyung."

    ¡°Yeah?"

    ¡°What exactly is our universe about?"

    Hearing Jin-Sung''s question, I shook my head. ¡°I have no idea."

    Ever since the ghost story was introduced, understanding the universe and music video story became quite perplexing. Up until "Parade," it was a narrative of reality and fantasy worlds. So, why suddenly introduce a ghost story?

    Moreover, the song itself had a bright and energetic vibe. While I understood that the ghost story was set in a school, aligning with the admission concept, I couldn''t help but wonder about the rationale behind its inclusion.

    ¡°Why is this ghost story called ''Napolitan'' in the first ce?" I asked, to which Yoon-Chan replied quietly, ¡°I will search what ''Napolitan Ghost Story'' is about and tell you once we''re back at the dorm.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    As we whispered amongst ourselves, Supervisor Kim finished discussing with the nning team and wrapped up the meeting. ¡°Let¡¯s keep up the work this week as well.¡±

    With Yeong-Yee and Allure¡¯seback, Chronos¡¯s fan clubunch,eback preparations, and the year-end award ceremonies, YMM was in the midst of its busiest days.

    ***

    We were at Chronos''s practice room in the evening.

    ¡°It¡¯s perfect!¡± While Yoo-Joon and I savored the lunchboxes Yeong-Yee had thoughtfully prepared, she enthusiastically reviewed our dance video and couldn''t help but praise us.

    ¡°Both your expressions and choreography have improved remarkably in just a few days.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m truly proud of our agency¡¯s talents. It¡¯s astonishing how this small agency managed to find such gifted kiddos, and not one of them iscking in looks either!¡±

    It was evident that Yeong-Yee was genuinely fond of us. After wiping off the sweat from her face with a towel, she sat across from us.

    Yoo-Joon and I, who were in the midst of enjoying the rice balls, instinctively paused and observed Yeong-Yee. She then noticed our hesitation and pushed the lunchbox closer with a warm smile. ¡°Is it tasty? Don¡¯t hold back, eat up.¡±

    It seemed that she recognized and appreciated our diligence. Despite her charismatic and sometimes intimidating demeanor, there was warmth in her.

    ¡°We are really grateful for all the care you¡¯ve shown us, not just with these lunch boxes but everything,¡± I expressed gratefully.

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. It¡¯s heartwarming to see young ones working so hard, and that makes me want to look after them.¡±

    We had to seem like children to her as we were younger than her son and just slightly older than her grandchild. Yeong-Yee spoke in a soft tone while looking at us. ¡°You need to take good care of yourselves now. Make sure to eat properly, and don¡¯t hesitate to say if the schedule gets too taxing. Don¡¯t just endure it in silence. Manager Su-Hwan isn¡¯t one to overwork people, but still.¡±

    ¡°Sure thing.¡± I pondered the reason behind Yeong-Yee¡¯splex expression with her eyelids drooping slightly.

    ¡°...I envy your talent, truly.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡±

    ¡°Never mind. Just enjoy your meal. I need to call Ro-Ah now. I didn¡¯t want to interrupt our practice session, so I have been avoiding that until now.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°Gosh, I¡¯m exhausted.¡± Yeong-Yee stood up, massaging her shoulders, and then left the room.

    Yoo-Joon and I exchanged a wordless nce.

    ¡°...Let¡¯s eat and then practice a bit more.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good.¡±

    We decided not to dwell on Yeong-Yee¡¯s unusual mood from earlier. It wasn¡¯t something we needed to concern ourselves with. Yeong-Yee, who had initially left to make a quick call, ended up concluding the day''s practice. Our practice was already wless, and any more rounds of practice would just wear us down. Hence, after a few more run-throughs, we returned to our dorm.

    ***

    The next day was the long-awaited day to present the Tenten medley, which we had practiced in secret while hinting to our fans about it. I wore a brown beret exuding a cool autumn feel, paired with an oversized white t-shirt and a knit vest. Though slightly adapted to fit modern times, the outfit carried an unmistakable 80s and 90s vibe.

    While I dressedfortably, Yoo-Joon daringly exposed his arms, wearing a tank top vest reminiscent of the 80s era. It was a bit startling at the beginning, but Yoo-Joon''s muscr arms were sure to look better on camera.

    ¡°Wow, noona. With dreadlocks, this would be straight out of the original 90s, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Yoo-Joon. You look just fine.¡±

    Yoo-Joon crossed his arms, evidently not too pleased with his revealing outfit. ¡°I¡¯d rather have something cute like Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s.¡±

    Yoo-Joon kept grumbling in front of the behind-the-scenes camera, while I slipped on a silver bracelet and neatly tucked my stray hairs under the beret.

    ¡°Kids! Wow, you¡¯vepletely taken us back to the good old days! Though your outfits are more refined than what they wore back then,¡± said Yeong-Yee as she entered the dressing room. She was also dressed in bright, era-appropriate attire.

    We took photos with Yeong-Yee and greeted Senior Halo, who hade to visit our waiting room. ¡°Oh, Chronos. I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on you guystely.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Senior!¡±

    ¡°I even listened to Reina¡¯s radio show. Everyone sings really well.¡±

    Halo was the guitarist from the 70s band, Cosmos. Although he no longer actively pursued music, he was more renowned as a music critic in contemporary times.

    After a brief exchange with us, Halo left the waiting room to chat with Yeong-Yee.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon, let¡¯s go through the choreography one more time.¡± Following the manager''s suggestion, the staff made space for us to practice.

    ¡°As Supervisor Kim mentioned, this is one of the few golden opportunities for rookie idols to showcase themselves, especially for those from smaller agencies. Please give your best.¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡±

    After spending minutes that felt like hours in continuous practice, Yeong-Yee entered the waiting room. Soon after, a staff member came in to announce the start of the recording. ¡°Chronos, please wait in the waiting room. Ms. Yeong-Yee, you will head backstage.¡±

    It was a moment filled with both excitement and nervousness.

 Chapter 130: The Singer in the Memories (15)

    <h4>Chapter 130: The Singer in the Memories (15)</h4>

    From the author: In this episode, there are many elements (such as lyrics, etc) that take up space in addition to the story, so I have increased the amount of content ordingly. Please enjoy it!

    - It has been quite a while since Tenten disappeared from the stage, but I''m so grateful that you haven''t forgotten us and continue listening to our music!

    - Oh, you are so wee. How could I ever forget Tenten? Tenten is an eternal legend that touches my nostalgic emotions.

    On the screen, Yeong-Yee blushed with shyness and expressed her gratitude. Her public image was charismatic yet polite,pletely opposite to when she was fully against having live performances. This portrayal remained consistent until the near future, serving as the image of Yeong-Yee presented to the public before her official appearance on variety shows.

    ¡°Honestly, this is my first time watching this broadcast, and it¡¯s more fun than I thought,¡±mented Goh Yoo-Joon.

    I replied, ¡°Try watching it. It''s an interesting show with a number of artists from different fields.¡±

    It was a talk show formatted simrly to a cultural broadcast, with subtle humor woven throughout. Frankly, it wasn''t the type of show that young people typically tuned into. Although idols sometimes made appearances there, the guests were usually people like Yeong-Yee, indie bands, or foreign DJs, so the average viewership was quite low.

    However, the discussions were informative, and the host''s sharp sense of humor made the show quite enjoyable.

    - Finally! The time hase. With Yeong-Yee¡¯s new song ¡®The Single,¡¯ and for this time only, we will listen to a medley of Tenten''s hit songs.

    The audience gasped at the host Halo¡¯s words. Yeong-Yee smiled broadly as if she had anticipated such a reaction.

    - I was surprised during the pre-interview. This episode of <i>Halo¡¯s Music Bus </i>turns out to be the first time Yeong-Yee performs Tenten''s songs live.

    - Yes, that''s right. It''s embarrassing but true. Back then, live performances weren¡¯tmon. So, even though it¡¯s Tenten¡¯s song, I still feel nervous and excited to perform it, almost like I am a rookie singer.

    - I''m really looking forward to it. Shall we listen? ¡®The Single¡¯ and Tenten''s hit song medley!

    With this cue, Halo and his band started ying Yeong-Yee¡¯s new song ¡®The Single,¡¯ and he moved to the back of the stage with his chair. Yeong-Yee then sang her song while sitting.

    ¡°Chronos folks, please move now!¡± At the same time, we also headed backstage.

    While the staff approached us with microphones, I looked at the stage with a thoughtful expression. The atmosphere felt somewhat unfamiliar, with a luxurious hall more suited for an orchestra performance and a live band positioned in front of us. The audience demographic was also unlike anything I had seen at Chronos''s stages before.

    The schedule had been deliberately releasedte to keep it a secret, resulting in the absence of Chronos fans in the studio. Instead, the majority of the audience consisted of middle-aged people who didn¡¯t know us. Naturally, this contributed to my feelings of nervousness.

    I only watched Yeong-Yee sing, my mouth slightly agape in awe. As "The Single" came to a close, Yeong-Yee, fully immersed in emotion, delivered the final verse with her characteristic charismatic smile. Then, the Tenten medley started with the first song, "Twice the Love."

    <i>Heya omma Heyya Um</i>

    <i>Aiya wumma Aiyaa Um</i>

    <i>Haiya wumma Ai Um?</i>

    As the familiar music started, the audience buzzed with anticipation. Yeong-Yee then stood up from her chair, and the staff quickly set up some props for the Tenten medley stage.

    ¡°Chronos, onto the stage!¡±

    The curtain opened, and as soon as the intro of ¡°Twice the Love¡± ended, we ran onto the stage.

    ¡°Uh-oh?¡±

    ¡°Wow!¡±

    As expected, the cheers weren¡¯t like those at a usual Chronos stage, but it seemed that quite a few people recognized us. Surprised voices rang out, followed by calm cheers and apuse.

    Following Yeong-Yee''s instructions, we started showcasing a dance filled with affectation. We extended and swayed our arms from left to right while nodding our heads to the techno beat. The audience started to enjoy the song as they recognized the familiar dance moves.

    As the intro¡¯s dance part ended, Yoo-Joon and I opened a path for Yeong-Yee, each of us getting on one knee. Yeong-Yee then walked out between us, doing the robotic dance with the dancers. Her awkward robotic dance was a trademark of this song. Though her movements were not exactly like the old days, when the audience saw this, their cheers reached the peak.

    <i>I realized the moment I saw you</i>

    <i>You and I are deeply entwined by fate</i>?

    Yeong-Yee''s part continued for a long while, so we retreated to the back, syncing up with the dancers. Her long part, followed by Yoo-Joon''s rap, was the biggest challenge in the medley, more strenuous than any workout.

    <i>From the day we parted, I waited for the day we''d meet again</i>

    <i>If we meet again, it''s inevitable</i>

    <i>We met again</i>

    <i>In fact, I already knew</i>

    <i>It''s fate</i>?

    We did a big jump kick, followed by a rocking dance[1]. We were already out of breath from using so much energy. Seriously, if we kept doing this, our joints would instantly wear out.

    After Yeong-Yee finished her part, she gracefully moved to the back, giving space to the dancers. After that, Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been mirroring my moves, took center stage and started his rap with a ir.

    <i>I felt deep down we¡¯d cross paths again</i>

    <i>Though we parted, being apart a month seemed too long</i>

    <i>And just as I thought, you came back into view</i>

    <i>We are destined to fall in love once again</i>?

    With a mischievous look, Yoo-Joon wrapped up his rap and smoothly stepped back. Taking the lead, I confidently advanced, apanied by the dancers who followed my lead.

    <i>I know it''s all my fault,</i>

    <i>I might have angered you, but</i>

    <i>We both know we can''t really part,</i>

    <i>Forgive me, let''s begin fresh new</i>

    <i>I love you</i>?

    My face filled the screen in a close-up as I sang "I love you" with soulful emotion. I then effortlessly locked eyes with the camera before shyly ncing away. As the lights shifted, signaling the start of the next track, "OH! MY LOVE," I prepared to transition seamlessly into the next part of the performance.

    <i>YEAH! (YEAH)</i>?

    The "Yeah" reverberated with the intro, filling the stage with its echoing resonance. Still in the spotlight, my expression transformed into a wide smile. Locking eyes with the camera once more, I conveyed a sense of joy before gracefully retreating from the spotlight.

    <i>YEAH I Like you! You like me!</i>?

    Yoo-Joonunched into his rap with an exaggerated style that captivated the audience. They swayed joyfully and echoed the lyrics, clearly familiar with Tenten''s hit. Following Yeong-Yee''s instructions, I maintained a blissful demeanor, exaggerating my moves for added charm.

    Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the stage, Yeong-Yee appeared to relive her past joy as she danced energetically. Eventually, she joined Yoo-Joon, gently cing her hand on his shoulder as they continued to perform.

    <i>You are so smart, and that''s your charm</i>

    <i>Even in sses, you are beautiful</i>?

    As Yeong-Yee serenaded Yoo-Joon, he reacted with a yful and surprised expression.

    <i>Wow! My god!</i>?

    At Yoo-Joon''s enthusiastic ad-lib, Yeong-Yeeughed and offered her hand, maintaining the song''s yful and adorable essence.

    <i>I wish I were right beside you!</i>?

    Yoo-Joon feigned a kiss on Yeong-Yee''s hand and quickly moved with her to the right. Meanwhile, I confidently ced my hands on my hips, alternately shrugged my shoulders, and smoothly advanced to the center of the stage. As I made my way forward, the audience''s cheers seemed to intensify, likely because my part had been a crowd favorite.

    <i>I always sat by the ssroom window and watched youugh</i>

    <i>You, popr and surrounded by friends, never even nced my way</i>

    <i>Icked confidence</i>

    <i>Couldn''t fathom your feelings</i>

    <i>Sassy you, now please look at me</i>?

    As my part concluded, the song seamlessly transitioned to the final track, ¡°You in Azure Sea.¡± I swiftly moved aside, avoiding making eye contact with the camera. With the refreshing sound of waves, the unique intro of the city pop song started, and Yeong-Yee stepped forward while swaying with ease.

    <i>Blue waves with their frothyce receding</i>

    <i>A gentle breeze and your presence, my guiding light,</i>

    <i>We will never have such a splendid day again</i>?

    The lyrics were only written in Korean. Though the song¡¯s yful yet mncholic vibe felt slightly at odds with Yeong-Yee¡¯s charismatic persona, this song had captivated the hearts of many at the time, briefly transforming her image into a more innocent one.

    <i>Barefoot, hand in hand with you,</i>

    <i>Feeling the ocean''s chill together,</i>

    <i>This memory in watercolor hues will forever be cherished</i>?

    Though it was a Tenten-era song, it was almost like a solo for Yeong-Yee. Thetter half of the second verse did belong to the male members, but we didn¡¯t get to that part today. We simply focused on engaging the cameras as the song concluded.

    ¡°Kyaaah!"

    ¡°Wow!"

    I knew Tenten was legendary, a household name for the older generation, but the audience''s response exceeded my expectations. Their standing ovation and the nostalgic expressions on their faces said it all.

    Thankfully, we seemed to have done justice to Tenten''s songs, preserving their cherished memories.

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°Thank you."

    We courteously bowed several times, showing our appreciation. Shortly after, chairs were brought onto the stage, and Halo returned with an expression simr to that of the audience.

    - Wow! What an incredible performance! A big thank you to Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo from the rookie group Chronos, who joined us as special members to perform Tenten¡¯s song! Let''s give them a big round of apuse!

    The staff handed us handheld microphones. Today, it was Goh Yoo-Joon who led the greeting slogan for Chronos.

    ¡°On the count of three! One, two, three! Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to meet you all!"

    Still basking in the afterglow of the Tenten performance, the audience warmly apuded us.

    - Wee. Chronos is a group enjoying immense poprity recently, so we can''t just let you leave like this. Please have a seat and let''s have a chat.

    ¡°Oh, it''s truly an honor."

    ¡°Thank you for inviting us."

    We sat down on the provided chairs, still catching our breath from the arduous performance.

    - So, how does it feel to have shared the stage with such an esteemed senior?

    I picked up the microphone to answer. ¡°We are fortunate to be in the same agency, which gave us the incredible opportunity to perform alongside a senior artist whom we''ve always admired as fellow singers. It was absolutely exhrating to share the stage with her.¡±

    With a heartyugh, Yeong-Yee responded, ¡°Oh, the honor is mine. How often do I get to share the stage with such good-looking, talented, and popr juniors like Chronos?"

    The conversation flowed smoothly as we exchanged warm-hearted stories about Yeong-Yee and various interesting anecdotes. Despite our limited time together, we managed to have some memorable stories, which was evident from Halo''s content expression.

    - By the way, there was this photo that recently caused quite a stir.

    ¡°A photo?"

    Halo pulled out arge photo from beneath his chair.

    ¡°Oh."

    ¡°Ah!"

    Yoo-Joon, still trying to catch his breath, couldn''t help butugh and covered his mouth with his microphone. The photo captured us walking in a marketce with our hair tied up in apple-style buns. My expression while holding Ro-Ah''s hand, with a look of sheer resignation, was quite a sight.

    While I was still absorbed in the photo, Halo asked a question.

    - This photo became quite popr on social media, did you know?

    ¡°Yes, our fans shared it a lot," Yoo-Joon answered.

    - Can you exin what''s happening in this photo? It''s very cute, but there seems to be a story behind it.

    ¡°Oh, my granddaughter...¡± Yeong-Yee pointed at the photo and smiled softly.

    Yoo-Joon was stillughing, so I patted his back and replied, ¡°It was our first meet-up with Senior Yeong-Yee. Her granddaughter insisted on tying our hair and told us not to untie it."

    ¡°Ah, I felt so bad. My granddaughter was very stubborn. That''s why, out of guilt, I started bringing lunch boxes for our Chronos juniors."

    ¡°We really enjoyed them. Thank you, senior."

    ¡°Thank you, senior! It was somewhat embarrassing to walk around with our hair like that, but seeing how much the fans loved the photos, I''vee to feel okay about it," Yoo-Joon added as he yed with his hair.

    Halo turned the photo around for a better view and then showed it to the audience.

    - Aren''t they adorable? Chronos is known among their fans for being cute and fun offstage yet so charismatic on stage. Now, let¡¯s move on to some questions for Chronos.

    Halo flipped his cue card.

    - I am diving directly into the main question. When is Chronos nning their nexteback?

    It seemed like the interview was nearing its end. Having prepared his response, Yoo-Joon answered, ¡°We don¡¯t have a set schedule yet. As we are carefully preparing to do our best, it might be around early next year. Haha.¡±

    - Oh, that''s pretty soon! With the year-end award showsing up, we will continue to see Chronos on screen.

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°We will put our best efforts into it!"

    After discussing theeback, the nned interview segment concluded. Just when I rxed, thinking it was over, Halo set aside his cue card and turned to me.

    - This isn¡¯t a prearranged question, but something I¡¯ve been curious about.

    ¡°Yes?"

    - I listen to a variety of music as a music critic, and recently, Hyun-Woo, you released a solo song, right?

    ¡°Ah! Yes!"

    - I''ve been really enjoying it. It''sposed by Chronos¡¯s leader, Joo-Han, written by Hyun-Woo, and featured Kim Jin-Wook who also appeared on <i>Pick We Up</i>. The quality of the song is incredible for neers.

    ¡°Thank you. That means a loting from you."

    - When I first heard it, I was amazed by the quality... And you released it for free?

    ¡°Yes, we did."

    - Is there a particr reason you released it for free?

    ¡°Umm...¡± I pondered for a moment before responding. ¡°This song was a gift from our leader, Joo-Han hyung. I poured my heart into the lyrics, finding sce within them. Since I view it as a deeply personal song, I questioned whether it was appropriate to include it in the album.¡±

    - Hyun-Woo, you said it¡¯s a song for yourself, but in truth, many people have foundfort in it. I hope everyone listens to ¡®Once Again.¡¯

    From the backstage, the staff signaled for us to wrap up the interview. Halo then picked up the cue cards he had set aside.

    - I really love the song, so I hope you can perform it live here with Kim Jin-Wook who¡¯s featured in it. You two are close, aren''t you?

    <i>¡®...Well, this is a bit...¡¯</i>

    <i>Sigh.</i>

    I mustered up a smile and replied, ¡°We are indeed close! If you invite us, we will definitelye!"

    - Great! We will be waiting. Thank you, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon, for being here today. Hopefully, next time, we can host the entire group of Chronos. Thank you!

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°Enjoy the rest of your day!" We then politely bowed and exited the stage.

    When we saw our manager, he said, ¡°The audience¡¯s reaction today was fantastic. There might be additional schedulesing up. Great job, everyone."

    After drinking the water provided by our manager, we handed the microphones back to the staff. That marked the end of our first Tenten schedule. However, our day was far from over.

    ¡°Where are we going now?" I asked.

    ¡°The practice room," the manager replied. The choreography video for the year-end joint stage had arrived, so we had to focus on practicing for the year-end performances.

    ¡ù Side story

    [Profile (Suh Hyun-Woo Edition)]

    Name/Age: Suh Hyun-Woo/19

    Birthday: October 29

    Height: 185cm

    Blood Type: AB

    1. In Chronos, I''m responsible for bncing Goh Yoo-Joon''s yfulness and seriousness.

    2. What am I currently interested in? Understanding our new manager''s lifestyle.

    3. Favorite/Least favorite food: Korean food (nurungji soup[2] and steamed eggs) / Seafood (allergic).

    4. What I like/dislike: Rings, the stage, sleeping / Bleaching hair, heights, annoying noises.

    5. What am I thinking about now? I should scribble on Goh Yoo-Joon''s profile.

    6. What does Kang Joo-Han mean to me? He cherishes me more than anyone else. He''s more sensitive than you''d think, so he needs care. I respect and love him. Long live precious Kang Joo-Han, you are the best!

    7. What does Goh Yoo-Joon mean to me? His presence has a way of making even the most worrying things feel trivial. It feels like we''re destined to be together for life, no matter what challenges we face. He''s always by my side, supporting me through thick and thin.

    8. What does Park Yoon-chan mean to me? He personifies the term ¡®kindness¡¯ in every aspect of his being. I find myself wanting to take care of him and offer assistance, but in reality, I''m often the one receiving his help.

    9. What does Lee Jin-Sung mean to me? He¡¯s a goofball. Let''s do a cover dance soon. (Hey bro, I¡¯m articte, so stop teasing me that I suck at exining things.)

    10. My goal in ten years? To still be performing on stage without any issues.

    1. A dynamic and rhythmic dance style characterized by quick, sharp movements, and body istions, often performed to funk or hip-hop music. ?

    2. A traditional Korean soup made from the crispy rice crust (nurungji) that forms at the bottom of the pot when cooking rice, simmered in water or broth to create a warm andforting dish. ?

 Chapter 131: End-of-Year Stage (1)

    <h4>Chapter 131: End-of-Year Stage (1)</h4>

    I didn''t fullyprehend the extent of Yeong-Yee''s influence until now. As I was born after Tenten''s peak poprity, it''s understandable that I wasn''t aware of it.

    However, I was taken aback by the audience''s reactions on stage, which quickly propelled Yeong-Yee to the top of the real-time search rankings even before the show was broadcast. Within just an hour of shooting <i>Halo¡¯s Music Bus</i>, "Yeong-Yee" imed the number one spot on the search engine, with "Tenten" following closely at number two, and "Chronos guest member" at number three.

    ¡°¡®Chronos guest member¡¯ is trending right now. If you read it wrong, it sounds like Chronos has a new member. Some of our fans must be surprised," I said.

    The manager replied, ¡°Once they read the articles, they will be happy as well. Ah, Yoo-Joon, we have arrived."

    ¡°Got it! Should I tell Jin-Sung toe down?" asked Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Yes, please.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon then handed me the manager''s phone and got out of the car.

    ¡°See you."

    ¡°Yeah, see you.¡±

    I gave Yoo-Joon a brief farewell and turned on the manager''s phone. Jin-Sung would take a while toe down, so I nned to check the fans'' reactions to the trending searches in the meantime.

    As expected, the Rings wereining about the messed-up trending searches while simultaneously expressing their anticipation for the broadcast.

    ¡°Manager, is there a chance of an early release for today¡¯s broadcast?"

    ¡°There hasn¡¯t been any talk of that. <i>Halo¡¯s Music Bus</i> usually doesn¡¯t do pre-releases." The manager nced at me through the rearview mirror and smiled slightly. ¡°But now that Chronos has appeared, they might consider a pre-release."

    ¡°Nah, we are just a rookie idol group.¡±

    ¡°No, you guys are the most popr rookies. If you are on it, they will surely try to make the most of the footage."

    Wow, the manager was more of a smooth talker than I thought. Just until recently, he was someone who said he "didn''t know much" about Chronos, and now he already thought of us as a top idol group.

    I stared intently at the manager who was focused on driving. Then, after some thought, I asked. ¡°Manager, can I call you ''hyung?¡¯"

    ¡°...What?"

    I saw his startled eyes through the rearview mirror, so with a puzzled expression, I asked, ¡°When Yoo-Joon suggested for us to speak morefortably, you said, ''when we get closer.'' Do you remember?"

    ¡°Did I say that?"

    ¡°It has been quite a while since you became our manager, and you seem to really like us, right?"

    <i>¡®Especially me.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Can I just call you ''Su-Hwan hyung'', and you can call me ¡®Hyun-Woo?¡¯"

    We had meticulously nned Yeong-Yee''s live show together, taking the time to understand each other''s likes and dislikes. It felt like the perfect opportunity to be less formal with each other. However, the manager''s response was not as straightforward as I had hoped.

    <i>¡®Maybe it was still too soon? I thought we had gotten closer.¡¯</i>

    As I was trying to gauge his reaction...

    ¡°...You can call me hyung," the manager said nervously.

    ¡°Really?"

    ¡°Yes. It''s a bit strange for me to call youfortably, but you could''ve called me ''hyung'' from the beginning."

    ¡°Hyung. Okay, hyung."

    Hearing this, the manager nodded at me through the rearview mirror. Just as we had a warm atmosphere between us, the car door opened, and Jin-Sung entered the car.

    ¡°Manager, Hyun-Woo hyung, did you wait long?"

    ¡°You came out earlier than I thought."

    ¡°Of course. Today¡¯s a special day!" eximed Jin-Sung. He then clenched his fist, brimming with fighting spirit.

    Right, today marked his first practice session ever since his injury. He must be really happy to be smiling like that.

    ¡°Please buckle up."

    ¡°Sure! So, no group practice for Chronos today?"

    The manager nodded at Jin-Sung''s question. ¡°Today, it''s just Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung practicing for the joint stage part. It''s a long section, so even that will be quite tiring for Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°I am already a bit exhausted," I said.

    It had only been an hour since I stepped off the stage. As a result, I was not only physically tired but also mentally drained from the tension of the performance.

    ¡°Thank you for adjusting the schedule, hyung," I said.

    ¡°It¡¯s my job. Try to rest until we arrive."

    ¡°Okay."

    The moment I said ¡®hyung,'' Jin-Sung looked eager to join in. ¡°When did you start calling our manager ''hyung''?" Jin-Sung''s whining started immediately. ¡°Let me call you that too! Only Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon hyungs get to call you ''hyung''! I want to call you that too!"

    ¡°Well, you can call me hyung. It¡¯s not a problem at all," said the manager.

    ¡°Hyung, hyung! Last time we asked, you said ¡®When we get closer,¡¯ so I thought that meant no. I never expected that I would call you this way, hyung!¡± Jin-Sung enthusiastically called out ''hyung'' as if he''d been waiting for this moment. The manager was a bit overwhelmed by Jin-Sung''s passion, so he couldn¡¯t really respond.

    Lately, observing the manager had be my source of entertainment. Despite his professional demeanor, he was actually quite shy and had a unique personality of his own.

    ¡°...We are setting off now."

    ¡°Yes, hyung!"

    ¡°Ahahaha!¡± Iughed. Lee Jin-Sung''s boundless enthusiasm was downright hrious. As the car made its way to the practice studio, Jin-Sung engaged in an endless stream of chatter with the manager, and amidst their conversation, I slowly drifted away to the dreand.

    ***

    ¡°Should we wake him up?"

    ¡°Yes, please do. Thank you." The familiar voices reached my ears. As the nket was pulled away, I frowned, eliciting a few chuckles and gentle shakes from those around me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, time to wake up."

    ¡°...Have we arrived?"

    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s head down for practice."

    <i>¡®That affectionate touch... Wait, who is this?¡¯</i> My eyes snapped open in rm. As I sat up quickly, the figures who had withdrawn the nket looked at me with warm smiles.

    ¡°Da-Win hyung? Sae-Yeon hyung... What¡¯s happening?" Da-Win and Sae-Yeon from Allure had entered the car andfortably sat inside.

    <i>¡®Why are they here...?¡¯ </i>My puzzled expression prompted Da-Win to pat my back, fully waking me.

    ¡°We are here for the joint performance rehearsal. Did you not know about it?¡±

    ¡°A joint rehearsal with us?"

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a gathering of dance members from each group."

    <i>¡®Ah, of course. How did that slip my mind?¡¯ </i>It made perfect sense for Allure to participate in a coborative dance performance, and the thought filled me with joy. It appeared that the schedules were arranged in a way that allowed members from the same agency to synchronize their dance moves.

    ¡°Come on, let''s get out." Following Da-Win hyung¡¯s prompt, I reflexively got out of the car.

    Jin-Sung had already stepped out and was eagerly assuring the manager of his robust health.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung, I¡¯ve woken up Hyun-Woo. We will head up now."

    ¡°Thanks. The choreographer is waiting upstairs."

    ¡°Got it. Let¡¯s go."

    When Chronos was together, Joo-Han naturally led, but in the presence of both Chronos and Allure, Da-Win effortlessly assumed the leadership role. Having spent my trainee days under Da-Win¡¯s leadership, I almost instinctively responded to his directions.

    ¡°Wow, Chronos gets to use such a great practice room? Why don''t we get something like this?" Sae-Yeon eximed in awe as he looked at our studio through the ss walls. Da-Win seemed slightly annoyed and nudged Sae-Yeon in the ribs.

    ¡°Come on, what are you saying? Our studio is constantly being upgraded. Don''t make the juniors feel awkward."

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to," Sae-Yeon muttered under his breath and opened the studio door.

    ¡°Oh, you guys are here early." Waiting inside the studio, the choreographer stood up and approached us.

    ¡°Hello! It¡¯s been a while, noona."

    ¡°Yeah, long time no see. Have you been well since thest concert?" The choreographer was already acquainted with Da-Win and Sae-Yeon, so they exchanged easy greetings, while we were standing awkwardly behind, waiting for our turn.

    ¡°Chronos! Great to see you."

    I naturally led our group''s greeting. ¡°On the count of three! One, two, three! Hello! We are Chronos!"

    Our tense greeting seemed to please the choreographer who frowned approvingly. ¡°Ah, the fresh energy of rookies. It¡¯s delightful to teach such adorable kids."

    "Hey, noona, the Chronos kids might be cute, but we''ve brought our youngest, Sae-Yeon, too."

    ¡°Sae-Yeon, how old are you again? Not cute at all."

    ¡°That¡¯s mean."

    Amidst the easy exchange of greetings, I found myself observing quietly, my eyes darting around. Noticing that Jin-Sung and I were somewhat awkward, Da Win let out a chuckle.

    ¡°Noona, the kids are feeling ufortable. Let¡¯s start the practice."

    ¡°Alright then. You¡¯ve all gone to great lengths to adjust your schedules, so I will make the teaching as simple and quick as possible."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s skilled in dance, so it should be manageable. Hyun-Woo, step aside for now. Da-Win, Sae-Yeon, Jin-Sung,e to the center."

    ¡°Okay!"

    I moved to the side, near the choreographer in front of the mirror, while the rest gathered in the middle of the room. The choreographer moved among them, arranging their formation.

    ¡°Let¡¯s start.¡±

    Thus began the intensive rehearsal for the KEW End-of-Year Awards¡¯ special stage.

    ¡ù Side story

    [Profile (Kang Joo-Han Edition)]

    Name/Age: Kang Joo-Han / 21 years old

    Birthday: July 6

    Height: 184 cm

    Blood Type: A

    1. In Chronos, my role is the provider. I basically take care of everyone.

    2. What am I currently interested in? Composing music and handling finances.

    3. Favorite/Least favorite food: Coffee / junk food, rice cake.

    4. What I like/dislike: Getting paycheque, my fellow members, cleaning / Not much, just getting stuck during songwriting.

    5. What am I thinking about now? Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo are fighting in front of me right now, so I am tempted to kick both of them out.

    6. What does Goh Yoo-Joon mean to me? My dear junior. Despite his yful demeanor and lightheartedness, he pretends to be strong and mature. He ys a crucial role in maintaining our team''s family-like atmosphere and always considers the well-being of those around him. Additionally, our music tastes align perfectly, which strengthens our bond even further.

    7. What does Suh Hyun-Woo mean to me? A dearly cherished friend. He may appear sensitive and fragile but is steadfast and often surges ahead when I least expect it. His dedication to the stage is unparalleled, and I respect him for his effort, perseverance, and talent. I rely on him quite a bit. (Althoughtely, his increasing fearfulness worries me.)

    8. What does Park Yoon-Chan mean to me? He holds a special ce as the member I spend the most time with these days. When I am working on songs until early morning, hees in quietly and hands me a coffee before leaving. Yoon-Chan might really be a saint. (Be confident, and if you have something you want to do, just tell me anytime. I will help you out.)

    9. What does Lee Jin-Sung mean to me? My adorable fool. He joined thepany at such a young age that he still feels like a cute kid to me. However, he has bulked up so muchtely that I can''t handle his bear hugs anymore. Still, I appreciate that he always obediently follows me around, calling me ''hyung.'' I hope he continues to be as he has been.

    10. My goal in ten years? To be the king of copyright and to take Chronos to the Billboard charts.

 Chapter 132: End-of-Year Stage (2)

    <h4>Chapter 132: End-of-Year Stage (2)</h4>

    As Jin-Sung diligently practiced with the others, I found myself engrossed in learning my own routine on aptop. I realized why I was the only one split into a different team. Unlike the powerful dance Jin-Sung was practicing, the move I had to perform was a delicate one that emphasized body lines,bining elements of contemporary dance and fitting my usual dance image.

    Sitting down, I tried following the choreography with my hands and feet. It seemed like a good idea to work on my flexibility as the practice session progressed.

    As I was stretching lightly, the choreographer instructed the members toe over and press on my back hard.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± I eximed.

    ¡°Do it properly if you are going to do it. Don¡¯t just half-heart it.¡±

    ¡°Ah, teacher, it hurts!¡± I cried out, my upper body almost folding in half.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, you are bending your knees too much!¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡± The others then chuckled at me and continued their practice.

    After about an hour, it was finally my turn to practice, having waited while the members finished.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, stand in the middle.¡±

    ¡°Me, in the center?¡± I asked, surprised.

    <i>¡®Among this many members from different idol groups?¡¯</i>

    The choreographer shook her head and replied, ¡°I''m not sure. The position has not been decided yet, so we will start practicing with you in the middle. Have you warmed up?''¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°Start with your head down.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    During the long one-hour wait while stretching, I watched the choreography video and managed to memorize almost all of it, except for the finer details.

    ¡°Slowly lift your head and twist your waist, then kick back and turn! A bit faster!¡± Thanks to my preparation, the practice progressed quickly, and soon we were able to practice with music.

    ¡°Has Hyun-Woo always been this quick at memorizing?¡± Da-Win asked in amazement.

    When I nced at the others, I noticed Jin-Sung shaking his head in disagreement and answering, ¡°No. He got much faster after <i>Pick We Up</i>. I was amazed at how quickly he improved.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah? That''s impressive. You¡¯ve been flying around on broadcaststely, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°What about me, senior?¡± asked Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Haha, Jin-Sung, you are flying even higher! How are your legs?¡± replied Da-Win. When did they be so close? Jin-Sung was now chatting amicably with Da-Win. Meanwhile, I was reaching out into the air, performing a poignant movement toward an imaginary partner.

    ¡°Bend one leg and jump from there! You need to move positions!¡±

    ¡°Noona, isn''t what Hyun-Woo is doing a contemporary dance?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just giving off that vibe. How can you do a real dance in just a week? Hyun-Woo, you need more grace!¡±

    <i>¡®I can¡¯t focus on grace!¡¯</i> I struggled to maintain this posture as my bodycked flexibility. Despite having the choreography in my head, my body didn''t seem to cooperate during practice.

    While the sounds of conversation from those who had finished practice continued around me, I had no leisure to pay attention to them.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± It felt like I had strained my back. Our usual group dance didn¡¯t require this much flexibility.

    ¡°When you turn your head here, think of turning your hair along with it!¡±

    ¡°With my hair too?¡± I muttered, already anticipating the soreness that would linger from today''s intense practice session. Despite the physical difort, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the opportunity to perform an unfamiliar genre of dance at the year-end stage.

    An hourter, the choreography practice had advanced significantly beyond the original n for the day. However, I found myself still struggling to add my own ir or details, merely following along as best as I could.

    ¡°Is it because they are idols honed through survival shows? Jin-Sung is also quick to memorize the choreography. One week should be more than enough, guys."

    ¡°Noona, why don''t you praise us?"

    Hearing the words of the Allure members, the choreographerughed heartily. ¡°How many years has it been since your debut? It''s only natural for you to do well. Dismissed! Allure, you have schedulester on, right?"

    Even amidst this, they still had schedules to follow. Amazing. I gave a thumbs up to the Allure members, who were quickly packing up with their manager and then slowly got up.

    Jin-Sung crawled over to me from the floor and asked, ¡°Hyung, are you going to practice more or head back to the dorm?"

    ¡°What about you?" I counter asked.

    ¡°I want to practice more. It''s been so long since Ist danced, and as the main dancer of Chronos, I have to perfect everything before the group practice. I can¡¯t let our reputation down!"

    ¡°Then I will stay a bit longer too. Let''s rest for a bit first," I suggested and then crawled on the floor toward the mirror like Jin-Sung.

    While packing up, the choreographerughed and said to the manager, ¡°It''s my first time with Chronos, but it''s great to see the kids working hard."

    ¡°That''s right. They are very diligent."

    ¡°Honestly, I prefer talented kids over hard-working ones, but those who are both diligent and talented are even better. Chronos is adorable."

    It didn''t seem like she meant for us to hear it, but since the practice room was quiet, her praise was clearly audible. Overhearing their conversation, Jin-Sung smiled slyly with his back turned to them.

    ¡°Good job, guys!"

    ¡°Thank you!"

    Not seeing Jin-Sung''s expression, the choreographer waved her hand grandly and left the practice room. As she disappeared and I was about to y Jin-Sung''s part of the song, the manager quickly approached and said, ¡°You''ve worked hard. While you were practicing earlier, I suddenly received a call. KEW will provide a group practice room for you guys."

    ¡°A group practice room?"

    ¡°It seems it will be at the YU building, and they n to record your practice on video."

    ¡°Oh, that''s good."

    The manager nodded. ¡°It''s not just a recording. They n to make it part of a variety show. Well, I''ll let you guys know the details once they confirm this."

    ¡°Okay!"

    The prospect of having cameras all around us was met with nonchnt nods as we resumed practicing. At that moment, I had no idea of the challenges that woulde my way over the next week.

    ***

    Late in the evening, I headed straight to thepany after Jin-Sung went back to the dorm. Producer Do, Joo-Han, and I looked gravely at the work program in thepany¡¯s work studio.

    ¡°What do you think? Just tell me if it''s good or not."

    I shook my head at Joo-Han¡¯s words. ¡°Hmm, the chorus iscking."

    Joo-Han banged his head on the desk.

    <i>Thud!</i>

    ¡°Hey, what are you doing banging your forehead like that? You are an idol!"

    Despite the reprimand, he did it again, even harder. ¡°What can I do more from here...? Can I evenplete this song? Is making a title song always this hard?" Joo-Han, still with his head down, turned to look at Producer Do.

    Producer Do nodded calmly. ¡°Of course. Did you think making a song was easy?"

    ¡°It''s not that, but I''m lost. I don''t know what more to do here or what else to remove."

    ¡°I don''t think we need to remove anything. Hmm..."

    ¡°<i>Sigh</i>..."

    As Joo-Han seemed about to bang his head on the desk again, I quickly ced my hand between his head and the desk.

    <i>Bang!</i> A dull pain shot through my hand.

    ¡°<i>Ouch</i>!"

    ¡°Ah, sorry... I was about to hit my head again, but... Are you okay?"

    ¡°Hey, please stop overthinking here. The song is really good," I said as only the choruscked a certain grandeur. Chronos would definitely do a highlight dance break here, but it needed more emphasis.

    ¡°Hmm."

    How to add that <i>oomph</i> to the song? The three of us brainstormed together, deep in thought. After a long silence, Joo-Han hyung sighed with no answer in sight. ¡°It''s toote for regrets now. <i>Sigh</i>... I got too greedy. It''s frustrating to see my limits so clearly."

    Then, he went to bang his head again on my hand.

    <i>Thud!</i>

    ¡°Hyung! You are really going to get hurt!" The dull thud resonated through my hand from the desk.

    <i>¡®...Wait, a dull thud?¡¯</i>The sound of Joo-Han''s head hitting the table sparked a sudden idea in my mind.

    ¡°I have a suggestion," I said.

    ¡°Go ahead, what is it? Just throw anything." Producer Do perked up.

    I cautiously suggested, ¡°What if we don''t justy down simple drum beats but actually hire a professional drummer? Or not just a drummer, but a whole band. Let them take over the whole vibe of the song."

    ¡ù Side story

    [Profile (Goh Yoo-Joon Edition)]

    Name/Age: Goh Yoo-Joon / 19 years old

    Birthday: September 30

    Height: 187cm

    Blood Type: O

    1. In Chronos, I am in charge of the best¡ª<i>ehmm</i>, sexy voice.

    2. What am I currently interested in? Songwriting and games

    3. Favorite/Least favorite food: Any kind of meat, burgers, and chicken / I eat everything, but maybe not something too sweet?

    4. What I like/dislike: My fellow members and clothes shopping / rude people

    5. What am I thinking about now? The members keep messing with my profile. My back still hurts from being hit by Joo-Han hyung just now, <i>ugh</i>.

    6. What does Kang Joo-Han mean to me? My best friend and the future''s number-oneposing genius. WAIT! Joo-Han hyung wrote the previous answer. He''s very mature and responsible. While he is a bit stingy about money, in reality, he spends a lot on us. He notices when one of us is having a hard time even before we say anything. He also knows how tofort us softly. I''m always grateful to have received a lot of help from him. I wish he would rely on us when he''s struggling though.

    7. What does Suh Hyun-Woo mean to me? My toy, my role model, and the teacher I respect the most. <i>Ugh</i>, Suh Hyun-Woo wrote the previous answer as well. Being around him makes me work harder. I feel proud whenever I watch his stage performances, even as his friend. However, he''s been lost in thought a lottely. I''m not sure if it''s because he suddenly became an adult or if he has some worries, but he''s be quieter than before. I''m concerned. If something''s wrong, he should talk to me. I''m always on your side, man.

    8. What does Park Yoon-chan mean to me? A scaredy-cat crybaby. Lol, Just kidding. He''s a kind friend who always puts the members'' needs before his own. He could afford to show more of his true self. The others adore Yoon-Chan so much that they find everything he does cute.

    9. What does Lee Jin-Sung mean to me? A muscle-head who knows nothing but dancing. He¡¯s the future''s number one dance god. <i>Argh</i>, no! Jin-Sung wrote the previous answer, oh my gosh. He whines and clings to the hyungs every day, but he looks really cool on stage. He''s as dependable on stage as he is with his muscles. I was saddened when he pushed himself too hard and got hurt, but I still love him.

    10. My goal in ten years? To maintain the current state (being an idol with Chronos members)

 Chapter 133: End-of-Year Stage (3)

    <h4>Chapter 133: End-of-Year Stage (3)</h4>

    Just then, an indie band known for their drummer with insane energy popped into my mind. Before I went back in time, he had be a bit of a sensation for his wild spinning of drumsticks and unabashed headbanging while ying the instrument. Not only that, but the indie band itself had swept the broadcasting world for a while with their unique, exhrating songs, and unstoppable charisma.

    Of course, this would happen in the future. They had coborated with my students once, and I had heard they continued to pursue their band as a hobby for nearly ten years, remaining rtively unknown until their breakthrough appearance on a famous entertainment show. Despite theirck of agency backing, they were a talented band capable of not only adding instruments to a song but also crafting high-quality beats at an arrangement level.

    The only problem was finding them. I would have to scour the entire Hongdae area as they weren¡¯t famous yet. Even though it would be tiring, I imagined us dancing to the electrifying apaniment of their electric guitar and drums, gradually building up the song''s parts to reach a climactic point. Oh, I had to do this.

    But before that, I had to exin my thoughts to Producer Do and Joo-Han, who still looked like they needed more exnation. ¡°What I mean is... I¡¯m sorry, but producer, could you y the chorus part?¡±

    ¡°Oh, just a moment.¡± Producer Do clicked his mouse a few times and yed the middle part of the song. As I listened to the music, I rapidly drummed my palms on the desk.

    ¡°We will have a dance break here. The electric guitar will fully showcase its skills with an ad-lib, while the drum sound will be thunderous. The apaniment will be rich with the band¡¯s sound, leaving no empty gaps.¡± It would feel like the band themselves were performing the dance break, and we would dance to it.

    The excitement of bright energy, the encounter with first love, the anticipation of new encounters, and the heartfelt cheer for those transitioning into adulthood and graduating... The more passionate it was, the more it would allow each listener to interpret it in their own unique way. Especially since the band I had in mind could perfectly bring this vision to life, it seemed like the perfect solution.

    Thanks to them, the audience would shed a lot of tears at the final stage of a famous entertainment show.

    ¡°There''s a talented band performing at a live cafe in Hongdae. I really want Producer Do to see them.¡± I borrowed Producer Do''sputer and looked for their videos. Since they had a fan base, there should be at least a couple of performance videos. ¡°Ah, here it is.¡±

    ¡°What? I know these guys. They are quite well-known in Hongdae. How do you know them, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    ¡°I heard about them from my friends.¡±

    ¡°You guys really monitor a lot. Hmm.¡±

    With his chin in hand, Producer Do pondered briefly and then nodded. ¡°These guys are definitely skilled. Not sure if they will fit the song though.¡±

    ¡°They have covered famous songs in their performances and did it really well.¡±

    ¡°I''ve talked to them a few times. Hmmm, I will meet them. Not sure if it will work out though.¡±

    ¡°Please and thank you.¡±

    Producer Do and the rest worked on Joo-Han''s song untilte at night. ¡°Hyun-Woo, you have a better taste than I thought. If you are interested in working on theposing program, let me know. I will teach you how to do it.¡±

    ¡°Yes! I''m really interested! But probably after the year-end stage!¡±

    Producer Do smiled faintly and signaled for us to leave. Joo-Han¡¯s spirits were visibly liftedpared to when he first arrived at the studio; it seemed he was pleased with the edited version of the song. As he pped me on the back, his gaze conveyed a blend of sympathy and concern.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you''ve really been pushing yourself.¡±

    ¡°About what?¡±

    ¡°You are juggling the year-end awards practice andposing. I hope I''m not overburdening you. Your help means a lot, but..."

    I quickly interrupted him with a head shake. ¡°No, this is what I want, even if it''s challenging."

    He just gave a silent nod, his eyes conveying a wish for me not to pressure myself too hard, yet knowing the circumstances left me little choice. His look was one of empathy.

    ¡°I''ll be here to support you," he assured me.

    ¡°You are the one doing the hard work, staying up all night while I get some sleep."

    We exchanged concerns for each other''s well-being and soon reached the parking lot. We then hopped into the manager''s car.

    ¡°Look, Chronos''s car!"

    ¡°See, I told you they''d be here.¡± Just as we exited the lot, people emerged from hiding and moved toward us.

    The manager let out a weary sigh. ¡°Just ignore them, and keep the windows up.¡±

    It was just a five-minute walk from ourpany to the dorm, a journey I used to relish for its simple pleasures. I would stop at the convenience store and grab some snacks, enjoying the freedom of this short path. Now, it pained me to realize that such freedom, even on this brief journey from ourpany to our dorm, was no longer mine to enjoy.

    ***

    Over the course of three intense days, Allure members, Jin-Sung, and I immersed ourselves in practice. Abruptly, abined rehearsal and filming schedule was set. As the manager had previously mentioned, the venue was the practice room in the YU building. Here, we were tasked with perfecting a special stage routine alongside the elite dancers of popr idol groups for a week.

    Among them, Chronos was notably the youngest. Members from Street Center and High Tension were present as well, but I rarely talked with the dancers from these groups. Therefore, the journey to the practice room wasced with a palpable tension. The presence of Allure and other senior memberspounded my worries, eclipsing those I had during <i>Pick We Up.</i>

    ¡°Why are you so worried? Keep your chin up, don''t let the worries get to you! Confidence is the key," Da-Win encouraged us.

    I let out a resigned sigh. ¡°...Your words only amplify my worries."

    If there was truly no cause for concern, Da-Win would have assured us by saying "They are all good people, it will be fine." But he didn¡¯t.

    The entertainment industry was aplex ce. The individuals assembling now were all prideful and skilled dancers, and they would likely engage in a subtle battle of egos. This atmosphere was a far cry from the casual camaraderie of our trainee days. I had witnessed this sharp, sensitive vibe a few times while coaching my students, but experiencing it firsthand as a junior artist was a different ball game.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, why are you so nervous? We are just meeting new people," Jin-Sung casually remarked. For him, it was the thrill of new encounters.

    I always needed time to adapt, whether during <i>Pick We Up</i> or any other schedule. Gradually, I was improving, but the shocked reactions people had upon seeing my face before the regression had left a deep-seated trauma in me.

    ¡°We''ve arrived," the manager announced, cutting the engine and unfastening his seatbelt. He turned to address us. ¡°I know it''s a lot to ask, but please take good care of Chronos. I''m relying on you, Allure."

    Da-Win responded reassuringly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. These kids are always under our wing." Only then did the manager seem to rx a bit and allow us to depart.

    Under Da-Win''s leadership, we made our way to the practice room.

    ¡°Hello!"

    ¡°Hello there!"

    Our greeting was drawn out by the ny-degree bows we exchanged with each person we encountered. Upon reaching the practice room, Da-Win courteously opened the door, and we were immediately met with the impassive stares of members from various groups.

    ¡°Hello, seniors," we greeted, each word measured and respectful.

    ¡°Hello," they responded in kind.

    ¡°Yo~ Allure!¡± The seniors, whom we had only seen in TV broadcasts or music show waiting rooms, approached Allure members with familiar greetings. Their warm interactions allowed us to rx slightly, our hands neatly sped as we maintained polite smiles, awaiting their acknowledgment.

    A momentter, the ice broke. ¡°Here are our juniors. You''ve seen them a lot on broadcasts, right?" Da-Win introduced us.

    ¡°Oh yes, we''ve seen them a lot. It''s our first time meeting Chronos in person, though." The seniors'' attention shifted toward us.

    ¡°Hello, seniors!" We greeted them enthusiastically.

    ¡°Yes, we''ve been enjoying your songs. Your performances aremendable.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!" we replied, grateful for the recognition.

    ¡°Looking forward to working with you.¡± Their interaction was brief and somewhat disinterested before they returned to conversing with the members of Allure.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, Jin-Sung, take a seat. We will be back after mingling with the other group members," Da-Win instructed.

    ¡°Okay," I responded to Da-Win respectfully and then took a seat near the members of Street Center, whom I was somewhat acquainted with.

    ¡°Hello, long time no see," greeted one of them.

    ¡°Ah, yes. How have you been?" I replied. We were familiar with each other but not necessarily that close.

    The atmosphere in the room was tense. The seniors exuded dominance, and it was challenging for us juniors to integrate, especially with cameras installed throughout the room. At that moment, I resolved to maintain a low profile and quietly see the practice through. How could a junior dare to stand out in front of the seniors, especially with cameras recording every move?

    But as life would have it, things rarely went ording to n.

    ***

    About thirty minutes after everyone had gathered, the choreographer burst into the room, changing the dynamic entirely. ¡°Hello! Alright, now that the greetings are done, let''s gather around!"

    ¡°Okay!¡± We all responded in unison, gathering in the center of the room.

    The choreographer surveyed us all and then said, ¡°Some of you know me, others don''t. I''m Suh Ji-Hye, and I will be overseeing the choreography for this special stage. This is Justin, and he will be assisting me."

    Justin spoke at length in English, and honestly, I understood only bits and pieces. From what I could make out, he was in charge of the first part, introducing himself as Justin, and discussing how dance was a universalnguage that transcended linguistic barriers. He also mentioned something along the lines of "We are the one."

    Jin-Sung nudged me to seek rity although I could barely understand Justin. ¡°Hyung, did you catch what he said?"

    ¡°Uh? He''s a dance teacher," I replied, half-guessing.

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    Overhearing our exchange, Sae-Yeon chuckled and teased me. "Guess Hyun-Woo''s too tired to trante."

    After Justin finished talking, Suh Ji-Hye took a deep breath, as if preparing for a significant task. ¡°We are now going to start the real practice. First, those who''ve prepared for the first part, please stand."

    Hearing this, I stood up, albeit hesitantly, and I felt the eyes of the seniors upon me. Nervous yet determined, I tried to look unfazed under their scrutiny.

    However, it struck me as odd because only five people stood for the first part, in stark contrast to therger group for the second part. Seeing my expression, Suh Ji-Hye rified, ¡°Justin handpicked these members for the first part to focus on those with elegant dance lines."

    ¡°Oooh, dance lines!¡± There was an animated reaction from the group, with enthusiastic encouragement for those standing.

    Then, Justin and Suh Ji-Hye exchanged meaningful smiles, and she exined, ¡°However, the formation for the first part is yet to be decided. Justin wants to observe the moves before making his choice." Justin nodded in agreement, evidently unconcerned with the usual hierarchy in Korea or audience expectations. This meant there was a chance for me to secure a prominent role, something I hadn''t anticipated as a member of the junior group.

    ¡°So, we will decide the formation for the first part during practice. Let''s begin, shall we?"

    ¡°Yes!" we shouted. The instruction was clear so far¡ªthe formation would be based on one¡¯s capability, not seniority.

    <i>¡®So I don¡¯t need to stay under the radar.''</i>

    Adept at broadcast dynamics, the veterans were quick to respond. However, in that brief moment, I could feel their eyes on me. It was a recognition simr to what I had experienced during my debut auditions.

    As I was a member of a rising rookie group that was known for a particrly impactful solo dance. In their eyes, I wasn''t just an extra; rather, I was someone who could deliver an impactful solo performance.

    ¡ùSide story

    [Profile (Park Yoon-Chan Edition)]

    Name/Age: Park Yoon-Chan / 18 years old

    Birthday: March 5

    Height: 177cm

    Blood Type: A

    1. In Chronos, I am responsible for taking care of Joo-Han hyung and Jin-Sung.

    2. What am I currently interested in? Learning French and monitoring stages

    3. Favorite/Least favorite food: Sweet stuff, rice, drinks / Umm... nothing. Maybe alligator and scorpion?

    4. What I like/dislike: My fellow members, family, studying, and theater / None... Oh, dieting

    5. What am I thinking about now? Yoo-Joon hyung¡¯s profile is about to be torn off... I am hungry.

    6. What does Kang Joo-Han mean to me? Super sweet hyung whom I can always rely on. I feel sorry for always receiving help from him and want to be someone who can help him one day. Always grateful to have him by my side.

    7. What does Goh Yoo-Joon mean to me? A really cool hyung. He lightens the mood of the group with his yful approach, and his voice is amazing. Harmonizing with him is a joy. Many people will feel rxed and open up in conversation with Yoo-Joon hyung.

    8. What does Suh Hyun-Woo mean to me? A hyung I respect the most. His constant effort and the way he pulls off everything with his coolness is impressive. I want to be like Hyun-Woo hyung, but his stage presence is so formidable that I wonder if I will ever match it. Honestly, I often find myself simply gazing at him in awe when we are on the stage, much like the fans. He is the one who taught me the true joy of performing.

    9. What does Lee Jin-Sung mean to me? Jin-Sung is a younger brother brimming with charm and cuteness. He is the member whose persona transforms the most between being on and off stage. To us, he is always the adorable baby, but on stage, he bes aplete professional. Spending time with him is always uplifting. His presence has a way of brightening my day.

    10. My goal in ten years? To evolve into someone who contributes more to the group.

 Chapter 134: End-of-Year Stage (4)

    <h4>Chapter 134: End-of-Year Stage (4)</h4>

    The unforeseen camera issue threw off the rhythm of our practice, leading to a brief interlude. At this moment, the atmosphere thickened with pressure as the director signaled for a break while the cameras reset. Even though we had not done much yet, I had a feeling that today¡¯s practice would stretch far beyond the usual, filled with more than just rehearsing.

    ¡°Hyung... it''s really scary here," Jin-Sung''s voice trembled slightly, and his fingers were clutching my arm with a timid urgency.

    "There''s nothing to fear," I reassured him, though the unyielding presence of the senior idols was indeed overwhelming. As rookies, all we could do was brace ourselves for it.

    Meanwhile, other rookies from different agencies appeared rxed, being with theirpany''s direct seniors. Jin-Sung and I, on the other hand, found ourselves asionally under scrutinizing gazes, especially regarding the topic of this special stage.

    Yet, amidst the murmurs and fleeting looks, our direct seniors stood like lighthouses, their presence offeringfort in the turbulent sea of this industry.

    ¡°Why are you guys... just standing there?" Da-Win''s voice cut through my thoughts.

    I shot back with a half-truth, masking our anxiety. ¡°We are just... a bit shy."

    Behind Da-Win and Sae-Yeon, Jin-Sung and I hovered like shadows, cautiously ncing around the practice room. After all, pretending to ignore such piercing, boundaryden stares was a challenging task.

    ¡°...Alright, do as you wish," Sae-Yeon finally sighed, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance mixed with reluctant eptance. He left us to our devices, silently permitting us to continue our covert observations.

    Lurking in their shadows, I surveyed the members responsible for the first part of our performance. Each one was a renowned dancer, their skills so famed that any TV host would inevitably ask them to showcase their talents. Their dedicated fans also swelled with pride at their abilities.

    In such a gxy of stars, standing in the spotlight of the formation seemed like an impossible dream to a mere rookie like me. Unlike the bold yet inexperienced trainees of YMM, these were veteran performers, backed by a formidable wall of fans. It was an intimidatingndscape, yet there were still pathways for us to navigate.

    ¡°Hyung, it''s been a while, hasn''t it? Saw youreback. As always, it was phenomenal..." Lee Dong-Woo, from the idol group Next under YU Entertainment, approached Da-Win with a thumbs-up. He was one of the members responsible for the first part with me.

    Da-Win responded with a light, amiable smile and a nod, acknowledging the shared respect among veterans of the stage. ¡°Thanks. What about youreback? It''s been quiet on your end."

    ¡°Exactly. We are just as curious," Dong-Woo admitted, settlingfortably among Allure, sparking off a conversation.

    Dong-Woo continued, ¡°Well, you know, a rising star recently emerged in our agency. Seems like oureback got pushed back because of it.¡±

    ¡°Really? That is absolute nonsense.¡±

    ¡°It happens. With so many groups in my agency, it''s a battle for good songs. The juniors can be quite formidable," Dong-Woo exined, his voice tinged with a yfulment.

    Observing this exchange, I noticed the strong bond between Dong-Woo, Da-Win, and Sae-Yeon. Sensing the perfect moment to break away from Sae-Yeon''s protective shadow, I strategically blended in my rookie''s charm with timid curiosity as I started to inch closer to Dong-Woo, careful not to disrupt the rxed ambiance.

    On the other hand, Jin-Sung appeared tense, attempting to blend into the background but inadvertently standing out more. His restless eyes betrayed his feigned calmness, and now, he looked more like the typical underdog.

    My covert nces soon caught Dong-Woo''s attention, causing him to pause in his conversation as his gaze shifted to me. The members of Allure followed his lead, turning to regard me with a mixture of surprise and realization.

    ¡°Is it your first time seeing them in person? They are our direct juniors, the group known as Chronos,¡± introduced Da-Win.

    ¡°Ah, of course, I know you guys," Dong-Woo responded with a rxed demeanor, his curiosity now fully piqued.

    Stepping forward, I brought Jin-Sung with me as we approached Dong-Woo with a mix of reverence and excitement. ¡°Two, three! Hello, we are Chronos! Nice to meet you!" Our formal greeting seemed to slightly burden Dong-Woo, as evident in his reaction.

    ¡°Woah, there''s no need for such formality with me. I''m Lee Dong-Woo of the group called Next," Dong-Woo replied, his face a blend of surprise and amusement.

    Brimming with exhration, I introduced myself with a beaming smile, ¡°I am Suh Hyun-Woo! It''s an honor to meet you, senior!"

    ¡°And I- I''m Lee Jin-Sung!" Jin-Sung chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of admiration and nervous excitement.

    At this moment, the dynamic shifted. It seemed that our eyes spoke of our aspirations and the reverence we held for our seniors.

    ¡°There''s no need for such formality. We are not that far apart in age after all," Dong-Woo tried to ease the air, but his words were gently countered by Da-Win.

    ¡°Dong-Woo, that''s not the point. A five-year gap makes a world of difference to Chronos. You are a senior in every sense of the word to them," Da-Win interjected with a chuckle.

    Dong-Woo looked a bit embarrassed but appeared to be quite pleased. After all, High Tension was the first boy group tounch after a series of girl groups in YU. Moreover, the leader of that group was Ji-Hyuk, the CEO''s son, so Dong-Woo had probably never received such admiring looks from his juniors in High Tension.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you in the same part as me?" Dong-Woo asked, turning his attention back to me.

    ¡°Yes, senior! It''s an incredible privilege to share the stage with you," I replied.

    As Dong-Woo heard my earnest words, his face lit up with a mixture of gratitude and camaraderie. ¡°I''m touched by your words. I''ve seen your <i>Pick We Up</i> performance and music shows. You guys are really impressive," heplimented, his words wrapping us in a warm and encouraging embrace.

    All of a sudden, the atmosphere around us was filled with warm conversation. I was actively ttering him from where I sat, ready to call him ¡°hyung¡± and everything. First and foremost, it was crucial to be favored by Dong-Woo.

    Dong-Woo of YU had been a member of the thriving group ¡°Next¡± long before I became a trainer, and he was someone I had never met in person. However, being a direct senior to YU trainees and a well-known dancer in the industry, he was one of the idols I used as an example the most as a trainer.

    He indeed had a formidable talent, but to be honest, he was probably the easiest to surpass among the members with the same part as I was.

    Dong-Woo''s skills were outstanding, but his style differed from the fluid grace we aimed to embody. Had he been in the second part, he would''ve be the center. But in the first part, I felt like he was wearing clothes that didn¡¯t quite fit him. I knew this because I had dissected Lee Dong-Woo''s dance moves more times than I could count.

    He was likely the only member not specifically chosen by the legendary choreographer Justin. Though humbly downying his glory, as the solo dance force of Next, Dong-Woo still remained a popr idol after all this time.

    cing such a talent in the first part felt somewhat weird. It was as if the influential YU Entertainment had strategically maneuvered him into the spotlight for maximum visibility.

    However, shoehorning him into a part was one thing, and standing out in Justin''s meticulously crafted formation was another. Dong-Woo''s ce in the dance hierarchy might have already receded.

    My role was evidently to outshine Dong-Woo and embody the endearing, charismatic rookie¡ªa persona crafted to subtly appease the disgruntled fans of Next. It was a strategy of saying little but giving my all¡ªsimply put, to channel Yoon-Chan''s essence.

    Anyway, Dong-Woo seemed to have taken a liking to me. As he wrapped up our brief interaction and returned to his conversation with Allure, the director announced the start of the shoot.

    ¡°The filming is starting now. Please move to your assigned practice rooms!" The hustle of activity started, and people dispersed from their huddles, heading toward their respective positions.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, shall we go?" Dong-Woo asked, starting to take care of me.

    ¡°Take care of Hyun-Woo, please. He''s a bit shy. I am not sure how he will mingle." Da-Win''s voice was veryforting as he patted my back, and Dong-Woo just shed a knowing smile.

    ¡°You are doting on him a lot. Is it because he¡¯s your first junior? Don''t worry, I will look after him." Dong-Woo ushered me toward our practice room. Now, the group practice was about to unfold.

    ***

    I had thought... it marked the beginning of our collective rehearsals. But I was mistaken. The cameras peppering the room weren''t just there to capture our practice sessions. Hadn''t Supervisor Kim mentioned it? This was for an entertainment show.

    Practice time was already limited, yet there was an air of ease¡ªperhaps because the room was filled with individuals already well-versed in choreography.

    ¡°Hey! Change the song!"

    ¡°Okay, what should we y? What do you suggest?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, what do you want to y?"

    After thinking a bit, with an assertive voice that cut through the buzz of excitement, I suggested, ¡°How about ''Parade'' by Chronos?"

    ¡°Ah, perfect choice!"

    The lights in the practice room started flickering on and off every fraction of a second. Unleashed, all of us danced wildly, creating an atmosphere akin to an impromptu club.

    In the midst of this euphoria, I found myself embracing my role as the endearing youngest, headbanging at the epicenter of this whirlwind of energy.

    It was a casual warm-up before the real grind, or so they imed. As the lights dimmed, the room transformed into a nocturnal yground. They then cranked up the music, and everyone started to move with a synchrony that seemed almost rehearsed, their bodies swaying like drunk people lost in the night.

    A realization dawned on me during this orchestrated chaos. <i>¡®They are all so close to each other, and this is how it''s done in front of the camera.''</i>

    Slowly, I found my rhythm, gravitating toward the heart of the practice room.

    Taking on Park Yoon-Chan''s friendly and likable character, I dropped my careful facade as soon as I saw this scene. I realized this was the real atmosphere of the team, and it made me feel free.

    Yes, it was excellent. This was all part of the filming. To seamlessly merge with this group, which already appeared to be in perfect harmony, was a challenge I dly epted. At this moment, I became ¡°partygoer¡± Suh Hyun-Woo, immersing myselfpletely in the vibrant energy of the room.

    ¡ù Side Story

    [Profile (Lee Jin-Sung Edition)]

    Name/Age: Lee Jin-Sung / 17 years old

    Birthday: April 25

    Height: 186 cm

    Blood Type: B

    1. In Chronos, I am the main dancer.

    2. What am I currently interested in? Dancing and cool sneakers

    3. Favorite/Least favorite food: Meat!!! I am pretty much a carnivore, hehe / Anything rted to my dieting, especially chicken breast and blended veggie drinks.

    4. What I like/dislike: Dance!!! / Right now, Yoo-Joon hyung is on my not-so-good list.

    5. What am I thinking about now? Yoo-Joon hyung keeps messing with my profile. He just got scolded by Hyun-Woo hyung and Joo-Han hyung, but he is up to no good again.

    6. What does Kang Joo-Han mean to me? He was intimidating at first, but now, he''s aforting presence in Chronos, really awesome. He always nudges me to study and often scolds me, just like a teacher in my school.

    7. What does Goh Yoo-Joon mean to me? A master prankster. But beyond his jokes, he''s mature and takes great care of us. I wish I had a best friend like Yoo-Joon hyung, just like Hyun-Woo hyung does. It¡¯s great being pampered as a fellow member.

    8. What does Suh Hyun-Woo mean to me? The leader on stage. His skills skyrocketed overnight, leaving me awestruck. I suspect he has a secret trick up his sleeve, so I''ve been observing him. Our dance styles differ, but he has a unique charm that I secretly tried to emte. Still, I must admit, I prefer my own dance style haha... Lately, he seems to dote on me a lot, always ying the adult role.

    9. What does Park Yoon-Chan mean to me? The most angelic person in the world. If he asked me to be a guarantor, I''d do it in a heartbeat. (Do you even know what that means, Jin-Sung?) Yoo-Joon hyung is really getting on my nerves. Anyway, truth be told, Yoon-Chan hyung is my favorite.

    10. My goal in ten years? To be a dancer on the Billboard charts.

 Chapter 135: End-of-Year Stage (5)

    <h4>Chapter 135: End-of-Year Stage (5)</h4>

    The seniors couldn''t help but love the cuteness of the adorable youngest¡ªme. ¡°Hyun-Woo, you are doing great!"

    ¡°Wow! More! More! More!"

    ¡°Shake it! Shake it!"

    Perhaps because the dancers were all here, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy. But then, thinking about it, I actually was the main vocalist, not the main dancer.

    At first, I felt like everyone was buzzing with energy except for me. However, as time went by, I found myself at the center of it all, slightly tipsy with excitement and owning the spotlight in the practice room. The seniors formed a circle around me and cheered me on enthusiastically. I knew this moment would be a yful topic for months once it aired on TV.

    Embracing the moment, I let loose and moved to the rhythm as the seniors encouraged. The easiest way to blend in with them was by ying the role of the amiable, entertaining junior. In the vibrant atmosphere, any hint of shyness had vanished from me, reced by pure, high-energy funness.

    ¡°Hahaha. Are you enjoying this?"

    In the middle of this lively scene, Suh Ji-Hye, Justin, and his interpreter entered. Their arrival shifted the atmosphere, sparking concern about whether I was being hazed.

    ¡°You guys are not picking on the youngest, right?" they asked.

    ¡°No, not at all!" I said. Having anticipated that the hidden camera would change to a close-up of me, I quickly switched back to acting like Park Yoon-Chan and showed an awkward, embarrassed, yet incredibly endearing sheepishness.

    <i>¡®How cute can the youngest member get?¡¯</i> I silently praised myself, feeling at the top of my game. I was slowly but steadily breaking down barriers with the other idol members.

    ¡°As I said before, Justin will lead the choreography. Despite thenguage barrier, the dance practice would go smoothly, so don¡¯t worry. Let''s work hard for a wless performance.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    Suh Ji-Hye encouraged us and then left the room.

    As Justin spoke, his words were tranted for us. ¡°Shall we start warming up?"

    ¡°Yep!¡±

    The dance required high flexibility, so everyone started with simple wrist and ankle rotations, progressing to more intensive leg stretches and waist twists. I started modestly, just rotating my knees, watching everyone''s serious expression.

    ¡°Need help with your warm-up, Hyun-Woo?" Lee Dong-Woo asked,ing over to press my upper body down.

    ¡°Huh?¡± My hands that were resting on my knees slipped, and my upper body bent further down while my legs stayed stretched.

    I felt a sharp tug. "Senior... Se-, Senior..." I called out.

    ¡°Yeah? Is this hard for you?" Lee Dong-Woo asked in surprise. His surprise made sense, given that people in this group were typically much more flexible than the others.

    ¡°Ahh! Ouch!" It hurt more than I expected, so I couldn''t help but yelp in pain. The seniors and Justin turned to see what was happening.

    ¡°Lee Dong-Woo, don''t bully the youngest.¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not the problem. This dude is so stiff,¡± he replied.

    ¡°Stiff? He seemed flexible on TV. That¡¯s odd.¡± They were naturals at creating engaging content, even during warm-ups, and they seized any chance to tease the youngest.

    ¡°Se... senior... Could you help me get up?" I asked Dong-Woo, half-joking, half in real need of assistance.

    ¡°Yeah, I thought for sure this kid had a ballet background when I saw him on thepetition program.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, we can transform your stiff body into a flexible one in a week. Want the seniors to help?¡±

    ¡°Se...senior...¡±

    ¡®<i>Can you just stop teasing and take your hands off my back? Ugh.¡¯</i>

    I felt like I was going to cry from the strain.

    I eventually copsed. Sitting crouched with my knees bent, I was greeted withughter all around. Yes, it was like this during my trainee days too, bullied by the seniors.

    Now I appreciated how nice my fellow Chronos members were. I missed them. If Lee Jin-Sung was the one being bullied and teased in Chronos, then it was me in this team.

    Before I knew it, I was spending a painful time warming up surrounded by my ¡°kind¡± seniors. Justin stretched with his feet on a chair in the corner of the practice room and returned to his spot after all of us stood up.

    ¡°Now, let''s start the real practice. Everyone, please spread out in front of me." Hearing the interpreter''s words, everyone moved apart. Since the formation wasn''t decided yet, it didn¡¯t matter how and where we stood.

    Soon, he assigned us the choreography. It definitely felt easier to follow after a proper warm-up, even if it was somewhat forced.

    ¡°Swing your right arm high above your head and kick back with your right leg. Try to bounce."

    ¡°A bounce? So, just spin around once?" another senior member asked, and the interpreter conversed with Justin before nodding.

    ¡°Yes, just spin around once."

    Mimunication wasmon when working with foreign choreographers. After all, they exined in their own way, and if the interpreter was not deeply versed in dance, they simply tranted verbatim. As a result, we had to keep asking to understand and learn.

    As I silently swung my right arm and spun around, Justin didn''t miss a beat, shouting ¡°Okay!¡± and ¡°Right!¡± while giving me a thumbs up.

    ¡°Jump and gather your hands preciously at your chest as yound, then bend your waist. From there, take five steps back." We managed to practice reasonably well, following Justin''s movements and the interpreter''s exnations.

    In the midst of talented dancers, certain idol members stood out. There was Yoo Jeon-Hwa from All The Time, who was a real contemporary dance major; Rain from Blue Paper, who was known for his innate sexiness; and me, who was praised by Justin for expressive facial acting and elegant dance lines. He then decided that the three of us would lead the formation.

    ¡°The formation is set, so we need to decide who will start in the center next. Of course, everyone will dance in the center at some point, but starting in the center ys a crucial role in setting the mood. Let''s take time with the decision." As the interpreter conveyed Justin''s words, the seniors shrugged nonchntly.

    ¡°Our youngest should start in the center."

    ¡°...Pardon?¡± I asked.

    ¡°End of discussion! Yay!¡± After Yoo Jeon-Hwa and Rain spoke, Lee Dong-Woo and Cho Min-Seong, who were standing behind them, readily agreed and cheered. It might have seemed like they were too casually passing on the central role to me, but in reality, it wasn''t that strange. This was why I had worked hard to break down their barriers with my crazy antics and charm.

    Unlike the <i>Pick We Up </i>trainees whopeted fiercely for center positions, the popr idols with experience and poprity were on different levels. These seniors didn''t need to be as aggressive, as they already had plenty of opportunities to be on stage and could easily get broadcast time just by talking well.

    ¡°Anyway, we all take turns in the center, so let''s give our youngest the chance to start." They seemed to understand that giving a slightly more significant role to the cute junior would make for a better picture.

    ¡°Uh... Really? Can I do that?" I rejoiced inwardly, determined to seize this opportunity and make a strong impression. My reaction was full of uncontroble joy, which made the seniorsugh and pat me on the back.

    As a neer who had to be mindful of the seniors, I had no choice but to secure a good position in the formation, even if it meant that I had to headbang nonstop.

    Yoo Jeon-Hwa, who was standing in the center, pulled me to his position and moved to the side himself. Standing awkwardly among the seniors, I bit my lip and stared intently at the mirror. Soon enough, the practice resumed.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo will start with a solo dance, and he will make an entrance alone. Then, in sequence, Jeon-Hwa, Rain, Dong-Woo, and Min-Seong will take over."

    ¡°Take over? Does that mean each persones in one at a time?" Rain asked.

    After a brief conversation with Justin, the interpreter rified, "No, everyone will have a solo dance. The stage is huge, so each area will have one person. Starting with Hyun-Woo''s solo, each of you will follow in sequence."

    The n was as follows: starting with my solo, each member would present their dance. Following that, during Cho Min-Seong''s solo, the rest of the members would move toward the main stage where Min-Seong was.

    Then, the choreography would start with me in the center, and each member would take a turn in the center before transitioning to the second part. The stageyout facilitated this, as the number of members in the second part was significantly fewer, and each of them had a distinct characteristic.

    Justin spoke in a serious tone, and the interpreter ryed his words. ¡°Our rivals are not each other but the members of the second part. Let''s work together in the first part to create an artistic stage."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, your solo is from zero to forty seconds of the video I sent you."

    ¡°Ah, I wondered why some parts suddenly felt different.¡±

    I then started practicing my solo, which allowed my unique style to emerge more vividly than in group practice.

    ¡°Wow, our youngest is amazing!"

    ¡°I knew it from thepetition. He is really good."

    During the dance, I could hear the seniors'' voices and the interpreter''s as well. ¡°Hyun-Woo''s concept is madness. Make sure your facial expressions are spot on. There can be no clumsiness."

    ¡°Okay!"

    Thankfully, I didn''t have to sing. If this was a live performance, I would run out of energy before even starting the stage, considering the intensity of my movements and headbanging.

    ¡°Move a bit more flexibly, but don''t lose your strength. Keep the heaviness that''s unique to you Hyun-Woo."

    There were many demands, but the practice paid off. I focused on maintaining my facial expressions and the dynamics of the dance, just as Justin instructed.

    The forty seconds started to feel incredibly long...

    ¡°All right! That''s good!"

    Justin''s satisfied apuse signaled the end of my part.

 Chapter 136: End-of-Year Stage (6)

    <h4>Chapter 136: End-of-Year Stage (6)</h4>

    After wrapping up the first practice session, we finally got a break. We had been pushing our limits under the watchful eye of our tough instructor, Justin. The moment we heard ¡°break,¡± our team bolted from the practice room. Honestly, I was so thirsty I thought I''d die.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you look like you''ve just showered in sweat!¡±

    ¡°How was it? Not too bad, right?¡±

    I was trying to catch my breath and chugging cold water when members from the second part team, including the Allure members and Jin-Sung, came over and sat beside me. They were sweaty too, but not as drained as my team.

    ¡°Looks like this guy is about to copse, huh?¡±

    ¡°Was it really that tough?¡±

    I managed to shoot them a weak smile and said, ¡°I''m okay. It''s tough, but I can handle it.¡±

    Honestly, I would have openlyined to the Allure members about feeling like I was on myst leg if the cameras weren''t rolling.

    ¡°Don''t you all have solo stages to do? Are you sure you are okay?¡± Da-Win asked.

    ¡°The solo stages are fine. It¡¯s the group choreography that''s a bit more challenging...¡± I replied.

    The solo routines were a breezepared to the group dance. Sure, they were demanding, but we had practiced, and we knew how to up our game as the main dancers of our respective groups.

    The real challenge was the group choreography following the solos. Blending more contemporary moves was a struggle for everyone, and we had to practice at a snail''s pace.

    Only Yoo Jeon-Hwa, who majored in contemporary dance, could nail the moves. To get the right silhouette, we had to use muscles we never knew existed.

    ¡°My muscles are already screaming.¡± I wouldn¡¯tin, but I had to let something out.

    ¡°Hyung, you look really worn out.¡± Jin-Sung came up behind me and started working on the knots in my back.

    About the back-to-back award ceremonies every other week, I initially thought it would be manageable and considered them simr to apetition stage. Boy, was I wrong. It was like hitting a wall right from the get-go.

    ¡°Hyung, you need to take care of yourself. We still have the Chronos stage practice after this, remember?¡±

    ¡°Ah...¡±

    It was definitely overwhelming... and burdensome. This schedule was a killer. I forgot we would be performing with these groups and also prepping a special remix for Chronos at the awards ceremony.

    On top of that, we also had to prepare for our next album. It was like surviving by the skin of our teeth.

    ¡°We will pull through. Our youngest is tough, right?¡±

    While Jin-Sung massaged me, senior Yoo Jeon-Hwa and Lee Dong-Woo joined in, working on my shoulders.

    Feeling the weight of the moment, I said, ¡°Uh... yeah, I will give it my all.¡±

    ¡°We bonded pretty well earlier. Just call me hyung, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°You guys got close that fast? You are usually so shy around juniors, Jeon-Hwa.¡±

    ¡°That''s true. I don''t usually click with juniors, but practicing together changes everything, doesn''t it?¡±

    The cameras were still rolling, and most of the groups here were friendly with Allure, so they treated us quite well. Also, it seemed like my headbanging and yful antics struck the right chord in their hearts.

    ¡°Even Hyun-Woo ising out of his shell, thanks to the hyungs'' kind treatment.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the seniors have been super nice.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you are the youngest here, right? Feels kinda new and exciting.¡±

    Everyone''s guard was down, and the vibe had totally shifted. At first, I had been worried about fitting in, but now, it simply felt like hanging out with fun-loving, prankster seniors. I was concerned I wouldn''t adjust, but they always made sure someone was with me during the solo practice breaks.

    ¡°Let''s get back to filming. Everyone, please head back to the practice room.¡±

    We quickly wrapped up our chat and headed back. Jin-Sung was bouncing around, thrilled to dance again, but the first part idol members, including me, sighed in unison. We shuffled our feet as we returned to the grind.

    ***

    ¡°I will suffer from muscle pain for days.¡±

    ¡°I can''t go on, teacher. Interpreter, please tell him that if we push ourselves any harder, one of us might actually drop dead.¡±

    Afterpleting the grueling group choreography in just one day, we all fell on the floor.

    While the seniors negotiated with Justin for a break, I was panting like crazy, barely able to get a word out.

    Saving energy for the Chronos stage practice? Yeah, that went out the window. Justin was very strict, so even if we cked off a bit, he would quickly notice it and point it out. That was why I had to grit my teeth and give it my all to satisfy him.

    ¡°Ah, today''s group practice was a real disaster,¡± murmured Cho Min-Seong, who had copsed beside me.

    It looked like everyone was thinking the same thing. The fact that those gathered were key members responsible for the performance made it all the more worrisome for whaty ahead. Ultimately, Justin dered the end of practice in response to our pleas.

    ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day! Good job, everyone!"

    After Justin left the room, the people in the practice room started to disperse. The practice for the second part members wasn''t over yet. Lee Dong-Woo headed upstairs to the YU building, while the others left with their individual managers or went to a cafe. The camera crews were also packing the cameras in the practice room and called it a day.

    Iy on the practice room floor, acutely aware of my tense muscles. I nned to just rest here until the second part members finished their practice.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, great work today. See you tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Ah, you''ve worked hard too! Take care on your way out!¡±

    I got up to say bye to thest staff who were packing up the equipment and then flopped back down. I needed to rest a bit to be ready for the next stage of practice, so I closed my eyes just for a moment in the quiet practice room.

    <i>Thunk!</i>

    ¡°Uh... what''s that? Hey, Hyung, someone''s still here."

    Hearing the familiar yet irksome voice, I couldn''t believe it. I directly brushed off the ache in my muscles and bolted upright. Slowly opening my eyes, I fixed my gaze on the unexpected visitor by the door, and he paused his conversation with someone behind him. When he saw me, his face morphed from surprise to annoyance.

    ¡°Why are you here?" he asked.

    ¡°I came for the year-end stage practice," I replied.

    Kim Jin-Wook was standing at the door, staring at me. Well, he was thest person I expected to see.

    ¡°What about you? Why are you here, hyung?"

    As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized how dumb my question was. Of course, a YU trainee would use a YU practice room. Great, now I was rambling because I didn''t want to see him.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°..."

    We were locked in an awkward stare-off, both clearly annoyed. Then, someone suddenly nudged Kim Jin-Wook into the room.

    ¡°Why the hesitation? Hurry up, we need to start practicing.... Oh, hello, Hyun-Woo. I thought your practice was over, or is it not?"

    The man behind Kim Jin-Wook was a stranger to me. As I nodded at his question, he nudged Jin-Wook again and said, ¡°What are you waiting for? Greet your senior. Oh, wait, aren¡¯t you guys close?"

    ¡°We are not close."

    ¡°We are not friends."

    ¡°Huh?"

    Apparently, this guy was Kim Jin-Wook''s manager. Our simultaneous response seemed to throw him off a bit, but he quickly recovered, encouraging Jin-Wook. ¡°Then go on, greet your senior from Chronos."

    Pfft! He called me ¡°Senior.¡± So now I was Kim Jin-Wook''s senior. I couldn''t help but smirk at the irony, while Jin-Wook just scowled.

    ¡°We are close."

    ¡°Really, Jin-Wook? Why are you making such a fuss about a greeting? That''s nonsense. Anyway, Hyun-Woo, you can keep using the practice room if you need it. We can find another spot."

    Even though I was an artist from a different agency, a debuted idol was generally prioritized over a trainee. If I chose to stay, Jin-Wook would definitely need to find another empty room. They were here because they were told the room was free, so they might not have many other options.

    However, I decided to be considerate. ¡°No, it''s fine. I¡¯m just resting because I¡¯m tired. You guys can use this room."

    ¡°Ah, okay! We didn''t mean to intrude. Please, feel free to stay. We are just going to practice."

    ¡°...Maybe I will stick around and watch a bit?" I said with a grin, feeling Jin-Wook''s fiery re that was begging me to leave. But what could I do? I was simply too exhausted to move.

    ¡°Ugh, I''m pooped.¡± Struggling to my feet, I managed to walk over and sit in a corner chair.

    Like a pro, the manager handed Jin-Wook a microphone and started working on aptop. ¡°Jin-Wook, let''s go over what we did yesterday."

    ¡°Okay."

    I crossed my legs and adopted a senior''s air of authority, observing Jin-Wook in action. He still looked annoyed, but as the music started, he immediately focused and started his practice.

    It was a rap piece with no specific choreography, a new song I hadn''t heard before.

    I turned to the manager beside me and asked, ¡°Is Jin-Wook hyung making his debut soon?"

    ¡°Ah, yes! He must''ve been too preupied to tell you. His debut is scheduled for early next year."

    ¡°Oh, is that so? It¡¯s great. He is finally making his debut."

    The manager nodded enthusiastically and then let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Yeah, right? He was on thin ice for a while, stubborn about not wanting to join a group. But he''s finally set to debut."

    ¡°As a solo artist?"

    ¡°Yes, solo. Haha."

    Before my regression, he was a self-made rapper, but it seemed like my intervention altered a few life courses. Still, his solo debut remained a constant, which I found rather relieving considering his personality.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, Hyun-Woo, you yed a significant role in Jin-Wook''s debut."

    ¡°Me?"

    What had I done? I was perplexed, and with a genuinely happy tone, the manager exined, ¡°He featured on your solo song, and it became his turning point. From that point on, the higher-ups seriously discussed his debut."

    ¡°Ah, that''s great news."

    ¡°So, I think we will contact YMM soon."

    ¡°..."

    <i>¡®Huh? ...Wait. ...What?¡¯ </i>I suddenly got a bad hunch.

    "...Contact us?" I asked cautiously, and the manager responded, ¡°After Jin-Wook''s debut, his first schedule is going to be a music entertainment show. We thought it''d be great if we could invite you to perform ''Once Again'' with Jin-Wook. After all, both of you are the original singers. But Chronos is so busy these days, so we are thinking of checking with YMM for your avability soon."

    I forced a smile and nodded. I guessed that this day woulde eventually. When I became famous and Kim Jin-Wook debuted and rose to fame, I knew we''d end up performing ¡°Once Again¡± on stage.

    Despite Jin-Wook saying we''d never perform it, the idea came from his side first. While I was responding nonchntly, I suddenly thought, <i>''Isn''t this great?¡¯</i>

    ¡°I hope the schedule works out."

    It was going to be a busy time with oureback and the fan club''s inauguration. But honestly, looking at it objectively, performing with Jin-Wook seemed like a good opportunity for both of us.

    When else would I get the chance to perform my solo song live?

    Actually, I was fine with it from the moment I asked Jin-Wook to feature in the song. If Jin-Wook could bear it, it was a win-win situation for everyone.

    ¡°I''d really like to perform it if the opportunity arises." I softened my forced smile and just looked at Jin-Wook. Even while rapping, he frowned and sent me a re as if telling me to look away.

    However, I stubbornly kept looking at him and said with a slight smile, ¡°I''d really like to perform it with Jin-Wook."

    <i>¡®This is a win-win situation, you dumb.¡¯</i>

 Chapter 137: End-of-Year Stage (7)

    <h4>Chapter 137: End-of-Year Stage (7)</h4>

    I received a call that the second part members were wrapping up their practice. While Kim Jin-Wook practiced a song repeatedly, the phone of his manager suddenly rang. As his manager stepped out to take the call and the song came to an end, Kim Jin-Wook shot me a perplexed re. I simply shrugged, as if to say, ¡°What do you expect me to do?¡±

    ¡°Why aren''t you practicing? Having trouble with theptop? Want me to y the song for you?¡± I teased him a bit, and Kim Jin-Wook frowned even deeper and walked over to me.

    ¡°What were you discussing with the manager earlier?¡± he asked.

    ¡°What are you talking about? Now you are picking fights over my conversations?¡±

    ¡°Why did youugh at me?¡±

    ¡°I smiled because I was genuinely happy to see you so dedicated to your practice, hyung.¡± I was aware my actions could easily provoke him. Kim Jin-Wook looked like he was about to grab me by the cor, but he held back. He wasn¡¯t foolish enough to start a physical fight with a <i>senior</i>.

    ¡°The manager mentioned something about us on the stage together for your debut.¡±

    ¡°...¡± His expression told me he already knew this.

    ¡°You swore you''d never share a stage with me, but I guess things change when it''s your own, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not it.¡±

    I understood the situation. As a trainee, what opinion could I have in my debut schedule? It was probably a decision made in some meeting, and even if Jin-Wook was frustrated, he couldn''t really express it.

    I yfully added, ¡°Well, hopefully the schedule works out. I heard you are calling mypany soon, right?¡±

    His annoyance was evident as he said, ¡°Stop being sarcastic, kid.¡±

    ¡°Hey! Watch yournguage with your se-ni-or! Use nice words, especially now that you are about to debut.¡±

    ¡°Are you a kid or something?¡±

    I answered with a serious look, ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    He looked at me with disdain. Feeling awkward, I stood up. ¡°I''m heading out. Don¡¯t forget to treat me to coffee or something once the schedule is fixed.¡±

    I nned to buy coffee for my manager and the hard-working Jin-Sung before their practice ended. As I got up, Kim Jin-Wook stubbornly looked away. I just smiled and said goodbye to his manager who had just returned.

    ¡°Oh, I was about toe and get you, but here you are,¡± said Manager Su-Hwan.

    ¡°I was taking a quick break, needed to recharge.¡±

    The manager gave me a sympathetic look and handed me a drink he had with him. It seemed he had visited the cafe. He said, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you this worn out in practice before. I¡¯d love to let you rest more, but...¡±

    "Don¡¯t worry, we are pretty resilient. I will let you know if it gets tough.¡±

    Even after this practice, we still needed to practice for Chronos''s special stage. If we kept up with this life for a month, we would likely end up mechanically performing on stage, devoid of spirit and passion. I didn¡¯t want toin though, as every active group was juggling a simr schedule around this time of the year.

    The manager still looked apologetic. After all, he hadn¡¯t seen us push ourselves to the brink until now.

    ¡°Great work today!¡±

    At this moment, the second part''s practice concluded, and a flood of exhausted people streamed out of the practice room. Even Jin-Sung, who was so thrilled about the practice, ended up sprawled on the floor.

    ¡°You alright, Jin-Sung?¡± I tapped his back, and his sweaty palm brushed against mine.

    Jin-Sung grimaced and shook off my hand. ¡°I''m not tired.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Okay.¡±

    ¡°I rested too much. Normally, I don¡¯t get this drained.¡± It seemed he was frustrated by his dwindling stamina. But knowing Jin-Sung, I just reassured him and handed over the drink from the manager.

    Da-Win and Sae-Yeon also received coffee from the manager. At this moment, they let out a deep sigh.

    ¡°Ah, I can''t do any more practice today. I just can¡¯t keep up with it. I must be old now.¡±

    ¡°I know right? I''m going to sleep like a log tonight.¡±

    It looked like their individual stage practice for today would be canceled, given Da-Win¡¯s subtle hints to their manager.

    They just sat in chairs, lost in thought for a long time. This was my first time seeing them so drained. Of course, I hadn¡¯t seen them practice ever since they debuted.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, Jin-Sung, time to head out,¡± our manager announced.

    Da-Win and Sae-Yeon quickly bid us farewell.

    ¡°You did great. I will see you around.¡±

    ¡°Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow. We will sit here a bit more.¡±

    ¡°Sure! We will head out first then.¡±

    The camera was still rolling. We then quickly stood up, bid farewell to the Allure, and said our goodbyes to all the other seniors who were still around. When we got into the car, the fatigue I had been holding back hit me all at once, and I fell asleep almost instantly.

    ***

    ¡°It''s really baffling and unbelievable."

    The members giggled at my remark.

    - Aigooo~ He is sleeping so well!

    - Yeah, he is like a baby!

    From the video on the manager''s phone came the yful voices of the thrilled members.

    ¡°You guys just can''t miss a chance for some fun, huh? This was your idea, wasn''t it, Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    ¡°Sure thing," Goh Yoo-Joon said, his lips curling into a mischievous smile, hinting at the yful chaos he''d orchestrated. The whole event had yed out while I was lost in sleep, oblivious to the world, and I didn''t snap back to reality until we arrived at the practice room. They said they''d tried their best to rouse me awake, but whether that was the truth or just a convenient tale, who could say?

    ¡°I tried to wake you up, really. If only Yoo-Joon hadn''t stopped me!" Joo-Han retorted, his toneced with a hint of annoyance. Yet, there he was in the video, caught up in theughter, just as guilty of mirth as the rest.

    There was no doubt in my mind that Goh Yoo-Joon was the mastermind behind the whole thing. With me still swimming in my dreams, they decided to just haul me to the practice room. And, true to Goh Yoo-Joon''s style, he didn''t opt for the conventional shoulder carry; instead, he swept me up in a bridal carry, as if straight out of a drama scene. Clearly amused by the scene, Joo-Han captured thisedic gold on camera, all the while cracking jokes.

    In the early parts of the video, Lee Jin-Sung looked like he was struggling to keep his eyes open, but soon enough, he found his rhythm and synced up with Goh Yoo-Joon''s silliness.

    ¡°This is so touching," remarked Park Yoon-Chan as he observed, adding ayer of emotion to what was essentially a prank turned into a moment of camaraderie. It was a fine line between being part of the joke and being the joke itself.

    Meanwhile, the manager was giving the video another run-through. ¡°Hyun-Woo, how about we edit this footage and upload it on our official <i>UTube</i> channel?" he proposed. The response was immediate¡ªeveryone was nodding except for me.

    ¡°Definitely! I would be posting it on <i>BlueBird</i> if you hadn''t mentioned it," Joo-Han eagerly added.

    I let out a resigned sigh and gave a nod of consent. ¡°Make sure the editing is spot-on, please."

    This whole episode was reminiscent of Jin-Sung¡¯s pancake incident, which was a hit with the fans. Hopefully, this would receive a simr reception. Just like that, we smoothly transitioned from joking to preparing for our special stage.

    The songs in the lineup for KEW''s award ceremony were ¡°Blue Room Party¡± and ¡°Parade,¡± with the n to open with ¡°Blue Room Party¡± and conclude with ¡°Parade.¡±

    Serving more as a warm-up, ¡°Blue Room Party¡± maintained its usual tranquil and smooth flow without any dramatic ir. The distinct choreography gradually heightened the intensity, leading up to the doorway of the blue room. After delivering my final lines and flinging the door open, the ambiance transformed. The lighting shifted, unveiling Jin-Sung with a cane in hand amidst a sea of pastel-colored flowers, ready to greet the lens. This marked the start of ¡°Parade,¡± and we nned to remix the final dance break to align with the award ceremony''s vibe.

    With our jam-packed schedule looming over ustely, I pondered if we had the energy to pull it off. However, to be honest, we were excited to do this even if it meant stretching our limits.

    Lee Jin-Sung, who was running on fumes just moments before, was now a dynamo of energy, bouncing around with fresh vigor. This was not a moment to shrink back but rather to showcase our capabilities and talents.

    ¡°Thanks in advance for pushing through despite the busy schedule." I voiced out.

    ¡°We got this!¡±

    The only one wearing an apologetic look was the manager. After that, the choreographer made her entrance and said, ¡°Jin-Sung, this is your first stint with Blue Room Party¡¯s choreography, right? We are going to carve out a niche for you. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but I have full confidence that you will quickly get the hang of it and follow along."

    ¡°Counting on you," Jin-Sung responded with enthusiasm in his voice. And with that, the rehearsals for Chronos kicked into gear.

    ***

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, is Joo-Han hyung dead?"

    ¡°Looks like Yoon-Chan''s checked out too, eyes wide open and all."

    ¡°...<i>Ugh</i>!" Wepletely zoned out for a moment. Was the dance sequence seriously this challenging? Putting aside itsplexity, it was insanely taxing! ¡°Blue Room Party¡± was a breeze inparison. It was unchanged and straightforward, so we just had to mimic the version Jin-Sung had joined.

    However, we funneled all the conserved energy from ¡°Blue Room Party¡± straight into ¡°Parade.¡±

    The dance breaks at the beginning and end were just the main parts, but there were many intricate elements sprinkled throughout the song. Usually, I could memorize a choreography in a day, but today, I was so tired that it got me quite confused.

    The stage¡¯s theme was around a circus of dolls, where the dancers would be the ones controlling us, the dolls. Hence, many dancers had to participate, and the choreography for each part wasplex. The problem was that so many parts had changed, and the dancers yed such a significant role that today, much of it had to be simplified to focus solely on image-making.

    ¡°Can we pull this off within a week...?¡± I voiced my concern, sounding doubtful.

    Joo-Han quickly grabbed my shoulder, reassuring me. ¡°We can do it. Trust me, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°''Huh? Weren''t you passed out, hyung?¡±

    ¡°We have to do it. If Chronos messes up, we will be locked in the practice room for twelve hours!¡± Joo-Han eximed.

    <i>¡®Ah, this hyung, his physical strength might be weak, but his pride is strong.¡¯</i> I knew he couldn''t stand to see mistakes made on stage, no matter how tough it got.

    ¡°Got it. I will do it.¡±

    Drenched in sweat, Joo-Han nodded satisfactorily and then helped Yoon-Chan, who had fainted with his eyes open, to stand up.

    Joo-Han said, ¡°If we nail this performance, let''s have a team dinner. It will be on me.¡±

    At his words, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung, who were sitting and chatting, immediately stood up. ¡°Can we have Korean barbecue?¡±

    ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s go for that. I don''t mind spending on you guys. We will get payment by then too.¡±

    <i>¡®Korean beef, now that''s a treat.¡¯ </i>

    ¡°Korean beef!¡± I cheered, gathering my energy and standing up. At least, I now intended to memorize all the choreography before leaving the practice room.

 Chapter 138: End-of-Year Stage (8)

    <h4>Chapter 138: End-of-Year Stage (8)</h4>

    As the chill of November deepened, the buzz of year-end festivities was already palpable in the broadcasting realm. Every TVwork was bustling with promotions for their uing award gs, and the excitement was apparent as they unveiled their star-studded lineups. It was the season when themunity came alive with chatter about attending these morous events.

    KEW, leading the award season parade, had ramped up the hype with its promise of show-stopping dance coborations featuring popr groups and a stage grander than ever before, sparking sky-high anticipation among many fandoms.

    In this high-energy atmosphere, it was no surprise that Chronos, a group known for their passion and drive, were pushing their limits in rehearsals. Despite their exhaustive schedule, they weremitted to excellence.

    ¡°Don''t forget, <i>Halo''s Music Bus </i>airs tonight," the manager reminded us, but I was too spent to respond.

    I just nodded, lost in my own thoughts, and then mustered the energy to ask, ¡°Can I catch itter on rey?"

    ¡°Absolutely. I will make sure you can watch it on theptop in the practice room.¡± Given our relentless practice sessions and minimal sleep, keeping up with live broadcasts was a luxury we couldn¡¯t afford right now.

    As I stretched and eased the tension in my legs, I took a moment to observe my fellow members. Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Park Yoon-Chan were deeply engrossed in their ¡°Parade¡± routine with the choreographer, while Jin-Sung was diligently working on the joint performance. Their exhaustion was evident, but their dedication was unwavering.

    Having put in hours of practice this morning, I took a brief rest, burying my face in my knees to conserve what little energy I had left. Even in the midst of this grueling schedule, I reminded myself that neglecting my health and wellness was not an option. Thest thing I needed was to falter on the actual performance day after all the hard work.

    While half-asleep, I sensed someone sitting next to me. I looked up to see Joo-Han unraveling his earphone cords.

    ¡°Are you doing okay, Hyun-Woo?" he asked with concern.

    ¡°Yeah, just catching a quick break.¡±.

    ¡°Make sure to apply some muscle patches back at the dorm, and don''t rush to bed."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Then, he handed me his earphones. As I epted them, he urged me to listen to a song. ¡°While you''ve been busy with practice, a new track came out. Remember the indie band you mentioned? Producer Do decided to go ahead with the coboration. Give it a go."

    ¡°Already?¡±

    That was a fast decision. Well, Joo-Han and Producer Do were known for their impable taste, so I had anticipated a swift decision.

    The moment I put on the earphones, Joo-Han''s signature emotive hip-hop intro filled my ears. The track was polished by Producer Do and weaved an exhrating melody with its synth sounds. Just like that, a wave of awe washed over me. ¡°Wow..."

    I was amazed at the transformation the song had undergone. The richyering of sounds in the intro greatly amplified my anticipation, and Joo-Han watched me with a satisfied grin, a stark contrast to his frustrated state when he had acted like a madman.

    The fatigue that was clouding my senses disappeared as I immersed myself in the music, envisioning the future performances this song would inspire. The melody cascaded softly before evolving into an irresistible chorus. As excitement peaked, it erupted into a dance break punctuated by an electrifying guitar and drum crescendo. The song conjured vivid imagery in my mind, with each member''s dance moves and scenes crystal clear.

    ¡°This is amazing..." I kept eximing without realizing it.

    It felt like receiving a much-needed boost amidst our hectic schedule.

    Joo-Han''s smile widened at my response. ¡°Is it that good?" he asked.

    ¡°More than good, Hyung," I assure him.

    After the song ended, I removed the earphones and expressed my admiration. ¡°This is insane. It''s fantastic."

    ¡°You yed a part in this too," he reminded me.

    We still had a long way to go before oureback. The lyrics weren''t finalized yet, and there was much to be done, but I couldn¡¯t help feeling eager to share this track with the world.

    Sensing my impatience, Joo-Han patted my back silently and stood up. ¡°Let''s focus on practice for now. Don''t get too carried away. The song is not even finished yet. I only brought it for you to hear.¡±

    ¡°Got it." I was re-energized by the new music and our shared passion.

    Joo-Han briefly discussed the next steps with the choreographer before we dove back into practice. ¡°We''ve got ''Blue Room Party'' down, so let''s shift to ''Parade''. Dancers, get ready!"

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°This time, we are adding vocals!"

    We quickly got into our formation. Everyone had grown ustomed to enduring the strain, so no oneined about the short rest despite still panting for breath.

    Soon, the remixed intro started, apanied by an English narration recorded separately by Goh Yoo-Joon. In perfect sync, Jin-Sung made a gesture of cing his hand on his chest in greeting. Meanwhile, I simted changing clothes and positioned myself with the dancers in my spot.

    In just three days, the choreography had achieved amendable level ofpletion.

    ***

    After our gruelingte-night practice session, I made my way back to the practice room, fresh from a quick shower at thepany.

    ¡°Hyung, hurry up. You''ve got to see this. We are all over the portal sites!" Jin-Sung burst out with an excitement that was hard to ignore. It seemed like our appearance on <i>Halo''s Music Bus</i> had set the inte on fire. Only a couple of hours had passed since the broadcast, and we''d already dominated the trending topics on portal sites, the <i>Bluebird</i> issue section, and even the top spots on <i>UTube</i>''s popr videos list.

    This level of buzz wasn''t entirely unexpected, considering Yeong-Yee''s massive influence. Just a hint about her attendance had previously dominated the search engines and flooded the news.

    ¡°Chronos is at number three!" Jin-Sung announced proudly.

    ¡°Wow, that''s awesome. We really owe senior Yeong-Yee a big thanks.¡±

    ¡°Aren''t you more excited, Hyung? This is huge!" Jin-Sung prodded, a hint of surprise in his voice.

    ¡°Alright, I am going to turn on the episode," Joo-Han interjected, calming Jin-Sung down and starting the rey of the broadcast that the manager had recorded.

    The beauty of watching reys was skipping straight to the good parts. We were so tired that nobody needed to say it aloud, and Joo-Han intuitively fast-forwarded to our scene. The video started with Yeong-Yee''s new song, just before our appearance.

    Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but express his admiration. ¡°I was bummed about missing this live. Senior always nails it with the vocals."

    ¡°Totally. I never understood why she doubted her singing."

    ¡°Wait, Senior Yeong-Yee said what?" Joo-Han chimed in, catching bits of our conversation. We shrugged it off and refocused on theptop screen.

    Yeong-Yee''s solo performance wrapped up, leaving a lingering sense of anticipation in the air, punctuated by the audience''s cheers. Then, it was our turn to take the stage.

    ¡°Oh, look at our hyungs..."

    ¡°Why? You look downright adorable."

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung, you are not teasing us, right?"

    ¡°Ah... no, seriously, you guys rocked it."

    ¡°...Really, where exactly?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s costume and our on-stage acts drew a mix of embarrassment andughter from us. Honestly, it became so cringeworthy at one point that Goh Yoo-Joon and I had to look away. On the other hand, Joo-Han couldn''t help but chuckle. Jin-Sung analytically dissected the dance, while Yoon-Chan earnestly tried to pinpoint the highlights of our performance in response to my questioning.

    ¡°Argh! I can''t watch this anymore!" Goh Yoo-Joon eximed suddenly, fleeing the room.

    I forced myself to watch until the end, gradually getting used to the cringe. There were shots of Halo who was observing us from a corner, and his face filled with a proud and almost affectionate gaze.

    The medley scene that followed was actually quite wless¡ªor rather, impressively perfect. Both Goh Yoo-Joon and I were visibly nervous, but we managed to pull through the interview part decently.

    ¡°You both did well. It was tough, but you guys really put in the effort," Joo-Hanmended.

    ¡°Oh, the effort... it''s nothingpared to what we are going through now..." Yoo-Joon said.

    I quickly mped a hand over Goh Yoo-Joon''s mouth. ¡°Shh, let''s not talk about that. Admitting it only makes it harder."

    Thankfully, Goh Yoo-Joon kept quiet this time instead of teasing me, probably too exhausted for his usual antics.

    ¡°Anyway, let''s head back to the dorm now. Everyone deserves a good rest after today.¡±

    ¡°Agreed!" Reenergized by the idea, Goh Yoo-Joon led the way as we all gathered our things and left for the dorm.

    ¡°Great job today, everyone. See you tomorrow, and don''t forget to rest well," the manager said, holding the dorm door open for us before heading back to his home.

    Once inside the dark dorm, I flicked on the lights and headed straight to my room to copse on my bed. The sound of water running signaled that the others were taking turns showering. While waiting for his turn, Jin-Sung turned on the TV with his leftover energy, but he earned a gentle scolding from Joo-Han to keep the volume down.

    No matter how tired we were, the atmosphere was still warm and familial. Listening to the sounds of my teammates, I chuckled to myself in the dimly lit room and finally checked my phone, which I hadn''t gotten around to earlier.

    Hmm, during our return to the dorm, ¡°Tenten Yeong-Yee¡± had been overtaken by ¡°Chronos¡± as the top trending topic on the portal site. Perhaps the flow of time was indeed unstoppable. It was bittersweet when I thought about Senior Yeong-Yee, who had worked hard yet still showed moments of insecurity.

    In this busy season, Team D and the trainee group chats were quiet. However, I received one message from an unexpected person.

    [Dad]

    My finger was ready to scroll over it but paused.

    <i>''Dad?''</i>

    It was rare for him to contact me first. Concerned that something might have happened, I opened the message. And then, my finger stopped again.

    [We watched the broadcast, and your mom liked it very much. Yeong-Yee is her favorite singer. I know you are busy, but drop by home sometimes. Mom misses you.]

    ¡°...¡±

    A simple ¡°yes¡± would suffice as a response, but my finger hesitated over the screen for a long time. If I had to really count it, it had been over five years since Ist saw my parents.

    I had been a terribly unfilial child back then, avoiding my parents to spare them the sight of my ruined face. And now that I had returned to the past, I still ignored their wishes to see me. Such behavior was really rotten.

    Should a son like me brazenly face his parents again?

    - Yes, Dad. Thank you.

    I sent a brief reply to my father, feeling the weight of my heart grow heavier. It took me a long time to fall asleep, as I was weighed down by feelings of stuffiness.

 Chapter 139: End-of-Year Stage (9)

    <h4>Chapter 139: End-of-Year Stage (9)</h4>

    After Yeong-Yee appeared on <i>Halo''s Music Bus</i>, the show experienced an extraordinary surge in poprity. Given that the average viewership for <i>Halo''s Music Bus </i>usually hovered below one percent, Yeong-Yee''s episode which had a 2.1 percent rating was a phenomenal sess. Its impact then amplified as clips from the episode spread like wildfire across <i>UTube </i>and various portal sites.

    Among the clips, the ones capturing everyone''s heart were undoubtedly the Tenten hit song medley¡ªa nostalgic throwback. This performance was even more memorable with the participation of Chronos.

    However, Yeong-Yee''s influence was even more significant than anticipated. Suddenly, the ssic hits of the 80s and 90s era were back in the limelight, bing a trend once again. Even teens and those in their twenties found themselves humming these old tunes. Yeong-Yee''s star power,bined with the buzz around Chronos, created the perfect storm for a nostalgia revival.

    Having been the guests of the show, Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon also saw a spike in poprity.

    Hyun-Woo I Miss You @dldim ¡¤ 2 hours ago

    (Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon adorably acting silly while dancing.gif)

    This is just insane. I''d love for Chronos to asionally belt out such quirky tunes.

    Replies 0 RT 220 Likes 422

    ?¤·? @buuluu ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    (Suh Hyun-Woo dancing with shoulder moves.gif)

    So this is Suh Hyun-Woo? Now, I get why he is so adored... When he appeared with his hair tousled and shed that irresistibly fresh smile, my heart skipped a beat. I immediately started searching for him on the inte. Please ept my love, handsome <3

    Replies 4 RT 73 Likes 134

    Price Meet Hyun-Woo @akdw ¡¤ 3 hours ago

    The guest members from Tenten are Chronos''s second and third oldest members. The good-looking one in the cute hat is Suh Hyun-Woo, and the muscle-showing, tank-top-wearing member with a deep voice is Goh Yoo-Joon. Everyone, get in line for your new crushes!

    Replies 0 RT 644 Likes 742

    Annu @begopa ¡¤ 3 hours ago

    Just saw a former Tenten member on my favorite show. I mean, why didn''t anyone tell me these Chronos guys were this adorable? Weren''t they pushing a mysterious, dark concept? Totally caught off guard, now I''m binge-watching their clips... especially digging this Suh Hyun-Woo guy.

    Replies 8 RT 294 Likes 666

    ©¸Rings @ggggorrrri ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    Reply to @begopa

    Hello! Sorry for butting in! So grateful that you like Chronos! Suh Hyun-Woo is Chronos''s third youngest member, the main vocalist, and center. He''s a fantastic dancer too! Their group is the total package. They had everything: mysterious dark concepts, killer entertainment skills, and mind-blowing talent. Thanks a ton! Here''s to promoting our Hyun-Woo!!! (A scene from ¡®Parade¡¯ music video.gif)

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 38

    Chronos Storage o_gallery

    (Yoo-Joon kissing Yeong-Yee''s hand, Hyun-Woo beaming at the camera.gif)

    They are just too cute. What have they done to me...? My head is spinning omg! Can we see more of this concept... please? Pretty please?

    Replies 0 RT 782 Likes 829

    Muggle Here @dmdkd ¡¤ 2 hours ago

    Folks, I''m not usually into idols, but I need to know this guy''s name.

    (Close-up of Suh Hyun-Woo making eye contact during the second medley ending.jpg)

    Replies 12 RT 107 Likes 213

    Not only teenagers and young adults reacted to their performance. Even parents from the 80s and 90s who had watched the show started asking their kids about these guys. They even praised Chronos for their spot-on Tenten tribute.

    <i>Halo''s Music Bus</i> proved to be a win-win for both Chronos and Yeong-Yee. Following the sess, Yeong-Yee''s engagements skyrocketed, and South Korea was deeply immersed in the music of the 80-90s.

    ***

    ¡°Practice is over! Great work, everyone."

    ¡°Thank you all for your hard work!"

    Finally, our preparations for the KEW stage came to a close. Well, to be precise, Chronos still had some unfinished business, but the major part was done.

    ¡°Everyone did an amazing job!"

    Over the week, the bond among the members grew as we supported each other¡ª<i>ehm</i>, bonding over sprawling on the practice room floor. Even the previously tense seniors seemed to have rxed a bit toward us.

    ¡°Let''s head out for some food.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Come on, everyone up! Hyun-Woo, you too."

    ¡°Yep." I gathered my energy and pushed myself up. Gosh, I was exhausted, and all I wanted was to crawl into bed and sleep.

    Though our intense practice session had wrapped up, our day wasn''t quite over yet. KEW had thoughtfully organized a dinner for us to unwind after thest practice, but it was more of a chance to gather some fun footage for the show than an actual stress reliever.

    As the youngest, I was probably going to end up quietly focusing on my food, not quite daring to jump into the seniors'' conversations.

    ¡°Is it a barbecue ce? Will there be drinks?"

    ¡°Yes, it''s a barbecue spot. We didn''t n for alcohol since you all have practiceter on, but we can arrange it if you''d like."

    ¡°Come on, we are not kids! Of course, we need drinks."

    ¡°We are up for some tipsy practice tonight."

    Hearing about the dinner party, the two most senior members from the first and second part spoke up. The idea of drinking was off-limits for us minors. However, I wasn''t too taken aback since I had seen seniors participate in drinking scenes on shows before. It was a bit surprising though.

    The production team agreed enthusiastically, and the managers seemed fine with it. The only concern was for us minors, specifically Jin-Sung and me. Manager Su-Hwan also reminded us not to get too swept up in the lively atmosphere.

    ¡°We will keep it professional," we assured.

    ¡°I''m not worried about Hyun-Woo. After all, Jin-Sung is the wild one."

    ¡°Why me!? I will just stick by Hyun-Woo hyung¡¯s side and focus on the meat."

    I quickly sidestepped Jin-Sung''s clinginess and said, ¡°No way. If you are next to me, I will end up being the designated grill master all night."

    ¡°Then where should I sit, if not next to you?"

    ¡°Why not join the High Tension crowd? You always said you wanted to be one of them."

    ¡°Are you still on about that?" Jin-Sung left with a pout, joining the Allure hyungs.

    Soon, we all hopped into our respective cars and headed to the dinner venue. The restaurant seemed to be entirely reserved for us, creating a peaceful and private environment. As we settled into our seats, the chatter andughter started to fill the air.

    ***

    The dinner stretched on longer than expected. Unustomed to such impromptu schedules, our manager bit his lip worriedly before stepping out to make a phone call. Now, the air was filled with the scent of alcohol. Thankfully, everyone was careful and only drank modestly, considering we were still on camera, but the mood had <i>definitely</i> be more buoyant.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, join us for a drink!"

    ¡°Oh, senior, I''m still underage."

    ¡°...Right, you can''t. Hyun-Woo, here, have a soda!" Jeon-Hwa swapped his soju bottle for a soda, offering it to me. Seeing this, I gulped my half-full soda cup and received the new pour with two hands.

    Ah, to be surrounded by soju but drinking soda instead! It was a slightly bittersweet moment.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you know how much your hyung cares for you, right?"

    ¡°Yes? Yes, of course. Thanks for looking out for me, senior."

    ¡°Yoo Jeon-Hwa''s at it again. We can''t let him drink even a sip as he turns into a sticky mess."

    Another member from Jeon-Hwa¡¯s group teased him, eliciting chuckles from the others.

    ¡°Hey, Yoo Jeon-Hwa, leave the junior alone and back off."

    Hearing this, Jeon-Hwa stepped away from me. Other seniors, including Dong-Woo, came over and generously piled sd and meat onto my te. The typically reserved Min-Seong even asked for a selfie with me. Hmm, indeed, alcohol seemed to be amplifying everyone''s affections.

    Moreover, not only the idols from the first part were bing more clingy.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, I''ve been looking everywhere for you!"

    ¡°Eh? Senior?" Da-Win and Sae-Yeon approached me, their faces flushed red with warmth.

    I got trapped between Da-Win on my right and Sae-Yeon on my left, and I felt like I was in an Allure jail. They both smelled like alcohol, so it seemed that they had indulged a bit more than us juniors.

    ¡°Ah, we can''t let this fun vibe go to waste."

    ¡°No, senior. Maybe you should stop drinking. Don¡¯t you have practiceter?" I asked as I handed my soda to Da-Win. He then took a big gulp and shook his head.

    ¡°Oh, we are all done for today. Allure doesn''t practice right before a show. It''s bad luck, you know. What if someone gets hurt during practice?"

    Now that I thought about it, I remembered seeing an interview where Allure mentioned a superstition about getting injured if they practiced right before a performance.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo! Look over here. Say hello.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡®<i>What is Sae-Yeon hyung up to?¡¯</i>

    Sae-Yeon suddenly appeared with his phone, filming a video. He focused the camera on me, so I quickly greeted the camera and poured some cider into my cup to hand to Sae-Yeon.

    I said, ¡°Have some cider too, Senior."

    ¡°Huh? Ah! What''s with this ''senior'' thing? Call me ''hyung'' like you usually do!"

    ...Hmm, did I upset him by calling him ¡°senior?¡± It seemed like no one was drinking excessively, just enough to get into a lively mood.

    ¡°That''s right. Do you know that the fans all know you call us ''hyung'' behind the scenes? They want to see you call us like that," Da-Winmented.

    Iughed awkwardly. ¡°The fans?"

    ¡°Yes, so make sure it''s visible on camera." Sae-Yeon moved the camera closer. ¡°Show the fans. Come on. Call me ''hyung'' instead of ''senior¡¯ with cuteness. Then, say it to Da-Win."

    <i>¡®With cuteness?¡¯</i>

    I called them ''hyung'' every day, so it was not hard. ¡°Um..."

    However, it was different when the camera was rolling and they forced me to do it. It was just a simple ¡°hyung,¡± but it felt like a challenge had suddenly presented itself.

 Chapter 140: End-of-Year Stage (10)

    <h4>Chapter 140: End-of-Year Stage (10)</h4>

    "Hyun-Woo hyung, you are blushing!" Jin-Sung eximed, causing a stir.

    ¡°What? What''s happening? What''s Hyun-Woo up to?"

    ¡°The seniors from Allure are making Hyun-Woo hyung call them ''hyung!¡¯" answered Jin-Sung. Oh, gosh. Jin-Sung''s dramatic ir quickly drew all eyes to me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, have you agreed to call them ''hyung?¡¯"

    ¡°Uh? No, no, not really..." I instinctively shook my head in denial at Yoo Jeon-Hwa''s question, only to be nudged yfully by Sae-Yeon.

    ¡°What are you saying? He usually calls us ''hyung'' just fine."

    ¡°Why doesn''t he call us ''hyung'' then?"

    ¡°Uh?"

    Sae-Yeon''s yful question set off a ripple of amusement among the first part''s members.

    ¡°We''ve been together for a week, and he''s still so formal. If I were him, I would''ve broken the ice long ago."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is notoriously shy," Both Dong-Woo and Da-Winmented. I was caught between phone cameras, possibly hidden broadcast cameras, and the imposing seniors. Therefore, I could only shoot them an awkward smile.

    ¡°I''ve been practicing with Allure''s seniors since I was young, so..."

    ¡°Ah, right. But let''s not forget our original goal. Hyun-Woo, call me ''hyung!¡¯"

    ¡°Ah, but..." Under the influence of alcohol, everyone was having a field day, putting me on the spot. The seniors looked on with interest, clearly enjoying the yful moment. I was in a bit of a bind¡ªto y along or not? Well, it seemed better to just go with it.

    I muttered quietly, ¡°Hyung..."

    ¡°What? What was that? Couldn''t quite catch it."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, say it louder!"

    ¡°Stop it, stop~ Hyun-Woo is going to cry." The other hyungs were delighted, and Jin-Sung chuckled.

    I grimaced again and spoke up. ¡°Hyung."

    ¡°Which ''hyung?¡¯"

    ¡°Oh, seriously."

    Even Da-Win joined the teasing. Despite my awkward expression, Da-Win just grinned.

    ¡°...Da-Win Hyung."

    ¡°Hyung! Wow! Hyung!"

    As soon as I said it, the seniors gathering around our table erupted into cheers and apuse. I could feel my face getting hotter by the second. <i>Sigh</i>, they were all experts at teasing.

    ¡°Why are you embarrassed? You usually call us that just fine."

    ¡°I just can''t when you set the stage like this... well."

    ¡°Maybe they are teasing you because you are shy."

    ¡°Alright, let''s get thisst one for Sae-Yeon, then we can stop filming. Hyun-Woo,e on!"

    ...Ah, I couldn''t handle this level of embarrassment. ¡°I... I can''t do it!" I then pushed away Sae-Yeon and Da-Win''s hands and fled to the bathroom.

    ¡°Where''s Hyun-Woo going?"

    ¡°Is he running away?"

    ¡°Did we go too far? Should we go after him?"

    ¡°Stop teasing our junior! You are doing exactly what we used to do to the youngest in our team!"

    ¡°Hahaha, he is just too adorable."

    Theirughter followed me. Indeed, they were true veterans of the entertainment world. Even their yful nature was top-notch.

    ***

    When I returned to the table a littleter, the lively energy had simmered down to a rxed, chatty atmosphere.

    Da-Win slid into the seat next to me. ¡°Hyun-Woo, I talked with your manager. We are going to upload Sae-Yeon¡¯s video to our <i>Bluebird </i>channel."

    ¡°Ah, okay. I figured as much. Since the broadcasting station is already promoting our joint performance, there''s no worry about spoilers, and Sae-Yeon hyung already mentioned that it was for the fans."

    ¡°The fans will love it."

    ¡°Just don''t tease me too much, Hyung."

    Da-Win handed me Sae-Yeon''s phone with a yful smile. It was rare to see this kind of smile from him.

    ***

    ¡°Everyone did great! See you on stage!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, Jin-Sung, we are counting on you!"

    ¡°Yes!"

    During my brief escape to the bathroom, Jin-Sung had also switched to calling the seniors ¡°hyungs.¡± Given Jin-Sung''s sociable nature and his knack for winning affection, it wasn¡¯t that surprising.

    We wrapped up the dinner and immediately headed to our practice room. There was only one day left until the performance, so we had to ensure our stage was wless, without any room for errors.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, you need to move faster to get back to your spot!"

    ¡°Got it!¡±

    ¡°One, two, three! Dancers, clear the stage!"

    Any mistake was met with swift correction whether it was members or dancers. We all poured every ounce of our energy into this final stretch of practice.

    ¡°Two, three! Dancers, step back!" Considering we were practicing for a live show on a grand stage, we had switched to arger ce, and this was particrly tough on Yoon-Chan. He was almost in tears near the end as he pushed through the exhausting choreography.

    ¡°Alright, that''s a wrap, great work!"

    ¡°Ugh..."

    At longst, the practice was over, and we all dropped to the floor, utterly spent. The cool and hard surface of the practice room provided a small rxation, almost reviving us. Everyone had put in a solid effort, but Jin-Sung and I, who had been through an earlier practice session, were particrly drained. Wey there faster than the others.

    ¡°I am about to... fall asleep...¡±

    Speak of the devil... I actually dozed off in that exhausted state. Without any time to gather my thoughts, a whole day had flown by, and it was already the day of the performance.

    ***

    I was not sure whether it was deep sleep or sheer exhaustion, but when I woke up, I felt like I had just emerged from a deep, refreshing dive. It could have been an instinctual deep rest for survival, and thankfully, it allowed me to dive wholeheartedly into the performance.

    We arrived at Jamsil[1] Indoor Stadium in the early, dark hours of the morning. The ce buzzed with activity, and the staff-prepared lunches barely came into my view. With the live broadcast and the scale of the stage, we all focused on repeating our rehearsals, as we wanted to finish them as quickly and wlessly as possible.

    ¡°Is this the first time KEW is doing something this big?"

    ¡°Seems like it. Usually, it''s within the broadcasting station. Butst year''s SES Music Festival was such a hit, so this makes sense." The stylists chatted while adorning our costumes with jewels.

    Last year''s massive investment in SES had set the bar high, and this year''s year-end stages were no less grand, which meant that we neers were under immense pressure.

    ¡°Chronos, please move to the backstage area for your performance."

    ¡°Right away!" I hastily tied the name tag around my shoulder and stood up. Cameras from both Chronos''s behind-the-scenes crew and KEW''s team followed us closely.

    - You must be feeling quite nervous for your first rehearsal.

    Trying to maintainposure, I managed to shoot a smile at the KEW¡¯s cameraman.

    ¡°Yes, I''m quite nervous. We''ve practiced hard, but the thought of making a mistake is daunting... I''m not sure. Haha."

    - But you are known for being strong under pressure.

    ¡°Me? Not at all. But I''m trying to appear confident. I will do my best!"

    The KEW cameraman wrapped up my interview and moved on to Yoon-Chan, and then our Chronos behind-the-scene crew approached. Fortunately, our camera team recognized our nervousness and spared us any intrusive questions.

    ¡°Chronos has arrived!¡± As we made our way backstage, we saw a whirlwind of activity, far more intense than a regr music broadcast.

    ¡°Hello! Thank you in advance, everyone!"

    The stage crew was too busy to return our greetings properly.

    ¡°Get microphones on Chronos!"

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°Where is Woo-Jin? Who has the walkie-talkie? We need to let everyone know Chronos is here!"

    ¡°Here, I will do it!" The backstage bustle made us feel almost apologetic for just standing there.

    On stage, unreleased footage from our music video was ying, mixed with Producer Do''s B-side tracks. It appeared that they were rehearsing the timing for the yback.

    In the midst of this, another KEW camera approached us, apanied by arge figure wearing a musical note costume.

    - Hello, Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Hi, hello!" I greeted them with enthusiasm. Unlike the previous cameras, this one was clearly for something special.

    - We have some questions from Chronos''s fans. Would you mind chatting with Musicie?

    ¡°Oh wow! ...Haha! Musicie! Yes, of course!"

    Though I wasn¡¯t surprised by the sudden interview thanks to the manager''s briefing, the presenter''s borate costume still took me aback. How did they find such a perfect costume? It was a huge musical note with tiny arms and legs.

    Musicie''s movements were a bit over-the-top, typical of the KEW Awards mascot. I curiously poked and prodded at the costume, fascinated. ¡°What brings Musicie here today?"

    - We''ve gathered multiple questions from Chronos''s fans for the KEW Awards. Hyun-Woo, can you answer Musicie''s questions within five seconds?

    ¡°Oh, yes! I can''t wait."

    - Ready for your question?

    Both the cameraman and I thoroughly entertained Musicie as we approached the stage. Instead of speaking, Musicie energetically jumped around as a response and showed me a sketchbook with questions.

    [Cats or dogs?]

    ¡°Dogs! I have three at home. But I like cats too."

    [What did you eat this morning?]

    ¡°I had the packed lunch earlier."

    [Who is the senior you respect the most?]

    ¡°Allure''s Da-Win Senior!"

    [Which celebrity friend do you see the most often(excluding Chronos members)?]

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon from Chronos! Oh, excluding Chronos? Maybe Woo Ji-Hyuk from High Tension? Not a friend, but the one I meet the most is Kim Jin-Wook."

    [What was the happiest moment after your debut?]

    ¡°Uh... right now!"

    [Share one TMI.]

    ¡°TMI? Recently, my flexibility has improved. I can almost do a full split now, about ny-eight degrees."

    [Which performance are you most looking forward to at the KEW Awards?]

    ¡°Personally, I''m looking forward to Senior Reina''s performance, Allure''s, and of course, our own performance. Oh, I''m really excited for the joint stages!"

    Beingst year''s grand prize winner, Reina had probably prepared an incredible stage. Also, I didn¡¯t want to watch Allure just because they were our seniors from the same agency; they actually created legendary stages in every end-of-the-year ceremony.

    [The end]

    - Thank you for your answers, Hyun-Woo! Good luck with the rehearsal!

    ¡°Thank you! I will make sure to finish the rehearsal well." I waved my hands enthusiastically as the camera and Musicie moved away.

    ¡°Chronos, it''s time for your stage." The staff gathered us and guided us to the stage.

    We then lined up as instructed and bowed in greeting. ¡°We are Chronos! d to see you all!"

    ¡°Yes, let''s start the rehearsal."

    The director''s tired or perhaps slightly irked voice echoed through the speakers, signaling the official start of our first year-end stage rehearsal.

    1. ?? is located in Seoul, South Korea. It¡¯s a majormercial and entertainment district, famous forndmarks like the Lotte World, a famous amusement park. ?

 Chapter 141: End-of-Year Stage (11)

    <h4>Chapter 141: End-of-Year Stage (11)</h4>

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work. Please stay on stage for now," said the stage director just as our first rehearsal stage wrapped up. He sounded utterly drained.

    ¡°Huff... Huff..." I stood there with my hands on my knees, lowering my head and gasping for breath. It was only the first rehearsal, but the sheer size of the stage and the need for rapid transitions had me winded in no time.

    ¡°Shall we proceed with the next rehearsal?"

    Prompted by the staff''s question, I straightened up my back and raised my hand. ¡°Sorry, could you please turn up the vocals a bit?"

    ¡°Yeah, for sure.¡±

    While the stage was being reset, the behind-the-scenes camera, which had been filming from the back, moved up to start filming us.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t film us while we are resting, noona. It¡¯s embarrassing," Jin-Sung protested as he was lounging on the floor. Then, he came over to me and started to dance.

    ¡°...Jin-Sung is always so entertaining."

    He really hated showing any signs of weariness. It seemed he hade over to practice with me, but I wanted to save as much energy as possible. Therefore, I just contently watched him.

    Suddenly, Jin-Sung stopped dancing, started swaying his hips, and yfully hit me with his arms. ¡°Come on, hyung, let''s practice."

    ¡°You are very enthusiastic, Jin-Sung. That¡¯s good. But remember, we need to conserve our energy for the actual performance."

    Jin-Sung flinched at my words and resumed practicing, this time with slightly less vigor.

    ¡°I know, I won¡¯t overdo it."

    Thankfully, or maybe unfortunately, Jin-Sung had been more mindful about overexerting himself ever since his leg injury, so he heeded my advice.

    ¡°Wow, it''s so high up here!" Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice came from above. When I looked up, I saw him standing atop arge set piece, looking down with awe.

    ¡°Am I really jumping from here? It¡¯s safe, right?"

    ¡°The staff have checked multiple times, and it''s totally safe. There has been a simr setup in the past two years, and we haven¡¯t had any idents, so don''t worry, Yoo-Joon."

    For the storyline in Chronos''s uing song, Goh Yoo-Joon''s role involved a dramatic exit by backing off the prop, which to the audience would appear as if he had vanished into thick smoke. In reality, he''d be making a backward jump onto a safety mat. However, even with the mat, the jump was a bit daunting.

    ¡°It''s scary but seems fun. Should I give it a try now?" Goh Yoo-Joon, who seemed a bit apprehensive, quickly regained his confidence and leaped down to the mat with ease.

    Until just a moment ago, everyone was tense with nervousness. But now, we seemed much more rxed, thanks to the smooth progression of the rehearsal. The main concern, however, was the sound system. This was KEW¡¯s first time hosting such arge-scale year-end stage, and the sound was inconsistent.

    The sound in our in-ear monitors was slightly off during ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± and the MR was either too loud or our voices weren''ting through clearly during ¡°Parade.¡± Such issues weremon inrge-scale productions, but for people like us with limited experience, it was a cause for concern.

    ¡°Let''s run through Chronos''s set once more. This time, start with the video."

    The rehearsal resumed.

    ***

    The sound issues persisted in the second and third rehearsals. Despite our meticulous practice, there were not only technical problems but also mistakes from the staff. Hence, as the rehearsals progressed, the director started showing signs of irritation.

    Eventually, we concluded the tense rehearsal. Observing our stiff demeanor, the director btedly praised us.

    Then came a wee break, so we headed to a nearby restaurant for ate lunch.

    ¡°I will have the cheese pork cutlet," Jin-Sung announced as we entered.

    ¡°Manager, can I have ramen?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    Before the manager could respond, Joo-Han firmly shook his head. ¡°What? Ramen? You need a proper meal. Ramen won¡¯t digest well right now."

    Then, Goh Yoo-Joon responded with a yful smile and said, ¡°But hyung, you used to make ramen for us. Was that because ramen was the only thing you could cook?"

    ¡°...¡± Yoo-Joon¡¯s words hit right on the mark. Joo-Han then silently smacked Goh Yoo-Joon on the back and went inside.

    ¡°You all did a great job during rehearsal," said our manager as he finished ordering. He then smiled with pride. ¡°The sound department had some issues, but you all handled it well."

    ¡°Actually, it wasn¡¯t just sound issues," I said while pouring water. I understood the general director''s frustration. After all, the sound issues were a significant mistake on the part of the production team, and there were times when either the lighting or the camera operators made some errors, which made it feel like the entire setup wasn''t fully prepared. Hence, it was understandable why the director''s were bing increasingly nervous, as he was pressured to deliver a sessful broadcast.

    ¡°Anyway, we need to stay sharp for the live show. The unexpected glitches during rehearsals might just be a preview. I heard from Allure''s seniors that on-stage surprises are moremon than we''d think," Joo-Han advised.

    Joo-Han usually worried the most in such situations, but today he seemed remarkablyposed, which set a reassuring tone for the rest of us. Even so, I could tell that he was putting on a brave face to hide his concerns about our less-than-perfect rehearsal.

    ¡°The technical team assured us they would resolve these issues before the live broadcast. Let''s eat well and regain our strength. Despite the challenges, being on the actual stage gave us a better feel, didn''t it?¡±

    ¡°Definitely better than the big rehearsal room," Goh Yoo-Joon agreed, as he decided on soybean paste stew[1] over ramen.

    Suddenly, Joo-Han asked with a look of realization, ¡°Yoo-Joon, do you have any ns after the performance ends?"

    ¡°Me? Nothing specific. Aren''t we heading straight to the next music festival rehearsals?"

    The manager confirmed, ¡°Yes, unfortunately, it''s going to be a non-stop schedule until early next year."

    I then gave the manager my phone for monitoring, sympathizing with his apparent guilt. ¡°<i>Practicing</i> beats<i> resting</i> any day. After all, we all want to shine on the big stage."

    Our manager had previously managed schedules for more seasoned artists like Allure hyungs, so he was still adjusting to our relentless pace.

    As we chatted, our meals arrived. ying the role of an attentive hyung, Joo-Han distributed the tes to everyone and continued his conversation with Goh Yoo-Joon, ¡°Well, I meant after the stage practice."

    ¡°After practice? Probably just crash in bed. Why do you ask?"

    ¡°If you can manage, let''s head to the studio together."

    Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been casually drinking water, coughed in surprise. ¡°Me? Not Suh Hyun-Woo? You mean Producer Do¡¯s studio?"

    ¡°Where else would it be?"

    ¡°Eh, are you sure you want me toe?" asked Goh Yoo-Joon with his resting bitch face on. Producer Do was notoriously prickly. Thinking of this, Yoo-Joon seemed apprehensive as his face showed signs of reluctance.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything to offend Producer Do," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Of course not. You haven¡¯t seen him recently. He wants to talk about songwriting."

    ¡°Really?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s hand froze in mid-air.

    ¡°He suggested increasing Chronos¡¯s involvement in songwriting, like with ''Blue Room Party.¡¯"

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s great!" eximed Goh Yoo-Joon, his face lit up with excitement. To be personally invited by the meticulous Producer Do to contribute to the new song''s lyrics was clearly a thrilling opportunity for him.

    The manager observed the conversation and added, ¡°I was hesitant to bring this up, given everyone''s busy schedule."

    ¡°Yes? What is it?"

    ¡°What is it about?"

    ¡°There wereints about cigarette smells in Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung''s room. So, after our sess with ''Blue Room Party,'' I proposed moving out of that building. The approval just came through.¡±

    Silence enveloped the table. Jin-Sung, who had been enjoying his pork cutlet, stopped and looked up with wide eyes. He asked, ¡°Are we moving?"

    The manager gave a slight nod and replied, ¡°Yes, soon. The exact location hasn''t been decided yet, but it should be settled by the end of the year-end stages."

    ¡°Wow, really? Finally! I''ve suffered so much because of the smell!" Jin-Sung feigned tears of joy.

    ¡°Right? I am sorry that we couldn¡¯t resolve this earlier. We can¡¯t let you stay in a building with a disgusting smell. It¡¯s also not good for your health.¡±

    ¡°Oh my gosh. Can you please stay as our manager forever?"

    ¡°Yeah, the thought of Hyung being our temporary manager is really sad."

    Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan¡¯s words made the manager smile wistfully.

    ¡°That''s not for me to decide... But while I¡¯m here, I will do my best. I¡¯m sure someone even better wille along."

    <i>¡®No way! No one could possibly be as attentive as Manager Su-Hwan!¡¯</i>

    As I expressed my disappointment with a look, the manager averted his gaze and resumed eating. We quickly emptied our tes as everyone was hungry, and soon we got back into the car and headed toward the venue. We had been animatedly discussing potential houses for our move, but as soon as the stadium came into view, we fell silent and tensed up again.

    ¡°Look at that, there are so many people."

    ¡°It looks like they are the audience."

    ¡°Right? You can tell by the light sticks and banners they are holding."

    It was 1 PM, and despite the ongoing rehearsal, the area outside the stadium was already brimming with people. Lines of fans from various artists were forming, including our own fans, the Rings.

    Was it our growing affection for the fans? Until recently, the presence of other artists'' fans would have made us nervous, but now the desire to present our best performance to our own fans intensified our tension. And this wasn''t just me. The other members also disyed a mixture of determination and anxiety on their faces.

    ¡°Let¡¯s stay sharp and give it our all. Even if there are issues with the MR or microphones, we will just keep going," Joo-Han said with conviction, and the response from the others was robust.

    The main rehearsal was next, and then the live show would roll. We were all determined to finish without a hitch, driven by nothing but the desire to seed.

    1. Doenjang-jjigae (Korean: ????) is a Korean traditional jjigae (stew-type dish), made from the primary ingredient of doenjang (soybean paste), and additional optional ingredients vegetables, seafood, and meat. It is one of the most iconic and popr traditional dishes in Korean cuisine ?

 Chapter 142: End-of-Year Stage (12)

    <h4>Chapter 142: End-of-Year Stage (12)</h4>

    At 7:30 PM, the eagerly anticipated KEW Awards finallymenced after the seemingly endless rehearsals. The area around us buzzed with activity as staff members scurried about, ensuring everything was in ce.

    We were decked out in sharp suits andplemented by meticulously styled hair and makeup¡ªa rare change from our usual attire. Right until the moment of our performance, we remained under the watchful eyes of our stylists.

    ¡°The audience''s gaze will be on you throughout the awards. Mind your actions and maintain yourposure at all times," advised a member of the staff with a note of caution in their voice.

    ¡°Understood!" we replied, our voices harmonized by a mix of excitement and nervousness.

    ¡°Is Chronos ready? It''s almost your turn.¡±

    Backstage, the air was thick with anticipation. Renowned groups like High Tension, Street Center, and Allure were standing near the stage, maintaining a professional distance as they awaited their turn. The ambient noise and the audience¡¯s cheers were so overwhelming that I had to constantly shake off my tension.

    - Alright then, let¡¯s introduce the stars who will brighten up the KEW Awards tonight!

    As the MC announced, a vibration rippled across the floor. The thumping background music kicked in, and one by one, the artists at the forefront started their march onto the stage.

    ¡°Ah... It''s happening," Yoon-Chan whispered, his voice tinged with anxiety. I then gulped nervously, my eyes following each artist as they vanished onto the stage, my own nerves teetering on the edge.

    As we edged closer to our entrance, a gentle nudge from a staff member startled me.

    ¡°Eh? Yes?"

    ¡°It''s time for Chronos!" the staff said, pushing me forward with a gentle yet firm hand.

    We were propelled onto the stage without having sufficient time to be mentally ready, and the roar of the crowd hit us like a wave. After that, the MC''s voice rang out, introducing us.

    - The meteoric rise of Chronos this year has been nothing short of phenomenal! It wouldn''t be an overstatement to say they''ve been the most active group in thetter half of this year. Everyone, please give a round of apuse for Chronos!

    Instead of apuse, the cheers grew even louder. With our faces still tense from nerves, we smiled, waved, and headed toward the center of the stage. Then, all the performers ascended the stage.

    - This is truly an unprecedented lineup, with artists who have made a mark in the music industry and monster-like neers who have burst onto the scene.

    - Yes, all these incredible artists have coborated to prepare some amazing performances, so please stay with us until the end.

    - Now, let''s watch a VTR before we proceed further!

    The stage darkened, and a video started ying on the screen behind us, introducing the KEW Awards, showing clips from music broadcasts and congrattory messages from key figures in the entertainment industry.

    While the VTR was airing, we followed the staff off the stage and headed toward Chronos''s designated area. Then, Yoo Ji-Eun appeared for the award presentation without dy.

    - The first award is the New Artist of the Year. The presenter is Korea''s hottest actress, Yoo Ji-Eun.

    From the first award, it was already the New Artist of the Year, so we had to firmly grip our rxed hearts again. Mine was pounding so hard that it hurt.

    ¡°Hello, I''m Yoo Ji-Eun. This year has been really special for me as someone who loves music. I''ve had the chance to host music broadcasts and have formed many good connections."

    The candidates were Chronos, High Tension, and Street Center, along with many other groups who had emerged in the first half of the year. The fans'' excitement was palpable, their cheers escting with anticipation.

    Yoo Ji-Eun''s words stretched on, and my throat felt parched with nervousness. She announced, ¡°And now, for the New Artist of the Year in the album category... Congrattions to High Tension and Street Center!"

    Ah, it wasn''t us. We pped for High Tension and Street Center as they made their way to the stage, our disappointment hidden behind smiling faces.

    - Yes, High Tension and Street Center bagged the New Artist of the Year for their album category, leaving us in awe with their initial sale of two hundred thousand copies.

    We were close in sales, but perhaps the tallying method didn¡¯t favor us as much as it did them. Discontent murmured among our fans, the Rings, echoing our own feelings of letdown.

    As High Tension and Street Center graciously epted their awards and expressed their gratitude, Yoo Ji-Eun reimed the microphone. ¡°Next up, the New Artist of the Year in digital music."

    The music got louder, signaling the moment''s importance. With a subtle trembling of his lips, Joo-Han eximed softly, ¡°Ah, right, separate awards for albums and digital music."

    Then, the unexpected happened. ¡°Chronos. Congrattions!"

    The word ¡°Yaaah!¡± escaped us in a burst of excitement.

    - Chronos debuted in thetter half of the year and quickly surpassed one hundred million downloads with hits like ¡®Parade'' and ''Blue Room Party.'' This has shown their extraordinary potential as a neer.

    - Yes, they have shown their strength in digital music and rapidly rising to fame with the ¡®Parade¡¯ dance challenge and ¡®Blue Room Party.¡¯

    With the announcement, we were up on our feet, joyfully linking arms. We then headed to the stage amidst an outpouring of congrattions from fellow artists and epted the trophy from Yoo Ji-Eun. We bowed so deeply that our backs almost hurt.

    I found myself holding the trophy after it had passed through each member''s hands.

    - Congrattions, Chronos. Let''s hear your speech.

    Joo-Han moved forward to the microphone, and the rest of us members surrounded him, who stood proudly at the center. We stepped back slightly to give him the spotlight.

    ¡°Thank you so much! Let¡¯s start with our greeting. Ready, everyone? Two, three!"

    ¡°Hello! We are Chronos, thank you so much!"

    ¡°Yes, this year has truly been a rollercoaster of experiences. Receiving such a prestigious award is all thanks to our fans and the many professionals in the industry. This feels surreal and is a huge honor for us. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our YMM family, our own families, and of course, the ever-supportive Rings."

    The Rings erupted in a resounding cheer, their enthusiasm washing away any remnants of our nervousness. A spontaneous smile now graced our faces.

    ¡°We can''t thank you enough. We will work even harder to show you even better performances! Thank you once again!"

    - Yes, a big congrattions to Chronos!

    Since it was the first award, the time for our eptance speech was brief. As the stage lights dimmed, signaling our cue to exit, we slowly stepped down, and what followed was an immediate transition to the opening performance on the opposite stage.

    Next was a top nominee for the grand prize, and they took the opening stage of the ceremony. Their performance was something we had been eager to witness, but unfortunately, Jin-Sung and I couldn''t afford the luxury of watching it. We had to dash backstage immediately to gear up for our uing dance part.

    In the hustle backstage, we swiftly slipped into our more ornate and striking outfits: the heavy earrings embellished with bold jewels, a medieval-styled white shirt, and the snug ck trousers that fit like a second skin.

    ¡°Be quick to return here after your stage. You''ve got exactly fifteen seconds to change and head out, okay?"

    ¡°Understood."

    ¡°Even if the costumes get a little messy, stay focused on your performance."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, your facial expressions are key. Nail those camera moments and get the acting just right."

    ¡°I will."

    ¡°We will be keeping an eye on how well you portray the intensity of your character. Stay sharp."

    ¡°Got it."

    A flurry of people swarmed around me, bombarding me withst-minute reminders and instructions. In truth, the words were somewhat lost in my whirlwind of thoughts. I processed their instructions as simple encouragement to give my all.

    ¡°Okay, Hyun-Woo is all set!"

    ¡°And Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°He''s good to go!"

    ¡°First part members, it''s time to head to your spots!"

    I followed the staff, hunching over to enter the area beneath my spot. On the stage, the thumping steps of Next''s dancers echoed, a thunderous precursor to our own moment.

    ¡°Man, this is insane. Absolutely insane."

    This level of tension was unparalleled, far beyond what we had experienced during the <i>Pick We Up</i> performance. Surrounded by the audience, with our seniors watching closely from the front, I felt so nervous, my heart pulsing with a fiery intensity.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you feeling alright?"

    ¡°...Yes, just extremely nervous. But I''m ready now."

    As Next''s opening stage concluded, a hush fell over the stage.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s your turn. Go out there and shine!"

    ¡°Thank you so much!" With a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I prepared mentally. We had poured our hearts and souls into this performance. There was no room for error. I just needed to channel the nerves into energy.

    ¡°<i>Huff...</i>"

    The lift slowly rose, bringing me onto the stage, and the song started along with a cascade of red lights. The resounding cheers of the fans enveloped me, sending a thrilling shiver down my spine. For a moment, my heart skipped a beat, and I plunged into the performance with all I had.

    ***

    ¡°Can you believe this? Why is he so breathtakingly gorgeous today?"

    In a seat within the KEW Awards audience, a Ring couldn''t help but express her awe in quick session. While she was aware that Suh Hyun-Woo was prepping for a coborative stage, the reality was beyond expectation.

    ¡°Oh my gosh! No one mentioned a solo performance like this!"

    Adorned more splendidly than ever, Hyun-Woo was a vision on the big screen. Under the sweeping spotlight, his captivating gaze into the camera was absolutely mesmerizing.

 Chapter 143: End-of-Year Stage (13)

    <h4>Chapter 143: End-of-Year Stage (13)</h4>

    The moment Suh Hyun-Woo''s solemn face that was bathed in crimson lights graced the giant screen, the whole venue fell into a profound silence, almost as if the world itself paused in reverence. The Rings, his most ardent supporters, were visibly gripped by the spectacle, their breaths held in rapt attention. It was as if they were witnessing a moment of pure magic¡ªSuh Hyun-Woo''s solo performance, a serendipitous offering crafted solely for this unforgettable night.

    Suh Hyun-Woo possessed an indescribable aura, a maic allure born of innate talent, polished skill, and an irresistible charisma. When he started dancing, his moves directly captivated the audience, sweeping them away in his rhythm. His performance was a breathtaking symphony of strength and elegance, effortlessly transitioning between dynamic vigor and fluid grace, each movement more mesmerizing than thest.

    ¡°He is insane...¡±

    With no one else on stage, Suh Hyun-Woo expressed his own brand of madness, furrowing his brows and recklessly tousling his well-groomed hair.

    As he immersed himself in his performance, both the Chronos fans and the rest of the audience fell into a hushed awe. His presence was sopelling that it captured the attention of everyone.

    Suddenly, the spellbinding silence was broken by soft gasps and murmurs of amazement as Suh Hyun-Woo''s dance reached its climax. The once-red lights transitioned to a softer hue, expanding to reveal the dancers who joined Suh Hyun-Woo in a stunningly synchronized routine. In a bold, unscripted moment, Suh Hyun-Woo tore off his constricting brooch and tossed it aside with an effortless ir that only added to the intensity of the performance.

    As the dance progressed, even casual idol fans found themselvespletely entranced by it. The performance captivated the entire arena, as everyone was immersed in its every move and beat. Everyone felt that the choreography was a masterpiece, using every part of Suh Hyun-Woo''s body to convey emotions and narratives, right down to the way his hair moved along with his gestures.

    As Suh Hyun-Woo finally knelt to conclude his solo, he exuded a rugged yet elegant aura, with his once-neat tinum hair now tousled and his shirt partially untucked.

    As the spotlight faded to ck, transitioning to Yoo Jeon-Hwa''s stage, the dyed eruption of apuse and cheers for Suh Hyun-Woo reverberated through the venue, a testament to the unforgettable impact of his performance.

    ***

    ¡°Ah...ugh." As the stage darkened and the focus shifted away from me, I copsed, pressing my forehead against the cool stage floor.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, are you okay?"

    ¡°...I can''t catch my breath."

    A dancer''s concerned hands gently stroked my back. My back strain had been a frustrating issue during intense practices, and it had acted up again under the spotlight. Thankfully, the ckout had shifted most of the audience''s attention away, but I knew my fans were likely still watching me.

    With the help of a dancer, I slowly made my way offstage. I should have not pushed myself too far, but it was hard to control myself under the rush of the performance.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you alright? Can you handle the next stage?"

    ¡°Yes, I can absolutely do it." With only fifteen seconds to change, I had to rush. Being on stage a bit longer to endure the pain meant I only had ten seconds left. The pain was manageable, but the thought of not being able to perform was unbearable.

    I grabbed the stylist''s arm as she helped me change, and I apologized, ¡°I''m sorry about the brooch earlier. I couldn''t breathe because my back was acting up."

    ¡°Don''t worry about it. We will find itter. Just make sure to head to the hospital right after the stage, okay?"

    ¡°...Okay.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you ready? We need to move now!"

    The stylist hurried up at the stage staff¡¯s words. While we talked about the brooch, she quickly changed my costume into a ck sheer-back shirt, partially obscuring my face and leaving only my eyes exposed. It was a striking, assassin-like appearance that, I must admit, exuded an air of coolness.

    ¡°Please head to the lift quickly."

    ¡°On it!" I dashed beneath the stage, carefully guided by the staff in the dim light to avoid further injury. When I stopped due to extreme pain, the staff almost dragged me into the lift.

    ¡°This is tough..." I reached the lift quickly, and the crew promptly attended to my back with a cooling spray and a gentle massage.

    ¡°Ha...¡± I realized then that I had be one of those artists who sustained injuries during end-of-year performances¡ªsomething I never thought would happen to me. The next moment, a wave of depression washed over me, but I shook it off, focusing on the sound of the final stage above and the cheers of the audience.

    ¡°Is your back okay, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Yes, it''s fine. Really, I''m good."

    ¡°Go easy on the next dance. Take it slow."

    The senior idols also expressed their concern as they took their ces on their lifts.

    Fortunately, the coolness of the spray, my adrenaline, and the staff''s massage numbed the pain temporarily.

    ¡°Lift is going up now!¡±

    I had to calm my mind and start the final group choreography. As the lights came back on after a brief ckout, the sound of a gayageum[1] filled the stage. The spotlight then shifted to the gayageum yer who plucked the strings deliberately, creating a captivating silence between the notes. Soon, the music built up with various instruments joining in harmony with the gayageum.

    As the lights returned to us, I, standing in the center, started to move slowly in sync with the gayageum. The choreography resembled a Korean traditional dance, a stark contrast to the intense solo performance that had just taken ce. Along with the tranquil music, I started to express every detail with my fingertips, gracefully embodying the elegance of the dance amidst the stationary members.

    The moment my gaze shifted to the front, I could see our fans'' glowsticks wildly waving in the distance. Despite not having official light sticks, our fans had crafted their own to vigorously cheer us on. This sight lifted the corners of my mouth, but my smile was hidden beneath the fabric.

    As my part ended, Dong-Woo''s handnded on my shoulder and pulled me back slightly. During Dong-Woo''s part, the rest of us formed a circle around him, jumping and spinning before lowering our stance with bent knees.

    A sharp pain shot through my back again, but I clenched my teeth and forced my body to move ording to the increasingly fast rhythm of the song. The focus of the stage shifted from me to senior Dong-Woo and then senior Jeon-Hwa. The once-fluid dance gained intensity as it progressed.

    When all five members had each taken their turn in the center, I exhaled deeply. ''<i>This is the final stretch.'' </i>

    With a run-up, I stepped on Dong-Woo''s hand and executed a high backflip. As Inded safely, I matched the camera''s close-up with the look I practiced during rehearsals. After that, I stepped back and gracefully knelt on one knee, lowering my head, with my hands behind my back.

    Once again, the spotlight illuminated the gayageum yer as she yed a brief interlude before the stage wentpletely dark. Overwhelmed by the throbbing pain on my back, I felt relieved that the performance hade to an end.

    ***

    ¡°Tell them not to release the focus cam footage for now. Just keep it first.¡±

    ¡°Not releasing it?"

    Director Choi nodded at Producer Suh¡¯s inquiry.

    ¡°We will edit it nicely before we release it. This footage is going to bring in a lot of views. Ah, this is fantastic!¡± eximed Director Choi as he anticipated the positive reception from the broadcasting station''s higher-ups. Indeed, bigger stages and generous budgets not only maximized the artists'' talents but also produced memorable and show-stopping performances.

    Although it was still early, this show had showcased some of its best stages.

    ¡°Upload the clip from Next¡¯s stage, and quickly upload the clip from this stage, excluding the focus-cam ones."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°The rookies from <i>Pick We Up</i> are intimidating," Director Choi muttered to himself, and Producer Suh nodded in agreement.

    ¡°It''s been like that since the show. They have built up their fandom even before debuting, which gives them an edge over other neers."

    ¡°That''s true, and all the winners of the survival shows have great skills. Look at that."

    Director Choi pointed to Suh Hyun-Woo, who was dancing with half of his face covered on the small monitor screen.

    ¡°This rookie even stands out among the seniors."

    ¡°Director, that''s Chronos''s Suh Hyun-Woo. He is famous for being exceptional on stage."

    ¡°I didn''t know his name."

    In any idol group, certain members inevitably rise to prominence due to their exceptional skills and charisma. They were always noticeable, and their fans took great pride in their achievements.

    To Director Choi, Suh Hyun-Woo embodied such a member. He was the pride of Chronos, the bragging rights of their fans. Whether rookies or veterans, such a member would showcase an impressive stage, and they would naturally uplift everyone¡¯s mood.

    Director Choi couldn''t take his eyes off Suh Hyun-Woo as he said, ¡°Does Chronos have a lot of poprity overseas? They must, right?"

    Producer Suh shrugged. ¡°Well, I don''t know. But they''ve recently made a ssh among international K-POP fans with a dance challenge, so they must be somewhat popr." After that, he chuckled, ¡°Of course,pared to major agency groups, it''s a pitiful ssh."

    However, Director Choi pped his hands in response. ¡°Ah, that''s great!"

    ¡°...What is?"

    Why would Chronos''s small international poprity be a good thing? Producer Suh frowned, but Director Choi justughed.

    ¡°I''ve been looking for talents with low international recognitiontely."

    ¡°...Director, you are not thinking of casting them for that show just based on this performance, are you?"

    Director Choi remained silent and just grinned. An idol with modest international fame yet possessed admirable talent and look... exactly the type of talent that a friend of Director Choi, a producer, was looking for in his new variety show.

    <i>Again After Rainfall</i> was a program where popr entertainers with extensive experience became producers and managers, taking Korean artists abroad for performances. Last season''s artists included solo singers like Reina.

    They either rented stages for quality performances or did guerri performances on the streets, filling every Koreans with national pride due to the overwhelmingly positive response. Therefore, for season two, there was a suggestion to focus on idol groups.

    However, the main producer had been unable to find suitable participants, oftenining about this during the drink sessions among the showbiz directors.

    ¡°There''s one more stage left for Chronos, right? I will have to take a look at that guy."

    Director Choi thought that Chronos would gain poprity abroad over time, so getting them involved early on wasn''t a bad idea. Furthermore, he enjoyed advocating for hardworking and talented neers to secure breakthrough opportunities. Watching Suh Hyun-Woo, exhausted as he exited the stage, Director Choi believed it was an excellent idea to consider involving him in such endeavors.

    1. A traditional Korean string instrument ?

 Chapter 144: End-of-Year Stage (14)

    <h4>Chapter 144: End-of-Year Stage (14)</h4>

    I found myself supported off the stage by my seniors right after the performance. As I was holding my back while in pain, someone suddenly appeared in front of me and bent over with their back toward me.

    ¡°Huh?¡± It turned out to be my manager. He looked a bit upset, but he picked me up in a swift motion.

    ¡°Whoa!¡±

    ¡°If you get hurt, who¡¯s going to pay the price?¡±

    ¡°...Me.¡±

    ¡°You saw what happened to Jin-Sung, right? Don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s not like that.¡±

    ¡°Hey! Are you okay?¡± asked Goh Yoo-Joon. He dashed backstage with a look of concern and caught up with us as the manager carried me away. ¡°What is going on? You copsed right after the stage lights went off.¡±

    ¡°I sprained my back...¡±

    At this moment, Jin-Sung was on stage for his part of the show. It seemed Goh Yoo-Joon was worried about me, so he rushed over, leaving Jin-Sung¡¯s performance behind.

    The manager gave Goh Yoo-Joon a reassuring pat on the shoulder and said, ¡°We will quickly swing by the hospital nearby. Yoo-Joon, fill Joo-Han in on what''s happening and stay here. The fans are getting worried.¡±

    ¡°Can you walk though?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I will be back in time for the next show.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon stood there and watched me leave with a look of concern. What a touching look... but he needed to get back to his seat soon, or the fans would be even more concerned.

    ***

    ¡°You have quite severe strains on your back. Did you have a bad fall?¡± The doctor''s question had me ncing around nervously.

    I answered, ¡°No, I didn¡¯t fall. I just did a backflip...¡±

    ¡°...Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°I already injured my back before that...¡±

    ¡°You did a backflip with an already injured back?¡± The doctor''s expression was a mix of surprise and concern, making me feel even more awkward. I had to exin that the backflip was the final straw for my already strained back.

    The nurse noticed my difort and came to my defense. ¡°Doctor, this young man is a famous idol. Judging by your outfit, you¡¯ve juste from a performance, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes... It happened during the show.¡±

    ¡°Ahh.¡± The doctor finally nodded, seeming to understand. This hospital was close to the stadium, and the staff here often saw injured performersing in.

    ¡°You should really take it easy for a while. Dancing might not be the best idea until you are fully recovered.¡±

    ¡°Umm... Thank you.¡±

    As I thanked him, the doctor gave me a look that was a mix of skepticism and parental concern. ¡°Hmm, I somehow have a feeling you might push yourself again.¡±

    ¡°Haha...¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± My manager had been quietly standing by my side, and he chimed in. ¡°We will make sure he doesn¡¯t overexert himself.¡±

    ¡°That''s good. You are still in high school, right? Teenagers never really listen to their doctors, so please make sure someone keeps an eye on him.¡±

    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±

    ¡°Head up to the second floor for physical therapy. Eun-Ae, could you guide them please?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I will take you for your physical therapy now. Please follow me.¡± The nurse then guided the manager and me to the physical therapy room upstairs.

    As Iy down on the bed and freed myself from the nket''s embrace, aforting warmth settled onto my lower back.

    ¡°Are you heading back to the stage after this?¡±

    ¡°Is it okay for him to perform?¡± asked the manager.

    The manager''s question was met with a hesitant look from the nurse. ¡°It''s better if he doesn¡¯t. But performers whoe here midway through a show usually insist on going back on stage no matter what we say.¡±

    ¡°Ah...¡±

    ¡°The pain is going to be pretty intense. Please, try to convince him to rest. It will heal quickly, but he needs toe back for regr treatments and monitoring until it¡¯s fully healed.¡±

    After the nurse exited the room, leaving just the manager and me, a tense silence enveloped us. Normally, the manager''s quiet nature wouldn''t make things awkward, but this was different... It felt like a silent battle of wills. The manager and I stood like adversaries, representing a sh of swords and shields.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°I need to perform.¡±

    ¡°Is being stubborn really the answer here? Your health is more important than a single performance. What about theeback if you are injured? You need to rest proper¡ª¡±

    ¡°But they said it will heal quickly. I¡¯ve worked so hard for this performance. Just this once, please. I promise I¡¯m okay.¡±

    ¡°If your injury worsens, it won¡¯t be a simple matter anymore. Then you will need a much longer rest. Hyun-Woo, you usually think things through. Wouldn''t it be wiser to let the other Chronos members take over this time?"

    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to skip the performance because of mere pain. I can''t stand the thought of ruining a performance because of an injury."

    I was aware of the pain. Each step I took sent a jolt of agony through my back, a grim reminder of the challenge awaiting me on stage. But the idea of sitting out, of being treated like a patient, and of not being able to join my team on stage was even more unbearable. The prospect of watching my fellow members perform while I could do nothing was even more painful and frustrating.

    ¡°It''s my own fault for not managing my condition, but it''s only a twelve-minute performance," I insisted.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you do understand why I''m worried, right? It''s not just about this one year-end performance..."

    No, this opportunity could have been a once-in-a-lifetime chance. The mere thought of not being able to perform overwhelmed me with a sudden wave of sorrow, causing me to bite my lip to suppress my emotions, my eyes brimming with unshed tears.

    ¡°I''m really fine... I am..."

    ¡°Seeing you cry here really hurts me too."

    ¡°Hyung, I''m truly sorry. But I promise I will be extra careful."

    When the manager saw my tears, he paused before sighing deeply and sitting down. ¡°Alright, don''t push yourself. I understand."

    ¡°So I can go on stage?"

    ¡°I will take you back after your treatment. But in exchange, you will have to skip the next meeting and rehearsal."

    ¡°Thank you, I am sorry. And... Please don''t tell the others that I cried."

    The look of disappointment on the manager¡¯s face when I said that was indescribable...

    He switched on the TV and tuned in to the live broadcast of the KEW Awards. Jin-Sung''s performance ended a while back, and now, the main vocalists of a girl group were taking turns singing their songs.

    asionally, the camera showed our members. Joo-Han seemed to be overreacting a bit, which was likely because he knew about my situation.

    ¡°They must be worried a lot, right?¡±

    ¡°Joo-Han messaged me to ask if you were okay, and I reassured him that you are fine."

    ¡°That''s nice of you. Thanks."

    Most people wouldn''t have noticed, but I could tell Yoon-Chan was trying hard not to show his concern.

    ¡°When you left the stage, Jin-Sung immediately said, ''I think Hyun-Woo''s hurt.''"

    I was proud of my boy. He noticed my injury right away and still managed to nail his performance¡ªssic Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Allure also reached out to me, and I told them everything''s okay."

    ¡°Looks like a lot of people noticed."

    ¡°Well, the YMM family probably focuses on you."

    ¡°And our fans, they definitely noticed."

    ¡°For sure."

    The Rings were always so attentive to every detail about me.

    As the manager saw my mood turn a bit gloomy, he nced at me and then turned back to the TV. ¡°Tell your fans you are okay after the awards, okay?"

    ¡°Should I mention the injury?"

    ¡°They will find out anyway. The others will be at the next meeting, so why don''t you do a Q-app live with the road manager in the meantime?"

    <i>¡®Is he trying to cheer me up?¡¯ </i>I nodded and buried my head deeper into the pillow. Somehow, his calm manner and understanding tone made me feel a bit better.

    After the physical therapy ended, I directly headed back to the venue. Just before the second half of the awards ceremonymenced, I swiftly changed into my costume during themercial break. The stylists greeted me with a flurry of concerned nces as I joined my fellow members, who wasted no time bombarding me with questions.

    ¡°Hyung... <i>sniffle</i>, are you really okay...?"

    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m fine, really, Yoon-Chan!"

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, Hyun-Woo says he is okay!"

    There were so many eyes on us! Hence, Joo-Han and I quickly covered Yoon-Chan''s face as he started to get teary. Struggling for breath under our hands, Yoon-Chan jerked his head back.

    ¡°I was so worried. But are you sure you are okay? Is it alright for you to perform?" asked Yoo-Joon.

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s question prompted the other members to look at me with concern. Knowing they wouldn''t buy any lies, I decided to just be honest.

    ¡°They said I should rest. But I¡¯m determined to perform... no matter what."

    ¡°Ah, I totally understand that feeling. It''s better to endure the pain on stage than not participate at all." Jin-Sung immediately nodded in agreement, understanding exactly what I meant.

    ¡°How bad is the pain?"

    ¡°It hurts when I walk. But you know me... when I start dancing, I forget all about it."

    ¡°Ah, you are so stubborn!" Joo-Han remarked, his expression a blend of frustration and concern. Nheless, he quickly calmed the other members and guided them to their seats.

    The Allure members from the next table came over to check on me, followed by the members of the joint performance. After that, the groups from <i>Pick We Up</i> also came by to express their concern, with Ji-Hyuk hugging me before leaving.

    <i>¡®At this rate, everyone in the venue will know I''m hurt, won''t they?¡¯</i>

    I felt a bit embarrassed and tapped my back lightly, which somehow made the fans behind us let out a collective wail of concern. Well, it was indeed almost too much to handle. To reassure everyone that I was okay, I stood up, raised my arms to make a circle sign, and then sat back down.

    - Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed artists and audience members, the second part of the KEW Awards willmence shortly. Please take your seats, thank you.

    Following the announcement, many artists who had been mingling at different tables returned to their own seats, and the hosts and performers for the second part started to make their way onto the stage. The venue swiftly fell into order, and before long, the second part of the KEW Awardsmenced.

 Chapter 145: End-of-Year Stage (15)

    <h4>Chapter 145: End-of-Year Stage (15)</h4>

    The second half of the KEW Awards kicked off. As the opening stage started, a medley of this year¡¯s top hits filled the venue, but the Rings¡¯ eyes were still glued to Chronos.

    ¡°Is Hyun-Woo going to perform?" One fan spected, prompting a response from their friend.

    ¡°Given he''s back, he probably will. But I''m worried he might be pushing himself too hard."

    ¡°Look, Hyun-Woo''s hand is on his waist. He''s known for pushing his limits. It''s really concerning."

    Many fellow idols approached Suh Hyun-Woo, asking about his well-being, but he reassured everyone with his gestures, even drawing a big circle earlier to signal to the fans that he was fine.

    However, deep down, the fans knew better, and they couldn''t shake off their concern. They had watched him throughout the first performance, noticing how he skillfully concealed his pain. Despite his adept control over his expression and his wless execution on the stage, when the lights went off and the audience''s attention shifted, the Rings saw the truth¡ªSuh Hyun-Woo¡¯s copse due to his injury. They suspected he was pretending to be okay just for their sake, and they were right.

    ¡°He is going to perform, isn''t he?" Their voices wereden with worry. They hade with high expectations for Chronos''s performances, but they had never imagined they''d witness one of them injured like this.

    The fans were torn between eagerness to see the performance and their wish for Suh Hyun-Woo to just rest. Having witnessed his visible struggle with pain, all they could do was watch him with deep concern as he remained seated, still actively engaged with the show.

    As time passed, Allure took to the stage for their performance, and several awards were presented. Chronos, having already clinched the New Artist Award, found themselves nominated for the Social Media Poprity Award. However, the honor ultimately went to YU''s Next, renowned for their overwhelming international poprity.

    ¡°Blue Room Party¡± was also nominated for the Digital Music Award, but it lost to Reina''stest hit.

    Chronos had to be content with just the New Artist Award. While the fans were visibly disappointed, Chronos seemed genuinely happy and relieved for Allure, who had won the Asia Star Award after their international tour.

    Subsequently, High Tension and Street Center delivered their performances, showcasing thevish backing of their major agencies. Despite the spectacle, the Rings'' attention never wavered from Chronos.

    ¡°There they go."

    ¡°Look, Hyun-Woo is joining them."

    ¡°I knew Hyun-Woo would be on stage." The fans'' gazes were filled with a mix of worry and anticipation, following Chronos as they moved backstage, escorted by the staff.

    Soon, it was time for Chronos''s performance. It was a stage far grander than any regr music show or their performances during <i>Pick We Up</i>. Their fans were buzzing with anticipation about what Chronos would bring to such a grand stage.

    Their eyes lingered on the door through which Chronos had vanished, long after they were out of sight.

    ***

    As one award presentation came to an end, the stage fell into a hushed silence, marking the beginning of another performance. The lights dimmed slowly, enveloping the audience in a cloak of anticipation.

    Clutching their custom-made light sticks, the Rings eagerly focused on the stage. This was the moment they had been waiting for¡ªChronos''s time to shine. The darkened stage suddenly illuminated with a giant screen, disying a picturesque pastel-colored flower field. The familiar scene from the ¡°Parade¡± MV sparked enthusiastic cheers from the fans.

    ¡°Kyaaaaa!¡±

    ¡°Jin-Sung!!!"

    In the endless flower field, the camera panned up from someone''s feet, slowly revealing their full figure. He was dressed in a pastel suit to match the field, holding a ring-shaped cane and sporting sleek ck hair. With star-shaped patterns marking the pale skin near his eyes, Jin-Sung stood there, capturing the audience with his intense gaze.

    As an unsettling ¡°beep¡± sound grew louder, it abruptly stopped when Jin-Sung turned his head to look aside. Despite the vibrant colors, the mood on the screen was somber and eerie.

    The scene transitioned to Kang Joo-Han seated at the piano, d in a crisp white shirt. His fingers danced across the keys, producing the familiar opening notes of ¡°Once Again,¡± a melody instantly resonating with the fans. Then, he lifted his head. At that moment, the screen started to flicker with static, alternating between images of Goh Yoo-Joon and Kang Joo-Han in their respective suits.

    Next, the scene changed to Suh Hyun-Woo''s workshop which cluttered with various clockworks and devices. In the deserted workshop, gears and experimental apparatus whirred and smoked on their own. One of the turning gears, the biggest one, revealed a scene of a school yground through its hole.

    It was a typical school scene, with students ying ser and hanging out in small groups.

    d in school uniform, Park Yoon-Chan looked injured, walking with a hesitant gait and gripping his bag strap tightly. Fear could be seen all over his face.

    As he stopped in front of the school gate, suddenly the old leather bracelet wrapped around his wrist snapped and fell to the ground. Park Yoon-Chan''splexion drained of color as he stared at the fallen bracelet in disbelief.

    Just as the bracelet descended in slow motion and was about to touch the ground, the scene shifted abruptly. The bracelet transformed into a gold-framed pocket watch on the immacte white floor, shattering into countless pieces.

    The camera slowly panned up to reveal Suh Hyun-Woo, lying barefoot on a bed under soft pastel lighting, enveloped in a tranquil yet mncholic piano melody. Hey there listlessly, his gaze fixed on the shattered pocket watch in his hand.

    Gradually, Suh Hyun-Woo stood up and started to wander the stark white room. He traced his fingers along the wall, stopping at an inconspicuous spot. There, he pulled down a door handle that blended seamlessly into the white wall, revealing a door that swung open to a pastel-toned flower field where Jin-Sung stood, awaiting him. As Suh Hyun-Woo tentatively stepped into the field, the scene faded to ck.

    The text [Strange story] shed in white on the screen and then disappeared, leaving the audience in awe. The sequence revealed new scenes not shown in the music video, addingyers to the Chronos universe, and the stunning visuals captivated everyone.

    The Rings momentarily forgot their worries,pletely absorbed in the performance. After a few seconds, they erupted into cheers.

    Then, cool blue lights bathed the stage, and the trendy beat of ¡°Blue Room Party¡±menced. At the center of the stage, Jin-Sung was sitting casually in a small, well-decorated blue room, exuding a refreshing coolness as he lounged on a sofa.

    The fans roared with support. With his signature cool smile, Jin-Sung picked up the microphone.

    <i>Hey, no need to roam afar</i>

    <i>Beach? Summer? Outdoors?</i>

    <i>I¡¯m all for the air conditioner</i>?

    In his sitting position, Jin-Sung swayed with the rhythm. Then, he got up and walked casually over to another blue room, where he gave a yful high-five to Goh Yoo-Joon. Yoo-Joon then took the microphone.

    <i>Thepping of waves from the radio,</i>

    <i>sses clinking in the blue light glow,</i>

    <i>The cool fizz and barbecue,</i>

    <i>Blue Room Party</i>?

    Goh Yoo-Joon wasfortably sitting in the blue room while crossing his legs on a white wooden chair, next to arge radio prop. He yfully pressed the radio buttons and even inserted a giant cassette tape prop. As Yoo-Joon''s part ended, therge window of his blue room swung open, revealing Suh Hyun-Woo who popped out and sat on the windowsill.

    <i>As the sun sets outside the window,</i>

    <i>Embrace the cool evening air,</i>

    <i>Among people basking in the warmth,</i>

    <i>Savor a city break,id-back and fair,</i>

    <i>Blue Room, Blue Room Party</i>?

    No one among the Rings expected to see tinum-haired Suh Hyun-Woo perform ¡°Blue Room Party¡± in such a beautifully set broadcast. In contrast with his earlier appearance in the video, he performed his part with a gentle, affectionate expression.

    Soon, Yoo-Joon joined Suh Hyun-Woo on a bed, keeping up with the rhythm.

    The scene shifted again. The lights on Jin-Sung, Yoo-Joon, and Suh Hyun-Woo''s stage dimmed as Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan''s stage lit up in blue. They sang their parts and made their way to the center stage, where the audience greeted them with deafening cheers. Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan confidently waved to the crowd, joining the other members waiting in the shadows.

    Jin-Sung took his position at the center, revealing the choreography designed for him, the original center of ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± This was the first time the original choreography was performed with Jin-Sung at the center. After that, the chorus started.

    ¡°Jin-Sung was naturally born to be the center..."

    ¡°I''m so moved I might cry. Is this normal?"

    ¡°Absolutely normal. Ah, look at that! Suh Hyun-Woo... Blue Room! Blue Room Party! Wow!" The fan was busy responding to her friend, admiring her favorite member, and also keeping up with the fan chants. Overwhelmed by Jin-Sung''s return and Suh Hyun-Woo''s enchanting performance, she felt a wave of emotion.

    On the stage, Suh Hyun-Woo was more like a celestial being than a human, and he captivated everyone with his tinum hair and etherealplexion.

    <i>¡®Is he even real?¡¯</i> she thought, marveling at his otherworldly beauty. Despite concerns about his well-being, Suh Hyun-Woo''s radiant smile and effortless dance moves showed no sign of difort. He seemed even more dazzling than usual.

    As Jin-Sung stepped back, Suh Hyun-Woo took center stage. All of a sudden, numerous dancers joined them on the stage, blending into the lively party atmosphere. Suh Hyun-Woo led the next part, guiding the members and dancers in a mesmerizing dance.

    <i>Pour memories into the deep ss,</i>

    <i>Feel the thrill as the night surpasses</i>

    <i>Cradle the coolness between your lips,</i>

    <i>Ignite the thrill, relish the chill</i>?

    They reached a grand ship set, reminiscent of Captain Hook''s vessel from <i>Peter Pan</i>.

    ¡°Is that really part of the stage set?"

    ¡°What the heck? That''s my boys? Incredible!¡±

    It was evident that the performance was meticulously prepared, almost impossible not to cheer for. ¡°Blue Room Party¡± was a slightly chill song yet charming and endearing. All the members gathered around a door on the first floor of the ship. Looking at the camera, Suh Hyun-Woo sang thest part of the song.

    <i>This moment too shall be etched as a keepsake,</i>

    <i>Blue Room Party</i>?

    Suh Hyun-Woo then turned the doorknob of the wooden door.

    As the song ended and the venue filled with cheers, the audience''s focus shifted to therge screen showing the members. They then gasped in surprise as the wooden door opened, revealing a vast flower field bathed in pastel light, a scene seen both in the music video and the previous clip.

    The audience was immediately immersed in the world of Chronos.

    Having changed his costume, Jin-Sung stood in the middle of the flower field. The deep synth sound created an atmosphere that was slightly ominous and intriguing, contrasting with the bright lighting. The stage was charismatic enough to captivate both the fans of Chronos and others.

    A discordant ¡°beep¡± sound echoed from somewhere. Jin-Sung, who had been looking down at the cane in his hand, lifted his eyes to look at the screen. At that moment, the lights went out, plunging the stage into darkness.

 Chapter 146: End-of-Year Stage (16)

    <h4>Chapter 146: End-of-Year Stage (16)</h4>

    ¡°Waaaaaaaaaaaak!!!¡±

    It was an outcry of pure excitement, more than just a mere shriek. Jin-Sung wasn¡¯t d in his pastel suit from the music video, but instead donned a striking ck suit adorned with gold, emanating an air of gravitas.

    Upon his appearance, the excitement for the next stage, "Parade,¡± reached a fever pitch. The Rings had unwavering faith in Chronos. With their breathtaking performances in <i>Pick We Up</i> and beyond, fans were certain that Chronos would exceed their expectations. Hence, their cheers weren¡¯t just loud but also resonated with a passionate fervor.

    As the preludemenced, a dim light cast its glow upon someone kneeling amidst six dancers on the ship¡¯s staircase. Though only a blurry silhouette graced the giant screen, the neatly groomed tinum hair unmistakably belonged to Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Shortly after, the dancers started to stir and rise in tune with the song, moving like shadows or ck smoke before eventually converging around the kneeling Suh Hyun-Woo. They then lifted him, causing the creaking sound of the old wooden floorboards to fill the air.

    As Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s head slowly tilted back and forward with a sigh, he looked arrogantly ahead and scowled.

    ¡°...¡±

    The audience was spellbound. The intensity of his expression and the depth of his immersion left them speechless and even tearful, too mesmerized to utter a sound.

    Suh Hyun-Woo was known for his expressive prowess, and today, he had outdone himself. His ck uniform contrasted nicely with Jin-Sung¡¯s gold epaulets and thick harnesses. The few undone buttons on his uniform added to his alluring aura.

    He performed the prelude of ¡°Parade¡± without uttering a single line and danced like a puppet controlled by monstrous dancers. It seemed as though invisible strings were attached to his wrists and shoulders, dictating his every motion.

    The remixed MR was custom-tailored for this special stage, rendering it hard to recognize as the prelude of ¡°Parade.¡± However, the asional strains of a violin retained the song''s signature haunting and poignant feel.

    Suh Hyun-Woo danced under the barely-lit stage, looking like the very definition of art in motion. As the prelude ended, he was dragged away into darkness by the dancers.

    The moment the music stopped, dyed cheers broke out from the crowd. Their excitement filled the venue with a wave of exhration. Soon after, bright lights illuminated the main stage, unveiling Goh Yoo-Joon, who started to recite his lines.

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>?

    As Goh Yoo-Joon started his part while moving forward with a line of dancers, Kim Ring[1], a self-proimed Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s superfan, divided her attention between cheering for Yoo-Joon and anxiously scanning the darkened stage for Suh Hyun-Woo.

    In a dim corner of the stage, a silhouette was barely visible among the dancers. With a hand on his waist, he staggered to his feet and descended the stairs with haste. There was no mistaking him; it was Suh Hyun-Woo.

    <i>''He wasn¡¯t okay at all...'' </i>

    However, Suh Hyun-Woo walked confidently to join Goh Yoo-Joon at the center of the stage. He acted as if he felt no pain at all. Blending in among the dancers, Suh Hyun-Woo sat for a moment before using the momentum from rolling his feet to spring up.

    <i>It was you who came into my world</i>?

    Now it was Park Yoon-Chan''s moment to shine. d in a ck shirt entuated with a harness and a golden brooch, he took center stage. Once known forgging behind the other members, he now sang with a powerful resonance that filled the vast space effortlessly. His expressions were also so on point that one might wonder if he had been taking lessons from Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°He has improved so much in a short period!¡±

    ¡°Look at Yoon-Chan! His stylish bangs that cover half of his forehead, oh my gosh! So gorgeous!" Kim Ring''s friend beside her brimmed with excitement, as she shook her head in fervor.

    ¡®<i>My boy could be a great actor!¡¯ </i>Kim Ring thought, overwhelmed with emotion.

    As Yoon-Chan''s part ended and he stepped aside, Suh Hyun-Woo leaped forward to lead the next part.

    <i>Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles</i>

    <i>You will be by my side</i>

    <i>Skyfall, Skyfall</i>?

    With a dramatic gesture, Suh Hyun-Woo perfectly synchronized with the dancers on each side. His choreography had significantly evolved as he was particrly skilled in dancing among Chronos members.

    Kim Ring had seen Suh Hyun-Woo holding his waist just moments before, so she was watching him with a mixture of awe and concern. She felt as if the pain was hers. Yet, Suh Hyun-Woo danced without a hint of difort and fell to the ground as part of the choreography. Then, he stared straight ahead.

    ¡°Ah... Suh Hyun-Woooooo!!!"

    <i>''Please, take care of yourself...'' </i>Her heart cried out in concern, but she cheered wildly at the same time.

    Despite the evident strain, Suh Hyun-Woo effortlessly dropped his posture, only to be swiftly swept away by the dancers, as if being whisked away by an unseen force.

    The void he left was quickly filled by Jin-Sung, who immediately led the chorus into a captivating disy.

    <i>The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall</i>

    <i>Join me</i>

    <i>You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more</i>

    <i>You need me</i>?

    The powerful and sorrowful melodies were punctuated by haunting tunes of the piano, and the stage was swarmed with dancers. As Suh Hyun-Woo appeared to be at the mercy of the dancers'' whims, Jin-Sung stood out, seemingly inmand as he orchestrated their every move with precision and authority.

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>I need you</i>?

    While the other members receded into the background, Suh Hyun-Woo emerged from behind the dancers and took his ce beside Jin-Sung as their duet started.

    The song¡¯s intense electronic sections gave way to a violin''s mournful melody. It interspersed with abrupt, jarring noise, and built up to a climactic frenzy.

    In perfect sync with Jin-Sung, Suh Hyun-Woo performed a powerful dance and then seized a cane from a nearby dancer. Blocking Jin-Sung''s path with the cane''s tip, Suh Hyun-Woo engaged in a dramatic standoff. Seizing the cane in turn, Jin-Sung pulled himself backward dramatically as the background noise intensified.

    ¡°Hey, can you hear that noise? Is it a hint for the nexteback?"

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me. Suh Hyun-Woo is back on the stage! I need to focus."

    The song gained a definitive strength with Suh Hyun-Woo''s dance part bing more vigorous and dynamic. After all, his solo part was usually more subdued and imbued with elegance.

    However, this time, he was not alone. With the support of the dancers, he leaned backward and did a backward somersault effortlessly. When Kim Ring saw this, her heart ached for Suh Hyun-Woo''s back, yet she was mesmerized by his performance.

    ¡°Damn, this is fucking crazy! So amazing!"

    Their custom-made light sticks waved frantically in the air. Suh Hyun-Woo hadpleted his dance part, knelt on one knee, and waited. Normally, the dance break would have ended there. However, Goh Yoo-Joon, Kang Joo-Han, and Park Yoon-Chan suddenly burst forth with dancers to seamlessly continue the next dance part.

    ¡°Unbelievable!!!!"

    It was an unexpected extension of the dance part, with Goh Yoo-Joon taking the forefront alongside Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan, each ying significant roles. Together, the trio executed a precise and synchronized group dance, captivating the audience.

    Meanwhile, Suh Hyun-Woo, still in his kneeling position, lowered his head¡ªan unusual gesture noted by Kim Ring. He had been running all over the vast stage, performing live, singing, and dancing, so he had to be exhausted. His shoulders heaved up and down with heavy breaths.

    As the cheers swelled, Suh Hyun-Woo tried to stand up again, struggling to do so.

    <i>¡®What''s happening...¡¯</i>

    His difort was palpable even from a distance. As Rings watched anxiously, Jin-Sung, who had withdrawn to the back, nced at Suh Hyun-Woo and silently reached out to steady his waist.

    ¡°Jin-Sung..."

    By then, Kim Ring was in tears, tightly gripping her friend¡¯s arm. Suh Hyun-Woo flinched slightly but then smiled. He reached back to grasp Jin-Sung¡¯s wrist to use it as a support to regain his stance. Until the next part, Lee Jin-Sung did not let go of his hand, staying there as Suh Hyun-Woo''s steadfast support.

    Soon, the trio''s dance ended, and Jin-Sung and Suh Hyun-Woo advanced to the front once more. As the dancers dispersed from the main stage, taking positions on both central and side stages,rge gs were brought in, further enhancing the grandeur of the scene.

    Amidst the overwhelming presence of the numerous performers, Kang Joo-Han confidently stepped forward, leading the way for the members and dancers. As all five members converged at the center, the dance break surged to its peak, marking the climax of "Parade.¡±

    At the height of the performance¡¯s intensity...

    ¡°..."

    The music abruptly ceased, reced by a crackling noise. As the lighting slowly transformed, flower petals gently fluttered down from above. Under the dim light, Kang Joo-Han stood, enveloped in an otherworldly aura.

    <i>No matter where you are</i>

    <i>I will be there</i>

    <i>You don''t need to be afraid</i>

    <i>Your time has stopped</i>

    <i>The time for our hearts to deepen is forever~</i>?

    The hands clinging to Joo-Han in the spotlight created an eerie, haunting image. As Joo-Han retreated, the figures on the stage came to aplete halt.

    Enthusiastically cheering, the crowd shifted their gaze to Suh Hyun-Woo, who stood proudly under the spotlight. Soon, the spotlight''s color changed, and Suh Hyun-Woo slowly made his way through the motionless figures to the main stage amidst pastel-toned lighting. As he walked, a shower of pale pink petals fell continuously from above.

    Upon reaching the main stage, Suh Hyun-Woo nced up at the top deck of the ship, where Goh Yoo-Joon had silently relocated. As they stared at each other, an ominous synth sound filled the air.

    After a long moment of silent exchange, Suh Hyun-Woo turned to face the audience. At that instant...

    <i>Forever</i>?

    A soft, murmuring voice broke the silence. On the ship''s deck, Goh Yoo-Joon slowly retreated and vanished into the shadows. At the same time, the spotlight illuminating Suh Hyun-Woo flickered and faded, plunging the stage into utter darkness and silence.

    After a brief stunned silence, the audience erupted into a thunderous cheer. Regardless of whether they were fans of Chronos or not, every spectator was captivated by the mesmerizing spectacle unfolding before them. The disy of Chronos Universe on stage had sparked curiosity and fascination in all who beheld it.

    It was a performance that demanded apuse, worthy of representing the future of K-POP.

    ¡°...Director Suh."

    ¡°Yes..."

    In the control room, Director Choi, who had been silently observing Chronos''s performance, called out to Director Suh. Director Suh was still standing next to him and gazed nkly at the darkened stage before responding.

    ¡°...Are you not moving?"

    Startled by Director Choi''s question, Director Suh awkwardly chuckled. ¡°I... I am! Ah, Chronos is really good. I will inform them about the next award and thene back."

    ¡°Alright, and once you are back, quickly clip this performance and upload it."

    ¡°Okay!"

    As Director Suh hurried off, Director Choi crossed his arms and smiled with satisfaction. He had watched the rehearsals of all the artists in both parts of the show.

    ¡°You guys are today''s MVPs."

    YMM was a small agency without the capital of YU or the experience of otherpanies.

    ¡°CEO Shim really has an eye for talent."

    Their investment in this stage was modestpared to therge-scale sets of High Tension and Street Center. The budget was allocated primarily to a ship model adorned with a flower garden and arge ensemble of dancers.

    Nevertheless, they managed to craft a perfectly executed stage with the choreographer¡¯s creativity, and Kang Joo-Han¡¯s arrangements subtly revealed Chronos Universe, showcasing the star quality of Suh Hyun-Woo and the other members.

    At the very least, this performance would attract the attention of national and international K-POP fans, perhaps even more than the "Parade¡± dance challenge.

    1. A Chronos fan with thest name ¡°Kim.¡± It¡¯s funny how the author named the person like that haha. ?

 Chapter 147: End-of-Year Stage (17)

    <h4>Chapter 147: End-of-Year Stage (17)</h4>

    The deafening cheers and sea of waving lightsticks engulfed the venue. Meanwhile, I desperately tried to hold back my ragged breath by mping my mouth shut.

    - Leading the trends in South Korea. The KEW Awards Part two is beginning now, featuring the prestigious Singer of the Year award shortly.

    As the announcement echoed through the venue and the lighting shone around the presenter''s area, I finally released my pent-up breath into the switched-off microphone, allowing myself a moment of relief. It was all over... The performance we had diligently prepared for hade to an end, leaving behind a sense of pride, the fans¡¯ resounding cheers, and a sharp pain in my back.

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>...¡±

    The moment I touched my lower back, my legs started to tremble. I bowed to the fans and directly went backstage. The pain was so intense it almost numbed my senses.

    My fellow members in the far center stage were walking toward the staircase as well. Goh Yoo-Joon quickly descended the stairs to offer me some support as he was the closest to me. ¡°Are you alright? Hey, you...¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I replied, trying to sound nonchnt as I leaned on him.

    Yoo-Joon then sighed and helped me to a chair backstage. ¡°Manager, Suh Hyun-Woo needs to return to the hospital. He almost flew off the stage earlier.¡±

    Hearing Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s words, the manager approached with a spray can. ¡°I knew you wouldn''t listen. You are now restricted from all meetings and practices as promised.¡±

    ¡°...Okay.¡±

    The staff around me quickly removed my mic and blow-dried my clothes. The manager prevented the stylist from fixing my makeup and then lifted my shirt to spray a cooling mist on my lower back.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you are done for today. The road manager is aware, so head to the hospital and then directly back to the dorm.¡±

    ¡°Uh... I could stay until the broadcast ends. The fans might wor¡ª¡± Cut off by the manager''s stern look, I sealed my lips and nodded obediently. ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°The other members will go to the SES meeting after the award ceremony. How¡¯s your back?¡±

    ¡°I can''t really feel it. Just a dull ache.¡±

    After that, the road manager approached me and said, ¡°The car is waiting for you.¡±

    Leaving me in the care of the road manager, Manager Su-Hwan and my fellow members exited backstage.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Hyun-Woo. I will take you back to the hospital we visited earlier.¡± The new assistant manager, Hyuk-Soo, took my things and hesitated before offering his back.

    ¡°...What?¡±

    I was bewildered and hesitated, so Hyuk-Soo stood up awkwardly and chuckled. ¡°Senior Manager Su-Hwan said if you look unwell, I should just carry you. Can you walk?¡±

    ¡°I think a little support should be enough.¡± I felt somewhat embarrassed to be carried, especially with so many eyes on us.

    Hyuk-Soo cheerfully agreed and offered his shoulder for support while carrying my bag with his other hand.

    When I got into the car, I buckled up and watched Hyuk-Soo start the engine.

    <i>¡®He said he is twenty-seven, right?¡¯</i> Just recently, he had been nervously reporting everything to Su-Hwan, but now he seemed quite adept at taking care of me.

    ¡°Is your seatbelt on? Shall we head out?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    The car started to move, but Hyuk-Soo kept ncing at me every now and then.

    I turned my gaze awkwardly to the window. ¡°Is Su-Hwan hyung upset?¡±

    ¡°Upset? Why would he be?¡± Hyuk-Soo¡¯s voice was cheerful, seemingly oblivious to any issue.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s just... he looked a bit angry earlier. I¡¯m worried he might be upset because I overdid it and got injured even more.¡±

    ¡°Ah, no. Su-Hwan isn¡¯t that scary. He was probably being stern on purpose, so you¡¯d take it easy. He was really worried about you actually.¡±

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Su-Hwan is a caring person even if he doesn¡¯t show it.¡± Hyuk-Soo spoke in aforting tone, like a considerate older brother reassuring a younger sibling. While Su-Hwan had a more business-like demeanor, Hyuk-Soo felt like a friendly neighborhood hyung who was good at guiding a new employee.

    ¡°I get that you want to perform well, but please don¡¯t push yourself until you arepletely healed. Are you hungry?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. Uh, can I do a Q-App live once I¡¯m back at the dorm?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I will let them know you will be going live.¡±

    We soon arrived at the hospital parking lot. Stepping out of the car was a harsh return to reality as the sharp agony resurfaced.

    ¡°Ah! Ugh!"

    I leaned against the car door and struggled to catch my breath amid the throbbing pain. The realization hit me hard.<i> ¡®I can''t walk like this.¡¯</i>

    Despite it not being a leg injury, every move brought me an onught of pain. Manager Hyuk-Soo sensed my difficulty and discreetly stepped forward, offering his back for support.

    I reluctantly epted it, and we made our way to the hospital amidst surprised nces from some patients. But there was no choice. The pain was too much to bear.

    ***

    After a stern lecture from the doctor and another round of physical therapy, Manager Hyuk-Soo shared with me that the fans were deeply concerned.

    I returned to the dorm with a heavy heart, took a thorough shower, and flopped onto the couch in the living room. It was the middle of the night now, so the KEW Awards should have concluded, and the other members were probably on their way to the SES Broadcasting meeting.

    ¡°Are you nning to do the live cam from here?" Manager Hyuk-Soo asked, bncing a phone stand and a portable light in his hands.

    I nodded with great effort. ¡°Yes."

    Responding to my nod, he efficiently set up the equipment and sat opposite me. ¡°Whenever you are ready... But if you''d rather rest and do it tomorrow, that is totally fine. You must be tired and not feeling well."

    ¡°No, I need to do it now." I pushed myself up despite the pain. The fans must have witnessed my copse on stage, and I had to reassure them, as well as find some peace for myself.

    ¡°Okay." With an encouraging nod, Manager Hyuk-Soo fiddled with the phone on the stand. ¡°I will lend you my phone, so check the chat with this. I am going to turn it on now. What should we write for the title of the live?"

    ¡°Um, whatever you think is best."

    ¡°Alright, leave it to me."

    He then handed me his phone and signaled the start. ¡°We are going live... now."

    The phone vibrated with the notification:

    [CHRONOS] I''m okay!

    The live stream started. I monitored the chat and viewer counts on Hyuk-Soo''s phone.

    ¡°Let''s wait a bit before we say hi."

    - ??????????????

    - OMG??? Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo live???

    -?????????????? Are you okay?

    - Woah, I''m shocked

    -?????????? Hyun-Woo, are you okay?

    On the screen, my no-make-up face and casual hoodie attire surfaced, making me feel a bit self-conscious. I tried to ignore my own image and focused on the chat instead.

    ¡°Hello, everyone. It¡¯s Suh Hyun-Woo here."

    - ?????????? What''s going on?

    - I thought it was just a live stream after the show, but Suh Hyun-Woo is doing a solo broadcast??? Crazy ??????????

    - ?????????? Are you okay? We are worried... ??????????

    I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of guilt upon seeing the chat. I just pressed my lips together, holding back an emotional surge, and smiled a bit. ¡°Why is everyone crying? I¡¯m okay, really. I turned on the live cam just to reassure you. I am not severely injured."

    As more people joined, the chat started to flood with messages, creating an almost tearful atmosphere. I quickly moved past the weepy messages and changed the topic.

    ¡°This is my first time having a live solo in this app, so I¡¯m pretty nervous. What do you think about our performance? We practiced really hard to show it to you."

    - Ah... my heart...

    - ?????????? We¡¯re so proud of you

    - Are you okay?

    - <3 Hyun-Woo!!!

    - It was truly amazing

    - Did you go to the hospital?

    - You were incredible ???????? Love you, Suh Hyun-Woo...

    - Wait, is this a solo live? Just noticed ???????? Hyun-Woo...

    - Are you really okay?

    - Where are the other members?

    ¡°I¡¯m d to hear you like it."

    The impact of my injury seemed to overshadow any attempts to switch topics, but it was okay as long as everyone enjoyed it.

    ¡°I went to the hospital, and the doctor said it¡¯s just a muscle strain. I just need some rest. Oh yes, the others are off to a meeting for our next stage..."

    As I replied, the chat kept moving rapidly. I watched the messages for a while and then spoke cautiously. ¡°I''m sorry for worrying you all. I guess I overdid it in my eagerness. I hoped to give you a day filled with nothing but joy, but I ended up showing a less-than-perfect stage because of my injury."

    The thought had been weighing heavily on me. Had I not gotten hurt, it would have been perfect.

    - Why are you apologizing? ?????? You were amazing...

    - ?????? Don''t be sorry... You did great, oppa ????

    - It¡¯s okay~ A rookie falling on stage is no big deal ??

    - ???

    - ?????????? It was like a gift to us!

    ¡°I¡¯m relieved to hear the performance was well-received. As you can see, I¡¯m really fine now, so please don¡¯t worry anymore.¡±

    I refrained from mentioning my injury further, not wanting the live stream to be too somber. I avoided dwelling on the weeping chats and looked for other questions.

    ¡°Since I¡¯m on live now, why not keep going until the others join in? Any burning questions or things you¡¯ve been curious about?¡± I raised my voice, hoping to shift the mood.

    Chronos hadn¡¯t had many opportunities to go live on Q-App, so I figured the fans would have a lot to say. This was our first propermunication since the gaming broadcast with Goh Yoo-Joon. I hoped to ease the fans¡¯ minds a bit by chatting with them, and the chat exploded with responses.

    As I quickly scanned through the myriad of messages, one in particr caught my attention.

    - Is the content from the KEW Awards a spoiler for the next album? I''d love to hear Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s personal thoughts!

    And another question, probably from Goh Yoo-Joon:

    [CHRONOS] Hyung, can you do some aegyo[1] for your fans?

    1. A Korean term referring to a cute disy of affection, often expressed through a yful, childlike demeanor and gestures. ??. ?

 Chapter 148: End-of-Year Stage (18)

    <h4>Chapter 148: End-of-Year Stage (18)</h4>

    A special year-end stage meeting was underway at the SES Broadcasting Station''s meeting room. It was an unusual hour, scheduledte in the evening as a considerate nod to the busy schedules of the artists and office workers alike. Many of them were drained by reckless overtime.

    ¡°So, for the special performance, we have Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo on one stage."

    ¡°Yes, we are looking forward to it.¡± The coordinator confirmed with a professional nod.

    A chorus of agreements followed. ¡°Yes, that sounds perfect. Thank you.¡±

    Unlike KEW''s focus on grand ensemble stages, the <i>SES New Year Party</i> was a tapestry of solo performances, with each artist shining on their own stage. There was an air of excitement about the uing event as it featured solo performances like Yeong-Yee, who was back from a hiatus, and Reina, who had dominatedst year''s music charts.

    The nning team unveiled three unique joint performances and added a dash of surprise to the otherwise straightforward lineup.

    1. A showcase by singers stepping into their twenties next year.

    2. Boy group renditions of girl group ssics.

    3. Girl groups taking on boy band hits.

    Next year, two members of Chronos, Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo, woulde of age. Yet, Suh Hyun-Woo''s recent injury meant a shift from a high-energy dance to a soul-stirring bad. However, everyone was confident that their vocal prowess would captivate the audience despite the restriction in song choice.

    Park Yoon-Chan was chosen for the second part¡ªthe girl group cover. This decision was made by Supervisor Kim to ensure equitable stage time for everyone.

    ¡°As I have already mentioned, we have scheduled the rehearsals in YU studio. Yoon-Chan will be there, and Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon will practice separately beforeing together the day before the show. That''s the n, right?"

    ¡°Absolutely, we are on the same page." replied someone, followed by a nod of approval.

    ¡°That is...¡±

    The director''s phone suddenly rang, breaking the rhythm of the meeting. Looking at the caller''s name, he let out a heavy sigh and excused himself.

    ¡°I need to step out for a moment. Writer, would you join me, please?¡± There was a hint of urgency in his voice as he left with the writer, leaving whispers of curiosity in his wake.

    It was a call from the editing department, with whom we were coborating on the broadcast. Something serious seemed to be brewing as the director hastily exited the meeting room along with the writer.

    Such interruptions weremon during meetings, so neither the manager nor the members of Chronos paid much heed to it. They sprawled across the vacant meeting room, a collective air of exhaustion enveloping them.

    ¡°Man, I am dying," Lee Jin-Sung eximed, his eyes shadowed by heavy bags underneath.

    Lee Su-Hwan then offered someforting words. ¡°You''ve been awake all day long. Let''s get some extra sleep tomorrow."

    Kang Joo-Han then asked with a note of concern, ¡°How is Hyun-Woo doing?"

    The question instantly shifted everyone''s attention to the manager, who replied, ¡°The road manager said he''s not in a serious condition, but walking is a struggle for him right now... He really needs to take it easy until he feels better."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung tends to push himself too hard, especially for performances... I''m really worried about him." Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s words seemed to echo in the room and resonated with the others.

    Recalling Hyun-Woo¡¯s pale face as he staggered with cold sweat right after a ckout was hauntingly troubling. However, persuading him to take a break from performing seemed like an impossible task as he had a deep passion for the stage.

    Moreover, the thought of his injury weighed heavily on everyone''s minds, given his roles in both dance and vocals for Chronos''s year-end performance.

    ¡°He will definitely get on the stage for the SES party. Hence, we are nning to concentrate on his treatment, and we will only let him see the choreography videos for now. Please understand.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes. For sure! We will take good care of him,¡± agreed the members, united in their concern for Suh Hyun-Woo.

    In the midst of this heavy atmosphere, the unexpected sound of notifications broke the silence.

    <i>Ding! Ding! </i>

    Both Lee Su-Hwan¡¯s phone and Chronos¡¯s phone that Kang Joo-Han was holding chimed simultaneously.

    ¡°What''s this?" Kang Joo-Han frowned in confusion as they checked their phones.

    [CHRONOS] I''m okay! The live is starting now

    ¡°Huh?" Kang Joo-Han was puzzled and scratched his head.

    With a nonchnt attitude, Lee Su-Hwan exined, ¡°It''s Hyun-Woo. He was worried about the fans being concerned, so I suggested he do a Q-app live."

    ¡°...How dumb. He should be focusing on recovering at the moment,¡± Kang Joo-Han sighed.

    ¡°He''s more concerned about his image than his health. Seeing him so anxious about it was quite a surprise," Lee Su-Hwan added, and their conversation filled with underlying concern.

    Just then, Goh Yoo-Joon''s booming voice cut through the room. ¡°Is Suh Hyun-Woo doing his own live cam?" This question prompted Kang Joo-Han to look his way. Goh Yoo-Joon wasughing in a somewhat yful manner, though dark bags under his eyes betrayed his own fatigue.

    ¡°Why are youughing?"

    ¡°Hyung, can I borrow the phone for a bit? It''s nothing major. My friend is doing his first solo live show, so I have to tune in for some moral support," Goh Yoo-Joon exined with a grin.

    ***

    - [CHRONOS] Hyung, can you do some aegyo for your fans? We are running out of time~

    ¡°It''s a bit awkward reading this nickname out loud, but this one''s from Hyun-Woo''s Sunflower."

    - [CHRONOS] Hyung, Hyung, look at me~~~

    ¡°You guys asked if the video and stage performance at the KEW Awards were a spoiler for our next album.¡±

    - [CHRONOS] Suh Hyun-Woo~~~

    Ah, jeez, these chats in bright blue were too eye-catching. I could practically hear Goh Yoo-Joon''s chuckle and see his yful expression behind the chat messages.

    I tried so hard to focus and steadily read the fan''s questions, but he bombarded the chat to the point of spamming. The messages were anonymous, but it was obviously him. The fans were also actively reacting with a string of ¡°hahaha¡± and ¡°lol,¡± making it impossible for me to ignore them any longer.

    ¡°Those guys..." I stopped mid-sentence, turning to look at Manager Hyuk-Soo behind the phone camera.

    ¡°Manager?"

    ¡°Hmm?" he replied distractedly as he was also following the Q-app chat on his other phone.

    I asked in aposed manner, ¡°Can we ban the members? There''s someone spamming here."

    - [CHRONOS] How could you do this to me? Suh Hyun-Woo is all about individualism~

    - LMAO

    - AHAHAHAHAHA the same age duo lol

    - That is definitely Yoo-Joon lmaoooo

    - Banning them? Lol that¡¯s hrious

    ¡°Isn¡¯t Goh Yoo-Joon in a meeting? Can he be on Q-app right now?¡±

    - [CHRONOS] It¡¯s break time.

    - AHAHAHAHAHAHHA Yoo-Joon, please have your own live session

    - [CHRONOS] But I gotta go back to the meeting soon.

    - [CHRONOS] Make sure you keep doing this until wee back in an hour.

    <i>¡®...Ah, what should I do?¡¯</i> I really didn''t feel likeughing, but then, Goh Yoo-Joon''s chat messages were too amusing to resist. I tried to suppress my amusement, but it only caused my cheeks to stiffenically.

    ¡°Alright, I will think about it. You should go back to the meeting. You might end up getting scolded by Joo-Han hyung, you know."

    - [CHRONOS] Joo-Han hyung is watching andughing right now with us! Ok, I will wrap up soon and head over. Just wait a little longer, Rings!

    - ?? Everyone went to the meeting, but Hyun-Woo couldn''t because he''s unwell... What a situation...

    - lol Thinking about them giggling while opening Q-app is so funny.

    ¡°Really, Goh Yoo-Joon. You just can''t resist ying around, can you? I bet this is definitely your doing, isn''t it? Even the Rings think so." The chat confirmed my suspicion, and I let out a wry chuckle.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon''s character is really something else."

    Thankfully, his act considerably lightened up the somber mood that had hovered over the live stream. It was a real relief.

    Since the [CHRONOS] chat spam had stopped, it seemed like they had returned to their meeting. I resumed speaking with a smile, ¡°So, answering you guys¡¯ earlier question, yes, today''s performance and the video are indeed connected to the Chronos Universe. It was pretty obvious, wasn¡¯t it?"

    It was clearly a performance that contained a story. Moreover, the storyline was very much to my taste.

    ¡°Honestly, we don''t have aplete grasp of the universe ourselves... Haha. But that''s the beauty of it. It leaves room for everyone to specte and enjoy, so I am not going to say more about it."

    The chat was abuzz with curiosity.

    - So, is it a spoiler for the next album?

    - Really a spoiler?

    - Will the next album also feature a universe-themed music video?

    I watched the chat, my eyes yfully rolling. Then, I responded with a somewhat mysterious smile. ¡°Well, I can''t say for sure. But, oh, you are going to love what we have in store. Stay excited."

    It was sad that I couldn''t reveal more. Manager Hyuk-Soo was standing in front of me and gave a thumbs-up in approval.

    Then, I felt a dull pain in my back, so I shifted my position slightly and scanned the chat for another question to answer.

    ¡°...<i>Sigh</i>."

    The Ring who asked the question went by the nickname [Joo-Han with Cat Ears on His Ears]. The moment I saw it, my cheeks tensed, trembling as I tried to hold back myughter. ¡°First impressions of the members, you ask?"

    The image of Joo-Han with cat ears popped into my head, filling my mind with an amusing visual.

    ¡°...<i>Pfft</i>, oh, sorry about that. That nickname, Joo-Han with Cat Ears...<i>heup</i>." I tried to ignore it, but it was too amusing.

    ¡°...Hehe...Hah... my back! Ah, the nickname, it¡¯s just..." It was so funny that I couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter.

    ¡°...Pwahaha!" Iughed heartily, clutching my aching back, as tears ofughter streamed down my face at the thought of Joo-Han.

    ¡°Ah, seriously... This is too funny.¡±

    After regaining myposure and wiping away the tears, I sat back down and turned my attention back to the temporarily paused question. ¡°Phew, about the members'' first impressions... Well, it''s a bit hard to remember since we''ve been trainees for so long..."

    - Hahaha, he is totally cracked up!!!

    - Back pain <<< The image of member with cat ears

    - Just tell us what you remember!

    - Oppa a I didn¡¯t know you were having a live ??I love you so much <3!!!

    ¡°Speaking of the first impressions of the members... Let''s start with Joo-Han hyung.¡± I paused to recall our first meeting, which was about eight... no, actually around fourteen to fifteen years ago.

    ¡°I must have been around ten or eleven years old when Joo-Han hyung joined us. He should have been in elementary school or maybe a first-year middle schooler then.¡±

    Ah, I finally remembered our first encounter. ¡°Joo-Han hyung back then, hmm... Did he wear silver-framed sses? I remember him with thin-framed sses and dyed hair. He came along with his parents, greeted everyone, and then left.¡±

    He had seemed like quite a mischievous kid, different from how he was now.

    ¡°Being the youngest among the trainees, I was thrilled to have another kid join. However, when hyung first arrived, he couldn¡¯t dance well. So, he would sneak off to the lobby after watching us from behind.¡±

    He was quite different back then, good at studying and always received praise. However, he became quite reserved as he got scolded and struggled more than others.

    ¡°And Yoo-Joon, he was the typical troublemaker student. I met him when he was in middle school. Even back then, he looked a bit tough, both appearance and speaking wise.¡±

    Around the time when Allure was a hit, more trainees around my age joined us. I remembered it vividly. He walked in with both hands in his pockets and scanned the room with a rebellious gaze, probably to assert dominance, haha. However, I also had a strong personality, so we fought a lot back then, both physically and verbally.

    ¡°I thought we could never get along. He was intimidating, and I had never met anyone like him. But then we ended up attending the same school. I hated the idea at first, but as we walked to and from school together, I realized he was just putting on an act and was actually a nice guy.¡±

    Then, there was Jin-Sung. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan joined as younger trainees after I had been there for a while, so I didn¡¯t remember them making a big impact initially. ¡°Ah, Jin-Sung. He was already famous for his dancing skills before joining thepany, so everyone was nervous to meet him. But when he joined, he was just a kid who danced incredibly well... Haha!¡±

    He often got in trouble with Joo-Han, especially in his early years. He waspetitive, ambitious, and always hungry, with some bad sleeping habits. Once, he was scolded so badly that he ran out with tears streaming down his face. Then, he yelled, ¡°I hate Joo-Han hyung!!!!¡±

    That was a memorable incident. We used to speak formally then, and Joo-Han chased after him with a frozen look. He said, ¡°Is he leaving before I finish speaking? He must be asking for it.¡±

    Joo-Han then grabbed Jin-Sung¡¯s cor and dragged him back to the room. Then, he continued lecturing Jin-Sung again. He didn¡¯t care about being disliked, but he couldn¡¯t tolerate being interrupted.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, well, he was the most delicate kid I have ever seen. Back then, he was even slender and paler, with wide, round eyes. I remember thinking, ¡®Ah, so this is what star celebrities look like!¡¯ He was introduced as someone who might be an actor, but then I saw him practicing with us.¡±

    I wanted to talk more about Yoon-Chan, but my memories of him during our trainee days were so little, so I didn¡¯t have much more to say.

    As I continued to engage in a pleasant conversation with the Rings by answering various questions, the sound of the front door lock echoed, followed by the bustling entry of the members.

    ¡°We are back!¡±

    ¡°Hey, wassup?¡±

    ¡°How did Hyun-Woo do?¡±

    The once peaceful chat room reignited with excitement as the members returned from their meeting.

    ¡°It¡¯s cold outside. Hey, why is the guy with a sore back sitting on the floor? Sit on the couch.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I put a cushion down.¡±

    ¡°Are you okay, hyung?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh, yeah, I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°Are you really okay? Oh, you are still live, uh, hello, Rings,¡± said Yoon-Chan as he waved at the camera.

    ¡°Rings, we are here! We missed you! Did Hyun-Woo hyung do well?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I did pretty well.¡±

    ¡°How was my stage today?¡±

    The situation became hectic as I tried to respond to the members and manage the live session simultaneously. Suddenly, Joo-Han excluded himself from the others and pulled down the hands of the members, sitting next to me. ¡°Come on, give him a hug. Comfort Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung!¡±

    ¡°Missed you, Suh Hyun-Woo!¡±

    ¡°...¡± Surrounded and embraced by my fellow members, I wore a nk expression of astonishment as I gazed into space.

    ¡°What are you guys doing...?¡±

    On the Q-app screen, only my face was popping out amidst their hugs.

    ¡°It''s good you are alive!"

    ¡°Our Hyun-Woo needs to be happy!"

    ¡°Don''t get hurt, hyung!"

    ¡°You''ve got to live well, hyung!"

    ¡°..."

    <i>¡®Ah, this is unbelievable.¡¯</i>

 Chapter 149: End-of-Year Stage (19)

    Chapter 149: End-of-Year Stage (19)

    ¡°Okay, time to let go, everyone." It had been quite a while since Joo-Han pulled me into a hug. Actually, I felt like it had been ages.

    ¡°A! Hyung, do you have any idea how heartbroken I was because there was an empty spot during the meeting?" asked Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Yeah, I get it. Jin-Sung, you really adore me, right? But you need to let go now. My back''s starting to hurt."

    Upon hearing about my sore back, they finally released me and took seats close by.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo,e and sit on the couch."

    ¡°Sure. ¡­Yoon-Chan?" In the midst of getting ready to carry on with our live broadcast, one guy was still clinging to me. Park Yoon-Chan remained still, his head resting on my forearm.

    <em>¡®What''s up with him?¡¯</em> As I looked bewilderedly at Park Yoon-Chan, the ever-perceptive Goh Yoo-Joon shook his shoulder, looking shocked. ¡°¡­What? Is Yoon-Chan crying?"

    ¡°He is crying?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan is crying?"

    We hurriedly clustered around Yoon-Chan, and he quickly let go of me as he sensed our movements.

    ¡°Hey, why the tears? What''s got you so upset?"

    ¡°...I''m just so worried..." The sight of my injury had shaken him to his core, and the memory of Jin-Sung''s previous harm only added to his distress. Yoon-Chan tried to quickly stifle his tears, covering his face with his hands.

    Suddenly, I realized that we might have been neglecting our Q-app fans too much. ncing at the chat, I noticed that it had shifted from ¡°haha¡± to a sea of crying emojis.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t cry.¡±

    ¡°Ah! Is he really crying? No, no. You can''t cry. If you cry, Jin-Sung the cry baby will start too."

    Worried about the mood turning too heavy, Goh Yoo-Joon quickly tried to lighten things up, and Joo-Han nced away from Yoon-Chan to the screen.

    ¡°Everyone, looks like our Yoon-Chan really missed Hyun-Woo during the meeting. But no worries. Hyun-Woo is all good, right?"

    ¡°I''m totally fine.¡± Raising an eyebrow, I yfully gestured toward Yoon-Chan with a thumbs-up and cracked a teasing smile. ¡°This guy here~ Why so emotional~."

    ¡°Yoon-Chan~ has such a soft heart~."

    ¡°Exactly~ Baby Yoon-Chan''s heart is so... delicate¡­ Uh..."

    ¡°...Jin-Sung?"

    <em>¡®Is Jin-Sung crying now?¡¯ </em>They said tears were contagious, and it seemed like Jin-Sung had been holding back his tears until now.

    Lee Jin-Sung, who was teasing Park Yoon-Chan, suddenly started crying amid hisughter.

    While the chat was flooded with ?? when Yoon-Chan cried, it switched back to ?? when Jin-Sung started to cry.

    I admit it. While Yoon-Chan''s tears trickled quietly, evoking sympathy from onlookers, Jin-Sung unleashed his sobs with fervor, looking somewhat¡­ <em>ehm</em>, entertaining.

    ¡°We¡­ we had to¡­ cover¡­ dance¡­ <em>heup</em>..¡±

    ¡°Cover dance? Did you guys decide to cover a dance?¡±

    ¡°Uhuhuh, yes!¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon started giggling and started to yfully respond to Lee Jin-Sung''s words. ¡°<em>Pfft</em>!"

    ¡°Ah, don''tugh...!"

    ¡°<em>Pfft</em>! Ah! My, my back..." As soon as Iughed, I felt a sharp pain in my back, clutching it and burying my face in the couch. However, I was still giggling.

    ¡°Ah, seriously... I''m sorry, Rings. We''ve been chatting amongst ourselves too much." Jin-Sung apologized to the viewers with his eyes turned red. It seemed like he was expressing his sadness about my injury and suggested doing a cover dance together once I got better.

    Joo-Han pped his hands to shift the sad atmosphere. ¡°Come on! If we continue like this, everyone will think Hyun-Woo is seriously injured! It''s not like that, folks. The younger ones were just a bit startled. Yoo-Joon, can you take the kids and have them wash up ande back?"

    ¡°Okay." Goh Yoo-Joon took the sniffling Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung to the bathroom, and Joo-Han picked up Manager Hyuk-Soo''s phone from the living room table.

    ¡°Let''s see. What were you talking about? Oh wow, Hyun-Woo has been broadcasting for over an hour?"

    - Noooo. Don''t cry¡­ Don''t get hurt¡­ It hurts us too ??

    - But is it okay for celebrities to keep talking about being hurt on broadcast? Shouldn''t they just quietly visit the hospital? This is making fans worry.

    - Ahhh, can''t imagine how shocked the kids were... Just hearing the news made my heart drop.

    - Hyun-Woo, we are fine, so please rest... We are so worried about you!

    - Fishing for sympathy <em>tsk tsk¡­</em>

    - I feel like crying too ??

    - HAHAHA Jin-Sung is so cute! Aww, my baby was so sad that he saw his fellow member getting hurt! ADORABLE!

    Joo-Han briefly set aside the chat andughed. The chat was indeed too full of worries about me and the other members, and he couldn¡¯t continue with it.

    ¡°Earlier in the live cam, weren''t you guys discussing first impressions of the members?" asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°Yes, we did. We talked about how you chickened out saying you couldn''t do it."

    ¡°That''s nothing. Shall I also share my first impression of Hyun-Woo? Or was it more of a first meeting?¡± Joo-Han scrunched up his face, trying to recall his memories, and then let out a small ¡°ah.¡±

    ¡°The first time I met Hyun-Woo was when I visited the practice room with my parents after bing a trainee. I saw this kid my age just standing there, staring at me nkly among the older guys."

    Right. I was just amazed to see someone my age joining as a trainee, and Joo-Han didn''t seem to like my staring, so he red at me and quickly looked away.

    ¡°That¡¯s when Allure seniors were all trainees. Even though Hyun-Woo was in elementary school, he was really well-dressed. His practice clothes and haircuts weren''t the typical ones of kids that age, but more stylish, something high school seniors would have."

    ¡°Was it? Oh yeah, it was. Allure seniors used to take me along for hairdos."

    ¡°Yeah, but you were also good at dancing, unlike me, so I was a bit jealous at first."

    ¡°Ah." That was probably why it took some time for us to get close. At first, Joo-Han seemed to ignore myments, which I didn''t appreciate.

    Joo-Han finished speaking and checked the chat again. Fortunately, the chat had moved on from ?? to asking questions and sharing messages for us.

    - But Joo-Han, why don¡¯t you call Allure members ¡®hyungs¡¯?

    I caught the question from the chat and passed it on to Joo-Han. ¡°People are asking why you don''t call Allure seniors ''hyungs''. What''s up with that?"

    ¡°Me? I¡­ umm¡­ I''ve always been more at ease with formal speech. It''s kinda like how Yoon-Chan still can''t bring himself to be informal with me. Not that it''s ufortable, but speaking formally just feels right. On the other hand, from the get-go, Hyun-Woo seemed to be everyone''s darling."

    ¡°Yeah, I can''t quite recall when, but I naturally started calling them ¡®hyungs''. But obviously, I properly address them as seniors in public..."

    While Joo-Han and I chatted away, the trio who had gone to the bathroom came back. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan had towels tied around their necks like bibs, most likely the result of Goh Yoo-Joon''s yful antics.

    ¡°I got them cleaned up."

    ¡°Did you wash them up yourself? What''s with the bibs on the kids?"

    ¡°Jin-Sung was sobbing so much that I even helped him blow his nose, and I didn¡¯t want Yoon-Chan to feel left out, so he got a bib too."

    I chuckled at Goh Yoo-Joon''s cheekyment. ¡°We should definitely get Yoon-Chan''s take on this."

    ¡°Enough, enough. Anyway, I overheard you guys talking about your first impressions while helping the kids. Everyone''s first impression of Suh Hyun-Woo must be pretty simr. Like a veteran trainee."

    ¡°Exactly. Hyun-Woo hyung had that vibe spot on. I thought we wouldn''t have much inmon."

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true for me as well."

    The two, who had stopped crying, nodded while still in their makeshift bibs.

    ¡°I was kinda intimidated by Hyun-Woo hyung at first. He was always stone-faced, hanging out with Yoo-Joon hyung and the other older guys," remarked Jin-Sung.

    At Jin-Sung''s remark, Goh Yoo-Joon grinned. ¡°You were scared of all the trainees who hung out with Joo-Han hyung because you always got scolded."

    ¡°Ah, hyung!"

    ¡°What? Haha. Anyway, Hyun-Woo was really quiet and aloof, just like Joo-Han hyung said. I''m all about jokes, and Hyun-Woo was way more sensitive back then, so we really didn¡¯t hit it off."

    ¡°Yeah, you two always fought but then ended up being close."

    ¡°Yeah, we didn''t like being stuck together, but thepany had us go to school together and always kept us close. It was inevitable that we''d butt heads."

    ¡°But you two still bicker until now."

    ¡°Shh, that''s enough."

    After that, we got bombarded with lots of questions. Some fans wanted us to appear more on variety shows in the next album, asking about our ns for the next end-of-year stage, and if we''d consider doing gaming broadcasts again or individual streams. In total, the streamsted about two hours, including a brief interruption due to an error.

    The fans said it was one of the longest live streams ever.

    ¡°Anyway, we will try to get on more variety shows for the next album just as you want. Sorry for not being much on Q-apptely."

    ¡°I promise we will be on more frequently."

    ¡°Have a wonderful night, everyone!"

    <em>Ding!</em>

    [The broadcast has ended.]

    As the livestream came to a close, I found myself nearly slouchedpletely on the couch. Our extended session with the members brought fresh energy, but it left me feeling drained. I couldn''t help but worry that my exhaustion might have seemed like I was exaggerating my pain again, especially after someone in the chat had pointed it out earlier.

    ¡°Good job everyone. I will clean up here. Yoo-Joon, could you help Hyun-Woo to his room?"

    Everyone dispersed to their respective rooms. Joo-Han stayed behind in the living room for a chat with the managers and sent us off to our rooms.

    ¡°Can you walk?"

    ¡°Yeah, I''m a bit better now. My back was killing me earlier."

    ¡°You were clutching your back andughing on air."

    Goh Yoo-Joon supported me to the room and then asked Yoon-Chan to bring a towel soaked in hot water.

    ¡°Hey, pop that in the microwave first," I said.

    ¡°No way. What if it catches fire? I will just wrap it in stic to prevent water leakage. It will be fine."

    Goh Yoo-Joon covered the towel in a stic bag and gently ced it on my back as Iy on the bed. ¡°Be more careful, dude. Why get hurt, you silly?"

    ¡°The stage was slippery, okay?" I giggled, teasing him, but Goh Yoo-Joon gave me a stern look and headed back to his bed.

    ¡°Anyway, I was worried, so get better quickly. We''ve got stages to share. The manager said if you don''t recover, he won''t set up the stage."

    ¡°That won''t happen. I will get better."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shrugged nonchntly. ¡°If that''s what you think, fine. But seriously, don''t overdo it. You saw the kids crying, right? To be honest, it scared me too."

    Seeing how Goh Yoo-Joon rushed backstage right after I got hurt showed me how shocked he was. ¡°I am really sorry."

    I know I was being a burden to them all. I wasn¡¯t the only one who wanted to shine on the year-end stage. Even though they didn''t say it, I knew they were disappointed. I needed to recover as much as I could, at least to the point where I could move properly¡­

    ¡°Anyway, don''t move around. I will help you out until you are fully better."

    ¡°Thanks, man."

    Goh Yoo-Joon casually nodded, lying on his bed and booting up hisptop. ¡°Yep."

    While Goh Yoo-Joon yed games and I had my hot towel treatment, Joo-Han came into the room to check on me. He seemed determined not to let me on stage unless I waspletely healed.

    ¡°<em>Sigh.</em>¡±

    With only a week left until the next performance, I decided to take it easy and learn the choreography through video to avoid any further injuries.

 Chapter 150: End-of-Year Stage (20)

    Chapter 150: End-of-Year Stage (20)

    ¡°The room is a bit dark,¡± I noted.

    Goh Yoo-Joon sat up quickly and suggested, ¡°Yeah? Should we turn the lights on?"

    ¡°Let''s do that."

    Funnily enough, neither Goh Yoo-Joon nor I moved to flick the switch. Instead, I stared at the shut door and yelled with urgency, ¡°Jin-Sung!!!"[1]

    Silence descended upon us. Goh Yoo-Joon was unable to contain hisughter, so he sneakily nced at the door and called out. ¡°Lee Jin-Sung! Are you just going to ignore Hyun-Woo? He''s calling you!¡±

    ¡°Jin-Sung!!!" As we shouted, our voices were filled with suppressedughter.

    We waited a few seconds, and Jin-Sung''s voice that wasced with annoyance echoed from outside the door.

    ¡°Ah, why!?"

    ¡°Jin-Sung, hurry up! It''s an emergency. Come here, now." My tone was genuinely frantic, and Jin-Sung''s irritated voice echoed out from the living room.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to! I am not going!"

    ¡°Hey, Hyun-Woo is calling, and you are noting? He''s in pain, you know?"

    ¡°But Yoo-Joon hyung is literally there!¡±

    ¡°I asked for Jin-Sung, not Goh Yoo-Joon! Come on, Jin-Sung, hurry up!"

    ¡°Aargh!" Soon after, the door burst open with thumping sounds like those of a dinosaur.

    ¡°Ah, what is it now? Seriously, all the freaking time!¡± Jin-Sung walked in, his face a mix of frown and scowl.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I couldn''t help but burst intoughter while pointing at the light switch. ¡°Turn on the light, please."

    ¡°Aaah! Are you kidding me?¡± Jin-Sung was clearly annoyed, so he smacked the switch as an outlet for his frustration. As Goh Yoo-Joon and I waved in thanks, Jin-Sung shot us a re, sighed deeply, and turned to the camera.

    ¡°They always do this. It''s like they live to tease me," he grumbled.

    Then, he spoke seriously after turning squarely toward the camera. ¡°To all the idol groups and agency reps watching, I''m on the lookout for a group that doesn''t bully their youngest. Hit me up."

    The SES year-end broadcast filming crew hade to our dorm to shoot some VTR. They were capturing the daily grind of Chronos, and they told us to act naturally as if the cameras weren''t even there, so we continued our shoot, yfully pranking Jin-Sung.

    Despite the relentless teasing, Jin-Sung endured it all because ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung was hurt + the cameras were all around me.¡±

    ¡°Wow, it''s brighter now. Thanks, Jin-Sung. Now, go rock ''Rasputin.¡¯"

    ¡°One more call, and I''m running away!¡± said Jin-Sung as he left the room. We continued giggling before taking a phone from the filming crew.

    Goh Yoo-Joon flicked it on, tapping the only number saved. ¡°We are doing a joint performance with other neen-year-olds, remember?"

    ¡°Right."

    ¡°Let''s get a head start on knowing the others by searching them on the inte.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon delivered his line as rehearsed earlier.

    Yoon-Chan was out meeting his team for the performance, and our neen-year-old squad decided to make first contact with our coborator via video call, due to my back injury.

    ¡°Ooh, who is it?"

    ¡°Some popr idol group members. Just wait, I will call. Oh, tidy up your hair first!" Goh Yoo-Joon and I tried our best to look excited and nervous as we stared at the phone screen. We already knew who we were meeting, but due to conflicting schedules, this direct interaction was sure to be awkward.

    <em>Ding, ding, ding, ding!</em>

    The cheerful ringtone yed, and we eagerly waited for the other party to answer, squeezing into the small video call screen. Then, the phone stopped ringing, revealing a face and an awkward, embarrassedugh.

    - Hello. Uh-huh! Hi¡­

    I feigned surprise. My eyes widened as I covered my mouth. ¡°Wow! Hello!"

    - This is our first time seeing each other, hehe. Nice to meet you.

    The person on the other end was as shy as me, and he bowed in an awkward greeting.

    ¡°Senior!"

    The celebrity of our video call was Elisia from the girl group Renewal. They were the winners of the previous season of <em>Pick We Up</em>¡ªthe girl group version of <em>Pick Me Up</em>. She was a Korean-American member, served as the main vocalist of Renewal, and just like us, was neen years old. We were set to perform together at the year-end broadcast of UNET, but it was SES that brought us together first.

    ¡°We are looking forward to working with you, Senior!"

    - Yes, me too. Should we decide when to meet for the song selection?

    ¡°Ah, anytime works for us. How about you, Senior? When are you free?"

    It looked like Elisia had also prepared her lines in advance. Chronos was just hitting their six-month mark, while Renewal was celebrating their first year. Despite being newbies in the scene, the members from both groups were all business, meticulously rehearsing their lines with dedication.

    - Let''s aim to meet up as soon as we can, and until then, let''s brainstorm some song ideas, shall we?

    ¡°Sure, Senior!"

    - Alright, looking forward to our next meeting then.

    ¡°Take care!"

    After a slightly awkward but earnest exchange of farewells, the video call wrapped up. What a wless conversation it was. Now was time to dive back into the script.

    ¡°Wow, I can''t hide the excitement!"

    ¡°Can''t wait to hit the stage!"

    We were all giddy as we wrapped up ¡°Scenario 1: The Heart-Fluttering First Meeting.¡± Whenever I watched rookies on TV, who created love lines with girl groups and spouted bold lines, I often marveled at their courage. Little did I know, I''d be walking in those shoes myself. After some editing magic, the interactions between us were bound to be spiced up with cutesyputer graphic effects like pink sparkling hearts.

    I handed the phone back to the crew and supported my aching back¡ªa casualty of sitting too long. Then, I flopped back onto the bed. That was when Goh Yoo-Joon slid over to my bed and plopped down on the floor beside it.

    ¡°Hey, we''ve got to think of our duet song as well, not just the track with the seniors."

    ¡°Yeah, you are right. What should we do? Got any ideas on your mind?"

    ¡°Hmm."

    Here was the n for the stage. We would start off with the song by Goh Yoo-Joon and me, followed by a duet with senior Elisia up to the chorus. This would peak in a grand finale where Yoo-Joon joins us on the main stage with a new outfit. The neen-year-olds would then take over with the musical-themed stage offered by SES, excluding me. It would lead to a grand ensemble finish.

    Initially, there wasn''t supposed to be a set piece for me, Yoo-Joon, and Elisia. However, Chronos''s skyrocketing poprity meant we couldn''t just be sidelined. Plus, Supervisor Kim and our manager had aced the meeting discussions, and that stroke of lucknded us the opening act, which was a gesture I was incredibly thankful for.

    It was ast-minute decision to give us the opening stage during the meeting, so we had to pick the song quickly.

    ¡°...What should we do?"

    ¡°...¡±

    We were aware that we were in the midst of filming, but we didn¡¯t know what to say. We had toe up with a song capable of evoking a sense of upliftment and musicality without relying heavily on dance choreography.

    ¡®<em>What would that be?¡¯</em>

    Then, Goh Yoo-Joon suggested, ¡°It doesn''t need to be a bad, even without the dance. Maybe a song that still allows for some movement would be nice. It''s the end of the year, after all, so it''s got to be lively."

    ¡°I was thinking something iconic would be great. You know, like those instantly recognizable tunes from Digimon or Pok¨¦mon that everyone just can''t help but sing along to."

    I nced over at the giant YMM calendar on the wall between our beds, and the red marks among the ck numbers caught my eye. It was the uing holidays.

    "Ah." A small gasp escaped me as I realized. ¡°It''s Christmas. Right, Christmas ising.¡±

    ¡°Ah? Oh, right."

    ¡°Director, will there be a carol stage in this year''s lineup?"

    Caught off-guard, the director pondered for a moment before nodding with an apologetic look. ¡°Yes, there is. During the opening of Part One and the closing of Part Two."

    ¡°Could we possibly know which songs those might be?"

    ¡°Are you interested in a carol?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, and I responded with a nomittal smile, the kind that spoke volumes without saying a word.

    Christmas was a day filled with endless carols that never seemed to lose their charm. For the opening, we contemted setting the tone with a pop carol. We could then switch it up with a K-pop rendition or so to keep things dynamic. Since the first stage for the neen-year-olds and the duet with Elisia would likely lean toward the sweeter side, I thought that a thrilling carol, infused with a hint of choreography, could add a festive touch to the show without ovepping with other performances.

    After a brief consultation, the director confirmed, ¡°Both the opening and the closing performances are English pop songs."

    ¡°In that case, should we go with a Korean carol? If it doesn''t align with the show''s theme, we are open to other suggestions," I proposed, ever so politely.

    The director made a quick call and nodded with a slight smile. ¡°There are other idol groups preparing carols as well, so let¡¯s make sure our song selection doesn''t ovep with theirs."

    ¡°Got it! Thank you. If you could give us the list of their songs, we will make sure to choose something different."

    That was when it happened.

    <em>Knock, knock.</em>

    ¡°Excuse me for a moment." Joo-Han knocked on the door and peeked in at us.

    As soon as the director saw him, he quickly turned the camera to capture him.

    ¡°You guys are choosing a carol?¡± Joo-Han asked.

    ¡°¡­Hyung, were you listening?"

    ¡°Ah, just curious about how the shooting was going."

    Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled at Joo-Han''s words and asked, ¡°Were you eavesdropping, hyung?"

    ¡°No? Who do you think I am?¡±

    ¡°You must have forgotten that cameras are installed right outside our door~ Director, please make sure to include whether Joo-Han hyung was eavesdropping or not in the episode."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon teasingly spoke, Joo-Han looked at him with a mix of amusement and resignation. Then, he admitted to it. ¡°I overheard it, okay? I am just worried about how my cute younger brothers are doing. Well, anyway."

    Joo-Han fully entered the room and yfully smacked Goh Yoo-Joon''s back. Yoo-Joon then winced in pain and rolled on the floor before sitting down between us.

    ¡°I have a favorite carol. Can you use that one?" asked Joo-Han.

    He was eagerly seeking my agreement with that excited look on his face. However, when he made that face, the suggestions he came up with were usually well-received by fans but not so much by the members.

    I sent him a skeptical look. ¡°What is it?"

    ¡°This one."

    The song that yed was a sweet, fast-paced duet but a bit too sugary for just me and Goh Yoo-Joon to sing.

    ¡°How is it? Good, right?"

    ¡°It''s nice, but¡­"

    Joo-Han was gleefully ying the song with his eyes twinkling suspiciously. His look was reminiscent of his lively demeanor during our ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± performance.

    1. AHAHAHA this is what I always do to my sisters :) ?

 Chapter 151: End-of-Year Stage (21)

    Chapter 151: End-of-Year Stage (21)

    ¡°Give it a chance and listen till the end," Joo-Han encouraged us. Hearing that, Goh Yoo-Joon and I fell silent and gave the song our full attention.

    From the get-go, the tinkling sleigh bells set a festive tone, undeniably Christmasy, but the tune was a fresh departure from the well-known ssics we had in mind. The track wasced with sweet jazz and the asional jingle, and it was crooned beautifully by a male vocalist, adding to its charm.

    As the melody wound down, Joo-Han shared with a pleased smile, ¡°That is ''Christmas is Ours,'' a gem from the musical <em>Happy Single Christmas.</em>"

    ¡°Hyung, your musical palette is impressively wide."

    ¡°Seriously, it''s like there''s no song out there you haven''t discovered." It was quite remarkable for Joo-Han to pull such a perfectly fitting, yet obscure Christmas song out of his hat, truly a nod to his potential as a future music mogul[1].

    Joo-Han modestly bypassed our praises with a grin and delved into the backstory of the song. ¡°¡®Christmas is Ours'' isn''t just any holiday tune. While its melody might deceive you with sweetness and the velvety male vocals may seem perfect for a romantic Christmas evening, the song cleverly narrates a tale of a single guy persuading his buddy, the protagonist, about the unique joy of spending Christmas together, just the singles."

    ¡°This story will probably mesh well with the musical that follows."

    Just for context, the protagonist in the musical got convinced by his friend to spend a single Christmas together, but on Christmas Day, the protagonist found himself alone as his friend ended up going out on a date as a new couple, leaving the protagonist to experience a bittersweet Christmas.

    ¡°So, the idea is for Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon to kick things off together. With Yoo-Joon in the role of the persuasive friend and Hyun-Woo as the protagonist who gets sweet-talked into the n."

    Joo-Han then showed us a snippet from the musical ¡°Christmas is Ours,¡± highlighting the dynamics between the characters.

    I asked, ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon is ying the bubbly persuader here?"

    ¡°Exactly. Picture Yoo-Joon buzzing around Hyun-Woo, pouring his heart out in a musical style song, with Hyun-Woo all smiles, utterly convinced by Yoo-Joon¡¯s words.¡±

    Immediately, Goh Yoo-Joon took steps back at the thought, clearly not thrilled. ¡°We are supposed to pay homage[2] to this? Like, for real?"

    Still beaming, Joo-Han assured him with a nod. ¡°Absolutely. The fans will love it. When have I ever steered you in the wrong direction?"

    ¡°Well, no, not really," Goh Yoo-Joon reluctantly answered, turning his attention back to the clip.

    The video showcased the friend character animatedly circling the protagonist, engaging in yful antics, and passionately selling the grandeur of a single Christmas. He even pretended to have an engagement proposal by kneeling.

    Goh Yoo-Joon wasn''t the only one feeling iffy about it. I asked, ¡°So, I''m just meant to sit there and get swept up in all this?"

    Being cast as a character whose expression ranged from genuinely clueless toically dumb didn''t sit well with me. Was I truly about to participate in this entire charade with Goh Yoo-Joon, right in front of everyone?

    ¡°Yes, it''s your moment to shine on stage! Just imagine how much the Rings will adore this. It''s not just any performance but a special one! Think about it. While others are showcasing their talents in a musical, our charming member, Cha Cha Hyun-Woo, will bring his own brand of musical magic. It''s our unique spin on a musical."

    ¡°Ah¡­ I see your point."

    ¡°Then, following that, you and senior Elisia will share a sweet duet up to the chorus. And then, Yoo-Joon, who was all about celebrating singlehood, joins back in for the second verse with senior Elisia. They then leave together, while Hyun-Woo watches on as he feels somewhat betrayed."

    Shoot¡­ I was swayed, convinced even. Here I was, contemting a simple carol performance, while others were prepping for borate musical stages. Joo-Han''s pitch made my initial idea seem almost too understated...

    ¡°A carol? Sure, it''s lovely. But remember, this is a ''special performance.'' That''s a one-of-a-kind treat for the <em>SES New Year Party</em>."

    Indeed, this performance needed to stand out and be something memorable and exclusive to this event. But considering carols were already ted for the opening and closing, and other senior artists had chosen them too, it didn''t quite scream ''special performance.''

    ¡°Think about it. You might feel a bit embarrassed, but a musical showcase with a best friend? Come on, it¡¯s a rare experience. Yoon-Chan and his crew are bound to delve into such acting in their own musical performances down the line. Hyun-Woo, you surely don''t want to miss out on this opportunity, right? Being left in the shadows isn''t an option, is it?"

    ¡°Absolutely not, getting overshadowed is thest thing I want...!"

    ¡°Then do it. It''s going to be incredibly charming."

    ¡°Yes! Count me in!"

    ¡°I''m on board, hyung! Thanks for the rmendation!"

    Joo-Han¡¯s persuasion was sessfully aplished, so he nodded with a look of contentment and left the room with a smile. He was indeed the mastermind behind ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡±

    Perhaps he just relished the thought of us indulging in a bit of over-the-top acting. However, his point stood out. Focusing solely on carols might leave us overshadowed by the grandeur of the following musical stages.

    Yet, the track suggested by Joo-Han could seamlessly serve as an engaging opener for the neen-year-olds¡¯ performance! It was a chance to present a memorable stage, especially for the Rings who were looking forward to my participation before my unfortunate injury.

    ¡°Director, we''ve made our song choice!" I said. Joo-Han was for sure a musical genius.

    We eagerly started to familiarize ourselves with the lyrics and melody. At that pivotal moment of decision, the first scene of our special stage preparation came to a close.

    ¡°Cut! Let''s pause for a moment. Next up, we are filming the discussion about Chronos''s stage."

    ***

    ¡°Ready to roll. Jin-Sung, would you do the honors and give the te a p?"

    ¡°Can I really? Wow!"

    Director responded with an encouraging nod. Beaming with excitement, Jin-Sung wiggled his shoulders in anticipation before raising his arm high.

    ¡°Here goes!"

    <em>Snap!</em>

    We dove into our second take with that crisp p.

    This second session was all about brainstorming for Chronos''s individual performances. Considering my back situation, we continued to shoot in thefort of my room.

    ¡°It''s about time we start piecing together our group performance." Joo-Han broached the subject.

    Truth be told, the entire SES performance n was already set in stone, centered around <em>The Parade</em> concept, and envisioned as a vibrant circus parade. However, the issue at hand was my injury.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo has been having a tough time with his back."

    ¡°That''s true."

    ¡°But given it''s our debut year-end, I really hope we can all perform together." While Joo-Han framed it as a collective wish, I was the one pushing for it. It seemed that he was trying to shield me from potential criticism for insisting on participating despite my condition, making me feel all the more indebted to my considerate teammates.

    ¡°I''m so sorry, guys. I really mean it."

    ¡°Why apologize? It''s all in the spirit of giving it your all. No worries." Goh Yoo-Joon''s reassurance was full of vigor.

    ¡°Exactly. We get why you''d feel bad, but it was out of your hands. Don¡¯t worry about it, hyung."

    ¡°Don''t beat yourself up over it. It will just make us sad."

    If only there hadn''t been news articles about my injury, I would have been able to bluff my way through a dance performance. The absolute opposition from the manager and my fellow members, coupled with the swift spread of news about my injury right after a performance, made it clear that persisting could damage not only my image but also that of my teammates and our agency.

    Jin-Sung must have understood this feeling all too well. The disappointment and guilt were overwhelming.

    Observing the members'' efforts to console me, Joo-Han once again steered the conversation forward. ¡°So, let''s brainstorm. Our performance is quite movement-intensive and technically challenging. To ensure that all of us, including Hyun-Woo, make a significant impact, what''s the best approach?"

    This was the crucial question posed by the agency as they finalized the borate performance setup. It was all about how to incorporate me into it effectively.

    At that moment, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung passionately signaled their eagerness to contribute.

    "Me!"

    ¡°We¡­ we¡­¡±

    "What''s up? Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung, got any bright ideas?"

    Prompted by Joo-Han, Jin-Sung nodded with a sense of pride. ¡°Yoon-Chan hyung and I have been brainstorming together, and we''ve got something!"

    ¡°Alright, let''s hear what you two havee up with."

    With Joo-Han''s green light, Yoon-Chan handed a notebook and pen to Jin-Sung, who then shared their collective brain power. ¡°It might not be a game-changer, but what if we creatively weave Hyun-Woo hyung into the performance, making him an intrinsic part of the entire spectacle? It¡¯s true to the theme."

    ¡°Weaving him into the performance?"

    ¡°Yes. We were inspired by Hyun-Woo hyung''s unforgettable unit stage in <em>Pick We Up</em>."

    ¡°Ah, the zombie performance! That was quite the showcase for the dancers, wasn''t it?" I found myself nodding along at Jin-Sung¡¯s words.

    Team D''s performance was a mix of skilled dancers and those with just the basics down pat. However, the essence of the stage was to leverage the dancers to their fullest to create a powerful impact. It wasn''t just about one member singing in the spotlight but about creating a narrative with slow, zombie-like movements around them, enriching the stage''s dynamism.

    ¡°Something along those lines. Given we will have a blend of dancers and circus performers gracing the stage, why not coborate with them to elevate the act?"

    ¡°Like, for example." Jin-Sung eagerly flipped open his notebook, drawing a circle marked with an X through it. ¡°Picture this circle as the chair where Hyun-Woo hyung is seated. The dancers could form an X around, crafting a visual where hyung bes an important part of the dance."

    ¡°I see."

    Next, Jin-Sung sketched arger epassing circle around a smaller one, with a diamond pattern wrapping around both, offering another perspective. ¡°Or we could arrange it in this formation. The possibilities are endless."

    Joo-Han thoughtfully tapped his chin and nodded in affirmation. ¡°That''s a solid idea. It''s a strategy often employed to pack a punch or magnify the grandeur of the performance."

    ¡°Though, we''d need to change Hyun-Woo hyung''s choreography ordingly. I''ve already brainstormed a few moves with Yoon-Chan hyung yesterday that could work. I will run them by the choreography team."

    ¡°Time is ticking though..." Joo-Han hesitated but then relented with a nod. It wasmon for us to tweak moves up to thest minute, sometimes even after the final rehearsal. Time crunches were part and parcel of our routine.

    ¡°Let''s seek maximum flexibility from the choreographer and dancers."

    ¡°What if we assign Hyun-Woo as the day''s ringmaster? Him steering the show could be an interesting angle." Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in with his idea.

    ¡°Brilliant. That''s worth discussing," Joo-Han agreed.

    As ideas flew back and forth, I was torn, biting my lip in silent turmoil. This brainstorming session was dedicated to spotlighting me, and I felt it wouldn''t be right to chime in, so I was overwhelmed by a sense of guilt.

    Sensing my internal struggle, the members went above and beyond, pouring out tons of suggestions on my behalf and filling the room with a warm sense of camaraderie. Thus concluded our first day of filming for Chronos''s preparations. This session was a testament to the unity and creative spirit that bound us together.

    [Side Story] - The Distance of the Heart

    As the afternoon waned and the filming crew left, the rest of the members, excluding me, swiftly changed and dashed to the practice room to immerse themselves in the grind for the uing performance.

    Alone in the silent dorm, a heavy sigh escaped me, weighed down by guilt. Then suddenly, my phone buzzed softly from under the pillow, breaking the solitude.

    <em>Brrrrr-.</em>

    It was a text message from my mom.

    [Mom]

    - Hyun-Woo, are you busy?

    - Not really, just chilling at the dorm.

    - Mind if I call?

    - Of course, Mother.

    As soon as I sent my reply, her call came through. A flutter of unease stirred in me as I answered, "Hello?"

    - Hyun-Woo, why so formal all of a sudden? What happened to ''mommy''?

    ¡°Just felt like switching it up. Haha, how''s everything, Mom?"

    - Fine, fine. And you?

    Her voice quivered a bit. She had to be shaken by the news of my fall.

    ¡°I am good as well.¡±

    - I saw the news. Your fall has been making rounds. Why didn''t you respond to my texts? You had me worried sick.

    ¡°Ah, I must have missed your texts. I am sorry about that. And, Mom, why did you watch that clip? It''s not a good scene to watch.¡±

    I''d been too wrapped up in my own difort to even nce at my phone, let alone consider my parents'' distress. Realizing this brought me a pang of remorse. It felt so strange now, discussing such personal matters after years of growing apart.

    - It''s hard to not see it when it''s everywhere. My heart just sank.

    - Honey, ask him how he is feeling now, not just about the fall.

    - Right, right. How are you feeling now? What did the doctors say?

    I brushed off the severity of my injury, assuring her it was nothing a little rest couldn''t mend. She was skeptical at first but eventually let out a resigned sigh, epting my words.

    ¡°Anyway, I really appreciate your concern, and I''m sorry for the scare. But don''t worry. I will be back on stage soon, even if I have to take it easy and sit."

    - Hyun-Woo, please, don¡¯t push yourself too hard. Are you sure you are alright?

    ¡°...Yes."

    - Remember, you can alwayse back and rest at home. There''s no ce like home for healing.

    ¡°I will keep that in mind."

    - Mom and Dad will always be a home for you and your sister, no matter what.

    <em>''Mom and Dad are your safe haven.''</em>

    - You don''t have to soldier on alone. You know you can alwayse back, right?

    ¡°Yes."

    <em>''Remember, it''s okay to show your scars. Stay strong, and chase your dreams without fear. Even if you stumble, it''s fine. We are here to catch you.''</em>

    Those words, once spoken by my parents during the time I shied away from family gatherings, suddenly echoed in my mind. I recalled their crestfallen faces when they saw my scarred face and the support they offered me despite their own heartache. Hearing their current concern over my minor injury made me wonder how they had coped back then.

    Therefore, I found myself hesitating to face them, held back by a mix of guilt and the fear that seeing them might reopen old wounds, which prompted me to flee once more. The gap between us, connected by hearts yet separated by circumstances, remained a challenge to ovee.

    1. An important or powerful person, especially in the motion picture or media industry. ?

    2. A tribute or respectful acknowledgment to an artist,poser, or a specific piece of music, often by incorporating or emting its style, themes, or motifs in a new work. ?

 Chapter 152: End-of-Year Stage (22)

    Chapter 152: End-of-Year Stage (22)

    <em>*Warning: There''s a flurry of fan reactionsing up. If it''s not your cup of tea, feel free to skip this bit as it is not rted to the main context.</em>

    ¡°Hyung, I will just move this a bit."

    ¡°Sure."

    <em>Drrrrr-</em>

    The couch¡ª<em>cough</em>, my temporary bed slid smoothly to the right, guided by the collective effort of my fellow members. With his muscles flexing impressively, Lee Jin-Sung pushed the couch aside, while Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan reced it with a single bed. They strategized the roomyout on the fly.

    "Yoon-Chan''s bed is all set, but where do we put Jin-Sung''s? Right next to it?"

    ¡°<em>Ugh</em>, no! Give me some breathing room. I don''t want it to feel like we are bunking together."

    Joo-Han just shrugged casually and went back to grab Jin-Sung''s bed. The scraping noise of furniture moving made me feel about the neighbors below, but I just watched, amused by their teamwork.

    ¡°This should feel a bit more like home now."

    Thergest room was shared by Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, but it carried a lingering scent of tobo reminiscent of a discreetly used diffuser. With our move-out date fast approaching and minimal interest from us in interior decorations, the decision to relocate their beds to the living room was swiftly made.

    ¡°Time to put the couch back where it was, Hyun-Woo hyung."

    ¡°Alright¡­ Oh, I will just get up."

    As Yoon-Chan nudged the couch slightly, I tried to stand up. However, Jin-Sung, who was in the midst of a Febreze spree, rushed over in rm to gently ease me back down. ¡°Don''t even think about getting up! Manager hyung said that you have to stay put all day."

    Well¡­ I could walk, but the concern was touching.

    After a few days of rest, the ache had eased enough for me to move around quite normally. However, I was still on the receiving end of some serious babying from the group.

    Caught off guard by Jin-Sung''s swift intervention, I found myself back on the couch and watched as they effortlessly rearranged the furniture, setting up a cozy nook in front of the bed.

    ¡°We will use the other room as a storage space for now. The smell is only getting stronger, almost enough to make one think we''ve secretly smoked."

    ¡°That''s why I always air out my clothes in the living room before heading out. Trying to shake off the scent."

    Joo-Han nced over at me after a brief exchange with Jin-Sung. ¡°Hyun-Woo, you should start getting ready. The manager hyung and the stylist noonas will be here any minute now."

    ¡°Will do."

    Today was all about selecting songs and the first rehearsal with Elisia. With the cameras rolling, even my casual attire needed a touch of m, so I had to wear minimal makeup and needed a quick hair fix.

    As I slowly got up, the trio, who were previously lounging on the bed and couch, reached out instinctively. They only rxed and lowered their hands when they saw me standing steady.

    ¡°I will go change and hang out in my room till Goh Yoo-Joon is done showering."

    ¡°Okay, rest up."

    I went back to my room, swapped my outfits, and then picked up Goh Yoo-Joon''sptop that was resting on his bed. It was only now that I felt mentally prepared to dive into the flood ofments on ourst KEW Awards show.

    I booted up theptop and started scouring through the feedback on <em>UTube</em> and <em>BlueBird, </em>curious and a bit apprehensive about what I''d find.

    ***

    eujjo lovyaei ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    Everyone!!! The first one to appear with tinum blonde hair is Chronos''s Suh Hyun-Woo. He''s our gem <3

    Likes 23 Dislikes 0 Reply

    This heartfeltment was among the first to pop up on <em>UTube</em>, right after the dance performance featuring Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung went live. The outpouring of affection and pride from fans for their favorite idol and group member was palpable, especially praising Suh Hyun-Woo for holding his own on his debut special stage alongside seniors from other groups.

    Saesol ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Ugh, can someone remove that fucking veil covering Suh Hyun-Woo''s face... I''m tempted to rip it off...

    Likes 3 Dislikes 0 Reply 2

    ©¸ Totally agree. I''d burn that thing if I could¡­ It adds mystery bute on, we need to see that face!

    ©¸ Ah. Not a fan but I have to agree¡­

    Kim Boo-Dong ¡¤ 3 minutes ago

    Who''s this guy with the striking tinum hair? I''m not usually one to follow male idols, but his expressions are just captivating. First timeying eyes on him, and I''m impressed.

    Likes 6 Dislikes 0 Replies 8

    Gorigogori ¡¤ 4 minutes ago

    Oh, Hyun-Woo... This grandma here is just mesmerized by your graceful dance moves... How does the main vocalist manage to dance so brilliantly? Hyun-Woo, my heart... This is the first time I''ve been so enchanted by an idol...

    Safety First ¡¤ 15 minutes ago

    What an incrediblebo is this? They are clearly a powerhouse when ites to dance, but this mix is just exquisite... Personally, the stage presence crown goes to Chronos''s Suh Hyun-Woo, and for dance skills, it''s Yoo Jeon-Hwa all the way.

    Likes 20 Dislikes 2 Replies 18

    ©¸ Agreed. With Yoo Jeon-Hwa''s background in dance, it''s no wonder he stands out...

    ©¸ Howe no one''s talking about Rain? He is phenomenal too.

    ©¸ I''ve seen Suh Hyun-Woo on <em>UTube</em> even before this. He dances like he''s been in the game for ages, not at all like a newbie.

    While the spotlight wasrgely on Suh Hyun-Woo, thements section buzzed with praise for all members involved in the first part of the performance, as well as Lee Jin-Sung and the team that took on the second dance part.

    Of course, there were some critiques andments about perceived favoritism, especially about the rookie group Chronos receiving a lot of attention. However, the performance was overwhelmingly well-received. The dynamic and powerful dance of the second part, coupled with the mystical and elegant moves of the first, created a show-stoppingbination that was bound to draw acim.

    Following the performance, the news about Suh Hyun-Woo''s injury spread through <em>BlueBird </em>and various news portals, drawing concern from fans.

    YM Why Not Fan Meetings @kding_hw ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Heard Hyun-Woo was almost down on the stage, is he alright? I''m praying it''s not a serious injury... It should not be that¡­

    Replies 2 RT 331 Likes 22

    Sparkling Eyes Yoon-Chan @UNCAN ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    ording to Rings at the venue, here''s the scoop:

    Hyun-Woo took a tumble or got hurt on stage > the other members noticed, Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon had a grave chat, and then Yoo-Joon dashed off somewhere > Yoo-Joon returned to the audience, but no sign of Hyun-Woo yet¡­ aaaaah, I hope it''s nothing serious.

    Replies 0 RT 466 Likes 55

    Lovely Krong @ahimdulda ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Confirmed Hyun-Woo''s has been taken to the hospital. Thank goodness the manager isn''t as clueless as the previous one Oh, Hyun-Woo ?? It''s admirable how hard you are pushing yourself, but please, take care of yourself!!! Your well-being is our priority. YM, ensure Suh Hyun-Woo gets lots of rest... Even if he insists on performing, make him take a break...

    Replies 0 RT 2 Likes 73

    Chronos Info Bot @cHroNoSTMI ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Hyun-Woo made it back to the artist seat before part two kicked off! He even shed a big okay sign to the Rings! Still uncertain if he will hit the stage.

    Replies 0 RT 551 Likes 832

    Chronos Info Bot @cHroNoSTMI ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    (Artists huddled around a concerned-looking Suh Hyun-Woo.jpg)

    Our beloved Hyun-Woo? Seems he''s not in a serious injury, but it''s hard to gauge from here.

    Replies 0 RT 579 Likes 755

    After the news of Suh Hyun-Woo''s incident, Rings couldn''t focus on anything but his well-being, their enjoyment marred by worry. Despite the initial dismay, everyone hoped for his swift recovery, setting aside their disappointment for his absence on stage.

    Yet, as Chronos''s stagemenced, Suh Hyun-Woo appeared like magic, unscathed and ready to dazzle, crafting a legendary performance that wouldter be hailed as an iconic debut stage.

    Haru Era ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Is this even live? What a standout performance from the get-go...

    Nunuri ¡¤ 4 minutes ago

    Seriously!!! How can you not fall in love with them aaaaah!

    Too Many ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Someone, please exin the ending¡­ The part where Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon disappear!

    After the performance was uploaded to the KEW official channel, those unaware of the situation, regardless of their interest, marveled and enjoyed the performance video. However, there was a fan-cam video titled ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo''s Injury¡± on an obscure channel. It was aption of moments that showed him in pain, seemingly not uploaded by a fan.

    Hyun-Woo is No Joke ¡¤ 3 minutes ago

    ?? Hyun-Woo... Did you endure all that pain? Admirable, but please don''t overdo it!

    Fanatic Fan ¡¤ 4 minutes ago

    Is this person insane? Do they find pleasure in seeing an idol in pain? Why would they even upload this? Such a psycho...

    Jumunwoo ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Fact - He was walking and dancing just fine... Why show pain on stage in front of everyone when he could''ve done it backstage? lol That''s it.

    ©¸ oo 1 minute ago

    Videos like this are uploaded just to attract fucking idiots like you... Humanity is truly lost by your ridiculousment.

    The tension among the worried fans and the gleeful detractors continued even after the performance ended. The concern for Suh Hyun-Woo only slightly subsided after he had gone live on Q-app to exin the situation properly.

    [In the Middle of Editing] Kim Go-Ri[1] @kimgori ¡¤ Just now

    (Members hugging Suh Hyun-Woo during Q-app broadcast.gif)

    You''ve been through a lot today. While watching the broadcast, you were all I could see, and I am truly proud and impressed. I love Chronos for always being close-knit and lively. Congrattions on the rookie award!

    P.S. Thank you, Hyun-Woo, for being honest about where it hurts.

    #Chronos #Officialchronos

    #KEWAwards

    The Rings were only able to rx and revisit the members'' performance videos after watching the Q-app session. This KEW Awards would be remembered for its fair share of drama and challenges for Chronos and their fans.

    ***

    We were in the heart of MN Entertainment''s sleek meeting room, the home base of the group Renewal. The atmosphere buzzed with a blend of anticipation and creativity.

    Unlike Chronos¡¯s practice space that was apart from the main building of thepany, Renewal''s was conveniently located within, which allowed for seamless transitions between discussions and rehearsals. This essibility made it the perfect spot for our coboration with senior Elisia.

    ¡°I''ve brought along a few tracks I thought could work," Elisia began, her fingers gliding over herptop to cue up a melodic duet. Her choice reflected the depth of talent in Renewal, where she shone as the main vocalist. She then selected a piece filled with high notes and rich harmonies.

    ¡°It''s a pop song. Is it familiar to you?" she asked.

    ¡°Yes, absolutely. It''s ''BOO THANG'' by Wellick!" I replied, earning an impressed nudge from Goh Yoo-Joon beside me.

    Elisia''s smile widened and nodded in agreement. ¡°Indeed. It''s a personal favorite of mine... I was curious about your thoughts. If you have any suggestions..."

    ¡°We did have a song in mind, but we felt embracing your choice would be... more fitting. Shall we listen to it...?" I suggested respectfully.

    ¡°Certainly!" She spun theptop our way with a swift gesture to share her song selection.

    ¡°Haha, thanks a ton!" My gratitude was as bright as the morning sun as I dove into the search for the track. The moment felt pivotal, but it was actually a huge problem.

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    The ensuing silence hung heavy in the air, punctuated only by the rhythmic tapping of keys and the asional click of the mouse. This awkwardness caused me to nervously bite my lip. The film crew capturing our exchange seemed to sense the atmosphere, their expressions mirroring the charged silence.

    Prior research had given me a glimpse into Elisia''s persona and unveiled her reserved nature, which definitely resonated with my own. The dynamic between us, both being the most introverted in our respective groups, made these quiet stretches of conversation almost inevitable. Even Goh Yoo-Joon, who was stuck between us, couldn¡¯t speak a word.

    In fact, I had not even made eye contact with Elisia since my arrival.

    ¡°The track we''ve chosen is ''Twisty'' by Ae-Seo & Hoon." I broke the silence by pressing the spacebar, and the song started to y.

    Elisia''s eyes lit up with recognition and nodded in approval. ¡°It is a splendid choice. It''s a gem among indie band tracks, known to true music fans."

    ¡°Thanks to Joo-Han''s eclectic taste, we are quite versed in a range of musical genres. Haha," I shared, lightening the mood.

    ¡°Shall we proceed with ''Twisty'' then...?"

    ¡°Would that be alright? But what about ''BOO THANG'' that you suggested...?"

    ¡°Oh, no, ''Twisty'' is..." Elisia seemed hesitant, appearing almost reluctant to assert her preference. She seemed ready topromise for the sake of harmony.

    Goh Yoo-Joon noticed the delicate bnce and gracefully epted her suggestion. ¡°Much appreciated!"

    ¡°Then, shall we move to practice...?" Elisia asked.

    I couldn''t help but feel a twinge of regret, not just for us but also for Renewal¡¯s fans, who cherished Elisia''s choice. Understanding her personality all too well, I pondered over a solution that might honor both sides. She would definitely regret not pushing her choiceter.

    As we were on the brink of concluding our discussion, I spoke up. ¡°What if we incorporate both songs?"

    ¡°Excuse me?"

    ¡°Twisty'' with me and ''BOO THANG'' with Yoo-Joon. Perhaps we could blend the verses, creating a harmonious medley...?"

    Our initial n was to perform one song, with the verses divided between me and Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Also, Yoo-Joon''s voice would truly do justice to the song," I remarked.

    Given the freedom to choose the song, it was then that our eyes truly met for the first time. Elisia had a soft smile and nodded in gratitude, seeming open to the idea. "I''d love for us to go in that direction."

    She rxed back into her seat, abandoning the notion of standing, fully engaged in the moment. ¡°Would it be okay if we take care of the arrangement? We will ensure itplements the subsequent piece."

    ¡°Thank you, Senior Elisia!"

    ¡°I''m the one who should be thanking you. Let''s settle on the transitions and head to practice."

    We lingered a while longer in the meeting room to vocalize the lyrics and fine-tune the arrangement. Our coboration blossomed into a symphony of ideas.

    ¡°Cut! Let''s take a break! We will resume with the practice scene," the Director announced, but our discussion flowed unabated. The initial awkwardness gave way to a lively exchange about the music and the performance.

    ***

    The stage was set for a unique coboration between girl group and boy group members, prompting a crucial decision. Would we opt for a straightforward performance, simply standing and singing to each other in strict business mode? Or would we include some gestures in the performance?

    While some might not prefer such a stage, considering there was a musical-style performance up next and Goh Yoo-Joon would be escorting Elisia, opting for thetter idea seemed like it would elicit a much better response.

    ¡°We will sing facing each other, and toward the end of the chorus, I will approach Hyun-Woo. Then, Hyun-Woo will extend his hand as if to take mine," Elisia nned.

    ¡°Okay!" I agreed.

    Then, Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in as he stood on the opposite side of Elisia. ¡°In that case, I will yfully intervene when Senior Elisia tries to take Hyun-Woo''s hand."

    As Yoo-Joon spoke with a teasing tone, Elisia responded with a smile and a nod instead of uttering a word. The idea was to create a scene just exciting enough without overdoing it. Excessive touch might backfire, so we decided that the moment Elisia and I were about to hold hands, Yoo-Joon would step in and lead Elisia to the main stage.

    The Renewal team''s trainer had been observing us for a while. Then, he approached with a chuckle. ¡°It''s great that you are nning this, but you can''t perform without making eye contact like now!"

    ¡°Excuse me?" I questioned, bewildered.

    ¡°I''ve been watching you two. If you guys are going to sing a duet, you need to exchange nces. You are of the same age, so rx a bit and look at each other! Start practicing now, Elisia and Hyun-Woo. It seems only Yoo-Joon is making eye contact and talking."

    <em>¡®How do we ovee this awkwardness?¡¯</em> Elisia and I were genuinely trying, and the conversation was flowing, wasn''t it? Fans might notice right away that this wasn''t about romantic feelings. We were just shy around each other.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is particrly shy, but don''t worry. He is fine once he starts singing. Every group has at least one member like this, don''t they?" Yoo-Joon covered for me as the director seemed intent on forcing eye contact. As the filming was being set up, we concluded our discussion about the sensitive issue of the hand-holding gesture.

    ¡°Let''s start filming again! Feel free to practice as you like! te!" announced the director.

    Taking the microphone handed to us by the director, we went to the center of the practice room. We were ready to roll!

    1. ¡®Go-ri¡¯ means ¡®Ring¡¯ in Korean. This is referring to one of the Rings. ?

 Chapter 153: End-of-Year Stage (23)

    Chapter 153: End-of-Year Stage (23)

    In the bustling conference room of MN Entertainment, the door that had been closed for a while burst open, and people started to go out, marking the end of a long meeting.

    The A&R team of MN Entertainment departed, leaving behind one significant figure in the room: Reina. She wasn''t just any artist; she was a towering figure in the South Korean music scene, often hailed as the backbone of her agency. Standing beside her, the A&R team leader and her manager wore deeply dissatisfied expressions.

    ¡°Are you really sticking to your decision? We thought it was all settled that you''d be joining the program," they pressed.

    ¡°Oppa, is this audition show the priority right now? Remember the dy in myeback after the <em>Pick We Up</em>?" Reina countered, a mix of frustration and reason evident in her tone.

    ¡°The director had ns too. You can''t just change your mind on a whim."

    ¡°And what''s next after the show? Drag me into <em>Again After Rainfall </em>Season Two? I thought we agreed on this."

    ¡°...You said you liked<em> Again After Rainfall!</em>"

    ¡°Exactly! I liked it, which is why I''d do that one, but I''m drawing the line at the UNET audition program. I need time to create songs, you know?" Reina''s tone was final as she abruptly stood, signaling the end of the discussion.

    ¡°Reina! Wait, Reina!"

    ¡°If I say that I am not interested, I''m not doing it. Why should I juggle my songwriting schedule to fit in another TV appearance?"

    She could get the opportunity to appear on TV with a single phone call. Moreover, singing heartfelt song covers on <em>Again After Rainfall</em> and mentoring inexperienced trainees on a survival show felt as different as day and night. The former was a creative outlet, but thetter was simply a duty.

    ¡°By the way, are our trainees still practicing?" Reina shifted the topic, her interest piqued by something else.

    ¡°Probably off to lunch by now," the manager guessed, ncing at the clock. ¡°Did you find anyone interesting?"

    ¡°Not really. I''m looking for that spark. I can tolerate gaps in their skills, but I need that certain vibe," Reina mused, reflecting on her decade-long journey in the music industry. From her rookie days to the present, she''d carved out an illustrious path, earning enough reputation and respect along the way. Winning the grand prize with the song sheposed, she became a role model for hundreds of junior singers.

    Now, her focus shifted to producing. Having reached the peak of her career as a singer, she thought it was now time for her to nurture talent with her own hands and music. However, finding someone who lived up to her high standards proved to be a challenge.

    ¡°It doesn''t have to be our trainees. Anyone with potential will do. Use your vastwork, will you?" Reina urged, her voiceced with a mix of hope and impatience.

    ¡°I''m on it. But what exactly are you looking for? You are just super picky because our trainees are already top-notch. They are a bunch of A-grade kiddos," the manager reminded her, feeling slightly defensive.

    ¡°I know, but keep looking. It''s the voice that matters to me, not the dance moves. I can work with everything else.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Got it, but Reina, it''s not that simple," the manager sighed, caught between understanding Reina''s vision and facing the reality of the talent pool at MN Entertainment, which was known for its vocal prowess.

    Reina had heard them all, yet none struck a chord in her heart.

    ¡°Do you remember the song I mentioned?" Reina asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them as the manager seemed confused.

    ¡°Of course, the one you had on repeat. Em, something by a Chronos member, right? The solo song?" the manager recalled, trying to jog his memory.

    ¡°It''s not just ''something.¡¯ Also, I am still listening to it quite often. It''s Suh Hyun-Woo''s voice I''m talking about. The trainees you introduced, they are all about pop, but I''m looking for something different.¡±

    Reina''s insistence stemmed from a clear vision she had for the talent she wanted to nurture, sparked by Suh Hyun-Woo''s ¡°Once Again,¡± a song that had left a profound impact on her. She spoke of her admiration for the song on her radio channel.

    ¡°Not the pop powerhouse type. I''m talking about a voice with depth, like Suh Hyun-Woo''s. Something soulful and very Korean. Something powerful and heavy!¡±

    ¡°I see, but finding that kind of talent is even tougher," the manager admitted, his tone reflecting the challenge ahead. Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s voice was seeminglymon yet utterly unique¡ªcalm yet powerful, the kind that only emerged with exceptional fundamentals. No wonder Reina praised it so highly.

    ¡°Or maybe a soft voice like Park Yoon-Chan''s, not just strong pop vibes but something more. You know my taste, something more oriental."

    While Reina was passionately making a speech about the kind of voice she was looking for, the sound of MR filled the space somewhere down the corridor.

    <em>Our path is winding, like aplicated road</em>

    <em>Let''s try to take it easy</em>

    <em>There is a shortcut</em>

    <em>Just like this, we just have to take one more step closer</em>?

    Reina eximed with excitement, ¡°Yes! This is the kind of voice! Hey, who is singing right now?"

    ¡°Uh? Not sure."

    Reina tilted her head in confusion and asked, ¡°Do we have a male trainee in ourpany?"

    Right now, there were no male trainees at MN Entertainment. Also, Reina knew all of MN''s trainees, so whose voice was this? It was strikingly simr to Suh Hyun-Woo''s, or rather, exactly the same...

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Ah! Right. Today, Elisia was supposed to practice for a joint stage with two members of Chronos."

    ¡°Oh, really? They came to prepare for the year-end stage?"

    Following the voice, Reina made her way to their practice room. Elisia''s powerful singing voice was audible, followed by Hyun-Woo''s voice, which he had raised to match Elisia''s volume. While the increased effort made his voice sound deeper and more robust than usual, it was still very much to Reina''s liking.

    As Reina listened to their duet, the manager opened his mouth in awe. ¡°Both Elisia and Suh Hyun-Woo sing really well despite being rookies."

    ¡°Right? Both would''ve been strong contenders for my production if they hadn''t debuted."

    As the manager heard Reina''s slightly frustrated murmurs, he eximed, ¡°Oh, speaking of which. You''ve got <em>Again After Rainfall</em> Season Twoing up, right?"

    ¡°Yeah, what about it?¡±

    ¡°I heard they are considering Chronos for it."

    ¡°What?" Reina turned her attention from the practice room to the manager.

    ¡°They are considering putting Chronos in the program. Remember they said they''d be doing an idol version this time?"

    ¡°How could I forget? That was discussed at thest meeting."

    The first season was packed with solo artists, so they decided to change the format by including an idol group for each episode this time.

    Last season, Reina had appeared as an artist and had received management tips from the program, and now, she was invited as a manager and producer.

    ¡°Chronos is joining? Can a rookie group shoot a program overseas for a month?"

    ¡°Who knows? If they join, it will be during their break after theeback, right? Anyway, I just heard it from someone. The director from KEW apparently nted the idea in the head of the <em>Again After Rainfall</em>¡¯s director."

    ¡°Ah, I see. Well, if they are selected, it''s good for Chronos. Let''s go."

    ¡°Huh? Okay, today''s schedule is over. Good work, I will take you home."

    ¡°Okay. Let''s grab some food first. I know a great ce. It''s on me."

    ¡°...Just use thepany card."

    The manager followed her but paused for a bit, puzzled by her excited look.

    ***

    ¡°Wow, they are so good once they hit the notes¡­¡± Mr. Seong said with his thumbs shooting up.

    The moment we dived into the song, all the awkwardness melted away, swept up in the rhythm and melody. Perhaps the sweet harmony of the duet made it easier for us to lose ourselves in the music. Our previously tense faces now softened into gentle smiles. At that moment, making eye contact and holding hands felt like the most natural thing in the world.

    ¡°Thank you so much for this opportunity," we said in unison, gratitudecing our voices.

    ¡°Yes, Senior. Thank you!¡± As soon as thest note faded, we found ourselves chuckling awkwardly again. The camaraderie we had built during the song was punctured, if only briefly, by the awkwardness that resurfaced.

    ¡°Wow, that was just beautiful. I''m truly honored, Senior! Now, let''s see how well I sync up with you.¡±

    In those moments of silence, Goh Yoo-Joon stepped in like a knight in shining armor. His natural charisma instantly broke the ice. He helped me up with his warm and reassuring hands and then turned to Elisia, praising her enthusiastically. His words were even apanied by an approving thumbs-up. It seemed that his easy-going nature made Elisia more at ease with him than she ever was with me.

    Yoo-Joon and Elisia then started their duet. Perhaps inspired by my earlier efforts, Yoo-Joon decided to turn up the volume of his voice right from the start. After all, matching Elisia''s powerful vocals was no small feat. Even attempting to keep it casual had us gasping for air.

    Yoo-Joon''s deep and resonant voice carried a unique charm that I always admired. Here he was, showcasing his vocal prowess right in front of the camera, effortlessly captivating everyone within earshot.

    ¡°Haha." I turned my head to Mr. Seong as he softly chuckled. He then looked back at me, his face alight with amusement. ¡°It looks like the team''s got a great bond. It''s really heartwarming to see."

    ¡°Is that so? Both of their voices are incredible. Among us in Chronos, Yoo-Joon''s got the golden voice," I confessed, my pride in his talent undeniable. I had always been vocal about my admiration for his skills, and today was no exception.

    Their voices wove together in harmony and brought the song to a beautiful close, filling the room with a beautiful sense of aplishment.

    ¡°Shall we wrap it up for today?" suggested the Renewal manager, her smile professional yet warm. Outside the practice room, the rest of Renewal members were already waiting patiently, their presence a gentle reminder of the bustling schedule that awaited.

    In an apologetic look, the Renewal¡¯s manager said, ¡°It would have been great if we had more time, but it¡¯s the busy season of the year¡­¡±

    ¡°We understand the crunch, especially with the year-end stages upon us. Thank you for your hard work," Su-Hwan expressed our collective appreciation and lent me a hand as we prepared to leave the space that had been our musical sanctuary for those few, precious minutes.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for everything today, Senior!" Our voices filled the hallway, a chorus of gratitude and respect.

    ¡°Thank you, truly, for today!"

    ¡°And cut! That''s a wrap, thank you all!"

    The camera crew left to film the Renewal¡¯s next practice. As we made our way out, the Renewal members stepped aside, offering us smiles that turned the hallway into a corridor of warmth. When I bowed politely, they protested as they were concerned for my well-being.

    ¡°Hello there!"

    ¡°Wow, hello!"

    They greeted us with such excitement.

    ¡°Please look after Elisia for us! Since you guys are the same age, we hope you will get along well. She is a bit shy, so we are grateful for howfortable you''ve made her feel."

    ¡°Nah, she has been more than kind to us," we replied, touched by their warmth.

    ¡°Thank you so much for your generosity."

    With those final exchanges, we bid farewell to MN Entertainment and made our way back to our own turf, Chronos practice room. Yoo-Joon was worn out from the relentless ¡°Parade¡± practice schedule, so he promptly dozed off in the car, his exhaustion finally catching up with him.

 Chapter 154: End-of-Year Stage (24)

    <h4>Chapter 154: End-of-Year Stage (24)</h4>

    As time slipped away at an rming pace, I was at ease thanks to the unwavering support of my fellow members. Though the nagging pain in my waist had dulled enough that I could move without much difficulty, we all unanimously decided that I should remain seated during the whole performance. It was apromise we reached, as we bnced the artistic side of the performance with my injury management.

    ¡°It seems the dancers are tumbling a bit too swiftly, don''t you think?" The choreography was designed with me at the center while the dancers moved around me like petals in the wind. It was a creative scene brainstormed by Jin-Sung and the choreographer¡ªsimply a visual metaphor for fleeting beauty.

    There I was, at the center of this blooming chaos, pouring my soul into every note as I tried my best to embody the essence of a flower amidst the storm.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s your cue to walk out onto the stage." I then followed the choreographer''s direction and slowly rose from my chair to walk with deliberate steps.

    ¡°Take your time. Finish the part there... Perfect. When it ends, let the dancers envelop you. More aggressively!¡±

    It was quite intense. The dancers adhered strictly to the choreographer''s direction, converging on me with a ferocity that sent shivers down my spine. I recoiled instinctively with my eyes shut tight, bracing for the impact. And then, I counted.

    ¡®<i>One, two, three...¡¯</i>

    As the next part seamlessly flowed, the dancers enveloping me dispersed like mist and moved on to the next scene. The rapid adjustments and on-the-fly changes had been honed by countless rehearsals for the KEW Awards. As a result, each training inched us closer to perfection.

    ¡°Okay, that''s a wrap! We''ve nailed the dance, so let''smit it to muscle memory and not ck off in practice.¡±

    A chorus of "Yes!" filled the room, a testament to our collective dedication. After a brief rest, we returned to the grind.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, let''s drill the special stage routine," the choreographer announced, as if it were the next logical step. Yoo-Joon appeared momentarily surprised by the directive and exchanged puzzled nces with me.

    ¡°Right now?¡±

    ¡°Here?¡±

    ¡°In front of these many people?¡±

    The choreographer''s smirk was a mix of amusement and challenge. ¡°You two should practice because you have only been memorizing the lyrics instead of actually doing it together. I will watch and give you feedback in the end.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°When and where else are you going to practice then? You have time now, so it is a great opportunity.¡±

    ¡°But...¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®these many people?¡¯ You are going to perform in front of a gazillion audienceter,¡± said the choreographer. However, we were still hesitant, looking at each other while debating whether to actually start practicing or not.

    The Chronos behind-the-scene camera didn¡¯t miss a beat, capturing every second of our hesitance.

    ¡°Getting cold feet now, of all times? No way."

    ¡°...¡±

    We were definitely embarrassed to be under the spotlight in front of this number of people. On top of that, our friends were watching. It almost felt like I was rehearsing being a music show MC here.

    Performing those exaggerated gestures unique to musicals here was challenging. It was usually even more embarrassing to do them in front of family and close friends. However, having been through the ranks of trainees and trainers, I had learned that embarrassment was just like trash in this industry; it needed to be thrown away.

    Still, we almost came forward sobbing.

    ¡°Ah, hyungs. Why are you guys so shy?¡±

    ¡°Our main vocalists! You should present yourselves with pride and coolness!¡±

    ¡°Stop that nonsense!¡±

    ¡°Right! You all look like you are just itching to tease us!" As we bickered with the other members, the choreographer sighed deeply and pulled Yoo-Joon to the center of the practice room.

    Then, Jin-Sung suddenly lifted the chair I was sitting on with a chuckle.

    ¡°Whoa!"

    ¡°Just stay there, hyung. I will move you over there."

    ¡°No, I will go by myself. Please, let me do it." Amidst Jin-Sung''s teasing, everyone started tough. I was flustered and was eventually moved next to Yoo-Joon, along with the chair.

    ¡°Shall we start?"

    ¡°Just the singing..."

    The choreographer saw our resistance and reluctantly nodded as if having no other choice. ¡°Alright, just the singing part then. But after that, it''s practice time with me until morning for both of you!"

    ¡°Yes, sir!"

    Practicing until morning on our own seemed better inparison. We were relieved that we didn''t have to perform our exaggerated acts in front of the other members.

    ¡°Let''s start. I will y the song." The choreographer yed the music, and Joo-Han''s eyes sparkled brightly.

    <i>A beautiful white Christmas</i>

    <i>The sound of jingle bellses close</i>

    <i>Today, it''s just you and me, our own Christmas</i>

    <i>Isn''t it enough with just the two of us?</i>

    <i>A Christmas of friendship, it''s going to be so fun!</i>?

    Goh Yoo-Joon awkwardly circled around me, singing with clumsy gestures. Seeing this scene, the other members couldn''t help but snicker.

    ¡°Ah, don''tugh!" shouted Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Hey! Yoo-Joon, focus on the song!"

    As Yoo-Joon argued with the members, I decided topletely let go of my embarrassment and brace myself.

    <i>Really, is that so?</i>

    <i>But I want to spend a lively Christmas with everyone</i>

    <i>Holding hands with my loved one by my side</i>

    <i>Walking down the Christmas streets</i>

    <i>An exciting Christmas, it''s going to be so fun</i>?

    I sang with a face full of excitement at the thought of Christmas. In reality, our Christmas meant an SES performance and rehearsals until dawn. However, I boldly imagined a date with a nonexistent lover and shrugged it off.

    Of course, theughter intensified as soon as I got into the mood.

    ¡°Just give up and go with it like Hyun-Woo."

    Inspired by me, Yoo-Joon started putting in more effort and imitated what he''d seen in musical clips. As we finally put effort into it, the choreographer nodded in satisfaction at our performance.

    ¡°Even with freestyle choreography, you will do well if you just let go of the embarrassment. Both of you sing so well." The choreographer pped and resumed the practice.

    Three dayster, the day of the <i>SES New Year Party</i> arrived with perfect stage preparations in ce.

    ***

    In the car, on the way to the performance.

    It had been a while since Ist wore a choker that felt like a dog cor. I tugged at the dangling essory in the mirror, reminiscing about thest time.

    Was it the stylist noona''s preference? Last time, it was a dog harness, and now it was a dog cor. I stood bare-chested under a ck jacket, adorned with tworge gemstone rings. The jacket itself was embellished with sparkling gems andce, creating an intricate pattern.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo doesn''t dance, so the outfit can be a bit ufortable."

    ¡°...Right. noona, do as you wish."

    The outfits my stylist chose always got good reactions. As she styled me, she even danced a little shoulder dance and sprinkled glitter on my head.

    Then the manager came over and showed me his phone. ¡°Hyun-Woo, look at this. It is the chair you will be sitting on today. Hyuk-Soo sent it."

    ¡°Wow, it looks like something out of a movie! Amazing!"

    It was a grand and heavy stone chair, ornate and majestic. It was like a throne from a Hollywood fantasy movie.

    The manager smiled proudly. ¡°We asked them to make sure the staging was perfect."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    Meanwhile, Joo-Han stood beside me, admiring his reflection in the mirror. He wore a simr ck jacket, but with ck sparkling frills cascading diagonally from the shoulder down and fluttering around his calves. Yoon-Chan sat at Joo-Han''s spot, quietly tying the frills into a ribbon shape as a yful joke.

    A few minutester, our outfits were set, and the stylist took a group photo for us. Then, we changed back into suits and headed to the venue.

    ¡°What''s this? Feels like a fox tail, doesn''t it?"

    Dressed in a sleek ck suit and leather gloves, Goh Yoo-Joon''s look for today exuded the aura of mobster chic, entuated by aical fox-tail fur draped over his shoulder. His hair was meticulously slicked back in a perfect pomade sweep, and his piercing eyes exuded a sharp sophistication. Despite being my buddy, he emanated an unfamiliar aura today. It was almost as if he was a main character from a gangster story.

    Yoo-Joon wasn¡¯t the only one undergoing this transformation. Each of us, myself included, had donned outfits so bold and striking that people would think twice before striking up a conversation with us.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, can I swap earrings with you? I''m worried mine might snag on thece over my shoulder."

    ¡°Should we swap? Is that okay, noona?"

    Yoon-Chan seemed constantly annoyed by his earrings swinging about, while Jin-Sung was fully embracing the gangster vibe.

    ¡°You see, in this underworld, do you even know who I am?" Jin-Sung''s yful imitation of ssic gangster movie lines was a hit, elicitingughs and lightening the mood around him.

    ¡°Once we are done in the photo zone, we will head backstage," instructed Manager Su-Hwan.

    ¡°Understood!"

    ¡°You guys will be backstage pping and cheering as the hosts belt out Christmas carols. Ok, let''s make our way down now."

    After arriving at the venue, we stepped out of the car and straight into the whirlwind of photo shoots and briefings before being whisked away to the backstage area. The entire backstage was buzzed with the energy of artists and staff gearing up for the opening.

    In the midst of this bustling backdrop, SES''s behind-the-scenes cameras darted about, snagging interviews here and there. Amid slight nerves, we had our makeup touched up and costumes adjusted, all the while keenly aware of the cameras weaving through the crowd.

    After that, one camera made a beeline for us. Conveniently in its path, Joo-Han and I greeted it as if it were an old friend. ¡°Wow! Hello there!"

    - Hello, this is the New Year Party Cam. Team Chronos, could you send out a Christmas greeting to our viewers?

    The cameraman prompted us, and Joo-Han tactfully stepped aside, nudging Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan into the limelight. I then offered a reassuring pat to the backs of my somewhat startledpanions.

    ¡°A holiday shout-out to all our viewers, please."

    ¡°Ah, yes!"

    ¡°Yes! Merry Christmas! ...All together now! Merry-"

    ¡°Wishing you all a joyful Christmas!"

    Yoon-Chan and I ignored Jin-Sung¡¯s attempt to lead and synced up our greeting, inadvertently irking Jin-Sung who then shot us a re. Yet, his look was more amusing than intimidating.

    - And what special ns do the members of Chronos have for Christmas?

    Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been chatting with Joo-Han, smoothly joined the conversation. ¡°Oh, there is no doubt! We are spending it with the <i>SES New Year Party</i>."

    I chimed in, ¡°And after the party wraps up, we are nning to call our parents, celebrate with some fried chicken, and then practice as usual."

    ¡°Here''s to a happy Christmas in the practice room!"

    The cameraman nodded in approval, a wide grin spreading across his face as he suddenly offered a handful of quirky items.

    ¡°What are these?"

    - Please, take them.

    The items in question were an assortment of festive props. They were Rudolph noses, reindeer antlers, Santa hats, fluffy beards, and a weird tree costume mask.

    I epted them, feeling bemused as I looked questioningly at the cameraman.

    - Today¡¯s mission involves these props. Please wear them to add some fun to the opening!

    ¡°Are these props part of our mission?"

    - That''s right.

    ¡°Wow, look at this interesting piece!" Goh Yoo-Joon grabbed the tree costume mask and inspected it closely. The mask had a cut-out for the face, which meant that anyone who donned it would be transformed into a Christmas tree.

    - We are counting on you.

    We gathered around the props with the cameraman¡¯s encouragement and formed a circle, realizing that the backstage buzz was all due to this mission.

    With a resigned shrug, Joo-Han picked up the tree costume. ¡°Let''s divide these among us fairly and settle the tree costume with a game of rock-paper-scissors."

    We exchanged puzzled nces at Joo-Han''s suggestion.

    ¡°Really?"

    ¡°Yeah, why? Rock-paper-scissors."

    It was a well-known fact that Joo-Han had quite the losing streak when it came to games of chance like rock-paper-scissors. It was almost impressive how consistently he managed to lose every single time.

    Perhaps it was because the stage was right around the corner? Or maybe he had simply forgotten just how bad he was at rock-paper-scissors, considering it had been a while since hisst game.

    ¡°Well, if that is what you want.¡±

    The sly Goh Yoo-Joon pretended he knew nothing and stretched out his hand. ¡°Even if you end up wearing the tree costume, noints, okay? Just happy and enjoy it, get it?¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Joo-Han excitedly extended his hand. We simply looked at him with a mix of amusement and pity. Knowing that he was about to suffer, we then shook our hands up and down.

    ¡°Rock, paper, scissors!"

    And there it was, the inevitable oue... just as expected...

    ¡°...Huh?" the bewildered voice of Joo-Han resonated.

 Chapter 155: End-of-Year Stage (25)

    Chapter 155: End-of-Year Stage (25)

    As the live broadcast of the <em>SES New Year Party </em>was in full swing, we found ourselves in a bind with barely twenty seconds to go before our big entrance. Sure, we had all dressed up ording to our assigned missions, which was all well and good. However, the real question still hung in the air.

    <em>¡®How do we make our entrance memorable?¡¯</em>

    It was a big deal for us. The staff had told us to just walk out there, but that was before Da-Win made his grand entrance by riding Sae-Yeon like a noble steed. His stunt had set a precedent, and suddenly, the following artists feltpelled to appear with their own unique entrances.

    Even High Tension, the newbies like us, had managed to turn heads with their mission-inspired getup that was nothing short of hrious.

    And us? Well, our only im toedy was Tree Joo-Han. There he was, with his face poking out from the top of a tree costume made of non-woven fabric, looking as detached from the world as one could be.

    ¡°Hurry up, what''s the game n?" Goh Yoo-Joon urged, shaking us from our reluctance.

    In a serious voice, Jin-Sung suggested, ¡°How about forward rolls? We could roll our way to the stage."

    ¡°<em>Ugh</em>.¡± Tree Joo-Han gave him a look of utter disdain and sighed deeply.

    ¡°With Suh Hyun-Woo''s back, your recent injury, and Yoon-Chan''s muscle pains, do you think forward rolls are a good idea? What are we, acrobats?"We all fell silent for a moment until Jin-Sung muttered, ¡°Maybe we should justy low..."

    ¡°Exactly," said Goh Yoo-Joon. "No rolls. Next idea?"

    With the clock ticking down, Goh Yoo-Joon turned to me in desperation, shaking my arms. ¡°We''ve got ten seconds! What is it going to be?"

    I drew a nk at first, but I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind as I felt the weight of his stare. ¡°What about pretending we are pulling a sleigh? It''s festive, right?"

    ¡°Pretend to pull a sleigh?" he echoed, skepticism clear in his voice.

    ¡°Yeah, why not? We''ve got Rudolph, Santa, and even a tree in our midst." I pointed out, referring to our costumes. Rudolph''s nose and headband were on Jin-Sung and me, Santa''s hat was on Goh Yoo-Joon, Yoon-Chan had a makeshift beard, and, of course, we had Tree Joo-Han.

    ¡°Santa can ride Rudolph, that''s it!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon clicked his tongue and replied, ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, try to sound a bit more excited instead of spitting out random stuff."

    Just then, a staff member announced, ¡°Chronos, you are up." That was our cue. The interruption brought our brainstorming session to an abrupt halt, leaving Goh Yoo-Joon scrambling to organize us into formation. With little time to spare, he decided on the fly to go with my half-baked sleigh idea.

    ¡°Let''s just do what Suh Hyun-Woo suggested," he decided, grabbing the initiative.

    ¡°A sleigh, huh? Are we really doing it?" Tree Joo-Han asked, sounding less than convinced.

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded. ¡°Just walk in front with that same expression, hyung. Then, we will be fine.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon quickly redistributed the props, taking my Rudolph essories for himself and handing me his Santa hat.

    ¡°Change of ns. Jin-Sung, carry Yoon-Chan," said Yoo-Joon.

    It was a chaotic moment, with Goh Yoo-Joon¡ªnow dubbed Rudolph¡ªorchestrating our entrance with the frantic energy that only he could bring. Then, he carried me. It seemed that my back injury had caused thisst-minute change.

    So there we were, Tree Joo-Han leading the pack, followed by a pair of makeshift Rudolphs carrying Santas. ¡°Here goes Chro¡­ <em>pffft</em>, Chronos!" The staff member chuckled, amused by our ragtag ensemble as he drew back the ckout curtains.

    As the final notes of the carol ¡°Santa us is Coming to Town¡± faded on stage, the opening chords of ¡°Jingle Bells¡± filled the air, signaling the start of our entrance.

    <em>Dashing through the snow</em>

    <em>In a one-horse open sleigh</em>

    <em>O''er the fields we go</em>

    <em>Laughing all the way</em>?

    - And now, make way for this year''s sensation, Chronos!

    As the hosts and the seniors joyously belted out carols, we took our cue and stepped into the limelight. Amidst a sea of Santa uses on Rudolphs and twinkling trees, the audience swung between surprised gasps, murmurs of admiration, and bursts ofughter.

    Even with this festive vibe, our tree didn¡¯tugh. Although his costume was a tree, he looked more like Kaonashi[1] Yet, he stood out most strikingly.

    At that moment, Yoon-Chan and I felt a sudden surge of expectation, feeling like we were responsible for a huge task.<em> ¡®We must bringughter.¡¯</em> In fact, we needed to elevate the energy even further! Fading away after such a grand entrance would be embarrassing if we didn''t act.

    We exchanged determined nces while being carried by dancing Rudolphs, understanding that it was our time to shine.

    I dramatically took off my Santa hat and started spinning it, as if weaving a spell of joy.

    <em>Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells</em>

    <em>Jingle all the way</em>?

    We spun in time with the music, acting like two Santas immersed in the song ¡°Jingle Bells¡± until the Christmas sun rose. We twirled our hats in celebration like the festival-goers.

    Then, Yoon-Chan spun his beard in a whirl, as if he didn¡¯t want to be outdone by me.

    - Oh! Look at our Chronos Santas, ahahahaha. They are getting tipsy on the adorable ¡°Jingle Bells¡± tune, shaking their beards and hats.

    - The Rudolphs seem a bit overwhelmed, don¡¯t they?

    - On the other hand, we have our Mr. Tree. I heard he became a tree as a result of losing in rock-paper-scissors.

    - Yes, indeed, a cute appearance befitting the youngest at the <em>SES New Year Party!</em>

    The threementators shared their thoughts on us. Their praise rxed us, and we finally heard the cheers from the audience. While each person in the audience focused on cheering for their favorite artist, the Rings sent us enthusiastic support that was just as passionate from the corner of the audience seats.

    <em>¡®Why the corner?¡¯</em>

    It would have been nice to let them have a better spot. We noticed Rings straining to see us or looking at the big screen, perhaps because we were not clearly visible. We felt sorry for them, and they probably felt the same about us, as we were at the very back, obscured by the seniors as soon as we appeared.

    Unlike High Tension and Street Center who were spotlighted, we had to be in the dimly lit part of the stage. Even the seating arrangement seemed to underscore the plight of idols from smaller agencies.

    ¡°But guys." Tree Joo-Han called out as the excitement of our entrance was about to cool down. We continued our dance and looked at him, who pointed toward where the Rings were.

    ¡°I can see the Rings from here very well.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah!" Jin-Sung responded in admiration.

    Fortunately, our spot allowed us to clearly see the Rings, though not to the broadcast cameras. Our fans did not give up and spotted us well.

    ¡°Hello!¡± I mouthed a greeting to the Rings. Thus started a silent conversation between the Rings and Chronos, unseen by the cameras.

    <em>Look out the window, look out the window</em>

    <em>See the snowkes fall</em>?

    As the final song of the carol medley started, Tree Joo-Han with his glittering lights spun around, and we sat near him, waving our hands to mimic the sparkling.

    <em>Children''s singing</em>

    <em>Sleigh bell''s ringing</em>

    <em>As they''re d along</em>?

    Once again, I got on Goh Yoo-Joon''s back and spun my hat. Hoping to bring back smiles to the Rings, who might have been disheartened by our corner cement, we did our best.

    Fortunately, the Rings waved their handmade light sticks with smiles. As the song ended, the enthusiastic hosts started to proceed with the show. Yoon-Chan and I got down with the help of our fellow members and listened attentively to the hosts.

    - Next up are the stars of the uing performance! Let''s bring forward the artists who will be adults next year for a brief interview.

    - Shall we? Our artists are spending theirst moments of teenage years right now. Pleasee forward.

    The names of the artists turning neen soon were called out, including mine and Goh Yoo-Joon''s.

    ¡°Both of you, go ahead. Rx your nervous faces," advised Tree Joo-Han as he nudged Goh Yoo-Joon and me forward. As we moved through the group of seniors, microphones were passed to us.

    - We have so many artists turning neen next year. Please share your feelings, wishes, and resolutions about bing an adult!

    Seeing Goh Yoo-Joon nudge the singer next to him and smile, I knew he had made a new friend during the musical rehearsals. On the other hand, as I hadn''t participated in the rehearsals and only joined for the final song, I didn''t know the others well.

    So, I simply adjusted my microphone and recalled the speech I had practiced earlier. Traditionally, sharing feelings about turning neen was done at the year-end UNET Awards with the New Year''s Eve bell. However, we were doing it here too for the uing performance.

    Thus, I had to keep myments brief and not ovep with what I would say at the UNET Awards.

    - Next up is Yoo-Joon. What is your resolve for bing an adult? A word, please.

    ¡°Yes!" Goh Yoo-Joon took the microphone. ¡°With just a week left until I be an adult, I will strive to be a more mature person. Thank you so much to the Rings for your constant support!"

    - Thank you. Next, Hyun-Woo! Any particr ns after bing an adult?

    I smiled broadly and nodded before taking the microphone. ¡°Yes, I do! First, I''d like to get a credit card. I would love to treat our hardworking Chronos team members and staff, along with our always caring Allure seniors, to a nice meal!¡±

    - Wow, that is very kind andmendable of you. We hope you guys can make it happen. Thank you for the interview! Now, with the Christmas atmosphere in full swing at this <em>SES New Year Party, </em>along with an impressive lineup¡­

    As the hosts continued with the preparations for the next stages, the neen-year-old team that had just finished their interviews quietly exited the stage. Then, we immediately stepped backstage with the staff.

    Once the opening by the hosts concluded, the first performers in their well-prepared outfits were the group Blue Paper. Following them, it was All the Time''s turn, and then it was our special stage.

    A characteristic of the SES year-end stage was the rtively few performers and almost no joint stages, which allowed for longer individual performances. This meant there was ample time until our special stage.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, over here! Yoo-Joon, you are there!"

    As soon as we entered the room, we changed clothes and touched up our makeup and hair before quickly heading to the rehearsal space. While we made our way, a member from another group briskly passed by me, exchanging an awkward nce before continuing ahead.

    Through my in-ear monitors, I could hear Bluepaper''s live performance on stage.

    ¡°This way." Following our manager''s lead, Yoo-Joon and I took out our in-ears and entered the opened rehearsal room.

    ¡°Hello! We''re Chronos!"

    ¡°Hi there." The idols who had arrived earlier greeted us, panting just like us. Soon after, the other teams arrived, and our final rehearsal resumed with the MR of the song yed on a phone.

    As Yoo-Joon and my song started ying, we stopped in our tracks, trying to calm our ragged breathing. Singing "Christmas is Ours" in this cramped space, under everyone''s gaze, was embarrassingly different from the rehearsal on stage.

    However, we couldn¡¯t afford to feel shy now. Yoo-Joon swallowed hard and started to sing with gestures.

    ¡°......<em>Pfff</em>." Laughter erupted here and there as the people around couldn¡¯t handle Yoo-Joon''s exaggerated actions. Both Yoo-Joon''s ears and my face turned red, but we went all out without holding back.

    The preparation for the performance went very smoothly.

    1. No-Face, or "Kaonashi," is a mysterious, mask-wearing spirit from the animated film "Spirited Away," known for its expressionless facade and ability to absorb personalities and voices from those it consumes. ?

 Chapter 156: End-of-Year Stage (26)

    Chapter 156: End-of-Year Stage (26)

    Everyone was chatting behind the stage, except for myself and Goh Yoo-Joon. After rehearsing a few times, Goh Yoo-Joon was now confidently practicing the scripted lines from the song. I also found myself humming along and absentmindedly stroking the knit fabric of my sweater.

    Every time I did it, little fibers from the pristine white sweater woulde loose and flutter about. This prompted Goh Yoo-Joon to nudge my arm and scowl. ¡°Hey, stop fidgeting with your sweater. You are getting fuzz all over me."

    ¡°Ah, sorry. Looks like some already got on you though." In stark contrast to my fluffy white sweater, Goh Yoo-Joon was d in a Christmas-appropriate red sweater. As I tried to pick off the fuzz from Goh Yoo-Joon''s clothes, our stylist approached and thoroughly cleaned it off for us.

    ¡°Thanks so much, noona.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, thank you.¡±

    The stylist looked nearly at her wit''s end. She just nodded wearily and retreated to her original spot. Seeing her distressed expression, we stood at attention and stayed silent.

    ¡°Chronos, your turn to go up!"

    Up on stage, a preparation footage was ying, showcasing our interactions with Elisia and the other neen-year-old singers.

    ¡°Hmm!" After a final throat-clearing, the VTR wrapped up. ¡°Heading up!" At this moment, the prelude to ¡°Christmas is Ours¡± started, and the lift carrying me and Goh Yoo-Joon slowly ascended. The roar of the audience then surged to an overwhelming crescendo as we came into view.

    Sometimes, standing on stage could feel incredibly isting. It was as if there was nowhere for us to lean on. Despite Goh Yoo-Joon''s presence beside me today, an odd tension made me feel like I was up there on my own. Perhaps the vastness of the stage and the weight of having to sing half the song myself contributed to this feeling.

    However, I imagined this pressure might be even more intense for Goh Yoo-Joon, who was set to start the first part.

    As I looked out at the sea of brightly waving light sticks, I turned to Goh Yoo-Joon. Contrary to my expectations, he was smiling with ease. It dawned on me then that Goh Yoo-Joon was the type to remain unfazed on stage, never overreaching or faltering. His calm demeanor brought me somefort. As I embraced this strange mix of nervousness and reassurance, the musical''s first partmenced.

    ***

    ¡°What''s all this sweetness about?"

    ¡°Haha, I know right? I heard this was supposed to be a duet, meant to symbolize friendship."

    Yet, the melody was unexpectedly sweet for a friendship duet. For a moment, Kim Go-Ri wondered if society had be more epting of such nuances. After all, she had been briefed on the song through a VTR shown earlier.

    ¡°¡®Christmas is Ours¡¯ was a song for convincing a friend who longed to spend Christmas with their lover. This sly friend wanted to prove that the sweetness ofpanionship could surpass that of romantic love, so the two singles celebrated Christmas together. It was essentially a sweeter take on the misery lovespany strategy.

    However, seeing her favorite singers perform it live waspletely different from just reading and hearing the descriptions from the video. It was astonishing to see two friends known more for their squabbles engaging in such tender interactions on stage.

    It was absolutely delightful!

    ¡°Gasp, oh my!!! Yoo-Joon!!!" There was Goh Yoo-Joon with his awkwardly romantic gaze and Suh Hyun-Woo with his innocent look.

    The awkwardness of their camaraderie was surprisingly heartwarming. Perhaps Kang Joo-Han, who had suggested this song, had foreseen such a reaction from both the audience and the fans.

    Oblivious to the fans'' escting joy, the duo kicked off their performance to the sound of jingle bells. Goh Yoo-Joon led the first verse.

    <em>A beautiful white Christmas</em>

    <em>The sound of jingle bellses close</em>

    <em>Today, it''s just you and me, our own Christmas</em>

    <em>Isn''t it enough with just the two of us?</em>

    <em>A Christmas of friendship, it''s going to be so fun!</em>?

    As Goh Yoo-Joon sang, the fans'' excitement reached its peak and exploded into sheer joy. Goh Yoo-Joon circled Suh Hyun-Woo with a mischievous grin, and his gestures suggested a yful persuasion, perfectlyplementing his low, warm voice.

    The serious demeanor he usually carried was nowhere to be seen, and Suh Hyun-Woo''s curious and innocent gaze that followed Goh Yoo-Joon''s every move added more charm to the performance.

    <em>¡®It''s a bit cheesy, but oh so nice.¡¯ </em>

    Perhaps the audience in the theater, as well as those tuning in from home, were all wrapped up in the same warm and fuzzy feeling as they watched the duo perform. Just as Goh Yoo-Joon''s part came to a close, Suh Hyun-Woo took the microphone in hand.

    <em>Really, is that so?</em>

    <em>But I want to spend a lively Christmas with everyone</em>

    <em>Holding hands with my loved one by my side</em>

    <em>Walking down the Christmas streets</em>

    <em>An exciting Christmas, it''s going to be so fun?</em>

    This version of Suh Hyun-Woo was far from his sensitive reaction to Goh Yoo-Joon''s usual antics. He had a look that seemed to say ¡°Try and fool me, I dare you.¡±

    Was this the natural ir of Suh Hyun-Woo, or something the agency had orchestrated? Regardless of the reason, the audience warmly embraced this delightful scene and cheered enthusiastically for the charming and somewhat exhrating performance.

    ***

    As I stepped onto the stage, I kept repeating to myself like a mantra. ¡°I am Park Yoon-Chan. I am Yoon-Chan.¡± After learning about the ¡°naive and gullible protagonist¡± concept, I thought about someone who embodied innocence the most.

    Considering my limited social interactions across both my past and present lives, I could only think of one name. Park Yoon-Chan was the most innocent person, or rather, the one who could most convincingly portray the protagonist''s demeanor.

    This time, I was determined to sessfully channel Yoon-Chan¡¯s persona. I then looked up to Goh Yoo-Joon, who was earnestly trying to persuade me, with admiration in my eyes. Despite both Goh Yoo-Joon and I being keenly aware of the awkward and cringe-inducing atmosphere between us, it was bearable. Our stage experience somehow helped us navigate through it fairly smoothly.

    <em>Let''s do this together, my friend</em>

    <em>Come on, hold my hand!</em>?

    I eagerly took Goh Yoo-Joon''s extended hand and delivered my part.

    <em>Okay! With you by my side, </em>

    <em>Even a simple Christmas feels like it could be truly delightful!</em>?

    Goh Yoo-Joon lifted our joined hands above our heads with a broad smile.

    <em>Now that we are holding hands, </em>

    <em>We are spending Christmas together</em>

    <em>Echo my words. Christmas is ours!</em>?

    In tune with Goh Yoo-Joon''s part, I continued with mine.

    <em>Christmas is ours!</em>

    <em>Christmas is ours!</em>

    <em>Christmas is ours!</em>?

    Alternating turns, Goh Yoo-Joon and I chanted ¡°Christmas is Ours.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon then stepped back with a content look, gently released my hand, and vanished backstage.

    I was left alone on the stage and stood there, absorbing the audience''s cheers as the bright white lights slowly dimmed. It then gave way to a soft pink glow, and the prelude to another sweet melody ¡°Twisty¡± started to fill the room, eliciting murmurs of appreciation from the crowd.

    It was a song by the indie band Ae-Seo & Hoon, and it captured the essence of youth''s excitement. Those familiar with the tune expressed their delight, while neers were drawn in by the engaging intro.

    The transition to the new song stirred the crowd, but it soon settled. In its ce, an indescribable roar of excitement, or rather, the collective sound of the audience filled the air. I nced over to see Elisia stepping onto the stage from the opposite side, microphone in hand, her gaze fixed on me. The audience''s response intensified as she and I made eye contact, and she approached me gradually, her voice carrying the melody closer.

    <em>I can¡¯t sleep</em>

    <em>After our conversation ends.</em>

    <em>My heart flutters under the moonlight outside the window</em>

    <em>This is clearly a feeling for you</em>?

    Elisia''s particrly calm and serene voice and her steady tone added ayer of sweetness to the song. Flowers bloomed in the path Elisia walked. With professional ease, Elisia locked eyes with me and steadily closed the distance between us.

    My previous guise of innocence was gone as I returned to my usual self. I kept my eyes fixed on Elisia with aposed gaze while continuing with my part.

    <em>The cool breeze carries a sweet aroma</em>

    <em>My heart sways, drawn irresistibly to you</em>

    <em>I wonder what you are thinking under the same sky</em>

    <em>Curious about the look on your face as you gaze at the stars</em>?

    Pink lights shone on Elisia while yellow lights illuminated me. The part involving exchanging nces, which I had found hard to immerse myself in, felt different on stage. Looking directly at Elisia, with a gentler voice and a more affectionate gaze, I somehow felt it to bepletely natural.

    After Elisia slowly approached, she stopped close by and looked at me with a light smile. I also responded with a smile and sang my part.

    <em>But expressing these feelings isn''t easy</em>

    <em>My lips seal shut in your presence</em>

    <em>Lacking the certainty that our feelings are mutual</em>?

    What followed was Elisia''s part. Unlike the duet with Goh Yoo-Joon earlier, my role in this song was totally different. My job was simply to gaze at Elisia and do my best to create an atmosphere brimming with anticipation. After her part concluded, I simply added harmony to her singing.

    <em>Our path is winding, like aplicated road</em>

    <em>Let''s try to take it easy? </em>

    Contrary to typical duet songs, the male voice carried the higher harmonies in this one. This made my tune sound softer and her tune clearer yet mature. After all, this song was a favorite for many and was cherished for its prelude and harmony sections.

    After the harmony, it was my turn again. I smiled softly and reached out my hand toward Elisia.

    <em>There is a shortcut,</em>

    <em>Just like this, we just have to take one more step closer</em>?

    Just as Elisia was about to take my hand, amotion stirred among the audience. Pretending to be startled, Elisia and I looked around, only for Goh Yoo-Joon to emerge yfully from the sidelines, shing a cheeky grin before he sprinted over and yfully snatched Elisia''s hand.

    Immediately afterward, the next song ¡°BOO THANG¡± started. As I watched Goh Yoo-Joon teasingly lead Elisia toward the main stage, a camera zoomed in on my face, capturing my feigned expression of betrayal and sadness. I forlornly lowered my hand that was ambiguously stretched out toward the two.

    The audience let out a lightugh at theedic staging we had prepared. Then, the spotlight on me dimmed. I had done my job, and the stage was set for Goh Yoo-Joon, Elisia, and the rest of the neen-year-olds to begin their performance on the main stage.

    That was it for me until the final part of the musical. There remained only the finale of the musical and our Chronos''s performances.

 Chapter 157: End-of-Year Stage (27)

    <h4>Chapter 157: End-of-Year Stage (27)</h4>

    ¡°He was caught in a whirl of embarrassment and was at a loss." Tucked away behind the stage, I was watching Goh Yoo-Joon light up the musical scene with the other group members.

    ¡°Is Yoo-Joon usually shy?¡± asked a staff member with a camera in hand. I simply gave her a light smile and a nod in response. ¡°We''ve honed our skills in singing and dancing extensively, yet venturing into this new realm is a first for us. At first, Yoo-Joon was quite sheepish, but look at him now, excelling on stage."

    As I reflected on our days as trainees, where friendship was entwined withpetition, such a surge of pride for a group member was new to me. Yet now, witnessing Yoo-Joon embrace a more significant role with such finesse filled me with pride.

    ¡°Doesn''t Yoo-Joon''s voice have a way of captivating the listener?" I mused, and the camera seemed to nod in agreement, bobbing up and down.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon is nailing it."

    ¡°Absolutely, he''s got it down." Joo-Han''s voice,ced with admiration, reached my ears from behind. I turned around and saw him making his way over with his attention riveted on Yoo-Joon''s performance.

    ¡°What brings you here, hyung? Are you concerned about him?"

    ¡°Yes, I just wanted to see how he''s doing. And Hyun-Woo, you are impressive as always. You indeed make hyung proud."

    Feeling the warmth of Joo-Han''s pat on my back, I realized that he shared the same sense of pride in both me and Yoo-Joon. His words brought a flush of modesty to my cheeks.

    As Yoo-Joon moved to take center stage, he vanished from our view. Joo-Han and I instinctively shifted our focus to the monitor, catching glimpses of Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°He seems more at ease now. You both seemed a bit awkward when you did the duo performance."

    ¡°Oh, really? Did it show that much?"

    ¡°Only to the observant eye."

    Our conversation continued as we kept our eyes on the broadcast, which soon switched to a different view. The camera now focused on various artists near the audience seat, each cheering on their group members. Among them were the youngest of our Chronos group, their enthusiasm surpassing even Joo-Han''s and mine.

    ¡°...Who came up with that idea?"

    ¡°Not sure. I arrived after they did. Maybe the manager hyung?"

    They clenched some mysterious banners in their hands.

    [Goh Yoo-Joon... How does one not love you...]

    [Ah... Suh Hyun-Woo... Can I even imagine a life without you...?]

    Could anyone in YMM be this overt in their adoration? Augh escaped me at the thought, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of their fanfare.

    As I enjoyed the various aspects of the performance, a staff member approached me with a timely reminder. ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s time for you to get ready for your entrance."

    ¡°Ah, right!" As I headed behind the ckout curtain, Joo-Han was right there, offering a reassuring shoulder rub.

    ¡°Knock ''em dead out there!"

    ¡°Will do."

    His encouragement felt akin to a nurturing pep talk, and I suddenly felt like a young child bolstered by a parent''s support before a big moment. I then made my way onto the stage by being guided by the staff.

    Initially, our n was for a subtle entrance, wherein I would seamlessly return to the stage as if I had never left, concluding the performance with the final song. However, the widespread news of my injury led the neen-year-old team to go the extra mile, crafting a special part for my entrance.

    <i>May the years ahead, one by one, unfold,</i>

    <i>With days unchanging and a self that holds.</i>?

    As I delivered my part, the rest of them made a group effort to direct the spotlight my way, ensuring that the audience''s focus was on me. When I made my reappearance, the cheers exploded, sounding like a blend of support and empathy.

    The performance then reached its crescendo as the veteran inteced their vocals with ours, bringing the piece to a harmonious close. It was a moment any fan of the ensemble would love.

    ¡°Well done, everyone!"

    The stage was the fruit of several nights''bor and a coborative effort among equals, excluding myself. As a result, the backstage area buzzed with mutual congrattions among the young artists, but I simply observed from a slight distance.

    - Aren''t you going to join them, Hyun-Woo?

    ¡°Sadly, I missed out on group practices this time... But it''s heartwarming to see Yoo-Joon thriving in happiness." I was shy, so observing them from a distance was quitefortable for me.

    In the midst of exchanging pleasantries with the other team members, Elisia cast a quick nce around, her gaze eventually settling on me. She then approached with measured steps, her inherent shyness still evident despite the smile she managed to put on her face.

    ¡°Great job, Hyun-Woo," she offered warmly.

    ¡°Ah, senior, the hard work was all yours. I can''t thank you enough for your support.¡±

    ¡°It''s nothing, really. I''m the one who should be thankful," she replied, her modesty shining through.

    As we navigated through our somewhat clumsy exchange of thanks, Goh Yoo-Joon sidled up beside me, adding his own appreciation. ¡°Senior, you''ve really outdone yourself!"

    ¡°Ah, Yoo-Joon, and so have you. Oh, and..." Elisia''s voice trailed off as she stole a nce at the behind-the-scenes camera next to me, before she continued, ¡°We are of simr age, so feel free to call me Elisia off-camera. Formalities feel a bit odd between peers."

    ¡°Ah, understood," I acknowledged, though the offer made me pause.

    ¡°But if it''s morefortable for you, you can stick to ''senior.''"

    The cameraman then diverted his focus to Joo-Han, apparently deeming our conversation unworthy of the final cut.

    ¡°The next time we meet, let''s make sure our conversation flows even more naturally," Yoo-Joon chimed in, eagerly picking up on Elisia''s cue.

    With a soft smile, she nodded and then went into the crowd, joining another girl group member from her team. We lingered briefly before going back to the dressing room to change, returning to the artist seats shortly thereafter.

    The rest of the event seemed to fly by quickly. We were fully engaged, cheering on the performances of Allure, High Tension, and Street Center, waving the slogans we''d somehow acquired. Before we knew it, the first part of the event had drawn to a close.

    ¡°It''s time for us to head backstage." Manager Su-Hwan slipped in quietly and suggested the intermission before the second partmenced. We had just been goofing around with the Rings, exchanging waves and smiles.

    Yes, Chronos was ted to open the second part. Filled with excitement, we exchanged some encouraging gestures with the Rings before hastening back to the dressing room to prepare.

    ***

    ¡°Everyone needs to bring their A-game, but especially Hyun-Woo, I''m telling you in particr." Joo-Han''s voice cut through the anticipatory hum of the dressing room.

    ¡°Yes, of course." I nodded, signaling my readiness.

    ¡°Since you can¡¯t dance right now, make sure your facial expressions tell the story. You''ve got this, right?"

    ¡°I will give it my all.¡±

    ¡°And remember, no injuries," he added, with a note of concern in his voice, which was a reminder of the recent idents that had us all on edge.

    ¡°Yes, hyung," we all echoed, the weight of his words not lost on us.

    I was the first to get dressed. After that, I took photos under the direction of the stylists. Today, the choker, typically snug yet bearable, was substituted with a scratchy ckce adorned with jewels. On top of that, I wore a jacket without a shirt, eye makeup that might have rivaled a panda''s (a slight exaggeration, perhaps), and colored lipstick.

    ¡°Are we channeling the Drac vibe today?" I asked, half-jokingly.

    The stylist caught on to my casual remark and confirmed with augh, ¡°Spot on! But we''ve tailored it specifically for you given the grandeur of the chair you will be using."

    ¡°You are really outdoing yourself, noona. Didn¡¯t you prepare dozens of outfits for today?" I asked, genuinely impressed by her effort.

    ¡°Thanks, it''s nice to be appreciated. But try not to eat anything until after your performance; we need you to look sharp. This look won''te together quite the same way twice.¡±

    ¡°Got it," I replied, my mind already racing ahead to the performance.

    ¡°Are we all set? I''m thinking of heading to the stage first," our manager proposed, prompting us to rise from our seats.

    ¡°Let''s do this!" We rallied, our spirits high despite the looming challenge of the performance.

    ¡°I''ve heard about the physical toll of the year-end stages," Yoo-Joon remarked, stretching his limbs in preparation. ¡°But feeling it firsthand is something else entirely."

    Manager led the way, graciously opening the doors and offering apologies for any inconvenience. "Just a little further to go," he assured us, providing reassurance along the way.

    ¡°As for after the year-end stage, are we diving straight back into album prep?" asked Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Hearing Goh Yoo-Joon''s question, the manager cast a swift nce at his wristwatch and hastened his steps. ¡°There''s talk at thepany about ramping up individual schedules for you all. We aim to align these with the theme of the uing album, and I''ll provide you with more details during our meeting next week."

    After the survivalpetition and our whirlwind debut, we adopted a cautious approach, reminiscent of Allure''s early days, choosing to limit our appearances on variety shows. After all, navigating through the aftermath of our debut with only <i>Chronos History</i> and <i>Flying Man</i> under our belt was quite challenging. This left us intrigued about what the next album cycle might bring.

    The moment we stepped backstage, Joo-Han promptly gathered us and said, ¡°Today, let''s aim for a zero-injury performance!"

    ¡°Okay!¡± We all nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Stick to the n we perfected during rehearsals. Let''s not get carried away by the crowd''s energy."

    ¡°Understood!"

    With Joo-Han leading the charge, we piled up our hands, this time joined by the dedicated staff who''d been with us every step of the way.

    ¡°Let¡¯s... make this shine!¡±

    ¡°Yay!¡± I instantly moved to a different section beneath the stage along with a behind-the-scenes camera, just as a Chronos-specific VTR started to y.

    I was directed to a lift where a colorful, Hollywood-esque chair awaited, which was a stark contrast to the simplicity we were ustomed to.

    ¡°Is this my spot?"

    ¡°Yes. This is one hundred percent safe, so just focus on delivering a powerful performance from the waist up," reassured the stage staff.

    ¡°Wow... This is...¡± Settling into the extravagant chair, I couldn''t help but feel a mix of gratitude and slight embarrassment at its grandeur. As I took my seat and offered a word of thanks to the nearby staff, three individuals approached me to put the finishing touches on the setup.

    <i>Thump, thump. ng, ng!</i>

    The dancers'' footsteps on stage signaled the imminent start of our final stage. Taking a moment to focus, I infused a bit of spirit within me with a quiet scream and casually crossed my legs.

    A concerned staff member gasped. ¡°Is it okay to sit like that? What about your waist?"

    I offered a reassuring smile, indicating to them that I felt well. The difort was fleeting, barely a thought during the adrenaline rush of the performance.

    An air of supreme confidence directly overcame me, as I draped an arm over the chair''s armrest, my chin resting thoughtfully on my hand.

    ¡°Time to ascend!" As the VTR concluded and the cheers swelled, the lift bearing me ascended, marking the beginning of "Parade.¡± This performance had undergone a remarkable transformation through extensive choreography and the collective effort of the members. It was a spectacle we were determined to make a resounding sess.

 Chapter 158: End-of-Year Stage (28)

    <h4>Chapter 158: End-of-Year Stage (28)</h4>

    Darkness had descended over the venue, and the only source of light was the flickering light sticks held by the fans. Anticipation filled the air, with the hum of whispered spections drowning out the cheers. Everyone could see the Rings¡¯ excitement, as they fixed their gazes on the colossal screen, their hearts racing with the thrill of the unknown performance.

    In the shadows, the silhouettes of dancers quietly moved and set the stage for the spectacle to unfold.

    Impatience bubbled up amongst the crowd, and their voices blended into a chorus of eager pleas. ¡°Start the fucking stage! The suspense is killing us!"

    <i>Da-dum. Da-dum!</i>

    As Kim Go-Ri¡¯s anticipation reached its peak, a deep, resonating drumbeat vibrated through the venue, its pulse echoing in the chests of every spectator. As the drumbeats thundered, the giant screen came alive and mirrored the rhythm with bursts of white smoke that danced in the air.

    ¡°What? What is this? What''s happening?" The audience was wrapped in an exquisite tension, as they saw a delightful prelude to the impending performance.

    The drumming had filled the air with its rhythmic pattern, gradually fading and leaving a charged silence in its wake.

    ¡®<i>Are theying out now?¡¯ </i>Everyone leaned in with bated breath, waiting for the moment to break.

    Instead, a sudden, ear-splitting crack of thunder shattered the silence and sent a ripple of murmurs through the darkened venue.

    After the thunderp''s echo dissipated, a hush fell once more, and a solitary spotlight pierced the darkness, converging on the center stage to reveal Kang Joo-Han.

    ¡°Kyaaaaaak!¡±

    He was sitting gracefully next to a transparent ss piano straight out of the "Parade" music video. When the fans saw this, a collective gasp followed by thunderous apuse erupted from them. Yet, Kang Joo-Han remained undistracted with his fingers poised over the piano keys. They embraced a soulful rendition that captivated every heart in the room.

    ¡°This is unreal... It''s ¡®Once Again¡¯...¡± Kim Go-Ri murmured under her breath, barely audible over the crescendo of cheers. She was careful not to let her own voice disrupt the enchantment of Kang Joo-Han''s piano solo.

    As Kang Joo-Han concluded the iconic MV part, he cast his gaze upward. With that, the spotlight dimmed and shifted to the main stage, which was now bathed in light.

    There, Lee Jin-Sung was taking the center spot, surrounded by Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan who were all adorned ince and jewels. Their attires were a striking contrast to those of the dancers. This part was known for its high-energy, fast-paced choreography, but it seemed to have been transformed.

    Now, the dancers wlessly executed a sequence of fluid, harmonious movements choreographed to the innovative piano arrangement of "Parade." Each movement was distinct yet perfectly synchronized, showcasing the masterful reimagination of the choreography, which left Kim Go-Ri in awe of the creativity.

    As the performance unfolded, Kim Go-Ri soon recognized that this segment was intended to transition to Suh Hyun-Woo as the centerpiece. However, Lee Jin-Sung and the dancers skillfully adapted in his absence. Their movements conveyed a sense of being puppeteered before elegantly clearing the stage with a roll to the side.

    Then, the music came to a sudden halt. ¡®<i>One, two, three.¡¯</i> As Kim Go-Ri silently counted, Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice softly filled the air and weaved a spell over the audience.

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>

    <i>Let the sky fall</i>?

    Kim Go-Ri was overwhelmed with emotion and eximed, ¡°Waaah... This is too much... Yoo-Joon, I''m overwhelmed!"

    ¡°...Please, either cry or shout, but not both," chided Kim Go-Ri''s friend, Park Go-Ri, who seemed calm but was secretly scanning the dimly lit side stages for Suh Hyun-Woo.

    <i>¡®Where is Hyun-Woo? Is he not performing at all? He will grace us with a song while sitting, right?''</i>

    Kang Joo-Han was likely preparing to join the others on stage as he hadpleted his piano section. Yet, there was no sign of Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Amidst the search, Park Go-Ri spotted a cluster of silhouettes huddled on the dark side of the stage. Their presence was barely discernible.

    <i>It was you who came into my world</i>?

    The moment Park Yoon-Chan''s solo started, Park Go-Ri''s devotion was unmistakable. It was her favorite part of the song. ¡°Yoooooon-Chaaaaan!!! You own my heart!!!"

    Just as Park Go-Ri''s attention momentarily shifted to Yoon-Chan, the music paused. Then, a burst of cheers erupted from the opposite side where Park Go-Ri had just been looking. The audience''s focus swiftly moved to the side stage, where an unexpected scene unfolded.

    There, Suh Hyun-Woo appeared on an ornate chair with his chin resting on his hand, his gaze impassively sweeping across the crowd.

    ¡°Shirt! What the fuck! Your chest! Oh my gosh, Hyun-Woo! I am going to die because you are too hot!¡±

    d in a shirtless jacket, Suh Hyun-Woo sent Kim Go-Ri into a frenzy. As all eyes turned to him, he gracefully lowered his hands from the armrest and straightened his upper body. This cued the music to resume.

    <i>Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles</i>?

    The dancers surrounding Hyun-Woo took a step back and widened the circle around him. From above, it looked as though they formed a diamond shape formation around Hyun-Woo at the center. As the first verse concluded, they knelt on one knee to ensure Hyun-Woo stood out even more prominently.

    Hyun-Woo''s expression subtly shifted. After that, the lighting darkened simultaneously and took on a somber, crimson hue.

    <i>You will be by my side</i>

    <i>Skyfall, Skyfall</i>?

    It was hard to put into words, but... ¡°Gosh... Check out Hyun-Woo''s visuals..."

    The intery of lights, his striking outfit, and the artful makeupplemented Suh Hyun-Woo''s confident grin and rich expression. His enveloping voice also urged the audience to immerse in Chronos¡¯s world.

    As Suh Hyun-Woo''s performance captivated everyone, the screen behind him used to be veiled in mist. However, it soon parted to reveal a crimson moon, setting the night theme. So, the concept alchemist Chronos had chosen the allure of the crimson moon and the enigma of the night for this stage.

    The moment Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo ceased, the dancers who had been crouching on the ground surged toward him with such fervor,pletely engulfing him in their midst.

    ¡°Lee Jin-Sung, pure genius! Absolute genius! Fucking genius! Ah... Jin-Sung... Hyun-Woo... Jin-Sung..." Park Go-Ri might not have caught every word Kim Go-Ri uttered, but her sentiment was clear enough.

    A glimpse into Chronos''s world through the behind-the-scenes VTR revealed that this entire spectacle was the brainchild of the choreographer and Lee Jin-Sung. Everyone also marveled at the stylist''s creativity, Suh Hyun-Woo''s stage maism, and Lee Jin-Sung''s brilliance. Yet, this was merely the beginning of the performance.

    Guided by Supervisor Kim''s philosophy that they shouldpensate for anyck of financial firepower with sheer talent and determination, they crafted a "Parade" like no other.

    As the spotlight on Suh Hyun-Woo dimmed, the crimson moon on the backdrop embarked on a journey across the venue, eventually casting its glow on the main stage, where the four members awaited.

    <i>The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall</i>

    <i>Join me</i>

    <i>You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more</i>

    <i>You need me</i>?

    As the chorus swelled, Lee Jin-Sung performed a mesmerizing duo performance with Goh Yoo-Joon on behalf of Suh Hyun-Woo. After that, the stage was filled by a troupe of shadowy circus performers from the second verse. Despite any potential shorings, the collective efforts of everyone rendered the stage a masterpiece of perfection.

    ***

    ¡°Well done, everyone!"

    As I stepped off the stage without a hint of fatigue, I felt somewhat regretful. However, I made sure to extend my gratitude and apuse to the dancers and circus performers who had embodied the energy and movement in my stead.

    ¡°It must be a tough break for you,¡± said one staff member to me.

    ¡°Not at all, I literally did nothing. Thank you for everything!" I handed off my in-ear monitors and mic to the staff and headed to the dressing room with the road manager, feeling an intensified pang of guilt for not sharing in the physical toll of the performance.

    Upon entering the dressing room, I was met with the exhausted gazes of my fellow members.

    ¡°Ah, you guys did great. It was quite the sight from the sidelines." My attempt to blend into the room elicited a variety of breathless responses.

    ¡°You sound as if you weren''t even part of the show."

    ¡°Let it be. He''s probably been reflecting on himself up there again. Hyun-Woo did his part too."

    ¡°You were fantastic as well, hyung." Park Yoon-Chan rose from his chair and made space for me to sit.

    ¡°Thank... Thank you," I murmured, feeling even more awkward as I moved toward the offered seat, only to be whisked away for a quick change by a stylist, who then helped me change into a suit.

    The second session of the <i>SES New Year Party</i> unfolded. The members¡ªor rather everyone but me¡ªmanaged to regroup. Their breaths had steadied, and their faces showed no signs of the earlier exertion as they engaged in lively interviews and reactions to wrap up the broadcast.

    No matter how much praise wasvished upon us for a wless show, this performance left me feeling somewhat unfulfilled. In any case, the curtain had closed on our second year-end performance.

    ***

    In the conference room of YMM Entertainment, anticipation and exhaustion hung in the air in equal measure. Despite the demanding schedules brought on by the year-end performances, we couldn¡¯t neglect the preparations for our second album.

    Supervisor Kim and Chronos team staff were visibly worn from the UNET Awards preparations, and we were as tired as them. Amidst the fatigue, a glimmer of hope shone through¡ªI had finally received the doctor''s clearance to dance again. Well, of course, he told me not to go all out right off the bat.

    As the final chords of our second album''s title track concluded in the conference room, each of us started to share our impressions.

    ¡°It''s got a lively bounce to it, doesn''t it? Thest time I heard it, it had a slightly more ¡®History¡¯ vibe.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and what''s with the intermittent pauses in the track?" Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but ask, his curiosity piqued.

    Joo-Han, theposer of this song, answered. ¡°We are nning to intersperse those pauses with dialogues, sound effects, and a dash of acting.¡±

    The room fell into silence, and then I asked, ¡°What exactly does that mean?"

    ¡°We are going to fill those silent moments with ad-libbing. It''s what gives this song its unique vor, kind of like when Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo gave their rendition of that musical performance,¡± replied Joo-Han with a sly yet familiar grin, sending a slight shiver down my spine.

    Everything suddenly clicked. Joo-Han''s unexpected push for a musical song during the SES special year-end stage selection must have been for this moment. He was likely eager to see how well we could incorporate acting into our performance.

    Supervisor Kim saw our hesitant looks and stepped in to provide further rity on Joo-Han''s vision. ¡°As Joo-Han mentioned, our experiences during <i>The Parade</i> made it clear that there''s a need to highlight each of your presences on stage, alongside the choreography.¡±

    Mr. Seong added, ¡°The crowd responded really well to ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯ because it showcased your stage presence so effectively. That''s why we asked Joo-Han to craft this song with that concept in mind."

    They envisioned this song to transcend the dance movement in ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± which allowed for both intricate choreography and a yful vibe. ¡°We are nning to inject some memorable moments throughout the piece, and we''ve already pinpointed a few. Want to review the lyrics sheet?" Supervisor Kim suggested and prompted us to take a closer look.

    On the lyrics sheet, a peculiar line caught our eye. ¡°See there, ''Oh! Look at that leaf tumble down! (Giggles)¡¯ That''s a scripted dialogue."

    ¡°Dialogue, really?" That line was designated for me.

    ¡°I''ve thought through the entire choreography for this bit," Joo-Han announced with an air of excitement.

    His vision involved me dashing from behind right after Goh Yoo-Joon wrapped up his part, leaping onto his back, and reaching out as if to catch a drifting leaf in this ¡°Oh! Look at that leaf tumble down!¡± dialogue.

    The rest of the members were to respond with a collective giggle and infused the verse with a yful vibe.

    This whimsical first verse, which was the opposite of the emotionally charged second verse, was enriched by a live band as per my suggestion, carrying the weighty themes of new beginnings and sad farewells of school life.

    Amidst our collective uncertainty, Supervisor Kim quickly flipped his notebook to the next agenda item. ¡°Now that Joo-Han has walked us through it, we need to bnce our preparations for the UNET year-end stage with the new song. That includes, of course, dance rehearsals. Oh, and we''ve secured an aesthetic school for the music video shoot."

    Supervisor Kim''s elerated speech indicated significant progress had been made on the new album during our year-end stagemitments.

    ¡°Next up, Su-Hwan, let''s review the schedule.¡±

    Manager Su-Hwan then opened his nner, revealing additional ns. ¡°The theme of our new song revolves around new beginnings and graduations. Coincidentally, KEW has approached Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo for a seasonal variety show appearance."

    ¡°Us?" we echoed in surprise.

    ¡°Yes, filming is ted from early January through early February."

    The proposed show was tentatively titled<i> Graduating</i>, and it aimed to recreate a virtual ssroom for individuals who couldn''tplete their school journey for various reasons. Primarily targeting celebrities, it aimed to simte the senior year of high school leading up to graduation in February.

    ¡°The show''s concept revolves around fostering friendships among peers, immersing participants in an authentic school life experience, and culminating in a graduation showcase. It aligns perfectly with our song''s theme, making it an ideal tform for promotion."

 Chapter 159: End-of-Year Stage (29)

    <h4>Chapter 159: End-of-Year Stage (29)</h4>

    For the uing show, the director was being extra careful in selecting the participants. They aimed to sidestep any controversies¡ªlike bullies¡ªby ensuring that they didn''t recruit anyone who had had to leave school for unsavory reasons. The spotlight would only fall on those who met the criteria and havepelling stories to share. Among them, the sole celebrities to grace the stage were Goh Yoo-Joon and me.

    ¡°Despite the tight schedule fromebacks, fan club inaugurations, and the hectic end-of-year performances, this opportunity is perfect for elevating public recognition.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we understand." I agreed with the manager''s advice, and Supervisor Kim acknowledged with a nod before flipping to the next page of his notebook.

    ¡°Joo-Han, Producer Do will want a word with you shortly. As for the rest... Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo are fully booked for now, but let¡¯s keep things flexible for the other members to fit in their gigs as theye."

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°When is the meeting with the Renewal members?"

    ¡°It''s set for today."

    ¡°Great, I¡¯m counting on everyone. Let¡¯s call it a day."

    With the strategy meeting for our second album wrapped up, we promptly made our way to meet the Renewal members, preparing for the UNET year-end performance.

    ***

    The room crackled with infectious energy as the Renewal members, winners of the <i>Pick Me Up</i>petition, presented a stark contrast to us. Their liveliness and spirit shone through effortlessly, even in the absence of cameras.

    ¡°I can''t wait to see what theye up with for the performance."

    ¡°Let''s put some serious thought into our outfits!" Eun-Sae, the leader of Renewal, pointed to me and Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°You two have synced well with our Elisia before, so I''m confident about our chemistry. We are looking forward to working together with both of you on the stage."

    ¡°Yes, senior," we responded.

    ¡°Senior? Yikes! That is so awkward!¡±

    Other members of Renewal, Su-Bin and Ha-Na, brushed their arms whileughing as though it all felt unfamiliar to them. They were undoubtedly our seniors although they were also neers in the entertainment world, as it had only been a year since their debut. Hence, it made sense that they weren¡¯t used to being called ¡°seniors.¡±

    ¡°Anyway, we''ve decided to go with one song from <i>Pick Me Up</i> and another from <i>Pick We Up</i> for our set. Given our tight schedule, we hope everyone can give their utmost focus."

    ¡°Absolutely!" Eun-Sae took the lead in harmonizing our two groups, ying the role of the leader.

    This coboration was unlike any other. Previous joint performances demanded a blend ofpetition and harmony, showcasing individual talents. However, Chronos was more of a supporting act rather than the main attraction this time.

    It was a coborative stage between the champions of <i>Pick Me Up</i> and <i>Pick We Up.</i> Yet, with Renewal taking the senior role, their parts were significantly more prominent.

    Then, Su-Bin from Renewal brought up a new topic. ¡°Regarding our clothes..."

    ¡°What about them?" Joo-Han asked, to which Su-Bin nodded affirmatively. ¡°We were discussing it earlier, and we are keen on wearing suits."

    ¡°Ah, suits, that''s a splendid choice, senior."

    ¡°What about Chronos? Have you thought about your outfits?"

    ¡°We were considering suits as well..." Joo-Han started, but suddenly paused as a new idea dawned on him. ¡°Wait... This performance brings us all together, but it involves switching songs.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡±

    Joo-Han smiled lightly. ¡°Perhaps we could switch up our costumes too. We often wear suits for our regr appearances."

    ¡°Eh?" Ha-Na looked perplexed. ¡°Are you suggesting... skirts?"

    The mood among the Renewal members got a bit weird, and we, except for Joo-Han, couldn''t help but feel a bit uneasy.

    Joo-Han quickly rified by shaking his hands. ¡°No, not skirts, but something in that vein. Maybe sheer fabrics or those ruffled shirts that have been in vogue. Our fans seem to really enjoy those kinds of conceptual outfits."

    ¡°Oh." Eun-Sae expressed admiration and nodded in agreement. ¡°Then, let''s tentatively decide on suits for us and opt for sheer or ruffled shirts for Chronos. Practice kicks off tomorrow, and I cannot stress enough the importance of punctuality and focus during those sessions."

    ¡°Understood!"

    Su-Bin chirped in, lightening the mood. ¡°We really need to stay focused, especially since Eun-Sae unnie can be quite strict during rehearsals."

    We all nodded in agreement, sharing an awkwardugh. We were well aware as Eun-Sae had already earned a reputation for being somewhat intimidating.

    We had even looked up some <i>Pick Me Up</i> videos just to get to know the Renewal members. Watching Eun-Sae in the practice room, delivering unfiltered critiques to her fellow members, was enough to take anyone aback. She was the heart and soul of the dance floor¡ªa person who lived for the stage. She was indeed a leader you could rely on, through and through.

    ¡°Should we call it a day here? Any more questions?" Eun-Sae''s question was met with silence; no hands raised in response.

    She nodded with a satisfied look and pped her hands. It was a signal for the end of practice. ¡°Great work today, everyone."

    ¡°Thanks, everyone!" we echoed back. The meeting concluded, and we made our way to the underground parking lot with mixed feelings of fatigue and anticipation.

    The piece we were set to drill was "Red Sun" by Renewal, a track that boldly embraced horror themes with its fiery red undertones. It wasn''t our pick but a song suggested by Renewal for us to cover.

    In a reciprocal gesture, Renewal decided to take on Chronos''s ¡°Chronos." The n was to support each other as dancers during our respective performances and cap it off with a dance to a fresh track. The setup was simple yet intriguing.

    Nevertheless, the thought of this coboration brought us a whirlwind of excitement and an undeniable hint of exhaustion.

    ¡°Ah, when do we rehearse for ¡®?[1]¡¯?¡± Jin-Sung questioned the moment we settled into the car.

    ¡°This Wednesday, but we''ve got the concept photo shoot lined up first."

    ¡°Before Wednesday? But that''s just before the year-end stage, isn''t it? Won''t there be a scheduling sh?"

    ¡°I''ve arranged it so there won''t be any ovep. Just brace yourselves for a bit of a marathon day," replied the manager.

    Yoo-Joon yawned widely and said, ¡°Sounds like a n."

    Another year-end stage was on the horizon, merely a week away. While it was the final push, this wasn''t just any ordinary stretch of effort. It was shaping up to be a Herculean task.

    Between syncing up with Renewal, perfecting our own performance, squeezing in photo shoots, and even slotting in variety show meetings for Yoo-Joon and me, our tes were more than full. The sheer volume of tasks was daunting, not to mention the mental bandwidth required to juggle them all. It was enough to send a shiver down one''s spine just thinking about it.

    Yet, we didn¡¯tin about the packed schedule. For a fledgling group from a small agency like Chronos, being this busy was a blessing in disguise.

    ¡°Wouldn''t it be great to bag another rookie award?"

    ¡°And maybe something for Joo-Han''spositions too." Despite the looming exhaustion, there was an undercurrent of hopeful aspirations among us.

    ¡°We''ve arrived. Time to head out."

    After reaching our dorm, we had a brief rest, snatching around five hours of sleep before marching off to the practice room. As if on cue, the Renewal members walked in just as we were getting into the groove of "Red Sun" choreography.

    ¡°Hello!"

    ¡°Hello there!"

    Eun-Sae wasted no time upon entering. She directly dropped her bag and suggested, ¡°Shall we dive into ¡°Red Sun¡± first?"

    ¡°Would that work?"

    ¡°Absolutely. Have you had a chance to look at the choreography video?" she asked, approaching Joo-Han by theptop.

    Both groups were led by their leaders, and they huddled together. In just a moment, a sense of camaraderie was in the air. ¡°Yes, we''ve gone through the choreography video several times and got the moves down, but some of the finer points are still a bit fuzzy..."

    ¡°That''s alright. Since it''s a joint performance, we will only need to retain certain parts of the choreography, and we will tweak the rest."

    ¡°Really?" Joo-Han couldn''t hide his surprise. ¡°I was actually nning to suggest reworking ¡®Chronos¡¯ to highlight just the key points. It''s relieving to hear you are on the same page."

    ¡°Indeed, it is." Did these two powerhouses realize we only had four days left to pull this off? Every time their eyes sparkled with new ideas, the rest of us exchanged nces, silently bracing ourselves for the whirlwind ahead. Well, if it was to improve the quality of the performance, sure!

    We unanimously agreed to revamp the choreography in pursuit of an unforgettable performance.

    ¡°We figured direct physical contact might not be necessary, so how about we simply circle around each other?¡±

    ¡°Ah, okay. Yeah, that¡¯s a good idea.¡±

    In the ¡°Red Sun" performance, the Chronos and Renewal members were paired up in a unique coboration. As Chronos took the lead in singing while carrying out the core choreography of ¡°Red Sun," the Renewal members would gracefully circle around us. Their dance steps would mirror the rhythm and energy we projected.

    ¡°As you circle around, try not to lock eyes with me. Just move forward when it feels right, and I will make sure to step back, giving you the space to shine," suggested Su-Bin, my partner from Renewal, with a strategic twirl around me.

    The thoughtful adjustment to the ¡°Red Sun" choreography simplified the routine for us, while allowing Renewal members the creative freedom to infuse their unique ir into the performance.

    Yet, the real test of our adaptability arose with ¡°Chronos," under Renewal''s creative direction.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon,e closer, even closer! And Hyun-Woo, really draw in! The camera tends to exaggerate distances, so don''t be shy about closing that gap." They directly coached us, emphasizing the intimacy of our interactions.

    ¡°Closer, did you say?"

    The dynamics shifted intriguingly in ¡°Chronos," where the Renewal, d in sharp suits, seemed to be ensnared by the allure of Chronos. The choreography was cleverly crafted, with Ha-Na leading the narrative through her vocal performance. Yoo-Joon and I followed suit, responding to her cues in a dance that flirted with the boundaries of ourfort zones.

    While ¡°Red Sun" maintained a respectful distance, ¡°Chronos" ventured into more daring territory with choreographic elements that promised to take our fans by surprise. For instance, there was a scene of Ha-Na drawing my face closer with a gentle sweep of my chin or engaging in a back-to-back stance with Yoo-Joon. The routine wasced with moments of intense proximity.

    The choreography bordered on audacity, potentially shocking or utterly delighting the Rings. Despite the choreographer''s implied intimacy, it was all a well-crafted illusion, leaving us slightly anxious about the fans'' reception.

    However, Eun-Sae, our guiding light and leader, watched on with a satisfied gleam in her eyes. ¡°Let''s channel a sophisticated sexiness," she proposed, unfazed by the bold direction of the choreography. Although some of us were minors, she was all in for portraying a mature charm.

    As Eun-Sae approved of the choreography involving Ha-Na, myself, and Yoo-Joon, it was time for Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan to tackle their challenging part alongside Elisia. Their part was a delicate intery of avoidance and engagement. It required Yoon-Chan to initially shield Elisia, only for her to gently lower his guard in a dance that spoke volumes of their intimacy.

    The practice session stretched on, filled with moments of earnest repetition, awkwardness, and mutual encouragement, as we each strived to master our parts.

    When the final pieces of ¡°Chronos" fell into ce, merging the meticulously confirmed choreography with the signature group dance, the oue was unexpectedly captivating. Even I, who used to be a trainer, found myself instinctively nodding along to the rhythm, deeply impressed by Eun-Sae''s visionary leadership.

    The mixture of our collective efforts and the nuanced choreography culminated in a performance that epitomized the essence of mature elegance. It was definitely a testament to our growth as artists.

    1. I am not sure if the literal title of Chronos¡¯s next song is ¡°?¡±, or if the author just did it to not spoil anything. ?

 Chapter 160: End-of-Year Stage (30)

    Chapter 160: End-of-Year Stage (30)

    Familiarity has a curious way of sneaking up on you. Itsfort often lulled you into a false sense of security.

    At first, the close proximity and sporadic touches during our rehearsals made us wonder whether this was truly all right. However, those hesitations faded as time passed, and we grew ustomed to the closeness. We found ourselves naturally shortening the distance, diving into practice without reservations.

    The footage captured by the cameras left us thoroughly impressed; it was truly spectacr. We had gone all out as if we were bewitched by the ingenuity of our leaders'' concepts and the choreographer''s inventive routines. We all nodded in awe and agreement.

    However, when we showcased our polished choreography to the Chronos and Renewal management team, their reactions leaned more toward concern than sheer admiration, which was somewhat anticipated.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    Supervisor Kim stroked his chin thoughtfully with a contemtive frown. Then, he eyed us with a serious expression. ¡°Well done, really well done. But I''m wondering if this might be a bit much. Manager Lee, what do you think?"

    Our manager was hesitant and shook his head slightly. ¡°I''m not entirely sure. To me, it seems like a fantastic routine."

    ¡°Ah, Manager Lee, this is your first time managing an idol group, isn''t it? I''m on the fence about this myself." When the representative from MN Entertainment shared a nomittal response, Eun-Sae quizzically tilted her head.

    ¡°What seems to be the issue here? We''ve toned down the physical contacts as much as possible."Supervisor Kim then shared his concern. ¡°It might seem fine from your standpoint, but the fans might view it differently... Ah, this brings back some memories of the Allure incident." Supervisor Kim shuddered as if the memories were too unpleasant to dwell on, and he shook his head dismissively.

    His reaction snapped me back to reality, reminding me that we weren''t just rehearsing for a university project or a trainee evaluation. This wasn''t about showcasing just any performance. It was dedicated to our fans, so it needed to resonate deeply with the hearts of those watching.

    With Renewal barely a year into their debut and Chronos fresh on the scene, we were still grappling with the true significance of dedicating a performance to our fans.

    ¡°It might be wise to choose something more aligned with what the fans would appreciate, Eun-Sae," suggested MN Entertainment representatives gently.

    ¡°Something the fans would like..." Eun-Sae wondered.

    ¡°Such a fantastic performance could be reserved for a concert setting."

    Supervisor Kim added, ¡°While it''sbeled a coborative stage, it''s not quite about the coboration. The physical contact might be eptable, but the mature allure you are aiming for, Eun-Sae, could potentially backfire. Perhaps toning it down a notch would be a wiser choice."

    ¡°I understand," Eun-Sae conceded, though both of our groups couldn''t hide our disappointment. The exceptional quality of the choreography had elevated our standards, akin to being shown a luxury apartment and then having to consider a studio space.

    Even as neers, we already understood what elements could make asting impact through our performances, which made it challenging to let go of certain aspects. I felt the same way as I recognized the brilliance of the choreography we had just crafted.

    Acting as our de facto deputy leader, Joo-Han affirmed ourmitment to reworking the routine. ¡°Okay, we will revisit it and make the necessary adjustments.¡±

    Supervisor Kim, our manager, and the representatives from MN Entertainment acknowledged our willingness with nods of approval before leaving the practice room, leaving behind a heavy silence.

    A heavy sigh pierced through the quietness.

    The clock had pushed past 2 AM, and a unanimous thought hung heavily in the air.

    <em>¡®How would we find the time to revise and rehearse the choreography?¡¯ </em>This wasn''t merely a group assignment but rather a monumental task we had undertaken. We knew we had to make it work at all costs.

    ¡°Any thoughts?" Eun-Sae''s call for input was met with silence as everyone merely exchanged weary nces. We were too drained from the long hours of practice and the dip in morale to kickstart a brainstorming session.

    ¡°Eun-Sae, Joo-Han, and the dance leads from both teams, let''s have a word." The choreographer finally stepped forward, taking into ount the agency''s advice to respect the members'' opinions and conserve his input until now.

    Joo-Han and Jin-Sung followed suit, ready for a discussion. This unexpected break gave us a moment to breathe.

    ¡°<em>Phew</em>. Do you want to grab some drinks, Hyun-Woo?" Yoo-Joon suggested, stretching his limbs.

    Following Yoo-Joon, I found myself reflecting on Supervisor Kim''s earlier remarks. ¡°This reminds me of the situation with Allure," he had mentioned. Indeed, there had been a simr incident involving Allure. Though I hadn''t witnessed it firsthand, I had seen it through a broadcast VTR. As neers, Allure had once coborated with a girl group for a performance. I couldn''t say for sure how the fans reacted at the time.

    Despite the performance being quite spectacr, Supervisor Kim¡¯s visibly shaken reaction suggested that it hadn''t been well-received. How had Allure handled such performances afterward?

    I paused, recalling various concert performances by the Allure members, and then it clicked.

    ¡°What are you thinking about?" Yoo-Joon asked, handing me a drink from the fridge.

    ¡°Just pondering how seniors usually handle joint stages."

    ¡°Aren''t they all quite simr? We''ve seen plenty of joint stages, and they seemed to follow a certain pattern."

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    ¡°It''s a real bummer. The original choreography is pretty ster. But if there''s even a chance the fans might not vibe with it, we''ve got to pivot," I mused aloud, the disappointment clear in my voice.

    Deep down, I was itching to bring that level of quality to the stage.

    ¡°Where did the choreographer and Joo-Han hyung dash off to?"

    ¡°They are probably having a meeting with the seniors and Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Any idea where?"

    ¡°They might be in the meeting room. Why? Do you have an idea?"

    ¡°Yeah, I just wanted to run something by them."

    Yoo-Joon gave a low whistle of appreciation and yfully thumped my back, maybe a little too enthusiastically. ¡°ssic Suh Hyun-Woo, always cooking up something new. You''ve got a fresh routine in mind already?"

    I shook my head, dismissing the idea. ¡°No, not crafting a new routine."

    ¡°Then what''s up?"

    ¡°Can''t quite articte it yet. I will sort it out as I talk it through with them."

    Yoo-Joon shrugged and scanned the area, pointing toward a distant murmur. ¡°Hear that? That''s gotta be them. Catch you in a bit."

    I grabbed the sports drink he offered, and I nodded with gratitude before making my way to the meeting room. I wasn''t entirely sure, but I felt there might be a way to tweak just a few details and keep most of the routine while dialing down any potential bacsh.

    ***

    ¡°Dancers?"

    I nodded in response to the choreographer''s question. ¡°Yes."

    I wasn''t in the mood to oveplicate things. Frankly, I didn¡¯t have the energy or the spirit for another round of intense brainstorming. Therefore, why not keep it straightforward? We just had to avoid doing what was advised against, and that would be more than enough.

    We needed to find a strategy to soften any potential fan bacsh, and that seemed simple enough. If the faces of our dance partners were hidden, that would mitigate any concerns.

    Reflecting on how AllIure managed their mixed-gender stages and recalling simr instances, I realized interactions with professional dancers tend to be perceived in a more business-like manner. Thus, it was less likely to stir up negative feelings.

    ¡°Let''s cover the dancers'' faces, leaving just the eyes visible."

    ¡°That sounds feasible. So, we are just swapping songs without actually performing as dancers on each other''s stages, right?"

    ¡°That seems like the best approach." Eun-Sae agreed, nodding thoughtfully.

    By the time I entered the meeting room, they had made a few adjustments. It appeared both Eun-Sae and Joo-Han were inclined to err on the side of caution to stave off any controversy.

    The choreographer summed up everyone''s input. ¡°So, we are keeping most of the choreography with just minor tweaks. And instead of sharing the stage, we will just swap songs and perform alongside the dancers, correct?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°I will speak to the manager about disguising the dancers'' identities."

    This was ourpromise, as we were unable to present the performance we had envisioned. As we regrouped and headed back to the rehearsal space, the choreographer stepped out briefly to consult with the agency staff and returned with affirmative feedback. The practice finally resumed.

    ***

    It was 3 PM. Yoo-Joon and I briefly excused ourselves from the practice room to head over to the KEW broadcasting station for the <em>Graduating</em> show meeting. With our casting already confirmed, this preliminary gathering felt somewhat less daunting.

    On our way to the station, Yoo-Joon and I continuously hummed the tunes of the song and kept our practice momentum going. "Red Sun" by Renewal was a coupling track from their debut album, and it had be an anthem among K-pop fans for its catchy melody andpelling high notes.

    The song''s charm wasn''t just in its choreography but in its vibe and the thrilling high notes that defined it.

    It was a beloved hit, especially one so cherished by Renewal''s fans and the seniors themselves, so it demanded our full dedication to ensure a performance that would live up to its fame. As a result, humming the lyrics of "Red Sun" and practicing its moves became our constant routine, whether before sleeping, upon waking, during meals, or in transit.

    Soon enough, our car rolled into KEW''s underground parking lot. As we made our way, our manager briefed us on the essentials as always. ¡°The director of <em>Graduating</em> is quite approachable, so just rx and answer any questions with sincerity. And remember, politeness goes a long way."

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°There will be a small camera set up on the table for footage purposes. Please be mindful of your words and actions."

    As we approached the meeting room, the manager knocked on the door.

    ¡°Come in."

    ¡°Excuse us," our manager announced as he pushed the door open, revealing the director and the writer greeting us.

    ¡°Ah, wee! Manager, it must be a busy period for you, isn''t it?"

    ¡°Not at all, thank you for having us." As our manager chatted, the director''s gaze shifted toward us.

    Yoo-Joon belted out energetically, ¡°On the count of three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Thank you for having us!"

    ¡°Oh, wow! Such a polite greeting from neers. Please, have a seat." We only sat down after our manager signaled us to do so.

    ¡°How have you been, Manager Lee? Is Yeong-Yee doing well?"

    ¡°She is doing well, thank you. Let''s have a meal together after the program, director."

    ¡°That sounds great. You are always wee, Manager Lee."

    As we took our seats, the director exchanged pleasantries with our manager before starting the meeting. The camera sitting next to the writer made me slightly nervous, but I remembered our manager''s advice and tried not to focus on it too much.

    The writer handed us a document. ¡°This is the n for <em>Graduating: Boys¡¯ High School Edition</em>. You must have heard the gist of it from Manager Lee. It gathers twenty-year-olds who missed out on their school life for a one-month school experience, culminating in graduation."

    ¡°Yes, we''ve been briefed."

    The writer unfolded the document as we talked.

    ¡°There will be twelve regr cast members. It''s an observational reality show filmed by installed cameras, mostly featuring non-celebrities."

    ¡°Ah, I see."

    ¡°It turns out there will be three celebrities in total. The two of you from Chronos and an actor who has just made his debut¡ªOn Ki-Hoon. While the show aims to distribute screen time evenly among the twelve participants, thanks to Manager Lee''s request and our need for ratings, we will ensure Chronos gets a bit more focus."

    We bowed respectfully in response to the writer''s words. ¡°Thank you!"

    The director thenughed heartily and teased us like one might scare a child. ¡°You might not want to thank me just yet. I will try to look out for you, but if you are not entertaining, I can''t promise anything."

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°I''ve heard Chronos can be quite shy. Just put in as much effort as in <em>Flying Man. </em>Honestly, you were cast to help boost our ratings." His voice carried warmth, but his serious gaze conveyed a different message. It was as if he was indicating that the grace period for being awkward and unskilled¡ªaffectionately known as the newbie phase¡ªhad passed.

    I exchanged nces with Yoo-Joon, and we both eximed in unison, ¡°Yes! We will do our best!" We were determined to fulfill their expectations.

    The director and the writer nodded, seemingly pleased with our enthusiastic response. After that, they suggested. "Shall we start chatting then? Knowing more about you will help us highlight your charms better."

 Chapter 161: End-of-Year Stage (31)

    <h4>Chapter 161: End-of-Year Stage (31)</h4>

    The questions from the <i>Graduating</i> team were straightforward and manageable, as they delved into the dynamics between Yoo-Joon and me, for example, the history of our friendship and the journey that led us to be close.

    Then came the lighter questions that sparked a bit of nostalgia andughter, like our favorite spots in the ssroom, our academic standings, and any cherished memories or missed opportunities from our school days.

    ¡°You both seem so genuine and articte.¡±

    ¡°The non-celebrity participants might need some time to get ustomed to it, so we are really counting on your support.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely! We are all in," we assured them, our voices brimming with enthusiasm.

    As the session wrapped up and the writer collected her files, there was a brief pause.

    She then asked, ¡°Any questions?¡±

    I raised my hand.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo?¡±

    Curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself asking, ¡°Who exactly are the non-celebrity participants joining us?" It was a question borne out of genuine interest and perhaps a slight concern for the unknown dynamics that awaited us.

    ¡°Ah!¡± The writer''s face lit up with a knowing smile, as if she had anticipated the question. ¡°Don''t worry. We are steering clear of any potential troublemakers. Anyone with a history of serious disciplinary issues or involvement in untoward incidents won''t make it past our screening process. After all, we aim to maintain a positive and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved."

    ¡°I see...¡±

    Her reassurance was a relief to us. She then added, ¡°But the cast would be a mosaic of personalities. Some could be rough around the edges, others perhaps shy or mischievously yful, mirroring the diverse spectrum of individuals you might encounter in a school setting.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t worry. We have conducted thorough background checks, so there''s no need for concern," she exined, further easing our minds.

    ¡°Okay, sounds good!¡± I nodded in thanks. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the director promptly signaling it was time to wrap up.

    As we left the meeting space, I found my thoughts drifting back to the past, trying to remember what had happened before. It was a time when personal challenges kept me isted, far removed from the bustling world of entertainment and the friendship of my peers.

    It was a period of solitude and recovery, where even the thought of watching my group members on stage or tuning into any broadcast felt overwhelmingly daunting.

    Yet, as I gradually embraced my new role as a trainer and started to immerse myself in the world of entertainment once again, I did hear the buzz around the <i>Graduating</i> show. It was a project that soared in poprity thanks to its talented crew and captivating casts.

    The non-celebrity participants also managed to carve out their own niches in the public eye, long after the show''s conclusion.

    But there was more to it. A niggling negative memory seemed to linger on the fringes of my mind. ¡°Hmm..."

    <i>¡®What was it exactly?¡¯</i>

    The more I pondered, the more blurry the details became. My focus back then had been solely on survival, on honing my skills as a trainer, so I had only watched choreography practice videos of idol groups or news rted to them, paying very little attention to anything beyond the immediate needs of my role.

    Yet, I vaguely remembered the echoes of a scandal that was tied to the show.

    Of course, appearing on a popr show was great. Even if problems aroseter, as long as we did our job well, we shouldn''t be affected. However, it was best to be cautious.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you''ve been out of ittely. Is something on your mind? You seem so nk these days." Yoo-Joon''s voice was tinged with concern, breaking my train of thought. He frowned and lightly punched my back.

    I just red at him yfully and chuckled, ¡°You can just say that you are concerned about me, dude.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled as well and took the lead. ¡°What? I am not concerned at all.¡±

    We headed back to the Chronos practice room, where the discussions from the earlier meeting with the leader and main dancers had borne fruit. Their conclusion set the stage for our next steps.

    Despite our decision to not perform on stage together and only switch songs, Renewal and we still managed to squeeze in some joint practice sessions. These sessions were crucial, especially for those moments when the songs transitioned¡ªa mere fifteen seconds where precision was key.

    Today was another day ted for such a coboration with Renewal. As I walked into the practice room, Yoon-Chan was the first to greet us with a warm smile. ¡°Hey, you guys made it, hyungs!"

    His greeting prompted nods and hellos from the other members and even the seniors from Renewal. ¡°d you could join us.¡±

    ¡°Sorry for the dy," we apologized, even though we didn¡¯t intend to bete.

    Eun-Sae reassured us, ¡°No worries, you are just in time. We were on a break anyway."

    We found a spot to settle down among the others after cing our bags on the floor.

    With the performance just two days away, every moment and breaks were potential practice opportunities. Right now, Eun-Ji, the rapper of Renewal, was deep in her own world, practicing for her part of the joint stage.

    Jin-Sung couldn''t hide his admiration. ¡°Seriously, you are just awesome, senior." His enthusiasm reminded me of the time he got hooked on Kim Jin-Wook''s rap in ¡°Once Again.¡±

    Jin-Sung mightbel himself strictly as a dancer, but it was clear he had a soft spot for rap too.

    Beyond Jin-Sung''s personal growth, our practice and shared stages with Renewal proved to be a goldmine of benefits. Renewal''s tracks were always chart-toppers, giving us plenty of material to work with.

    Direct practice with their songs highlighted the distinct differences between Renewal and Chronos''s styles, broadening our musical horizons and offering rich learning experiences. For instance, Joo-Han''s creative range broadened with exposure to new styles, and both Yoo-Joon and I saw significant improvements in our vocal abilities, tackling Renewal''s vocally challenging songs.

    ¡°Hey, I brought you some water.¡±

    ¡°Ah, thanks.¡± I took the warm bottle.

    Diving into Renewal''s repertoire had unexpectedly unlocked new vocal heights for me. The first time I hit those high notes wlessly, thanks to Elisia''s guidance, even the practice session came to a halt. Everyone''s eyes widened in surprise as if I had just unveiled a hidden talent. Seeing their reaction, I couldn''t help but bask in that moment of glory.

    ¡°Time to get back to practice," Joo-Han announced as he returned from a brief discussion with the agency staff. Immediately, the room''s energy shifted as we all prepared to dive back into the grind.

    ***

    It was December 31st, the final day of the year and the day of our performance. I gently shook Jin-Sung awake from his semi-slumber beside me to review the rehearsal footage.

    Given that UNET''s year-end awards were practically our home ground, Chronos was entrusted with significant parts of the show. We were to open the first part with a joint stage with Renewal, and then Chronos would close it. This ensured we were in a continuous loop of rehearsals since the early morning, which caused intense tension in us.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, have you heard?" asked the stylist as she dabbed red eyeshadow under my eyes.

    ¡°Heard what?" I asked back while catching her reflection in the mirror.

    ¡°Your duet with Yoo-Joon is all the rage on social media.¡±

    I had heard snippets from the manager but hadn''t had the chance to delve into it. ¡°Manager Su-Hwan usually isn''t one for social media, but he keeps tabs on this stuff, huh?"

    After our live rendition of "Christmas is Ours," the hashtag ¡°#Christmas_is_for_besties¡± reportedly took <i>BlueBird</i> by storm. Joo-Han''s concept was well-received, so I had anticipated this reaction. However, we couldn¡¯t afford to check it due to our packed rehearsal schedule.

    But that wasn''t the problem.

    ¡°Um, noona," I hesitated, "isn''t that a bit too much makeup?"

    ¡°Huh?¡± She paused, inspected my reflection, and then shrugged off my concern. ¡°No, this is the look we are going for. It''s an old trend¡ªhangover makeup¡ªmeant to match the dreamy vibe Renewal had for their ¡°Red Sun¡± stage."

    To me, it seemed a bit excessive, but I trusted her expertise fully.

    "<i>Sigh</i>... I hope our next concept is moreid-back. It was super hard toe up with all these outfits." The stylist looked drained, so I didn''t press further.

    Our attire involved ck leather pants, an overly baggy ck shirt, a thin choker, and an armful of bracelets. It was a bit too intense for my taste.

    ¡°Is Chronos ready?" A staff member popped in to check on us for the opening.

    ¡°Yes!" we responded in unison, and I set aside the manager''s phone that I used to monitor our rehearsal clips.

    Just before the opening, the corridor of the broadcasting station was several times noisier than before. As we headed toward the stage, we could hear the excited voices of the audience and the announcements.

    When we arrived backstage, all the eyes of Renewal and the staff who had arrived earlier were on us.

    ¡°Chronos has arrived!" One of the production team members announced through a walkie-talkie and approached us. ¡°The show will start in five minutes. It might be a bit noisy at first, but it will settle down once the stage starts, so don''t be too nervous and just focus on your performance.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°Please move behind the ckout curtain."

    We exchanged nces with our manager and moved toward the curtain. Joo-Han then gathered our hands to the center. ¡°First off, Hyun-Woo, you know you are allowed to move, but you still need to be careful, okay?"

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°All of you, don''t forget that if you get injured here, it will dy oureback. Let''s all be really careful on stage today."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, make sure to handle your high notes well, and the rest of you, pay attention to the live performance. You felt how raw the mic sound is here during rehearsal, right?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Alright, everyone!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s nail this!¡±

    ¡°Yay!¡±

    The sound signaling the start of the performance echoed out, and themotion in the hall instantly turned into cheers. Soon, there was a ckout, and therge screen on the main stage turned ck as well.

    As each group had its own stage, both Chronos and Renewal agreed to include spoilers for ourebacks in this joint performance. Our spoiler was right there. On the ck screen, three sentences appeared one by one and then slowly faded away.

    <i>Wee to your enrollment.</i>

    <i>Warning:</i>

    <i>Ignore him.</i>

    ¡°Chronos, please enter," whispered a staff member standing by the curtain while pulling the curtain aside for us. As we quietly made our way onto the stage along with the dancers, a new challenge "Red Sun¡± started.

 Chapter 162: End-of-Year Stage (32)

    <h4>Chapter 162: End-of-Year Stage (32)</h4>

    <i>Da-dum. Da-dum.</i>

    A thunderous drumbeat resonated, filling the auditorium andmanding attention as it signaled the beginning of the stage performance. Then, the solitary sound of an ocarina pierced through the silence, its mncholic melody weaving through the air like a haunting echo from an ancient civilization hidden deep within the forest.

    Though significantly condensed and arranged, the ocarina was delicately performing the chorus of "Red Sun." Despite being the only instrument yed, its sound magnified the grandeur of the moment.

    At the center of the stage stood a grand pocket watch, its pendulum swinging back and forth.

    <i>Tik tok. Tik tok.</i>

    This simple motion stretched the moment, weaving an atmosphere thick with eerie anticipation. Without a doubt, this sensation was amplified by the sinister undertones of the message that had previously appeared on the screen. ¡°Congrattions on your enrollment.¡±

    And soon...

    ¡°Kyaaaaak!¡±

    Under the central stage''s towering pocket watch, Suh Hyun-Woo of Chronos emerged and cast a silhouette thatmanded the spotlight. The audience''s anticipation crescendoed into a wave of cheers as the artist revealed himself and stood solemnly at the stage''s heart.

    ¡°Holy cow!!! Suh Hyun-Woo!!! Hyun-Woo is standing there!!! Fucking standing over there!!!¡±

    Amidst the fervor, Kim Go-Ri shook Park Go-Ri¡¯s shoulders in a frenzy manner. Her cheer resonated through the crowd, celebrating Suh Hyun-Woo''s upright stance. It was a stark contrast to his previously seated performances as it marked a momentous asion for the Rings.

    Suh Hyun-Woo was bathed in a crimson spotlight and remained still like a statue, his eyes shut in serene contemtion. The audience''s cheers transitioned to a hushed awe as they focused intently on him.

    Then, a close-up of Suh Hyun-Woo''s face filled the screen. He gently opened his eyes, and the gray lenses he wore shimmered mysteriously under the red illumination, crafting an atmosphere that bordered on the ethereal.

    The brief silence in the auditorium was shattered as cheers erupted again, with whispers of admiration for his striking visuals and the unprecedented grandeur of the opening filling the air.

    ¡°How can a human being be that gorgeous?"

    ¡°This opening is legendary. Insane."

    ¡°I seriously want to kiss him..." The murmurs spread like wildfire, highlighting the fact that the spectacle had barely begun.

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s mere act of opening his eyes had set the fans'' hearts racing, and their adoration pierced through the ceiling.

    At the same time, the sound of a grandfather clock chiming midnight enveloped the stage, and the lights illuminating Suh Hyun-Woo slowly dimmed. As darkness engulfed the stage, a crimson moon ascended on therge screen. The clock''s second hand eerily reversed from midnight, reminiscent of a scene from the previous ¡°Parade¡± stage.

    As light graced the main stage again, the haunting intro of "Red Sun" started. Chronos sent out their two intro maestros¡ªSuh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon, who were known for their deep andmanding vocal tones.

    Goh Yoo-Joon took off his ck leather gloves with a stoic expression and then strode forward.

    <i>The crimson moon has risen high,</i>

    <i>It''s time for the ritual to begin</i>?

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s chilling gaze, impably tailored suit, and leather gloves painted the picture of a man on the brink of a dangerous endeavor. Park Yoon-Chan followed his footsteps in the back with an attire a stark contrast to Goh Yoo-Joon''s all-ck ensemble. Yoon-Chan was d in a pristine white silk shirt, standing out against the dark backdrop.

    <i>Offer up the sacrifice, thrust the dagger into me</i>

    <i>Ah, I feel it now</i>

    <i>Under the crimson moon, we make our vow</i>

    <i>Now you and I are bound, forever intertwined</i>?

    Beside Park Yoon-Chan stood a masked dancer, her arm extended toward him. Park Yoon-Chan interlocked fingers with hers with a gentle tug, only for Kang Joo-Han to take her ce upon her departure.

    <i>Don''t even think of escape</i>

    <i>You will return to my side again</i>?

    Kang Joo-Han whispered with a gentle lean on the approaching dancer''s shoulder.

    <i>I love you</i>?

    The chorus started, and as the crimson moon on the screen swiftly receded and vanished, the stage was awash with light.

    Suh Hyun-Woo had now taken his ce among the members on the main stage. The reinterpretation of "Red Sun" unfolded into Chronos''s signature group dance, and it was a spectacle of coordination and grace.

    <i>The sad ending has alreadymenced</i>

    <i>Our fate is sealed, it''s evident</i>

    <i>We advance toward a tragic conclusion</i>

    <i>Let''s run to it</i>

    <i>I''m ready, with you by my side, even this can be our happy ending</i>?

    A dancer took her position next to Suh Hyun-Woo, her movements guiding him as their faces drew closer, drawn in by her lead. As Suh Hyun-Woo gracefully stepped aside, Lee Jin-Sung took the center spot and extended his hand, revealing a small pocket watch that swayed back and forth.

    <i>I cast a spell</i>

    <i>Red Sun, Red Sun</i>

    <i>This is our happy ending</i>

    <i>Red Sun, Red Sun</i>

    <i>There''s no tragedy in sight</i>?

    Lee Jin-Sung''s drowsy eyelids captivated the audience, pulling them deeper into the song''s mesmerizing narrative. This performance transcended the concept of mere covers. After the chorus, he remained standing at the center, harmoniously blending with the male dancers while the others took steps back into the background.

    <i>This is all just my fantasy,</i>

    <i>When the crimson moon fades away,</i>

    <i>This too shall vanish into the day</i>?

    It was the rap part, a piece Lee Jin-Sung had devotedly mastered through endless practice sessions. Each note dripped with genuine admiration, and his rap flowed effortlessly¡ªthe result of countless hours of passionate practice. The audience couldn''t help but marvel at how his voice and rap skills had matured, enough to swell the Rings with pride.

    Lee Jin-Sung took a bold step forward,manding the space as the distance between the surrounding dancers narrowed. Meanwhile, the members standing at the back positioned themselves to move forward soon.

    Suh Hyun-Woo burst out from between the tightly packed dancers and stood behind Lee Jin-Sung.

    <i>I don''t think it''s wrong</i>

    <i>I cover your eyes and your mouth</i>?

    Suh Hyun-Woo had been a shadow behind Lee Jin-Sung and mirrored his every move with grace. But now, he took his ce by Jin-Sung''s side as he stepped forward as an equal.

    Their eyes locked, looking like a silent conversation in the midst of the storm. Jin-Sung then untied the red string from his wrist with a gentle sweep of his hand and tied it around Suh Hyun-Woo''s wrist with a gesture filled with unspoken narratives.

    <i>To make you believe</i>

    <i>This is love</i>?

    This act of binding with a red string was a scene performed by Eun-Ji and Eun-Sae, the rap duo of the Renewal. The poprity of this part was such that fans had curated entireptions of these moments into a clip.

    Therefore, Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung reluctantly practiced this iconic gesture under Kang Joo-Han''s directive. After all, it was a piece of choreography synonymous with "Red Sun" itself¡ªtoo precious to be omitted. As expected, the audience''s enthusiastic response validated every moment spent in their practice.

    Chronos performed the second verse of "Red Sun" smoothly. After oveing the important part, they were now approaching the climax¡ªthe ultimate challenge that "Red Sun" presented.

    As Lee Jin-Sung led the final dance break, Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon exchanged a charged nce from the wings. Their anxiety was palpable, a silent bond of mutual encouragement. And as the dance break crescendoed, they leaped forward in unison.

    <i>This is all just my fantasy,</i>

    <i>When the crimson moon fades away,</i>

    <i>This too shall vanish into the day</i>?

    The climax of "Red Sun" started with an exquisite harmony between two voices, and the sheer intensity of these high notes was bolstered by the impable depth of Goh Yoo-Joon''s bass. Even the seasoned Rings, who were very familiar with Chronos, were taken aback by the raw emotion and skill on disy.

    Then, the dyed cheers outburst and filled the venue.

    ¡°Wow!!!" The crowd erupted, their voices a blend of awe and admiration. How did such talent remain hidden beneath the group''s dance-centric persona? The Rings, in particr, were overwhelmed with a mix of pride and a touch of frustration.

    <i>¡®Why has this talent been kept under wraps, only to be unveiled through a cover?¡¯</i>

    As the euphoria of the high notes subsided, Kang Joo-Han took center stage.

    ¡°Oh my gosh!!! Center stage for Joo-Han!!!" The slip by Park Go-Ri went unnoticed as it was lost in the unfolding spectacle.

    <i>The scars disappear</i>

    <i>The tragedy disappears</i>

    <i>You disappear</i>

    <i>I cast the spell so that nothing vanishes</i>

    <i>Red Sun, Red Sun</i>?

    As Kang Joo-Han whispered the final notes, the camera zoomed into his face and captured a moment of introspective closure before the darkness imed the stage. Joo-Han locked his eyes with the camera lens and slowly closed them.

    As the lights went out, the ¡°Red Sun¡± performance came to an end. A huge cheer erupted as expected, but the end of "Red Sun" was not the end of the story.

    The lights flickered back on as the audience caught on to the hint that more was toe. The stage remained empty, save for the members of Chronos standing like sentinels, hinting at a story yet untold.

    After that, the opening notes of ¡°Chronos" echoed through the air, a subtle shift from the ocarina''sment to the xylophone''s hopeful chime. The audience''s anticipation grew, with Renewal¡¯s male fans eagerly awaiting the next stage.

    As the members of Renewal made their entrance, a seamless transition unfolded. The Chronos members stepped aside, gracefully making way for Renewal. Once the Renewal members formed up in the center, Chronos returned to stand beside them.

    The sound of the xylophone faded away, reced by a richer blend of instrumental sounds. The apaniments of "Red Sun" and "Chronos" intermingled harmoniously, creating a unified soundscape. Both groups synchronized their movements to this fusion, engaging in a light dance. Then, as Chronos exited, the stage was set for Renewal''s "Chronos" performance.

    ***

    ¡°Great job everyone!"

    The "Red Sun" performance had concluded. <i>Phew</i>, that was exhausting. I thought I was going to suffocate holding my breath until thest dance, especially with the mic still on.

    We sprawled out backstage for a brief rest before heading to the dressing room. UNET then asked us to quickly change outfits and return to the artist''s stage.

    As soon as we entered the dressing room, even the manager was mobilized, helping the staff to dry our hair and touch up our makeup. I struggled out of my leather pants, which clung to me because of the sweat. Then, I changed into a suit.

    ¡°We are heading out!"

    Amid the chaos, the manager''s voice rang out. We hurried off to the artist seats, still trying to catch our breath.

    The stage for Allure was next, followed by our performance for the first part''s finale. I could tell that today would be extremely tiring.

    Trantor¡¯s note: Tranting this book takes me right back to my days of being a hardcore EXO fan (yep, that iconic K-pop group from the 2010s!). I was totally obsessed with them for a good year. Eventually, I had to dial it back to focus on my preparation for college, haha. I remember going to all their music shows, armed with slogans and surrounded by my friends. Good old days! By the way, my favorite member was (and still is) Suho :)

 Chapter 163: End-of-Year Stage (33)

    <h4>Chapter 163: End-of-Year Stage (33)</h4>

    I didn¡¯t know for sure, but some said that the Allure members had gone all out cheering for us during thest SES year-end performance. Apparently, even the Perfume (the name of Allure''s fan club) went overboard in their support for us, to the point they might''ve been a tad embarrassed by their own fervor.

    After receiving such an enthusiastic response from our seniors, how could we not reciprocate? So, we joined in the fun too.

    ¡°Hyung, ''milky skin'' is a phrase I haven''t seen in ages. You are rocking it."

    ¡°Are you teasing me? Is ''milky skin'' considered old-fashioned now?"

    ¡°Yep." Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but snicker at the phrase Joo-Han had on his phone. The screen was lit up with the neon words ''Milky skin, Kim Da-Win''.

    Besides that, there were the cheesy slogans and Allure lightsticks that the staff whipped up again. Our gear was pretty much the same as what the Perfume had in the opposite stands.

    "I wonder if the hyungs can see us from here,¡± I pondered out loud while fastening a headband around my forehead that read ¡°Sae-Yeon, you are a poison in my heart that makes me nonstop loving you. - By your favorite stylist noona.¡±

    Yoon-Chan, who had been holding onto a slogan like it was his lifeline, nced toward the stage and nodded. ¡°Yeah, they can see us. Caught a glimpse earlier, and we seemed pretty visible, hyung."

    ¡°Good to know." I touched the headband on my forehead and let out a hollowugh. Seriously, how much fanboying did the Allure members do that we even ended up with headbands? The constantughter from the Rings watching us was proof of their amusement.

    ¡°I think our staff went a bit overboard with the prep?" As I voiced my thoughts, Jin-Sung shook his head.

    ¡°Nope, hyung. I heard Senior Tucan went as far as sticking tissues under his eyes to mimic tears."

    ¡°...Spectacr, no, really, it''s touching."

    <i>¡®What in the world, hyungs...¡¯</i>

    It crossed my mind that even the Perfume might think it was a bit much. Just then, Joo-Han got us all to quiet down with a wave. ¡°It''s about to start."

    The hall went dark. Soon, the sound of a ship''s bell filled the air.

    As Allure''s stage was underway, we grabbed our lightsticks with the resolve of warriors stepping onto a battlefield, our expressions so intense that the cameras zoomed in on us right away. From the first part to the second, the third, and then the climax, we shook our lightsticks until our arms ached, dancing and cheering our hearts out.

    Honestly, we weren¡¯t doing this just because they were our direct seniors, and this wasn''t just lip service. They genuinely killed it. Their vocals were spot-on, and they totally nailed the dance breaks. Could this be the legendary performance of the awards? I couldn''t be prouder of them. What started as obligatory cheering turned into genuine support, filling us with pride.

    By the end of Allure''s performance, we were gasping for breath too. The Allure members gave us a thumbs-up as they left the stage.

    Then it was time for our stage, the finale of the first part.

    ¡°Don''t fall for him.¡±

    We rolled into our performance with this teaser for our next album. "History" and "Parade" then unfolded one after the other, as the stage bloomed with pastel flowers, swirling petals, and a host of trainees and dancers.

    By the time UNET''s performance came around, YMM had spent all the budget on the two teams'' year-end stages, so there were no grand structures. Instead, the performance focused on maximizing the dance and visual effects of the members. The intense dance and live vocals left us breathless, but more than feeling exhausted, I was relieved, thinking,<i> ''Ah, the year-end performances are finally over. We survived.''</i>

    It had been a grueling period for all the members, with sleepless nights and injuries.

    The first part ended without a hitch. Even after we winded down in the dressing room and headed back into the venue, the broadcast staff we passed by kept giving us these smiles.

    ¡°What did we do?" Jin-Sung murmured with a puzzled look. No one had an answer to his question, myself included, since I was clueless about the reason behind their mysterious smiles.

    Why were they all acting like that? Walking down the corridor while lost in thought, I suddenly remembered the lineup for the awards ceremony¡¯s second part. The second part was all about the awards, including the Rookie of the Year award, for which we were nominees. The award would be presented soon... and the expressions of the production team...

    The moment I realized that, a sense of anticipation started to simmer in my mind.

    <i>¡®Could it be that we are actually snagging an award tonight?¡¯</i>

    UNET''s award ceremonies always buzzed with controversies, so I didn¡¯t let my hopes climb too high. However, no matter how many times I thought about it, hadn''t Chronos been the darling of UNET ever since our triumphant win on <i>Pick We Up</i>?

    A knowing smile simr to those on the faces of the production crew started to creep across my face.

    ¡°Who got you smiling like that, hyung?"

    ¡°Eh? Oh, nothing. Just spotted Goh Yoo-Joon''s undone shoce." I pointed toward Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoe, trying to brush off the question, which only made him turn around and shoot me an annoyed look.

    ¡°Why bring that up only now? Seriously?"

    ¡°I just noticed it myself."

    To be honest, I had spotted it earlier but had been too wrapped up in my thoughts to mention it. I said in a teasing tone, ¡°Do you need help tying it?"

    ¡°That''s alright. Your back has been acting up anyway." Goh Yoo-Joon crouched down to fix his shoce with a bit of a grumble.

    We made our way back into the venue and settled into our seats, waving hands at Rings who told us how impressed they were with our stages, while the screen yed a few ads from the award sponsors.

    Soon after, the energy in the room ramped up as the second part kicked off with an electrifying performance by High Tension.

    - And now, we will present the Rookie of the Year Award. Please wee the esteemed actors Yoon Sae-Yi and Woon Ji-Hyuk.

    Immediately after the vibrant performance, the presentation for the Rookie of the Year Award appeared. The presenters, dressed to the nines in their elegant suits and gowns, engaged in stilted small talk. Then, they carefully avoided eye contact before turning their attention forward.

    ¡°Let''s take a moment to meet the nominees of UNET Global Music Awards'' Rookie of the Year."

    As Yoon Sae-Yi announced, the stage lights dimmed, and the screen lit up, showcasing a montage of this year''s contenders, with a brief spotlight on each nominee sitting in the artist section.

    The lineup was formidable, featuring Chronos, High Tension, Street Center, and several other groups that had made a mark since their debut.

    ¡°Wow, the nominees this year are truly impressive."

    ¡°Indeed. It has been a year of hard work for everyone. If only we could award each one of you."

    Woon Ji-Hyuk''s remark elicited a mixed bag of reactions from the crowd, with some fans vocally opposing the idea of a shared award with shouts of ¡°No way!¡± and ¡°You''ve got to be kidding! After all the hard work?¡±

    Caught off guard by the audience''s passionate response, Woon Ji-Hyuk momentarily lost hisposure before continuing, ¡°And the most beloved rookie of the year goes to..."

    My mouth felt dry, and a whirlwind of thoughts tormented me. The year''s efforts, those mysterious looks from the crew, and the nagging doubt about why I hadn''t anticipated this moment continually crossed my mind.

    <i>¡®Ah, it''s okay. Winning would be great, but it''s not the end of the world if we don''t.''</i>

    However, why was my throat so parched?

    I tried to muster a casual smile, but it ended up more like a cringe. I simply looked at the presenters and heard the background noise disappear.

    ¡°Congrattions, Chronos." With Yoon Sae-Yi''s calm deration, our track ¡°Parade¡± echoed through the venue, setting off a thunderous cheer from the Rings.

    ¡°Seriously? Is it really us? Did we actually win?"

    UNET''s Rookie of the Year wasn''t just any award. It was thebination of digital sales and album sess for both male and female categories, making it a singr, coveted prize.

    Given it was UNET, people had expected the award to be given to powerhouse idol groups from major agencies. Thus, we probably looked a bit dazed to the onlookers as we hesitantly rose to ept the honor.

    Once on stage, the three of us let Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon take the lead with the microphone, stepping back to give them the floor.

    ¡°Two, three! Hello, we are Chronos!"

    ¡°Waaaaaah!¡±

    ¡°Kyaaaak!¡±

    ¡°Uh... thank you so, so much."

    It had been a while since I''d seen Joo-Han look so utterly bewildered. ¡°Wow... The Rookie of the Year... Oh, gosh... First off, a massive thank you to UNET Music Awards and everyone involved for giving us the chance to showcase our talents on such an incredible stage."

    Joo-Han started off by expressing our gratitude toward UNET, listing all those who had been instrumental in our journey thus far.

    As we watched him with mixed emotion, Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in, ¡°And most importantly, to our delightful Rings who always support us despite our ws and believe in us unconditionally... How can we ever repay such kindness? We are profoundly grateful for this significant award and love you all deeply."

    We bowed deeply with our hearts full of gratitude, as we wrapped up our speech.

    To be graced with the Rookie of the Year award¡ªa once-in-a-lifetime honor for any artist¡ªwas a moment of immense pride and joy for us.

    The evening continued with a flurry of awards and performances, leading up to the much-anticipated finale of the UNET Awards.

    ¡°Let''s begin the countdown!"

    All artists gathered on stage, joining in the countdown projected on the screen.

    ¡°Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!¡±

    ¡°Happy New Year!" The cheer and fireworks outburst filled the space. This was one of the most vibrant and exhrating New Years I had ever experienced.

    ¡°For those artists who''ve just turned twenty[1] this year!"

    Prompted by the MC''s call, Goh Yoo-Joon and I shared our aspirations and wishes along with other newly adult artists.

    ¡°What''s on your wishlist, Yoo-Joon?"

    ¡°I''d love to...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon ced his hand on my shoulder with a mischievous glint in his eye.

    ¡°I''m looking forward to having a drink with this guy right here!"

    ¡°Ah, sharing a drink with a friend uponing of age, that''s the spirit! And you, Hyun-Woo? What are you yearning for?"

    ¡°I''d like to..." After a brief pause, I found my words. ¡°First off, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my parents, and yes, I''m also down to share a drink with Yoo-Joon. We''ve got ns to make that happen tonight."

    ¡°Fantastic! I hope Chronos has a cozy and memorable start to the New Year."

    With that, the MC gathered the thoughts of all the newly adult artists and concluded their part. ¡°With a heavy heart, we bring the UNET Awards to a close. May everyone have a joyful and prosperous year ahead! Thank you for being with us."

    And just like that, Chronos sessfully rounded off our first end-of-year stage rotation.

    ***

    Back in our dorm, Goh Yoo-Joon and I quickly washed up and gathered in the living room. Despite the exhaustion from the day''s performances, none of us directly fell asleep, all eagerly awaiting Joo-Han and the manager''s return from the convenience store.

    Buzzing with the energy of a kid on Christmas morning, Goh Yoo-Joon was all smiles as he watched TV.

    ¡°Hey, wipe that goofy grin off your face. You look ridiculous."

    ¡°Aren''t you excited at all?"

    I shook my head, trying to maintain a serious demeanor. Excited? For what? It was not like it was my first day being an adult.

    At that moment, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung emerged from their room, proudly brandishing something in their hands. Before me were two hand-drawn paper cards,plete withical renditions of Goh Yoo-Joon and me, plus our names and ages.

    ¡°What''s this all about?" I asked.

    Yoon-Chan responded to my question, ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung asked us to whip these up earlier."

    I turned to Goh Yoo-Joon for rification. ¡°And what are these for, exactly?"

    ¡°These," Goh Yoo-Joon exined, "are for thememorative video we are shootingter. It''s for posting on <i>BlueBird</i>, but we can''t show our real IDs. So, I had the younger ones craft these paper versions."

    Ah, so they were mock IDs. Suppressing a chuckle, I took the paper ID from Jin-Sung''s hand.

    Just then, the sound of the door unlocking rang out, indicating the arrival of Joo-Han and the manager.

    ¡°Hey, we are back. Have you guys started filming yet?" Joo-Han asked with a hint of impatience while standing at the doorway with a bag in hand.

    The manager didn¡¯t skip a beat and breezed past Joo-Han. He then went into the dorm and started capturing the moment with his phone. Seizing the moment, Goh Yoo-Joon pulled me to my feet with confidence and then proceeded to stick the paper ID to my forehead.

    ¡°...What is this for?"

    ¡°Make sure you get this, Su-Hwan hyung." Goh Yoo-Joon directed the manager as he ced his own paper ID on his forehead. After that, in a sudden burst of theatrics, he executed a forward roll toward Joo-Han, who stood at the entrance.

    ¡°Oh, esteemed hyung! My dear, dear hyung!"

    ¡°Yes, my friend.¡± Joo-Han, unable to contain his amusement at their role-y, let out a chuckle and pulled a green bottle from the bag.

    ¡°Ah, behold! Is this the famed soju, dear hyung?"

    ¡°Indeed, this is the legendary soju."

    What was unfolding felt like a nonsense y. Goh Yoo-Joon tenderly stroked the bottle in Joo-Han''s hands as if it were a precious artifact, and Joo-Han dove wholeheartedly into the act as he thoroughly enjoyed the moment.

    ¡°Ah, I can¡¯t believe this dude is my friend.¡±

    My sigh was met withughter from the younger members behind me. That was when Goh Yoo-Joon spun around to face me, his voiceced with eagerness. ¡°Come on over, Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Do I need to somersault too?" My question included a mix of confusion and reluctance, and it was met with a shake of Goh Yoo-Joon''s head.

    ¡°Juste here."

    I felt a bit awkward but ended up walking over and kneeling before Joo-Han.

    ¡°My favorite hyung in the world.¡±

    ¡°Yes, my dear brother, this is the essence of soju."

    It was a quirky celebration for ouring of age. Apparently, the new trend was to wait until the clock struck midnight and then do a somersault into a convenience store with ID in hand to buy alcohol. Since that was out of the question for us, we were reenacting the ritual in thefort of our dorm.

    Joo-Han was caught up in the thrill and yfully teased us before handing the soju over to Goh Yoo-Joon with a dramatic gesture.

    ¡°Whoa!" Goh Yoo-Joon''s reaction was an over-the-top disy of excitement as he took the bottle.

    <i>Ding!</i>

    And with that sound, the video recording came to an end.

    ¡°All right, that''s a wrap. Yoo-Joon, hand over the soju, please."

    Unfortunately, Goh Yoo-Joon had to relinquish the soju bottle he had just gotten as soon as the recording stopped.

    He looked down at his empty hands, a tinge of longing in his gaze. ¡°When can we actually have a drink?"

    ¡°After the album concept photo shoot is over."

    The next schedule was already lined up, following the year-end stage. With a crucial photo shoot looming, where singers often refrained from drinking water to not look bloated, the idea of indulging in alcohol seemed out of ce. Especially for a member who had yet to experience alcohol and was unaware of his limits.

    Despite his disappointment, Goh Yoo-Joonplied and set the soju bottle down gently. Our nned drinking session was thus postponed until after the photo shoot in two days.

    ***

    ¡°Hyun-Woo¡¯s tinum blonde hair has been such a hit. We''ve got to capture it in photos before we change it up."

    The hair designer''s suggestion instantly had me pulling a face. ¡°Touching up the roots is such a hassle."

    ¡°It''s something we had to do anyway."

    I had harbored hopes of having ck hair, given the school theme, but we settled on apromise of light brown. Yet, for today, I remained tinum blonde.

    ¡°Don''t worry, Hyun-Woo. Toning it down won''t be as tough as lightening the color."

    ¡°Sure. I am all good." I managed a smile by gently pressing against my tender scalp.

    ¡°Is everyone ready? Let''s head down." Prompted by the manager''s words, we exited the salon and made our way to the parked car.

    ¡°It''s kind of nice wearing this after so long." Once seated in the car, Jin-Sung fondly adjusted his suit, feeling a touch of nostalgia.

    As the car pulled away, we headed not for a school-themed shoot but a reenactment of the ¡°Parade¡± concept. This album was set to unveil a part of Chronos''s story, delving into the past era depicted in the music video of ¡°Parade.¡± To capture both past and present, we decided on a dual concept: Type A for the school theme and Type B for a ¡°Parade¡± reenactment. Today was all about Type B.

    The set and costumes were slightly updated, a tad more refined than during the previous ¡°Parade¡± shoot. The ambiance wasrgely simr, but my starkly tinum blonde hair marked a significant change. The other members, too, donned updated versions of their ¡°Parade¡± outfits, each adding a fresh twist to their look.

    ¡°Hello! We are Chronos! Thank you in advance for your hard work!"

    ¡°Always a pleasure to see such energy. We are counting on you today."

    ¡°Have you guys grown even more handsome? Must be all that broadcast studio water you''ve been drinking."

    ¡°Hahaha, thank you."

    Arriving on set, we exchanged warm greetings with the staff and were greeted by the familiarly off-set section and the ever-present behind-the-scenes camera. This scene was all too familiar.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you are up first for the shoot."

    ¡°Alright!" Without a moment to mentally prepare, the shoot started right away.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, you will be watching from here."

    ¡°Go for it, hyung!" Cheered on by my fellow members, I headed to the set with the staff.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, do you remember the expression you had at the end of the music video? Just like that."

    ¡°Got it!" I responded energetically to the director''s instructions and made my way to my set.

    My set was...

    ¡°...<i>Sigh</i>."

    This was it... the bed bathed in purple lighting. I tried to hide the sinking feeling in my chest as Iy down.

    ¡°Let''s begin. Hyun-Woo, rx your face! Look a bit sleepy. Perfect."

    I slightly lowered my eyelids and turned my head to face the camera.

    <i>Click!</i>

    The warm glow of the lights signaled the start of the shoot.

    1. In the Korean age system, everyone is considered one year old at birth and gains another year every January 1st, regardless of their actual birth date. ?

 Chapter 164: Joy (1)

    <h4>Chapter 164: Joy (1)</h4>

    Despite the repetitive nature of the poses and the familiarity of the set, the Type B concept photo shoot concluded swiftly, thanks to our prior rehearsal in the same setup. Kicking off with me, each member wrapped up their shoots in turn, except for Yoon-Chan who had an outdoor shoot.

    For the uing Type A shoot, my hair changed to a light brown hue, and I hopped into the vehicle destined for the next location along with my fellow members, excluding Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°We are heading out now."

    ¡°What about Yoon-Chan?"

    ¡°He is already at the site with the road manager. Yoon-Chan''s shoot location is conveniently near where we are headed for Type A."

    The manager sensed the crunch for time and briskly ushered us into the car with an air of urgency.

    ¡°Man, I''m drained. Seriously... I can barely keep my eyes open."

    Jin-Sung''s struggle to keep his eyes open was promptly interrupted by Joo-Han, who quickly steered Jin-Sung''s hands away from his face.

    ¡°Try to stay awake, buddy. Also, don''t rub your eyes. You will ruin the makeup and get scolded by the stylist noona."

    ¡°Alright..." Jin-Sung would typically brim with energy at the prospect of wearing stylish attire, but he was on the brink of sumbing to sleep now.

    It wasn''t just Jin-Sung; all of us were teetering on the edge of exhaustion. It was a stroke of luck that we hadn''t indulged in alcohol, given that the whirlwind of year-end performances and ensuing rxation had drained our energy.

    ¡°We''ve arrived."

    ¡°Wow, it feels like ages since I''ve been here." Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but express his awe as he stepped out of the car.

    The schoolyard on a weekend, without any students, served as our backdrop. There was something inexplicablyforting and nostalgic about returning to a school environment after such a long time.

    ¡°Feeling the yground sand under my feet after so long is oddly nostalgic, isn''t it, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Yeah, it''s surprisingly heartwarming."

    There was a distinct ambiance and scent that schools possessed. I used to dread the daily routine as a student, but now, I wondered why I was ever so averse to it. Theck of school-rted memories now seemed like a missed opportunity.

    ¡°Let''s change into our outfits and get started with the shoot. This way, Chronos."

    We followed the stylists and ventured inside the school. Since the school was a sizable private institution, it was equipped with multiple changing rooms, which offered a more convenient setup for outfit changes than the studio we used for the Type B shoot.

    We dressed up inplete school uniforms, a simple ck set... or maybe, a charcoal-colored uniform offset by the Chronos emblem adorning the chest pocket.

    ¡°These uniforms are more ufortable than I remembered," Joo-Han remarked, adjusting his sleeves.

    On the other hand, Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, who were still in their school-going years, appeared quite at ease. However, the difort was apparent to me. Even regr uniforms were a hassle, but these were tailored even tighter for aesthetics.

    ¡°Let''s head out." As we emerged in our uniforms, the waiting behind-the-scenes camera started documenting our movements.

    Goh Yoo-Joon said naturally, ¡°Wearing a school uniform after such a long time brings back a flood of memories, yeah?"

    ¡°It''s a mix of familiarity and difort."

    ¡°Jin-Sung was even seen dancing in his uniform back in the changing room. The energy of a teenager is something else."

    After a brief exchange, the camera shifted its focus to Joo-Han. The stylists had taken great care to ensure each of us brought a unique vibe to the shoot by tweaking our hairstyles and customizing our uniforms. For instance, Goh Yoo-Joon opted for a more rxed look, while I wore my shirt with the top buttons undone.

    Yoon-Chan went for the full ensemble,plete with a tie. Jin-Sung paired his shirt with just a vest. Joo-Han, on the other hand, selected a casual cardigan toyer over his shirt, adding aid-back touch to his outfit.

    ¡°We will start with individual shots, beginning with Joo-Han."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    A staff member presented Joo-Han with a book. ¡°Please, look engrossed in the book and make it look sophisticated."

    Faced with the vague request, Joo-Han could only nod uncertainly and dive into the shoot. Meanwhile, the rest of us were careful not to disrupt the session and decided to wait in the ssroom next door.

    ¡°I''ve never seen an empty ssroom before. It''s quiet and kind of nice."

    ¡°Yeah, the thought ofing to school over the weekend never crossed my mind." Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung shared their amazement at the serene setting.

    While they took in the ssroom''s atmosphere, Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly shut the door with a sly grin.

    ¡°What are you up to? Are we not going in?" When I asked, Goh Yoo-Joon ced his index finger against his lips and positioned himself by the door with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, hinting at another one of his schemes brewing.

    <i>Drrrr, bang!</i>

    Then, he flung the door open and proimed, ¡°Is this the legendary second ssroom of third-year, home to Park Yoon-Chan, the top-ranked icy de of Ring High School?¡±

    ¡°...¡± The room fell into a stunned silence at his theatrical entrance.

    ¡®<i>That crazy dude.¡¯</i>

    I shook my head at his antics and watched the flustered Yoon-Chan standing by. Then, Jin-Sung, unable to hold back a chuckle, strode over confidently with his hands pocketed. ¡°And what business do you have with our esteemed top-ranked icy de, Yoon-Chan hyung? If you have something to say to him, you gonna have to get through me first.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s all this about?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but interject and try to bring some sense to the scene.

    ¡°Jin-Sung... I am embarrassed... Please stop...¡± Yoon-Chan pleaded, his face flushing with embarrassment.

    Despite our attempts to calm the situation, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung continued their performance, likely encouraged by the rolling camera. ¡°Me? You don¡¯t know who I am?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon challenged with a smirk.

    ¡°And who might you be?¡± Jin-Sung retorted, ying along with the act, making Yoo-Joon out to be some notorious schoolyard legend. With a yful grin, Jin-Sung continued, ¡°I am Lee Jin-Sung, the silver-eyed tiger, second in the hierarchy of the Ring High. And you?¡±

    ¡°Me? I¡¯m Goh Yoo-Joon, the undisputed king of Joo-Han High.¡±

    ¡°Alright, enough with the drama, guys. This is too much for me. Cut, cut, cut!¡± I eximed, unable to contain myughter any longer as I wedged myself between them to end their little skit.

    With that, Goh Yoo-Joonughed heartily, wrapping up the charade and joining me as we settled down. The behind-the-scenes camera crew then asked a question.

    - Where did you two usually sit back in school?

    I paused and racked my brain for the memory. ¡°Hmm... Where was it?¡±

    ¡°Over here for you and here for me,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon pointed to two adjacent seats at the back of the room and casually took one for himself.

    ¡°We weren¡¯t exactly partners, just happened to sit next to each other,¡± I exined as I took the seat beside him. ¡°There¡¯s a bit of a story behind it. Our homeroom teacher was quite strict, and we¡¯d often zone out from exhaustion after practice.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. The teacher would send us to the back with a ¡®Go on, rest up, will you?¡¯¡± Goh Yoo-Joon reminisced, and there was a hint of nostalgia in his voice. Though it felt like a reprimand at the time, it seemed more like a considerate gesture in hindsight.

    I leaned back and gazed toward the ckboard while being lost in thought. Goh Yoo-Joon remarked, ¡°Ah, that¡¯s right, Suh Hyun-Woo. Even back then, you¡¯d sit just like that,pletely zoned out but never actually asleep during ss.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡± Reflecting on those days, I yfully leaned back further, mimicking my old self. ¡°And this is how Goh Yoo-Joon sits...¡± With my feet on the desk, I adopted a rebelliouslyid-back posture¡ªthe very essence of a carefree delinquent.

    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s not true! I was nothing like that. I was a model student, really,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon protested with augh, though there was a hint of truth in his joke.

    ¡°You were a model student at dozing off, sure...¡± I teased, ¡°Always relying on me to wake you up. If you are so grateful, how about you let me use yourptop tonight?¡±

    ¡°Not happening,¡± he shot back, and the banter between us was as lively as ever.

    I smirked and put my legs down from the desk. Ourughter filled the room, attracting Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, who had been amusing themselves with doodles on the ckboard.

    ¡°Heard your little tales. Seems like you both had quite an enjoyable school life,¡± Jin-Sung said, a touch of envy in his voice.

    ¡°I wish I had ssmates from the group,¡± he added wistfully.

    ¡°But you do attend the same school as Yoon-Chan.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon pointed out.

    Jin-Sung grimaced, shaking his head. ¡°I hardly see him around. The dance challenge was like, what, the third time we¡¯ve bumped into each other at school?¡±

    ¡°It is probably because you guys are in different grades?¡± I wondered aloud.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± Jin-Sung rified and addressed the camera directly. ¡°Yoon-Chan hits the books even during his breaks. I swung by his ssroom once and was totally caught off guard by his dedication."

    Yoon-Chan flushed slightly and chimed in, ¡°Well, with all the group activities, squeezing in study time is tough... So, I''ve been sorting through the heaps of notes that my friendspiled for me while I was away from school."

    Indeed, the top of the ss was in a league of their own. It was rather astonishing that he could maintain such a ster academic standing with his schedule.

    As we bantered in front of the camera, the tranquility was shattered by a loud noise.

    <i>Slide- Bang!</i>

    ¡°Is this where you were hiding?"

    Joo-Han made a dramatic entrance, causing Goh Yoo-Joon to spring up and salute him with a formal bow. ¡°Pay attention, everyone. This is Kang Joo-Han, the unparalleled, the top of the top from Joo-Han High, standing at rank zero. Yes, you heard right, not first but zero. Show him some respect."

    ¡°What in the world are you on about?"

    ¡°Don''t mind him. Goh Yoo-Joon is going nuts to be back at school," I exined, hoping to clear the confusion.

    Joo-Han acknowledged the rification and stepped into the ssroom, joining the fray. ¡°Got it. Suh Hyun-Woo, you''ve been waiting. It''s your turn now. Jin-Sung, you are up too."

    ¡°Right."

    Joo-Han casually perched on one of the desks where the rest of us were gathered.

    ¡°I will be back.¡± Jin-Sung and I proceeded to the ssroom next door for our photo session.

    ¡°We will be capturing shots of both Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung together," said the director.

    ¡°Huh, not individual shots?" I asked.

    Hearing my question, the director affirmed with a nod. ¡°You will head to the sports field for solo shots."

    ¡°Ah, understood!"

    ¡°Now, let''s have both of you together."

    This session was pivotal for the Chronos narrative, so we positioned ourselves in the chairs, ready for the shoot. Jin-Sung imed the seat in front, and I settled into the one behind. Together, we faced forward and awaited the director''s cue.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, could you turn and sh a smile at Hyun-Woo as if engaged in a light-hearted chat?"

    Jin-Sung rose to the task and spun his chair around. Then, he rested his elbows on the table and cast a yful grin my way.

    Such a refreshingly charming smile would surely make the hearts of fans flutter, but to me, it was merely the youngest member of our group having a bit of fun.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, let''s see a smile from you too. Just a slight, subtle one."

    As we exchanged gazes, the camera captured the moment with a series of clicks. We varied our poses and expressions slightly, immersing ourselves in the shoot.

    ¡°Hey, could you ce some books on the desk, An-Hyung?"

    ¡°Sure thing."

    Following the director''s instructions, books were arranged on my desk. While Jin-Sung remained as he was, I gazed at the book for another shot. Midway. Goh Yoo-Joon was summoned to stand behind my chair, and the three of us together struck a pose to conclude our ssroom photo session.

    Next up were Joo-Han, Yoon-Chan, and Goh Yoo-Joon''s session, followed by individual shots at the sports field. The director stressed the need to wrap up before dusk, and just like my session, the trio efficientlypleted their shoot.

    ¡°Thank you all for the hard work. We will be incorporating these photos into the music video shoot. See you then."

    ¡°Thanks, everyone, great job!"

    As dusk approached, we wrapped up the concept photoshoot just in time.

    ***

    That very night, while Rings were still buzzing from the year-end performances, overwhelmed with an abundance of updates, they were hit with yet more enticing news.

    Allure @allure_official

    Let''s keep calling him ''hyung'' from now on.

    (Suh Hyun-Woo addressing him as ''hyung'' at the joint stage after-party.avi)

    #Da-Win #Chronos #Suh Hyun-Woo

    #Hyung

    Replies 822 RT 4.3k Likes 18k

    Chronos @Chronos_official

    Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo''s Adult Ceremony Performance

    (Paper ID Soju Initiation Ceremony.avi)

    #Joo-Han #YouGuysAreEmbarrassing

    Replies 411 RT 3k Likes 8k

    The sudden cascade of news was enough to send the fans into a frenzy, prompting a deluge of ecstaticments and reactions across the web.

 Chapter 165: Joy (2)

    <h4>Chapter 165: Joy (2)</h4>

    Chronos was rarely seen on variety shows, leaving the Rings moring for more of their presence. Despite the high demand, their appearances were so limited that it was almost heartbreaking. With the flood of year-end performances, the Rings dove into a frenzy, sharing a barrage of content in what could be described as a storm of uploads. Here was just a taste of their fervor.

    Wabeat @wabeat ¡¤ 3 days ago

    (KEW Awards VTR clip of the youngest member Suh Hyun-Woo getting showered with affection by seniors.gif)

    Little Suh Hyun-Woo... Our darling Hyun-Woo receiving all the love a

    Replies 0 RT 4 Likes 16

    Chronos Gossip @sadam ¡¤ 2 days ago

    What really hits home is how the yful and seemingly mature Suh Hyun-Woo turns into this adorable little creature when he''s around his seniors. Just melts my heart.

    Replies 2 RT 2 Likes 24

    Hyun-Woo¡¯s Mom @hwmo ¡¤ 21 hours ago

    (Drunk Suh Hyun-Woo.avi)

    Social butterfly Hyun-Woo at his cutest

    Replies 1 RT 21 Likes 78

    Jusputin @puiriw ¡¤ 2 days ago

    Even when Jin-Sung isn''t the center in the second part, hemands the stage like one lmao. Every time I watch him dance, I''m in awe. Is he some kind of contortionist...? Absolutely incredible...

    Replies 0 RT 5 Likes 27

    Worship Chronos Stylist @nnn11 ¡¤ 1 day ago

    What''s with Yoon-Chan''s outfit...? Wait, what''s with Joo-Han''s outfit...? Ah, no, Yoo-Joon''s outfit... Ha, Suh Hyun-Woo''s outfit... Jin-Sung-aaaaah!!!!!!!! Massive thanks to the stylists ahhh I can die now

    Replies 0 RT 2 Likes 40

    Looking for Nickname @wlswkfh ¡¤ 2 days ago

    (Suh Hyun-Woo walking under the spotlight, looking up at Goh Yoo-Joon on the ship, and the moment he looks away, Goh Yoo-Joon vanishes.gif)

    I was just freaking out watching this live, but now that I am thinking about it, it feels like a teaser for the next album. Seems like the next album will tie into ¡°Parade,¡± it''s soden with meaning I want to delve deeper, but I''m at a dead end^^ YMM, give us more hints...

    Replies 4 RT 126 Likes 520

    Ugh @1234_0817 ¡¤ 1 day ago

    (Suh Hyun-Woo sitting cross-legged on a luxurious chair, looking down at the audience.gif)

    I yearn to bow down before Emperor Suh Hyun-Woo. Please, Your Majesty, just scold me once...

    Replies 0 RT 11 Likes 66

    I Cry When I See Duo @hs2u ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    (Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo in casual clothes, having a phone call with Elisia in the dorm.gif)

    Damn, I knew sticking through this life would pay off someday with a blessing from Chronos. Love you guys, let''s forever be together. I silently send a kiss to my monitor.

    Replies 0 RT 20 Likes 89

    Lilu @lillu ¡¤ 2 days ago

    (¡°Christmas is Ours¡± with Yoo-Joon, Suh Hyun-Woo.avi)

    What in the world LOL

    Replies 0 RT 332 Likes 1027

    Second Cha Cha @chacha2 ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    (¡°Christmas is Ours¡± stage, innocent Suh Hyun-Woo with Goh Yoo-Joon''s arm around him.gif)

    No matter how many times I watch it, the same-age duo really stole the show AHAHAHA They are absolutely ying!!!

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 2

    Red Ribbon @redribon ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    (¡°Christmas is Ours,¡± Suh Hyun-Woo reaching for the hand Goh Yoo-Joon extended.gif)

    Lol This must have set the Alphas fans on fire

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 122

    Ring Fanatic @2222gori ¡¤ 1 day ago

    OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! Is it true Jin-Sung choreographed the entire ¡°Parade¡± routine??!!?!?!? Everything was changed from start to finish?? With hardly any time, isn''t our boy a freaking genius aaaah! Shouldn''t he be taking some genius test or something?

    Replies 0 RT 1.3K Likes 1.5K

    Yoon-Chan''s Fangirl @qorhvk ¡¤ 2 days ago

    The rollercoaster of emotions watching my bias:

    Whaaat Whaaat Whaaat :0 Suh Hyun-Woo''s dance part, Suh Hyun-Woo sitting on the chair so they all did it together ?? > Yoon-Chan''s the center??? > OMG!!! I''m dead!!! > Why is Yoon-Chan''s dance skill skyrocketing wow! And why does he sing so well!

    ©¸Yoon-Chan''s Fanboy @qorhvk ¡¤ 2 days ago

    Reply to @qorhvk

    Conclusion: Holding out for an album where Park Yoon-Chan shines as the main

    Replies 2 RT 125 Likes 203

    Hoping for Parade Schedule Extension @dkdkdksj ¡¤ 2 days ago

    (Yoo-Joon performing ¡°Parade¡± choreography without a shirt under his vest.gif)

    Who dressed Yoo-Joon in just a suit vest without a shirt... Stylist god... Amazed once again by your impable sense... His exposed arms and asional glimpses of his abs had me rolling around multiple times...

    ©¸ Hoping for Parade Schedule Extension @dkdkdksj ¡¤ 2 days ago

    Reply to @dkdkdksj

    Sister post: Suh Hyun-Woo''s chest peeking through his jacket without a shirt

    Replies 2 RT 228 Likes 485

    Miel @miel ¡¤ 1 day ago

    (Kang Joo-Han rmending ¡°Christmas is Ours¡± with a content smile.jpg)

    LOL I just love it when our leader makes that face HAHAHA! Can''t wait for what''s next

    Replies 0 RT 145 Likes 800

    Piggy @tlrksdl ¡¤ 2 days ago

    Lmao My firsthand experience at the YMM Awards: It was freaking awesome, to the point of swearing. There was this hrious moment lol... Hyun-Woo appeared standing up (seemed like his back got better?), and someone among the Rings screamed ¡®Suh Hyun-Woo is standing! He is fucking standing there!!!¡¯ I was dying fromughing LOL

    ©¸ Replying to @tlrksdl

    Lmao Suh Hyun-Woo''s standing tall and proud hahahaha OMG, Iughed so hard! If the person who screamed sees this post, I really want to be friends with her! Please reach out to me!

    Replies 1 RT 222 Likes 308

    Unicorn @dkdkddi ¡¤ 4 hours ago

    Damn YMM, how dare you showcase Suh Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon''s high notes in someone else''s cover song...

    Replies 8 RT 128 Likes 485

    Suh Hyun-Woo Lover @fjqj_856 ¡¤ 8 minutes ago

    I had no idea Suh Hyun-Woo could sing this well... There''s a reason he''s the main vocalist. Please give our boy a solo song filled with high notes someday.

    Replies 2 RT 0 Likes 30

    Shocked @kipsp ¡¤ 12 hours ago

    No kidding, the moment Suh Hyun-Woo hit those high notes, the entire audience went dead silent in shock. I heard another fan go. ¡®Wow, he really can sing.¡¯

    Replies 1 RT 80 Likes 296

    Hangry @wjdakf1128 ¡¤ 2 hours ago

    Can we get a song like Red Sun too? I mean, I love our current songs, but this one is just legendary. How did they make a cover song this iconic? The outfits, makeup, hair, and concept were all insane...

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 26

    Going Crazy @smwdma ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    (Jin-Sung untying the red wristband from his own wrist and tying it on Suh Hyun-Woo''s wrist.gif)

    Just wait till Jin-Sung bes an adult, Jin-Sung x Suh Hyun-Woo... I''m about to unleash my repressed soul...

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 136

    Fan Wee (Ring) @fiiidoll ¡¤ 2 hours ago

    (¡°Parade¡± stage with cherry blossoms fluttering in a dreamy ending edited.gif)

    Let''s not forget ¡°Parade¡± amidst the Red Sun hype. It was like a dream, and I felt like I was actually inside the ¡°Parade¡± universe! Love you guys so much!!!

    Replies 0 RT 3 Likes 50

    No Lightstick @ggggooori ¡¤ 1 day ago

    Spoilers for the next album after the year-end stage:

    (KEW Awards ending part with Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon.gif)

    KEW Awards ending. If they continue the ¡°Parade¡± universe in the next album, there''s a high chance Suh Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon''s rtionship will be revealed.

    ©¸ Replying to @ggggooori

    ("Wee to the school" text capture.jpg)

    ("Warning" text capture.jpg)

    ("Ignore Him" text capture.jpg)

    ("Don''t fall for him" text capture.jpg)

    Feels a bit like a Neapolitan horror story[1]. Next album concept is maybe horror? (Choosing Red Sun as a cover stage song also leads me to think this)

    Anyway, the focus is on who ''He'' is and ''Enrollment.'' ''He'' will likely be revealed in the next album, and I think the next concept might be school horror (just specting, no criticism please).

    Replies 0 RT 1K Likes 1.3K

    Lulu @lolllo ¡¤ Just now

    (Chronos cuddled up together photo.jpg)

    #Chronos_Friend_Search #Ring_Friend_Search

    Knocked out by the one-two-three punch of the year-end stage, I''ve be a fallen Ring! My ultimate bias is Suh Hyun-Woo, but honestly, I adore all the members so much that terms like ''ultimate'' and ''second'' don''t even matter! I''m super active in streaming and voting! I gush a lot!

    Age doesn''t matter/Follow me, follow you

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 6

    In the midst of the chaos among the Rings, Allure threw another bone their way.

    The video of ¡°Just call me hyung" emerged. They all doted on Suh Hyun-Woo, and his face flushed with embarrassment after he called Da-Win ¡°hyung¡± and scurried away. He was too cute for words.

    The Rings, who hadn''t seen much of Suh Hyun-Woo''s adorableness within Chronostely, were bursting with glee at the frequent disys. And just before they could digest this, Kang Joo-Han dropped another video about the other members congratting Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo for being adults. The Rings'' feeds on <i>BlueBird</i> were in utter disarray.

    Beb Rap @beb ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    I''ve been feeling this for a while, but it seems like Da-Win really cherishes our Hyun-Woo. He often mentions that he''s a cute younger friend even in normal conversations, and in videos, he looks at him very warmly. I felt like my heart was going along with it.

    ©¸ Replying to @Leaman

    Yes, I feel the same. I heard that from the time Hyun-Woo first joined, he was almost raised to be the trainee leader, just like Joo-Han raised Jin-Sung.

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 1

    Yoon-Chan Rabbit @uchan2 ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    (Goh Yoo-Joon doing a forward roll and Suh Hyun-Woo feeling embarrassed.avi)

    Someone, please hit me hard in the face... I need to check if I''m currently diving into the next album hint mill...

    Yoon-Chan Rabbit @uchan2 ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    ©¸ Replying to @uchan2

    Just passing by... Chronos is an idol that does not often appear on variety shows...

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 0

    Love the Chaos @crono888 ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Lololololol I knew the kids have been too quiet recently. Is this what you guys do in the dorm? hahaha, What is that thing on your head?

    Replies 0 RT 0 Likes 0

    Leighton @leitn ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    This is absolutely chaotic lol

    Killing points:

    1. Yoo-Joon joyfully doing a forward roll

    2. Hyun-Woo genuinely feeling embarrassed

    3. Joo-Han seems to be enjoying himself in the video despite the embarrassing caption

    4. Not visible but Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung are snickering at their hyungs

    Replies 0 RT 3 Likes 24

    Eun-Seol @toomoon ¡¤ 8 minutes ago

    (Cha Cha Chronos.jpg)

    (Red Sun Chronos.jpg)

    (Chaotic Adult Celebration Performance.jpg)

    Yes, they are the same people.

    Replies 0 RT 12 Likes 66

    While the Rings were having a lively party, Chronos''s agency, YMM Entertainment, took the opportunity to start preparing for the first recruitment of official Rings.

    ***

    <i>Cherry blossoms flutter in the wind, and within them, you and I areughing</i>

    <i>I capture your smile in a photograph</i>

    <i>You shyly lower your head</i>

    <i>A heart filled with swelling excitement</i>

    <i>It''s a blessing that we are here together today</i>?

    ¡°Alright, Hyun-Woo, let''s give it another shot but with a bit more zest and oomph this time."

    ¡°Okay." I reached for the water bottle resting beside me and took a quick sip before loosening up my throat once more. Now, I was ready to inject some extra vitality into our performance.

    Joo-Han''s request was simple enough, yet the serene ambiance of our calm studio made it somewhat challenging for me to bring out the high-spirited energy for the song. We were nestled in the recording studio inside the YMM Entertainment building, diligentlyying down tracks for our new song under the watchful eyes of Joo-Han and Producer Do.

    After a hectic schedule of year-end performances and photoshoots, the brief break had done wonders for our well-being, fully recharging our batteries. However, the atmosphere in the studio today was markedly different from our typically lively sessions, with everyone exchanging sheepish nces and staring at the floor.

    ¡°Kkkk...¡± Jin-Sung let out a suppressed giggle, prompting Joo-Han to whirl around and shake his head. ¡°Come on, liven up a bit! You guys know how to have a good time. Let thatughter out, Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Mhm."

    The line was meant to be a highlight of the performance, a moment that stood out on stage. However, apart from Goh Yoo-Joon and me, everyone seemed ufortable with this style of expression. It felt reminiscent of an untrained actor being pushed into performing at a family gathering in front of rtives¡ªthe embarrassment was real.

    While Joo-Han took it upon himself to give Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan a crash course in delivering lines, I wrapped up with Producer Do and stepped out of the booth.

    Once we had finished everything but the dialogue parts, our manager, who had been keeping an eye on the time, stood up to signal a break. ¡°Producer Do, could we have a moment?"

    ¡°Of course, go ahead."

    At his cue, we all went out of the studio. Today wasn''t just abouteback preparations. We were also here to discuss the uing initiation ceremony for the first Rings fandomunch. The small conference room was already filled with the A&R team, Supervisor Kim, and the deputy from the nning team who would be overseeing the event.

    ¡°Hey there, how is everything going in the studio?"

    ¡°Ah, everything is proceeding smoothly, Supervisor."

    Supervisor Kim seemed pleased with Joo-Han''s update, nodding approvingly before diving straight into his agenda. ¡°Have you got the schedule for the music video from Su-Hwan? We are on a tight timeline, so make sure the choreography is perfect before we start shooting."

    ¡°Yes, we are on it!"

    ¡°And when are Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo scheduled to start their shoot, Su-Hwan?"

    ¡°A week from now."

    ¡°Do a thorough job with the preparations. And remember, thiseback is not just about the music. It¡¯s also a golden opportunity for both of you to boost your personal profiles. Opportunities like these, especially a fixed slot on a public broadcast, are rare for idols these days."

    ¡°Yes, we will give it our all."

    ¡°By the way, I was chatting with the director over drinks, and he mentioned that he was looking for someone to y a teacher role. I suggested our Kun-Ho. You will be working together, so keep that in mind."

    ¡°... Senior Kun-Ho?¡±

    ¡°That''s right."

    Supervisor Kim nonchntly brought up Kun-Ho, the former idol sensation who had quietly transferred to our agency after opting not to renew his group''s contract. Despite his low profile, rumors had it that he was making a decent living from song royalties, asional solo releases, and a sessful vocal training academy. However, he barely visited thepany, so our paths had never crossed.

    The mere thought of meeting him was exhrating. His music had been a source offort during my trainee days, and his influence had even shaped my vocal technique. He was someone I idolized from afar, and I never imagined our paths would cross outside of my daydreams.

    ¡°Let''s take a look at the schedule, Su-Hwan."

    ¡°Right, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo are up for the <i>Graduating</i> shoot. And after we circted the Chronos profile following the SES year-end stage, we received an invite for Joo-Han to appear on <i>Catch the Thief, Boom-ba!</i>"

    ¡°Me?"

    ¡°That sounds perfect. <i>Catch the Thief, Boom-ba!</i> is right up Joo-Han''s personality, isn''t it?" The show was a mix of strategy and wit, involving card games and catching thieves¡ªa format that surprisingly fitted Joo-Han more than Jin-Sung, who was our go-to guy for variety shows.

    ¡°With the shooting scheduled just before oureback, it looks like we will be able to maximize our song''s exposure.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a n. Su-Hwan, did you also send out their profile? You are so good at your job. Keep it up, and please take good care of the kids!¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±

    ¡°And Yin-Hee.¡±

    Supervisor Kim''s gaze subtly shifted, settling on Deputy Yin-Hee from the nning team who was seated directly across from the manager. ¡°Go ahead."

    ¡°Let''s talk about the fan club."

    ¡°Right. The fan club''s inauguration ceremony is scheduled for February. We are currently finalizing the venue and other logistics to align with that date. But first on our agenda should be the production of the official light sticks."

    ¡°Wow, finally!¡± Jin-Sung couldn''t contain his excitement. ¡°To be honest, it''s about time we got this underway. Seeing our fans with makeshift light sticks during the year-end performances was disheartening."

    ¡°True.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon nodded, echoing the sentiment.

    I found myself in agreement as well. It was a bit of a sore spot, seeing other groups'' fans waving their official light sticks while ours were left to improvise. Moreover, the snidements on social media about ourck of official merchandise were hard to ignore, making us feel a pang of guilt.

    ¡°Yes, that''s why we are pushing to get the designs finalized as soon as possible. I''ve prepared a few preliminary drafts for the light sticks," Deputy Yin-Hee exined, spreading out various designs on the table. They were clearly still in their early stages, simple and unpolished.

    ¡°We are starting with these base designs, but we are eager to incorporate your input as well. Fans really appreciate it when the idols are directly involved in the creative process. If you could share your thoughts in the next couple of days, that would be fantastic."

    ¡°Absolutely!"

    ¡°We''ve also conducted a survey to gauge what the fans are most eager to see from you all."

    Deputy Yin-Hee handed over a file with survey results to Joo-Han. ¡°We''vepiled all the feedback. If you select a few feasible activities for the inauguration ceremony from this list, we can craft a setlist based on your choices."

    Joo-Han unfolded the file for all of us to see. From the revival of "Red Cape Cha Cha" to "Rasputin", and suggestions for unit performances, cover songs, solo pieces, part-switching, double-speed dances, random y dances, to cosy... It covered a broad spectrum.

    ¡°There''s quite a variety here," Deputy Yin-Hee noted as we browsed through the options. ¡°Given that your fans are well aware of your talent, we''d prefer you to pick activities that lean more towards fan engagement rather than skill disy."

    ¡°Understood."

    ¡°We''ve also shared a simr list with the stylists, so they know what the fans are keen to see on you." With Deputy Yin-Hee''s briefing concluded, Supervisor Kim nodded. We could see a mix of relief and concern in his gesture as he closed his notebook.

    ¡°I know you handled the Allure event without a hitch, but the tight timeline does add ayer of pressure. Please make sure everything goes on without an issue."

    ¡°Don''t worry, we''ve got this under control."

    ¡°Shall we conclude the meeting here? Thank you all for your hard work. You can head back to the recording studio now."

    With the meeting¡¯s end, Joo-Han stood, his armsden with files and documents that demanded our attention.

    ***

    The concept photo shoots and recording sessions were now well behind us. It was only after all of this that the manager returned the alcohol bottles he had confiscated from us.

    Thus, our first official drinking session unfolded, with Joo-Han enhancing the festivities by bringing more alcohol and pork feet, transforming the living room into a veritable feast.

    ¡°Take it easy with the drinks unless you want to regret it tomorrow," I said, tapping Goh Yoo-Joon in the arm as he was bubbling with excitement.

    ¡°Just wait and see. I have a feeling I''m going to be great at this. If you end up under the table, I will graciously escort you to your room."

    ¡°Not even funny.¡± I was no stranger to the effects of alcohol, and from what I remembered, Goh Yoo-Joon wasn''t exactly known for his drinking prowess. If anyone was adept at holding their liquor, it seemed to be Yoon-Chan. Though we hadn''t been that close back then, I couldn''t recall him ever showing signs of intoxication at our asional gatherings.

    ¡°Both of you, keep it down. If you end up causing a ruckus while drunk, be warned, I will strip you down and kick you out," warned Joo-Han.

    Joo-Han cracked open a bottle of soju and carefully poured it into the sses that the manager had given us. Goh Yoo-Joon continued to marvel at every aspect of the drinking experience, though I doubted it was as thrilling as he made it out to be.

    ¡°I''m curious to see how the hyungs behave when they are drunk."

    ¡°It sounds utterly fascinating."

    The prospect of witnessing Chronos''s older members inebriated was a novel experience for the youngest members, who voiced their curiosity with eager anticipation.

    For the youngest in the group, we filled their sses with Fanta, offering a yful twist to the traditional toast.

    ¡°Let''s raise our sses, everyone."

    Joo-Han led the toast with his ss held high; it was a signal for all of us to follow suit. ¡°This year has been a marathon of hard work for all of us. Here''s to Chronos''s double rookie awards victory and to pushing ourselves even further thising year. Cheers!"

    ¡°Cheers!" We echoed in unison, marking the start of a celebratory night in honor of mine and Goh Yoo-Joon''sing of age.

    ***

    ¡°You look like you''ve had a bit too much, hyung."

    ¡°Seems so." Amidst Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan''s quiet exchange, Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been the life of the party, spun around with a dramatic ir and announced, ¡°I''m not even close to being drunk!"

    He then approached the youngest duo with a wide grin, pulling the two into a bear hug. ¡°Oh, my beloved kiddos, do you know how much your hyung adores you? I cherish you both more than words can say."

    ¡°Ah! Hyung, you are too much!"

    ¡°Maybe it''s bedtime for Yoo-Joon hyung, huh..."

    ¡°I love you guys!"

    ¡°Ah, get off me!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s disy of affection seemed boundless as he enveloped them in his warmth embrace. Kang Joo-Han gave a discreet nod to Suh Hyun-Woo who had been observing quietly.

    ¡°Hey, you there! Your friend''s causing a ruckus with the youngest ones again!" The air around Joo-Han was thick with the aroma of soju.

    ¡°Why don''t you step in and sort it out?" asked Joo-Han.

    In a situation where Suh Hyun-Woo would typically find an excuse to bow out, he surprisingly stood up, ready to intervene.

    ¡°Alright," said Suh Hyun-Woo, as he gently but firmly pulled Goh Yoo-Joon back, adhering to Joo-Han''s request.

    ¡°What? Hey! Aren''t we friends?"

    ¡°Alright."

    ¡°Come over here, my dear friend!"

    ¡°Okay."

    Goh Yoo-Joon wrapped Suh Hyun-Woo in a tight embrace with the same intensity he had shown Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, showering him with love. The peacemaker Suh Hyun-Woo kept his responses simple, nodding along with a calm "Alright."

    Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan watched this spectacle with a mix of amusement and disbelief on their faces. <i>''They really can''t handle their drink,'' </i>they thought, recalling how Suh Hyun-Woo had just taken Goh Yoo-Joon''s ss away ten minutes ago.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, you do realize how much you mean to me, right?"

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Oh, for heaven''s sake! Don''t get hurt, okay? You are breaking my heart here."

    ¡°Mhm."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon continued his ramblings while clutching onto Suh Hyun-Woo, Joo-Han mmed the table and pulled Goh Yoo-Joon away from the scene with a hint of frustration and concern. ¡°Enough with the noise, you two!"

    ¡°Ah! Joo-Han hyung, our tireless leader,e join the fun!"

    ¡°Enough, you maniac! Back off!" Joo-Han managed to fend off Goh Yoo-Joon''s advances with a swift kick and a firm grip, forcing him back into his seat.

    ¡°You are always the problem! Didn''t I tell you to keep it down?" Joo-Han''s drunken tirade seemed to fluctuate between scolding and a hint of affectionate concern.

    ¡°I heard you. I''m sorry, hyung. How about a hug to make amends?" Goh Yoo-Joon, ever the optimist, opened his arms wide as he attempted to hug Joo-Han. However, it was met with another dismissive kick. Stumbling to the ground, Yoo-Joon then turned his attention back to Suh Hyun-Woo who was sitting quietly beside him and resumed his affectionate assault.

    Luckily, Joo-Han maintained his firm grip, being a silent guardian amidst the chaos.

    ¡°Hyung, this is getting scary,¡± said Yoon-Chan as he witnessed the escting antics of Joo-Han''s lecturing session. On top of that, Goh Yoo-Joon''s relentless affection and Suh Hyun-Woo''s agreeable demeanor made him decide that it was time for an escape.

    ¡°Let''s call it a night, Jin-Sung." Without a second nce back at the unfolding drama, Yoon-Chan swiftly guided Jin-Sung back to the sanctuary of their room.

    1. A Neapolitan horror story is a chilling tale that originates from Naples, Italy, known for its dark and macabre themes often intertwined with local legends and supernatural elements. These stories typically evoke a sense of dread and fear, capturing the eerie essence of this historic and mystical city. ?

 Chapter 166: Joy (3)

    <h4>Chapter 166: Joy (3)</h4>

    <i>''What on earth is this?''</i> Lee Su-Hwan couldn''t help but freeze in his tracks, bewildered by the unusual scene unfolding in the living room. He had only popped in to get Kang Joo-Han''s USB on behalf of Producer Do but was greeted by a sight far removed from the ordinary.

    ¡°There''s work to be done, eh? Shouldn''t the members be informed? Eh?" Joo-Han''s words were muddled, and he smelled like alcohol.

    ¡°Mmm, yeah."

    ¡°What if someone ends up hurt? Do you have any idea how much effort we''ve put into this, eh eh?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°Shut up! You know nothing! You are clueless about the pressure we are under! You should have warned or told us earlier, eh?¡±

    ¡°Yea...¡±

    Su-Hwan was well aware of the permission he had granted for Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo to indulge in a celebratory drink for theiring of age. He had thought that everything would go neatly with leader Joo-Han present. However, this was beyond his expectations as Joo-Han appeared to be the most intoxicated of them all.

    ¡°You are out of the loop. Hey! You''ve been bottling up concernstely, haven''t you, eh? Speak up. Why won''t you?"

    <i>Bang!</i>

    Joo-Han mmed his hand on the table, frustration all over his face. ¡°Why keep silent when you know there''s something bothering you? You stubborn dude!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon was nestled against Suh Hyun-Woo''s shoulder and appeared to be asleep while Joo-Han was relentless in his nagging.

    ¡°You are getting too scared... You think I wouldn''t notice..." Joo-Han grumbled.

    However, Suh Hyun-Woo remained stoic with an unchanging expression until... ¡°Mhm... I''m sorry." His voice sounded distant as if he was half out of this world.

    ¡°Who''s asking for apologies here!? st it! It''s courage you need, not apologies!"

    Deciding that the muddled conversation was none of his concern, Su-Hwan started to walk away, only to lock eyes with Joo-Han. Joo-Han¡¯s face was filled with irritation as he beckoned Su-Hwan over with a weary gesture.

    ¡°Manager hyung,e over here. Ah, this is driving me up the wall!"

    ¡°...Are you about to lecture me now?"

    ¡°Didn''t I always tell you to be more open and speak freely around me?"

    ¡°You did. Now, let''s get you off to bed," answered Lee Su-Hwan, swiftly managing Joo-Han''sints and steering him toward his room. As soon as Joo-Han stood upright, he slumped forward, his consciousness flickering away.

    After throwing Joo-Han onto his bed, Su-Hwan returned to the living room and saw the aftermath of the evening''s escapades. The sound of a soju bottle rolling across the floor punctuated the silence.

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>..." One bottley empty, its contents long gone, and another bottle was almost empty. These two bottles were the culprits of tonight''s chaos.

    <i>¡®All this from just two bottles?'' </i>It was hard to believe that Joo-Han had been reduced to this state by merely two bottles along with the inexperienced drinkers, Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Su-Hwan picked up the fallen bottle with a wry chuckle and then attempted to rouse Goh Yoo-Joon, who leaned at Suh Hyun-Woo. ¡°Yoo-Joon, time to head to your room and sleep."

    Despite his efforts, Goh Yoo-Joon showed no signs of waking up. Su-Hwan then sighed heavily and mustered all his strength to hoist the considerablyrger Goh Yoo-Joon onto the bed.

    Next was Suh Hyun-Woo''s turn. Breathless from the effort of moving the other two, Su-Hwan called out to Hyun-Woo. ¡°<i>Ugh</i>, Hyun-Woo..."

    Suh Hyun-Woo then turned a vacant gaze toward Su-Hwan and murmured, ¡°...Yes."

    A flicker of relief crossed Su-Hwan''s face as he thought at least Suh Hyun-Woo would manage to walk to his room on his own. But then...

    <i>Thud!</i>

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s head hit the table with a soft thump.

    ¡°Oh, for heaven''s sake..." Su-Hwan sighed again and pulled out his phone for a brief rest. His screen disyed a picture from Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo''s adult celebration, which offered him a moment of peace amidst the chaos.

    He then tucked his phone away and approached Suh Hyun-Woo once more. ¡°Hyun-Woo, ready for bed?"

    ¡°Mmm... I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°...Huh?" Su-Hwan paused as he was taken aback by the casual response. Suh Hyun-Woo then continued to rub his forehead against the table.

    ¡°I am sorry. I didn''t mean to..." Suh Hyun-Woo''s voice trailed off,den with mncholy that seemed out of ce at the moment.

    ¡°Why the apology?" Su-Hwan was concerned and confused, recognizing the familiar ramblings of drunk people. Much like what Su-Hwan had done earlier with Joo-Han, he brushed off the apology with a light-hearted response, intending to help Suh Hyun-Woo back on his feet.

    ¡°It''s just... I''m scared, hyung," Suh Hyun-Woo confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Scared? Su-Hwan''s attempt to lift Suh Hyun-Woo halted as he pondered the weight of that single word. Was Suh Hyun-Woo referring to himself or expressing concern for Joo-Han?

    ¡°Scared of what exactly? Hyun-Woo, could you try lifting your head a bit? It''s quite a challenge to help you up like this."

    ¡°If I go back... the ne..."

    Su-Hwan paused once more as Hyun-Woo''s fragmented sentences painted a picture of apprehension.

    ¡°Back? The ne?"

    ¡°Fear... of the ne."

    The pieces slowly started to fit together. Returning, the ne, the fear... Although Su-Hwan wanted to dismiss it as mere drunken babble, Suh Hyun-Woo''s words seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

    ¡°Are you saying you are afraid of the ne flying back?"

    Su-Hwan suddenly recalled Suh Hyun-Woo mentioning his acute fear of heights, so it appeared that he had misinterpreted Suh Hyun-Woo''s apology.

    ***

    As the night wore on, creeping into the early hours past 2 AM, our rehearsal stretched on until every member felt satisfied with the performance.

    This new track was deceptively upbeat to the audience and wasden withplex and challenging choreography. For example, there was a move where Goh Yoo-Joon had to carry another member on his back, and another part where Joo-Han and I had to use our arms as a chariot to carry Jin-Sung forward. These elements were all part of the yful yet demanding nature of this song.

    True to Chronos''s reputation, the choreography escted and pushed our limits further. Yet, thanks to our recovery from injuries and experience from all the live performances, we gradually found ways to execute the moves without risking ourselves.

    The manager nced at the clock and exchanged a look with Joo-Han, who acknowledged thete hour with a nod.

    ¡°Given that Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon have a shoot tomorrow, perhaps it''s best to call it a night."

    ¡°Yes!" The chorus of our voices marked the end of the night''s practice.

    Indeed, Yoo-Joon and I were scheduled for our first shoot for <i>Graduating: Boys¡¯ High School Edition</i> the next morning.

    ¡°Wow, how much sleep can we manage? Maybe four hours?" The scarcity of sleep during our downtime seemed almostical, though unavoidable with our impendingeback.

    ¡°Whew... I''m back."

    Entering the tidier-than-usual dorm, I noticed the cameras left by the <i>Graduating</i> team strategically ced around.

    ¡°Hey, it''s now 2:30 AM, and we just got back from practice."

    Jin-Sung sounded weary in front of the camera and caught my eye as I made a beeline for the bathroom to freshen up. Then, I instantly copsed into bed, eager to catch whatever sleep I could.

    It was the next morning.

    <i>Jarrrrrrr!!!</i>

    The ring of the rm clock had me grimacing as I clumsily switched it off, only to drift back into a light doze. Soon enough, Goh Yoo-Joon''s grumbling as he checked the time brought me back to reality.

    ¡°Hey, wake up..." His heavy morning voice nudged me awake as his foot pressed insistently against my body.

    I burrowed into the corner of the bed to dodge his feet and protested, ¡°...Aren''t the others still getting ready?"

    The distant sound of the shower suggested someone else was already up, likely one of the youngest gearing up for a real school day.

    Q: How did you manage to stay awake in ss?

    A: By waking up just in the nick of time, more so than anyone else.

    I was always thest to shower and get ready, long after all the trainees had finished their morning routines.

    ¡°You really haven''t changed, have you?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice carried a hint of exasperation as he nced at the closed door. He then headed out and promised to wake me once everyone was done.

    Later, I was roused by Goh Yoo-Joon, who was done taking a shower. I then went into the living room to see Jin-Sung drying his hair and Yoon-Chan watching TV, already in his school uniform.

    ¡°Hyung, did you sleep well?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you''ve changed into your uniform?"

    ¡°Hyung, you just woke up?"

    The scene of members getting ready for school was a familiar yet refreshing sight, reminding me of our trainee days when we''d prepare for school in turns.

    ¡°Haha."

    It almost felt like we had stepped back into our high school days.

    ¡°Better hurry up and wash up. Don''t want to bete on the first day."

    ¡°What about Joo-Han hyung?"

    ¡°He''s been working since dawn and is now asleep," Yoon-Chan informed me. Joo-Han must have been up all night, selecting parts for the fan club inauguration setlist.

    I quickly showered and changed into the uniform provided by the production team. The school uniform was a standard charcoal color, which was chosen to give us all an authentic school experience.

    I skipped breakfast as always. After that, we decided to head to school in the manager''s car to avoid causing any inconvenience to the public. After all, several cameras had been installed in the manager¡¯s car as well. We climbed in and started chatting naturally, acting oblivious to the cameras.

    ¡°Wearing this uniform feels so strange."

    ¡°I find it weird seeing you wear a uniform properly for once."

    ¡°Back in school, I only wore the tie and jacket to school and took them off as soon as I got to the ssroom."

    ¡°Right, you did that. Do they have a disciplinemittee here too?"

    Since Yoo-Joon and I had mentioned that we went to school together, this conversation would probably be exined in the subtitles.

    ¡°I''m really curious about who we will be teamed up with."

    ¡°Ah, I''m a bit nervous."

    ¡°Hey, what''s there to be nervous about? We are all in the same boat." We continued our conversation, each of us ncing out of the windows on either side of the car.

    Soon, the school building that we had to attend came into view. It seemed quiet and peaceful.

    ¡°Should we get off here?" When Goh Yoo-Joon asked this, the manager, who had been silent for the sake of the broadcast, quietly nodded. I then opened the car door and stepped out to take in the sight of the school gate, the yground, and the building. A banner hung at the entrance, ced there by the <i>Graduating </i>team.

    [Wee to the first ss of Memory High School!]

    ¡°Memory High, huh, Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    ¡°We are the first ss of Memory High? Awesome..."

    As we admired the banner, the waiting production team approached us with cameras in hand.

    - Hello, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo students.

    ¡°Ah! Yes, hello!"

    <i>¡®Student...¡¯</i>

    The title wrapped us in an unfamiliar sensation as the production team handed us a piece of paper.

    - Wee to the first ss of Memory High School.

    ¡°Thank you, we are looking forward to it."

    We greeted the production team and took the paper they offered.

    - We hope you will create unforgettable memories from your school days here. In that spirit, please answer the question we''ve just given you and submit it.

    I looked down at the paper and saw a simple question.

    [If you were to go back to school, what is something you''d definitely want to try?]

 Chapter 167: Joy (4)

    Chapter 167: Joy (4)

    <em>¡®If I were to go back to school, what is something I''d definitely want to try?¡¯</em>

    I racked my brain but couldn''t think of anything specific.

    ¡°Of course, there''s always something," Goh Yoo-Joon interjected with certainty, his pen flying across the paper. I saw that he wished to hit an inte cafe with friends after school. Ah, back then, our practice schedules didn¡¯t allow us to do so.

    ¡°Come on, jot something down quick. We are going to bete," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Huh? Oh, right, just a sec." Prodded by Goh Yoo-Joon''s gentle push, I delved back into the depths of my memory, searching for those unfulfilled school day desires.

    After being lost in thought, I was jolted back to reality by Goh Yoo-Joon''s reminder. ¡°We''ve got less than a minute till the bell."

    His constant nudges started to distract me. Ah well, it didn''t really matter. I could just write down any small wish, like going to an inte cafe after school.

    I scribbled down my response in a hurry: Visiting a friend''s house for a hangout.

    The moment we handed our papers back to the director, the school bell echoed through the corridors.<em>Ding-dong, ding-dong~</em>

    ¡°Ah, run!"

    ¡°What? Oh!"

    Pushed along by Goh Yoo-Joon, I found myself dashing into the school. Only once we were safely inside did he allow himself to breathe properly, hisughter ringing in the air.

    This guy¡­ I couldn''t help but chide him with a click of my tongue. ¡°...We are alreadyte. Might as well take it easy."

    ¡°Okay, fine.¡±

    When I paused to think about it, Memory High likely didn''t have a disciplinarymittee to chase afterters. After all, the teachers usually arrived right around assembly time. Despite knowing this, we still ran like hell. The instinctive run at the sound of the bell showed how deeply ingrained our school habits were.

    We proceeded down the corridor in silence, making our way to ssroom number one: the designated shooting location.

    ¡°It looks like we are thest ones to arrive. Get ready for all eyes on us."

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, do the honors and open the door."

    ¡°Got it."

    I assigned Goh Yoo-Joon the task of opening the door and took a step back, still somewhat apprehensive about facing a room full of students.

    <em>Drrr tak!</em>

    Goh Yoo-Joon swung the door wide open with confidence. As we had anticipated, the gaze of every student in the room immediately shifted toward us. Perhaps it was the novelty of the first encounter, but their stares felt particrly intense, almost reminiscent of that daunting feeling on the first day of high school.

    But then¡­

    ¡°...Whoa." Whispers of awe rippled through the ssroom.

    ¡°They''re actual celebrities..."

    The writer''s assurance of ¡°there will be no problematic students¡± echoed in my mind, but the reactions were purely out of genuine intrigue at seeing celebrities in their midst.

    We scanned the room and made our way inside, looking for a ce to sit.

    ¡°Damn, they are fucking good-looking..."

    ¡°Are they even real?"

    I flinched slightly. It had been a while since I''d encountered such raw admiration,ced with expletives. Feeling slightly taken aback, we settled into the second-tost row, the only seats avable.

    ¡°Hello.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon offered a quiet greeting to the students seated behind us.

    Ah, right, greetings. I followed suit, turning around to offer my own polite hello. ¡°Hi there."

    The students behind us were startled for a bit before they returned our greeting with awkward waves.

    ¡°Hello! You are from Chronos, right? That''s so cool.¡±

    ¡°Hi. Wow... unbelievable."

    We responded with bashful smiles. Their pure yet expletive-filled expressions of awe left us feeling strangely out of ce.

    The students behind us seemed to have formed a bond with us. Well, they said that the first people you greeted would be your friends, and I had a feeling we''d be sticking with these two throughout the shoot.

    After exchanging brief pleasantries, I turned back to face the front, surveying the room.

    Among the students, some appeared nonchnt, casting casual nces around, while in the front row sat the rookie actor On Ki-Hoon, whom we''d been told would be joining us.

    Overall, the room was filled with typical students one might encounter in any school. Then¡­

    <em>Creak-thud!</em>

    The door opened again to reveal a face so familiar it was almost shocking. He peeked in with a grin and asked, ¡°Is this ssroom One?"

    <em>¡®Dang, this is crazy.¡¯ </em>My heart skipped a beat as this was surreal. Kun-Ho, a part of our agency family and a significant musical influence on me, stood at the doorway. He was dressed impably in a suit and stepped into the ssroom with arge box in hand.

    The students paused for a moment in awe just like me before erupting into collective cheers.

    ¡°Wow, it''s Kun-Ho!"

    ¡°That''s insane, for real."

    ¡°Damn, fucking handsome."

    Even Kun-Ho couldn''t help but twitch at the unfiltered exmation, though he quickly settled into an amiable grin and assumed his position at the teacher''s desk. ¡°Ah, let''s keep thenguage clean, especially in front of a teacher. And let''s not forget that this is being recorded for broadcast, so try to keep the swearing to a minimum, shall we?"

    While I sat there, somewhat starstruck and unable to muster a word, Kun-Ho nced at Goh Yoo-Joon and me and then nodded approvingly as if to say ¡°well done¡± before turning his attention back to the ss. ¡°Let me introduce myself. My name is Kun-Ho, and I''ve been entrusted with the role of homeroom teacher for Memory High''s first-year, ss One."

    ¡°Whoaaa!¡± As he etched his name onto the chalkboard, the ssroom erupted into an uproar of cheers and apuse, a testament to his poprity.

    ¡°I notice we have some students here who are ustomed to calling me ''senior.¡¯"

    With that remark, all eyes momentarily shifted toward us, sparking a wave of whispers and nudges.

    ¡°In this ssroom, I''d prefer if you addressed me as ''teacher.''"

    ¡°Yes, Teacher," we echoed, a chorus of agreement rippling through the room. Indeed, if the senior requested to be addressed as ''teacher,'' it was only respectful toply.

    There was a distinct difference between Kun-Ho and Yeong-Yee, though both were revered seniors. Yeong-Yee exuded an aura of transcendence, belonging to a genre all on her own, but Kun-Ho felt like a senior whom we deeply respected within our shared profession.

    To be honest, it was Kun-Ho who inspired a more instinctive sense of awe and nervousness in me.

    ¡°Would it be okay if I speak informally to you guys as a teacher?" Kun-Ho proposed, breaking the ice further.

    ¡°Yes, of course!"

    ¡°Then, I will speak casually. Since we are all meeting for the first time, how about we kick things off with some introductions?"

    Despite having stepped back from variety shows before joining YMM Entertainment, Kun-Ho''s ease in leading the ss was undeniable. He smoothly transitioned into having each student introduce themselves, starting from the front row and working his way through the ssroom.

    ¡°Hello, umm¡­ I''m Lee Seong-Min... currently studying for my GED... yeah."

    ¡°Nicely done! Let''s give him a round of apuse! Next, please."

    ¡°Ah¡­¡± The student whom Kun-Ho pointed to stood up a bit awkwardly.

    ¡°I''m, I mean... Hi, I''m Kim Ho-Joon. I''m juggling my GED and a part-time delivery job right now."

    One by one, each student managed to share a bit about themselves despite their initial hesitation before taking their seat again.

    ¡°Now, who''s next?"

    At Kun-Ho''s prompt, rookie actor On Ki-Hoon stood up confidently. ¡°Hi everyone, I''m On Ki-Hoon, a neer in the acting world."

    Ki-Hoon''s debut timeline closely paralleled ours, yet his public recognition was still in its early stages, evident in the students'' reactions. Unlike their immediate recognition of us or Kun-Ho, they seemed to only realize that On Ki-Hoon was a celebrity after his self-introduction.

    Nevertheless, On Ki-Hoon pressed on. ¡°I''ve sessfully passed my GED, and I''m pouring my efforts into achieving my goals. It might be a bit awkward at first, but I''m eager to get along with all of you. Nice to meet you all."

    ¡°Great job! A round of apuse for him!"

    The ssroom erupted into apuse once more. On Ki-Hoon then grinned and returned to his seat, evidently more adept at self-introductions than some of the other students.

    Then, it was my turn. Kun-Ho offered me an encouraging nod, a gesture that seemed to convey a touch more support than he''d given the others. As I felt the weight of the room''s gaze, I took a deep breath to steady my nerves before speaking up.

    ¡°Hi, I''m Suh Hyun-Woo. It''s been some time since I''ve been in a ss with peers my age, so I''m feeling a bit jittery. I''m looking forward to getting to know all of you!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s give him¡­¡±

    ¡°Waaaaaah!¡±

    Before Kun-Ho could even cue the apuse, the ssroom burst into enthusiastic pping. It was a warm wee that filled the room with positive energy.

    I nodded in gratitude and took my seat, feeling the warmth of their reception. It seemed the students weren''t necessarily fans of Chronos, but perhaps their familiarity stemmed from seeing us frequently on TV.

    Right after me, it was Goh Yoo-Joon''s turn. He stood up with a confident air, ready to share a bit about himself with the ss. ¡°Hey everyone, I''m Goh Yoo-Joon! It feels like an eternity since I''ve been in a ssroom, so you can imagine how thrilled I am. I''m hoping we can create a treasure trove of happy memories together before we all graduate. Looking forward to getting along with all of you."

    ¡°Waaaah!¡± His introduction was met with a wave of enthusiastic apuse, mirroring the warm reception I had received. It was noticeable, though, how people seemed to shy away from meeting Goh Yoo-Joon''s intense gaze directly. His presence was undeniably impactful in this room.

    As the round of introductions continued, we learned that the names of the two friends seated right behind us were Yoo Joon-Hwan and Jeong Hee-Su. Once everyone had their turn, Kun-Ho took a moment to nce at the clock.

    ¡°Good job everyone in introducing yourself. It¡¯s already the first block. Umm¡­ Well, looks like we''re officially in session," Kun-Ho remarked, moving on to outline the day''s schedule. He detailed the uing lessons, handed out textbooks, and provided guidance akin to what one might expect from a seasoned educator on the inaugural day of a school.

    ¡°Also, a quick heads-up for everyone," he added, ¡°the school canteen is off-limits for us, as it''s reserved for the regr students. But don''t worry. We''ve set up a special snack bar just for Memory High folks. It¡¯s right outside the main gate, so feel free to drop by there."

    ¡°There is a canteen? Fucking¡­ Oh, no! That¡¯s so awesome!¡± The news of the exclusive snack bar instantly buzzed through the ssroom, breaking the calm that had settled during the informational segment. Excitement bubbled up among the students at the thought of this unique amenity.

    ¡°And don''t stress too much about the sses here," Kun-Ho continued, his tone reassuring. ¡°The primary aim of Memory High is to forgesting memories, so I''m eager to see you all bonding and interacting freely with one another. Plus, there''s something special I''d like to share."

    With that, he lifted the hefty box he had brought in earlier. ¡°Inside here are the responses you wrote down upon arriving today. Throughout your time here, you will find that the director from the adjacent ss will asionally present you with missions. The opportunities for you to make those cherished memories are here, so I trust you will approach them with earnestness."

    ¡°Okay!¡± The atmosphere was charged with a sense of anticipation.

    ¡°We will be holding elections for ss president during the fourth period today. Those of you eyeing the position, now is your chance to shine and show your ssmates why you are the right choice."

    Kun-Ho concluded his overview and encouraged everyone to use the remaining time of the first period to get acquainted with each other. He then stepped out of the ssroom, leaving behind a buzz of chatter andughter.

    As soon as he left, Goh Yoo-Joon swiveled around, eager to engage Yoo Joon-Hwan and Jeong Hee-Su in conversation. The ice was already breaking, and the ssroom was quickly bing a lively hub of budding friendships.

 Chapter 168: Joy (5)

    <h4>Chapter 168: Joy (5)</h4>

    ¡°Hey, give me a shot at being the ss president, will you? Never had the chance to take on the role before."

    ¡°What are you going to do for us if we vote for you?"

    ¡°How about a treat from the snack bar?"

    ¡°Oh, sure. That''s easy. Let''s go for it."

    ¡°You''ve got my vote!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s mingling talent always left me in awe. How could someone be so naturally good at making friends? Even before the first period came to a close, Goh Yoo-Joon was already chatting away with Yoo Joon-Hwan and Jeong Hee-Su behind us. Their conversation flowed as if they''d been buddies for years.

    Compared to his easy banter, I was merely turning around because he did, and I hardly managed to exchange more than a nce with the two. Though I knew this was the prime time to forge connections with others, especially with the camera rolling. I found it notably harder to gel with peers my age, specifically those from outside our industry.

    ¡°Shall we check out the canteenter? I''m curious about what they''ve got."

    ¡°Sounds good to me."

    ¡°Count me in."

    ¡°Umm...¡± Somehow, even chiming in with a simple response seemed so challenging to me. Eventually, I found myself merely smiling and observing their lively exchange.

    Goh Yoo-Joon noticed my silence and nudged me. ¡°Why so quiet over there? Let''s head over and grab something. We skipped breakfast.¡±

    ¡°Uh, yeah. Maybe in a bit..." At that moment, my eyes met with Joon-Hwan and Hee-Su''s. Hee-Su sat closest to me, so our gaze held for a few seconds before he awkwardly averted his eyes with a shy smile. It seemed I needed to put in more effort to bridge the gap between us.

    ¡°What''s on the schedule for the next ss?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s casualment seemed to dissipate any lingering awkwardness.

    ¡°English ss is up next," Joon-Hwan informed us. Thankfully, Memory High''s curriculum wasn''t centered around conventional subjects but rather on providing an enriching experience through educational activities likenguage arts, English, Korean history, physical education, music, career nning, and special projects. It was distinctly different from the public schools.

    Goh Yoo-Joon made a face at the mention of English ss. Just then, I noticed Jeong Hee-Su''s gaze drifting back to me and lingered a bit longer this time, but I chose to not start a conversation for now. I decided to wait until our trip to the canteen to initiate it.

    The ssroom was somewhat subdued during the introduction period. However, as soon as the bell signaled the end of the ss rang, the ss came alive with chatter as students eagerly engaged with their new ssmates.

    ¡°Are you going to the canteen now?"

    ¡°No, let''s wait until after the second period. I want to get a feel for things first."

    ¡°Alright."

    I turned back to face the front and pulled out the English ss materials, which looked more like printed handouts.

    ¡°I need to go to the washroom."

    ¡°Me too. All that nervousness is catching up with me."

    Hee-Su and Joon-Hwanughed and made their way out, leaving Goh Yoo-Joon and me behind.

    As soon as they were out of earshot, Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled and elbowed me gently. ¡°You are still very awkward, right?¡±

    ¡°Pretty much." My honest admission earned a chuckle from Goh Yoo-Joon, and I shot him a yful re in response. ¡°Just wait until we get to the snack bar. I will get closer to them there."

    ¡°I''m rooting for you. Hee-Su seemed keen on getting to know you better."

    ¡°Is that so?" I pondered and recalled the fleeting moments our eyes had met. Was that what his lingering looks were about?

    As I started to plot out how to approach themter at the canteen, Goh Yoo-Joon stretched and yawned. ¡°I am so tired.¡±

    ¡°Don''t start snoozing on us now, especially not on the first day. You wouldn''t want to get on the teacher''s bad side."

    ¡°Like it''s that easy? Why did you oversleep this morning then? Starting off on the wrong foot with the teacher isn''t a good look."

    ¡°It''s not like I did it on purpose."

    Our banter was cut short by a new voiceing from right beside me. ¡°It looks like you are both pretty worn out, huh?"

    Startled, I spun around and noticed On Ki-Hoon smiling at us with a friendly ease. ¡°Hey, we haven''t properly introduced ourselves. I''m Ki-Hoon."

    ¡°Oh, hi there."

    ¡°Um... yeah, hello."

    Actor On Ki-Hoon was the new face in the industry, gradually making appearances in various TV shows in supporting roles, yet he had not yet be a favored choice for significant screen time by directors. Nevertheless, his presence exuded that of a supportive lead, as if he would always be there to lend a helping hand to the female protagonist. This demeanor was reflected in his overall gentle demeanor and voice.

    On Ki-Hoon sat at Hee-Su¡¯s seat without hesitation and asked, ¡°Did you work yesterday as well?¡±

    ¡°Nah, we were just prepping for our uing album,¡± replied Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Oh, really? I caught your end-of-year performance. It was quite the spectacle, even topping the real-time search rankings. It was definitely impressive.¡±

    ¡°It''s all thanks to our fans, truly. I''ve seen some of your work too, stumbled upon a few clips on <i>UTube</i>."

    ¡°Yeah, they featured me because I yed the role of the protagonist¡¯s younger brother.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon navigated the conversation with the ease of an experienced socialite. However, I couldn''t get used to the sudden closeness, so my gaze inadvertently fixed on Ki-Hoon''s fingers.

    As if sensing my difort, Ki-Hoon met my eyes with a soft gaze and a reassuring smile, asking, ¡°What''s the matter, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Oh, it''s nothing... Just, I''ve seen your work on <i>UTube</i> as well."

    ¡°Really? That''s kind of you to say."

    As I joined in the conversation, I subtly shifted my gaze and noticed something odd. ¡®<i>Hmm?¡¯ </i>Students seated nearby, particrly those closer to Ki-Hoon, cast peculiar nces our way, and they were somewhat tinged with skepticism.

    My puzzled look seemed to ask ¡°what''s wrong?¡± caused them to quickly avert their eyes. They simply dismissed it with a shake of their heads.

    ¡®<i>Uh.. what is going on?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Anyway, being in the same field, we are bound to get along. Let''s be friends."

    Goh Yoo-Joon hesitated momentarily before breaking into a grin and nodding in agreement. ¡°Sure. Let''s get to know each other better. Well, looks like it''s about time for the next ss."

    Ki-Hoon stood up and made his way back to his seat. Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon nonchntly pulled out his English textbook, looking indifferent to the surrounding cameras. However, having been friends with Goh Yoo-Joon for years, I could tell there was something about Ki-Hoon he wasn''t too keen on. It seemed like a topic to be discussed after the filming wrapped up.

    ***

    The cameras were cleverly hidden, and the production team was monitoring from afar. As a result, it felt almost like a regr school day, devoid of the usual filming pressures. The candid reactions of our ssmates spoke volumes about the rxed atmosphere on set.

    ¡°So the public schools usually go over textbooks, but...¡±

    As the English teacher started her presentation, it echoed the typical first-day school introductions, setting an educational yet informal tone. Despite the diverse backgrounds of the students and their shared longing for a taste of school life, enthusiasm seemed to dwindle at the prospect of an English lesson, as no one appeared to be present for purely academic reasons. My overwhelming desire at that moment was simply to stay awake.

    Goh Yoo-Joon had sumbed to sleep with his head resting on the desk. The teacher''s words were intended to educate us, but they also lulled us further into sleepiness after a night of minimal rest. Hence, I nudged Goh Yoo-Joon, urging him to wake up.

    ¡°Ah... Uh..." He stirred and propped himself up momentarily while widening his eyes, only to drift off once again.

    ¡°Ah, shoot...¡±

    I roused him once more, and Goh Yoo-Joon leaned against his chair, struggling to maintain focus on the ss.

    Suppressing the urge to sumb to sleep like Goh Yoo-Joon, I was startled when a sudden touch on my shoulder jolted me awake. I turned and found Jeong Hee-Su offering a friendly gesture, signaling me to focus on the lesson. Grateful for his thoughtfulness, I smiled and gently tapped his hand in appreciation as the second period came to an end.

    ***

    Jeong Hee-Su shared a moment of camaraderie with Hyun-Woo and then exchanged a satisfied nce with Yoon-Hwan. Both of them had initially thought that Hyun-Woo was hard to befriend, especially since he remained quiet and observant during the first period.

    Given Chronos''s widespread poprity, both of them were familiar with the group''s performances. Hyun-Woo''s distinctive blonde hair made him easily recognizable, even to casual fans, and he was not only good-looking but also incredibly good at performing on the stage. Even those unaware of Chronos could tell that Hyun-Woo was the most popr member in the group by the fans¡¯ reactions.

    Beforeing here, Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan didn¡¯t know Suh Hyun-Woo by name. However, they recognized his face and his performance. In contrast to Goh Yoo-Joon''s approachable demeanor, they found Hyun-Woo somewhat intimidating. His reserved appearance and his spare contributions to the conversation, responding only to Goh Yoo-Joon, made him seem somewhat distant.

    However, the moment Hyun-Woo tapped Hee-Su¡¯s hand in thanks, their perception of him changedpletely. Hyun-Woo was just as kind-hearted as Goh Yoo-Joon, but he was just more reserved in showing it.

    As Hee-Su pulled his hand away from Hyun-Woo¡¯s shoulder, the bell signaling the end of the second period rang. Both Goh Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo barely held on and flopped forward onto their desks, falling asleep immediately. Their unintended nap pushed back any ns for visiting the canteen.

    The third periodmenced with their history teacher¡¯s engaging presentation. Although it was technically a ss, the session was crafted more for entertainment, aiming to be engaging and informative for the audience.

    With a resolve not to doze off again, both members of Chronos focused intently on the lesson.

    As time slowly passed, it was suddenly the fourth period¡ªthe time for the ss president elections.

 Chapter 169: Joy (6)

    Chapter 169: Joy (6)

    The election was officially underway. For many, this was a golden opportunity to shine, and I had anticipated to see a fiercepetition with numerous candidates stepping forward, including Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Surprisingly, that wasn''t the case. Goh Yoo-Joon was the sole contender for the title. At first, I was taken aback, wondering why. But soon, the realization dawned on me. They didn¡¯t really need the limelight in this ce.

    They were here mainly to relive their school days, not to shoulder the burden of prominence, except for a few like me, Goh Yoo-Joon, and On Ki-Hoon. With the month ahead promising fun and memory-making, it was understandable that none of them would seek the additional responsibility of being the ss president.

    As a result, the ss president election morphed into a session where Goh Yoo-Joon outlined his ns andmitments for leading our ss for the month. ¡°Thank you all so very much!" he eximed, standing confidently at the podium, with his hands sped and swaying side to side, almost as if he was buttering up the students. ¡°It''s all thanks to you that I have the chance to be your ss president."

    ¡°Isn''t this just a walkover?" Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan snickered among themselves. Overhearing them, I couldn''t suppress a grin. Indeed, Goh Yoo-Joon was behaving as if he had won an electoral seat, despite facing no opposition.

    ¡°Now that I''m the ss president, for the uing month..." Goh Yoo-Joon started his speech with enthusiasm. Kun-Ho, who was seated beside the podium, looked on with a content smile, clearly pleased with Goh Yoo-Joon''s initiative to get more screen time.

    But then, a thought struck me. What about my own screen time? The director''s words that entrusted us with the task of captivating the audience echoed in my mind. Since arriving at the school, had I done anything noteworthy?

    <em>¡®This won''t do.¡¯</em> Goh Yoo-Joon was out there, actively making his mark, and here I was, sitting silently. I couldn''t let the production team down, nor could I afford to be seen as merely coasting along. Otherwise, the production team would be disappointed in me.

    Determined to make a move, I pondered, <em>''What should I do? What can I do to stand out?'' </em>Memories of how our group Chronos had captivated audiences during various year-end performances at the artists¡¯ seats[1]came to my mind.I pulled out a notebook from my desk drawer, one that I had received that morning along with my textbooks, and started to write boldly with a highlighter pen.

    [The Unbeatable ss President Goh Yoo-Joon]

    Shoot, my attempt at humor fell t, turning into nothing more than nd ttery. It hit me then that wit was essential even in such trivial attempts at humor. I hesitated, debating whether to start over, but I ultimately set the highlighter aside. No matter how hard I tried,ing up with something genuinely amusing seemed beyond my grasp.

    I then decided to go with whatever I wrote on the paper. With a sigh, I lifted it above my head, allowing Goh Yoo-Joon to see it, and resumed listening to him.

    As he noticed my action, his gaze shifted to me with a mix of surprise and amusement. ¡°I will y thetest hit songs during lunchtime... Pfft!" He couldn''t help butugh upon seeing my sign, drawing the attention of the entire ss to me.

    <em>¡®What''s the big deal?¡¯</em> I stood my ground as they probably saw me as just anotheredic figure, akin to the character from ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha.¡± But it was all about capturing those precious moments on camera, to be seen and remembered.

    Despite my unswayed disy, the ss quickly returned their focus to Goh Yoo-Joon, theirughter subsiding. ¡°Ah, seriously... Anyway, I promise to do my best. I''m counting on your support!" Goh Yoo-Joon concluded, his words met with warm apuse. After that, he bowed gracefully and returned to his seat next to me, snatching the notebook to take a closer look.

    ¡°The Unbeatable ss President Goh Yoo-Joon, huh? Ahahaha! What were you thinking that you wrote something like this? Ah, Suh Hyun-Woo, you''ve got no game," he teased, half-amused, half-exasperated.

    ¡°Just admit that you are thankful for the support, Goh Yoo-Joon.¡±

    ¡°Thankful? Not in the slightest. This is going straight to the group chat. Prepare for some serious ribbing.¡±

    ¡°Ah, why?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon tore off the written part and carefully folded the notebook before handing it back.

    Kun-Ho then took the stage once more. "I hope Yoo-Joon will lead our ss well until graduation. Remember, it''s lunchtime when the bell rings.¡±

    ¡°Yes!" we all chorused in unison.

    ¡°We will be having lunch in the ssroom today. The staff outside will assist with the serving, so please enjoy your meal. From the fifth period onward, we will have individual sessions to reflect on our day. The remaining time is dedicated to self-study."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    After that, Kun-Ho exited the ssroom, seemingly more inclined to gather his screen time from a vantage point outside and keep an eye on the ssroom dynamics.

    Shortly after, the bell echoed through the halls.

    ¡°Wow! It''s finally lunchtime!"

    At the sound of the bell, students bolted out of their seats and dashed like a horde of hungry monsters eager for their meals.

    ¡°..." Witnessing this frenzied rush after such a long time left me quite astonished.

    ¡°Aren''t we going too?" Yoo Joon-Hwan asked, his voiceced with anticipation. Beside him, Jeong Hee-Su seemed ready to join the fray, both of them naturally aligning with our group.

    Goh Yoo-Joon, however, was nonchnt. ¡°No rush. Let''s avoid the hustle and take our time."

    ¡°Sounds good."

    ¡°What is the menu today?¡±

    Jeong Hee-Su then stood up and looked out of the corridor. ¡°Can you believe it? Tteok-galbi[2] is on the menu today!"

    ¡°Seriously? But won''t everything be gone by the time we get there?"

    ¡°Don''t worry, the teachers will ensure everyone gets their share."

    Though they seemed a bit anxious, they trusted Goh Yoo-Joon''s words. I too, driven by curiosity, stood up to check out the lunch menu, wondering what had made them so worked up. As I did, both Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan watched me with surprise.

    ¡°Look at Suh Hyun-Woo, even you are curious about the lunch menu."

    ¡°Uh?"

    ¡°I never thought of you as the type to fuss over meals."

    ¡°Yeah, I figured you were more the indifferent type when ites to food."

    ¡°And what about me?" Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

    Jeong Hee-Su couldn''t help but chuckle at the question. ¡°Well, you are a different story. Unless you keep quiet, maybe."

    ¡°Hey, any illusions about him will vanish the moment he speaks!¡±

    While Goh Yoo-Joon and Jeong Hee-Su shared augh, I seized the moment to add my thoughts. ¡°I was just curious if the school''s lunch would be anything special since we are filming at the moment. And it looks like the menu really is different from the usual."

    ¡°Right, the menu does seem more upscale." It was clear they were a bit ufortable with me as their reactions to myments and actions were somewhat exaggerated.

    Once the line wasn¡¯t that packed anymore, we brought our trays over to the four desks we''d pushed together.

    Our lunch included irreceable side dishes like chive sd and kimchi,plemented by spinach, tteok-galbi, seaweed soup, and ck rice[3].

    Typically, that would be the extent of the menu, but today we were treated to soft tofu and even yogurt for dessert, both clearly product cements[4].

    As I was opening the soft tofu, a voice caught me off guard. ¡°Mind if I join you guys?"

    ¡°Huh?" I was startled and turned to find On Ki-Hoon standing behind Goh Yoo-Joon with a tray, a friendly smile on his face.

    ¡°Let¡¯s eat together, guys,¡± On Ki-Hoon said.

    Goh Yoo-Joon gave a quick nce around, noting that other students seemed engrossed in their own meals, paying us no mind.

    After a brief silence, Goh Yoo-Joon made room by sliding his tray over. I followed suit, making space for one more. ¡°Here, take a seat."

    ¡°Thanks a bunch."

    On Ki-Hoon greeted us warmly as he settled down with his tray, his presence adding a new dynamic to our group. I had assumed he was closer with the other kids, but it seemed that it wasn''t the case.

    The addition of On Ki-Hoon to our table introduced a slight awkwardness, but it was nothing we couldn''t handle. Plus, as ss president, it was Goh Yoo-Joon''s role to be inclusive, especially toward anyone who might feel left out.

    We continued our meal amidst this new arrangement, though the easy banter from before was somewhat subdued.

    ***

    After lunch, we promptly brushed our teeth and made our way to the field for a special project. It was time for the music video shoot for ¡°Joy.¡± We weren''t filming immediately, but we had obtained special permission from the<em> Graduating </em>team before today.

    Upon reaching the field, the Chronos team''s stylists swiftly stripped us of our jackets and vests, each piece emzoned with the emblem of our cherished school. I wore a sleek ck cardigan, while Goh Yoo-Joon was left in a simple, crisp shirt.

    ¡°Are we all set to go?"

    ¡°Absolutely."

    Our ever-diligent manager handed over apact camcorder to us. I eagerly took it, powering it on without a moment''s dy. After that, I turned the lens toward Goh Yoo-Joon and started capturing his every move. With a natural ir, he shed yful V-signs at the camcorder and started a casual banter with me.

    ¡°I wonder how this footage will be woven into the music video. It''s quite thrilling to think about."

    ¡°I know right? But I have a feeling our fans will instantly recognize it as it was shot right here at the school."

    Since we knew our voices wouldn''t make the final cut, we felt free to say whatever crossed our minds, focusing solely on encapsting the joy of the moment.

    [Members capturing each other in their school uniforms using a camcorder]

    This was the directive given by the music video director, aiming to infuse a genuine slice of our school life into the project. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan must have their turn with the camcorder after school hours, while Joo-Han had a separate part scheduled for him.

    The director''s vision was to encapste the essence of our school days, with each of us wearing different uniforms from various schools, which led us to secure the <em>Graduating</em> team''s approval for our shoot here.

    ¡°We need to amp up the energy!" Seemingly dissatisfied with our simple walk-and-shoot approach, one of the stylists called out for more vibrancy in our actions.

    ¡°Right, let''s do this!"

    Spurred by her words, we immediately joined hands. However, I tried to keep my focus on Goh Yoo-Joon through the camcorder''s lens.

    ¡°Let''s kick things off."

    ¡°Sure thing."

    Hand in hand, we started spinning around, ourughter echoing through the air.

    ¡°Ahahahahaha!¡±

    ¡°Whoa, this is dizzying!"

    After a whirlwind of spins, I passed the camcorder to Goh Yoo-Joon, and weunched into a yful game of tag. Our antics were a stark contrast to the chilly winter air of the field. It was during these shenanigans that we caught the gaze of some students peeking out from the windows, an unexpectedly amusing audience to our impromptu performance.

    ***

    The fifth period brought about our much-anticipated interview session with the teacher, which, in reality, was a candid sit-down with the director. Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan seemed to stiffen up as it was their first time facing the camera head-on. They felt as if the weight of the moment settled on their shoulders.

    The director initiated the conversation with a simple yet open-ended question.

    - How did today go?

    ¡°It was an absolute st, wasn''t it?"

    ¡°Yes, the day was filled with genuine fun. It felt just like a real school."

    - And what stood out the most for you?

    ¡°Honestly, it''s hard to pick just one moment. The whole experience of returning to school, coupled with the warmth and kindness of everyone here, felt like a journey back to the happier chapters of our past."

    "Yeah, it''s as if we''ve returned to our school days, but only the good times have followed us here, leaving behind any of the struggles."

    Both Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan had made the tough decision to leave school due to intense bullying and violence in their second year of high school. However, despite their initial reservations and the negative memories associated with school, today''s experiences had them animatedly sharing their stories.

    - Did you manage to create any new friends?

    ¡°Definitely! With Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°At first, their celebrity status seemed a bit intimidating, but they turned out to be incredibly friendly and weing."

    - Could you share a bit more about your new friends, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo? What are they like?

    "Those two..." Yoo Joon-Hwan paused for a moment before carefully choosing his words. ¡°They share a remarkably close bond."

    ¡°Absolutely... There''s something special about their friendship. Yoo-Joon is genuinely kind-hearted and brings so much joy. And Hyun-Woo? He is quite the character." Jeong Hee-Su couldn''t help but let out augh, reminiscing about Hyun-Woo''s animated disy of writing ¡°The Unbeatable ss President Goh Yoo-Joon¡± in his notebook.

    ¡°Yeah, Hyun-Woo''s got this unique vibe, you know? Both of them are just fascinating. Watching them, you''d think, ''Ah, so that''s why they are friends.'' They seem to have their own code of humor."

    - Did you see them on the field during lunch?

    ¡°Oh yes, that was hrious. I still can''t figure out what they were up to."

    The two burst intoughter. Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo had indeed ventured out to the field during lunchtime. When the other students looked down from the ssroom window, they were curious as the two were holding hands, spinning around in circles with peals ofughter. After a while, it seemed to end, but then they started a game of tag.

    Their seamless interaction, as if they had done this countless times before, made it clear to the spectators that they were just enjoying each other''spany, the hallmark of true friendship.

    ¡°Yes, exactly."

    ¡°Anyway, they are really great guys. We are hoping to get to know them better, maybe even hang out together at inte cafes or snack barster on."

    Both hoped that this particr scene would make it onto the broadcast.

    1. The events like this let the artists, who are not performing at the moment, sit in front of the stage and watch others¡¯ performances as the audience. ?

    2. Korean grilled short rib patties. This was my favorite menu at school back in Korea too! ?

    3. Dang seaweed soup!!! My all-time favorite. ?

    4. The practice of intentionally showcasing brand products or services within various media content, such as movies, TV shows, music videos, or online content, as a form of indirect advertising ormercial endorsement. ?

 Chapter 170: Joy (7)

    Chapter 170: Joy (7)

    After the intense session of practicing our new track, I nced at the clock to find that it was already 2:50 AM. I skipped the hassle of drying my hair as I deemed every second too precious to waste. I immediately sprawled out on my bed.

    ¡°<em>Ugh</em>!" A groan of sheer exhaustion slipped out as I sank into the mattress.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was lying beside me and mirroring my sentiments with a simr groan as he too embraced thefort of his bed. ¡°This is absolute madness."

    ¡°The thought of getting used to sleeping for just three hours terrifies me."

    As I shared my fears, Goh Yoo-Joon turned a weary gaze my way. ¡°Maybe getting used to it isn''t such a bad thing? I heard that for idols in the midst of promotions, three hours of sleep is practically the norm."

    ¡°I know.¡± I understood the concept in my mind but knowing it did nothing to alleviate the physical exhaustion. Our conversation tapered off as Goh Yoo-Joon eventually fell silent, likely drifting off to sleep.

    Driven by a nagging sense of unease, I quietly borrowed Goh Yoo-Joon''sptop to do some digging. Despite the smooth sailing of our <em>Graduating</em> shoot, I couldn''t shake off my unease. The filming had gone smoothly, yet I remembered that a controversy had erupted post-airing. If my suspicions about the scandal were correct, it could inevitably drag both Goh Yoo-Joon and me into its wake.

    In the vtile world of entertainment, controversies tend to indiscriminately affect everyone involved regardless of their actual involvement. Also, Goh Yoo-Joon''s prominent role as the ss president added anotheryer to my concerns.

    ¡°..."I found myself searching for On Ki-Hoon, as he had left a notable weird impression during the shoot. In my mind, he was the prime suspect for the controversy.

    However, the information avable on portal sites was scant, offering only a page or two of generic praises about his character. It said he was kind, well-mannered, and good-looking, which were hardly the signs I was seeking.

    I got frustrated by theck of substantial information and closed theptop. ¡°Ah, I''m exhausted."

    It was now 3:30 AM. As Iy back and gazed at the ceiling, drowsiness quickly enveloped me and pulled me into its depths.

    ***

    <em>Jaaaaaar!!!</em>

    The rm¡¯s melody shattered the silence.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°<em>Ugh</em>, damn..." Goh Yoo-Joon was the first to wake up, silencing the rm before gently nudging me with his foot. ¡°Hey, time to rise."

    ¡°...Mmh..." I pretended to be oblivious and yearned for just a few more minutes of rest, but Goh Yoo-Joon''s exasperated sigh filled the room.

    ¡°...<em>Ugh</em>, you better wake up when I tell youter," he grumbled, his voice hoarse yet impressively resilient. Despite the evident fatigue, he managed to gather himself and stand. It made me reflect on our friends Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, who consistently attended school almost every day. They were in a league of their own.

    After I slept for a brief moment, Goh Yoo-Joon, fresh out of the bath, returned to annoy me out of bed.

    ¡°We are cutting it close, dude."

    ¡°Mmm... I''m seriously dying..."

    ¡°You won''t die. But we will bete if you don''t get up now."

    My attempts to linger in bed were thwarted as Goh Yoo-Joon pulled me to my feet with determined resolve. I then reluctantly made my way to the shower, which thankfully, did help to dispel some of the grogginess.

    As I walked out into the living room, I found Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan in their uniforms, sprawled out on the couch in a heap of exhaustion. Jin-Sung somehow ended up lying on top of Yoon-Chan, who seemed slightly ufortable under the weight.

    ¡°Where is Joo-Han hyung?"

    ¡°Jin-Sung, get off! Joo-Han hyung crashed early this morning after working on a song for the opening ceremony.¡±

    The absence of cameras in our dormitoryst night must have granted us a rare break from the relentless filming schedule.

    ¡°Hey, Jin-Sung, stop tormenting Yoon-Chan and get up." As I nudged Jin-Sung off Yoon-Chan and helped him to his feet, our manager appeared and signaled that it was time to depart.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get moving."

    True to form, cameras were already installed in the car.

    ¡°Good morning, everyone." With a cheerful greeting to the camera, Goh Yoo-Joon and I climbed into the car. It marked the beginning of our second day of <em>Graduating </em>filming session<em>.</em>

    ***

    The ssroom was alive with a vibrant buzz today, which was a sharp contrast to yesterday''s tense silence. The overwhelming stares had given way to casual greetings and lively chats among friends.

    ¡°Yo, you guys look even more exhausted today, huh?" Hee-Sumented, and his concern was evident as I dropped my bag and slumped into my seat. I could only nod wearily in response.

    ¡°These days,eback preparations have us burning the candle at both ends. We are barely getting any sleep."

    ¡°We managed to catch a mere three hours of sleep. Waking up was the hardest thing ever," Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in and elicited gasps of shock from the others.

    ¡°Yikes! 3 AM? Isn''t that pushing it too far?"

    ¡°That¡¯s insane. They should at least let you rest. 3 AM is just overkill, especially with today''s schedule as well."

    <em>¡®It''s surreal, isn''t it? How our reality seems so unfathomable to others. Well, it was our own decision to practice till the wee hours, but still!¡¯</em>

    <em>Drrr-</em>

    The brief banter did wonders in dispelling the remnants of sleepiness. The door swung open, and Kun-Ho¡¯s presence instantly silenced the chatter as all eyes turned to him.

    ¡°Good morning, everyone. It looks like you''ve all grown quite close overnight." His observation prompted a chorus of chuckles around the room.

    ¡°I hope you are all ready for another engaging day of lessons. Oh, and there''s a bit of news. We have a new student joining us today."

    A new student?

    ¡°He is actually an international student."

    ¡°Really?"

    Murmurs of curiosity filled the room at Kun-Ho''s announcement. He simply put on a mysterious smile but didn¡¯t say anything further. He then gestured toward the door with a gentle smile. ¡°Please,e in."

    As the new student made his entrance, it wasn''t just his face that caught our attention but his towering stature and arms that could rival Jin-Sung''s in their muscrity. With his jet-ck hair, pronounced features, and a disarmingly gentle smile, he exuded a sense of maturity beyond his years.

    If we didn''t know any better, we''d picture him as a sophisticated man, perhaps enjoying a ss of fine wine against a backdrop of twinkling city lights, or maybe as the refined face of a coffee brand.

    ¡°Would you mind introducing yourself?"

    ¡°Hello, everyone. My name is Daniele Rossi, and I came all the way from Italy. Please, just call me Daniele. It''s a pleasure to meet you all."

    Daniele¡¯s gaze briefly swept the room before settling on an empty seat next to Hee-Su at the back. His hand gestured toward it as if asking permission. ¡°May I sit there, please?"

    Hismand of Koreannguage was impable,plete with a touch of the local dialect.

    ¡°Sure, go ahead. If you have any questions, don''t hesitate to ask your ssmates for help."

    Daniele nodded in understanding and then took a respectful step back. After bowing to Kun-Ho, he made his way to his seat. His manners were perfectly polite, probably even surpassing those of many locals.

    As I watched Daniele navigate his way to his seat, our eyes briefly met. ¡°Oh, hey there, Brown Hair! Love the color, it suits you well!" Despite his chic and polished demeanor, there was an unmistakable warmth to him. It was such a down-to-earth charm that felt unexpectedly familiar.

    I was caught slightly off-guard by hispliment and quickly mustered a smile in response. ¡°Uh? Oh, thanks a lot."

    ¡°I''ve seen you before. You are the one in the boy band, right? I recognize you guys."

    ¡°Yeah, that''s us. We are looking forward to getting to know you."

    Instead of a verbal response, Daniele offered a cheeky wink before settling into his seat, leaving asting impression. That wink was surprisingly intense.

    Daniele had certainly made quite an entrance and captured the attention of the entire ss. As the students continued to steal nces at him, Kun-Ho tapped the attendance book on the desk multiple times.

    <em>Tap, tap!</em>

    ¡°Alright, let''s shift our focus away from the new student now/" Kun-Ho gently redirected the students'' attention back to himself. ¡°We will wrap up the assembly now. The first period is English, right? Make sure you are prepared for the lesson. And Hee-Su?"

    ¡°Yes?" Hee-Su, who had been exchanging nces with Daniele, turned toward Kun-Ho with widened eyes.

    ¡°Hee-Su and the ss president, pleasee with me for a moment."

    ¡°Me? Okay," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Alright." Hee-Su and Goh Yoo-Joon rose to follow Kun-Ho out of the ssroom, leaving behind a buzz of whispers as the momentarily hushed room came alive once more.

    ***

    ¡°I heard Hee-Su''s got a mission." Fresh from a visit to the staff room, Goh Yoo-Joon addressed the ss from the podium with a hint of intrigue in his tone.

    ¡°A mission?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon then confirmed with a nod.

    ¡°Yep, you know, the thing our teacher mentioned yesterday? About jotting down what we''d love to do if we were back in school."

    ¡°Really? Are we doing that now?" The buzz of excitement grew amongst the students.

    ¡°And what''s this mission all about?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but sh a yful grin. ¡°It''s a little secret for now. You will all find out soon enough, but let''s y along and act surprised, okay?"

    ¡°Sounds like a n!" The ss agreed as their interest was thoroughly piqued by the mystery.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was satisfied with the ss''s reaction and sauntered back to his seat before leaning in to share a snippet with Joon-Hwan and me. ¡°In the staff room just now, there wasn''t just Kun-Ho¡ª<em>ehm</em>, our homeroom teacher, but the English teacher too. They were briefing Hee-Su on some mission rules."

    ¡°What kind of mission are we talking about?" I couldn''t help but ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

    ¡°To be honest, I am not too sure. They told me it''s about creating cherished memories for the students and asked me to spread the word." Goh Yoo-Joon shrugged nonchntly, as if it were just another day at school.

    As the ss bell loomed, Hee-Su entered with a hint of anxiety etched on his face. It left us with no time to delve further as the English lessonmenced.

    Goh Yoo-Joon fought a losing battle against sleep. He suddenly tore a piece of paper from his notebook and started scribbling.

    ¡°What are you up to?" I whispered and leaned in for a closer look.

    Goh Yoo-Joon handed me the note without a word.

    [What kind of mission did you get?]

    Ah, the nostalgic art of note-passing. It took me back to the days when Goh Yoo-Joon and I would settle our disputes silently on paper.

    I suppressed a smile and decided not to return the note to Goh Yoo-Joon but instead folded it neatly and passed it to Hee-Su. Hee-Su took the note and let out a deep sigh upon reading it as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

    <em>¡®What sort of mission could have made him so flustered?''</em>

    It seemed like something he had chosen to do, so it couldn''t be that daunting.

    Shortly after, Hee-Su tapped my shoulder gently. I reached back, maintained my gaze forward, and discreetly took the note from him. As I passed it to Goh Yoo-Joon, he nced at it quizzically before showing it to me.

    [It''s too embarrassing, so please don''t ask. You will find out soon.]

    [I seriously regret this. Even the English teacher burst intoughter when I shared the mission details.]

    Hmm? What on earth did he jot down that could cause him such embarrassment and regret?

    Embarrassing and regrettable scenarios flitted through my mind, but none seemed to fit the situation. Nevertheless, I had to respect him since he had asked us not to ask further¡­

    We reluctantly tucked the note into the drawer and redirected our attention to the ongoing lesson. Minutes dragged on, each tick of the clock seemingly louder than thest.

    "..."

    I straightened up to fight the overwhelming urge to drift off, but then I noticed that Goh Yoo-Joon had already sumbed to the lure of sleep.

    ¡°Hey, time to wake up," I murmured, nudging him gently.

    When he remained unresponsive, I gave his shoulder a firmer shake. I finally got a chance to annoy him like this, not the other way around. Goh Yoo-Joon leaned back on his chair, his eyes still clouded with drowsiness. But at least, he would stay awake for a while longer.

    Just then¡­ ¡°Pfft!¡± A muffled chuckle escaped from somewhere behind us.

    ¡°Who was that?" The unexpected sound caught the English teacher''s attention, prompting him to pause the lesson and cast a questioning nce our way.

    I turned around and saw Joon-Hwan, his hand mped over his mouth, shaking his head in an apology. ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°Tut, tut, we can''t have disruptions during ss," the teacher admonished, though his lips twitched with an amused smile before he resumed the lesson.

    As I turned back to face the front, a faint, no¡­ rather unmistakable aroma of food started to permeate the air.

    ¡®<em>Hmm? What smell is this?¡¯</em>

    It was only the first period, so lunch couldn''t have arrived already.

    That was when Goh Yoo-Joon nced back absentmindedly and suddenly stifled augh. After that, he clenched his teeth as if holding back a chuckle.

    ¡°Why?" I asked by following his gaze, only to find Hee-Su''s textbook propped up in an odd manner. Behind the textbook, there seemed to be some suspicious movement.

    I curiously peeked over Hee-Su''s textbook. ¡°Whoa, seriously?" I nearly burst outughing but managed to control myself and then turned back to face Hee-Su. I couldn¡¯t believe this.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I mouthed the question, and Hee-Su responded with a face full of unjustified misery. There he was, sneakily eating from a lunchbox hidden behind his textbook.

    [Name: Jeong Hee-Su

    Q: If you were to go back to school, what is something you''d definitely want to try? (And why?)

    A: Bring lunch and sneakily eat it during ss. I just saw it on TV once and wanted to try it.]

 Chapter 171: Joy (8)

    <h4>Chapter 171: Joy (8)</h4>

    The delicate aroma of fried tofu stuffed rice[1] emanated from the lunch box, slowly filling the ssroom. At first, only I and Goh Yoo-Joon smelled it, but soon, every kid in the ss caught on to Hee-Su''s mission, sharing secretive giggles while the teacher''s back faced us. The English teacher was also aware of it, but he chose to turn a blind eye as long as we kept our mischief under wraps.

    Anyway, it was definitely so funny that everyone could barely hold theirughter. The absurdity of the situation¡ªsneaking bites from lunchboxes in an era dominated by cafeteria meals¡ªwas undeniablyical. Hee-Su''s concept, no matter how many times I mulled over it, was hriously oundish, especially considering it defied typical students at public schools.

    As I cast a bemused nce at Hee-Su, I could see embarrassment flush his face. His cheeks tinted with red as he hastily shoved a piece of fried tofu stuffed rice into his mouth, gesturing impatiently for me to look away.

    Struggling to suppress myughter, I bit my lip and forcefully directed my attention elsewhere, though the corners of my mouth betrayed me by twitching upward.

    I tried to stifle myughter, but the rich scent of fried tofu stuffed rice wafting through the air and the asional clink of chopsticks threatened to break myposure. Now, focusing on the lesson became an uphill battle for me

    Goh Yoo-Joon was surprisingly alert for once and suddenly swiveled around with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He turned toward Hee-Su, and I pretended to ignore him as I thought he was just about to tease Hee-Su. However, he suddenly tossed something into my unsuspecting mouth.

    ¡°...Eup!¡± I choked back a startledugh, shooting Goh Yoo-Joon a re as he nonchntly pointed at Hee-Su with his index finger.

    As I chewed, I could feel the soft, savory taste of a rolled omelet.

    After that, the teacher''s sharp reprimand sliced through the air. ¡°Who''s making noise at the back? I''ve said no talking during ss."

    Goh Yoo-Joon sheepishly raised his hand in admission and said, ¡°I am sorry."

    ¡°Next time, it''s straight to the back for punishment."

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± I didn¡¯t care whether Goh Yoo-Joon apologized for me or not. I simply savored this omelet with delight, its homemade warmth contrasting sharply with the ones that factories made.

    As I polished off thest bite, Goh Yoo-Joon handed me a piece of fried chicken. It was oversized and awkward to eat discreetly.

    This act of rebellion, initiated by Hee-Su, had be our collective secret¡ªa shared bond forged over stolen bites and whispered conspiracies. Tearing wooden chopsticks with a flourish, Goh Yoo-Joon started distributing bites of food to nearby ssmates. The shared nces and stifled giggles soon turned into a silent pact ofplicity, each of us sneaking nibbles as if on a covert mission.

    The sight of students, particrly those in the center rows, covertly indulging in this silent feast undoubtedly presented a considerable challenge for our teacher. He grappled to retain hisposure at the podium.

    After a while, a hushed voice beckoned me. ¡°Hey.¡±

    I turned around and found Daniele looking at me from the back, with an expectant look on his face.

    ¡°Why?"

    Without a word, he pointed from Hee-Su to himself and said, ¡°I want some too.¡± After that, he winked at me.

    <i>Ughhhh</i>, that was too much. I wanted to clean my eyes.

    I didn¡¯t understand why he was asking me when Hee-Su was right next to him. Despite the awkwardness, Iplied, passing a piece of fried tofu stuffed rice his way. Daniele''s satisfied grin was apanied by a silent ¡°oh, sweet," which marked the end of our little secret.

    ¡°Daniele is thest. We are done here," Hee-Su announced, closing the chapter on our lunchbox adventure as he tucked his now empty box back into his bag.

    ¡°...¡±

    Despite the simplicity of our actions, a wave of collective satisfaction washed over us. And just in time, a quick-thinking ssmate by the window brought in some fresh air, clearing the scents of our feast as ss resumed its usual rhythm.

    The ss continued as if nothing had happened, with the students refocusing on the teacher¡¯s instructions. Goh Yoo-Joon also looked at the board. His tiredness must have been swept away by the food.

    [Jeong Hee-Su - Eating lunch sneakily during ss. Missionplete!]

    As the bell rang, signaling the end of ss, Hee-Su''s mission was deemed a resounding sess, which left us with a shared memory ofughter and rebellion.

    ***

    ¡°You must have read too manyic books? Eating lunch during ss, seriously?"

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s pretty outdated..."

    ¡°Shush! I just wanted to try it, okay?"

    Hee-Su''s defensive retort to Goh Yoo-Joon and Joon-Hwan''s teasing caught me off guard.

    ¡°You actually wrote that down, seriously?" I asked, suspecting that he had written the first thing that came to his mind to avoid beingte, just like I did.

    Hee-Su''s reaction was a mix of embarrassment and indignation. His experience looked priceless as he stormed off. "Ah, forget it!"

    The next ss was PE[2]. We were making our way toward the locker room that was located in one of the school¡¯s quieter corners. Much like our uniforms that were sent directly to our homes, our gym clothes were also neatly stored in our individual lockers.

    <i>Drrr-</i>

    Upon reaching the locker room, we pushed the door open, and it slid open with a smooth, gliding sound.

    ¡°...Can you believe this changing room? It''s as spacious as a ssroom!"

    ¡°I mean, my old school doesn''t even have a changing room. This ce must be for the elite."

    Joon-Hwan and Hee-Su couldn''t hide their awe as they looked in the expansive changing room, their eyes scanning the interior curiously.

    I gently nudged them forward, and we all stepped inside. A few students in their gym attire were making their way out, signaling a changeover in the room''s upants.

    It was the only spot without a single camera in sight, and the crew collected the microphone before we changed our clothes, so this spot was our safe ce.

    ¡°I tried that Korean sushi for the first time today. You know, the one that''s supposed to be savory? This one tasted more like chocte than anything. Couldn''t believe it was rice." Daniele had somehow ended up joining our group and was now sharing his experience with the Korean sushi rice he''d tried earlier.

    It sounded like he was saying the stuffed rice was unexpectedly sweet, more a treat than a meal, akin to a chocte snack.

    As I changed into my gym clothes, I asked Daniele, ¡°Was it good, though?"

    ¡°It was delicious. I''m thinking of introducing it to my parents."

    ¡°Ah, you want to share it with your parents? We usually have it at sushi ces, but I wonder if you could find it at a convenience store nearby."

    My tone naturally became more deliberate and clear when I spoke to Daniele, almost as if I were speaking to a child. Perhaps that was why he seemed to enjoy our conversations, as my words were straightforward and easy for him to understand.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was busy chatting away with Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan, while I engaged with Daniele. Given theck of mics and cameras, and following the recent lunchbox mission, it was natural for the rest of the kids to join in, making the atmosphere lively. It could have been a bit noisy for others.

    This must have been what led to the outburst.

    ¡°Ah, fucking idiots. It''s way too loud in here." The abrupt curse caused a sudden silence to fall over the locker room. I was taken aback, looking around to see a rather tough-looking student in gym clothes stashing his phone away while ring at us.

    ¡°...¡±

    Weren''t there supposed to be no troublemakers? The production team had assured us of that. They imed they didn¡¯t bring any potentially troublesome students. So, who was this guy?

    This unknown student was ring specifically at me and Goh Yoo-Joon, his expression filled with irritation. ¡°Damn, I knew it would be like this. All this talk about memories just makes us watch our step around celebrities."

    His words were filled with disdain. That unfounded aggression in his eyes reminded me of Kim Jin-Wook before he went into Teacher Woo Ji-Hyuk''s etiquette school. Well, we had to diffuse the tension for now.

    ¡°Ah, we were being noisy, my apologies¡ª"

    Before I could finish, Goh Yoo-Joon quickly stepped in, cutting me off. Then he faced the guy with a stoic expression. ¡°Look, we are sorry for the noise. But if you are done swearing, maybe you should just leave. No need to ruin the vibe for everyone else."

    Goh Yoo-Joon wasn''t smiling, and his serious demeanor made even Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan tense up.

    The guy responded with a snide chuckle. ¡°Wow, really? People sure fucking change their tune when the cameras are off."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s expression softened slightly as he shook his head. ¡°Hey, let''s keep it civil. We are still on set, and it''s not about changing tunes. I''d say the same thing even with cameras rolling."

    Indeed, Goh Yoo-Joon would have stood his ground just the same, even if the confrontation had happened in front of the cameras. His firm stance wasn''t about rudeness or aggression but about setting boundaries¡ªsomething that wouldn''t be misconstrued even on camera.

    Goh Yoo-Joon gave the guy the once-over from head to toe, with a faint hint of disdain in his gaze.

    ¡°You are already dressed for the gym, aren¡¯t you?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s tone was nonchnt, almost dismissive as he moved past the guy, making his way to the door with an air of finality. He then stated, ¡°If the noise bothers you that much, you are free to leave."

    ¡°And why should my whereabouts concern you?" the guy retorted, his voiceced with a mix of annoyance and defiance.

    ¡°Let''s not throw a tantrum here. We are all part of this shoot, earning our keep. If you are not here to contribute, maybe it''s time to step aside instead of stirring up trouble," Goh Yoo-Joon advised, his patience wearing thin.

    With a gentle nod toward the exit, Goh Yoo-Joon signaled that the discussion was over. The other guy locked eyes with Goh Yoo-Joon for a tense moment before letting out a muttered curse and storming off. As I watched him leave, an unsettling feeling lingered, reminiscent of Kim Jin-Wook''s troublesome demeanor. Was there a possible connection between them?

    Once the door swung shut behind the guy¡¯s figure, Goh Yoo-Joon let out a sigh, but the peace was short-lived.

    ¡°What on earth was that all about?!" Daniele exploded, his voice echoing off the locker room walls.

    "Daniele, please take a deep breath and calm down," I urged, trying to soothe his frazzled nerves.

    ¡°No way! How dare hee at us like that? That asshole!" Daniele''s anger was overwhelming, his voice rising with each word.

    "Shhh, keep it down," I whispered, cing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, while Joon-Hwan quickly joined in, trying to muffle Daniele''s outbursts before they attracted more attention. At this moment, Daniele''s face was a canvas of red and purple, his frustration evident in the tight furrows of his brow.

    As Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan went to pacify Daniele, I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon and gave him a gentle tap on the back. He turned toward me, his eyes holding an unspoken question, still clouded by the remnants of his earlier irritation.

    ¡°Why?" His voice was tinged with lingering frustration.

    I chose my words carefully, aiming to ease the tension without escting it further. ¡°Let''s not dwell on that guy too much. If we run into simr situations down the line, perhaps it''s best to offer a quick apology and move on. Better safe than sorry, right?"

    ¡°...Alright," Goh Yoo-Joon conceded, his shoulders rxing slightly as he processed my suggestion. Relief washed over me, grateful for his understanding.

    The incident added anotheryer ofplexity to the already intricate web of potential ¡°exposures¡± within the show. With stakes high enough to garner media attention, it was clear that any revtion could spark widespread interest, regardless of its source among the cast, crew, or even the general public.

    #Side Story - Concept Photo Shoot (Type B, Kang Joo-Han)

    Amidst the concept photo shoot, the mor of the bustling set faded into a dull murmur in the background.

    <i>¡®My focus is starting to fray,''</i> Kang Joo-Han thought, a wave of exhaustion clouding his mind. While sitting before a sleek, transparent piano bathed in soft, pastel pink light, he let out a weary sigh and closed his eyes, trying to rest for a bit.

    <i>¡®Once this wraps up, I need to finalize the track for the fan meet... And then there is...''</i> Somehow, his thoughts trailed off.

    ¡°Ah, that''s chilly," he murmured, startled by an unexpected cold sensation on his hand. Opening his eyes, he found Lee Su-Hwan standing beside him with a sheepish grin.

    ¡°Feeling tired?" Lee Su-Hwan asked, concern evident in his voice.

    ¡°Not really," Kang Joo-Han replied, though his weary eyes told a different story. The source of the cold was a freshly bought iced coffee, a considerate gesture from Lee Su-Hwan. Kang Joo-Han then took a sip of the ck coffee, and once again, his gaze drifted into the distance.

    ¡°It seems you are more worn out than me," Kang Joo-Han remarked, observing the tired lines etching deeper on his manager''s face.

    ¡°I''m fine, really," Lee Su-Hwan insisted, but his voicecked conviction.

    Hearing his answer, Kang Joo-Han couldn''t help but chuckle softly to himself. The demanding schedule of an artist meant minimal rest for the crew, especially for someone as dedicated as Lee Su-Hwan who treated Chronos''s affairs as his own.

    ¡°Make sure you hit the bed as soon as we get back tonight,¡± Lee Su-Hwan said as he ced his hand on Joo-Han¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Don¡¯t just worry about us, and make sure to take care of yourself, hyung. If you copse, I will show the members the new wallpaper on your phone.¡± Even as Kang Joo-Han chuckled and made light of the situation, Lee Su-Hwan¡¯s concern didn¡¯t seem to lessen.

    Seeing this, Kang Joo-Han let go of his forcedposure and allowed his true exhaustion to show. He said, ¡°I feel like I''m about to die."

    Among all the members, Kang Joo-Han was the most sleep-deprived. Sometimes, he would just have a quick nap after workingte and proceed with the day''s schedule as if nothing was amiss.

    Lee Su-Hwan had once cleared Kang Joo-Han''s schedule for a day to ensure he got some rest, but none of the members took a break. They just continued with their usual practice and work.

    ¡°Try to get some sleep in the car after the shoot. I will make sure you are asleep in the dorm before I leave today."

    ¡°Ah, it''s fine. You should get some rest, hyung."

    Lee Su-Hwan was about to say something more when suddenly...

    ¡°Joo-Han, we are ready to start shooting!" A staff member called out loudly.

    Kang Joo-Han, slightly annoyed, shed a mischievous smile at Lee Su-Hwan and gently pushed him out of the set. Lee Su-Hwan reluctantly stepped off, and Kang Joo-Han ced his hands on the piano keys in front of him.

    Unfortunately, the rity he had gained from their brief conversation started to fade, leaving him in a tranquil daze. For Lee Su-Hwan''s sake, he decided that he would get some proper rest tonight.

    He started ying a light melody on the piano, peering through the prop sses at the keys.

    ¡°Ah, the hyungs are fighting again! Manager, they are at it again!"

    ¡°<i>Sigh</i>, it''s exhausting how often they find reasons to bicker. Suh Hyun-Woo, Goh Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Hyungs, let me bring another chair for you. Please, no fighting."

    Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon were yfully wrestling over a single chair.

    ¡°Come on! Hey, Goh Yoo-Joon, don''t make Yoon-Chan bring a chair. Go get one yourself!"

    ¡°But I was the one who brought this one in the first ce!"

    ¡°Can''t you see the name on the back of the chair? It says Suh Hyun-Woo. So where am I supposed to sit?"

    ¡°Ah, now you are Goh Yoo-Joon. Goh Yoo-Joon, bring your chair."

    Kang Joo-Han''s gaze cooled. <i>''These crazy guys, always fighting over the smallest things.''</i>

    Justst night, they argued about whether to close the curtains or not, and the night before that, it was a dispute over not charging theptop after usage.

    On set, the two continued their scuffle,plete with yful headlocks, while Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Su-Hwan tried to break it up. Meanwhile, Lee Jin-Sung added fuel to the fire, gleefully reporting yesterday''s curtain incident to Lee Su-Hwan. Everything here was captured by the behind-the-scenes camera.

    Seeing this scene, Kang Joo-Han let out a smallugh. He was indeed tired, but watching his fellow members yfully engage with each other always lifted his spirits. Over time, his affection for the other members had deepened, not just for Suh Hyun-Woo, with whom he had spent the most time. They had be like family to him.

    No matter how exhausted he was, he found the strength to push a little harder for their sake.

    ¡°Joo-Han, keep your posture and no need to smile. Okay, that''s good. Feel free to y for real, just keep it natural," the director instructed.

    ¡°Alright."

    A gentle melody flowed from his fingers. The song was "Once Again," the piece he always yed.

    1. ???? in Korean. ?

    2. Physical education, aka gym ss. ?

 Chapter 172: Joy (9)

    Chapter 172: Joy (9)

    Despite it being the start of the PE session, we were ushered directly to the sports field without any formal orientation.

    <em>''I can''t remember thest time I had a PE ss.''</em>

    To be honest, PE was never my cup of tea. However, it seemed like Goh Yoo-Joon would invest all the energy he''d saved from dozing off in other sses into PE.

    ¡°Hello there, I believe this is our first meeting, isn''t it? Allow me to introduce myself as your teacher."

    ¡°We know who you are!¡±

    ¡°Whoa, you gave me quite the startle!" The teacher''s heartyughter echoed across the field as he brushed off the students'' enthusiastic responses with a casual wave. His bronze skin glistened under the sun,plemented by his sporty haircut.

    How could we not recognize him? He was the celebrated ser star Chu Gap-San, who became a national hero after breaking the record for the most goals in thest World Cup.

    As a national icon, he was highly sought after. However, he surprisingly made appearances on a variety of shows, which made him a familiar face on television.

    Now, it seemed that he had taken on the role of PE teacher for <em>Graduating. </em>And naturally, his inaugural lesson n was straightforward¡­¡°Alright, kids. How about we y some ser?"

    ¡°Yessss!!!!"

    Ser, of course. And just like that, I was on the verge of tears because...

    ¡°Um, teacher. About me..."

    ¡°Yes, Hyun-Woo? What seems to be the issue?"

    ¡°I''ve got a back injury..."

    How was I supposed to make this interesting and get more screen time? Honestly, when did anything ever go as nned?

    When I voiced my concern, Gap-San acknowledged it with a nod. ¡°In that case, you will join me after the warm-up stretch, Hyun-Woo. We can watch the game together."

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± I wondered if I should have prepared a banner. Now, I needed to strategize on how to make the most of my time, watching my friends y ser.

    ¡°Let''s get started with the warm-up. Please pair up."

    I tried to shake off my gloomy mood and make my way to Goh Yoo-Joon''s side.

    ¡°What''s with the long face?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked

    Since he had asked, I shared my feelings of dullness with him. ¡°Man, I feel like I''m the most boring person alive."

    ¡°What are you even talking about?"

    ¡°Everyone, follow along with the teacher!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I backed up against each other, intertwining our arms to mimic the teacher''s movements.

    ¡°Trust me, you are one of the funniest people I know."

    ¡°No, I seriously think I''m just in boring."

    ¡°The person on the right, please bend forward and stretch the back of the person on the left!"

    Heeding the teacher''s instructions, Goh Yoo-Joon bent forward. As I leaned back, my back stretched out incrementally.

    ¡°No, you are genuinely funny. You have a knack for making peopleugh without even trying. That whole serious-but-hrious vibe? That''s all you."

    Was this supposed to be stretching? My back somehow bent even further, my legs lifted off the ground, and my muscles were stretched to their limits. This sent a wave of difort through my body. ¡°Ouch! Hey, ease up with the bending! Agh!"

    Here I was, unable to evenugh because of my stiffness. Goh Yoo-Joon halted his movement and then slowly straightened up. ¡°Is it the back pain or just stiffness? You react the same either way, so it''s hard to tell."

    ¡°Uh, well, it''s not really painful..."

    I was reluctant to admit myck of flexibility. Goh Yoo-Joon just cracked a sly grin and bent over once more after a brief pause.

    ¡°Aggh!"

    ¡°The fans love seeing you flinch and fuss over your inflexibility."

    He was being ridiculous! It was all fun and games for him! As Goh Yoo-Joon lifted me again and I iled helplessly, he burst intoughter once more while still in his bent position.

    ¡°This isn''t the time for jokes! Next up, let''s switch. Now, the person on the left, bend and help the person on the right stretch."

    Though I was wary of re-injuring myself if I yed ser, Goh Yoo-Joon knew my back was nearly healed, so he continued to tease me about my flexibility. Leg splits, bending from a standing position¡­ There seemed to be an excessive focus on bending exercises today.

    By the time we wrapped up our stretching routine, my hair had transformed from neatly styled to a wild, tousled mess. I saw Goh Yoo-Joon''s teasing smirk. He indeed couldn''t resist poking fun at me with just a hint of mischief in his grin.

    ¡°Looks like we''ve got plenty of screen time for Hyun-Woo today, huh?" said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    That little troublemaker.

    ¡°Alright, let''s get the ser game rolling. We will split into teams right here. Just divide yourselves in half from where you are standing! Hyun-Woo, you are with me.¡±

    As the ser game kicked off among the other students, I shuffled over to the teacher. My body still quivered from the intense stretching session, so Gap-San yfully thumped me on the back, his tone a mix of jest and mild reprimand. ¡°It seems like you and Goh Yoo-Joon turned the stretching session into a full-blown workout, didn''t you?"

    ¡°Um, yes?" I replied, slightly bemused.

    ¡°It looked like you two were having quite the st, goofing around together."

    As I felt slightly indignant, I retorted, ¡°It''s all Goh Yoo-Joon''s doing. He always teases me about my inflexibility."

    ¡°From my perspective, you both seemed to be enjoying yourselves. But tell me, how did you end up hurting your back?"

    ¡°In the midst of a performance. I was pushing myself and just twisted it the wrong way.¡±

    Gap-San''s expression softened with a sympathetic understanding. He knew all too well the disappointment of being sidelined in one''s prime. The pain was simr whether it happened on the ser field or the dance floor.

    Together, we ambled over to a set of stone steps where we could sit and catch our breath.

    ¡°Looking at how you were stretching earlier, I think you are making good progress on your recovery."

    ¡°Yes, I''m gearing up for a performance, but I''m treading carefully to avoid any setbacks that can derail oureback... I''ve been advised to take it easy," I stated.

    ¡°That must have weighed heavily on you. I''ve experienced something simr myself.¡±

    With an awkward shrug, I confessed, ¡°I tried to keep a brave face, but the thought of letting down my members and failing our fans burdened me a lot."

    Conversing with someone who had experienced simr challenges was a sce I hadn''t realized I needed. As a result, in the midst of filming, I found myself pouring out my heart about those challenging times more freely than I had anticipated.

    Just then, Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been casually kicking a ser ball around, approached me. ¡°Hold on to this for a moment, will you?" he asked, passing me the ball.

    ¡°What''s this?" I counter asked with a puzzled look.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then fished something out of his pocket and handed it over to me. It was an MP3 yer and a pair of earphones. ¡°I forgot to leave it in the locker room.¡±

    I nodded, and Goh Yoo-Joon dashed back to the heart of the field. He must have been memorizing lyrics from the ylist and identally brought the MP3 yer along in his PE shorts.

    ¡°Just take it easy here," Gap-San advised and gave my back a gentle tap before heading off to join the kids in their game.

    As the ser match unfolded, I seized a moment for myself amidst the kids skillfully navigating the field and the teacher asionally demonstrating some dazzling moves. I powered up the MP3 yer Goh Yoo-Joon had entrusted to me.

    Among the numerous ylists, I selected a new song and nestled the earphones snugly into my ears. After all, this footage wouldn''t be aired until after oureback date anyway.

    I hummed softly to the tune, but my reverie was abruptly interrupted when one of the earbuds was yanked out, and someone took a seat beside me.

    ¡°Why are you sitting all by yourself over here, looking so lonely?" It was Kun-Ho. My heart skipped a beat in surprise, but I managed topose myself and responded with feigned calmness.

    ¡°Senio¡ªI mean, Teacher."

    ¡°What brings you over here? The others are all engrossed in the game."

    ¡°Well, the thing is... I injured my back a while ago," I exined somewhat sheepishly.

    ¡°Oh dear," he sighed, his face mirroring the same empathetic concern as Gap-San¡¯s. ¡°I understand. You were giving it your all and ended up getting hurt. Was the humming I overheard part of your new track? I heard you are preparing for aeback."

    ¡°Yes! It''sing up really soon, so I''m quite anxious about it."

    ¡°Nah, you have been doing well so far, so you will do great this time as well.¡±

    At Kun-Ho¡¯s encouraging words, I paused momentarily with my eyes widening and asked, ¡°Have you¡­ umm¡­ ever seen our performances? Umm¡­ No, never mind.¡±

    ¡°Of course. You guys are my direct juniors from the same agency,¡± replied Kun-Ho as he nodded confidently. ¡°I''ve heard quite a bit of praise about you guys here and there."

    ¡°Thank you so much! I really look up to you, Senior... I truly appreciate it." We continued the conversation, and I revealed my genuine admiration and fan-like enthusiasm for him in between our talks. Indeed, I found it more natural to address Kun-Ho as a respected senior rather than just a teacher.

    He plugged one of the earphones into his ear with a chuckle and then bobbed his head to the rhythm before breaking into a smile. ¡°This is a track by Producer Do, isn''t it? Did Joo-Han participate inposing it as well?"

    ¡°Yes, Joo-Han hyung and Producer Do led the creation, and I contributed a bit too."

    ¡°Ah, I see." Kun-Ho fell silent for a while, seemingly engrossed in listening to the song through the earphones. Seeing this scene, I remained quiet and let him take in the music.

    After a moment, a faint high note leaked from the earphones. It seemed to be the part where I hit the high notes¡ªa section I had aced during our year-end stage. I was quite proud of how well it turned out in our new song.

    I found myself eagerly watching Kun-Ho''s reaction as I was curious about his thoughts on my performance. He paused, and a hint of surprise crossed his face before it rxed into a warm smile. ¡°You sing really well. You are the main vocalist, right?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°I can see why she likes you so much."

    ¡°Sorry? Who are you referring to?"

    Kun-Ho gave me a meaningful look, his expression inscrutable. ¡°Oh, it seems like you haven''t heard the story yet. In that case, I shouldn''t say more."

    He then handed back the earphones and MP3 yer. ¡°You are quite skilled at hitting those high notes, but it seems you haven''t been doing it for long. You will need to be careful during live performances."

    ¡°Ah, yes... It''s not very stable yet, so I need more practice."

    ¡°Since we''ve met, I will take a look at it for you at thepanyter. I will see you then. I''m off."

    ¡°Wait, what?"

    What did he mean? What was he nning to do? Kun-Ho''s parting words left me in a daze, and I simply stared at the spot where he had disappeared.

    Why the sudden offer to help with my practice? It seemed that I wouldn''t fully grasp his intentions until I met him again at thepany tonight.

    I turned to nce at our manager, who was deep in conversation with Producer Do at a distance. I pondered whether our manager was aware of this development. It seemed there were ns in progress that we hadn''t been informed about yet.

 Chapter 173: Joy (10)

    <h4>Chapter 173: Joy (10)</h4>

    As soon as the <i>Graduating </i>shoot wrapped up and we got into the car, Goh Yoo-Joon was out like a light. Through the rearview mirror, I noticed our manager catching sight of Goh Yoo-Joon''s peaceful slumber before his gaze shifted toward me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, aren''t you nning on catching some sleep as well?"

    To acknowledge his question, I gave him a small nod and answered, ¡°Sleep vanished during the shooting period. But what about you? Don''t you ever feel worn out?"

    Throughout our rehearsals and shoots, we could snatch brief periods of rest here and there, but our manager consistently kept pace with us, vigntly overseeing our every move without a hint of fatigue. Even today, he had been by the director''s side during our interviews for the sixth period of the shoot, attentively monitoring every moment.

    The worries about whether oureback would seed and when our manager actually found time to rest had be a recurring theme among us. He rarely took a moment off for himself, so we were really concerned about his well-being. Like usual, he casually shrugged off any implications of tiredness with a simple nod.

    ¡°I¡¯m not tired at all." He assured me with a serene expression that belied the hectic pace of our schedule.

    Too tired to argue, I epted his reassurance with a nod, my thoughts drifting as I gazed out the window. The world outside passed by in a blur. After that, I tried to steer the conversation toward something that had been on my mind. ¡°I had a brief chat with Kun-Ho during PE ss."

    ¡°I noticed," he replied, his tone nomittal.

    ¡°In passing, he mentioned something funny... Is there something we haven''t been briefed on yet? Something work-rted?" I asked.

    ¡°Something you haven''t been informed about?"

    ¡°Yes, about our work.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t deduce much from Kun-Ho''s cryptic remarks. However, hisment of ¡°you haven''t heard the story yet¡± hinted at impending news destined to reach us.

    After a brief pause, the manager nced at me through the rearview mirror before softly confirming. ¡°There is."

    ¡°Oh?" My interest was piqued.

    ¡°It¡¯s about an event scheduled after the inauguration ceremony. We nned to discuss it with youter, given the current demands on your schedule."

    It was clear that the agency was being considerate and mindful of our status as neers in the industry, so they didn¡¯t want to overwhelm us with too much information. After all, we were already juggling a lot of stuff: fromeback preparations, variety show appearances, and the impending inauguration ceremony. Adding more to our te would just overwhelm us, especially for Joo-Han, our diligent leader.

    ¡°Is it something significant?"

    ¡°It''s definitely important, at least to all of you. Would you like me to share it now?" He offered, his tone suggesting it was more out of courtesy than a necessity to keep it under wraps.

    I immediately nodded as I was eager to know.

    ¡°Yes, please do share," I urged, believing that being forewarned was being forearmed, no matter how much more there was to manage.

    ¡°It''s regarding your schedule after the second album and the inauguration ceremony. All of you have received an invitation to appear on <i>Again After Rainfall Season Two</i>, which<i> </i>will involve performing a number of songs and stages with other idols and singers."

    ¡°...We are set to appear on <i>Again After Rainfall Season Two</i>?" I asked, as I could hardly believe my ears.

    ¡°Yes, we are still working on the details, but your participation is confirmed."

    ¡°...Incredible." I was momentarily stunned. Somehow, we were ted to feature on one of South Korea''s most esteemed sentimental variety shows, which was renowned for catapulting its rtively unknown cast members into the limelight.

    It seemed Chronos''s trajectory was set for a significant shift.

    In my previous life, even after Joo-Han''spositions topped the Billboard K-POP charts and Jin-Sung made his mark on variety shows, Chronos had never secured a seasonal variety show centered around music that was specifically tailored for them. Their fixed appearances on variety shows were predominantly on entertainment programs.

    This development signified a substantial change in our agency''s promotional strategy and the broadcasting industry''s perception of our group.

    The manager must have mistaken my silence for shock and nced back at me once more. ¡°It is still quite far away, so for now, please concentrate on youreback and the inauguration ceremony."

    ¡°Understood... I will keep this to myself for the time being," I said, not wanting to overburden the others with this news, especially Joo-Han.

    ¡°Yes, just keep it to yourself for now, Hyun-Woo. I will let the others know when things are less hectic.¡±

    As the manager uttered these words, the car smoothly rolled into the parking lot of the practice studio and came to a gentle stop. Then, the manager¡¯s phone rang with a tone that signaled the end of our peaceful ride.

    ¡°Wake Yoo-Joon up and head up first. The rest of the members are probably deep in practice by now.¡±

    ¡°Alright." With a nod, I watched as he grabbed his phone and stepped out of the car, leaving me to rouse Goh Yoo-Joon from his sleep.

    ¡°Hey," I called out, yfully tapping his thigh with just enough force to jolt him awake. Goh Yoo-Joon''s eyes fluttered open, bloodshot and groggy, fixing me with a re that was more amusing than intimidating. I couldn¡¯t resist giving him another yful whack.

    <i>Smack.</i>

    ¡°Ow, why?" he groaned.

    ¡°We are here. Time to get moving," I announced, as I stepped out of the car and stretched my limbs, feeling the stiffness of the long ride start to dissipate.

    The day''s agenda was clear in my mind. I had to focus on perfecting my vocals, especially the high notes that Kun-Ho had pointed out as being particrly unstable during live performances. I was determined to tackle that challenge head-on today.

    ***

    ¡°Ah!"

    The sudden exmation was followed by a flurry of apologies from Jin-Sung/ ¡°Sorry, sorry! Are you okay? I really didn''t mean to!"

    ¡°It''s fine, really," I reassured him, brushing off the minor mishap.

    We were practicing a segment of our routine where, as I leaned forward, Jin-Sung would gracefully leap over me. Although my back wasn''t injured anymore, we still approached the move with caution, opting for a simted run-through rather than fullymitting to avoid any potential injuries.

    However, as we went for the real deal today, Jin-Sung''s hesitation led to a misstep. This resulted in him kicking my backside instead of clearing it.

    ¡°Ahahaha! Hyun-Woo got kicked right in the butt!" Goh Yoo-Joon, far from being concerned, burst intoughter at the scene.

    I shot him a look before turning to soothe an overly worried Jin-Sung. ¡°It''s okay, Jin-Sung. I''m not hurt, and I can definitely handle your weight. Just go for it next time."

    ¡°But what if I end up breaking you or something?"

    ¡°...¡± He must have seen himself as some kind of muscle-bound hero amongst us¡ªthe supposedly frail members.

    Joo-Han, who had been watching the rehearsal intently, finally spoke up, ¡°Jin-Sung, half-hearted attempts are more dangerous. Have the courage to jump fully."

    ¡°Got it!" Jin-Sung directly nodded, his usual stubbornness reced bypliance, likely due to Joo-Han''s visibly fed-up demeanor regarding injuries.

    ¡°Also, if you feel like you are going to make mistakes again on the stage, talk to Hyun-Woo and change the moves.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Why are you not responding?¡±

    ¡°Oh... okay!¡±

    ¡°Let''s get our heads in the game and try this again," Joo-Hanmanded, and we all realigned for another run-through.

    Just as we were getting back into formation, the manager checked the time and announced, ¡°Let''s run through it onest time before we call it a day."

    ¡°Already?" Yoon-Chan sounded surprised.

    It was only 9 PM, long before our usual stretches until the early hours of 2 AM. Indeed, a mere two hours of practice seemed almost too brief, but the manager sounded resolute. ¡°Wrap up everything by 10 PM at thetest. We need to be in top form for the music video shoot tomorrow."

    ¡°How about till 11 PM then¡ª"

    ¡°That won''t do. Let''s start the music," the manager interjected, decisively shutting down any further negotiation by hitting y on the track.

    I had ns to meet with Kun-Ho at thepanyter, and Joo-Han was likely to dive straight into working on a song for the inauguration ceremony as soon as we got back. Given everyone''s after-practice routines, like showers and ice baths, the manager''s schedule made sense if we had to go to bed by 11 PM.

    The final run-through went smoothly, with Jin-Sung jumping over my back without a hitch. We wrapped up practice without any further incidents.

    ***

    "That''s pretty impressive. Not so much talent, I guess... but you''ve clearly put in a lot of effort. It took you six tries before you hit a sour note," Kun-Homented.

    ¡°Thank you, Senior!¡± I was grateful yet amused by the situation.

    In school, Kun-Ho seemed like just another senior, but here at thepany, he couldn''t shake off the aura of being a teacher as he was dressed in our school-like attire.

    It was an ironic twist. It seemed Kun-Ho was still getting used to seeing me in a professional setting, treating me more like a student than a colleague.

    ¡°I really appreciate juniors like you, Hyun-Woo. You might look like a genius on the outside, but it''s the hard work that truly sets you apart." As he mentioned this, his eyes reflected genuine respect.

    ¡°All the members are so talented. If I don''t keep up, I will fall behind quickly,¡± I replied as I acknowledged the high bar set by my peers.

    ¡°Exactly. To keep up, let''s maintain our rhythm and give it another go," he suggested, and I found myself nodding in agreement, ready to dive back into the grind.

    I resumed by diving straight into hitting all the notes up to the high point. This was a new approach for me. Kun-Ho offered me a kind of guidance that I hadn''t received from my usual trainers. It was practical and tailored to the realities of performing live.

    ¡°I usually reserve these tips for our students, but you''re so earnest, so I can''t help but share them," he said, his tone warm.

    His teaching was a departure from what I was ustomed to, filled with insider tips that only someone with an idol background could provide. It wasn''t just about singing well but to make it look effortless. Kun-Ho likened it to smartly navigating the stage, a skill as crucial as any vocal technique.

    Time flew by, and before I knew it, it was past the 11 PM mark we had agreed upon with the manager.

    ¡°If you want a long career in music, you''ve got to learn to use your voice flexibly," Kun-Ho advised, signaling the end of our session.

    ¡°Thank you, Senior. I really appreciate this." I expressed my gratitude, genuinely moved by his willingness to help.

    ¡°We will leave it here for today. You''ve got a great voice. Don''t be a stranger, ande by anytime. I''d be happy to help you hone it further.¡±

    ¡°I''m grateful, but I worry about imposing on your busy schedule." I hesitated, not wanting to overstep.

    Kun-Ho brushed off my concerns with a wave of his hand and revealed a secret. ¡°Actually, my girlfriend is a big fan of your voice. She asked me to look out for you, so consider this me fulfilling a promise."

    ¡°Your girlfriend? I... What do you mean she asked you to do this?" I asked, puzzled by this new piece of information.

    Kun-Ho didn''t rify, instead, he swiftly changed the subject and ushered me out, leaving me with a swirl of unanswered questions. Each encounter with him seemed to deepen the enigma surrounding him.

    As I stepped out of thepany building, I was greeted by the manager''s icy stare, a silent reprimand for thete hour. I sheepishly lowered my gaze and quietly got into the car. ¡°I''m sorry," I murmured, feeling the weight of his unspoken disappointment.

    ¡°Just remember. If you doze off during the music video shoot and show up on camera with a puffy face, don''t expect any sympathy from me," the manager warned half-jokingly before ensuring I was safely tucked into bed, ready for the big day ahead.

    With the music video shoot looming, I prayed for a smooth day¡ªfree from the manager''s scolding and full of perfect takes¡ªas I drifted off to sleep.

 Chapter 174: Joy (11)

    Chapter 174: Joy (11)

    On the silent night before the day of the music video shoot, I stumbled back to the dormitory. After a quick rinse and an ice pack session, I finally hit the bed past midnight, exactly as our manager had predicted.

    Throughout the preparation phase for the shoot, I was trapped in a fog of drowsiness and struggled to keep my eyes open. Despite the manager¡¯s warnings about not minding my swollen face, he quietly brought over a chilled energy drink with a knowing look and ced it gently over my eyes to reduce the puffiness.

    The beauty shop was alive with a symphony of voices and the whir of hairdryers¡ªa rather noisy backdrop for a nap. Yet, I found myself drifting in and out of sleep amidst the hustle and bustle. I surrendered myself entirely to the designers and stylists and then woke up to find my hair and makeup impably done.

    ¡°The bleach has left your hair so light that even if it is toned down, it''s still radiant. Seems like bleaching is your destiny, Hyun-Woo. Looks like you will have regr touch-ups.¡±

    ¡°The neat and straight hairstyles give these boys a more youthful appearance. It''s a stark contrast from their usual looks,¡± said one of the stylists. Indeed, the simplicity of the style and the lighter hair color made us look like any other students you might encounter on the street.

    ¡°Time to change, everyone!" The stylist handed out school uniforms to each of us before herding us into the changing room. We then quickly slipped into the uniforms and boarded the van headed to our shoot location.

    After a while, we arrived at the grand and picturesque high school, a ce we had visited before for a concept photo shoot. We were relying on its charm once again.

    ¡°Two, three! Hello, we are Chronos. Thank you in advance for your support!" We greeted the staff upon arrival.

    Immediately, a staff member clutching a bundle of papers approached to brief us on the specifics of the music video shoot. ¡°You might have a rough idea, but let me give you a detailed rundown.¡±¡°Sure thing!" We responded in unison.

    ¡°In this scenario, Hyun-Woo, Yoon-Chan, and Jin-Sung are first-years in the same ss, while Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han are third-years in another. So, you will be split into two groups and film separately in your ssrooms beforeing together for group shots. We will also capture your solo scenes before switching locations."

    This music video intended to explore the backstory leading up to "Parade". At first, we were all ordinary students before somehow transitioning to the fantastical vibe of the previous video. This transformation still baffled me.

    ¡°After we wrap up in the ssrooms, we will move to the schoolyard for more scenes. As night falls, we will head back indoors for the night shots.¡±

    Jin-Sung''splexion turned a shade paler after he heard this. He asked, ¡°We are going into the school at¡­ night?"

    The staffer nodded nonchntly and replied, ¡°Yes, the concept revolves around Neapolitan ghost stories, so a scene set in a night-time school is essential."

    ¡°There will be adequate lighting, right?" Jin-Sung inquired, his voiceced with apprehension.

    Seizing the moment, Yoo-Joon draped an arm around Jin-Sung to tease him. ¡°What''s the matter, Jin-Sung? Scared that mentioning ghosts will summon them to haunt us during the shoot?"

    Hearing this, Jin-Sung was visibly startled and squirmed out of Yoo-Joon''s grip. ¡°Ah! Stop it! Don''t even whisper the word ''ghost!¡¯"

    His genuine fear was too amusing not to tease, so I also joined in the fun, yfully prodding. ¡°Why? Afraid that talking about ghosts will make them materialize and hover around us?"

    ¡°Aaaah!" Jin-Sung screamed in earnest, shaking off my arm and clinging to Yoon-Chan for dear life.

    Yoon-Chan seemed to be everyone''s sanctuary. While he grimaced at Jin-Sung''s grip, he reassured him all the same. ¡°It''s okay, it''s okay."

    ¡°Why do you fear ghosts?" I teased further.

    ¡°Stop it with the ghost talk, will you?" Jin-Sung pleaded.

    Joo-Han joined in and shed a mischievous grin at Jin-Sung. ¡°You know, they say ghosts are particrly fond of those who fear them the most."

    ¡°Enough, hyung!"

    ¡°I, for one, wouldn''t mind an encounter with one," Joo-Han mused thoughtfully. ¡°There''s an old saying in the industry, isn''t there? Spotting one during album preparations is an omen of sess."

    Yoo-Joon nodded and added fuel to the fire. ¡°You mean like hearing an unexpected voice on a recording or catching a glimpse of a figure in the mirror while practicing? Plenty of tales like that."

    Joo-Han''s eyes sparkled with an unmistakable glimmer of anticipation. He stated, ¡°All the Allure hyungs had terrible nightmares when preparing for ¡®Goblin.¡¯ So, I think it¡¯s not too bad to see ghosts at least once today. We will hit the jackpot!¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°This is just one step closer to my dream," he said with a tone of determination in his voice that hinted at his ultimate goal of bing the undisputed Copyright King.

    ¡°Wow." Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but express his awe, and his hands came together in a spontaneous round of apuse. ¡°To think you''d even embrace the collective ordeal of nightmares for the sake of hitting it big¡­ Your dedication to the almighty dor is downright awe-inspiring."

    ¡°Haha.¡± Our banter elicited amused chuckles from the staff who excused themselves after giving us a final rundown of the shoot.

    ¡°Let''s get this show on the road, everyone. Please proceed to your designated shooting areas.¡± The director announced and prompted us to split up and go to our individual scenes.

    ***

    The shooting atmosphere was noticeably more rxed than in the past, and our spirits were buoyed by a sense of anticipation and excitement rather than anxiety as we pushed open the door to ssroom 3 of Grade 10. What greeted us inside was quite the spectacle.

    ¡°...Oh! Good morning, Seniors!"

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...What?¡±

    Oh, shoot. I felt like my heart was about to sink. I reflexively took a step back before gathering my courage and stepping forward once again to take in the scene before me.

    The ssroom was bustling with extras, all decked out in their school uniforms and beaming at us with bright eager smiles. Their eyes shone with such intensity that it was almost too much to take in.

    As I hesitated at the doorway, our manager stepped in to shed some light. ¡°These are B-tier trainees from our agency. Given the school setting, we''ve brought them all in for the day."

    ¡°Ah, got it," I acknowledged, finally stepping into the ssroom with renewed confidence. Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung followed closely, positioning themselves on either side of me as we made our way to the front of the ss.

    Realizing that I was the eldest and thus the de facto leader of our little trio, I knew it was up to me to address our young audience. I took a deep breath and said, ¡°Hello there!"

    ¡°Hello!!!¡± Their response was vibrant and synchronized, which helped break the ice and put us all at ease. I suggested they take their seats, and theyplied while filling the room with the sound of shuffling chairs and subdued chatter.

    The atmosphere was intimidating with the tall trainees standing up en masse. They looked at us as if we were celebrities[1].

    During our days as trainees, we mostly trained alongside A-tier trainees. As all Chronos members were part of this small group of A-tier trainees, we rarely encountered those from B-tier.

    Unlike A-tier which had more freedom in training, B-tier trainees usedrger practice rooms outside of the main building for group training. It was not even the practice studio within thepany building but another one outside the agency.

    Thus, we might seem more like celebrities than fellow trainees or colleagues to them. Most of them looked at us the way A-tier trainees would look at the senior group Allure.

    ¡°Thank you for your help in advance. We aren¡¯t the best at acting, so there might be a few bloopers, but we will try to wrap it up as quickly as possible."

    ¡°Thank you, we are in your hands!"

    After the greetings, we turned our attention to the staff, ready to begin filming.

    ¡°We are starting¡­ now.¡±

    ***

    The scene was simple: break time at school. My best friend Yoon-Chan and I were having a pleasant chat when he stepped away for a moment, and Jin-Sung took his ce. I continued the conversation with Jin-Sung naturally, and when Yoon-Chan returned and saw this, he appeared puzzled at the door. Straightforward, right?

    ¡°Cut. Hyun-Woo, can you try to make the conversation a bit more natural? Like how you talk normally?"

    ¡°Ah, yes!"

    ¡°And Jin-Sung, try not to fidget so much. Walk over a bit more rxed."

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°Let''s try again."

    Our acting ability¡­ sucked. Jin-Sung just had to walk over and sit down in a rxed manner. After that, we were supposed tough and chat naturally, but our acting skills were just socking. Jin-Sung was still struggling to catch the vibe as headed out of the ssroom to retry his entrance.

    Natural conversation¡­ How did one do that, especially in an unnatural setting? Up until now, I had only expressed extreme emotions like power, ease, and excitement on stage.

    Seeing my inability to grasp the concept, Yoon-Chan gently touched my arm. ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung."

    ¡°Hm?"

    ¡°It''s just the two of us here. No one else."

    ¡°Now?"

    What was he talking about when there were so many people around? As I started to look around, Yoon-Chan quickly ced his hand on my shoulder to stop me. ¡°Don''t look around, hyung. Just think of it that way. Try to think that it¡¯s just a conversation between the two of us and not a shoot. I will ask you simple questions, and you just answer me."

    Yoon-Chan had to be an angel.

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°Let''s start the shoot again. Cue."

    The shoot resumed. As the extras pretended to chatter in the ssroom, the camera rolled. I simply looked at Yoon-Chanas as I felt slightly nervous.

    Yoon-Chan asked with a kind smile, ¡°Which songs do you think Joo-Han hyung would prefer, ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow¡¯ or ¡®Blue Room Party?¡¯¡±

    ¡°¡­Huh?"

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung seemed really happy after ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯ was released. How much do you think he made from that?"

    ¡°Uh, well..."

    ¡°How many times does Jin-Sung get scolded by the members in a day?"

    ¡°Um, nine times?"

    ¡°How many times does Yoo-Joon hyung get hit on the back by Joo-Han hyung and you in a day? And how many times have I failed my diet?"

    ¡°Innumerable..."

    As I imagined Jin-Sung being scolded by Joo-Han, I spontaneouslyughed. Yoon-Chan continued with light-hearted questions about our members, and I responded with a mix of disbelief and amusement. Surprisingly, we had struggled with this conversation but passed without issue as soon as I started responding to Yoon-Chan''s questions.

    1. lol Hyun-Woo must still feel like he hasn¡¯t made a debut yet. ?

 Chapter 175: Joy (12)

    Chapter 175: Joy (12)

    Yoon-Chan''s guidance was a game-changer, allowing me to breeze through the scene where we had to engage in a natural conversation. Yet, the challenge of acting wasn''t mine alone to bear. After my dialogue with Yoon-Chan, it was Jin-Sung''s turn to make an entrance into the ssroom.

    ¡°Hey, hey..." Jin-Sung was still mistaking his yful walk for fidgeting. Sadly, he had no one to lean on for guidance like I did and had to find his rhythm. If there was anything I could contribute, it was to wee Jin-Sung''s greeting with as much authenticity as possible and make a conscious effort to ignore the camera.

    ¡°Ah, you are here?" I greeted him with a wave.

    ¡°Um, let''s cut there. Jin-Sung, try to walk in a bit more naturally."

    Without Yoon-Chan''s calming presence, the two of us were trying to figure it out. Thankfully, humans had a knack for oveing obstacles, and we managed to wrap it up sessfully after several takes.

    ¡°Good job, everyone. The other team has a few more ssroom scenes to shoot, so it might take a bit longer. Let''s take a short break."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    As the director walked off, probably to enjoy a quick smoke, a staff from the behind-the-scenes crew approached us with a gentle question.

    - How does it feel being back on a music video set after all this time?Caught slightly off-guard, I found myself bing the center of attention in the bustling ssroom as all the trainees focused on me.

    ¡°Umm..."

    I had not answered yet because this felt oddly intimate. As I started to respond, my voice seemed to fill the room. After the initial wave of embarrassment, I remembered the sea of juniors watching and how far I hade in my career, so I feltpelled to see this through to the end.

    ¡°It''s actually quite fun. Dressed in these school uniforms, it almost feels like we are all back in our student days."

    Nodding in agreement, Jin-Sung chimed in, ¡°Yeah, we even have name tags." He proudly showcased his name tag to the camera.

    ¡°Man, name tag... I haven¡¯t heard that for a while.¡±

    ¡°Our name tags are the same color too. Looks like we are in the same grade now, ha!" Jin-Sung slung his arm around my shoulder yfully.

    I grinned and shrugged him off. ¡°Scenes are over, buddy."

    I then stood up and motioned for us to leave. ¡°Let''s head out. I want to see how the others are doing in the next ss."

    ¡°Sounds like a n."

    ¡°Sure."

    As we exited the ssroom, I encouraged the trainees to rx. ¡°Just make yourselvesfortable."

    It wasn''t until we had closed the door and walked away that the ssroom burst into lively chatter, some of it seemingly about us. I decided it was best to pretend I didn¡¯t hear them.

    After wearing the jackets provided by our stylist, we slipped through the door of the adjacent ssroom to catch a glimpse of the ongoing shoot. This scene appeared to be set after school hours with no trainees in sight, but actual dialogue was involved.

    ¡°Act like you don''t know me in front."

    ¡°I got it. I will act ordingly."

    ¡°It all ends with graduation anyway."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s lines prompted Joo-Han to nod in agreement. Though I couldn''t quite ce which part of the music video this scene belonged to, both of them delivered their lines with such natural ease that they nailed the scene on the first take.

    ¡°They are pretty good at this." It seemed that apart from Jin-Sung and myself, the rest of Chronos had a knack for acting.

    Once Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon wrapped up their scenes, we moved on to another ssroom set up on the upper floor, repurposed from its original use as a career counseling room to serve as a club room for our shoot.

    ¡°Let''s get started. Grade 12, please step outside for now and wait for the staff''s cue toe in."

    ¡°Got it!"

    The club scene shootingmenced. Bathed in the light streaming through therge windows, Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung, and I leaned out, pretending to revel in the breeze. We perhaps looked like we were enjoying a gentle spring wind from the camera¡¯s perspective, but in reality...

    ¡°<em>Shiver¡­</em>Ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha..."

    ¡°The wind¡­ <em>shiver</em>!"

    ¡°<em>Shiver</em>¡­ Ha ha..."

    We were actually shivering, trying to stay warm in the cold winter air, and we forced our smiles to keep up the illusion.

    ¡°Cut. We can still see your breath. Let''s try smiling without making any sound this time."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°It''s freezing!"

    ¡°Alright, let''s go again."

    On cue, we leaned out once more, maintaining our sunny dispositions as if basking in the warmth of a spring day. This time, we kept quiet.

    Just as we were miming a lively chat¡­

    <em>Drrrr- </em>

    The door creaked open, and Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon walked into the ssroom.

    ¡°Yo, Grade 10s~¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice was full of mischief, and the three of us by the window turned to greet them with warm smiles. Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon gestured for us toe over from the doorway, and Yoon-Chan and I nodded in response, quickly making our way toward them.

    ¡°Hey there, Grade 10s! A nod is all you give to your seniors?¡± Goh Yoo-Joonughed heartily, locking me in a yful headlock. I kept my smile and teased back. ¡°Haha, acting like an old-timer, senior?¡±

    Joo-Han smacked Goh Yoo-Joon on the back and chided him. ¡°Picking on the juniors? Eh?¡±

    ¡°Agh!"

    ¡°Hyung¡­ hyung¡­ that sounded seriously harsh. You okay?"

    We four had a lively chat. I then wriggled free from Goh Yoo-Joon''s yful headlock to nce at Jin-Sung.

    ¡°What''s up with you over there?" I blurted, instantly realizing how awkward my tone must have sounded. Behind me, Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but snicker, but I brushed it off, knowing my voice wouldn''t be included in the final video anyway.

    Jin-Sung, who had been busy closing the chilly window, paused mid-action and shot me a puzzled look. He was clearly thrown off by my sudden question.

    "Cut! Jin-Sung, try not to look so dreamy. The look you give Hyun-Woo should be less about depth and more about surprise, with a touch of intrigue," the director guided.

    Goh Yoo-Joon seized the moment and teased, ¡°Dreamy, huh? Since when did you start giving Suh Hyun-Woo such deep looks?"

    ¡°Argh, this is so tough!" Jin-Sung eximed, visibly frustrated.

    ¡°Maybe just widen your eyes a bit, like you are surprised but not overly shocked. Just a subtle surprise with your eyes and mouth," Yoon-Chan suggested, trying to help him out.

    ¡°Eyes and mouth only? Alright, I will give it a shot.¡±

    Thanks to Yoon-Chan''s insights, we gradually found our groove. Jin-Sung had to redo his entrance a few more times, but he eventually nailed the perfect blend of surprise and meaning in his gaze.

    Jin-Sung''s look was filled with an unspeakable curiosity as he finally turned to me. I, oblivious to the subtle cues, gestured him over casually. ¡°Come on, what are you waiting for?"

    Only after my gesture did Jin-Sung finally approach, blending in seamlessly with the rest of us.

    ¡°Cut! That''s a wrap. Nicely done, everyone."

    Following a series of sessful takes in the clubroom and auditorium, we made our way to the schoolyard, ready for the next phase of shooting.

    ***

    As 5 PM approached, we wrapped up all the daytime shoots and were gearing up for the dance sequence of the nexteback song before nightfall. The temperature was biting, and I found myself muttering, ¡°Man, it''s freezing."

    I couldn''t help but wonder how we managed to pull this off, braving such cold without a second thought. The hot packs the manager had given us earlier were lifesavers.

    As we watched the crew set up, Joo-Han sneaked up behind me to seek shelter from the cold. ¡°Brr, it''s so cold," he whispered, almost using me as a windbreak.

    ¡°...What are you up to?" I asked, turning to face him. He quickly hid behind me again, and a gust of wind confirmed my suspicion.

    ¡°Fine, use me as your shield," I conceded.

    I turned to the behind-the-scenes camera and joked, ¡°Chronos¡¯s leader is this guy who uses fellow members as windshields."

    I slipped a hot pack down his neck and turned back to face the wind.

    ¡°Euk¡­¡±

    Another strong gust hit us. Thankfully, the director called us over as the crew had finished setting up for the next scene. He asked, ¡°Is Chronos ready?"

    The stylist rushed over to fix our hair, her hands ice-cold.

    ¡°Gosh, your hands are freezing, noona!"

    ¡°Did you not get a hot pack?"

    She shook her head at our questions. ¡°I got them but gave them to our salon¡¯s youngest. I will get another one from Su-Hwanter.¡±

    ¡°Why did you do that? You should keep it. Here you go.¡±

    ¡°What if you catch a cold?¡±

    Joo-Han and I simultaneously offered our heat packs to her and then took off our padded jackets. We were about to start shooting anyway, so it was fine.

    ¡°Man, how did we manage without padded jackets in the past?" Jin-Sung approached while rubbing his arms. Then, Goh Yoo-Joon, who was shivering in just a shirt, clung to Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Ah, what the! Brr! Brrr!"

    ¡°Come here, Jin-Sung! Big bro is cold."

    ¡°Ah, no! Brr!" JJin-Sung protested briefly, squirming as Goh Yoo-Joon held him tightly, but he soon rxed, conceding that it did feel warmer.

    Observing their interaction, I couldn''t help but join in. ¡°Is it warmer together?" Then, I quietly edged closer to Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Ah, why are you all like this? Go away!"

    ¡°Really leaving?"

    ¡°Are you guys really going?"

    ¡°Suddenly parting will make it even colder."

    ¡°It''s hard to endure when it suddenly gets cold after being warm." Ah, it was warm. As I coaxed Jin-Sung with warm words to keep him close, Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han joined Goh Yoo-Joon and me. Our huddled appearance was likely quiteical, as we could hear theughter from the staff.

    However, none of us distanced ourselves. The cold was too severe to bear in just our school uniforms. After how long we stayed huddled together¡­

    ¡°Alright, alright, let''s get into formation, Chronos. We are really starting now." With the director''s cheerful voice, the choreography scene for ¡°?¡± started.

 Chapter 176: Joy (13)

    <h4>Chapter 176: Joy (13)</h4>

    ¡°Ugh, ah. It''s so cold and spooky..." Jin-Sung shivered as he saw the eerie sight of the school grounds. The deserted school field was like a scene straight out of a schoolyard ghost tale, and the imprable ckness engulfed the school''s interior.

    Even I, who usually shrugged off creepy settings, found the atmosphere unnervingly sinister.

    ¡°Chronos, could we gather for a moment?" One of the film crew members called and rounded up the scattered members who were enjoying a brief rest. He then unfolded the storyboard for the music video, just as he had exined briefly during the day.

    ¡°Let''s go over the shoot n once more."

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°We are diving straight into the music video''s highlight scenes. All five of you will be dashing through the school as if caught in an intense game of tag. You will chase and be chased."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°It will be dim even with the lights, so please be careful. Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan, follow me outside please, and the rest of you will start inside with the director."

    ¡°Understood!"

    The staff member headed toward the school gates along with Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan. While the day''s shoot had been split into the juniors and seniors, the night''s shoot divided the teams into those from the reality of thest ¡°Parade¡± video (Goh Yoo-Joon, Park Yoon-Chan) and those representing a fantasy realm (Kang Joo-Han, Suh Hyun-Woo, Lee Jin-Sung).

    The night school setting resembled something out of a TV drama, with an eerie atmosphere permeating every corner, from the dimly lit hallways to the shadowy ssrooms. It was no wonder Jin-Sung had been clinging to Joo-Han and me; his fear was palpable, amplified by the ominous ambiance.

    ¡°Rx, there''s no such thing as ghosts," I said to reassure Jin-Sung.

    ¡°...H-hyung, you don''t get it! I can barely make out the other side of this hallway." Jin-Sung''s grip only tightened, prompting a deep sigh from Joo-Han.

    I nced toward the corridor''s end that Jin-Sung had pointed out. It was pitch ck, but there wasn¡¯t anything lurking there.

    Feeling slighted by ourck of reaction, Jin-Sung grumbled and then glued himself to the manager. ¡°You guys have no sympathy!"

    ¡°We are about to start filming." It was only when the director''s voice cut through the silence that Jin-Sung''s face became visible again.

    ***

    ¡°Please run to the end of this corridor and look terrified as if you are being chased. Also, do nce back a couple of times."

    ¡°Got it."

    In the school corridor, the crew member briefed me about the scene before stepping out of the camera''s view. At this moment, the cameraman who would run alongside me did some quick stretches.

    ¡°Just start running when we cue you."

    ¡°Ready!"

    ¡°And... action!" At the director''s cue, I bolted down the hallway.

    My face was etched with fear, and I sprinted as if my life depended on it. Sure, there were a few hups, but the mistakes became fewer as I grew morefortable with the filming process.

    ¡°Great job. Just wait here till Jin-Sung makes it."

    ¡°Will do."

    The cameraman who had raced down the corridor with me gave me a thumbs-up before sitting down a short distance away to adjust his equipment. I waited for Jin-Sung''s arrival, while the cameraman engaged in a quiet chat with the lighting crew, which made the wait less awkward.

    But after a while...

    ¡°It seems like he is taking his time..."

    There was no sign of Jin-Sung. Well, perhaps he had trouble nailing the scene, as it had been long enough for him to even circle back to the director''s location.

    As I stood up to nce down the hallway, one of the lighting crew members chuckled. ¡°Jin-Sung''s scene is heavy on facial expressions, so it might take a while. Or perhaps he''s already done, and Joo-Han is filming now."

    The camera operator chimed in. ¡°Just hang tight, they will be heading this way soon enough."

    ¡°Ah, okay. Thanks."

    I settled back into my seat, not particrly fond of idle chatter, but the wait was beginning to fray my patience. My eyes wandered from the corridor to the ssrooms and out to the school field.

    Near the school gates, Goh Yoo-Joon was engaged in a shoot. His posture indicated he had just arrived on set. With a guarded expression, he scanned the surroundings, his stance a mix of seriousness and humor.

    Meanwhile, Yoon-Chan was standing by the manager, watching Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Manager hyung?"

    <i>¡®Wait, didn''t Su-Hwan hyunge with us? When did he go over there?¡¯</i>

    However, I didn''t dwell on it too much. He had always been the type to move quickly and efficiently, darting around to ensure everything was in order. As I mulled over these thoughts and waited a bit longer, suddenly...

    <i>Thud-thud-thud!</i>

    Jin-Sung came running up with heavy footsteps, breaking the silence.

    ¡°<i>Heave, heave, heave</i>!"

    ¡°Great job."

    ¡°Oh, I''m exhausted," said Jin-Sung as he dropped down beside me, panting heavily. He looked like he had just run a marathon.

    ¡°You''ve done well. Where is Joo-Han hyung?"

    ¡°Ugh, filming... <i>pant...</i> just started."

    ¡°Just take it easy, catch your breath."

    It seemed like we had to wait a bit more. I patted Jin-Sung on the back and offered him somefort as we faced the long corridor again. Jin-Sung then clutched at my arm, and I sighed softly.

    ¡°Oh, right. The manager hyung said it''s okay for you to head back now. He''s been making rounds in the corridor with the staff for a while and even warmed up a heat pack for you," said Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Ah, I guess the manager must have joined the other team while waiting. I saw him chatting with Yoon-Chan outside."

    ¡°Huh? What''s going on?" Jin-Sung peeked out the window, and when his gazended on the manager, he tilted his head in confusion. ¡°When did he get all the way over there? I was just talking to him before I sprinted here."

    ¡°In moments like these, it feels like our manager has a few clones of himself."

    As I stood up to gaze out the window once more, a camera staff member let out a puzzled ¡°Eh?".

    He then asked, ¡°Did your manager tell you that we could head back to where the director is?"

    ¡°Uh? Yes. He mentioned it since I''ve been making you guys wait for quite a while..."

    ¡°That''s strange. We were informed by the director to wait here. Seems like there''s been a mix-up inmunication."

    A lighting staff member joined in the conversation. ¡°It looks like we should just continue to wait here."

    Jin-Sung nodded awkwardly and epted their firm stance.

    After a brief moment of watching out the window, Joo-Han and all the staff made their way toward us after having swiftly wrapped up the corridor scene.

    The next scene was set in a dimly lit ssroom. Once again, it was my turn to step in front of the camera.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you are in the midst of a mysterious game of hide and seek with someone unknown."

    ¡°Understood."

    ¡°Imagine being so terrified that you are hiding with your mouth mped shut, afraid even to breathe."

    I nestled into a crouch behind the lectern.

    ¡°Alright, let''s get started. Cue."

    I was doing my best to channel pure terror with my hand firmly over my mouth. Then, a ¡°knock-knock¡± resonated from the desk''s surface. It seemed the staff were lending a hand to amplify the scare factor.

    I flinched at the sound, and my eyes darted around in feigned horror. It felt as though I had been transported straight into a scene from a horror flick.

    ¡°Cut! Okay, Hyun-Woo, you are getting more natural with each take. That was perfect on the first try."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°Now it''s Jin-Sung''s turn."

    ¡°Ready!" Jin-Sung stepped into the frame, his face etched with apprehension.

    I sidled up to Joo-Han and murmured, ¡°Who was the one knocking on the lectern earlier? They really nailed the timing."

    Joo-Han''s brows furrowed with a look of confusion, and he asked, ¡°What do you mean? Who knocked?"

    ¡°Did you not hear that? During my shot, someone gave the lectern a couple of good taps."

    ¡°No, that''s not right. Maybe it was just you moving and identally hitting it? There was no one else near it," Joo-Han replied as he draped a heat pack around my neck.

    <i>¡®Hmm, that¡¯s not right.¡¯</i> The sound was like a deliberate knock, and it came from a part of the lectern my body hadn''t even touched. As I pondered this strange urrence...

    "Aaaargh! Aaaah!" Jin-Sung suddenly let out a shriek of terror after ncing through the ssroom window into the corridor.

    ¡°Yikes, you gave me a fright! What in the world!?"

    Usually, Jin-Sung was only whiny around us when scared. Because of his scream, the director was cing his hand on his chest as he was genuinely shocked.

    Jin-Sung slumped to the floor, his face a mask of imminent tears. ¡°In the corridor... there was... someone..."

    ¡°What?" Both the director and Joo-Han turned their heads toward the hallway. ¡°There is no one there. It¡¯s just the reflection of people here because of the lighting.¡±

    ¡°But, that¡¯s not it...¡± Jin-Sung shook his head in a mix of frustration, fear, and a myriad of emotions evident on his face.

    ¡°It was a girl... in a school uniform...¡± Jin-Sung''s timid admission left the director exchanging puzzled looks with the staff. Then, he turned to Jin-Sung and asked, ¡°Why don''t you take a short break? Or would you prefer to reshoot right away?"

    Hearing those words, Jin-Sung clutched at his chest, his face reflecting the turmoil of someone teetering on the brink of tears. ¡°I will do it now. I''m sorry."

    Beside me, Joo-Han¡¯s nose was red from the cold, but he still shot me a sly grin. ¡°He saw something. He definitely saw something. No doubt about it."

    ¡°Hyung?"

    Joo-Han looked at me with a mischievous smile. ¡°Hyun-Woo, what happens when you see a ghost while preparing an album?"

    ¡°Huh?"

    ¡°It will be a huge hit. Muhahaha." Joo-Han''s sinisterughter was almost frightening.

 Chapter 177: Joy (14)

    Chapter 177: Joy (14)

    Our much-anticipatedeback showcase was ted for the end of January. This time around, our agency had strategically coordinated our schedules, unlike our frenzied debut where we and other groups were in a race to the spotlight. Now, we were set to make our grand entrance first, and High Tension would start their activities after our promotion ended. It seemed that the twopanies had talked it out.

    With the date locked in, our rehearsal timetable intensified, turning our days into a marathon of endless practice sessions from dawn until dusk.

    Even Hye-Ri, who used to tell us to be on diet nonstop, advised us to pile on the calories and ramp up our physical routines given our grueling schedule. Hence, our days morphed into a rigorous grind ofeback preparations, punctuated by deepa-like sleep. It was a cycle we soon found ourselves adapting to with surprising ease.

    A silver lining in our hectic routine was our manager''s keen eye for our wellbeing. He had a knack for spotting when any of us were hitting our limits, often sending us back to the dorm for some much-needed rest. Despite our protests and eagerness to push through more practice, he remained steadfast in his stance.

    ¡°¡­Should we wrap up for today?"

    ¡°Yeah, let''s call it a day. I''m dying," Jin-Sung agreed weakly, his body sagging against the wall, exhaustion evident in the shadows under his eyes.

    The manager nodded and gently helped me to my feet as I copsed next to Jin-Sung. His concerned gaze lingered on me a moment longer.

    "I will drive you back to the dorm. But before that, there''s something I need to discuss with all of you. Please, gather around,¡± the manager said, his tone serious yet gentle.

    ¡°What''s up?"¡°What is going on?"

    Jin-Sung summoned thest bit of his energy to crawl over, and the rest of us stretched out our sore limbs and huddled around the manager. Joo-Han, who had been lost in thought in front of hisptop, looked up and frowned as he sensed the gravity of the moment.

    ¡°If this is about changing managers, I don¡¯t agree to it," he stated, his voice deep with a serious undertone that made us all take notice. We exchanged anxious nces, and the air was suddenly heavy with unspoken concerns.

    The manager just shot Joo-Han a bittersweet smile, acknowledging the bond they had formed over countless shared moments and conversations, perhaps more than any of us had with him.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung?" Goh Yoo-Joon picked up on the tense atmosphere, his voiceced with apprehension.

    Joo-Han wasn''t one to make such statements lightly, so his words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

    The manager took a deep breath, steeling himself for what came next. ¡°It¡¯s been decided.¡±

    ¡°What? Out of nowhere?" Yoon-Chan''s voice cracked, mirroring the shock that rippled through us.

    ¡°It''s not sudden. I''m telling you as soon as possible. The change will take ce after we wrap up the second album and the inauguration ceremony.¡± The manager¡¯s tone was apologetic yet firm, hinting at a decision that had been made with careful consideration.

    This meant there would be a maximum of three months with him.

    ¡°The new manager will be Hyuk-Soo, who''s been with us as a road manager.¡±

    ¡°But hyung, I wanted to keep working with you, you know?" Jin-Sung''s voice was thick with disappointment, a sentiment we all shared.

    Despite seeming stoic, our manager paid meticulous attention to our well-being and showed endless consideration to us. We had built a treasure trove of memories during our brief time together. He scolded us like a real brother on days we neglected our health for practice, but we knew his concern came from a ce of care, so it never bothered us. Even Joo-Han, who often shed with our previous manager, was inclined to ept and trust Su-Hwan.

    However, Su-Hwan simply nodded with a t expression, trying not to show any emotion. ¡°Hyuk-Soo will look after you well. I''ve made sure of it."

    ¡°...¡± Silence enveloped us. The news of his impending departure hit us harder than expected, even though we knew such changes were part of the industry.

    ¡°I know it''s a busy time, but I thought it is better to tell you now rather than spring it on youter. We still have some time left, so let''s make the most of it.¡±

    ¡°...¡± The room remained silent, our hearts heavy with the realization of what his departure meant.

    ¡°The move is nned around your schedule, and while it''s a small gesture, I''ve arranged for some flexibility with your phone use as a token of my appreciation¡­¡± The manager stopped speaking as he realized we weren¡¯t hearing a word. It seemed like our second parting with a beloved manager was upon us, and it was a tough ordeal for the younger members.

    ¡°...Ha.¡± With a heavy sigh, the manager showed his distress as well. ¡°Anyway, that''s the situation. I''d love to stay with you all longer, but as an employee, I must follow thepany''s orders. I''m sorry."

    ¡°You have nothing to apologize for, hyung..." I spoke up for the silent members, and the manager nodded before continuing.

    ¡°I intended to tell you thister, but Joo-Han caught on first. Let me share the next update now. All of you will appear in the next shoot."

    The next shoot was a mini sports day. Since our manager promised to create as many memories with us as possible within a month, the sports day must have been his idea. It seemed Chronos was set to perform a special show at the sports day.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon will be in their uniforms. The rest of you will wear costumes for the shoot."

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°And Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yes?"

    The manager flipped another page in his notebook. ¡°You''ve been invited to appear on..<em>.</em>"

    ¡°¡­What?"

    ¡°Only Hyun-Woo hyung?" Jin-Sung''s puzzled question was followed by murmurs of confusion from the rest of us, including me. Was I really going to appear on a music show alone? However, my curiosity quickly turned to dismay.

    ¡°Kim Jin-Wook of YU Entertainment is going to debut soon, and I''ve heard his first post-debut appearance will be for <em>Halo¡¯s Music Bus</em>. They are keen on having him sing a live rendition of ¡®Once Again.¡¯"

    <em>¡®Ah, that''s right. Darn it.¡¯ </em>

    The memory of agreeing to the request of Kim Jin-Wook''s manager shed back. We indeed talked about it after we used YU Entertainment''s practice space, and it looked like the formal invitation hade through ourpany channels.

    ¡°The show is lined up for after oureback. Considering <em>Halo¡¯s</em><em>Music Bus</em> is offering us a slot to spotlight Chronos''s new track, it''s an opportunity we should embrace."

    ¡°¡­Understood." Given my prior agreement and the enticing promotional opportunity, not to mention the chance to perform "Once Again" once more, I found myself nodding, fully persuaded by the proposition.

    ¡°That wraps up the updates for now. All of you have mastered the choreography and live vocals, so let''s shift our focus to maintaining your peak condition. You might have guessed it, but we will put album promotion into your schedule moving forward."

    ¡°Yes!" Our spirited affirmation marked the end of the meeting, and we made our way out of the practice room. However, the looming farewell from our manager cast a shadow over the group, especially Joo-Han, whose mood had notably darkened.

    ***

    <em>JAAAAAAAR!!!</em>

    The rm''s maddening voice tore through the silence. Hearing this, I burrowed deeper into my cocoon of nkets with practiced ease while Goh Yoo-Joon, the early bird, silenced the morous device.

    ¡°Time to rise and shine."

    ¡°¡­Ugh!" I anticipated the usual jolt, but today Yoo-Joon opted for a surprising tactic, flopping down on me instead.

    ¡°Come on, up you get~! How much longer do you n on having me wake you up, huh?" Heid on the pressure, quite literally, making his presence overwhelmingly felt.

    I grimaced and mumbled through the difort, ¡°¡­Ugh, this could easily lead to a couple of broken ribs."

    ¡°Oh, stop exaggerating."

    ¡°Off, dude. Off." For once, Yoo-Joon had managed to rouse me at the first attempt.

    Today marked the third shoot for <em>Graduating</em>. I sluggishly peeled myself off the bed and went into the living room. The rest of the members were already up, buzzing with energy for our uing schedule.

    ¡°Can¡¯t believe the students are thest ones up."

    ¡°Should I whip up some coffee for you, hyung?" Yoon-Chan offered, but I waved him off with a stretch, ready to face another day of shooting.

    It was a typical morning on the set of <em>Graduating,</em> yet today was an exciting day as it was the sports day at Memory High. Joo-Han, now in his school uniform, sped Yoo-Joon''s and my hands. His voice wasced with a stern warning. ¡°Injuries are off-limits, got it? Any mishap before oureback would spell disaster. Be careful, no matter what."

    ¡°Mhm."

    ¡°Understood. But you know, it looks like we are in for the ry race~" Yoo-Joon teased, earning a sharp look from Joo-Han that could only be described as lethal.

    ¡°Let''s roll out." Following our manager''s lead, we bid a temporary farewell to the rest of the group and headed to the school.

    ***

    ¡°Made it, huh?"

    ¡°You guys are cutting it close."

    ¡°Hey there."

    It had been a week since ourst shoot, yet the warm wee from Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Daniele felt as though we''d never been apart.

    ¡°Hey, good to see you."

    ¡°Guys, it''s been a while¡­ Man, I''m wiped out."

    However, as soon as Yoo-Joon and I sat, we simultaneously slumped onto the desk as if choreographed, sumbing to exhaustion. Our eyelids felt like they were made of lead.

    As we both hit the desk, Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan rushed over, their concern palpable. ¡°What''s up with you two? Really that tired?"

    ¡°You both look drained. And there''s a sports day nned today, right?"

    The urgency for screen time lingered in my thoughts. This was our livelihood, our job. Fighting against the creeping drowsiness and the weight of expectations, our minds felt clouded at best. Yoo-Joon and I were barely clinging on.

    However, we managed to muster the energy to sit upright somehow, albeit resembling zombies.

    ¡°No worries, we''ve got the ry race covered. Want a trip to the canteen?"

    ¡°Is there coffee milk? I''m in desperate need of caffeine."

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Coffee¡­ coffee¡­ Joo-Han hyung loves it, so let¡¯s get it now for him.¡±

    ¡°No, he only drinks dark coffee. Ugh, I am exhausted. Did Joo-Han text or call you? Ah, what am I saying? The coffee at the canteen must be too sweet for him. He doesn¡¯t drinktte.¡±

    In an effort to contribute to the screen time, we started to babble nonsensically.

 Chapter 178: Joy (15)

    <h4>Chapter 178: Joy (15)</h4>

    ¡°What are you guys even doing!? Get it together! This isn''t the ce to space out!"

    ¡°You all must be seriously exhaustedtely. What''s been going on in your lives?"

    ¡°At this rate, they might just copse before the sports day even kicks off."

    My vision was blurry and unfocused as I caught glimpses of Joon-Hwan''s hands waving in front of my eyes, trying to snap me back to reality. Despite my friends'' concernedments, it took me a moment to gather my wits and sharpen my gaze with a determined grunt.

    ¡°Hya!"

    ¡°It looks like Hyun-Woo''s spirit has made aeback."

    ¡°I¡¯ve been out of it since the music video shoot. How have you guys been?" I asked. The trio then started sharing snippets of their week''s adventures.

    ¡°Hey, would you mind giving me an autographter?"

    ¡°An autograph?" I asked.

    ¡°It turns out that my little sister is a huge fan of yours. She threw a fit when I told her I''d met you, and she begged for an autograph."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was still battling the remnants of fatigue, listening quietly to our exchange.

    Now that I thought about it, back in school, Yoo-Joon would often arrive in a simr daze during exam periods. However, he''d be back to his usual energetic self by lunchtime, just as I expected him to be today.

    <i>Drrr-</i>

    ¡°Time to head back to your seats, everyone." The ssroom door swung open, and Kun-Ho stepped in. His attire was more casual in sportswearpared tost week''s formal getup.

    ¡°As mentioned in the newsletterst week, today is the day for Memory High''s sports day."

    ¡°Yay!" Cheers filled the room, and the excitement was palpable. Despite being part of a broadcast, the sses we attended felt genuine. It seemed that even those who joined out of a longing for school life preferred ytime over lessons.

    ¡°Some of you have individual missions today. Please make sure to support those carrying out their tasks."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Alright, change into your gym outfits and meet in the auditorium by ten o''clock." After saying what he needed to say, Kun-Ho exited the ssroom.

    As soon as he left, the buzz of spection about who had received missions for the day started. The front row''smotion suggested that this time, the mission recipients were among that group.

    ¡°Let''s go change into our gym clothes. Come on, snap out of it, buddy." I gently tugged at Yoo-Joon, who was still somewhat dazed. Then, we both stood up.

    ¡°Ah, I''m awake. Ugh!" Goh Yoo-Joon stretched his arms and took charge like a true ss president, ushering everyone to the changing room.

    I lingered behind to lock the ssroom door when <i>he</i> appeared, never missing a day to show his face.

    ¡°Hey, guys. Let''s head to the changing room together," said On Ki-Hoon.

    This time, I responded with a warm smile and a nod without any of the initial awkwardness. ¡°Sure, let''s go together."

    I was still unsure about who I needed to keep an eye on. Ki-Hoon''s actions might seem odd to everyone, but he hadn''t done anything wrong. Therefore, avoiding him without a reason felt unjust, especially since Yoo-Joon and I had discussed how to interact with him and the rude student whose name we hadn''t yet learned during ourmute homest week.

    ¡°What''s your name?" Daniele asked while looking at Ki-Hoon.

    ¡°I''m Ki-Hoon. Looking forward to getting to know you, Daniele."

    And so, the six of us made our way to the changing room.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, have you lost weight?"

    ¡°Oh? Yeah, a bit, I guess."

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, you too. Must be tough with all the preparations."

    Yoo-Joon stretched and loosened his tight muscles. After that, he shook his head. ¡°It''s always tough, but I''m used to it now."

    Then he turned, signaling Joon-Hwan and Hee-Su to hurry. ¡°Why are you guys hanging back? Come on, hurry up."

    ¡°Okay,ing."

    I hadn''t noticed until Yoo-Joon pointed it out, but Ki-Hoon had subtly positioned himself to block Joon-Hwan and Hee-Su from joining us. Daniele was right beside us, but the other two naturally fell behind due to the obstruction.

    Impressively, Yoo-Joon caught on and paused, so Joon-Hwan and Hee-Su eventually caught up, and only then did Ki-Hoon make room for them and resume his conversation. Ki-Hoon asked, ¡°Wasn''t waking up this morning tough?"

    Shrugging, Yoo-Joon answered, ¡°It''s hard, but it''s nothingpared to the days when I went to school. If anything, Hyun-Woo here has a much tougher time."

    I nodded in agreement with Yoo-Joon''s statement and turned to Joon-Hwan and Hee-Su, asking, ¡°Weren¡¯t you guys tired ofmuting to school? Isn¡¯t your home far away?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s really far.¡±

    ¡°How long does it take?¡±

    ¡°About two hours by bus?¡±

    Hee-Su¡¯s response had Daniele gasping in shock. ¡°Whoa! Seriously! If you are spending that long on the bus, you''d better catch some sleep during the ride!"

    Yoo-Joon and I continued tossing questions to Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan until we reached the changing room. Inside, we spotted a student fiddling with his phone, not yet headed to the field. It was the guy who had a confrontation with usst week.

    He noticed our arrival and hesitated for a moment before pocketing his phone and looking our way. We merely nced at him before entering the changing room to get dressed. Just like before, our conversation flowed uninterrupted. However, he didn''t pick a fight likest time. Instead, he left the changing room without saying a word. It was almost as if he was wary of us, his sharp gaze seeming to gauge our reactions.

    ***

    After engaging in a lively discussion in the changing room, we made our way to the auditorium. In the midst of frosty January, our breaths formed visible clouds in the air inside.

    Huddled together, we attempted to stave off the chill with conversations about the cold. Then, Kun-Ho and the PE teacher entered, each with a whistle around their neck.

    "Let''s get on our feet, everyone. Form up into six lines, please," Kun-Ho instructed, taking their positions in front of us students.

    We all found our spots immediately, arranging ourselves into six orderly lines in proximity to one another. The PE teacher then observed the group and took his stand between the third and fourth rows. ¡°I will be dividing you into teams from where I stand. Those in rows three and four, could you space out a bit more?"

    The students in rows three and four moved to create some distance between them with a casual stride, and the rest of us adjusted ordingly, ensuring everyone was evenly spaced.

    ¡°Rows one to three will form Team A, and rows four to six, Team B."

    Yoo-Joon and I found ourselves in the first and second rows, marking us as members of Team A.

    ¡°Let''s be mindful not to get hurt, alright? Shall we begin?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°We will start with some stretching exercises."

    My resolve for the warm-up was unparalleled. Ever since Yoo-Joon teased me about my flexibilityst week, I had been intensifying my stretching routines during practice. It was time to demonstrate my enhanced flexibility and the resilience of my almost-healed back.

    ¡°Follow along with me, starting with the neck. To the right. Now to the left..."

    We stretched from the neck to the shoulders, down to the waist, and finally to the legs, following a seamless top-to-bottom sequence. The PE teacher then took us through a more demanding stretch and bent forward to touch our toes.

    ¡°Try to bend as far as you can without bending the knees."

    My fingertips managed to graze my calves. ¡°Ugh."

    ¡°Now, gently rise and stretch backward."

    Immediately, a collective sigh escaped from the students.

    The teacher chuckled lightly and then suggested we pair up for the next set of stretches. ¡°Pair up for this next part."

    Yoo-Joon sauntered over with a teasing glint in his eye. ¡°Hey there, Mr. ''I-Don''t-Do-Flexibility-Training'' Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Look who''s talking. If people didn¡¯t know any better, they¡¯d think you were a yoga master."

    ¡°Better than you, at least~"

    ¡°Nope, not really."

    ¡°One person will sit and spread their legs as wide as they can, while the other helps by gently pressing down on your back."

    Yoo-Joon gestured for me to sit. Iplied and stretched my legs to my current maximum. If my record was once ny-eight degrees down, today I pushed it to about one hundred and ten degrees.

    Just as I was feeling proud, suddenly a significant weight bore down on my back. ¡°Ow! Wait! Hold on a second! Get off!"

    Yoo-Joon decided to sit on my back and leveraged his full weight. ¡°Can''t believe this is all you''ve got, even with me pushing down."

    Yoo-Joon''sughter echoed in my ears. However, I was too focused on the pain to retort. My legs were stretched to their limit, and my face flushed with the effort. It was only when I finally gave in and copsed sideways that Yoo-Joon relented.

    ¡°Now, let''s switch roles. The one who was standing will sit, and vice versa." Prompted by the teacher''s words, I quickly stood up and motioned for Yoo-Joon to take his turn sitting. He chuckled and shrugged nonchntly before sitting down and spreading his legs.

    He was surprisingly flexible, but I still smirked and returned the favor, pressing down on Goh Yoo-Joon''s back with gusto. I said, ¡°Ouch! Sorry, sorry! I genuinely didn''t mean it!"

    Yoo-Joon might have been more flexible than me, but he still found the stretch painful. It was evident from his loud protests.

    I nced around and wondered if we were being overly dramatic, but it seemed like everyone was in the same boat. We were all happily crushing our partners under our weight. What started as a warm-up had quickly turned into yful antics.

    The PE teacher, somewhat bemused by our antics, blew his whistle to regain control. ¡°Don''t y around too much, you might get hurt! Properly warm up, everyone."

    After a few more stretches, we concluded our warm-up session. As the teacher gathered us back into lines, Kun-Ho, who had been watching with a content smile, handed the teacher arge card.

    ¡°Focus on the board, everyone. Today''s sports day will proceed as follows."

    1. Dodgeball

    2. Charades[1]

    3. Tug of War

    4. Ry Race

    5. Talent Show

    6. Mafia Game

    Among the six events, the ones fitting a traditional sports day were dodgeball, tug of war, and the ry race, and the rest resembled games you¡¯d typically find on variety shows. Of particr importance to Yoo-Joon and I was the fifth event, the talent show. Not only would students showcase their prepared performances, but Chronos would unveil an unofficial new song there.

    1. A word-guessing game where one yer has to act out a word or action without speaking and other yers have to guess what the action is. ?

 Chapter 179: Joy (16)

    Chapter 179: Joy (16)

    The sports day at Memory High was in full swing. As we entered the dodgeball arena for the opening event, teams naturally formed without anyone assigning the group¡ªa testament to our collective spirit.

    ¡°Which team wants to im the ball? I need one volunteer from each side," the PE teacher announced from the center of the court.

    Our teammates nudged Yoo-Joon forward without hesitation as he was our tallest yer. ¡°You are up, captain."

    ¡°Go for it, Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Alright, I''m on it. I will bring us the ball," Yoo-Joon dered with a confident stride, stepping forward to represent our team.

    His opponent from Team B was equally towering, setting the stage for an exciting showdown. We all knew the drill even before the PE teacherid out the rules. ¡°I will toss the ball skyward, and both of you just need to leap and direct it toward your team."

    ¡°Understood."

    ¡°Get ready."

    The PE teacher surveyed the two challengers with the whistle poised at his lips. At the sound of the whistle, the ball soared into the air, and Yoo-Joon deftly sent it flying our way with a swift leap.¡°That''s our Yoo-Joon!"

    ¡°Hurry, catch and throw the ball!" Yoo-Joon shouted. As he came back toward us, the ball started its erratic dance, tagging students out left and right.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, catch this!" shouted a Team B yer. My distinct light brown hair made me an easy target, but I managed to snag the iing ball and swiftly returned it to the opposing team.

    ¡°Ouch!" A yer from Team B took the hit and was out. The ball dropped near Hee-Su in row three and ended up in Daniele''s hands quite identally, who was now on the opposing team.

    ¡°Oh, Hyun-Woo! You threw the ball at me, but I caught it! Hehe."

    ¡°I know, right? Congrats!¡± I replied to Daniele while quickly retreating to keep a safe distance.

    ¡°Haha, you are funny, Hyun-Woo!" Daniele''sughter filled the air as he lobbed the ball back to me, which I caught without dodging.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is surprisingly resilient, isn''t he?" The PE teacher''s voice carried a hint of genuine surprise. While my flexibility wascking, it didn''t mean I was not sporty! Despite being sidelined in ser due to my back injury and perhaps seen as somewhat frail by the teacher, who had been a national athlete, I waspetent enough in sports to handle even the ry race!

    I tossed the ball to Yoo-Joon, who then targeted Daniele with a swift throw.

    <em>Tweet! </em>

    ¡°Daniele is out."

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, that''s harsh!" Despite Daniele''s grumbling, Yoo-Joon merely shed a grin and continued the game.

    The outed yers were steadily increasing, but Yoo-Joon and I somehow remained standing until the very end. Our dance practice and desperate determination to survive for the camera evidently paid off.

    ¡°How do they never dodge?"

    ¡°Right? They catch everything thrown at them. Impressive."

    As the game dragged on, sighs from Team B grew louder, sounding almost like praise for us. It seemed that we''d secured enough footage for the show, so I was relieved. Then, I aimed the ball at Team B''sst yer, On Ki-Hoon, who surprisingly got hit easily and was out.

    ¡°On Ki-Hoon is out! Game over. Team A wins!"

    It felt as though he had intentionally let himself be hit. While the victory was sweet, the manner of winning left me feeling somewhat hollow. As I stood there while being bemused, On Ki-Hoon approached with a casual shrug and said in a surprisingly gentle tone, ¡°How could I possibly strike at Chronos?"

    ¡°Huh?"

    ¡°Haha, let''s grab lunch togetherter, okay?" With that, On Ki-Hoon joined Daniele, and they headed back to their team.

    A staff member, who had been observing from the stage, approached and announced the break. ¡°Great job, everyone! Time for a twenty-minute break!"

    The students scattered as each found their own way to spend the brief interlude.

    ***

    During the twenty-minute break, Yoo-Joon and I found a quiet spot to sit side by side, each with an earbud in, humming our parts of the new song. The talent show was a special stage for our new track, and though we weren''t in full costume, it was still the debut performance of ourtest song.

    As a result, we nervously went over the choreography in our heads as we were determined to nail it, like students cramming for an exam

    ¡°The floor here is pretty rough, isn''t it?"

    ¡°I''d take that over a slippery surface any day."

    ¡°True, just be careful not to fall. We wouldn''t want a repeat of you being carted around by Jin-Sung in a chair."

    ¡°Yeah, for sure.¡±

    As we half-heartedly exchanged words, our minds tirelessly rehearsed the choreography for the umpteenth time.

    It was then that Hee-Su, who had been a short distance away engrossed in his phone and mingling with others, approached us with a curious look on his face. ¡°Guys, have you seen this? There''s a buzz about us online."

    ¡°An article?" My curiosity was piqued. I simply watched as Hee-Su extended his phone toward us, offering a glimpse into the news that had caught his attention.

    [Chronos Takes on KEW''s School-Themed Variety Show Graduating, Premiering End of January]

    (Chronos members Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon at the year-end stage photo zone.jpg)

    For the first time, Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo of Chronos will explore the world of school-themed variety entertainment. A KEW spokesperson revealed, ¡°KEW''s <em>Graduating: Boys¡¯ High School Edition,</em> featuring Chronos members Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo, unfolds amidst a group of twenty-year-olds who, for various reasons, missed their high school graduation. They will spend theirst month of high school together to createsting memories. The show is aiming for ate January airing, with filming already underway.¡±

    The spokesperson added, ¡°As it is our inaugural youth-themed variety show, we are eager to see how it will resonate with viewers. Stay tuned for an exciting lineup.¡±

    Additionally, KEW''s <em>Graduating: Boys¡¯ High School Edition</em> will not only feature Chronos members Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo but also up-anding actor On Ki-Hoon, model Daniele Rossi, and a diverse cast of about thirty non-celebrities students.

    [email protected]</a>

    Copyright holder: GoGi News, Unauthorized Copying and Distributing Prohibited.

    ¡°Wow, news about us is already making rounds?"

    ¡°Looks like it." Hee-Su retracted his phone after a nce, and his lips pursed in thought.

    ¡°It''s quite surreal to realize how renowned you guys are. The entire article is stered with Chronos''s involvement."

    Having been thrust into the spotlight during the UNETpetition and now handpicked by the production team for ratings, I had expected Chronos-centric coverage.

    However, what truly took me by surprise was learning about Daniele''s career as a model. I had pegged him as a regr, handsome guy with impressive stature who had moved from Italy, only to find out he was a model.

    ¡°No wonder my phone is bombarded with missed calls nowadays. With all the news about Chronos''s participation, we are probably dominating the trending charts, hitting number one on real-time searches." Hee-Su''s excited words drew a simultaneous chuckle from Yoo-Joon and me.

    Our involvement in an unaired variety show wouldn¡¯t ce us at the top of real-time search rankings. It seemed pretty far-fetched.

    ¡°Ah, well, we are just doing our thing. It¡¯s not a big deal."

    ¡°Well, maybe? But we are talking about Chronos here, so I wouldn''t be surprised if it did make it to the searches."

    We shook our heads at Hee-Su''s guess once more, but we were interrupted by the call to resume filming.

    ¡°We are getting back to shooting! Please return to your spots, everyone!" A staff member signaled the continuation of the sports day events.

    The second game of charades smoothly transitioned into the third, which was a tug of war. This paved the way for a short break before the ry race began.

    It had barely been an hour and a half since Hee-Su shared the news about the article when our manager approached us, phone in hand and a look of sheer pride in his eyes. ¡°Congrattions, guys."

    ¡°For what?" I asked with a puzzled look, only for our manager to gesture toward his phone.

    ¡°You''ve made it to third ce on the portal site search rankings and first in <em>BlueBird</em>''s real-time trends. Chronos has truly be a force to be reckoned with," he replied.

    #Side Story - Concept Photo Shoot (Type B, Goh Yoo-Joon)

    It was the day of the concept photoshoot for Chronos''stest track.

    ¡°I''ve brought what you asked for, senior."

    ¡°Thanks a ton."

    Suh Eun-Hye, the youngest in the props team, then nodded in acknowledgment to her direct senior Oh Yeo-Rin.

    She breathed a sigh of relief and epted the golden watch from Suh Eun-Hye. ¡°I nearly had a heart attack when it broke in transit."

    The watch was a crucial prop that could make or break the ambiance of this set. However, it had met its unfortunate end, shattering into pieces within the car. The prospect of moving forward without the prop was daunting until fortune smiled upon them through the efforts of Suh Eun-Hye, the diligent junior, who miraculously found a simrly vintage watch.

    ¡°Lucky that there¡¯s an antique shop nearby. It¡¯s not exactly the same, but it will work.¡±

    ¡°Nah, this one is actually better for the vibe as it is more vintage. Good job, Suh Eun-Hye. Take a seat. I will handle the setup.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    Suh Eun-Hye plopped down on a chair, rubbing her legs that were weary from running around. She knew the industry demanded a grind, but she hadn''t expected a frantic search for an antique clock in just thirty minutes. This task was a real challenge.

    Suh Eun-Hye sighed quietly while watching Goh Yoo-Joon from afar. ¡®<em>Ah, jealous.¡¯</em>

    Yoo-Joon lookedpletely at ease, listening to the director''s guidance while enjoying a drink. The director was usually stern with the staff, but he was all smiles with the popr artist. It was clear why celebrities might get carried away with such attention, though it was just her tired musings. She knew Yoo-Joon was humble, always thanking the staff meticulously.

    As Suh Eun-Hye''s gaze lingered on Yoo-Joon, their eyes met briefly. She then quickly looked away, wondering if avoiding his gaze was rude. After that, she cautiously looked back up.

    Facing the Chronos members for the first time, Suh Eun-Hye found Yoo-Joon''s intense presence intimidating enough to make her nervous just by making eye contact. When she dared to nce again, Yoo-Joon had already turned away, his fatigue evident as he idly tapped on the desk.

    Yoo-Joon seemed standoffish, not particrly warm or talkative despite his politeness. It was only the juniors in her team who felt particrly cautious around him.

    <em>¡®I heard he is quite friendly with his peers.¡¯</em> However, Yoo-Joon appeared more reserved now with no friends around him or perhaps because of his exhaustion.

    Lost in thought, Suh Eun-Hye watched as Yoo-Joon suddenly perked up, his attention caught by something at the set''s entrance. His eyes lit up, and then he broke into a wide smile. Suh Eun-Hye was surprised because Yoo-Joon, who had maintained a stoic facade all day, was now radiating happiness.

    Following his gaze, she spotted Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung, who had just finished their shoot.

    ¡°Finished already?" Yoo-Joon''s demeanor lifted as he approached his group members. Their camaraderie andughter were reminiscent of carefree high school days, and this lively exchange was familiar to the staff, who watched on with affectionate smiles, ustomed to the group''s dynamics.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, time to get back to set. Let''s wrap up the shoot so you can go."

    ¡°Right!" Yoo-Joon, who had been lively among his members, returned to the set at the director''s call.

    ¡°Alright, let''s get this shot. Settle into position and adjust your expression."

    Yoo-Joon got back to posing. The smile faded away as he adopted the cool demeanor required for the scene.

    ¡°Perfect, hold that look!" the director said with a pleasant smile.

 Chapter 180: Joy (17)

    Chapter 180: Joy (17)

    Fortunately, the buzz about Chronos hitting number one in real-time searches hadn''t reached the ears of our ssmates yet. It was a given that topping the trending charts would be a yful tease among friends.

    During the break, Yoo-Joon and I were secretly relieved that we had escaped any teasing filled with astonishment. Instead, we tried to focus on our dance moves. With earphones in, our bodies swayed slightly to the rhythm.

    Our manager, who had been observing us with a hint of amusement, was soon called away by the show''s director. A ssmate had been eyeing us curiously from a distance and approached with hesitant steps, stopping in front of us. Then, he cleared his throat awkwardly. ¡°Yoo-Joon, and uh... Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°What''s up?"

    ¡°Um, could you guys help me out with something?"

    His name was Choi In-Seok, and he seemed nervous as his eyes darted between Yoo-Joon and me. He acted like Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan when we first talked to them. Despite being rtively unfamiliar with each other, it seemed that Yoo-Joon had broken the ice with him during the breaks. He was being the approachable ss president he was.

    <em>¡®But why does everyone avoid eye contact with me?¡¯</em> Perhaps it was my fault. I might have been giving off an intimidating vibe without realizing it.

    With a reassuring grin, Yoo-Joon responded, ¡°Hey, no need to be so formal. What do you need help with?"I nodded in agreement and said, ¡°Yeah, how can we help?"

    Choi In-Seok''s face lit up with relief, and he handed us a piece of paper. His voice was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension when he said, ¡°I''ve got this mission for the uing ry race."

    Goh Yoo-Joon unfolded the paper and revealed the mission.

    [Make your homeroom teacherugh during the ry race.]

    ¡°What does this even mean?" I asked, puzzled by the unexpected task.

    The mission seemed as bewildering to us as it was to him. Choi In-Seok sighed deeply and exined, ¡°I mentioned wanting to try something fun during the initial interviews, but I never imagined it woulde back to haunt me as a mission."

    Choi In-Seok extended his smartphone toward me. On the screen, a <em>UTube</em> video was paused in full-screen mode.

    ¡°Can I watch it?" I asked.

    ¡°Yes," he replied, and I hit the y button.

    The video was titled ¡°A Typical High School Ry Race,¡± and it showed male students getting ready for a ry race on a sports day.

    As the starting g dropped, the students were about to sprint off... but then, they started walking slowly instead and struck poses like models on a runway as they made their way around the track. Laughter erupted from the onlooking students, and the bewildered voice of a teacher could be heard over the microphone.

    Suddenly, one of the runners pushed a fellow student aside and started to run. Then, he started kicking off a series of humorous skits prepared by each runner.

    Yoo-Joon looked at the mission paper with a chuckle and then back at Choi In-Seok. "Do you really want to do this?"

    ¡°Yeah. I totally get how Hee-Su felt now. Never thought my casualment would turn into a mission."

    ¡°That''s absolutely hrious," Yoo-Joonughed.

    ¡°So, I''m going around asking everyone in the ry to pitch in. Can I count on you guys? Please." Choi In-Seok''s earnest plea was directed more at me, as if my approval was crucial.

    I awkwardly nodded. ¡°Sure, we will figure something out, In-Seok." I deliberately used his name in an attempt to break the ice. However, Choi In-Seok seemed oblivious to my effort and quickly left after thanking us profusely.

    ¡°Ah, Hyun-Woo, you even used his name to warm up to him, but it looks like it didn''t work."

    ¡°It''s not like that," I replied and brushed off Yoo-Joon''s teasing attempt.

    I handed back the earphones and pondered our next move. ¡°So, what''s our n for the ry?"

    ¡°What n?" Yoo-Joon asked and feigned ignorance.

    ¡°In-Seok''s mission. Everyone''s probably got something funny lined up. Don''t you think we should aim to be the highlight?"

    Yoo-Joon wrapped an arm around my shoulder and reassured me, ¡°Don''t sweat it, Hyun-Woo. You are naturally hrious."

    I shrugged off his arm with a frown as I got annoyed. If Yoo-Joon was all about jokes, I needed toe up with something concrete. However, because of the exhaustion, my mind was foggy. I found myself questioning the essence of humor as if I''d forgotten how to elicitughter entirely, even debating whether to bring Cha Cha or not.

    ¡°Just trust me, okay? When we go with the flow without a fixed n, that''s when we truly shine," Yoo-Joon finally said, a spark of mischief in his eyes.

    ¡°What are you even talking about?" I asked as I was perplexed by his cryptic words. However, Yoo-Joon simply headed toward the center of the auditorium.

    Just then, a staff member finished setting up the field and called out robustly. ¡°We will start filming now. All students, please gather at the starting point of the ry!"

    Thinking I had nothing better to do, I decided to head over to where the students were gathering, still contemting singing a song or two as I ran.

    ***

    The production team thoughtfully provided mats that blended with the cold auditorium floor, ensuring the cast wouldn''t have to endure the difort of sitting directly on it.

    As we sat on the mat, our team''s ry athletes naturally gathered around me and buzzed with a mix of excitement and strategy. Someone then asked, ¡°Hey, have you two figured out what you are nning for In-Seok''s mission yet?"

    ¡°Us two?"

    ¡°Yeah, I wanted to ask earlier, but you two seemed deep in conversation with your manager, and I didn''t want to interrupt." The question wasced with genuine interest. Pyo Ri-Su, our team''s third runner, was the one asking the question.

    With a sly grin, Yoo-Joon said, ¡°Well, we haven''t told Hyun-Woo just yet, but we''ve got a n up our sleeves."

    ¡°What? You are keeping secrets now?"

    ¡°Just trust me, brother." Goh Yoo-Joon lifted his palm for a high-five. Though his antics often bordered on the suspicious, Yoo-Joon had a knack for lightening the mood with his well-timed humor. I decided to y along and meet his high-five with enthusiasm.

    Pyo Ri-Su seemed a bit lost in the whirlwind of our banter as his head tilted in confusion. However, as I reciprocated Yoo-Joon''s gesture, he shrugged it off, deciding not to dwell on the mystery.

    ¡°Anyway, we''ve been brainstorming on our end too. We think it''s about time we synced up with Hyun-Woo,¡± said Pyo Ri-Su.

    The ry lineup was set with Yoo-Joon leading the charge, followed by myself, then Pyo Ri-Su, and one more runner to bring it home. Yoo-Joon and I had our strategy locked down, as did Pyo Ri-Su with the final runner. Hence, it was now crucial for Pyo Ri-Su and I to synchronize our efforts.

    I asked, ¡°Any strategies in mind?"

    With a confident nod, he replied, ¡°Actually, yes. There''s a key move I need you to pull off."

    My curiosity was piqued. ¡°And what might that be?"

    ¡°Don''t just hand off the baton like it''s a routine pass. I want you to throw it. Throw it as far as you can to me." Pyo Ri-Su''s tone was earnest, and his gaze was intense, hinting at the gravity of the task at hand.

    I couldn''t help but smile at his determination. ¡°Okay."

    The PE teacher soonid out the ry''s rules for us. The simplicity of the task belied the excitement it stirred. It was a halfp ry around the spacious auditorium. We then walked to our spots with support from our teammates.

    I took my position as I was ready for the baton exchange, doing a few warm-up drills to shake off the nerves. My eyes then locked on Yoo-Joon, who was at a distance, and I wondered if I would be able to react appropriately to whatever Goh Yoo-Joon was nning on doing.

    The tension was palpable as the first runners poised themselves for the start, and the silence was punctuated by the collective heartbeat of thepetitors. The sharp sound of the whistle marked the start of the race, sending a surge of adrenaline through my veins.

    The crowd erupted into cheers, each group rooting for their team with fervent enthusiasm. Yoo-Joon dashed forward, his hair tousled by the morning''s styling session. With each stride, he drew nearer.

    On the other side, our rivals were already deep into their skit for In-Seok''s mission. I caught a glimpse of Kun-Ho, whose expression was a mix of surprise and amusement. He was sharing a light-hearted moment with the PE teacher amidst the chaos.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo!" Yoo-Joon''s voice pierced through the mor, his solo charge overshadowing Team B''s theatrical efforts. His call spurred me into action, and I paced my run to match his approach.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Wooooo!"

    ¡®<em>Huh? Why is he not slowing down?¡¯</em>

    A collision seemed imminent.

    ¡°I am sorry!" His apology was almost lost in the wind as he breezed past me, leaving me in a state of bewildered stillness.

    ¡°...What?" The moment left me speechless, my mind racing toprehend the unexpected turn of events. I stood frozen, the absence of the baton in my hands stark against the backdrop of Yoo-Joon''s retreating figure.

    Everyone startedughing at my bewildered look.

    <em>¡®That bastard.¡¯ </em>The realization hit mete, and I found myself sprinting with all my might. I was hot on the heels of Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Yaaak!"

    ¡°Hahaahakkk!"

    ¡°Hand over the baton!" Passing the baton to Pyo Ri-Su had be my singr obsession. In an unexpected turn of events, this spontaneous game of tag drew not justughter from the students but also from the teachers. Their amusement was clear in the air.

    I charged forward with relentless energy and managed to catch up with Goh Yoo-Joon. He was sprawled on the ground and fiercely clung to the baton, refusing to hand it over. Given our history of scrappy wrestling matches, I resorted to a quick bite on his arm, and this promptly made him relinquish the baton.

    Because Goh Yoo-Joon kept running until thest moment, my actions were limited to standing dumbfounded. I chased after Goh Yoo-Joon, snatched, and tossed the baton away.

    ...It somehow felt like I had managed to guarantee a decent screen time in the chaos.

    In the meantime, Pyo Ri-Su chased after the baton I threw. With a dramatic roll, he reached the fallen baton, scooped it up with a grand bow, and was then lifted onto the shoulders of jubnt fellow students. They carried him triumphantly to the next runner.

    The ry started with lighthearted fun rather than apetitive spirit, but as thest runners took their marks, it transformed into a serious race. The final stretch became a fierce sprint for thosest contenders.

    At the climax, thest runners received the baton almost simultaneously and burst into a powerful sprint. In the end, Team B imed victory, albeit by a narrow margin.

    Following the adrenaline-fueled ry was the Memory High¡¯s talent showcasing. True to expectations, a thirty-minute interlude was allocated for setting up the stage and for the students to get their acts together for the talent show.

    While the students busied themselves with their preparations back in the ssroom, Goh Yoo-Joon and I made our way to the changing room to slip out of our sports gear and into our uniforms. We then headed out to the car waiting in the schoolyard.

    <em>Knock knock.</em>

    The car window slid down, and we hastily mbered in, cautious not to attract any unwanted attention.

    ¡°Yo, wee back. Did you manage to capture some good scenes?"

    ¡°Jeez, what have you guys been up to? Your hair''s a total mess, seriously."

    ¡°Any injuries to report?"

    The moment we got into the car, a flurry of concerned questions greeted us. The members were all there, dressed in their stage outfits.

    ¡°Just got back from a run."

    As I attempted to smooth down my tousled hair, Goh Yoo-Joon presented his arm to Joo-Han with a dramatic flourish. ¡°Take a look at this, hyung. Suh Hyun-Woo went and bit me. Man, it hurt like crazy."

    Seeing the bite mark, Joo-Han couldn''t help but chuckle and shake his head in disbelief. ¡°I bet you did something to provoke it."

    ¡°That''s not fair. You are always siding with Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°He''s not wrong, though. You did take off with the baton," I intervened, gently lowering Goh Yoo-Joon''s arm which was still thrust forward in usation.

    ¡°Typical Goh Yoo-Joon move." Joo-Han tsked in mock disapproval before turning serious. ¡°Look, you both must be worn out from all the running, but the real challenge is just ahead. You do know we''re about to showcase our new song for the first time, right?"

    ¡°Yeah!"

    This talent show was no ordinary event, as it also served as the grand stage for the premiere of Chronos''stest hit. Although the broadcast would barely do justice to the new song, as it only gave us and the other members mere seconds of airtime, for us, it was about more than just those fleeting moments. It was about delivering a full three-minute performance that truly belonged to us.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, you will be in your school uniforms, standing out from the rest of us. No matter where you are, keep the energy up and perform your best. And watch out during the acrobatic parts; we can''t afford to be injured. Also, the sound system''s tricky, so let''s stay sharp for the live vocals."

    Joo-Han''s words were echoed by the collective resolve of the entire group, underscoring the gravity of the moment.

 Chapter 181: Joy (18)

    <h4>Chapter 181: Joy (18)</h4>

    ¡°Did you see that earlier?"

    ¡°You mean the two of them sprinting together?"

    ¡°Yeah, it was my first time seeing Hyun-Woo zip around like that." Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan burst intoughter as they faced each other, reminiscing about the unexpected turn of events during the ry race.

    Suh Hyun-Woo was usually very calm and mature, but he had been coaxed by Goh Yoo-Joon into a full-on sprint, leading to an impromptu wrestling match that caught everyone off guard.

    The memory of Hyun-Woo''s antics was so vivid and hrious that Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan found it impossible to contain theirughter.

    ¡°Never considered him for the yful type. They must share quite the bond in the dorm," Hee-Su remarked, still chuckling.

    Over the course of three filming sessions, Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan had be quite close to Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo. Yet, witnessing their yful scuffle, they realized there was still more depth to their friendship waiting to be discovered.

    Seeing Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo''s brotherly bickering sparked a twinge of envy in Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan. "I wish I had a friend like that," Hee-Sumented.

    "Same here," Joon-Hwan echoed, his voice tinged with longing.

    The duo pondered over the rarity of such friendships, akin to finding brothers in a school setting. Perhaps this very longing for lifelongpanionship was what had led them to Memory High School in the first ce.

    ¡°They mentioned they won''t be back until after the show.¡±

    ¡°Sounds about right. They are probably hanging out with the rest of their members now.¡±

    ¡°Oh, dang. The word ¡®members¡¯ really makes them sound like celebrities. I kinda forgot about that until now.¡±

    Throughout their interactions, the image of Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo transformed significantly in the eyes of Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan. The two idols had be more like everyday friends for them, blurring the lines between their stage personas and their real selves. This newfoundfort allowed for effortless banter, leaving Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan curious about how the uing performance might further alter their perception.

    As the time for filming approached, an announcement broke the chatter. ¡°We are about to start filming! Students, please feel free to take a seat in front of the podium."

    The studentsplied, filling the chairs arrayed before the stage. The homeroom teacher Kun-Ho initiated the talent show, and four stages prepared by the students of Memory High were presented. Among them, a team that covered Chronos¡¯s ¡°Parade¡± received a huge cheer.

    Kun-Ho seized the moment, stirring the crowd. ¡°After such a fantastic cover of ¡®Parade,¡¯ we can''t just let the original artists off the hook, can we?"

    ¡°Waaah!¡± The students roared in agreement, their excitement palpable.

    ¡°For the special memories of everyone here at Memory High, our Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, and the members of Chronos havee."

    ¡°Whoaaaaa!!!"

    ¡°Wow, what an uproar. We are going to present Chronos''s new song ¡°?: Joy" for the first time right here, even before its official release. Let''s wee them with a round of apuse."

    The mention of a new song stirred a buzz among the students of Memory High. Aside from Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan, Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon had be mere handsome ssmates to everyone. What would it feel like to actually see them dancing and singing on stage? The atmosphere was filled with wonder and curiosity.

    Soon, Goh Yoo-Joon, Suh Hyun-Woo, and the members of Chronos took the stage, standing side by side.

    ¡°Kiyaaaak~!¡±

    ¡°Whooooooo!¡±

    ¡°Wow! Chronos!!!"

    The apuse thundered through the venue, reminiscent of the vibrant energy found at a morale-boosting concert[1]. Initially taken aback by the fervor, the members of Chronos quickly shared knowing nces, their subtle smiles showing a shared sense of camaraderie.

    They were dressed in effortlessly chic casual attire and stood out distinctly. Yet, amidst their fashionable ensembles, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo managed to capture everyone''s attention although they were d in their simple school uniforms.

    Kang Joo-Han, the group''s charismatic leader, stepped forward and gripped the microphone.

    ¡°Before we dive in, let''s kick things off with a greeting. Ready? On the count of three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to meet you!"

    ¡°Yiyaaaaaa!¡± The response from the crowd was electric, with some students yfully exaggerating their reactions, much to the amusement of Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo.

    Kang Joo-Han observed the yful banter and continued, ¡°We are deeply honored to join you for Memory High School''s sports day. It''s a privilege to debut Chronos''stest track here, amongst friends and especially alongside Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo. It''s a momentous asion for us all!"

    With a heartfelt gesture, Joo-Han ced a hand over his heart. As he faced a more intimate crowd than usual, the proximity to the audience¡ªsome of whom might be witnessing their first live idol performance¡ªfelt dauntingly close, almost as if their emotions wereid bare for all to see.

    ¡°Today, we are here to create unforgettable memories together. So, without further ado, let''s unveil ¡®?: Joy.¡¯¡±

    A wave of cheers cascaded through the crowd, followed by a hush of anticipation.

    As the members of Chronos found their positions, the intro of the song filled the air. It set a cinematic tone akin to the climactic scene of a beloved anime or film, stirring an indescribable sense of anticipation with its hopeful undertones and the soft glow of an impending sunset.

    The members of Chronos gathered in a circle and joined hands at the center, as if about to chant an age-old battle cry. However, as the serene intro gave way to a faster beat, they seamlessly transitioned into a dynamic formation, ready to embark on their meticulously rehearsed choreography.

    The drumbeats resonated clearly, setting the stage for Lee Jin-Sung at the heart of the formation. He led the ensemble through a series ofmanding moves. The performance marked a vibrant shift from Chronos''s signature style, infusing the atmosphere with a fresh, youthful energy that kept the crowd''s spirits high.

    As the choreography progressed, they subtly moved within their triangr formation, with Hyun-Woo gracefully assuming the center position. Though the dance remained consistent, this subtle change lent a new, palpable energy to the performance.

    Despite the shift, Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo''s radiant smiles remained unwavering, a testament to their rigorous training under Kang Joo-Han''s guidance. It was time for Hyun-Woo to take the lead, his voice carrying the promise of spring as he sang his part.

    <i>The spring sun has risen</i>

    <i>Though the spring breeze is still chilly, </i>

    <i>It carries a warm embrace</i>

    <i>When you wide open the window and take a deep breath,</i>

    <i>The day begins</i>?

    The authenticity of the live performance left the audience in awe. ¡°Incredible, they are actually singing live.¡±

    ¡°Their dance moves are on point. Absolutely stunning.¡±

    ¡°They are freaking awesome!¡±

    The question lingered: would the lighter tone of the song mean a departure from Chronos''s typically intricate choreography? They made the difficult and intense choreography look effortless¡ªthough it only appeared so because of their rigorous training, it was actually very challenging¡ªand delivered a stable live performance that pierced through the low-quality microphone.

    From the very moment Hyun-Woo started his part, those who had previously expressed indifference toward idols or boy bands found themselves captivated.

    Following his solo, Hyun-Woo executed a dramatic bow, setting the stage for Jin-Sung''s athletic disy. Using Hyun-Woo''s back as aunchpad, Jin-Sung propelled himself forward,nding at the center to deliver his lines with confidence.

    <i>As I dash from my home</i>

    <i>There are dozens of difficult paths awaiting me</i>

    <i>Where will you be today?</i>?

    Lee Jin-Sung shrugged his shoulders as if he didn¡¯t know. Then, he yfully poked the air with his finger.

    <i>Waving my finger, I pick a spot</i>?

    Kang Joo-Han, who had been dancing just behind Jin-Sung, approached as Jin-Sung¡¯s part wasing to an end. Joo-Han then casually draped his arm over Jin-Sung''s shoulder and sang his part.

    <i>I stop in front of the path and look back</i>

    <i>Take the hand you, who followed me</i>

    <i>Even if slow, let''s get back to the starting line together</i>?

    Kang Joo-Han and Lee Jin-Sung split to opposite sides while stretching their arms, introducing Goh Yoo-Joon who stood behind them. Yoo-Joon yfully walked forward, giving Jin-Sung a high-five.

    <i>Our steps quicken on their own</i>

    <i>Time flows, we are still young</i>

    <i>Everything is joyful</i>?

    <i>Yes, everything is so fun</i>

    <i>Your yful and kind words fill today withughter</i>?

    After Goh Yoo-Joon finished his part with light movements, Suh Hyun-Woo, who had been dancing at the back, quickly ran forward and jumped, hanging onto Yoo-Joon''s back. Yoo-Joon subtly staggered, shaking himself lightly to regain bnce.

    Hyun-Woo picked up the microphone and dramatically pointed into the distance.

    <i>Ah! There go the rolling leaves!</i>?

    Then, Lee Jin-Sung and Park Yoon-Chan who was standing beside them burst intoughter. ¡°Kyahahaha!"

    After they were done, Park Yoon-Chan stepped forward and sang his part with his tender voice.

    <i>It''s truly like a dream</i>?

    With Park Yoon-Chan at the center, the chorus started¡ªa dance without lyrics, apanied by the sound of a whistle. They performed it with their hands in their pockets, relying solely on footwork. Park Yoon-Chan''s effort these days shone through now, making him more than capable of dancing at the center.

    <i>Such a brilliant and beautiful time</i>?

    As Park Yoon-Chan danced and gradually moved back, Hyun-Woo filled the empty space in the center.

    With the same footwork, the dance became slightly more borate and dynamic by adding hand movements, differing from before yet maintaining a simr style.

    From the beginning of the first verse, the song seemed endlessly energetic and lively. However, it was now enhanced by Kang Joo-Han''s trendy rhythm and choreography.

    The students became increasingly immersed in the live performance, particrly captivated by the presence of Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, as it was their first time seeing them on the stage.

    Only the second verse and chorus remained. Subtly, an electric guitar sound was added to the uplifting drum beats.

    1. ?? ??(morale-boosting performances) in Korea, are specially organized events for military personnel, taking into ount that all able-bodied Korean males are required to serve in the military as part of the country''s mandatory conscription system. These performances, featuring popr artists, musicians, and entertainers, are designed to provide entertainment and uplift the spirits of the soldiers during theirpulsory service period. ?

 Chapter 182: Joy (19)

    Chapter 182: Joy (19)

    As the chorus of the second verse came to an end, Suh Hyun-Woo''s soaring high note was swiftly followed by the much-anticipated burst of rapid drumming. The electric guitar had been subtly woven into the song from the start of the second verse, and it now boldly asserted its presence. The band''s performance simply added to the song''s emotional highlight with the electric guitar taking center stage.

    Chronos had been executing a precise dance in a circr formation reminiscent of the intro, seamlessly transitioning to face the audience as Suh Hyun-Woo''s extended note faded. Their intricate footwork added to the spectacle.

    This shift paved the way for another exhrating dance break with Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung leading the charge. Even the students, who had been vocally enthusiastic up until the midpoint of the second verse, found themselves mesmerized by Chronos''s performance. Their cheers gave way to awestruck silence.

    It was said that a truly captivating performance could make one forget to blink, and Chronos''s performance was exactly that. The choreography wasplex yet captivating, and the band''s vibrant music coaxed even the most reserved onlookers into swaying and nodding along. All in all, the performance was akin to a cinematic montage of blissful teenage memories as it was tinged with a profound sense of nostalgia.

    The stage peaked with the dance break, and then the song gently started its descent toward the finale.

    <em>Pink cherry blossoms flutter in the wind</em>

    <em>And you and I areughing</em>

    <em>I capture your smile in a photo,</em>

    <em>And you shyly lower your head</em><em>The excitement swells,</em>

    <em>It''s a relief that we are here today</em>?

    As Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s part was nearing its end, Lee Jin-Sung approached and rested his elbow on Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s shoulder.

    <em>Our most brilliant moment,</em>

    <em>Bes a beautiful filter,</em>

    <em>Gifting us a lifetime of joy</em>?

    Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung crouched down, and the others came forward and stood behind the two. At this moment, the whirlwind of the band''s music faded, and the piano melody from the intro flowed once again. Along with it, a whistling sound that followed the same melody was heard.

    It was a scene reminiscent of a moment captured in a photograph, marking the end of Chronos''s new song "?: Joy".

    ***

    <em>Swish-swish!</em>

    ¡°Kwaaaahhhh!!!"

    ¡°Kiiieeekkkkkk!!!"

    The whistling that seemed to apud our stage filled the air, apanied by the wild cheers of friends and fans alike.

    ¡°<em>Gasp</em>... <em>sob</em>, <em>gasp</em>..."

    The first verse went smoothly, but our stamina plummeted dramatically after the backturn in the second verse, just like in our rehearsals. By the time we hit the dance break highlight, we were utterly drained.

    The tension of the performance made it even harder to catch our breath. However, I couldn''t help but chuckle at the uproarious support from our ssmates. I bowed my head in gratitude. Well, I intended to just lower my head, but having been crouching, I lost my bnce and ended up flopping downpletely.

    ¡°<em>Phew</em>... I am so exhausted," said Goh Yoo-Joon, trying to catch his breath behind me before reaching down and grabbing my arm to help me back on my feet.

    Jin-Sung managed to only stand up with the help of Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan. Backturns, dance breaks, high notes¡ªwhat a killer sequence, but having pulled it off, I couldn''t have been prouder.

    I steadied my remaining breath while leaning on Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulder. After I regained enough strength to speak, I grabbed the mic again and said, ¡°<em>Phew</em>... I hope you all enjoyed our new song."

    ¡°Yesss!!!"

    Joo-Han then took over. ¡°Your cheers really energized us and made it a thrilling performance. Thank you, Memory High!"

    We all nodded in agreement with Joo-Han''s words, and the warm reception lifted our spirits.

    ¡°Thank you again for having us. Our Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo might be a bit shy, but they are really good kids. Please continue to support them."

    This time, Joo-Han bowed slightly and made a personal appeal to our friends at Memory High.

    ¡°And so, on the count of three!"

    ¡°We are Chronos! Thank you so much!" As we bowed in unison, the crowd responded with an even louder round of apuse and cheers. The positive response was a huge relief, as this was the first public performance of our new song.

    The moment we handed off our mics to the staff, all of us copsed in a heap¡ªwell, more like tumbling down.

    ¡°...Can''t do this more than twice a day," Goh Yoo-Joonmented and downed a bottle of water in one go.

    Jin-Sung, who was sprawling out even more dramatically, shot him a look and retorted, ¡°That''s not true. We will get used to it, and then we can do it three or four times a day. Didn''t we do it endlessly during practice?"

    ¡°That was practice. Performing on stage feelspletely different. Wow, it''s really tough. Felt like surviving the final stretch of a marathon."

    I was too spent to pay much attention to their banter. I simply nced around before lying t on the ground as well. The floor was cold, calming down my overheating body. I said, ¡°Sigh... Let''s just rest a bit before we go. Please."

    My uniform was once neat but was now damp with sweat, especially at the back. I wanted to strip off my jacket right then and there, but the behind-the-scenes cameras made that impossible.

    After a short rest, we reluctantly got to our feet. Goh Yoo-Joon and I had to stay back for more filming, and it was time to see off the other members who were heading back to the practice room.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, take care with the rest of the shoot. Guys,e here. Give these two a hug." Prompted by Joo-Han''s words, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung slowly made their way over.

    As Yoo-Joon watched the two youngesting over, he murmured, ¡°...Are we doing that again?"

    Before he could get an answer, we were both engulfed in a group hug by the other three.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, make sure to get some good footage, and hang in there."

    ¡°Guys, fight hard. We will win this."

    ¡°Stay strong."

    Their sincere words of encouragement were met with our weary responses.

    ¡°Yeah, thanks. We will make it back alive."

    ¡°We will do our best."

    Our voicescked any real spirit, but the others didn''t seem to mind as they patted us reassuringly. It was aforting technique that Joo-Han often used since our trainee days. Honestly, a group hug wasn''t that reassuring for me, but Joo-Han had been insisting on it for a while now. This had to be the second time we did this after my post-debut injury with Chronos.

    ¡°What are they doing over there?" A chuckling question came from the production team of <em>Graduating.</em>

    ¡°Not entirely sure myself. From what I''ve heard, they''ve been doing this since their trainee days.¡±

    ¡°Ah, thanks for the answer. They are really close, as expected,¡± the production staff remarked, scratching their heads in amusement before dispersing.

    ¡°See you in a bit,¡± Yoo-Joon and I said, as our brief moment offort ended and the members disappeared outside the auditorium along with the manager. We watched them leave before turning our attention back to our friends and the uing challenges. It was time for a short break before the next game, but it was a much-needed break.

    ¡°Man, you guys were amazing out there!" The admiration in their voices was evident.

    ¡°I swear, I got so caught up in the moment during Goh Yoo-Joon''s shot that I even let out a swear. That was awesome.¡±

    Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and the others gathered around us to express their excitement. We simply thanked them for their kind words. Amidst exchanging pleasantries, I caught a glimpse of On Ki-Hoon and the troublemaker heading out together, an unwee pairing that momentarily distracted me.

    However, I quickly redirected my focus to the friends before me.

    ¡°This is going to be a huge hit for sure. You guys were incredible.¡±

    ¡°Wow, thanks so much." We were genuinely touched by their support.

    ¡°Can I get an autographter?"

    This pattern of conversation repeated itself countless times until the break was over, and it was time for the next event: the mafia game.

    Despite the exhaustion from our performance, the game was thoroughly enjoyable. Watching Hee-Su vehemently deny being the mafia with his face flushed with frustration was particrly amusing¡ªespecially since I was the actual mafia.

    During the next round, my indignation at being falsely used by Goh Yoo-Joon, even though I wasn''t the mafia, added an extrayer of excitement to the game. All of these moments were captured on camera, marking the end of the third filming session for <em>Graduating.</em>

    ***

    ¡°Wow, hyung, congrattions on your debut,¡± I said.

    ¡°If you are not sincere about it, you might as well not say anything.¡±

    ¡°No, really. I thought you''d never make it with your attitude, but here you are. I''m genuinely happy for you.¡±

    I was back in the familiar confines of YU Entertainment''s practice room, a ce I had frequented countless times as a trainer.

    I barely managed to make some time to practice with Kim Jin-Wook for <em>Halo¡¯s Music Bus</em>. After all, there were just three days left until our second album showcase<em>. </em>In any case, Kim Jin-Wook made a splendid debut with the full support of YU,unching as an artist with robust marketing and top-quality songs, even hitting the number-one spot on digital music sites within two weeks.

    ording to his manager, he was winning fans over with his unique blend of danger and chic charm.

    ¡°Congrats on your debut, really," I repeated.

    ¡°Bullshit.¡±

    ¡°Wow, I offer congrattions and get cursed at in return."

    He was not chic, just in rude.

    ¡°Hahaha, you two. I''ve felt this before, but you are really close. Jin-Wook doesn''t joke around like this when he''s with me," said Jin-Wook¡¯s manager.

    ¡°Well, it''s not really a joke," replied Jin-Wook.

    ¡°Still, Jin-Wook, you''ve debuted now, so you shouldn''t be swearing, remember? Try not to swear, even when there are no cameras around. It could be a habit on air."

    ¡°¡­Okay."

    The manager cheerfully nodded and then opened the door to the practice room. ¡°Then, go ahead and practice. I will have a quick chat with Su-Hwan ande back."

    ¡°¡­"

    ¡°¡­"

    The manager left the practice room, leaving just the two of us here, standing in silence.

    ¡°¡­"

    ¡°¡­"

    ¡°¡­Let''s practice."

    ¡°Okay."

    Kim Jin-Wook confidently operated the equipment and yed the MR for "Once Again." Immediately, the intro to ¡°Once Again" started to flow.

    The practice room was quiet and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the music calmly.

    ¡­And so, the practice began.

 Chapter 183: Joy (20)

    <h4>Chapter 183: Joy (20)</h4>

    <i>Despite the unchanging reality,</i>

    <i>I gaze at the dawning day and murmur,</i>

    <i>Once more, just once more</i>?

    I hummed softly without any MR. It was my own song, yet the lyrics didn''te to me easily, perhaps because it had been so long since Ist sang it.

    Kim Jin-Wook watched me intently beforementing, ¡°Your vocal technique has changed."

    ¡°Oh."

    His expressionless face and monotone voice made it impossible to discern whether he meant it as apliment or a critique. Therefore, I just frowned and red at him in response.

    Then, he red back, even more fiercely, and retorted, ¡°What''s with the attitude even after apliment? What an asshole."

    ¡°Ah, apliment. Thank you for that," I replied. If it was meant to be apliment, a smile wouldn''t have hurt. ¡°Senior Kun-Ho taught me a vocal technique that makes hitting high notes easier. But try to tone down the swearing, will you?"

    Where had our manager gone off to? Why were Kim Jin-Wook and I always left alone in the practice room? I reyed the practice video while sipping my coffee. There was no need for a shoot since the dance routine was wless, but I was curious to hear how my deliberately altered vocal technique sounded.

    I said, ¡°Hmm, it really does sound morefortable. Senior Kun-Ho is truly remarkable."

    ¡°Ha...¡± Kim Jin-Wook sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair with a bored expression.

    ¡°You are sighing while your senior is monitoring you, hyung?"

    ¡°What, are you an old man now?"

    ¡°It''s just weird. I am going to make a special appearance on your show, definitely doing you a favor. You insisted you would never perform live with me, so I had to make our youngest member rap during the live performance. Then, suddenly, you change your opinion and beg to perform live with me?"

    ¡°Shut up, Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Fine.¡± I realized I might have been picking a fight for no reason, so I stayed quiet and focused on the monitor. The new vocal technique did sound morefortable, but there were parts where the original style seemed to fit better. It looked like I''d have to mix the two styles naturally during practice.

    I took another sip of my coffee and stood up. ¡°Let''s practice."

    As I headed to the center of the practice room with my microphone, I noticed the absence of footsteps following me. Turning around, I saw Kim Jin-Wook still seated while watching me. When I tilted my head to ask why, he finally said, ¡°I appreciate you joining me on stage."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Is that it?"

    ¡°What more do you want?"

    I shrugged, looking at Kim Jin-Wook incredulously. ¡°If you are thankful, maybe sign an album for our youngestter. Jin-Sung really admires you."

    Jin-Sung had been a fan since Kim Jin-Wook''s debut, and his ylist was filled with all of Kim Jin-Wook''s songs. Moreover, he listened to it whenever he could and even nned to attend <i>Halo¡¯s Music Bus</i>. Hmm, perhaps he might end up naming Kim Jin-Wook as his most respected figure someday.

    Kim Jin-Wook chuckled in disbelief and nodded. ¡°Let''s have onest perfect practice and call it a day."

    ¡°Sure."

    The managers, who had been absent for a while, finally showed up for thest practice.

    ¡°...New song... featuring... possible..."

    ¡°...Schedule... consultation... effort... coordination..."

    ¡°...Variety show... rumors... friends... scheduling..."

    Throughout the practice, the managers were discussing something, but their words were mostly drowned out by the sound of the live music.

    <i> </i> *

    Ourst promotion of ¡°Blue Room Party," followed by the year-end performances, the detailedeback preparations, and the variety show recordings took quite a while. As a result, theeback that was initially scheduled for mid-January was pushed to the end of the month due to tight schedules. Despite the rush, we meticulously prepared for the release of ¡°?: Joy,¡± and the music video was finallyplete.

    We visited thepany for a fan club light stick meeting and gathered in a small conference room to shoot our reaction to the music video.

    ¡°Let''s start the recording! Cue!" With those words from the staff, the camera light turned on.

    ¡°We''ve been told that our new song¡¯s music video is finally finished."

    ¡°Yay!!!"

    ¡°Finally!!!"

    ¡°The production team put a lot of effort into this, so I wonder how it turned out."

    At Joo-Han''s words, Goh Yoo-Joon nodded in agreement. ¡°To be honest, we filmed in different sequences, so we don''t really know the exact storyline."

    ¡°I''m really curious about how the others'' parts turned out. I''m excited."

    Joo-Han smiled and ced his hand on theptop. ¡°Shall we take a look then?" As he pressed the spacebar, a ck screen with the white YMM logo appeared. The logo slowly faded, giving way to white text on the ck background.

    ¡°Hide and Seek¡±

    ¡°Not Friends¡±

    ¡°Aaagh! What''s going on here?" Jin-Sung''s voice spiked with panic, spurred by the cryptic message on the screen. He scrambled to take refuge behind me.

    ¡°Yikes!" I eximed, nearly sent flying by Jin-Sung''s sudden movement, but I managed to steady myself just in time.

    As the ominous text faded away, the dark screen transitioned to a vibrant watercolor depiction of a school scene, signaling the start of our music video.

    ¡°Wow, were there always this many students around?"

    ¡°They are all trainees.¡±

    ¡°I had no clue ourpany housed so many trainees.¡±

    The scene shifted to a bustling schoolyard filled with students arriving for the day. The majority were familiar faces¡ªthe trainees we had seen during thest shoot. Then, the camera panned to Yoon-Chan, who was standing confidently at the school gates. He took in the view of the school before stepping forward with a wide grin as the melody started to y.

    The heavy mood we braced for from the enigmatic message instantly lifted as the music started, transforming the vibe of the music video to one of bright, youthful energy. The once foreboding atmosphere was reced with scenes straight out of a high school drama, brimming with the vivacity of youth.

    Inside a first-year ssroom, I burst through the door with a radiant smile, my backpack bouncing as I ran down the corridor and into the room. My ssmates greeted me warmly, and I wove through them to plop down behind Yoon-Chan, setting my bag down with ease.

    A scene unfolded with Yoon-Chan and me engaging in lively conversation. Both of us shedded our usual personas for something entirely different, almost out of character.

    Then came the first verse, shifting to a rooftop scene filled with choreography we had painstakingly filmed. Unlike the purely narrative-driven ¡°Parade," this video interspersed dance routines and lip-syncing and showcased the acrobatic moves we considered our ¡°killing parts.¡± They were also the moments where the dance''s intensity surged.

    ¡°Remember the rooftop shoot at the school? It was freezing that day," I reminisced.

    ¡°Absolutely. Despite the video''s spring setting, our breath was visible. We kept having to reshoot because we were shivering.¡±

    Shooting the dance scenes on the rooftop and schoolyard was challenging because of the cold. We half-joked about falling ill the next day, but against all odds, all five of us werepletely fine.

    The music video continued with an upbeat tempo, showcasing scenes like Yoon-Chan leaving the ssroom, Jin-Sung taking his ce, and all of us gathering for a club meeting. Jin-Sung was always meant to appear from an observer¡¯s perspective at first. He would watch the members from a distance and only join in after our eyes met.

    At this moment, fearing when a scary scene might appear, Jin-Sung just hid behind me. However, he sneakily returned to his spot after the high school drama-like first verse ended abruptly.

    ¡°Aaaah!" Jin-Sung sensed something ominous and ducked behind me once more, causing me to lurch forward.

    ¡°Take it easy, Jin-Sung. Think of your muscles and physique, please." My attempt to calm Jin-Sung was futile as his focus remained locked on the screen. He clearly didn¡¯t hear me.

    The music''s sudden stop and the ensuing silence in the video led to a pitch-ck screen, which then disyed a chilling new message.

    ¡°After graduation¡±

    ¡°I will find you¡±

    ¡°Ignore him¡±

    The message vanished, and the video revealed a school scene now cast in shadows. An empty ssroom showed Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon engaged in a grave conversation atop a desk.

    ¡°Let''s pretend we don''t know in front of the others."

    ¡°I understand. That''s the n."

    ¡°After all, everything ends with graduation."

    Their words hinted at a shared secret. Joo-Han nodded in agreement at Goh Yoo-Joon''s words, and the video cut to clips of us filming each other in our school uniforms with an eerie sound effect, evoking a sense of bygone days.

    The scene shifted to a dimly lit school corridor at night.

    <i>Thump, thump, thump. </i>

    Someone¡¯s feet filled the screen, walking toward somewhere beforeing to an abrupt stop. The camera then slowly panned upward, revealing Lee Jin-Sung with his eyes closed.

    ¡°Ah!"

    ¡°Whoa, you scared me!"

    ¡°Jin-Sung!"

    ¡°So scary!"

    ¡°Hey, it''s your face!"

    ¡°How should we react when you say your face is scary?"

    The real Jin-Sung, still hiding behind me, closed his eyes. On the other hand, Jin-Sung on the screen opened his eyes with a whistle from the track ¡°Joy¡± and looked straight into the camera.

    The screen then showed the moon beyond a school window, followed by someone''s back as they seemed to be running from something in a hurry. With the second verse starting, a heightened melody with more instruments yed. The camera quickly followed someone, showing their terrified faces. It was me, and I was running down the hallway with a paleplexion.

 Chapter 184: Joy (21)

    Chapter 184: Joy (21)

    The climax of the song was in full swing, mirrored by the crescendo of scenes in the music video. The power of visuals was truly remarkable. When I first listened to the song, I wondered if there could be a track more vibrant, thrilling, and brimming with energy. However, when paired with the eerie chase scenes of the music video, it created a strangely fitting atmosphere that was both exhrating and tinged with a sense of dread.

    In the scene, Jin-Sung was standing motionless and gazing straight ahead. I was being chased down the corridor, and Joo-Han was hiding in a ssroom in a simr predicament as he was sneakily peeking out the window. The music video alternated between our tense predicaments and the joyful moments of our school life. It crafted a narrative that was both gripping and endearing.

    As I darted through the darkened corridors at night, the scene would suddenly shift to a warm afternoon in the club room. It was filled withughter and yful antics. And when Joo-Han peered out the window and gasped for breath, the scene switched again to show us five tumbling down together on the school rooftop at sunset. It was a picture of bliss.

    The previously somber sky transitioned to a pastel pink hue reminiscent of our ¡°Parade" music video, amidst our thrilling chase.

    And just as the song reached its peak, the music abruptly stopped.

    <em>Drrr¡ª </em>

    The sound of a door creaking open echoed. What seemed to be Jin-Sung''s feet hesitated at the ssroom door before slowly stepping inside. Inside, Joo-Han, who had been staring nkly at the pink-hued sky, turned his head with a serious look.

    ¡°Ah, I remember that.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that was when we had that ghost scare," Joo-Han added, prompting Jin-Sung to instinctively grab my arm.¡°Ah, why bring that up now!? Seriously!"

    ¡°That''s when Jin-Sung thought he saw a high school girl outside the corridor window."

    ¡°Stop it!" Jin-Sung pleaded, clearly annoyed. However, Goh Yoo-Joon just chuckled.

    ¡°Come on, scaredy-cat. You are hurting me," I said, trying to wriggle my arm free from Jin-Sung''s tight grip.

    ¡°Actually, it wasn''t just Jin-Sung. That day was really filled with weird urrences," I added, fueling the conversation about the ghost happening.

    ¡°Looks like it''s going to be a hit, just like Joo-Han hyung said.¡±

    As we reminisced, the camera slowly zoomed in on Joo-Han''s stern face before fading to ck. And then, a message appeared, not in the stark white like before but in a subtle gray that barely stood out against the dark background.

    ¡°It''s toote when you realize it¡±

    The scene shifted back to the school gates that were now securely locked. The gates rattled, and soon Goh Yoo-Joon was seen climbing over, entering the school. The once-pink sky had turned dark again, and Goh Yoo-Joon frowned as he surveyed the dimly lit school.

    The screen shifted once more, this time to Yoon-Chan at the main entrance of the school. He tapped his dying shlight in frustration before sighing and lowering his hand. Looking puzzled, he nced through the ss doors at the school''s corridor which was only lit by the green glow of an emergency exit sign. Then, he stepped outside.

    And with that, the music video came to a close and left a lingering sense of unease. It was much like our previous ¡°Parade" video, but with an even more unsettling and mysterious vibe despite the cheerful tune.

    We sat in silence for a moment as we were impressed by how well the video turned out and realized that the world of Chronos was deeper and more somber than we had imagined. We each took a moment to digest our interpretations before Joo-Han broke the silence.

    ¡°So, what did everyone think?" he asked.

    ¡°It feels so different from when we were shooting.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I never expected it to turn out this intense. I waspletely engrossed.¡±

    ¡°I really enjoyed watching it. I hope Rings find it just as engaging as we did," I said, nodding in agreement.

    ¡°We are looking forward to seeing your interpretations of the music video too!" Jin-Sung added.

    Joo-Han pped his hands in satisfaction with a broad smile. ¡°A huge thanks to our production team for crafting such an incredible video. It was our first time taking on such serious acting roles,plete with dialogue. I''m really curious to see how the Rings will react. Now, off to our meeting."

    ¡°Yes! Can''t wait to see you, Rings!!!¡±

    ¡°Rings!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon echoed, yfully rolling his tongue as he waved his hand high.

    ¡°Let''s wrap this up with our usual goodbye. On three!"

    ¡°We are Chronos! Thank you!"

    We concluded the reaction video to our MV with our familiar farewell. Next on the agenda was the lightstick meeting. It would be quite brief, as it was mainly for incorporating our suggestions into the design.

    ***

    ¡°Given that Chronos is the god of time, a lightstick with a clock encased within a transparent orb would be awesome.¡±

    ¡°I''m imagining not a full-fledged clock, but rather a sleek design with just a second hand, encircled by an elegant frame.¡±

    ¡°It would be mesmerizing to see it spin every time the lightstick is shaken, wouldn''t it?"

    ¡°And how about we add a small Saturn-like figure at the center, where the second hand is anchored? It could add a great touch.¡±

    Our flurry of suggestions was eagerly jotted down by the nning team staff as he diligently captured our collective vision in his notebook.

    ¡°The intense and powerful glow, right? Bright enough to serve as a beacon, dazzling to the point of being blinding," he insisted with enthusiasm.

    ¡°Exactly! We want Rings to stand unbeaten in any battle of lightsticks. They should shine brightly enough to light up the darkest paths. Like shlights!" Jin-Sung and Joo-Han were unusually in sync as their exaggerations drew a collective chuckle from the group.

    ¡°Alright. Thank you all for the vibrant ideas! I will make sure to incorporate them into the design and share it with you through Joo-Han once it''s ready,¡± the staff promised, hisughter mingling with the evident fatigue marked by the eye bags under his eyes. It seemed our cascade of suggestions had overwhelmed him, but he took it in stride and closed his notebook with a chuckle.

    ¡°Do we have any more ideas to share?"

    ¡°That''s all we''ve collectively discussed for now."

    ¡°Okay. If anything elsees to mind, please ry it through Manager Lee. And Joo-Han, don''t forget to send over the details for the fan meeting corner by next week," he reminded us, to which we readily agreed.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I will leave you to it then. Keep up the great work in practice!" The staff exited the meeting room with a final word of encouragement. This left us and our manager in a brief, contemtive silence.

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    It wasmon for us to fall into these sudden lulls of quietude amidst our usual banter, especially with the fatigue of our packed schedules weighing on us. This pattern of energetic discussions abruptly giving way to silence had been a part of our routine since our trainee days and seemed likely to persist until oureback.

    ¡°...Why are we still lounging around? We should practice.¡±

    ¡°Maybe we should sit here just a bit longer?" suggested Jin-Sung. Goh Yoo-Joon half-heartedly attempted to rise, only to settle back down after hearing Jin-Sung¡¯s suggestion of a brief rest.

    ¡°Yeah, let''s just stay put for a little while longer. The constant tension leading up to theeback has really taken its toll on us," I said. We collectively agreed, feeling the strain on every muscle in our bodies.

    As we continued our conversation with voices tinged with weariness, Joo-Han finally spoke up. His words added a serious note to the otherwisenguid atmosphere. ¡°I''ve got something to tell you.¡±

    ¡°What''s up? You seem pretty serious."

    ¡°What''s going on?"

    We showed some concern for Joo-Han, who then exchanged a meaningful look with the manager. Receiving an affirming nod, Joo-Han seemed to gather his thoughts before speaking again.

    ¡°This decision isn¡¯t set in stone, but I want to gather your thoughts on something," he started, his serious expression underscoring the importance of what he was about to share.

    The gravity of Joo-Han''s tone meant that he had been wrestling with this issue for a while. When he wore such a serious expression, it was usually a prelude to unveiling something significant.

    ¡°What''s on your mind, hyung?" I prompted as I sensed the urgency in his voice.

    ¡°I was contemting the idea of appointing a sub-leader within Chronos." Joo-Han¡¯s words hung in the air, causing a wave of surprise and curiosity to appear among us.

    ¡°Really? That''s quite unexpected. Are the responsibilities getting too much for you?"

    ¡°...Is it because we''ve been hard to managetely?"

    ¡°No, no, it''s nothing like that." Joo-Han was quick to rify, dispelling any misconceptions.

    ¡°The volume of tasks I''m juggling as a leader has simply grown to a point where I genuinely feel like I need some assistance," Joo-Han exined, his voice steady and resolute.

    In support of Joo-Han, Manager Su-Hwan chimed in with a reinforcing statement. ¡°I''ve also suggested this. Since the photoshoot for ourst concept, Joo-Han has been looking physically and mentally drained."

    YMM stood out from other agencies for its strong support of artists'' autonomy. This was evident not only in Joo-Han''spositions bing follow-up tracks and title songs for our first and second albums but also in the recent decision-making for the lightstick design and the fan meeting setlist, where the artists'' choices were paramount.

    Leading the members, representing them in meetings, facing daily decision-making dilemmas, and even engaging in songwriting¡­ Joo-Han had been bearing a heavy burden, all because of his role. Considering there was no sub-leader structure in the group before, perhaps Manager Su-Hwan had pushed hard for this change as he was concerned about Joo-Han''s wellbeing.

    ¡°Even with my assistance, our new manager Hyuk-Soo will take some time to adjust and fully attend to Joo-Han''s needs," Su-Hwan added, shedding light on the rationale behind the proposal for a sub-leader.

    ¡°Aha, so that''s the reasoning behind it."

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement, prompting a heartyugh from Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°I was wondering what all the seriousness was about. I thought something was up, hyung. But if it''s for that, then it''s all good."

    I echoed Goh Yoo-Joon''s sentiment and added my support to Joo-Han''s proposal. ¡°Exactly, you''ve been losing sleep over this and struggled so much. Having someone to share the load would definitely ease things up a bit."

    With the main candidates for the sub-leader role¡ªmyself and Goh Yoo-Joon¡ªexpressing our approval, the younger members naturally nodded in agreement. It was basically showing their support for the idea.

    Joo-Han then continued with a calm and natural demeanor. ¡°I''ve given this a lot of thought, you know."

    His gaze swept over all the members before settling firmly on me. ¡°With your recent contributions to our music and the innovative ideas you''ve brought to our group activities since before debut, I believe you are someone we can all rely on. So, I was thinking of asking you, Hyun-Woo, to take on this role. What do you all think?"

 Chapter 185: Joy (22)

    <h4>Chapter 185: Joy (22)</h4>

    ¡°In terms of songposition and even during our practice sessions, we''ve all leaned heavily on Hyun-Woo," Joo-Han pointed out, setting the stage for the following conversation.

    ¡°A sub-leader? Me?" At this moment, the collective gaze of my fellow members felt incredibly intense. I''d never felt such a heavy mantle of expectation before. When Joo-Han suggested I take on the role of sub-leader, my immediate thought was ¡°Why me of all people?¡±

    It was a fair question. After all, my persuasive skills were not that good, something that all the members were well aware of. On the other hand, despite his tendency to be the joker of the group, Goh Yoo-Joon seemed more naturally equipped to manage the dynamics within the group.

    ¡°Wow, that is such a great idea." Goh Yoo-Joon broke the ice with his characteristic ease and then added, ¡°Joo-Han hyung has been under a lot of strain, and having a reliable person by his side to offer him assistance would undoubtedly be beneficial."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s agreement came with a hint of relief, almost as if he was d not to be in the spotlight for the role. Following his lead, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung also expressed their support.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung has always been like a stage leader to us. Having him as the sub-leader sounds like a solid n," Jin-Sungmented enthusiastically, and Yoon-Chan chimed in. ¡°We all rely on him quite a bit already."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo''s quiet nature and non-persuasiveness are something we''ve all grown ustomed to, so it''s all good," Goh Yoo-Joon joked, only to be met with a yful outburst.

    ¡°Ouch!" I said.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon has always been great at looking out for the rest of us, so we did consider asking him. But after watching how Hyun-Woo led during practice, he was clearly the natural choice," Joo-Han exined his decision.

    ¡°I''m not cut out for leadership roles," Goh Yoo-Joon said while shooting a yful nce at Jin-Sung. ¡°Besides, Jin-Sung here doesn''t listen to anyone but Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°What? No, that''s not true!"

    ¡°It''s got to be Hyun-Woo, Jin-Sung''s favorite.¡±

    ¡°No, that''s not it! It''s just that Hyun-Woo is genuinely caring. Seriously, I''m not a fan of all the jokes around. I hate you, Yoo-Joon hyung!"

    Amidst Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung''s light-hearted bickering, I caught Joo-Han''s eye. He offered a reassuring nod, as if to say, <i>¡®Just go with whatever feels right to you.''</i>

    I responded with a smile and a nod of my own. After that, I agreed, ¡°Alright, I will give it a shot."

    With such strong encouragement from the group, there was no real reason to refuse. Despite the exhaustion from our relentless schedule, my fatigue paled inparison to Joo-Han''s. More than anything, Joo-Han needed a dependable pir to lean on.

    For me, epting the role of sub-leader within Chronos felt more like an honor than a burden. It was a chance to contribute further to our collective growth.

    Joo-Han acknowledged my eptance with a warm smile and a nod. ¡°Thanks, I''m counting on you."

    Following Joo-Han''s lead, each member offered their words of encouragement, rallying around the new decision.

    The manager stated, ¡°With Hyun-Woo taking on the sub-leader role, I will make sure to inform thepany. We have to prepare a bit before the official announcement."

    "Got it!"

    Right before theunch of our second mini album schedule, I stepped into my new role as Chronos''s sub-leader.

    ***

    Whether by coincidence or a pre-arranged agreement between YMM and the broadcastingpany, the teaser and preview clips for<i> Graduating </i>were released just two days before Chronos''s showcase. The lively and energetic theme song of <i>Graduating</i> apanied the teaser, which highlighted the most dynamic and joyful moments from the filming.

    The montage included scenes like the lunchbox sharing with Chronos and the students of Memory High, the sports festival events, and the broom fights among the students in the absence of Chronos. Then, the music stopped, and the screen darkened.

    [And then...]

    The screen transitioned with subtitles glowing in an emotionally charged, twinkling pink.

    [The bonds of friendship deepen...]

    The background music shifted to a touching melody, showcasing a tired Suh Hyun-Woo getting aforting shoulder rub from Jeong Hee-Su, with a faint smile gracing Suh Hyun-Woo''s face.

    [Experiencing ''togetherness'' for the first time]

    Edited with a poignant touch, scenes of students engaging in conversations, ying around desks, and taking leisurely walks on the school field unfolded.

    - Ah, this reminds me of my school days. It was just as noisy and bustling.

    A snippet from Goh Yoo-Jun''s first-day interview was shown, followed by Suh Hyun-Woo''s candid reflection.

    - I used to drag myself to school, sleep-deprived from endless practice sessions. School felt like a ce where you had to endure exhaustion and push through hardship. But now...

    Then, Yoo Joon-Hwan¡¯s interview was added to the clip, echoing a sentiment of newfound ease andfort.

    - The fear of heading to school has vanished.

    The teaser skillfully avoided directly showcasing the Chronos duo, yet deftly integrated glimpses of Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Jun into the narrative. Their presence was seamlessly woven throughout.

    With KEW''s track record of delivering highly anticipated variety shows, the editing was impactful,plemented by an extensive promotional campaign. As a result, ¡°Graduating<i>¡± </i>and ¡°Chronos¡± swiftly ascended the real-time search rankings and trended on BlueBird, captivating audiences and igniting widespread interest.

    - A... The kids wrestling at the sports festival in the teaser, those are our kids.

    - LOL, why are you even happy about that?

    - School uniforms, gym clothes, and the whole high school vibe... I''m totally hooked from the first episode.

    - Seriously...I knew it was a school-themed variety show, but seeing it in action is just a killer. It''s too good... Someone, exin to me why this is absolutely perfect... I need to turn on the Q-app right now...

    Hours after the teaser''s release, KEW, as if rowing a boat swiftly, uploaded a sneak peek video on the newly minted <i>UTube</i> channel for<i> Graduating.</i>

    The first video spotlighted the popr singer and homeroom teacher of Memory High, Kun-Ho, looking visibly nervous as he painstakingly memorized each student''s name and face from the attendance list. Spotting the names Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo, he murmured, "Some familiar names here."

    Then, he greeted his fellow teachers and headed to meet the students, with the camera capturing his every step.

    The second video captured the students'' initial reactions as they entered the ssroom for the first time, including the priceless moments when theyid eyes on their new ssmates.

    The third video focused on Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon during ss time.

    [A struggle to stay awake, but the relentless schedule takes its toll.]

    This caption was apanied by lubies you''d y for infants, serving as the background music. The video adorably showcased the duo nodding off with soft, soothing sound effects.

    Goh Yoo-Joon eventually sumbed to sleep, while Suh Hyun-Woo fought the urge, his head drooping despite his utmost efforts. asionally, Suh Hyun-Woo would straighten up and nudge Goh Yoo-Joon awake. These tender moments were also captured in the video.

    As multiple clips from <i>Graduating </i>were posted, Rings, who were already scouring the web after the teaser''s release, quickly discovered them.

    - Rushed over here as soon as I heard the sneak peeks were out. Going back healed and happy...^^ God bless you, everyone~

    - Wow, suddenly the world feels brighter. I am going crazyyyy. Am I really drooling over videos of them dozing off???

    - When the screen went ck, I was shocked to see my reflection! Dang, I had the blissful face of a parent watching their child...

    - LOL, our kids are getting shy as they open the ssroom door for the first time. They are practically radiating awkwardness from their entire bodies AHAHAHA.

    - I hope this boosts Chronos''s individual poprity, considering it''s a majorwork variety show.

    The efforts of the editor who toiled through the night, Chronos''s influence, and KEW''s marketing prowess started to make some waves. Because it was popr across all social media, Rings and the fans of heartwarming reality shows were increasingly looking forward to the show.

    ***

    One day before theeback showcase and just about an hour before the music video release, we gathered in a corner of the practice room for amemorative Q-app live session.

    ¡°Let''s start with greetings and a big thank you for making us number one on the real-time search rankings."

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°Let''s keep the sub-leader news under wraps for now, and only share what''s been decided about ¡®Joy.¡¯"

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    The decision for me to take on the sub-leader role was quickly finalized thanks to suggestions from the manager and Joo-Han. It was an internal matter for Chronos, and thepany readily agreed, as they recognized the increasing schedules of Joo-Han

    Deeming it too premature for a public announcement, we decided to keep it unofficial for the time being. We just had ns to make it official at the fan club inauguration if the arrangement proved sessful.

    Joo-Han briefed us on what needed to be shared and what to withhold, then took his seat. The manager checked the time and fiddled with the setup phone. ¡°We will start in a minute."

    As he spoke, the chatter that was mainly from Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung subsided. After a brief moment...

    ¡°Let''s get started."

    With that, the live notification <i>''Ding!</i>'' sounded, and I turned on the Chronos official phone to ess the live broadcast screen.

    ¡°...¡±

    <i>¡®Huh, fifteen hundred viewers? Wow, two thousand... Three thousand... The numbers are climbing so fast. Why are there so many people? We did announce the broadcast time, but it''s barely been a minute.¡¯</i>

    I was astounded by the rapidly increasing viewer count, and then I sneakily showed the screen to Joo-Han, who nced at the chat before facing forward. ¡°It''s been a while, everyone!"

    ¡°Rings! We really missed you a lot!¡±

    ¡°Let''s start with a greeting. Ready? One, two, three!"

    ¡°Hello! We are Chronos!"

    Thements flooded in, along with a torrent of emotions from fans who had been eagerly awaiting this moment.

    ¡ª It''s been ages ?? I''ve missed this so much!

    ¡ª I''ve been longing to see you too!!!

    ¡ª I adore you guys so much! I just couldn¡¯t wait to see you!

    ¡ª This is insane, my heart''s racing aaaaah

    ¡ª Rushed here straight after my shift ended, this is just what I needed <3

    The chat was a blur, proceeding so fast it was nearly impossible to keep up. It felt as though Rings'' enthusiasm and numbers had doubled while we were preparing for theeback.

    Joo-Han nced at the chat and then asked, ¡°Rings, you''ve been waiting for a long time, haven''t you?"

    ¡°Yes!!!¡±

    We answered Joo-Han''s question on behalf of Rings, echoing their sentiment.

    ¡°We are back with our new song ¡®?: Joy¡¯ after ¡®Parade¡¯ and ¡®Blue Room Party!¡¯¡±

    ¡°Whoaaaa!¡±

    ¡°We really wanted to do this sooner, but various preparations and end-of-year stages made us keep you waiting longer than we hoped. We are truly sorry for that."

    I nodded in agreement with Joo-Han''s words and added, ¡°But the wait was worth it. We''ve got some great tracks lined up for you."

    ¡°Right? With just about an hour left, how is everyone feeling?"

    Joo-Han turned the question to us, and each member shared their excitement and brief thoughts on the music video we had all previewed. The interaction was heartfelt, a genuine exchange between us and the fans eagerly typing away, their anticipation palpable even through the screen.

 Chapter 186: Joy (23)

    <h4>Chapter 186: Joy (23)</h4>

    Amidst the whirlwind of oureback preparations, our agency was actively spilling secrets about our new track across <i>BlueBird</i>. In some teasers, they even showed the enigmatic look of the school in our MV and shared a candid shot of Joo-Han coborating with the indie sensation Hongdae Peanut Butter, who had lent their talents to our track''s climax.

    Though their intentions were a mystery, it was clear that both YMM and KEW had poured their hearts into this release and stirring up a storm of anticipation among our fans. This probably exins the electric atmosphere during our<i> Q-app</i> live session.

    ¡°We''ve had a sneak peek at the music video, haven''t we?"

    ¡°Absolutely. And let me tell you, it blew our minds. Rings, you are in for a treat. It''s an absolute st." Jin-Sung was hamming it up, despite being petrified at the sight of his own image in the yet-to-be-revealed reaction footage. Him pretending to be brave was, frankly, quiteical.

    ¡°Why? What''s going on? Why theughter?" asked Jin-Sung.

    As the others snickered under their breath, Jin-Sung''s cheeks flushed a rosy hue, and he swiftly turned away.

    ¡°Ahhh! Aaaaargh!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon yfully mimicked Jin-Sung''s dramatic reactions to the music video, sending everyone into fits ofughter, Jin-Sung excluded.

    The chat room was buzzing with yful curiosity.

    ¡ª What''s the joke? Share with the rest of us ??

    ¡ª Feeling left out here ??

    ¡ª What''s Jin-Sung up to now? Lol

    ¡ª Why all theughter? ?? Spill the beans!!!

    I gently nudged Jin-Sung to encourage him to share his thoughts and said, ¡°Let''s hear from our youngest first, who had quite a dramatic response to the music video. Jin-Sung, care to share your impressions with our Rings?"

    Jin-Sung shot me a re, and his lips were pursed in annoyance. ¡°Me? Why me? It''s not that funny, is it? How dare you allugh!"

    Jin-Sung shrugged off my hand in a huff and shoved me aside. His great strength sent me tumbling into Joo-Han''sp in aical heap.

    ¡°Oof! Ah, that hurts!"

    ¡°Ahahaha!¡± Theughter wasn''t at Jin-Sung''s expense this time. It was my unwitting pstick that had everyone in stitches.

    For a moment, I thought, <i>¡®Maybe it''s just us who find this funny.¡¯</i> However, that didn''t stop theughter from bursting forth. After a good while of uncontroble giggles over something so trivial, we gradually calmed down and steered the conversation back to where we left off.

    ¡°Anyway, about the music video, it had this eerie vibe to it even during the shoot. But seeing the finished product? It was chilling in the best way."

    Goh Yoo-Joon ruffled Jin-Sung''s hair affectionately as he stated, ¡°True. You know, despite theck of outright scary scenes, there''s this underlying creepiness to it that''s just...unsettling."

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement. He then turned to me as he was curious about my take. ¡°And Hyun-Woo, what did you think?"

    ¡°I...¡± I pondered for a moment before responding. "It made me realize just how deep and serious our Chronos universe is. More than I initially thought."

    ¡°Ah, I felt that too,¡± Yoon-Chan chimed in. ¡°When we were filming, it was hard to grasp the full picture with all the retakes and scene shuffling. But watching thepleted music video, I was like, ''Wow, our story is genuinely captivating.''¡±

    ¡°Exactly," Joo-Han affirmed. ¡°This time, we''ve delved deeper into the Chronos narrative, continuing from where ¡®Parade¡¯ left off."

    Our individual reflections on the music video wrapped up neatly with Joo-Han''s summary.

    ¡°Now that we are live on <i>Q-app</i>, let''s not just talk about the music video release. How about we catch up with each other first?" I suggested.

    Jin-Sung had been scrolling through the chat and piped up. ¡°There''s a lot of buzz about <i>Graduating</i> in the chat."

    ¡°Oh, right. Have you all seen the <i>Graduating</i> trailer?"

    ¡°And the sneak peek clips? Have you watched them?" Goh Yoo-Joon and I asked simultaneously. This prompted a flurry of rapid responses in the chat.

    ¡°Wow, you''ve all seen it, huh? That''s amazing!" Jin-Sung eximed. He looked impressed, as he passed me the phone.

    I grinned and announced, "This time, Yoo-Joon and I had the fantastic opportunity to be part of a school-themed variety show."

    Goh Yoo-Joon added, ¡°We never expected this much attention, but we are truly grateful."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    Then, Joo-Han raised his hand and signaled that he had something personal to share. ¡°I have something personal to say about that.¡±

    ¡°What is it?"

    ¡°What?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I both turned our heads toward Joo-Han at the same time.

    Joo-Han was looking at us with a slight smile and was clearly amused. It was obvious he was about to scold us for something.

    ¡°Who fell asleep during ss?" he asked.

    ¡°Wow, look at Mr. Model Student over here," Goh Yoo-Joonmented, and I pped in agreement.

    Joo-Han was truly the guardian of Chronos''s schrly spirit. No matter how tired he was, even if it was just for a variety show, sleeping during ss time was simply inexcusable.

    ¡°It was just a quick nap. You are..."

    ¡°Need some pocket money?"

    ¡°I''m sorry."

    ¡°My bad."

    The chat burst intoughter.

    ¡ª LOL, immediately subdued by the threat of losing their allowance ??

    ¡ª Joo-Han ying the role of the generous benefactor, lol.

    ¡ª Pocket money, seriously? AHAHA

    ¡ª The dozing was actually kinda adorable though ??

    ¡ª For real, it was too cute!

    ¡ª Lol, the valedictorian can''t rte ??

    Joo-Han skimmed through thements and shook his head in disbelief. ¡°Really? You guys find the dozing off cute? Huh?"

    ¡°It seems you are the only one out of the loop, hyung. Forget it, everyone. This guy lives and breathes academics," Jin-Sung eximed, his face a picture of utter disdain.

    It seemed that his academic performance had soared after being tutored by Joo-Hanst year, enough to send shivers down his spine just at the thought of the intense study sessions.

    ¡ª How was the initial shooting experience?

    ¡ª Can''t wait for the broadcast to air ??

    ¡ª Spill the beans on the shooting experience!

    ¡ª Did you guys make any new friends?

    ¡ª Finally caught up after cram school, what did I miss ??

    ¡°How was the shoot, you ask?" Goh Yoo-Joon mused, his gaze wandering. ¡°And you, Hyun-Woo? How did you find it?"

    ¡°For me, it was an absolute st. It hardly felt like we were filming at all."

    ¡°Same here. It was like heading back to school at the start of a new term, just making friends and having fun. So, when you watch the broadcast, you will see us just being ourselves, without any hint of camera shyness."

    ¡°Don''t miss it."

    Yoon-Chan scrolled up through the chat and said, ¡°Someone''s wondering if Joo-Han ns to do a live review after the song''s release."

    ¡°Oh, a live review?" Joo-Han perked up. ¡°We skipped it for ¡®Blue Room Party.¡¯ But this time around, I''ve got a lot on my mind that I''d like to share, and I''m eager to hear directly from the Rings. Maybe we will even touch on ¡®Blue Room Party.¡¯"

    Joo-Han grinned and gestured toward the camera. ¡°Look forward to tonight!"

    We had plenty of time tomunicate with the Rings and address their questions while intermittently introducing the topics we had prepared. The conversation naturally drifted from the uing song teaser to lightsticks and then to the fan club inauguration.

    ¡°Here''s a lengthyment, just a sec," I said, pausing to read through a detailed question.

    I then read, ¡°Hello, Chronos oppas. I became a fan after ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯ and have since be a full-fledged Ring. I really want to attend the first fan club inauguration, but my parents have set a strict rule against it until after I start high school. Still, I''m dying to know, so I''m boldly asking. How will the inauguration proceed? And will there be a DVD release?"

    The question was polite and adorable, typical of a Ring. All of our eyes naturally turned to Joo-Han for the answer.

    After exchanging a nce with the manager behind the camera, Joo-Han turned back to face us. ¡°I''m handling the setlist for the inauguration. Do you remember the survey we conducted on <i>BlueBird</i>?"

    ¡°The one where we asked, ''Which Chronos performance do you want to see?''"

    ¡°Exactly. We''ve sifted through the wealth of feedback you provided and selected what''s feasible for us to perform. We are aiming to present a diverse showcase. We will focus on having fun because you can always count on us to look cool."

    The brief glimpse I caught of the setlist candidates included everything from ¡°Rapping Hyun-Woo¡±, ¡°Dancing Park Yoon-Chan,¡± and ¡°Reenacting scenes from some TV show.¡± Literally, every possibility was listed there.

    The chat was overflowing with endless suggestions and desires. We proceeded to highlight some of the standoutments, asionally teased the new song, and shared someughter. Then, the manager gave us a signal that it was time to wrap up.

    I got the cue and started to conclude the livestream. ¡°It''s been such a pleasure chatting with everyone, but look at the time! In just a mere three minutes, our much-anticipated music video will be unveiled to the world."

    ¡°Oh man, I can''t help but feel butterflies in my stomach. We are still pretty green when ites to these big reveals, you know?" said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    I gave Goh Yoo-Joon a reassuring pat on the back as he clutched his chest. Nerves got the better of him, and I offered some encouraging words. ¡°Let''s hear your thoughts after you''ve watched it, everyone. Can you believe it? Only two minutes to go."

    ¡°I bet everyone''s frantically refreshing their pages right about now," Jin-Sung chimed in with a chuckle.

    I nodded in agreement and prepared to wrap up our session. ¡°We are deeply grateful for this time spent together today. We will catch up in just a short while! Ready, everyone? One, two, three!"

    ¡°Thank you so much! We are Chronos!"

    ¡°Take care!"

    ¡°Bye Rings!¡±

    As our energetic livestream wrapped up and we took a brief moment to rx, the premiere of our second album''s MV ¡°Joy¡± went live on <i>Q-app</i> and <i>UTube</i> without a hitch.

    ***

    Spanning an impressive thirteen minutes, the MV could easily be mistaken for a short film. As it yed out, the powerhouse fanbase of Chronos, affectionately known as the Rings, fell into a hush across their social media feeds.

    A handful of fans were busy sharing their instant reactions on <i>BlueBird. </i>However, the majority of them set aside the distractions to dive deep into the new track, witness the fresh looks of the members, catch glimpses of the dance sequences, and follow a narrative deeply rooted in the lore of Chronos. Clearly, the year-end performance had captivated a wide audience.

    Thanks to the year-end performance, a surge of both domestic and international fans contributed to a rapid climb in the view counts, shattering the previous records for Chronos. This also prompted reaction-UTubers, who had previously featured "Parade," to upload their real-time responses immediately.

    This overwhelming reaction far exceeded what we had anticipated, given our budding poprity. Not long after, the floodgates opened like a dam bursting at the seams and unleashed a torrent of heartfelt posts from fans.

 Chapter 187: Joy (24)

    Chapter 187: Joy (24)

    <em>* The fans¡¯ reaction can be overwhelming. However, we''ve lengthened the content a bit more, so please don¡¯t worry and dive in! Hope you enjoy the chapter.</em>

    ¡ª I''m so happy that I feel like I might actually pass out... I was sobbing uncontrobly, my heart pounding as if it would burst... Why do you guys have to do this to me? It''s too much, but I love it <3

    ¡ª High school vibes + Chronos + sprinkle in a dash of horror = Take all my money

    ¡ª This is my first time literally dying from being such a fan. I''m a bit nervous, but hey, I''m all in. Let''s do this.

    ¡ª Can you believe that''s a human face? I feel like I''ve got my money''s worth from the album.

    ¡ª I did some warm-ups just in case my heart couldn''t take it, but I still ended up dying from the excitement... Thanks a ton...

    Hundreds of newments poured in with every refresh, and the view count skyrocketed. Chronos''s ster performance, the members'' youthfulughter in their school uniforms, and the unexpected plunge into horror¡ªeverythingbined was a recipe for sess.

    The fans were eating it up, and it was impossible to find any negative reaction. As the fans hit refresh on <em>BlueBird</em> and shared their heartfelt responses, the Chronosmunity and <em>UTube</em> were flooded with insightful interpretations of the music video.[Chronos] "? : Joy" MV Breakdown and Insights

    ??©¦20XX.01.25

    Have all of you been through the thirteen-minute journey to paradise yet? I hope no fan has left it unseen. Following the narrative from "Parade,¡± this music video unfolds slowly. We are going to dissect it piece by piece.

    Let¡¯s give a cheeky nod to YMM for always knowing just how to y with our hearts. It¡¯s almost annoying (winks). Heads up, this is purely my personal take.

    The opening and midsection gave us these lines:

    Hide and Seek

    Not Friends

    After Graduation

    I will find you

    Ignore him

    And the chilling English phrase in dark letters:

    It''s toote when you realize it

    Combined with all the spoilers in <em>BlueBird</em>, I think the concept is drawn from Neapolitan ghost stories.

    Neapolitan ghost story = A ghost story that stirs fear with a series of abstract phrases

    The key lines to zero in on are:

    1. Not a Friend

    2. It''s toote when you realize it

    3. I will find you after graduation

    From the first two phrases, it''s hinted that there''s one who is not ''a friend'' among the five members (in the vein of a Neapolitan ghost story, ''not a friend'' could mean ''not human''). And by the time you catch on, it''s all over.

    Also, the one who''s not human, barring a twist, seems to be Jin-Sung.

    (A shadowy hallway with Jin-Sung staring into the camera.jpg)

    Then there''s the third phrase: I will find you after graduation.

    (Suh Hyun-Woo and Kang Joo-Han in a frenzied chase.jpg)

    As night falls and the sky changes. Hyun-Woo and Joo-Han find themselves being chased by Jin-Sung.

    (Goh Yoo-Joon stepping into the school when the ss almost ends, Yoon-Chan oblivious to the turmoil.jpg)

    Meanwhile, Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan enter the school under a peaceful night sky, untouched by the terror surrounding them.

    Does this setup ring any bells? Right, it echoes the division in "Parade" between the members in the flower garden and those grounded in reality. Jin-Sung''s role remains consistent in both "Parade" and "Joy". He is an enigma, different from the other four (we will need more clues to fully unravel this mystery).

    And then there''s the duo on the run.

    (A glimpse of what might be Jin-Sung''s foot stepping into a ssroom.gif)

    The climax happens as Jin-Sung enters the ssroom where Joo-Han has been hiding, bringing the scene to a close.

    ¡°Parade¡± starts with Jin-Sung in the flower garden, Joo-Han in the same spot, and Hyun-Woo arriving btedly. This sequence suggests that this music video might be a prelude to the events of "Parade".

    (Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung in conversation, Yoon-Chan looking on, puzzled.gif)

    Hyun-Woo is seen chatting with Jin-Sung, and Yoon-Chan''s puzzled expression indicates he finds something off about their exchange.

    (In the club room, Hyun-Woo beckons to isted Jin-Sung.gif)

    Standing apart from the group, Jin-Sung is coaxed over by Hyun-Woo''s gesture, and then Jin-Sung starts hanging out with the other members.

    Taking in the story, here''s a neat wrap-up:

    - The school is bound by eerie rules that everyone must adhere to ("Ignore him").

    - Yet, Hyun-Woo (and also Joo-Han) fails to disregard ¡°him¡± (Jin-Sung).

    - The moment they catch on that Jin-Sung isn''t human, it is way toote. That¡¯s when their hide-and-seek ordeal begins.

    - The "Parade" unfolds with Joo-Han captured by Jin-Sung.

    *Unsolved clues:

    - What drove Hyun-Woo to willingly step into that realm?

    - The lines from Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon seem like they are already aware of something.

    - The enigma surrounding Jin-Sung, etc¡­

    That''s the scoop!

    Hope you dive deep into the vibes today as well~

    Catch youter!!

    (Note: This post doesn''t allow forments.)

    Chronos was famously meticulous with its storytelling. Hence, their enthralling universe didn''t just charm the fandom but also reached out to anyone with a penchant for such tales. It was remarkable. Theeback hadn''t even kicked off yet, but the surging wave of enthusiasm was undeniable.

    YMM was surprised and excited, and they hustled to get the news out and sort the members'' schedules. Clearly, YMM was handling thiseback with a bit more poise than thest. Although it didn''t hit the top spot like <em>Graduating</em> did, achieving top trends on <em>BlueBird </em>and clinching the number one spot on <em>UTube</em>''s hot videos in record time was a ster kickoff.

    ***

    Theeback performance was tomorrow. But as always, Su-Hwan put a ban on the practice room the day before to keep our conditions in check. So here I was, slouched on the couch, idly watching Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung mess around with a water balloon game.

    ¡°Man! I''m dying over here, literally about to die. Do something, quick!" eximed Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Come on, hyung. You''ve got an item. Just bail yourself out. Always making a big deal."

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to use it. Hurry, Jin-Sung, it''s gotta be you."

    ¡°Oh, why the fuss, hyung. Just a sec... Oh, shoot! Now I''m gone too!"

    Jin-Sung''s outburst had Goh Yoo-Joon in stitches. Heughed his head off.

    Part of me wondered if it was alright to be thisid-back on the eve of oureback, but past experiences had taught us well. The day before was all about unwinding and taking it easy.

    So here I was, just zoning out, doing nothing in particr.

    ¡°Hyung, if you are sleepy, why don¡¯t you take a nap?" Yoon-Chan sat down next to me and sipped on some barley tea.

    I shook my head. ¡°I am just a bit tired, that''s all. What about you? Aren''t you tired? Yesterday''s practice was brutal."

    ¡°Nah, I''m good. I have to push myself to keep up with everyone''s pace. You guys are just too good for me."

    ¡°Don''t sell yourself short. You are doing an amazing job, really."

    Izily rested my head on Yoon-Chan''s shoulder, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. Even with Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung''s yful squabble, it felt serene.

    After quietly observing the two, Yoon-Chan murmured, ¡°Hyung, I''ve mentioned to the manager that I''m keen on auditioning for an acting role."

    ¡°...Huh? That¡¯s so soon."

    ¡°Sorry?"

    ¡°Ah.¡± I lifted my head and met Yoon-Chan''s gaze. It struck me then that Yoon-Chan hadn''t ventured into acting until after the team disbanded when I was a trainer. I hadn''t caught wind of any auditions he might be eyeing now. Of course, perhaps I wasn''t as close to Yoon-Chan before my return, so I wasn¡¯t aware of the news.

    Misinterpreting my mumble, Yoon-Chan hastily rified, ¡°Oh, not right away. I''ve toyed with the idea of trying out when Chronos settles into a steady groove, maybe around the time when we can arrange for a concert. But let''s keep this just between us, okay?"

    I pondered over what changes I had made that could have inspired Yoon-Chan to take this step.

    Yoon-Chan caught my pensive look and added, ¡°I just really want to contribute more to the team. I feel like I''m not quite there yet."

    ¡°...Who''s been filling your head with this? You are more than pulling your weight. You should be more confident and proud of yourself. You know I lean on you a lot."

    ¡°...Thanks, hyung."

    Yoon-Chan wore a bashful smile, a clear sign that he was stepping out of hisfort zone, inch by inch. It reminded me of Senior Yeong-Yee''s advice about preparing for independence before finding oneself alone. She said that being unprepared and alone meant fading into obscurity. She also emphasized that we should startying the groundwork early, especially as a newbie.

    My love for Chronos and my desire to journey as far as possible with all five of us were always there. After all, the group was going to different pathspared to the past, promising a longer, more fulfilling future ahead. That was why I released "Once Again" for free.

    However, with Chronos''s rising fame, perhaps it was time to heed Yeong-Yee''s and Kun-Ho''s advice. I had to meticulously n for my personal growth for the sake of both myself and the team.

    ¡°Hey, Joo-Han hyung is starting his <em>Q-app</em> live."

    As I was lost in thought, I barely noticed Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung wrapping up their water balloon game to join Yoon-Chan and me on the couch.

    ¡°Let''s watch Joo-Han hyung''s <em>Q-app</em> live together."

    We settled side by side on the couch while disying Joo-Han¡¯s livestream on theptop. Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled and fetched the Chronos phone, ready to cause some mischief.

    ¡°Doesn''t Joo-Han hyung seem super nervous?"

    ¡°It''s his first solo live, so that''s definitely a nervous look," Imented and rxed back into Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulder.

    - Hello, everyone. Good evening, hello.

    Joo-Han''s slightly dry voice emanated from the screen.

    - It''s been over four hours since the MV was released. How did everyone find it? I''d love to hear your thoughts.

    Greetings,ments, and a flurry of English responses started to flood in.

    - Our mini album''s title track "Joy" was a coborative effort involving myself, Producer Do, our very own Hyun-Woo, the band Hongdae Peanut Butter, and many others.

    At the mention of my name, I flinched, which caused Goh Yoo-Joon to burst intoughter and yfully flick my shoulder.

    ¡°Hey."

    ¡°Isn''t this Composer Mr. Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Keep your shoulder still."

    ¡ª ??? Hyun-Woo ???

    ¡ª Hyun-Woo was involved too?

    ¡ª Whoa, really? Hyun-Woo...?

    ¡ª Aaah There wasn''t a singlecking moment in the music video<3 It was perfect!!! Seriously, we love you Chronos!!!

    ¡ª OMG, I''m shook :0 Hyun-Woo was theposer?!]

    Right, my involvement hadn''t been officially announced yet.

    Joo-Han nced through the chat and nodded.

    - Yes, Hyun-Woo yed a significant role in it. From the initial concept and atmosphere to adding the final band performance, even introducing us to the members of Hongdae Peanut Butter, it was all Hyun-Woo. Most people thought it was just me and Producer Do.

    Joo-Han skimmed through the chat and chuckled softly.

    - My goal for the next album is to include a track that Yoo-Joon writes. Anyway, let me share a bit about the backstory of the song...

    Joo-Han continued while engaging with fans, sharing the inspiration behind the song, the areas we focused on, and what we emphasized. Clearly, he had nned what to discuss in advance, as the session flowed smoothly. All the while, Goh Yoo-Joon''s yfulments werepletely ignored.

    - Someone asked which member is the cutest. That would be Yoon-Chan. Ah, and Hyun-Woo too.

    ¡°...Me?"

    ¡°What?"

    - Who''s the least flexible member? The worst would be Hyun-Woo and then Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°No way."

    - Has Jin-Sung''s grades improved? Not yet. There''s still a long way to go. I''m nning to get him into the top ten by next year. He''s going to college.

    ¡°Whoa, what is wrong with him? I''m not going to college¡ª"

    - I saw this on <em>Q-app</em> earlier. Does Joo-Han oppa give the members an allowance? Not usually, but I gave some to Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon during the <em>Graduating </em>shoot so they could buy snacks and treat their friends. We haven''t been paid yet.

    Knowing we were watching, Joo-Han mixed his responses with jokes. Then, he smiled as he spotted another chat.

    - This one might upset Jin-Sung. Any interesting stories from shooting the music video?

    Jin-Sung bolted from the room at this question.

 Chapter 188: Joy (25)

    <h4>Chapter 188: Joy (25)</h4>

    The MV shoot was rife with behind-the-scenes stories: the biting cold and eerie encounters, not to mention the endless bloopers and sprinting down corridors, or the times we took turns filming each other with hand-held camcorders. In retrospect, this shoot was rich with stories to tellpared to the ¡°Parade" shoot.

    - What story should I kick off with? Hmm, let''s see.

    Joo-Han mulled over which episode to share first. Hearing this, Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been holding onto theptop, rolled his eyes. He then shed a sly grin and suddenly stood up, handing me theptop. He said, ¡°I will be right back."

    He seemed to decide it was the perfect moment to chime in now that the conversation had veered away from strictly music-rted topics.

    ¡°Grab some water on your way. Looks like hyung''s out of coffee," I said as I noticed the empty disposable cup on the live feed. Goh Yoo-Joon nodded and scooped up the drip coffee we had bought for Joo-Han and disappeared into his room.

    ¡°Yo, hyung!"

    ¡°Ah,e on, I''m in the middle of a live here..."

    <i>Click.</i>

    A brief flurry of noise ensued in Joo-Han''s room. It took about ten seconds before Goh Yoo-Joon emerged in the live stream and swung the door open.

    - Ah, what''s up? Barging in during a live, really?

    - Just thought I''d bring you some coffee. I knew you were on air.

    Goh Yoo-Joon handed over the coffee and casually took a seat beside Joo-Han.

    - Hey there, Rings! We''ve been watching the live together from the living room.

    - Is Jin-Sung tuning in too? I was about to delve into a story he''d absolutely hate.

    - Jin-Sung caught wind and bolted long ago.

    - Haha, I knew it. For those of you wondering...

    The yful exchange between them was utterly contagious. As I watched, a wave of vitality washed over me andpelled me to rise from my seat. ¡°I''m joining in as well, Yoon-Chan.¡±

    Yoon-Chan felt the same vibe and stood up. ¡°Me too. I will grab a chair from the kitchen."

    ¡°I will take care of my own chair, so you just bring yours and head inside first," I suggested, holding theptop securely. With that settled, I proceeded to Jin-Sung''s room. It still had the faint aroma of cigarettes, so it was used as a makeshift storage area rather than a living space. I was curious about what he was doing inside.

    I suppressed a chuckle and tapped lightly on the door.

    <i>Knock, knock.</i>

    ¡°Are they done chatting about me?"

    ¡°They just started. Open the door first. I''ve got something for you.¡±

    Before Jin-Sung could even get to the door, I set theptop down by the door and made a beeline for Joo-Han''s room. As Jin-Sung''s exasperated sigh filled the air behind me, I flung open Joo-Han''s door and stepped into the room. All eyes immediately turned to me.

    ¡°What''s got you rushing in like that?"

    ¡°Just... no typical reason.¡±

    ¡°I brought the chair for you, too."

    Just then, Jin-Sung burst in with his eyes shooting daggers my way and eximed, ¡°Ah! Hyung, you just left theptop lying there by my door and bolted away!"

    ¡°I just tried to help you out so that you can enjoy it."

    As the conversation veered toward Jin-Sung and theptop, the room filled withughter because everyone got the joke and the light-hearted spirit in which it was intended.

    ¡ª The Chronies[1] are having fun without us again lol

    ¡ª Let us in on the fun, why all theughter!!!

    ¡ª Lol, what did Jin-Sung do to get such a reaction from everyone?

    Joo-Han tried to contain hisughter and nced at the chat. ¡°For those of you wondering what''s got us all chuckling, it''s about this one time during ourst music video shoot when we kept running into these odd¡ª"

    ¡°Aaahh!!! Aaaah!!!" Jin-Sung couldn''t handle the reminder and dashed out of the room in a sh.

    We couldn''t help but erupt intoughter at Jin-Sung''s dramatic exit and eventually managed to collect ourselves and continue the conversation.

    I said, ¡°He''s a bit shy and gets easily spooked. That exins his reaction.¡±

    Joo-Han acknowledged my words with a nod. ¡°During the music video shoot, we encountered some truly strange urrences, as if we were amidst a series of paranormal events, wouldn''t you agree?"

    ¡°Absolutely.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon casually shrugged and said, ¡°Personally, I didn''t witness anything unusual, so I can''t really say, but Suh Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung seemed to be constantly wrapped up in these experiences."

    I nodded in agreement and then pondered aloud, ¡°It might just be my imagination, but there''s this particr scene in the music video where I''m tucked away under the lectern."

    ¡°Oh, right."

    ¡°And then, from somewhere above..." I tapped the table lightly a few times to demonstrate. ¡°I heard the distinct sound of someone tapping on the lectern, clear and unmistakable. But after we finished filming, it became apparent to me that the set had beenpletely silent, with no one moving around."

    ¡°So... who in the world was tapping on the lectern? Something like that,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said with a dramatic ir.

    ¡°On top of that, Jin-Sung actually saw something that made him scream," Yoon-Chan chimed in, prompting a satisfied smile from Joo-Han.

    ¡°It''s said that such things appear to those who are frightened. It seems they don''t manifest to me, Yoon-Chan, or Yoo-Joon, you know."

    ¡°And what about Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Perhaps Hyun-Woo''s energy was somewhat depleted that day? It looks like we ought to take extra care of him."

    Iughed and pointed toward Joo-Han. ¡°Everyone, Joo-Han seemed to really relish the moment when Jin-Sung screamed upon seeing something."

    ¡°Hey, quiet now! Shh, shh!"

    ¡°You saw it, didn''t you? He liked how Jin-Sung saw the ghost! He said this is going to be a huge sess for us!¡±

    ¡ª AHAHAHA, Joo-Han!!!

    ¡ª The undisputed master of copyright dreams lol

    ¡ª Jin-Sung is going to suffer from this forever ??

    I refrained from bringing up the awkward situation involving me and the two managers because it was a story too lengthy for the moment.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, all that talk about Jin-Sung''s college and his cuteness? Completely fabricated," I mentioned and cast a nce at Joo-Han.

    He smirked with a hint of intrigue.

    ¡°Joo-Han seems to take a certain pleasure in witnessing the members'' irritation. Howe you mention the two with the least aegyo[2] as the cutest?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, only to see Joo-Han respond with a puzzled tilt of his head.

    ¡°Not at all, Yoo-Joon. I simply selected the members I found most endearing by my own criteria."

    ¡°Ah, I feel so left out. I knew you had a thing for Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Hey, what''s that supposed to mean? Yoo-Joon, you are adorable too. You do know you are loved, right?"

    ¡°Yeah, I love you too." Amidst their heartfelt confessions,ughter filled the air.

    I observed Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han with a bittersweet gaze. ¡°What''s going on with you two? Making all this noise like you are at some festival. I''m heading out."

    I then stood up and sped Yoon-Chan''s hand firmly. After that, I said, ¡°Come on, Goh Yoo-Joon. Let¡¯s go. Let Joo-Han hyung wrap up his live session."

    Our chatter had sparked toward the end of Joo-Han''s livestream. Now, it was time for the members to go to bed and hasten their exit so Joo-Han could finish interacting with the fans and conclude the livestream.

    ¡°Let''s all head out together. Have fun, hyung."

    ¡°Yep. Good night."

    ¡°To all our Rings, we are excited to see you at tomorrow''s showcase!"

    ¡°Sleep well, everyone! Farewell!"

    We stepped out with those words and bade the fans a warm goodbye. After a whirlwind of chatter, sleep quickly imed us as we missed how Joo-Han ended the broadcast.

    ***

    Kang Joo-Han stared at the closed door. The members had swarmed in and out quickly and left him in solitude once again. Alone, he sensed a different kind of quietness, a lingering emptiness.

    ¡°It''s gotten so quiet all of a sudden." Kang Joo-Han mused aloud, his eyes fixed on the screen.

    ¡°They are such adorable kids, and they make as much racket here as they do back at the dorm."

    ¡ª The dorm''s even rowdier than the broadcasts, lol

    ¡ª Felt like a tornado went through here, hahaha. My ears are ringing from these earphones ??

    ¡ª I can''t stopughing lmao. Iughed so hard with the members I thought my sides would split ??

    Kang Joo-Han nced through the fans''ments with a content smile and then remarked, ¡°It''s about time to close off, but something just crossed my mind. It¡¯s about our uing inauguration ceremony."

    Given Goh Yoo-Joon''s knack for keeping up with fan posts better than any other member, Kang Joo-Han''s mention would likely reach Goh Yoo-Joon''s ears by the next morning. It had been an impromptu gift for Suh Hyun-Woo, and now, a surprise awaited Goh Yoo-Joon as well.

    Imagining Goh Yoo-Joon''s reaction the following morning brought a smile to Kang Joo-Han''s face. Joo-Han said, ¡°I''ve been piecing together a few more tracks for the ceremony. One is a group song, and another is..."

    He trailed off and then added in a softer tone, ¡°It''s a solo piece for our Yoo-Joon. I haven''t broken the news to Yoo-Joon yet, so I''m counting on you all to pass it along."

    ¡ª ??????????

    ¡ª A solo track for Yoo-Joon???

    ¡ª OMG :0 Yoo-Joon aaaah

    ¡ª Joo-Han, you are a genius!!!

    ¡ª Just got chills, what a reveal....

    ¡°I''m going to sign off now. Thanks for sticking around sote. See you tomorrow, everyone. Sleep tight and goodbye." After the announcement of Goh Yoo-Joon''s solo track, Kang Joo-Han concluded the live broadcast for the night.

    ***

    <i>¡°Sigh.¡±</i> A deep exhale sent a mist of breath into the chilly air and faded swiftly. I gazed up at the morning sky, and the crisp winter sun dazzled my eyes.

    ¡°Ready, everyone?" I asked as I tightened my grip on Yoon-Chan''s cold, trembling hand.

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°We are all set."

    Today marked the showcase day¡ªthe moment we''d unveil our performance to the world for the very first time. I checked on all the members and then lightly took the lead, climbing the stairs.

    Yoon-Chan seemed quite nervous, but surprisingly, I wasn''t feeling that anxious this time. The rehearsal had been perfect, and we had practiced the interviews beforehand. All in all, we had prepared so thoroughly that it was impossible to make a mistake, which allowed me to walk more at ease, without any pressure.

    1. A cute way of Rings call Chronos members. ?

    2. Aegyo is all about being super cute and affectionate, often involving speaking in a high-pitched voice, making adorable facial expressions, and using charming gestures. ?

 Chapter 189: Joy (26)

    <h4>Chapter 189: Joy (26)</h4>

    The dressing room bustled with familiarity after such a prolonged absence. The hum of hairdryers intertwined with the staff''s lively banter, creating a vibrant atmosphere. On the other hand, the members were practicing their dance moves while Joo-Han was deep in conversation with the manager.

    Amid this chaos, people would think it was impossible for me to focus on interview prep, but this had somehow be aforting white noise and actually sharpened my concentration.

    Even though it was unofficial, I had taken on the role of sub-leader, which meant a significant increase in my share of interviews. Previously, Joo-Han had shouldered this responsibility all by himself, and it made me appreciate his dedication even more.

    Just then, Goh Yoo-Joon, freshly done with his hair, swooped in and snatched my interview prep sheet. ¡°This album symbolizes the youth of our teens¡ª"

    ¡°Hey, stop it. I''m trying to focus here, kiddo."

    ¡°Come on, you''ve practically memorized it. What''s there to worry about? Or was all that talk about not being nervous just for show?"

    ¡°Huh? Challenge epted." I leaned back in my chair, casually shrugging my shoulders. This wasn''t about me being nervous; rather, it was about being thorough.

    Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled and started reading from the sheet. ¡°What aspect of your new album <i>The Dawn of Youth</i> should we pay special attention to?"

    I replied, ¡°There''s so much in this album that deserves attention, so it''s hard to pick just one. Personally, I''d love for everyone to focus on the lyrics and the band''s performance in thetter part of the album. We''ve poured every ounce of the excitement, overwhelming emotions, friendship, and gratitude that <i>The Dawn of Youth</i> embodies into our lyrics. When paired with the band''s crescendo, it''s truly moving."

    ¡°Why did you decide on <i>The Dawn of Youth</i> as the album''s title and concept?" asked Goh Yoo-Joon again.

    ¡°As Yoo-Joon and I... No, Goh..."

    ¡°Ew, Yoo-Joon[1]?"

    ¡°Ah, that''s why I switched it up. You want to embarrass me on air by using Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Uh-huh~ This isn''t a broadcast~" Goh Yoo-Joon started to act annoying.

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>, look at this childishness. I really can''t stand you. Drop the annoying act¡ª"

    ¡°Hey, if you two are going to fight here, I will throw you out myself. Jin-Sung, let''s toss them!" Joo-Han''s voice made us instantly zip our lips.

    ¡°We are sorry."

    ¡°Please don''t throw us out."

    Just then, the behind-the-scenes camera that had been with Joo-Han approached us. Goh Yoo-Joon quietly handed the paper back to me and asked, ¡°By the way, I''ve been wanting to ask you something for a while now. Can I?"

    ¡°No."

    ¡°Why are you holding hands with Yoon-Chan?"

    The camera zoomed in on our interlocked hands.

    ¡°You''ve been holding hands since you came in."

    It was then that Yoon-Chan finally made his presence felt after quietly watching our squabble. ¡°Ah, it''s because I was really nervous..."

    ¡°Not really," I interjected. My blunt response made Yoon-Chan''s eyes widen a lot.

    ¡°...No?"

    ¡°Yeah, no. Earlier, it was because he was nervous, but now, I''m holding his hand to calm myself down," I stated, looking at Goh Yoo-Joon while responding to Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Do you know Yoon-Chan has a special kind of energy?" I asked.

    ¡°What are you talking about?"

    ¡°...What?"

    Without another word, I ced Yoon-Chan''s other hand into Goh Yoo-Joon''s. Remember the time we reluctantly rode that rollercoaster during <i>Chronos History</i>? That was when I first realized it. Holding Yoon-Chan''s hand somehow eased my mind and dissolved any tension. It was as if his calm andid-back nature was transmitted through his touch.

    ¡°Holding Yoon-Chan''s hand during stressful times really helps to rx," I said.

    ¡°Really?" Goh Yoo-Joon immediately grabbed Yoon-Chan''s hand.

    ¡°No, that''s not it..."

    ¡°Yeah, I think it''s true."

    From a distance, Jin-Sung, who had been practicing the choreography, chimed in. ¡°When I was stressed out studying with Joo-Han, being around Yoon-Chan hyung really helped."

    ¡°Isn''t that just because Yoon-Chan is reallyforting?"

    Joo-Han approached us with a smirk. ¡°Let''s see about that." Then, he wrapped his arms around Yoon-Chan from behind.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I don''t have that kind of effect..."

    ¡°I''m not sure, but it does feel somewhat rxing. Wow." Joo-Han tightened his embrace around Yoon-Chan, probably teasing him.

    I grinned and joined in. ¡°Right?"

    Then, I stretched my arms and enveloped Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han in a hug.

    Goh Yoo-Joon went a step further and hugged all three of us. ¡°Then, let''s make it a tradition to shake hands with Yoon-Chan before we go on big stages."

    Out of the blue, Jin-Sung flung his MP3 yer onto the couch and sprinted toward us. ¡°Hey, wait up! I want in on this too!"

    Then, he joined the group hug, making it noticeably more cramped. At that moment, the door swung open.

    ¡°Is Chronos all set to go?" The stage crew seemed momentarily lost for words at the sight of our tightly knit cluster.

    ¡°It''s just our way of rallying up before the show. No worries. Are we good to head on stage now?" Su-Hwan''s voice rang out, bringing some calmness into the room.

    ¡°Yes, please proceed to the backstage area now."

    ¡°Got it."

    We gradually disentangled from Yoon-Chan, who finally exhaled deeply. The styling team swooped in to give our hair a quick tidy-up and ushered us toward the backstage for the show.

    ***

    Following the footsteps of our showcase for <i>The Parade</i>, the hosting duties for <i>The Dawn of Youth</i> showcase were once again gracefully handled by Jeong Gyu-Chan. We had shared a bond with him since our days on <i>Pick We Up</i>.

    - Yes, the stars of our evening, Chronos, are finally all set to grace us with their presence. Let''s wee them with a round of apuse. Chronos, please make your entrance!

    Upon Jeong Gyu-Chan''s cue, the staff parted the curtains that veiled the backstage, setting the stage for our entrance. Joo-Han took the lead, and we each made our way out while offering a polite nod to the journalists who had gathered to cover our event. We then lined up in front of our assigned seats.

    Joo-Han picked up the microphone and started, ¡°Thank you all for joining us today. Allow us to introduce ourselves. Ready? One, two, three! Hello, we are Chronos!"

    - Indeed, the members of Chronos start off with a robust greeting. Now, please, take your seats.

    I settled into my chair as my gaze swept across the room and caught the bursts of light from the cameras. The aftermath of <i>Pick We Up</i> had drawn a significant crowd at ourst showcase, but today''s audience dwarfed that by far. Our growing poprity and recognition, bolstered perhaps by our stint on <i>Graduating</i>, had brought in an evenrger crowd.

    - Chronos has returned, fresh and vibrant, with their second mini album <i>The Dawn of Youth</i>. And let me say, not only do they look dashing, but their denim outfits bring a refreshing zest to the room.

    Prompted by Jeong Gyu-Chan''s words, Joo-Han responded with a smile. ¡°Yes, ourst album showcased us in a bold, dreamlike concept. But with spring in the air and the fresh vibe of our new tracks, we decided to go for a breezy look to match it."

    - That''s fantastic. I''ve been following your journey since before your debut, through thepetition shows. It''s heartwarming to see how Chronos continues to evolve and surprise us with new facets at every turn.

    ¡°Haha, we are forever indebted to your support."

    - The honor is truly mine for having the opportunity to host such talented artists. Well, I seem to have gotten a bit carried away. Apologies for the long introduction. Today''s showcase for Chronos''s second mini album <i>The Dawn of Youth</i> is being streamed live via <i>Q-App</i>, connecting us with fans worldwide. Let''s kick things off by fielding some questions from the press.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan selected a journalist from the sea of raised hands, and a staff member promptly passed them a microphone.

    - Hello, I''m Heo In-Joo from Gogi News¡¯ Entertainment Section. Through ¡°Parade,¡± Chronos has solidified its unique identity with a distinct universe, choreography, and as a concept-driven idol group. I''m curious, what inspired the theme of youth for this concept?

    Joo-Han''s gaze shifted to me, which was a silent cue. I then nodded, took the microphone, and responded, ¡°First, thank you for your question. The theme of youth was something we''ve always been eager to explore. We thought, what is a better way to mark theeback of Chronos than to sing about life''s most exhrating phase? Given that all of us are in our golden period and it resonates deeply with our audience, it felt like the perfect concept to embrace."

    I felt the tension mounting within me, a bead of sweat threatening to break free. The sea of faces and the relentless shes of cameras had my nerves on edge, though I tried to keep calm.

    Thankfully, my rehearsed response came out smoothly. I made a conscious effort to enunciate clearly and speak slowly, wary of any slips of the tongue.

    We continued to answer various questions from the journalists regarding the album, the music video, uing ns, little-known facts, and even discussions on the supernatural experiences we had shared on <i>Q-App</i>.

    - Let''s take one final question. The journalist at the back, please.

    Encouraged by Jeong Gyu-Chan, a journalist stood with a microphone in hand.

    - Good afternoon... I''m Oh Sae-Ri from Tint Newspaper''s entertainment section. I''ve been following your journey, and I tuned into your <i>Q-App</i> livestream before the music video release. At the end, Joo-Han mentioned a solo track for Yoo-Joon. Could you share Yoo-Joon''s reaction upon hearing this news? I''m also curious if there will be any special coborations, simr to Kim Jin-Wook''s feature in Hyun-Woo''s solo track ¡®Once Again.¡¯

    ¡°Ah, yes. Hyun-Woo, pass the mic."

    Joo-Han signaled me, and I swiftly handed the mic over to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Goh Yoo-Joon picked up the microphone with a sheepish grin and said, ¡°As soon as I woke up this morning, our fans filled me in. I was so shocked that I barged into Joo-Han''s room while he was still asleep."

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement. ¡°When Yoo-Joon stormed into my room and woke me up abruptly, I just thought, ''Ah, he knows.'' So, I yed him the song right away. We haven''t shared it with the other members yet."

    ¡°The song is truly amazing. But it seems like it won''t feature any guest artists, simr to Hyun-Woo''s track, right?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked toward Joo-Han, who confirmed with a nod. ¡°Yes, this track will be a chance to fully appreciate Yoo-Joon''s voice alone. We are also nning to have the chorus sung by our members, and it might be fun for the fans to guess who''s who."

    After finishing his exnation, Joo-Han looked at Jeong Gyu-Chan.

    - That concludes our Q&A session. Chronos, please head backstage to prepare for your performance.

    We nodded to the journalists once more and retreated backstage. As soon as we arrived, the styling team quickly touched up our makeup and hair, and it was time to head back out.

    - Chronos is now ready for their performance. Now, let''s truly enjoy the new song you''ve all been waiting for. From Chronos''s second mini album ¡°?: Joy!¡±

    The stage lights dimmed, and we took our ces as the opening notes of the song started to y.

    1. Because Hyun-Woo usually calls him by hisst name ¡®Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯ lol. They think it¡¯s too cheesy and too intimate to call each other only by their first name. ?

 Chapter 190: Joy (27)

    Chapter 190: Joy (27)

    The stage was adorned with screens disying cherry blossoms painted in soft pastels. It was a picturesque backdrop redesigned by the choreographer who had witnessed our performance at a previous school event.

    The dance was initially designed for us to rally in the center with hands united as if chanting a rallying cry, but this rendition had us facing each other with hands sped¡ªwhat a subtle yet poignant change.

    Framed by the fluttering cherry blossoms in the intro, our smiles emerged, natural and contagious. As the intro faded, the powerful drums kicked in, propelling us into a synchronized jump thatnded us in a meticulously crafted formation.

    Stepping back gracefully, I watched as Jin-Sung burst forward with energy that matched the dynamic beats. The choreography embodied the essence of Chronos''s youthful vigor and passion, each move a testament to our collective spirit.

    Initially mirroring the formation, the dance evolved to showcase individual ir, diverging at a crescendo in the intro. With Jin-Sung at the center, we subtly shifted, morphing the formation with seamless precision.

    Then, the choreography transitioned as I reimed the center and picked up the energetic dance where Jin-Sung had left off. Although not visible from the front, Joo-Han was mirroring my steps from my previous position. This part of the choreography highlighted our individual styles and ensured that our unique dance identities shone through clearly.

    I led the first verse with a melody that lifted the spirits.

    <em>The spring sun has risen</em>

    <em>Though the spring breeze is still chilly,</em><em>it carries a warm embrace</em>

    <em>When you wide open the window and take a deep breath,</em>

    <em>the day begins</em>?

    As I bent down, Jin-Sung used my back as aunchpad for his leap and smoothly transitioned into his part. Followed by Joo-Han and then Goh Yoo-Joon, we introduced each other''s parts like a musical and weaved a tapestry of joy across the stage.

    As I caught sight of Goh Yoo-Joon yfully mastering his part, I couldn''t resist it. I directly dashed toward him with a grin and leaped to cling onto his back.

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s muscles tensed instinctively, his posture steady as he supported my weight without a wobble. I then gestured grandly toward the sky and continued my part.

    <em>Ah! There go the rolling leaves!</em>?

    In perfect harmony, Jin-Sung spun on his heel and tossed paper leaves into the air.

    <em>Hehehe</em>?<em></em>

    This was a yful twist encouraged by our agency. Thinking of the lyrics, we crafted these paper leaves together in the morning. It was a creative workaround.

    As Jin-Sung made way, Yoon-Chan stepped into the spotlight to sing his part, his tender gaze and gentle voice melding perfectly with the song''s theme.

    Sliding off Goh Yoo-Joon''s back, I casually slung my arm around his shoulder. We seamlessly regrouped into a triangr formation with Yoon-Chan at the forefront, and a whistle pierced the air, signaling the start of our synchronized dance. With hands nonchntly tucked in our pockets, we let our feet carry the rhythm.

    <em>¡®This part is bound to be a hit with the audience.¡¯</em>

    Yoon-Chan beamed with contentment at the center, manifesting the song''s essence. At that moment, prideful eyes silently cheered him on as I smoothly transitioned to the center, adding an extra ir to the choreography with my movements.

    The music swelled, and electric guitars wove through the melody, leading us into the second verse and building up to the climactic highlight.

    As the climax approached, I found myself encircled by my fellow members, the spotlight squarely on me. The high note was always a daunting challenge as it demanded me to belt out everything I had.

    Pouring my soul into it, I delivered the note with a perfect blend of power and melody. Navigating this prolonged, unwavering high note was an ordeal in itself, intensified by the relentless pace.

    In the middle of the formation, I watched as my fellow members danced in harmony, their movements echoing the band''s lively rhythm and my soaring vocals. As we neared the song''s finale, the energy of the audience peaked as each face was alight with the thrill of performance. This song was a true anthem of joy, transforming the arduouseback preparations into a stage brimming with delightful memories.

    <em>Pink cherry blossoms flutter in the wind</em>

    <em>And you and I areughing</em>

    <em>I capture your smile in a photo,</em>

    <em>And you shyly lower your head</em>

    <em>The excitement swells,</em>

    <em>It''s a relief that we are here today</em>?

    A whimsical thought crossed my mind.<em> ¡®If only cherry blossoms fluttered down from above, the scene would have been even more dramatic.''</em>

    I wrapped up my part and felt a gentle weight on my shoulder. Jin-Sung hade up beside me and rested his elbow there.

    <em>Our most brilliant moment,</em>

    <em>Bes a beautiful filter,</em>

    <em>Gifting us a lifetime of joy</em>?

    As Jin-Sung''s arm lifted from my shoulder, another immediately took its ce, grounding itself with aforting weight. The rest of the members, who had been waiting in the wings, eagerly closed in to link arms with Jin-Sung and me in a powerful disy of solidarity.

    As the robust melody of the instruments started to ebb away, it gave way to the delicate strains of a piano. This melody, reminiscent of the opening, carried a bittersweet solitude as if marking the day''s end.

    With the song reaching its conclusion, the lights dimmed momentarily before flooding the stage with brightness once more. We spread out and aligned ourselves side by side. Then we bowed deeply in gratitude.

    ¡°Thank you! Thank you so much for watching Chronos¡¯s showcase!"

    ¡°Your presence here tonight means the world to us, thank you."

    When we arrived backstage, a wave of contentment washed over each of our faces, reflecting that the performance was well-delivered. The time and effort we had poured into preparing it seemed to vanish in the blink of an eye, but we didn¡¯t leave any regrets behind. It was a perfect execution that left us feeling exhrated.

    ¡°Everyone, you truly outdid yourselves today."

    ¡°You are saying that already? The journey''s just beginning, haha."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s yful nudge on Joo-Han''s back brought forth a light chuckle and an acknowledging nod from the rest of us.

    ¡°We''ve given our all up until now. I can finally offer my praise wholeheartedly. I''m sincerely thankful to all of you."

    Joo-Han certainly felt ted as hisposition had led us to this moment. That feeling of pride seemed to radiate from him, touching me deeply. Each member caught their breath and grinned when they looked at him. It was a silent salute to our shared journey.

    As the showcase came to an end, exhaustion washed over us like a wave, and we quickly sumbed to sleep as we settled into the car.

    We found ourselves back at the dormitory upon waking up. Goh Yoo-Joon was still groggy, but he had begun checking the Rings¡¯ reactions online. Unlike other groups that had a whirlwind of activities post-showcase, Su-Hwan''s thoughtful nning afforded us a day to unwind and recuperate.

    As we stepped into the dormitory, Su-Hwan called us into the living room. ¡°Fantastic job, everyone. Could you please gather around for a moment?"

    ¡°What¡¯s up?"

    ¡°Have we got new schedules lined up?"

    Su-Hwan set down a white paper bag on the coffee table, his smile tinged with mncholy. ¡°This is a token for youreback. Regrettably, it will be myst gift to you all."

    ¡°A gift?"

    ¡°Last?"

    ¡°Please, don''t say that¡­ That''s just... heart-wrenching."

    The atmosphere was once buoyant with post-showcase euphoria but now dipped into a somber tone. Noticing our dampened spirit, Su-Hwan quickly unveiled a robust metal case.

    ¡°There''s also this. It appears that your former manager might have overlooked passing it on."

    Joo-Han drew the more opulent-looking case closer and carefully opened it.

    ¡°Oh my!"

    ¡°Ah, this is..!"

    ¡°Oh, right!"

    ¡°Goodness, you almost gave me a heart attack."

    I grabbed my chest and tried to steady my racing heart. It was the custom microphone we had been awarded during the <em>Chronos History</em>¡¯s episode, a trophy from our victorious sh with Allure. Amidst the chaos of our debut,ebacks, and relentless schedule, we had all forgotten about this extravagant prize from the esteemed Restonmagepany.

    Yet, Su-Hwan had remembered to retrieve it, even as our former manager, In-Hyun, had nearly let it slip into oblivion. It was both a relief and deeply touching.

    ¡°How on earth¡­ did youe to know about this?" asked Joo-Han.

    With a sheepish, yet kind-hearted smile, Su-Hwan responded, ¡°I was digging through some pre-debut videos when I stumbled upon it. Given the value of such a prize, I figured you''d have put it to immediate use. I got curious as to why you hadn''t and discovered it tucked away in the trunk of In-Hyun''s car. Seems like it was forgotten amidst the hustle."

    ¡°Wow... Su-Hwan hyung¡­ you really are something else..." Joo-Han looked at Su-Hwan with eyes brimming with gratitude, deeply moved by his thoughtful gesture.

    ¡°To think this treasure nearly got lost... Can you imagine? Such a valuable piece..."

    There was a brief pause. It was a realization dawning on us that it wasn''t just about the item''s mary worth but the joy of rediscovering something so precious.

    ¡°And what''s this?" Goh Yoo-Joon nced curiously at the remaining paper bag.

    Su-Hwan shed a sly grin. ¡°This is from me. It seems you all have forgotten something quite important."

    ¡°Huh? Forgotten what?"

    Su-Hwan pulled out five small boxes from the bag. ¡°I mentioned that you could start using personal phones, but it seems my message got lost midway."

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    ¡°Congrattions on youreback.¡±

    They were the newly released smartphones. We then exchanged nces, a wave of guilt washing over us at the sight of Su-Hwan''s genuine gift. The old 2G flip phones we had been using since our trainee days were probably still hidden under our pillows.

    Su-Hwan''s sincere gift weighed heavily on our hearts. He noticed ourckluster reaction and looked puzzled, so he asked, ¡°What''s the matter?"

    After a brief silent exchange, I spoke up with a mix of embarrassment and guilt.

    ¡°We... um, we have something to confess..."

    ¡°We are really sorry."

    ¡°We messed up, big time!"

    Following my lead, the members started to apologize one after the other.

    ¡°What''s going on?" Su-Hwan asked.

    ¡°Hold on a second..."

    At Su-Hwan''s question, we sheepishly retrieved our personal phones from our rooms one by one.

    #Side Story - Concept Photo Shoot (Type B, Park Yoon-Chan)

    The director''s suggestion seemed a bit too sudden for a newbie idol like Park Yoon-Chan. After all, he was still green in the ways of the industry.

    ¡°Please, take your time to think it over and contact Su-Hwan if you are interested. I understand you are busy, so I can wait."

    Grateful for the director''s understanding, Su-Hwan and Yoon-Chan both nodded appreciatively.

    ¡°Thank you, Director. We will be in touch soon."

    ¡°It''s just a suggestion, so feel free to take your time. Let''s take a short break and then resume shooting. You too, Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Yes, Director."

    Once the director had left, Yoon-Chan turned to look at Su-Hwan who looked expressionless like usual.

    ¡°What would you like to do, Yoon-Chan?"

    ¡°I... um..."

    The director had spontaneously offered Yoon-Chan a role in his uing musical-style short movie. After all, Yoon-Chan''s neat appearance could capture attention in an instant. His somewhat shy demeanor and his surprisingly decent acting skills despite his inexperience made him an ideal fit for the project. Being a Chronos member with talents in dancing, singing, and acting, he seemed perfect for the director''s vision.

    However, despite the ttering offer, Yoon-Chan declined without much hesitation although he was visibly pleased. ¡°I''d rather focus on the group and our performances for now."

    Like what Hyun-Woo and the others had done before, Yoon-Chan prioritized the group''s stability although he had a keen interest in acting.

    ¡°It''s a great opportunity though. Aren''t you interested in acting, Yoon-Chan? This could be your first step."

    Yoon-Chan shook his head while smiling reassuringly at Su-Hwan. His smile was usually tinged with timidity, but it was filled with conviction this time. ¡°If I''m prepared, opportunities wille. For now, I want to progress along with the rest of the members. Just like what Hyun-Woo hyung said, once Chronos¡¯s poprity stabilizes, maybe after our first sessful concert, that''s when I''d like to give it a try."

    At first, Yoon-Chan had found the demands of training, dancing, and singing overwhelming. Despite his rapid rise to an A-grade trainee based on his looks, the cutthroatpetition had nearly crushed his spirit.

    Even after joining the traineeste and being warmly received for his amiable nature, hecked close connections with them during his trainee years. Thus, he doubted that debuting would ignite any significant affection or passion within him for the group. At first, he thought that the debut group, which was freshly formed amidst fiercepetition, would be all about seizing every opportunity to rise through the ranks between members.

    However, Chronos was nothing like that.

    ¡°Thank you for the offer, but I''mmitted to the group right now. Please tell the director I wille and audition personally next time."

    The joy of dancing and singing, the recognition of his own talents, and the confidence his fellow members instilled in him¡ªall of these factors, coupled with the camaraderie and affection they showered upon him, made him believe that opportunities would alwayse around. Therefore, there was no need to rush.

    <em>¡®It''s not about apetition.¡¯</em>

    When Su-Hwan heard Park Yoon-Chan''s words that were filled with conviction, his initial surprise quickly turned into a smile. He nodded in understanding. ¡°Understood. Here, take this."

    Su-Hwan handed him a pocket watch. ¡°They say it''s a prop."

    ¡°Thank you so much!"

    ¡°Let''s get ready to resume shooting!" A staff member''s voice echoed from behind the tree-shaded wall.

    Yoon-Chan held up the pocket watch and turned around. ¡°Okay! I¡¯ming!¡±

 Chapter 191: Joy (28)

    Chapter 191: Joy (28)

    ¡°Hyung, I''m so sorry." We stood side by side after cing the worn-out cell phones we''d been secretly using on the living room table.

    ¡°Sorry..."

    ¡°¡­These are?" asked Su-Hwan. Regardless of the agencies, a flip phone was amon tool among trainees. Therefore, we had been using them without much of a guilty conscience until now.

    However, the thought of brushing this off weighed heavily on our conscience, especially knowing the lengths our manager had gone to buy these phones for us. With his arms crossed, the manager let out a sigh, his expression one of disappointment.

    He said, ¡°I had faith in you all¡­"

    ¡°We are truly sorry¡­"

    ¡°At least you areing clean now, which is somewhat of a silver lining," our manager remarked, his rare stern look leaving us speechless. With our mouths sealed shut, we braced ourselves for the impending reprimand.

    Picking up one of the flip phones, our manager continued, ¡°But, you know, I was aware all along."

    ¡°¡­Excuse me?" Our heads lifted at the sound of our manager''s voice, which was tinged with a hint of amusement.Su-Hwan looked at us with a gentle smile and asked, ¡°Did you really think I wouldn''t notice, with it being so tantly obvious?"

    ¡°Ah."

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, your seamless tales of post-shooting interactions with the <em>Graduating</em> cast were a dead giveaway. And Jin-Sung, your habit of pretending to fiddle with a nonexistent phone to capture moments in photographs wasn''t exactly subtle."

    Ah, right. It would indeed be odd if our sharp manager hadn''t noticed.

    ¡°I chose to overlook it, since I know that you guys aren¡¯t the kind to engage in mischief."

    Hence, the gift of thetest model phones served not only as a celebration but also as a gentle reminder, signaling his awareness and encouraging us toe clean before our guilt became too burdensome.

    Su-Hwan gently ced the phone he was holding back on the table. ¡°Nevertheless, I appreciate your honesty now. You truly are a considerate group."

    ¡°¡­But could you possibly consider continuing this journey with us? We promise we will listen to you and be more honest." Jin-Sung''s plea caused a momentary pause in Su-Hwan''s reaction. We could see a flicker of surprise on his face.

    Yoon-Chan seized the moment and quickly chimed in, hoping to steer the conversation. ¡°Exactly, hyung."

    ¡°We genuinely appreciate you¡­"

    ¡°¡­It''s not as simple as just wanting it to happen¡­" Su-Hwan said.

    In the midst of our sincere entreaties, Joo-Han finally spoke up. ¡°Hyung, I''d like to echo their sentiments. It would mean the world to us if you could continue being our manager."

    ¡°Indeed, I beg you. We really want you to stay," I said, my wordsden with earnestness.

    After a brief period of contemtion, the manager nodded solemnly. ¡°I hear you. Your words mean a lot to me, so I will convey your wishes about continuing together. However, keep your expectations in check. The decisions are already in motion and reversing them might not be that easy."

    The mere consideration of his continued presence was a hope for us. With a parting nod of assurance, the manager concluded the conversation and headed home.

    The sun was still hanging high in the sky, basking the dormitory in the tranquility of a leisurely afternoon like a holiday. Yoo-Joon and I settled side by side on the couch, lost in our thoughts.

    ¡°It''s been ages since we''ve had a day in the dorm like this."

    ¡°I know, right? Normally, we''d be in the practice room at this hour," replied Goh Yoo-Joon as he powered on his new phone, his gaze drifting toward the opposite room.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then mentioned, ¡°With all five of us having the same phone model, it''d be easy to mix them up. Perhaps setting different wallpapers or pictures could help."

    ¡°Or just use distinct cases," I said.

    ¡°Hand over yours. Let''s get them set up while I''m at it."

    Swiftly activating both our phones, Yoo-Joon wasted no time in showing off our new gadgets to our friends from Memory High. The sound of Hee-Su''s voice and his waving hand indicated that a video call was underway.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo,e over and say hi."

    Seeing Goh Yoo-Joon''s gesture, I scooted closer as I tried to fit my face into the frame. Hee-Su was wearing thick sses unlike during our shoots and greeted us with a warm smile.

    - Wow, seeing you guys together like this really hits home. It''s fascinating every time.

    ¡°You always say ¡®fascinating¡¯ to everything.¡±

    ¡°Yo, what are you up to, Hee-Su?¡±

    - I am doing my part-time job right now!

    He tilted his phone to reveal the gas station vest he was wearing.

    ¡°Isn''t it cold out there? Make sure you are bundled up. Don''t freeze out there."

    - Got heat packs with me. But honestly, it''s freezing.

    After a while, I excused myself from their banter and slipped away to find Joo-Han in his room. I gently knocked and entered to see him bathed in the soft glow of hisputer screen, engrossed in a musicposition program.

    ¡°Diving into a new project already?"

    ¡°Hmm? Oh, just fine-tuning something for the inauguration. Anything on your mind, Hyun-Woo?"

    I settled into the chair next to him and nodded thoughtfully. ¡°About Yoo-Joon''s solo track¡­ I''d be keen to take on the chorus if you haven''t found anyone to write it yet."

    My voice wasced with a mix of hope and resolve. If Joo-Han had found someone, I''d just let it be, but the thought of contributing to Yoo-Joon''s first solo piece was too appealing to pass up.

    Joo-Han responded with a warm chuckle, his hand finding its way to my head in a brotherly gesture. ¡°I had you in mind all along. Who else can do this but you?"

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    ¡°You and Yoo-Joon have this harmony, this synergy. Sure, Yoon-Chan has his merits, but when ites to raw talent and intuition, you are the one I bet on. So, Hyun-Woo, the chorus is yours to tackle,¡± He affirmed, his words instilling a sense of pride in me.

    ¡°Alright," I epted, a smile ying on my lips.

    ¡°Let me give you a taste of the track." Without hesitation, Joo-Han yed Yoo-Joon''s solo piece for me.

    ¡°The working title is ¡®Hide Room.¡¯"

    Unlike the bittersweet melody of my ¡°Once Again,¡± which echoed the sentiment of oveing adversity, Yoo-Joon''s track was a deep dive into R&B from the get-go. It evoked images of a dimly lit room with nothing but the flicker of an old TV forpany and someone gazing out at the moon through an open window. The melody oozed coolness with every note. On top of that, Joo-Han''s knack for trendsetting was evident throughout the piece.

    I found myself effortlesslyyering harmonies over Joo-Han''s casual English murmurs in the guide track, and the notes flowed naturally.

    ¡°¡­Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Hmm? Oh, did I interrupt you? Sorry, won''t happen again," I apologized, ready to just listen quietly.

    ¡°No, that''s not it," Joo-Han quickly rified, his gaze intense and thoughtful. ¡°That harmony you just did? Let''s keep it. It''s beautiful."

    ¡°Really? Oh, okay. Have you thought about the lyrics yet?"

    ¡°Still brainstorming with Producer Do. Yoo-Joon''s got this vibrant and yful appearance, but when we delve a bit deeper, he is actually very considerate and mature. We are trying to capture that essence in the lyrics.¡±

    After immersing myself a bit more in the melody, I casually threw out an idea. ¡°Why not have Yoo-Joon write the lyrics?"

    After all, he had written the lyrics in ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± and I''d penned my solo debut¡¯s lyrics.

    ¡°Or, I could give it a shot, haha," I said half-jokingly.

    ¡°Deal, Hyun-Woo, you are on." An unexpectedly enthusiastic response came from behind me.

    ¡°What?" I spun around, startled.

    ¡°¡­Yoo-Joon, I thought we agreed on knocking on my door first beforeing in," reprimanded Joo-Han with a slight frown on his face.

    With his usual cheeky expression, Yoo-Joon sauntered in and yfully nudged Joo-Han before trying to sit on myp.

    ¡°Ah! Get off!¡± I yelled at him.

    ¡°Seriously though, I''d be thrilled if you wrote the lyrics, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°You sure?" Joo-Han asked, seeking confirmation from Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Yoo-Joon nodded with a clear resolve. ¡°The lyrics of ¡®Once Again¡¯ are ster. And honestly, I''ve been dying to see what Hyun-Woo could do with my solo piece."

    ¡°I was just throwing the idea out there. Maybe it''s better if you take the lead, Yoo-Joon," I hesitated as the weight of the request dawned on me.

    ¡°No way, I insist. I trust you, man," Yoo-Joon insisted, his determination leaving no room for doubt. With a mixture of excitement and a hint of concern, I eventually agreed.

    ¡°Let''s coborate on this. Consider it a joint effort," Joo-Han proposed, effectively sealing the formation of our ¡°Hide Room¡± dream team right then and there.

    ***

    ¡°Jeez, how are we going to deal with these eye bangs, idol? Still pretty, but¡­" the stylistmented, dabbing at the shadows.

    I let out a deep sigh and said, ¡°I couldn''t sleep because I was writing lyrics with Goh Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°The skin can be covered up, but there''s no helping the tired eyes. Just manage your expressions well."

    ¡°Okay."

    At that moment, a soothing eye drops packet was extended from the side, held out too close to my face. I flinched and frowned as I looked at the person next to me.

    ¡°Do you have to hand it over like this?"

    ¡°Even when I''m considerate to you, you really are something."

    I just shook my head and epted the soothing eye drops packet.

    Today was a special appearance on <em>Halo''s Music Bus </em>featuring Kim Jin-Wook.

    ¡°One day, you and I are going to have a big fight, hyung," I said.

    ¡°Go ahead and try."

    ¡°I don''t want to."

    Watching the nd conversation between Kim Jin-Wook and me, the stylist chuckled and said, ¡°Stick to either informal or formal speech. Are you two on good terms or not? Hyun-Woo hardly treats anyone like this."

    I replied with an annoyed expression, ¡°Ah, I don''t know. We are on good terms."

    My shoulders were already stiff from myck of sleep, but it seemed to ache even more now. I wondered where the rumor that we were on good terms started. It would be more realistic to say that I had be soulmates with Ji-Hyuk rather than Kim Jin-Wook.

    After my makeup was done and I was applying the eye drops, a bottle of water was thrown onto the table in front of me. I just red at Kim Jin-Wook again as I let the drops that hadn''t gone into my eyes flow down like tears.

    I scolded, ¡°If you are going to be considerate, do it with a smile, okay? Why do you keep throwing things, hyung? Ah! This is why people think we are on good terms."

    ¡°Ah, you always make a fucking fuss even when I try to take care of you."

    ¡°Hyung! Jin-Wook''s manager! He swore again!"

    Then, a loud sigh was heard from behind me. ¡°Again! You two are fighting again! Why do you fight even when you help each other!? Jin-Wook, be the older brother and apologize first!"

    It was the voice of Supervisor Kim, who had grown ustomed to our frequent quarrels.

 Chapter 192: Joy (29)

    Chapter 192: Joy (29)

    ¡°We will go to grab some coffee, so you guys better keep busy with singing practice or whatever. And if I catch you bickering again, I''m turning on the camera!"

    ¡°<em>Ugh</em>."

    ¡°I will make you two hold hands and fake being best buds if I have to!¡± eximed Supervisor Kim. He then went out with the other managers and left us to it.

    This was why first impressions were everything. Just the mere act of Kim Jin-Wook speaking up got me grumbling in response. We might warm up to each other for a bit, but it was like hitting the reset button whenever we met after a while. Well, not that I was keen on changing the dynamics between us.

    ¡°Hyung."

    ¡°What now?"

    I extended my phone toward Kim Jin-Wook and said, ¡°Your number, please."

    ¡°And what do you think I''d say to that?"

    ¡°You''d say no?"¡°Bingo." Despite his protests, Kim Jin-Wook grabbed my phone and keyed in his number.

    ¡°You say no, yet here you are doing it. Ever the contrarian."

    ¡°Let''s just focus on our own stuff, okay?"

    ¡°Fine by me."

    That marked the start of us diving into our respective tasks. Kim Jin-Wook flipped hisptop open and dove into his music. Meanwhile, I tapped on my phone and tried to string together lyrics for Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s solo as some inspiration struck me.

    The challenge of crafting lyrics on the fly was real. Frustration mounted with every moment that inspiration failed to strike, and I found myself fixating on a single line I had scribbled down, lost myself in a sea of thoughts.

    The intermittent sounds of Kim Jin-Wook''s music filled the air, its repetitive nature somehow soothing. My attention naturally drifted away from the stifling text to Kim Jin-Wook¡¯sptop screen beside me.

    Even if our personal dynamics were a bit off, Kim Jin-Wook''s musical prowess was undeniable, especially evident in what seemed like his next hit. The track had an undeniable attraction despite its choppiness and unfinished state. Composition, lyrics, arrangement¡­ He had it all.

    Even in my previous life, Kim Jin-Wook was celebrated as a prodigious rapper with a loyal fanbase.

    ¡°Stop looking at my work.¡±

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    My focus snapped back to my own work as I was hastened by Kim Jin-Wook''s frosty remark. Then, my fingers resumed their dance across the screen.

    <em>¡®I will jot down whateveres to mind for now. Maybe I will tweak things on the way back while listening to the tune.''</em>

    I could plug in my earphones and stop listening, but there was something about the rawness of Kim Jin-Wook''s work-in-progress that appealed to me. Therefore, I decided to wait.

    ¡°...Dude.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?"

    Oops. I hadn''t even realized my gaze had wandered back to theposition software on his screen. I gave a puzzled tilt of my head before redirecting my attention to my phone.

    ¡°Hey, check this out."

    ¡°What''s up?" I lifted my head and saw Kim Jin-Wook gesturing toward hisptop as if inviting me to take a closer look.

    ¡°Click here, and you will be taken straight to a site where you can buy the sounds. Some are free, some you need to purchase, but you can preview them before making a decision."

    ¡°...Thanks for the tip, but why bring this up all of a sudden?"

    ¡°I caught you looking over here quite a bit. Are you interested inposing, or are you just eyeballing, asshole?"

    ¡°...Ah, I''m interested, alright? Can you justy off the swearing? You are going to be in big trouble if you continue." I turned off my phone screen to allow myself to fully focus on theptop disy.

    I knew Joo-Han was pretty savvy withposition software, but his tendency to lock himself away made it tricky to ask for a tutorial.

    ¡°This site syncs up so if you buy something, it downloads right away. Then all you gotta do is import it."

    ¡°Oh, I see, so that''s how it''s done."

    ¡°And then you justyer the instruments like this." Kim Jin-Wook gave me a quick rundown, pointing out the essentials so I could get a basic handle on the software.

    By the time we wrapped up our impromptuposition lesson, Supervisor Kim and the crew returned to the waiting room with their armsden with coffee. Supervisor Kim asked, ¡°Do you two only y nice when there''s no audience? Su-Hwan, looks like they are gearing up for another round. Break it up, will ya?"

    ¡°Got it."

    We hadn''t even exchanged a word, but Supervisor Kim and Su-Hwan wasted no time in splitting us up and handing over the beverages.

    ¡°Jin-Wook, we are rolling in five minutes!" Kim Jin-Wook''s manager, ever the enthusiast, expressed appreciation and took care of Jin-Wook.

    ¡°Let''s take a look at Jin-Wook." Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s manager had him stand up to take a good look at him from a distance. Then, he nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Perfect. Handsome as always. Alright, we will be off first! Please take good care of us today, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Of course! I will do my best."

    The manager and Kim Jin-Wook headed backstage for the <em>Halo''s Music Bus </em>performance. As I was left in the dressing room, I periodically received touch-ups from the stylists while keeping an eye on the ongoing recording.

    ¡°Huh? Are Jin-Wook hyung and I wearing matching outfits?"

    ¡°Did you just notice? Since you are sharing the stage, we coordinated your outfits."

    I hadn''t realized it earlier because I was deliberately trying not to look at him, but our outfits did indeed suggest we were part of the same group.

    The stylist saw a frown on my forehead. Hence, she let out a sigh and pressed her finger against my forehead, smoothing out the crease. ¡°You can''t ruin that handsome face with wrinkles, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°If I get wrinkles, you will just have to fix them for me."

    As I yfully furrowed my brow even more, the stylistughed and firmly held my head in ce.

    Just then, someone knocked on the waiting room door.

    ¡°Come in."

    Upon hearing Su-Hwan''s warm invitation, someone opened the door gently, and the road manager Hyuk-Soo cautiously peeked inside. ¡°Is it alright toe in?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,e on in."

    Encouraged by Su-Hwan''s weing tone, Hyuk-Soo swung the door wide open. And then¡­

    ¡°Hyung!"

    ¡°Hey, wee!"

    Jin-Sung came in with a beaming smile and instantlytched onto me from behind. I reached back and affectionately ruffled Jin-Sung''s hair before passing him a cool drink.

    ¡°Hyung, you really look like a star. Hold that pose," instructed Jin-Sung. He then stepped back and snapped a photo with his phone, capturing my image with a yful air.

    ¡°I''m sending this to the gang. Oh, that''s right! We talked about starting a group chat. I will get it set up and send out invites!"

    ¡°...Wow, so loud suddenly. Just because of one person..." The stylist softly chuckled.

    I found myself nodding in agreement with her observation. Indeed, Jin-Sung was buzzing with energy, reminiscent of a joyful puppy. He roamed around and filled the room with his lively chatter.

    He''d been so eager to witness Kim Jin-Wook''s rap live, yet now he seemed more interested in everything but the ongoing recording.

    I momentarily diverted my attention from Jin-Sung to nce at the broadcast. After that, I called out to him. ¡°Jin-Sung, over here."

    ¡°Hmm?"

    ¡°Jin-Wook hyung is about to hit the stage."

    Jin-Sung scampered over at my cue and sat next to me, his gaze fixed on the screen as if he had never been the noisy one.

    ¡°Think I could get his autograph?"

    ¡°Uh... I guess? He''d probably give you one."

    Given the camaraderie among artists, it wasmon to exchange signed albums during such interactions.

    ¡°..."

    Silence fell over Jin-Sung after that. Ever since taking on the unofficial rapper role in Chronos, he had developed a deep admiration for Kim Jin-Wook, especially after "Once Again." Kim Jin-Wook had be a true role model for Jin-Sung, inspiring significant improvement in his own rap skills.

    The stage was set for Kim Jin-Wook. Even so, Jin-Sung watched with great intensity, hummed along, and wlessly matched every beat and lyric. His humming skill was great as if rehearsed, and it drew a look of admiration from me.

    As Kim Jin-Wook wrapped up his initial performance, the talk show part started. His typically brusque manner softened on stage, leading to a smoother interaction. As he had a quiet nature, Halo[1] seemed to have quietened down as well, but his fans would love it.

    <em>Knock, knock.</em>

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, time to head backstage!"

    I was prompted by the staff''s call and made my way to Su-Hwan. Jin-Sung tagged along and gave my shoulder a reassuring and slightly firm rub. ¡°Hyung, I will be cheering from here. You got this!"

    ¡°I will be back soon." I gave a quick nod to Jin-Sung and proceeded backstage, my steps light and eager.

    The nervousness hadn''t kicked in, perhaps due to the variety show vibe or the fact it was my song. Instead, I felt an exhrating anticipation at the prospect of performing "Once Again" after such a long hiatus.

    - Now, I''m desperate to hear the next piece.

    Halo nced at the cue card, her expression a mix of surprise and anticipation.

    - I didn''t expect you to choose this song for today. It''s shrouded in mystery, but Jin-Wook, could you shed some light on it without giving too much away?

    ¡°Sure, this song represents a pivotal moment for me and offers a chance to explore my potential."

    - Ah, a song that unveiled new possibilities. I''ve had the pleasure of hearing it live before. Think it was on a radio show? I remember Jin-Wook''s rendition back then...

    ¡°Regrettably, I wasn¡¯t able to sing it personally back then."

    Wow, what a lie. We asked a bunch, but he kept refusing. Well, honestly, it didn¡¯t matter. I could always go on live with Jin-Sung!

    - Hearing the original live for the first time is thrilling. It''s one of my personal favorites.

    ¡°Haha."

    - The audience might be curious about what we are talking about. Let''s dive in. Jin-Wook, would you do the honors of introducing the song? I will step aside for now.

    Halo gracefully exited the stage and left Kim Jin-Wook alone in the spotlight. Kim Jin-Wook then stepped to the center of the stage. ¡°This song holds a special ce in my heart. It was a beacon of hope during my lonely and challenging days as a trainee as I struggled to seize a debut opportunity. It¡¯s ¡®Once Again.¡¯"

    I wondered if anyone in the audience recognized this song. As soon as Kim Jin-Wook mentioned the title, a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you will join him right after the intro."

    ¡°Got it!"

    Hearing the intro to ¡°Once Again¡± after such a long time felt surreal. I gripped the microphone firmly as the music yed. And then¡­ ¡°Time to go in, Hyun-Woo!¡±

    I started singing the first part and made my way onto the stage.

    1. The host of the show. ?

 Chapter 193: Joy (30)

    <h4>Chapter 193: Joy (30)</h4>

    ¡°I told you ¡®Once Again¡¯ was going to be on the list! Didn''t I say it felt like ¡®Once Again¡¯ would make an appearance? I told you!!!"

    ¡°Alright, alright, I get it! No need to shake me up! Let''s take a look!"

    The two ardent fans of Kim Jin-Wook couldn''t contain their thrill at the sound of the familiar tune. It was a track from before his official debut, one that had graced the airwaves in a live radio session. However, it remained unsung by Kim Jin-Wook himself. Given the plethora of clues, the fans couldn¡¯t be clueless as they had loved him since the Air Senior era.

    ¡°Does this mean Suh Hyun-Woo is the surprise guest or something?"

    ¡°Man, it''d be hrious if Suh Hyun-Woo were toe out. Seriously! Hahaha."

    During the<i> Pick We Up</i> era, they were anything but chummy. In fact, their interactions were so frosty it seemed a fight could break out between them at any moment. They never openly discussed the state of their camaraderie, but it was obvious. The notion of their bond evolving into one of the entertainment industry''s most celebrated friendships post-<i>Pick We Up </i>was beyond anyone''s guess.

    Nevertheless, Kim Jin-Wook finding a buddy was a positive turn for both him and his fanbase. They were well aware that Jin-Wook¡¯s somewhat introverted nature made it hard for him to make friends. Some fans were genuinely grateful to Suh Hyun-Woo for hispanionship.

    Kim Jin-Wook, who had been standing solo on stage, sneakily nced to his left before shifting his position with a nonchnt demeanor. Soon after, the loudspeakers carried the melodious sound of a beautiful voice.

    <i>Is there a ce to step,</i>

    <i>Or nowhere to stand?</i>

    <i>Suddenly, anxiety creeps in</i>?

    And then, Suh Hyun-Woo made the entrance.

    ¡°Whoa!!!!"

    The auditorium was packed with Kim Jin-Wook''s enthusiasts, and it erupted into a frenzy of cheers and awe as a well-known face appeared on stage.

    ¡°There he is, there he is! Dude, it''s the original ¡®Once Again¡¯ damn it! Aaah! Jin-Wook!!!!"

    ¡°Would you quiet down a bit? Hey, it''s kind of embarrassing, knock it off..."

    Undeterred by her friend''s attempts to calm her down, a fan energetically shook her light stick.

    Suh Hyun-Woo was met with roaring apuse and shed a warm smile before taking his ce next to Kim Jin-Wook.

    ¡°He may not be my favorite, but boy, he is fucking cute!" The two fans managed to stayposed amidst the excitement and offered an impartial observation, admiring the duo with a contented grin.

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s cheeky smile toward Kim Jin-Wook melted away his usual stern facade. Instead, a tender nod of acknowledgment graced his face. With a pat on Jin-Wook''s back, perhaps as a sign of camaraderie, Suh Hyun-Woo then distanced himself from him to refocus on the melody at hand.

    The affection between them was reflected in their gazes. The way they supported each other¡¯s solo tracks and first music variety shows, and their unmistakable expressions of joy upon seeing each other on stage... What a beautiful friendship to behold! Even as the audience remained uproarious, Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s song carried on undeterred.

    <i>Even if I run nonstop, there''s no end in sight,</i>

    <i>Time keeps slipping by, leaving me behind</i>

    <i>The resolutions that once tore through my heart...</i>?

    ¡°This is so nice. It''s my first time listening to it live."

    ¡°Me too. Never imagined we''d actually get to hear the original live."

    ¡°They even coordinated their outfits."

    ¡°Oh man, this is giving me major <i>Pick We Up</i> vibes."

    Kim Jin-Wook with Suh Hyun-Woo, Kim Jin-Wook with Air Senior, and Kim Jin-Wook with the Team D members... The much-adored Air Senior never debuted, leaving fans in the dark about the other members'' current whereabouts. Meanwhile, the Team D members had been busy with their individual group activities since their debut.

    For the fans of newly debuted Kim Jin-Wook, <i>Pick We Up</i> remained an unforgettable past they had yet to let go of. Thus, seeing the two dressed in coordinated outfits and standing side by side¡ªjust as they did during their Team D days¡ªevoked a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy in the fans¡¯ hearts.

    The lyrics seemed to tell the story of Jin-Wook as well, and Suh Hyun-Woo''s voice carried such a deep sadness, causing the hearts of Jin-Wook''s fans, which had grown strong through his rap, to melt away bit by bit.

    ¡°Jin-Wook can sing really well too..."

    ¡°Right..." Amidst all this, they couldn''t help but fantasize about how it would sound if Jin-Wook sang this part.

    <i>My breathing is rough,</i>

    <i>And the morning begins without me</i>

    <i>To the boy who once wanted to give up,</i>

    <i>Opportunity whispers again,</i>

    <i>Once more, just once more</i>?

    Suh Hyun-Woo stepped away from the microphone. As Kim Jin-Wook''s part drew near, the fans rallied once again with enthusiastic cheers. True to form, Jin-Wook took up the mic and started to sing with a somber expression.

    <i>The boy''s hope is trampled even with gritted teeth and effort,</i>

    <i>Nothing goes as nned,</i>

    <i>Blocked on all sides,</i>

    <i>Enemies everywhere</i>?

    From the very first note, his voice seemed to weigh heavily on the listeners'' hearts. It was an emotion that hinted at a deep-seated anguish being carefully restrained. This distinctive voice was precisely why they remained loyal fans of Kim Jin-Wook, even after the dissolution of Air Senior.

    ¡°Ah, Jin-Wook..."

    <i>Falling, kneeling, tears flowing,</i>

    <i>Stand up again,</i>

    <i>Close your eyes,</i>

    <i>And run,</i>

    <i>Bing an adult wounded like a child</i>?

    <i>But it''s okay,</i>

    <i>When light seeps into your closed eyelids,</i>

    <i>Slowly open your eyes,</i>

    <i>And before you know it, you''ll be holding your dream</i>

    Following the part, an extended instrumental interlude ensued. ¡°Once Again¡± performed live by the Halo band was slightly altered, but it enhanced the live experience for the audience, making it even more exhrating. Suh Hyun-Woo had been avoiding eye contact with Kim Jin-Wook, having his eyes closed as if immersed in the song since his entrance. He only lifted his head to sing his final part after Jin-Wook''s part ended.

    <i>It''s going to be okay.</i>

    <i>At the end of this long run, there''ll be a finish line,</i>

    <i>It''s alright,</i>

    <i>Dreams doe true after trials</i>

    As Suh Hyun-Woo''s part came to a close, the Halo band intensified their effort. When the stage lights dimmed, suddenly, the screen at the back of the stage lit up, disying images of the two practicing together during <i>Pick We Up</i> in sepia tones.

    Suh Hyun-Woo involuntarily tightened his grip on the microphone as he was caught off guard by the images, and indescribable emotions washed over him. However, with everyone''s attention fixed on the screen, no one noticed his reaction.

    As the video concluded, the music from the Halo band gradually faded and brought the duo''s performance to a close. Thereafter, apuse and cheers fitting the ambiance of a talk show resonated from the audience. It was a performance that truly conveyed the message of the lyrics, which the two had written together.

    Suh Hyun-Woo beamed with a broad smile and bowed in gratitude before looking over at Kim Jin-Wook. He then whispered something in Jin-Wook''s ear, the content of which remained a mystery to the audience. Fans spected it was probably something along the lines of "You were amazing, hyung."

    - That was wonderful! Truly an amazing performance.

    Halomented as he approached with his chair. Kim Jin-Wook and Suh Hyun-Woo simultaneously smiled and waved at the audience. Then they took their seats provided by the production team.

    - I''ve always wanted to hear ¡°Once Again¡± live in its original form. My wish finally came true today.

    ¡°Thank you."

    ¡°Thank you."

    - This was the first time both of you performed it live together, right? How does it feel? Let''s start with Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Wow!!!" the audience responded enthusiastically as Suh Hyun-Woo took the microphone.

    ¡°Uh... Haha, thank you." With a bashful smile, Suh Hyun-Woo greeted the audience again and added, ¡°I had performed it once on the radio, as Senior Halo mentioned. Back then, Jin-Wook had a schedule conflict with Chronos, and we couldn''t perform it together, which was really disappointing."

    - Right. Was it Jin-Sung who sang it back then? Is that correct?

    ¡°Yes."

    - And Jin-Sung is actually here in the audience today.

    Halo pointed out Lee Jin-Sung, who was sitting in the front row. As Lee Jin-Sung''s face appeared on the screen beside the stage, the audience''s cheers made himugh and shyly cover his face.

    ¡°Jin-Sung is a huge fan of Jin-Wook. He really wanted to hear it live, so he came with us."

    - Oh, that''s wonderful. It''s great to see you after such a long time.

    Lee Jin-Sung nodded and gave a thumbs-up in response to Halo''s words.

    ¡°I''ve always hoped for a chance to perform live with Jin-Wook, so I''m truly grateful that he invited me first. It was such a pleasure."

    - Great. And Jin-Wook, how about you?

    ¡°I..." Kim Jin-Wook paused as he was lost in thought, looking at Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Suh Hyun-Wook lifted the microphone in his hand and said, ¡°What? Come on, be honest. Spill it."

    The audience chuckled as Suh Hyun-Woo teased Kim Jin-Wook, who likely reminisced about the times they had yfully helped each other during <i>Pick We Up.</i>

    ¡°To be honest, I didn''t think you''d help. You were always so busy and always saying no."

    ¡°Wow, when have I ever said no? You were the more reluctant one. Hey, I''d always run to help if hyung called."

    ¡°Huh?" Kim Jin-Wookughed off Suh Hyun-Woo''s sly remark, and the audience took it as friendly banter. Therefore, they couldn''t help butugh at the serious yet amusing exchange. Halo, too, watched the two with a content smile.

    - Alright, calm down, you two. It''s funny because my next question is actually rted to this situation.

    "The next question..." Kim Jin-Wook muttered and sat up straight. Halo then nced at the cue card and chuckled.

    - Known in the music industry as close friends who exchange musical ideas. However, there have been reports from staff members that the two of you actually fight incessantly, causing quite a worry.

    ¡°Ah." Suh Hyun-Woo looked toward the back of the stage with an unoffended smile. That was when Lee Su-Hwan pointed at Kim Jin-Wook¡¯s manager sitting next to him.

    - Haha, the Chronos¡¯s manager just said ¡®No, it wasn¡¯t me. It was Jin-Wook¡¯s manager over there,¡¯ haha!

    ¡°Wow, to think the truth woulde out like this... Hahaha,¡± Suh Hyun-Woo said teasingly.

    - Oh? So, is this report true then?

    Prompted by Halo¡¯s question, Kim Jin-Wook and Suh Hyun-Woo both picked up their microphones.

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

 Chapter 194: Joy (31)

    Chapter 194: Joy (31)

    I was pretty sure they''d just brush it off as a joke, so I gave a quick retort. We didn''t hesitate with our answers, and that prompted chuckles from both the audience and Senior Halo alike.

    - So, why do you two always beef?

    ¡°It''s not like we are constantly at each other''s throats, but, hmm¡­ Why do you think that is, Jin-Wook?"

    Jin-Wook let out a sigh before replying, ¡°I try to do my best, but it seems like the smallest things can set things off."

    ¡°Ah, hyung. Gosh. Everyone, take a look at this.¡± I picked up a bottle of water from beneath the chair and said, ¡°If you want to give someone water, this is how you should do it."

    I gently handed the water bottle to Jin-Wook. He then nced down, hesitated for a moment, and took the bottle from my hand.

    ¡°No, you are not supposed to take it, hyung.¡±

    ¡°You are the one who gave it to me."

    ¡°I was just pretending to offer it."- Yes, folks. This is how they fight.

    Senior Halo''smentary once again sent waves ofughter through the audience. I retrieved the water bottle from Jin-Wook and said, ¡°You know, Jin-Wook, sometimes you just need to pass it to me gently.

    I stood up, locked eyes with Jin-Wook, and mockingly tossed the water bottle onto hisp without a hint of a smile. ¡°This is how you should give it. It''s no wonder we are always at loggerheads."

    The fans, who seemed to understand Jin-Wook''s personality even better than I did, nodded in agreement. This set Senior Halo off into another fit ofughter.

    - It seems the fans are agreeing with you, Hyun-Woo. Jin-Wook, would you care to defend yourself?

    Kim Jin-Wook nodded and exined, ¡°It''s not constant bickering. If he would just tone down theints, we''d hardly have any issues. But it seems like he''s always got a frown ready for anything I say. Maybe everything I do just rubs him the wrong way."

    ¡°Come on, what nonsense is that? Who else would put up with you if not me?"

    The atmosphere was charged for a yful showdown. As if we were in a rap battle, we traded jabs back and forth, and it was much to the amusement of the onlookers. Halo simply observed the exchange and then posed a question.

    - Why are you two even friends in the first ce?

    A wave ofughter filled with understanding swept through the audience. With a half-hearted tone, I admitted, ¡°Despite everything, he''s got a good heart."

    ¡°Yes, I am very nice."

    - I still can''t wrap my head around your friendship. Honestly, how many times have you two butted heads today?

    At Senior Halo''s probing, I confessed, ¡°Actually, this is the first spat today."

    ¡°Yes," Jin-Wook concurred, but Halo looked unconvinced.

    - That doesn''t seem quite right. Could we have the managere out for a moment? If you''d rather not, I cane to you.

    When Jin-Wook''s manager hesitated to step forward, Halo took the initiative and headed backstage to ask directly.

    - Manager, can you shed some light on how many times these two have shed today?

    Kim Jin-Wook and I fixed our gazes on his manager, who candidly admitted despite a flush of embarrassment. ¡°They''ve been at it nonstop. By my count, at least three times..."

    - Three times already? That''s quite something. Thanks for the insight.

    Halo couldn''t help but smirk at the awkward stares from Kim Jin-Wook and me. He then chided us gently, like a teacher would.

    - You two.

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    - It''s heartwarming to see you both getting along so well.

    ¡°Really?"

    - You are a pair of truly charming young souls. I look forward to cheering on the rich tapestry of your friendship.

    The mischief-maker Halo cleverly spun our squabbles into a narrative of camaraderie and neatly tied up the conversation.

    - Well, it''s about time we bid farewell to Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Oh..."

    The audience''s collective sigh of disappointment echoed through the room and prompted me to express my gratitude once more. ¡°I''m truly thankful for the opportunity to be here every time."

    - Next time, all of Chronos should join us. It seems like you are always here as special guests.

    ¡°Oh, absolutely. Just give us a call, and we will be here in a heartbeat."

    - Really? Isn''t it about time for Chronos to make aeback?

    ¡°Ah! Yes, you are spot on. We just released our music video the day before yesterday."

    - Since we have the pleasure of yourpany today, why not seize the moment to plug your new track? The stage is yours.

    ¡°Thank you! After a brief rest, we are back with our second mini-album <em>The Dawn of Youth</em>, featuring the lead single ¡®Joy.¡¯ It''s a vibrant and touching tune that encapstes the thrill of youth and those once-in-a-lifetime memories. We''d be thrilled if you could give it a go. Thanks a ton!¡±

    - Wow, impressive.

    Halo couldn''t help but apud, clearly impressed by the pitch.

    - You''ve got that memorized, right?

    "Haha!"

    - Well, we are grateful you could make it today. I''ve given your new song a go myself, and I must say, it''s quite the hit. I''m sure everyone here would love it too. And now, it''s time to bid farewell to Hyun-Woo. Thank you for joining us.

    ¡°Thank you so much!" I rose from my chair, offered another bow, and proceeded backstage.

    ¡°Great job out there!"

    ¡°Thanks, you too!"

    After relinquishing the microphone to the crew, I made my way to the dressing room.

    ¡°How''s Jin-Sung doing?"

    ¡°He is staying till the end. You can head back to the dorm since Hyuk-Soo''s with him."

    ¡°Then, straight to the dorm... Or, maybe I could stay a bit longer?"

    ¡°Really? Oh, of course, that''s fine."

    Despite my personal dislike toward Kim Jin-Wook, his music undoubtedly had a certain appeal. Since I had the chance to witness his live performances on a music talk show, it would be foolish for me to pass it up.

    I lingered in the dressing room to savor Kim Jin-Wook''s performance a few more times before heading back to the dorm. After the recording, Jin-Sung met up with Kim Jin-Wook and returnedte at night, his eyes alight with an unusual fervor.

    ***

    Today was crammed with a tighter schedule than usual. From morning until afternoon, we were busy filming for <em>Graduating</em>, and then from afternoon into the wee hours, we had the pre-recording for <em>Music Case</em>.

    Luckily, the rehearsals weren''t as grueling as before, so I was feeling rtively fresh albeit a bit sleepy.

    ¡°...Hey, wake up."

    ¡°...Mhm."

    ¡°You will end up spending the entire day asleep in this state."

    Goh Yoo-Joon blinked his sleepy eyes wide open and retorted, ¡°I''m in the car right now. I will stay awake in school."

    It was the first time reuniting with friends since oureback. Though we had kept in touch after the showcase, this face-to-face meeting felt long overdue.

    ¡°We''ve arrived."

    As usual, I was thest to arrive, so I made my way to the ssroom. The corridors were silent, but the voices grew louder as I neared the ssroom.

    ¡°Man, these guys are always so noisy. Right, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Seems like it, Yoo-Joon."

    The moment Goh Yoo-Joon heard our friends, he seemed to regain his energy and rushed to fling open the ssroom door. The moment he did so, the ssroom erupted with yful shouts. ¡°Look who it is! Isn''t that Chronos?"

    I slowly entered the ssroom, closed the door behind me, and settled into my seat. Momentster, a flurry of paper was thrust in my direction, and the faces of my ssmates beamed back at me with mischievous grins.

    ¡°Chronos''s very own Hyun-Woo, could we trouble you for an autograph?"

    ¡°Oh,e on, guys."

    ¡°Chronos! God of time!"

    ¡°I said stop, hahaha."

    Their youthful antics and cheeky smiles were endearing. I yfully snatched the papers, scribbled my signature, and handed them back, watching them make a show of their newfound treasures.

    Just then, a voice rang out. ¡°Is there anyone who hasn''t seen the ¡®Joy¡¯ music video yet?!"

    ¡°Me!"

    ¡°Here too!"

    ¡°Let''s y it right here!"

    The students who hadn''t seen our music video eagerly connected theputer to the TV and started the video.

    ¡°Seems like they are more energetic than usual, doesn''t it?" Goh Yoo-Joon mused aloud.

    I gave a nod in agreement. ¡°They are definitely more hyped up today."

    It was probably because they had stumbled upon fresh material to rib us about. After all, the sheer delight of watching a buddy cringe at their own image on TV was a universal pleasure. It was something I hade to understand all too well after witnessing the relentless teasing endured by the Allure during their debut.

    ¡°Let''s crank it up!"

    ¡°Ah, knock it off, will you?" Goh Yoo-Joon tried to interject. Despite his attempts to dissuade them, the music video rolled on. I just let out a sigh and shielded my face with my hands, leaving only my eyes free to covertly watch the scene unfold.

    At that moment, Kun-Ho entered the ssroom and stopped at the sight. A sly grin spread across his face after a brief moment of contemtion. He then casually took a seat at one of the student desks near the podium, joining in on the MV viewing session.

    It was homeroom time, and here we were, subjected to an impromptu viewing of our own music video, much to our chagrin.

    ¡°Eh? There¡¯s a music video too?" asked Joon-Hwan.

    ¡°You didn''t know? I''ve seen it already," replied Hee-Su.

    ¡°I had no clue. I thought it was just a showcase." Filled with a sense of wonder, Joon-Hwan started to watch with earnest interest.

    ¡°I even looked up the meaning of the plot," Hee-Su said. He evidently kept abreast of our work and was ready to offer insights whenever Joon-Hwan seemed puzzled by the story.

    The first verse was light-hearted and upbeat. Each time Goh Yoo-Joon and I appeared, either in acting shots or dance sequences, the room erupted into exuberant cheers for us. But as the tone shifted from the breezy first verse to the much-anticipated second verse, the atmosphere in the room changed all of a sudden. This was the part where the narrative deepened, a partuded on tforms like <em>BlueBird</em> and <em>UTube</em> for itspelling storyline.

    The students'' reactions mirrored those found online. The yful teasing subsided and gave way to a roomful of captivated viewers. I gradually lowered my hands from my face and took in the sight of my friends, who were now thoroughly engrossed in the unfolding drama on screen.

 Chapter 195: Joy (32)

    Chapter 195: Joy (32)

    It was a unique experience to see how non-Rings reacted to our music video, and it turned out to be a golden opportunity to have the Memory High students engrossed in our video despite my embarrassment.

    I watched keenly as the students were glued to the screen. Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t stop praising the Chronos members in the video, even though he''d watched it countless times.

    ¡°Wow, Suh Hyun-Woo''s got some serious moves. I noticed himst time when he was chasing Goh Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°The song''s a hit. Where can I find it?"

    ¡°You haven''t heard of <em>Jamong</em>? Where have you been tuning in all this time? Hand over your phone. I will sort it out for you." Behind the scenes, Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan sneakily whipped out their phones, careful not to catch Kun-Ho''s eye. The others were equally impressed...

    ¡°This is epic. Feels like I''m watching a movie."

    ¡°I''m loving this, what''s it called again?"

    ¡°It''s ¡®Joy,¡¯ guys. Can''t you see the letter at the corner of the clip?"

    They were clearly captivated by Chronos¡¯s universe. I''d been worried about appealing to an audience unfamiliar with our music video''s backdrop, but thankfully, my worries were unfounded. Most of my mates found the song, the video, and the narrative intriguing. As the video wrapped up, I immediately turned to catch Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan''s reactions. ¡°How was it?"

    ¡°Huh? The music video? It was awesome! Didn''t I already rave about itst time? I mentioned how surreal it was, seeing you guys here and feeling like you arepletely different people."

    Hee-Su''sments prompted Goh Yoo-Joon to nod in agreement. He then continued to ask, ¡°Hee-Su already told us. How about you guys, Joon-Hwan and Daniele?"

    At the mention of his name, Daniele beamed, dashed over, and perched on Hee-Su''s desk. ¡°Wow, Joon looks even better in person!"

    ¡°What''s with ¡®Joon¡¯ all of a sudden?"

    ¡°I came up with a cool nickname!"

    ¡°... I guess Hyun-Woo is ¡®Woo,¡¯ and Goh Yoo-Joon is ¡®Joon,¡¯ right?"

    ¡°But Joon''s charm doesn''t quite shine through in the video! Woo is always just running!"

    ¡°Well, that''s the storyline..." I couldn''t help but chuckle at their banter. It seemed they genuinely enjoyed the video.

    ¡°Alright, enough chit-chat! It''s assembly time, not break time, you know?" The post-video buzz was eventually silenced by Kun-Ho''s firm tap on the podium. The rowdy crowd instantly hushed down.

    ¡°Everyone, back to your seats. We will have a quick assembly and then dive into lessons."

    ¡°Booo!"

    ¡°Quiet down! You''ve had your fun during assembly time, haven''t you?"

    ¡°Didn''t you want to check out your students'' new music video, sir?"

    A student''s question brought a sly smile to Kun-Ho''s face. ¡°Of course, I''ve seen it. After all, they are my students and juniors at the same time. I even helped promote it on social media."

    ¡°Oh, right. Teacher Kun-Ho is also a celebrity."

    Kun-Ho eased into the assembly with light-hearted banter, setting a rxed tone. ¡°Let''s move on. Today, we are swapping lessons for something special."

    This announcement stirred a buzz of excitement among the students. Kun-Ho surveyed the room and then pulled out a mission paper tucked between the attendance pages. He said, ¡°I took a look at the questionnaires you filled out when you first joined us. There were many responses, but the majority mentioned hanging out with friends as a top wish."

    Those of us who missed out on typical high school experiences due to various reasons couldn''t help but envy our peers walking around in their uniforms after school.

    ¡°So, today''s mission is all about that."

    The ssroom buzzed with anticipation at Kun-Ho''s words. A school-wide mission that trumped regr sses? Could it mean an outdoor filming session was on the cards? Kun-Ho unveiled the mission paper to the eager eyes of the students. ¡°Your mission is ''Go Out With Friends.''"

    ¡°What? Is it like free time?"

    ¡°Exactly." Kun-Ho''s grin was contagious as he pinned the mission paper to the chalkboard. ¡°Just enjoy a wholesome, fun time with your pals till school''s out. And yes, a camera will be tagging along. Each group gets a bit of spending money too. Doesn''t matter how many join in, just team up and let me know. That''s the drill."

    With just those few instructions, Kun-Ho quickly gave us the bare essentials and left the ssroom. All the students stood up at once and clustered with the friends they usually hung out with. Goh Yoo-Joon and I had already decided who we''d be going with when On Ki-Hoon approached us with a greeting before we could even discuss it with Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Daniele.

    ¡°Hi, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon.¡±

    I waved back with a smile. ¡°Hey, Ki-Hoon."

    ¡°Hi."

    ¡°I saw youreback at the sports festival. You guys are really good."

    I guessed he was hinting he wanted to join us. Not sure if it was pure intention or clever thinking, but we couldn''t just turn down On Ki-Hoon''s request in front of the cameras.

    ¡°Have you guys decided on a team to go out with?"

    ¡°Not yet. Who are you going with?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    On Ki-Hoon gestured to someone behind him, the same person we had a minor sh with in the changing room. It seemed like they had be close since the sports festival. ¡°I was nning to go with this friend here, but if it''s okay with you, can we all go together?"

    At On Ki-Hoon''s suggestion, Goh Yoo-Joon turned to look at the rest of us and asked, ¡°What do you think? Shall we go together?"

    ¡°Hmm? Oh... Sure, sounds good."

    ¡°What? We are not c¡­!" Joon-Hwan quickly mped a hand over Daniele''s mouth, silencing him.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I exchanged a nod with On Ki-Hoon. ¡°Sure, let''s go together. But what''s your name, buddy?"

    ¡°Oh, right, names." On Ki-Hoon nced back, prompting the guy with the displeased look to reluctantly share his name.

    ¡°Lee Cheol-Min."

    ¡°Ah, Lee Cheol-Min, got it," Goh Yoo-Joon confirmed and stood up. ¡°I will go grab our allowance from the teacher. Think about where we want to head out to in the meantime."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon made his way to Kun-Ho, On Ki-Hoon swiftly took his ce and turned to face me with curiosity. ¡°So, where were you guys thinking of going?"

    ¡°We haven''t decided yet. We were about to discuss it. Do you and Cheol-Min have any ces in mind?" I replied, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

    On Ki-Hoon just shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Mmm, not really. Where could we go that''s fun and close by?"

    It was slightly awkward having the conversation with On Ki-Hoon, given we weren''t exactly friends. While there was no need to be openly hostile without knowing the full story, his tendency to overlook everyone but Goh Yoo-Joon and asionally Daniele didn''t bode well for future friendships.

    ¡°Not sure, no one here lives close by," I said.

    On Ki-Hoon kept his gaze on me, firing question after question.

    Just as the dialogue between On Ki-Hoon and me dragged on and I started to feel the watchful eyes of our other friends, Daniele, who was looking bored, chimed in, ¡°<em>Ugh</em>, does Ki-Hoon only care about Woo and nobody else?"

    ¡°What?" On Ki-Hoon finally turned his attention to Daniele, his previous focus on me now redirected.

    ¡°Seems like On Ki-Hoon is a big fan of Woo."

    ¡°Sorry, but what''s that supposed to mean?"

    ¡°You are only looking at Woo when you speak.¡± Daniele''s forthrightness shone through as usual, expressing his dissatisfaction with On Ki-Hoon without holding back.

    I tried to lighten the mood with a casual shrug. ¡°We are not fighting, right?" I wouldn¡¯t intervene in any conflicts outside of shooting, but a sh of emotions here was something we all wanted to avoid.

    ¡°No, it''s nothing like that. Haha. Daniele, I was just excited to see Hyun-Woo, that''s all. Didn''t mean to ignore you guys. If that''s how it came across, I''m genuinely sorry. It wasn''t intentional."

    ¡°As long as it wasn''t on purpose, it''s fine." Daniele''s response was terse, but he quickly reverted to his usual demeanor.

    Goh Yoo-Joon came back at this moment. ¡°I got the allowance. It''s a decent amount, but if we run short, we can always pool our money. Have we decided where to go?"

    ¡°Not yet."

    Goh Yoo-Joon sat on Joon-Hwan''s desk and pulled out the envelope from Kun-Ho. That was when Joon-Hwan tentatively raised his hand. ¡°I don''t mean to insist, but isn''t there a new mega-mart that opened nearby?"

    Hee-Su''s eyes lit up at the suggestion. ¡°Oh, right! I''ve heard their food court is amazing."

    ¡°That''s the only ce I know around here..."

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded in agreement, pocketing the envelope. ¡°Alright, sounds good. Let''s go, Suh Hyun-Woo and I enjoy roaming ces like that."

    ¡°You guys go to mega-marts too?"

    ¡°We used to frequent them as trainees. Not so much these days though."

    Back when we were trainees, it was almost a tradition to visit grocery stores after practice, a trend that even Goh Yoo-Joon and I partook in. The older trainees would often treat us to snacks or meals, prompting many of us to eagerly suggest such outings. Whether that was still a thing or not, those were certainly fun times before our debut.

    ¡°Let''s head out then." Without further dy, we all got up and left the ssroom. Me, Goh Yoo-Joon, Joon-Hwan, Hee-Su, Daniele, On Ki-Hoon, and Lee Cheol-Min all got up. It was a group of seven, almost like an idol group in number.

    ***

    With Chronos, actor On Ki-Hoon, and the model Daniele in one team, the production crew decided to drive us to the mart for safety reasons. The cameras scattered around made the others nce around nervously, a stark contrast to the ssroom''s atmosphere.

    Most fell into an awkward silence as they were unustomed to the filming environment, while On Ki-Hoon yed up for the camera. The writer in the passenger seat turned to us after phoning someone.

    ¡°I just finished discussing the shoot with the mart staff, so feel free to look around."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°It might get crowded, but we will do our best to manage it."

    We listened to a brief from the production team about outdoor shooting precautions and then made our way into the mart. It had been a while since I''d seen the inside of a mart, and then there were the immediate, following nces.

    ¡°Let''s go, let''s go! Where should we start?" I followed Goh Yoo-Joon, who came over excitedly. As we linked arms, we couldn''t help but smile at the familiar sight.

    Little did we know, this casual stroll through the mart would soon produce both a major controversy for <em>Graduating</em> and an evesting topic for Chronos.

 Chapter 196: Joy (33)

    Chapter 196: Joy (33)

    Even though we had coordinated with the mart for the shoot, we hadn''t exactly rented out the entire ce. Therefore, it was swarming with people. The flood of curious gazes and the crowd that gathered around, coupled with the conspicuous filming crew and our group of seven, made us quite the spectacle.

    I was concerned about causing too much of a disturbance, so I suggested, ¡°How about we split up for a bit while we are here? We can each do our own thing and then regroup hereter."

    ¡°That sounds like a n. I can hardly focus on enjoying anything in such arge group," Goh Yoo-Joon agreed and nodded at my suggestion.

    ¡°Let''s go with that. Sticking together in a big group might block the aisles and get in the way."

    It seemed Hee-Su and the others were also keen on the idea and quickly gave their assent. Goh Yoo-Joon seized the opportunity and grabbed Daniele¡¯s arm. ¡°I''m going to check out some albums with Daniele. He asked for some rmendationsst time."

    ¡°Exactly. Joon and I have the same taste," Daniele chimed in, sticking close to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min, who were already buddies, naturally left by themselves. Therefore, it was gonna be me, Hee-Su, and Joon-Hwan.

    ¡°Any particr ce you want to check out?" I asked.

    Hee-Su pointed toward the esctor with a hint of excitement. ¡°Let''s head downstairs. I''m starving." ¡°And after we eat, I''ve been meaning to grab Chronos''stest album," Joon-Hwan added somewhat sheepishly. He seemed a bit guilty for not having watched our music video in full yet.

    I scanned the area behind the camera for our manager, and he gestured toward the car with a thumbs-up, signaling that he had the albums. ¡°Don''t worry about it. I''ve got you covered. I actually brought some albums for you guys."

    ¡°Really?" Joon-Hwan''s eyes lit up.

    ¡°Yeah, of course. We are friends, aren''t we? I will hand them over when we are heading home," I promised.

    ¡°Awesome!"

    ¡°Aww, thanks a bunch! My younger sister might get jealous. She is a huge fan of yours and even bought your album," Joon-Hwan mused. I simply responded with a warm smile and decided to give Joon-Hwan two signed copiester: one for him and another for his sister.

    We made our way to the bustling food court in the basement. Though I wasn''t particrly hungry, Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan insisted that we couldn''t miss out on the famed delicacies here.

    ¡°What''s the best thing to get here?"

    As we surveyed the wide array of choices, Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan pointed in unison to one stall. ¡°The hamburg steak[1] here is legendary!"

    It seemed that it was a well-known favorite among the food court''s offerings. Joon-Hwan said, ¡°I''ve heard it''s incredibly delicious. It hasn''t even been on TV, but word of mouth has made it quite popr."

    ¡°You have to get here early though. It sells out quickly after lunchtime," Hee-Su added with a hint of urgency.

    ¡°Alright then, I will go order. Mind grabbing us a table?"

    ¡°You got it!"

    I headed to the counter and ced an order for three servings of the famous hamburg steak. As each was priced at a steep thirteen thousand won, it almost devoured the bulk of our allocated budget for the outing. After I paid, the staff at the food court even asked for my autograph, which added a surrealyer to the whole experience.

    I returned to where Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan had secured a spot for us with a receipt in hand. For me, the absence of Goh Yoo-Joon made the conversation slightly awkward. Despite that, Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan seemed perfectly at ease.

    ¡°Seeing Hyun-Woo outside of school is kinda surreal, isn''t it?"

    ¡°How so? What do you mean?" I was genuinely curious.

    ¡°It''s just... everyone from Memory High has this unique vibe, don''t you think?"

    As Hee-Su shared his thoughts, Joon-Hwan nodded in agreement. ¡°Since we are so used to seeing each other in the same few ces, bumping into each other out here feels almost like a daydream."

    ¡°Well, I have hung out with Joon-Hwan so many times though," said Hee-Su.

    ¡°Oh, right. You guys live close by, right?" I asked.

    ¡°Yep!"

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    Their bond, forged at Memory High, had only grown stronger over sharedmutes and countless after-school chats. While we did keep in touch, my hectic schedule witheback preparations often meant many missed calls and unread messages.

    ¡°It''s especially true for you and Yoo-Joon. Meeting you guys outside feels even more surreal."

    ¡°Don''t say that. Stop it," I protested, but Hee-Su timidly pointed toward the group of people gathered behind the counter. ¡°Out here, you are just our friend. But seeing you as this hugely popr idol in music videos and on shows, it''s really impressive."

    ¡°Yeah, I even watched your end-of-year performance, and it still amazes me. It''s hard to believe that the guy here and the one on stage are the same person."

    ¡°Ah, enough already! It''s making me blush."

    Joon-Hwan seemed to be just expressing admiration, but Hee-Su appeared to have a significant interest in the entertainment world¡ªnot so much in bing a celebrity himself, but more like a certain fascination with the industry that some people his age might have. It seemed like such a morous life, but in reality, we couldn''t just go out whenever we wanted as neers. It was a cycle of practice, dorms, schedules, and more practice.

    ¡°I heard there''s going to be a fan club inauguration too? Found some info about iting up soon. Are you doing fan signings as well?" asked Hee-Su.

    ¡°Oh? Uh, yeah, that''s nned for after the first broadcast."

    Could it be? Did Hee-Su actually have a thing for Chronos? His interest seemed quite profound. Observing Hee-Su''s eager questions, Joon-Hwan remarked thoughtfully, ¡°I do wonder what it feels like to be so loved."

    ¡°It must feel like you have to live every day to the fullest, right?"

    Joon-Hwan''sment made me respond with just a knowing smile. Indeed, if we didn''t put our all into every single day, we would fall behind. Therefore, it was a constant race.

    The buzz of the pager was our cue, and each of us went to pick up a tray loaded with our chosen dishes. Indeed, the hand-made hamburg steaks we ordered could easily rival those from a high-end diner in taste.

    ¡°So, when did you and Yoo-Joon be such tight buddies? Were you guys close even before you decided to form Chronos?"

    ¡°Us? We go way back actually. And yeah, we were pretty inseparable during our trainee days. It was Yoo-Joon, another trainee, and me. We were like the three musketeers."

    Joon-Hwan''s curiosity was piqued. ¡°Do trainees only practice every day? Is that all they do?¡±

    I nodded, affirming his question. ¡°Training was our life. All day, every day, and there was a lot of healthy rivalry among us too."

    ¡°Wow, rivalry, huh?"

    ¡°Yep, there were monthly evaluations, and we were all ranked from A to F based on those. It was kind of a big deal among us trainees."

    ¡°You had rankings too? That''s intense."

    ¡°Absolutely. Not making it to the A grade meant that you could pretty much kiss your debut dreams goodbye. So, it was cutthroat.¡±

    Since the system wasplicated, I didn¡¯t exin everything. If you weren¡¯t an A-grade, you couldn¡¯t even hope to be considered for a debut, so thepetition was fierce. After official lessons, we¡¯d practice like mad and stay behind in secret with just our cell phone lights for illumination even after thepany had turned off the lights in the practice room.

    And if that wasn¡¯t enough to improve our ranking, the choices were stark. We had to either switch agencies or give up altogether. Even the friendly A-grade members would virtually live in the practice rooms, hardly ever returning to the dorms, especially around the monthly evaluations.

    ¡°It''s amazing you and Yoo-Joon managed to stay friends amidst all thatpetitive tension."

    ¡°Yeah, with talent enough for a debut, you must have been right in the thick of thepetition, right?"

    ¡°Well, Yoo-Joon and I didn''t exactly hit it off from the get-go. It was our dailymutes to the agency that brought us closer. Once we were friends, we stuck to practicing together. That''s why there are so many tales to tell about Yoo-Joon and me. But aren''t you guys exhausted? Hee-Su, didn''t your part-time shift change to the night?" I asked.

    ¡°Oh yeah, I caught a quick nap beforeing here. Was dead tired in the morning, but I''m all perked up now."

    Feeling the conversation had veered too much toward my own experiences, I changed the subject. We ventured into discussions about Hee-Su''s job, daily life anecdotes, and even my family''s pet, sharing personal stories we seldom touched upon at school. Hee-Su naturally took the lead with Goh Yoo-Joon absent, keeping the conversation lively throughout our meal.

    ***

    Joon-Hwan was determined to drag us to the album section to buy Chronos¡¯s album with his own money. In front of the prominently disyed Chronos albums, we unexpectedly ran into Daniele.

    ¡°Daniele?"

    ¡°Huh, Daniele?"

    ¡°Hey, guys!"

    Where was Goh Yoo-Joon? I scanned the area as we approached Daniele but saw no sign of him. I asked, ¡°Daniele, where''s Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    A heavy sigh from Daniele preceded his response. ¡°Joon''s gone! I lost him!"

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon''s gone?"

    ¡°Yes, vanished!"

    ¡°How did that happen?"

    Daniele''s agitation mounted with each question. ¡°I don''t know! Went to the loo, and when I came back, he was gone!"

    I pressed my temples and counted the cameras around us. Since one of them was missing, Goh Yoo-Joon likely had the camera with him. This meant less worry on our part. However, we couldn''t rule out the possibility of him being mobbed by fans.

    ¡°Should we start looking for him?" Joon-Hwan suggested, and I agreed with a nod.

    ¡°Daniele''s been here the whole time, so Goh Yoo-Joon might''ve just stepped away. Let''s look around."

    ¡°Hmm?" Daniele''s voice held a tone of perplexity. He then tilted his head. ¡°I didn''t tell Joon I was going to the bathroom, you know?"

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°Why didn''t you...? Yoo-Joon would''ve looked for you, right?"

    Hee-Su''s confusion led Daniele to give a casual shrug, his eyebrows arching in a fleeting expression of indifference. ¡°Do you usually announce your bathroom breaks?"

    ¡°..."

    ¡°..."

    <em>¡®This isn''t about cultural differences. It¡¯s basic courtesy, dude.¡¯</em> Shaking my head, I reasoned, ¡°If Goh Yoo-Joon didn''t know Daniele was just in the bathroom, he might think Daniele¡¯s lost and search for him. Let''s go find Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Okay!" Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan were quick to agree.

    I motioned for Daniele to follow and gripped his wrist firmly. ¡°You areing with me, Daniele."

    This dude was always soid-back, so he would surely end up wandering off on his own.

    ¡°So, we are searching for Joon together, Woo?"

    ¡°Yep, but can we drop the ''Woo'' and just stick with ¡®Hyun?¡¯ It sounds less cringy, don''t you think?" Despite my preference, Daniele insisted on using ''Woo¡¯ and imed it was easier for him to say.

    Given the size of therge mart, we thought finding him would be a breeze with several of us on the lookout. Even On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min, whom we bumped into along the way, joined the search. This made six of us scouring the ce.

    However, Goh Yoo-Joon was seemingly tucked away in some hidden nook. All six of us eventually regrouped, not having spotted even a single strand of Goh Yoo-Joon''s hair.

    ¡°Can''t you just tell us where he is? Please?" Joon-Hwan pleaded with the production team in frustration, but they merely shook their heads and offered no assistance. Given Goh Yoo-Joon''s dedicated cameraman was presumably with him and considering the production team likely knew his whereabouts, they seemed to be saving this for a storyline.

    I sighed softly, only for Daniele to burst into heartyughter. ¡°Joon has turned into a lost kid? Hahaha!"

    ¡°Daniele, make sure you tell us before you go off somewhere next time," Joon-Hwan chided him in a half-joking manner.

    ¡°Ah, lost indeed," I muttered. That was when a strategy to find Goh Yoo-Joon quickly came to my mind.

    ***

    ¡°Daniele¡­ I wonder where he went?" Goh Yoo-Joon was tucked away in a corner of the bookstore section, and he had been searching for Daniele for quite some time. The cameraman with him clearly knew, but he smiled and gave no information. Daniele was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°Guess I should look for Suh Hyun-Woo and the others first," said Goh Yoo-Joon, thinking that it would probably be faster to find Daniele with their help.

    Just as Goh Yoo-Joon was about to head toward the food court, recalling a snippet of their earlier conversation, an announcement rang through the mart''s speakers.

    - Attention Only One Mart shoppers, we are looking for a child named Goh Yoo-Joon, wearing a uniform with a name tag on his chest. Suh Hyun-Woo is looking for you. If anyone sees Goh Yoo-Joon, please inform the nearest staff member or visit the lost child center. Thank you.

    <em>Ding dong~</em>

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo¡­¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon was surrounded by snickering shoppers. He then covered his face in embarrassment and quickly made his way to the lost child center.

    1. Also known as Salisbury steak. ?

 Chapter 197: Joy (34)

    Chapter 197: Joy (34)

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, the kid¡­¡±

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon kiddo, pfft!¡± Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan couldn''t contain theirughter after hearing the lost child center announcement, finding the whole situation absurdly funny.

    ¡°Who would''ve thought of this? It''s so ridiculous. It''s hrious!"

    ¡°Lost child indeed," I replied to Hee-Su, my eyes fixed on the surveince camera screen showing Goh Yoo-Joon. With his camera in tow, he sprinted our way. Although his face wasn''t clear, his flustered run spoke volumes of his embarrassment.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was always the prankster, but he seemed ironically unprepared to be on the receiving end of a joke. Seeing him flustered or embarrassed like this always brought me a certain joy.

    Just then, On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min peeked into the center. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, did you find Yoo-Joon? We came running when we heard the announcement."

    ¡°Ah, he''s on his way here now." I gestured toward the approaching figure of Goh Yoo-Joon on the monitor. Lee Cheol-Min lingered by the door while On Ki-Hoon casually stood behind me, joining in the observation. The sight of Goh Yoo-Joon finallying into view sent Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan into another round ofughter.

    ¡°It''s about time for him to show up. Thank you for your help, sir. We''ve found our friend thanks to you."

    ¡°Oh, it''s nothing. We are just d there''s no actual lost child. If it''s not too much trouble, could I get your autograph?" ¡°Of course." As I was carefully signing the paper, a loud "Suh Hyun-Woo!" echoed through the center.

    ¡°Ah, the lost child has arrived," I said. Goh Yoo-Joon marched up to me with a scowl, attempting to put me in a headlock.

    I easily dodged and pressed a finger to his furrowed brow. ¡°You will get wrinkles there, Goh Yoo-Joon, you kiddo."

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, the child."

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, the child, heh!"

    I handed him a pen after signing. ¡°Your turn to sign."

    After turning back to the staff, I said, ¡°Thanks again for helping us find our lost kid. We will make sure not to lose him again."

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, enough already." Despite his grumbling, Goh Yoo-Joon obediently signed the paper. As he handed it back to the staff, I ruffled his hair yfully. ¡°What a good boy!"

    After I was yfully subdued by Goh Yoo-Joon in a headlock, we eventually left the lost child center.

    ¡°Where did you disappear to?"

    ¡°I was looking for Daniele when he suddenly vanished. Wait, Daniele, why are you here?"

    Daniele frowned. ¡°Where were you? I was in the bathroom!"

    ¡°You should''ve said something! I thought you disappeared! And whoes up with the idea to make a lost child announcement?" Goh Yoo-Joon shot me a re, but I just shrugged, chuckling along with the kids.

    ¡°It''s getting close to lunchtime. Have you guys eaten?" I asked Goh Yoo-Joon, On Ki-Hoon, and Lee Cheol-Min. They all shook their heads.

    ¡°Have you?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked back.

    ¡°We grabbed a bite at the food court earlier. Go ahead and eat. We wille with you."

    ¡°The hamburg steaks here are amazing."

    ¡°Sounds good." On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min nodded, and the seven of us headed to the food court. Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and I just chatted while the others tried the famous hamburg steaks.

    It was already 1:30 PM. With the first recording of our music show scheduled for today, we needed to leave school earlier than usual.

    As they finished their meal, I started nning our next move when Goh Yoo-Joon checked his pockets, looking concerned. ¡°Looks like both of us will need to head back soon. I will pass my remaining money to Daniele. Suh Hyun-Woo, you should give yours to Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan."

    ¡°Sure thing." I pulled out my share and handed it to Hee-Su.

    ¡°Do you guys have any money left, Ki-Hoon and Cheol-Min?"

    ¡°Yeah, we do."

    ¡°Then¡­ uh?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s brow furrowed as he patted down all his pockets.

    ¡°What''s up? Lost your money?"

    ¡°Just a sec... Oh no, it seems like I did." Goh Yoo-Joon looked helplessly at us. ¡°Sorry, what should we do?"

    ¡°It''s okay, we still have our share."

    ¡°Don''t worry, Joon! Don''t let it get you down!"

    ¡°Seriously, you usually keep track of your things better than this." As I was lightly scolding Goh Yoo-Joon, On Ki-Hoon suddenly made a puzzled sound and started patting down his pockets in a manner strikingly simr to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s.

    ¡°What''s up, Ki-Hoon?" I asked, to which he responded with a sheepish grin. ¡°I think... I might''ve lost mine too?"

    ¡°Your money?"

    ¡°Yeah. What do we do now?"

    It was almost unbelievable.

    ¡°Check your inside pockets too. It seems unlikely you''d lose it here."

    ¡°I will be back in a sec, going to check the counter," Goh Yoo-Joon announced, heading toward the food court''s counter, only to return with the same look of bewilderment.

    ¡°Nothing there either..." said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Up until we paid for our hamburg steaks, both of them seemed to have their money intact. To lose it while simply sitting and eating seemed improbable.

    On Ki-Hoon turned to Lee Cheol-Min and asked, ¡°Cheol-Min, did I ever give you my money to hold?"

    ¡°Nope."

    ¡°Where could it have gone then?" The situation unfolded too abruptly, leaving us puzzled. Amidst this unexpected drama, our manager and the production team signaled us, as it was time to leave.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, Suh Hyun-Woo, it''s time to head out," the manager said.

    ¡°Just a moment, please?"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, we will keep an eye out for your money. You should get going for now," said the production staff, reassuring us that everything was fine.

    Goh Yoo-Joon, apologetic to the end, stood up. ¡°I''m really sorry! I will head out first!"

    ¡°Don''t worry! If we find your money here, we will let you know. Good luck with the first recording!"

    ¡°You got this! Knock ''em dead!"

    ¡°Go smash it!"

    ¡°You can do it, guys!"

    With the kids'' enthusiastic cheers sending us off, we moved past the cameras and out of the scene.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon, we are rooting for you. Nail that recording," said On Ki-Hoon.

    ¡°Thanks, really," I responded to On Ki-Hoon''s support just as we were about to pass by. And then, there was silence. Lee Cheol-Min lowered his head, and I couldn''t help but turn back to look at him, sensing a sudden shift in the atmosphere.

    Lee Cheol-Min wore aplex expression, mingled with frustration, injustice, and confusion. I paused for a bit, trying to decipher what his look meant. Why did he wear such a troubled face?

    However, before I could gather my thoughts, just as the perplexed Lee Cheol-Min looked up at me as if seeking help, the manager''s voice pulled me back to reality. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, we really should get going. We are a bit pressed for time."

    Reluctantly led by the manager''s hand, I turned away.

    ***

    ¡°Don''t beat yourself up, our dear twenty-year-old Goh Yoo-Joon kiddo."

    ¡°Say that one more time, and I swear I will throw you out of this car."

    ¡°Hey, threatening to throw someone out of the car, who do you think you are? Some mob boss? <em>Tsk tsk</em>, such words don''t suit a child, you know."

    ¡°Enough with the jokes." Despite my teasing, Goh Yoo-Joon''s previously worried face slowly regained its usualposure.

    ¡°Don''t stress too much. We will find that money soon enough," I reassured him.

    ¡°How? Tell me."

    I couldn''t very well present my spection as fact... So, I feigned ignorance, gazing out the car window instead. I was initially baffled but had pieced things together on the drive over. This missing money incident was more than a simple case of lost cash.

    Given the timing and Lee Cheol-Min''s sudden shift from indifference to a flurry of emotions, it was clear this wasn''t a case of lost money but theft. If this was true, Lee Cheol-Min would be the prime suspect.

    However, his earlier look, as if asking for help, stuck with me.

    ¡°What is it? Come on, tell me, Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Let''s just focus on our image for now," I replied as I handed one earbud to Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°Forget the money for now. Let''s concentrate on nailing our first show, Yoo-Joon kiddo."

    ¡°Alright, alright, Suh Hyun-Woo, the guardian."

    A soft chuckle from the manager apanied our banter. I subtly smiled and turned on ¡°Joy¡± as we approached the broadcast station. Just before we stepped out of the car, the manager, having received a call from the <em>Graduating</em> production team, shared the breaking news. ¡°The production team just called. It turns out that Lee Cheol-Min had all the money. On Ki-Hoon found him taking it."

    ¡°..On Ki-Hoon?"

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s what I heard. The part about the stolen money will be edited out for now, and the decision regarding Lee Cheol-Min¡¯s participation will be discussed further.¡±

    ¡°To even think of stealing¡­ Gosh, that¡¯s just wrong,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon murmured with a mix of anger and disbelief, his voice heavy with seriousness.

    Lee Cheol-Min¡¯s expression at that moment came back to me, hinting that the situation might not be as straightforward as it seemed.

    My thoughts suddenly drifted back to the chaotic finale of <em>Graduating</em> before my regression, marred by revtions and controversies. If there was a connection between that turmoil and this incident, and if it led to a repeat of those events, both Goh Yoo-Joon and I could find ourselves caught in a simr storm of controversy that had affected the entire cast.

 Chapter 198: Joy (35)

    <h4>Chapter 198: Joy (35)</h4>

    ¡°I''ve always wanted to try being on a variety show. Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung seem to be having the time of their lives recently, and that makes me envious."

    ¡°You are still in school, aren''t you? And you have plenty of friends there."

    ¡°Hyung, do you honestly believe we just study at school? Plus, it''s vacation time now. You seem tock interest in your younger brother¡¯s life."

    ¡°Oh, this silly kid. How about I treat you to a hamburg steakter? Would you rather sulk to those who''ve been working hard?" asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°Oh no, you shouldn''t cut off the stem like that, Joo-Han hyung."

    ¡°Oops, my bad." Joo-Han then carefully crafted another stem from the colored paper and corrected his mistake. The ambiance in the waiting room before our first music broadcast recording was unusually lively.

    ¡°The fact that you managed to find only pink paper is quite impressive."

    ¡°They sell all sorts of colors online," Jin-Sung responded.

    It appeared that Jin-Sung carried a significant responsibility for the giggling ad-lib part in ¡°Joy.¡± He was fretting over what new ad-lib to introduce until this morning, ultimately bringing along the colored papers he''d picked up for thest showcase.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, should I buy some extra paper just in case?" asked Supervisor Kim, who hade to see our broadcast, and it prompted an eager nod from Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Yes! That would be great, Supervisor Kim."

    ¡°If I had mentioned it to Su-Hwan earlier, he could have prepared it in advance. Anyway, Su-Hwan, I will step out for a bit." Supervisor Kim signaled he''d be back shortly and left the waiting room.

    Despite it being our first broadcast in a long time, we were quite rxed, and it could be attributed to our previous stage experiences, the pre-recorded nature of the show, and our thorough preparations.

    Plus, we were set for an even more exhrating performance than before with our fans present today.

    At first, we crafted the colored paper leaves with precision, but they gradually transformed, having shapes like hearts, stars, and even Jin-Sung''s muscles. Due to our denim outfits, the colored papers often stuck to our clothes at the slightest movement.

    <i>Knock, knock!</i>

    ¡°Is Chronos ready?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    At the staff''s prompt, we quickly gathered the papers and stashed them in Jin-Sung''s back pocket before heading toward the stage. The familiar hum of the audience and the intermittent sound of our MR filled me with excitement.

    ¡°Once you enter, greet the audience, and then we will begin the rehearsal."

    ¡°Okay! Thank you."

    ¡°Chronos, you are up."

    As the curtain concealing the backstage area was drawn aside, we each stepped forward, starting with Joo-Han.

    ¡°Kyaaaak!!!" The audience''s enthusiastic screams and the unique spectacle of the stage filled me with nostalgia and excitement.

    I waved lightly to the crowd without attempting to hide my smile. As we lined up at the center of the stage, Joo-Han grasped the microphone and said, ¡°It''s been a while, everyone."

    ¡°Waaaaaa!!!"

    ¡°We are delighted to see you. On three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. It''s a pleasure to meet you!"

    The cheers continued unabated as we bowed and straightened back up. The cheers prompted me to smile and wave again before we took our positions. The moment we did, the audience''s cheers momentarily subsided and gave way to the intro music.

    ¡°Kang Joo-Han! Goh Yoo-Joon! Suh Hyun-Woo! Park Yoon-Chan! Lee Jin-Sung! The vibrant youths! Chronos! J! O! Y! Joy!" The cheers were more robust and synchronized than ever, breaking through the MR. This made Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and I suppress ourughter by biting our lips.

    As the gentle intro concluded, we shifted formation andmenced our dance, which signaled the start of the performance.

    ***

    ¡°Everyone, aren''t your throats sore from all the cheering?"

    ¡°Yes!!!!"

    ¡°You shouldn''t strain yourselves too much during rehearsals. Your vocal cords are precious."

    I shed a thumbs-up while sipping water at the front of the stage. After that, I said, ¡°The energy from your cheers is overwhelming. We will never lose our spirit with your support no matter where we are."

    ¡°Our fans are the best!"

    ¡°Kyaaaak!!!"

    The pre-recording atmosphere was electric, thanks to the more rxed demeanor of the members and the strengthened bond with our fans. Our excitement this time surpassed even that of our debut. With just the final stage remaining, Jin-Sung started to collect the fallen colored papers and checked his back pocket.

    ¡°Are any of you nning to attend the fan signing event after tomorrow''s music show?" asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°Me!!!!"

    ¡°Wow, there are more of you than I expected."

    While Joo-Han was talking with the fans, I crouched down next to Jin-Sung and picked up the pieces of colored paper. Then, Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan also joined us, gathering the papers and putting them back into Jin-Sung¡¯s back pocket.

    Joo-Han nced over at us and then at the staff in front of the stage before continuing, ¡°It looks like Jin-Sung has finished recharging the leaves, so we will start again soon. Sorry, but please hang in there a bit longer, everyone."

    ¡°Okayyyy!!!"

    In response, the director spoke into the microphone. ¡°Jin-Sung, how about we try a different version for the leaves part this time?"

    Following the director''s instruction to change the ad-lib, Jin-Sung picked up the microphone. ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°And just before the leaves part, it would be great if Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon could do the piggyback scene, pointing into the air and then toward Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Yes, we will do it that way," I agreed. The director then nodded and put down the microphone. We quickly got into formation.

    The song started again, and we smoothly handled the choreography part of the song. The first verse was where we introduced each other. When Goh Yoo-Joon''s part ended, I ran with all my might and hung onto Goh Yoo-Joon''s back. After that, we pointed at Jin-Sung.

    <i>Ah! There go the rolling leaves!</i>?

    All at once, the eyes of Goh Yoo-Joon, Yoon-Chan, and the fans fell on Jin-Sung. The giggling ad-lib part was entirely up to Jin-Sung''s creativity, so I was also excited about how he would handle the sudden change.

    Then Jin-Sung made his move. Just like before, he took out the paper leaves from his back pocket, scattered them in the air, and spun around on the spot as if transforming. Then, he spoke into the microphone with a powerful voice filled with tension.

    <i>Leaves!!!</i>?

    ¡°<i>Pffft</i>!" Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t hold back hisughter and set me down. I, too, eventually burst intoughter. I just turned around and headed backstage, my shoulders shaking with mirth.

    From then until the end of the song, the word ¡°leaves!!!¡± echoed in my head, making it a struggle to notugh during the performance. It was torture to sing while holding back myughter. However, the director and the fans seemed to enjoy it a lot.

    ***

    After the first pre-recording for the music broadcast ended, we headed toward a secluded corridor of the broadcasting station for another schedule. In a corner that seemed too cramped for any activity, cameras and lights were densely packed.

    ¡°Chronos has arrived!" At the production team''s announcement, all the staff preparing for the shoot turned to look at us.

    We greeted them energetically, ¡°Hello! We are Chronos! Thank you for your help in advance!"

    ¡°Wooooah!!!" The staff weed us with apuse, contributing to the rtively young and casual atmosphere of the shoot. It was a team known for providing a lot of entertainment to K-POP fans through their<i> UTube </i>music channel.

    ¡°Thank you foring. I''ve been wanting to meet you in person, and finally, here we are," said the director of the team.

    ¡°Oh, no, thank you so much for inviting us."

    The director appeared to be in his early thirties, and he warmly initiated a conversation. After a brief chat with him, we immediately started filming. Today''s shoot had no host and involved us drawing two missions in session and receiving a prize forpleting them. The director silently extended six folded mission papers in front of the camera.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, how about you draw the first one?" At Joo-Han''s suggestion, Jin-Sung, who was standing behind, stepped forward. Without hesitation, he picked the mission paper in the middle.

    I took the mission paper from Jin-Sung and unfolded it. ¡°The first mission is... ta-da! Ry Random y Dance!"

    ¡°Oooh!"

    Ry Random y Dance was a plot often used in various broadcast stations¡ªa challenge that any idol group would face at least once in their career. It was a simple game where all members lined up and danced to random songs in turn.

    ¡°Shall we start right away?"

    ¡°Yes, let''s!"

    ¡°Go, go, go, go."

    The members moved to their marked spots on the floor and lined up.

    - We will start when Jin-Sung says ¡°Music start!¡±

    At the director''s cue, Jin-Sung, who was at the front, looked back at us. ¡°Everyone ready?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Let''s go!"

    ¡°Then, music start!"

    The first song that yed was the intro to Chronos''s first mini-album, ¡°Parade.¡± Hearing it, Jin-Sung beamed and energetically danced to the intro. Usually, the idols would dance lightly due to the awkwardness of dancing alone in a tight space, but Jin-Sung went full power from the start.

    After the intro and first part of ¡°Parade,¡± the song switched to the chorus of ¡°Blue Room Party.¡±

    Jin-Sung stepped back, and Joo-Han, who was standing behind, stepped forward to showcase the choreography lightly. ¡°Please give a lot of love to ¡®Blue Room Party!¡¯"

    ¡°Ahaha! Yes, ¡®Blue Room Party!¡¯"

    The challenge didn''t seem particrly difficult up to this point. Joo-Han continued the choreography without forgetting to promote ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± After the chorus ended, the song changed again.

    Next up was Goh Yoo-Joon. This time, the intro of "Chronos" yed at 0.5x speed, slow and uncertain.

    ¡°This... this part is Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo dance! Huh! Argh! So slooow!" Goh Yoo-Joon struggled as he awkwardly performed my solo dance part, which he wasn''t familiar with. Seeing his expression, Iughed heartily from behind. It seemed like nobody cared that the choreography was all wrong.

    After Goh Yoo-Joon''s slow part ended, the song changed again, and now it was my turn. The song that came on was...

    ¡°...Um, is there choreography for this?"

    It was "Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡± It felt like all the songs from pastpetition programs were about to be yed.

 Chapter 199: Joy (36)

    <h4>Chapter 199: Joy (36)</h4>

    ¡°Come on, dance."

    ¡°Quick, quick."

    I was caught off guard by the production team''s unexpected song choice. Hence, I hesitated for a moment, only to be met with casual urging from the members. It was as if they had been waiting for this.

    ¡°Uh..." I started moving somewhat awkwardly, hastily jogging my memory for any semnce of the dance moves. I recalled dancing to this tune just once during a medley performance, but even then, the choreography was hardly memorable.

    <i>I miss you, meow!</i>?

    Right on cue, one of the cameras zoomed in, and a staff member approached me with a pair of cat ear headbands.

    ¡°<i>Eek</i>!" I grudgingly epted the tantly suggestive cat ears and couldn''t hide my irritation, which sent the production crew and my fellow members into a fit ofughter. The members even stepped out of line to watch the spectacle unfold before them.

    But now that I had the headband, what was I supposed to do with it? It wasn''t a gift from a member but from the production team itself.

    ...No, in times like these, it was actually less embarrassing to just embrace the situation. I used to preach to my trainees during my trainer days that the camera''s gaze was akin to the battlefield. With the resolve of a soldier stepping onto the battlefield, I donned the cat ear headband.

    ¡°<i>Sigh</i>." And then, I covered my face with my hands as I had done in times past, trying to emte the dance moves from memory. After all, I had been prepared to give my all for Chronos from the moment I donned the red cape.

    ¡°Come on, lighten up that face!"

    ¡°Look at him, <i>pfft</i>!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo''s so adorable! More endearing! Keep going!!" Joo-Han pped enthusiastically and encouraged me to push further. As I faced the camera, I let go of all reservations like during the medley shooting, giving my all to ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡± I then yfully red at Yoon-Chan, who was beaming with an innocent smile behind me.

    ¡°That was fun, hyung."

    ¡°Don''t you get toofortable."

    After all, this was a challenge from a channel known for its witty content, and I had a sneaking suspicion about what might be in store for Yoon-Chan''s turn. As the next tune filled the air, it was Joo-Han''s turn. He just breezed through the chorus of ¡°Parade¡± and swiftly passed the baton to Yoon-Chan before the song could change.

    Yoon-Chan appeared slightly anxious about his solo dance in front of arge audience for the first time, wearing an expression simr to mine during ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow.¡± He seemed determined to dance properly, regardless of the song, but his solemn facade immediately melted away as the next song started.

    ¡°This is..."

    It was the opening theme for <i>Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡ª</i>not just any version, but the original animation piece.

    ¡°Ah..."

    Despite his initial shock, Yoon-Chan instinctively started to move.

    ¡°I knew this woulde out.¡±

    ¡°Exactly."

    It appeared that everyone, except Yoon-Chan, had anticipated Cha Cha to be the next song. Given it was one of his standout performances, it was expected to elicit a strong reaction. Everyone simply enjoyed watching Yoon-Chan''s flustered dance without any surprise.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan is nailing it!"

    The unadapted, slower, and overly cute song was akin to a yful punishment. Joo-Han genuinely reveled in Yoon-Chan''s performance, while the rest of us sat in front, thoroughly entertained.

    I stealthily approached Yoon-Chan and ced the cat ear headband I was wearing on him. I then gave him an encouraging pat and retreated to sit next to Goh Yoo-Joon to join him in the audience. Yoon-Chan danced with a blend of choreography and rhythm, his face flushing red yet moving with determination. Amused by Yoon-Chan''s performance, the production team decided to extend the usually brief song segment a bit longer this time.

    <i>With the magical power of mystery!</i>?

    We pped along and indulged in Yoon-Chan''s delightful antics until the song seemed about to change, at which point I stood and moved to the back.

    <i>The magical pendant, whoa!</i>?

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s pendant was just an added touch. After Cha Cha, a mix of Chronos''s songs, including ¡°Joy,¡± famous pop tracks, and more yed, allowing us to dance leisurely or asionally suffer through unexpected tunes. Each time, we watched andughed from the front row.

    As the ry came to a close, a mission paper was once again presented to us, who were now seated on the floor.

    - This is the final mission. Please choose.

    Joo-Han turned and brought Yoon-Chan forward.

    ¡°Let''s have Yoon-Chan pick this time."

    ¡°Me?" Yoon-Chan made his way over to the table littered with mission papers, his eyes scanning over them thoughtfully. ¡°Can I just pick any of these?"

    ¡°Yeah, any will do. Go ahead."

    Yoon-Chan''s hand lingered in the air for a moment before decisivelynding on the one tucked away at the far end.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, read it for us, please,¡± I said.

    With a nod of acknowledgment, Yoon-Chan carefully unfolded the paper and held it up for the camera to catch. ¡°Dance to ¡®Joy¡¯ with your eyes closed.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I''ve heard about this one," Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in, bouncing with excitement and using my shoulder as leverage.

    The director gave a confirming nod and borated.

    - That''s right, Dance to ¡°Joy¡± with your eyes closed. The mission is straightforward. You just have to dance to Chronos''stest hit, ¡°Joy,¡± blindfolded.

    I wasn¡¯t well aware of the title of this mission, but it was undoubtedly one of the most iconic and sought-after challenges here. Ji-Hyuk from High Tension had shared with me that every idol wanted this iconic mission. He learned this, as his group had appeared on this show after their debut.

    The crew then distributed blindfolds to each of us. While the rest of the members were getting ready, I gave my blindfold a test run and was plunged into utter darkness. The fabric left no room for even a sliver of light. I gazed downward, but that didn¡¯t help. The darkness was absolute, making this mission a true test of our intuition and senses.

    ¡°Man, it''s pitch-ck, isn''t it?" Jin-Sung''s murmur reached my ears. As I adjusted the blindfold back in ce, a production team staff approached and added severalyers of ck tape to a spot on the floor, ensuring it was thick and noticeable.

    ¡°This marks the center. Use your feet to feel it periodically.¡±

    ¡°Got it, thanks!"

    It seemed they were offering us a slight hint with the tape, also ensuring we didn''t wander too close to the camera setup inadvertently.

    Once the crew member had retreated out of the frame, I tapped the taped area with my foot. The tape bulged enough to be distinctly felt, even through my shoes. It was a small but significant aid in this blindfolded challenge.

    <i>¡®This might be manageable</i>.¡¯

    The choreography was imprinted in my mind and rehearsed to the point of perfection. As long as I kept my cool, maintaining the formation should be feasible under the assumption that no missteps urred.

    ¡°I''ve always wanted to try something like this!" Jin-Sung seemed unfazed, ready for the challenge.

    Goh Yoo-Joon could potentially y the trickster, but if he focused, he''d undoubtedly excel. That left me with Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, who might need a bit more guidance.

    -Ready to start?

    ¡°Absolutely!" We responded in unison.

    - Please put on your blindfolds now.

    Positioned in our respective spots, each member secured their blindfold in ce.

    ¡°This seems a tad too difficult for an opener, doesn''t it?" Joo-Hanmented. The n was to start in a circle and then jump and pivot tomence the choreography at the end. With clear sight, syncing up was merely a matter of timing. However, orientation was the real challenge with blindfolds. While I had the benefit of the taped guide, the others might struggle more with maintaining direction.

    ¡°Let''s forgo the opening and focus on getting into formation. I will take it from there,¡± I suggested.

    ¡°You are taking the lead?"

    ¡°Hyung will guide us?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo''s in charge?"

    ¡°...Well.¡± There was a mix of skepticism and doubt in their voices, but I let it slide without muchment. Belief was secondary. As long as we could align ourselves correctly, our instincts would naturally align us in formation.

    - For safety, feel free to skip anyplex movements like vaulting. We are about to start.

    I figured the crew''s reactionsughter or otherwise¡ªwould give us a clue about our position. As we sped hands, the first notes of ¡°Joy¡± filled the air. I tightened my grip, let go, and leaped to transition, stretching out my hand to find... a shoulder, unmistakably Jin-Sung''s.

    I danced with Jin-Sung, who was centered with the help of the tape. This meant that the rest of the formation should fall into ce without a hitch.

    ¡°Impressive!!!" Exmations came from the crew, signaling we''d nailed our positioning.

    However, their awe was quickly followed byughter.

    ¡°What? What is it?¡± Jin-Sung cried out in confusion, but the production crew continued tough without offering any exnation.

    I reached out to check on the members behind me as I got puzzled.

    ¡°Ouch! Who did I bump into? ... That¡¯s definitely Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s build.¡±

    ¡°Huh, why is Joo-Han hyung here?¡±

    ¡°Wait, I shouldn''t be hearing Yoo-Joon hyung''s voice from behind... Ah, I must''ve misced myself."

    I could sense chaos brewing among the three behind me. I fumbled around and asked, ¡°Where is everyone?" My hand found someone''s arm, and I pulled. It was Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Why are you over here? Come this way," I instructed.

    ¡°Uh? Oh." Goh Yoo-Joon was easily led by me to take his ce behind me, and judging by the sound of the other members'' footsteps gradually syncing with the music, it seemed Jin-Sung had also managed to guide everyone back into formation.

    Once past the trickiest part, getting the formation right became easier, almost like following a well-rehearsed path. Sure enough, the production team once again voiced their admiration after a moment of disarray, signaling we were back on track. After that, the next part started. I was optimistic, thinking we had crossed the biggest hurdle.

    However, I realized something as soon as I started lip-syncing the first part. The beginning of this song predominantly involved gestures that seemed to introduce each of us, focusing more on ad-libs and changing formations on the fly.

    <i>The spring sun has risen</i>

    <i>Though the spring breeze is still chilly, </i>

    <i>it carries a warm embrace</i>

    <i>When you wide open the window and take a deep breath,</i>

    <i>the day begins</i>?

    We hadn''t discussed it, but we decided to skip the vaulting for safety and were about to naturally turn back when...

    ¡°Ah! Hyung!" Jin-Sung seemed to assume that I had already moved to the sides. He was standing right behind me.

    ¡°Woah!" I collided with Jin-Sung''s body and tumbled forward as if swept off my feet. And at that moment... I found myselfpletely disoriented, having lost both my direction and our formation.

    ¡°Where am I?... Oops."

 Chapter 200: Joy (37)

    <h4>Chapter 200: Joy (37)</h4>

    The song continued its melodic journey, and there I was,pletely out of formation. Judging by the flustered voices of my fellow members, it seemed I wasn''t the only one who had strayed from our nned positions.

    ¡°Something''s definitely gone awry," Joo-Han noted with a hint of concern. The part where ¡°Ah! There go the rolling leaves!¡± simply passed as Iy there, momentarily dazed before propping myself up with my hands.

    <i>¡®I can''t just sit here and do nothing.'' </i>

    Plenty of groups had faced challenges like this and emerged victorious. Wary of getting my hand stepped on, I used one arm as a shield while the other frantically searched the floor for the tape marker. Given the proximity of the footsteps, I hadn''t been swept too far away from the others.

    ¡°Where''s the center, gosh!" I grumbled.

    ¡°Hey, why are you over there, hyung? This way, this way." Someone grabbed my arm, their voice and assertive grip unmistakably belonging to Jin-Sung. He hoisted me to my feet and positioned me somewhere that felt right. The tip of my shoe brushed against something, presumably the tape marking the center, and I got myself immersed in the rhythm of the song.

    ¡°Thanks a bunch, our youngest!"

    "No biggie.¡± Jin-Sung perhaps had an extra sense just for situations like this. He seemed to be managing the choreography fairly well on his own.

    Once everyone was properly aligned, everything else fell into ce with ease. By the time we reached the second verse, I hadpleted my part and was adjusting our positions again. I even ensured Goh Yoo-Joon and probably Yoon-Chan, who was behind me, were in their correct spots.

    ¡°That''s you, Yoon-Chan, right?"

    ¡°Yes, yes. It''s me."

    Judging by the impressed reactions from the production team each time I helped realign the members, our formation seemed to be decently cohesive.

    ¡°Honestly, the choreography for this song is soplex! I think ¡°Parade¡± would have been easier."

    ¡°Did it always switch up this much? <i>Ugh</i>, it''s so frustrating!"

    The members vocalized their irritation. Despite the initial chaos, the sound of our synchronized steps started to fall into ce and brought a sense of calm and stability to our performance.

    Yes, this was it! I pushed forward, fine-tuning the formation and stepping into the center with confidence. Feeling the tape marker under my foot, I knew it was time for the final part. I could sense a few members gently nudging my back and securing their spots.

    The song concluded triumphantly. Even after the music stopped, we stood in formation for a moment longer until apuse broke the silence.

    - Great job, everyone! You can remove your blindfolds now.

    ¡°Well done, everyone!" As we removed our blindfolds and squinted against the harsh studio lights, the space filled with the production crew came into sharp focus. Once I could see clearly, I quickly checked my own position and that of the others.

    Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Yoon-Chan were all in ce, but Joo-Han was...

    ¡°Where''s Joo-Han hyung?" One person was not where he should have been.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung? I thought I had positioned him here just a while ago," Jin-Sung remarked, tilting his head in confusion.

    Looking utterly bewildered, Joo-Han spoke up from a distance. ¡°Why am I over here?"

    ¡°Exactly, why are you there, hyung?"

    Joo-Han stood, gazing in apletely different direction, utterly befuddled.

    The director announced with a chuckle in his voice.

    - That''s a fail!

    ¡°Ah, well..."

    - It''s unfortunate. Despite the great effort from Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo, it''s still a fail!

    ¡°Can''t help it... It''s a pity, though."

    ¡°This was harder than I thought. Sorry, guys." Joo-Han offered a casual apology, and we shrugged it off nonchntly in return, bouncing back to our feet.

    ¡°Do we have a penalty or something?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    - Ah, thanks for bringing that up. Yes, there is a penalty!

    The director handed us a toy lie detector¡ªa whimsical device that delivered a mild electric shock regardless of whether one¡¯s answer was true or false. Their fate depended purely on luck.

    ¡°Oh, this thing."

    ¡°A lie detector, huh? What do we do with it?" Joo-Han asked.

    - You just have to answer my questions in turn, that''s all.

    ¡°Ah, so it''s a penalty, but we can get through it with some luck, right?¡±

    - Indeed.

    It was a lighthearted penalty that everyone could enjoy. Goh Yoo-Joon dered, ¡°Whatever questionse my way, I''m ready. I will answer everything honestly.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon seemed confident even as the toy lie detector made its way into his hands. The penalty seemed nothing more than a yful jest up to that point.

    ¡°Come on, we are Chronos. Surely, none among us would resort to lying, right?" Goh Yoo-Joon quipped, his voice brimming with mischief.

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement, his actions reinforcing the sentiment. ¡°Absolutely, we are Chronos, after all."

    ¡°I''ve always been an open book," Jin-Sung added with conviction.

    ¡°Me too!" Yoon-Chan chimed in enthusiastically.

    I couldn''t help but chuckle as I stood beside Goh Yoo-Joon.

    <i>¡®Who are we? We are Chronos.¡¯</i>

    Among the Rings, we were known for passionately doing even the unnecessary things. Therefore, we must draw out our passion this time. The Rings had to be wanting it!

    While all the members were enthusiastically iming to be honest, Goh Yoo-Joon and I exchanged looks and sent signals.

    ¡°Are you all that confident?" As I spoke, Goh Yoo-Joon smirked and turned up the intensity of the lie detector to the strongest.

    Following that, I said, ¡°Let''s start the game."

    ¡°...Why are you trying to put yourselves through such hardship?" Joo-Han asked. He couldn¡¯t believe it, but games were supposed to be fun like this.

    ¡°Because it''s fun," Goh Yoo-Joon answered on my behalf.

    ¡°Who wants to go first?"

    ¡°Let''s start with our leader hyung."

    ¡°Captain Kang,e on. You first."

    ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung and Hyun-Woo hyung don''t fight only at times like this."

    ¡°Exactly." Regardless of what Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung said, Goh Yoo-Joon and I pulled Joo-Han over, forced his hand out, and ced it on the lie detector.

    The director was asking questions with an amused expression.

    - Joo-Han, herees the question. Do you have a real favorite in Chronos? If you have a favorite member, what''s their name?

    ¡°Ah, this is easy. Such an obvious question," Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled.

    Joo-Han nodded calmly. ¡°Yes! I do have a favorite in Chronos."

    As I pressed the toy''s button, the toy started making beatbox sounds of a train.

    <i>Pungchik, pungchik, kungchik, pungchik! Dding! </i>

    Green lights flowed between the colorless borders below the toy and indicated that Joo-Han''s words were true. Joo-Han smiled and removed his hand, but all of us looked disappointed.

    ¡°But Joo-Han hyung''s favorite has been decided a long time ago."

    As soon as Jin-Sung said that, Joo-Han spread his arms wide toward me. ¡°Come here, my baby!"

    ¡°Ah, please." As I avoided Joo-Han, Yoon-Chan added an exnation. ¡°They have been together for so long that Joo-Han hyung really likes Hyun-Woo hyung."

    ¡°That''s it! Next, let''s go to Goh Yoo-Joon." I quickly changed the subject and seated Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I''m confident." Goh Yoo-Joon shrugged his shoulders and confidently raised his hand.

    - I will ask the question. If you had to choose between friendship and love, would you choose love?

    ¡°Oh! This is important!"

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, you need to answer well."

    ¡°Ah, this." Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to ponder mischievously before answering. ¡°Of course, it''s friendship. I''ve always valued friendship over love."

    ¡°Oh, really!?" Everyone''s eyes turned to the detector, which made train sounds for a moment before showing a green light again.

    ¡°Yes! Passed! See! I only speak the truth!"

    ¡°Ah, all green lights."

    ¡°It''s a shame. Usually, those who turn up the electric shock get caught."

    While Goh Yoo-Joon was proudly boasting, I quietly sat down and raised my hand to the lie detector.

    - Next question for Hyun-Woo. Be extra honest, okay? Do you like your current roommate?

    ¡°This will be a tearjerker if Yoo-Joon finds out the truth," Joo-Han smirked, and Goh Yoo-Joon yfully pushed him away.

    ¡°We haven''t even heard the answer yet, hyung. Don''t act like the answer is obvious," Goh Yoo-Joon retorted.

    ¡°I''m curious about this. The two of you were the first to say you''d room together."

    ¡°Let''s see! Hyun-Woo hyung''s answer!"

    I calmly closed my eyes and pondered amidst the members''motion.

    ¡°Look at Suh Hyun-Woo pondering. Howe? This is so easy to answer!"

    Then, I opened my eyes wide and said, ¡°I don''t!"

    <i>¡®I like Yoon-Chan.¡¯</i>

    #Side Story - Concept Photo Shoot (Type B, Lee Jin-Sung)

    ¡°Jin-Sung seems a bit quiet today. What''s the matter?"

    In response to stylist director Hong Ah-Ri''sment, Lee Su-Hwan answered, ¡°I heard he got scolded by Joo-Han earlier for eating all the catering snacks meant for the staff by himself."

    ¡°Oh, that''s unfortunate," sighed Hong Ah-Ri. ¡°Is that why he looks so sulky? It''s okay to eat those though. Other artists don''t mind and just eat them."

    ¡°Exactly."

    While he might have eaten too much, it wasn''t necessary to scold him to the point of making him sad as the catering was usually for both artists and staff to share.

    ¡°Shouldn''t you go and smooth things over, Su-Hwan? His expression shouldn''t be like that during the shoot."

    ¡°No, we left it that way on purpose. It actually fits the serious scene better."

    ¡°True, that expressionless look might actually suit this concept better."

    Lee Su-Hwan nodded. After all, any issues within Chronos should be resolved among themselves. Intervention by adults in such trivial matters would only lead to forced reconciliations.

    ¡°Still, I feel a bit sorry for him."

    Jin-Sung standing expressionlessly in a flower garden, which could be considered the center of the Chronos universe, was a sight to behold. However, Hong Ah-Ri frequently fell for Jin-Sung''s youthful charm and found it difficult to watch without feeling sympathetic.

    ¡°This might be a sensitive question, but is Jin-Sung somewhat disliked within the group?"

    ¡°Jin-Sung?"

    Since Hong Ah-Ri only saw Chronos during their schedules, she wasn''t fully aware of their internal dynamics.

    Hesitating for a moment, Lee Su-Hwan then shook his head and dismissed the notion. ¡°He is actually very cherished by other members, especially since Joo-Han has looked after him like a younger brother since before their debut."

    ¡°Really? Every time I see him, he seems to be getting scolded by the members. I wonder if that¡¯s the reason."

    In the entertainment industry, it wasmon for people to act friendly to each other''s faces while gossiping behind their backs. For a moment, she wondered if Jin-Sung, who seemed affectionate and kind, might be experiencing something like that.

    As a result, Hong Ah-Ri still looked concerned and seemed unconvinced by Lee Su-Hwan''s words.

    <i>¡®He''s not someone to speak thoughtlessly, but...'' </i>

    As Lee Su-Hwan was about to speak again, the members burst onto the set, made some noise, and drew Hong Ah-Ri''s gaze toward them.

    ¡°Has Jin-Sung not finished shooting yet?"

    ¡°The youngest looks cool! The hyungs are watching!"

    ¡°Jin-Sung, I brought you a drink!" Park Yoon-Chan waved a drink high in the air, showing it to Jin-Sung, who was still in the middle of his shoot.

    Meanwhile, Kang Joo-Han was smiling contentedly, taking pictures of Jin-Sung with Chronos''s shared phone. He muttered, ¡°Look at our youngest''s charm."

    Lee Su-Hwan smiled at Hong Ah-Ri. ¡°Our kids get along well."

    While they all cared and valued each other, the youngest Jin-Sung was particrly doted on and looked after by all the members of Chronos.

    Hong Ah-Ri finally smiled and nodded. All four members had rushed over to support Jin-Sung''s shoot as soon as their own shoots were done. She said, ¡°I see. I must havepletely misunderstood. I was worried why Jin-Sung was getting scolded so often and wondered if it was because he was bullied."

    Hong Ah-Ri''s gaze returned to Jin-Sung, who was now smiling at the waving members despite being sullen and expressionless throughout the shoot.

 Chapter 201: Joy (38)

    Chapter 201: Joy (38)

    ¡°Wow, just wow... Suh Hyun-Woo, after all the good times we''ve shared, you hit me with this?"

    I couldn''t help but let out an awkward chuckle as Goh Yoo-Joon, with cheeks flushed red, seemed to paint me as the ultimate viin.

    I said, ¡°No, no, it''s not that I dislike you or anything. It''s just that I have a slight preference for Yoon-Chan. Also, Yoon-Chan doesn''t keep me up withte-night gaming sessions."

    ¡°But you are always glued to <em>UTube </em>as well! Waah, I feel betrayed."

    I shrugged nonchntly and redirected my gaze forward. What could I say? My preferences leaned more toward Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°I will go ahead and press it then," Yoon-Chan said with a yful grin on his face as he reached for the lie detector button.

    ¡°Just so you know, if this turns out to be true, we are on a two-day break from each other."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s words faded into the background as I purposely ignored him.

    ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo hyung casually throwing shade at Yoo-Joon hyung like it''s nothing." <em>Pungchik, pungchik, kungchik, pungchik-</em>

    The lie detector took its sweet time and drummed up an unsettling tension in the air.

    ¡°Hmm, this is taking a bit longer than usual. Are you feeling anxious, hyung?" Jin-Sung chimed in, barely containing his excitement.

    ¡°It''s gotta be true. It has to be. Come on." The thought of the electric shock setting cranked up to the max loomed over me. However, oues always had a way of defying our desires, cold and indifferent.

    ¡°Aaaargh!!!" A sharp current zapped through my palm, causing me to yelp in surprise and fling the detector onto the table. I clutched my hand, and I was just about toin about the pain when I noticed the others. Instead of offering constion, they burst intoughter.

    As I tried to regain myposure amidst theirughter, the amused director announced,

    - Congrattions, Hyun-Woo. You are the one!

    ¡°What? About what?" I asked with a puzzled look.

    "For those who''ve been caught lying, there''s a penalty awaiting. So let''s keep it honest from here on out, shall we?

    ¡°So, it seems Hyun-Woo is quite content with his current roommate situation."

    ¡°Indeed."

    Next up were Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung, who boldly imed ¡°YES¡± to ¡°Have you considered joining another group?" and ¡°Do you see someone in the group as a rival?", only to be revealed as lies.

    With everyone else falling into the trap of lies except for Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon, the director seemed overjoyed as he prepared the actual penalty. Stand mics were set up in front of us, lining side by side.

    - You''ve all done splendidly on your mission. Now, it''s time for the real penalty. You see the stand mics in front of you, right?

    ¡°Yes!"

    - For the two who avoided the penalty, you will use regr mics. The rest will perform the new song "Joy" on slightly peculiar mics. Please, enjoy yourselves and give it your all.

    ¡°Peculiar mics?" I got curious and tapped the mic with my finger.

    "Ah-ah." I expected some sort of voice modtion. However, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. What was supposed to be so peculiar about that?

    As the three of us exchanged wary nces, Joo-Han asked, ¡°Is everyone ready?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Alright, let''s get started. Here''s our title track from Chronos''s second mini-album <em>The Dawn of Youth</em>, ¡®Joy.¡¯"

    Following Joo-Han''s introduction, the familiar intro of my favorite "Joy" started to y. Performing the song purely with vocals without the choreography felt refreshingly new. I wasn''t sure what the penalty entailed but was convinced that anything short of voice alteration would be manageable. I started to sing my part.

    And that was when the mic head started its wild dance.

    ¡°What the..." So, this was the catch. The mic head whirled in every direction, making it a challenge to keep up. Given the lowered sensitivity, even a slight distance from the mic would make the vocals barely audible, and it was nearly impossible to sing properly with the head spinning like this.

    I chased the mic, determined to keep singing. Jin-Sung couldn''t help butugh at my plight, only to face the same dizzying challenge with the rotating mic.

    Amidst ourughter and struggle, Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon''s parts flowed smoothly, leaving just Jin-Sung, Yoon-Chan, and me frantically moving to keep up with the song andplete the filming.

    ***

    ¡°Hyung, are there no ns to perform ¡®Once Again¡¯ anytime soon?"

    -...What''s with the sudden call and this out-of-the-blue question, you brat?

    ¡°..."

    In life, it was all about lending a hand to one another. That was exactly why Kim Jin-Wook lent his rap skills to my solo track, and I made a cameo on his broadcast. Therefore, regardless of our history or who the person was, if they offered a helping hand, I could manage a warm greeting.

    <em>¡®Isn''t that what being part of a society is all about?¡¯</em>

    - If you''ve got something to say, spit it out. Don''t dance around the topic.

    ¡°How have you been, hyung? I''ve been tuning into your show."

    - ¡­

    Especially when I was the one asking for a favor, it was crucial to approach the situation with respect and politeness.

    ¡°Hyung, how about we grab some coffee? A little coffee break, perhaps? Together."

    - I''m about to hang up.

    ¡°Wait, please. Hyung, I really need a favor. I will buy the coffee if you agree to meet me."

    Truth be told, I didn''t particrly have an issue with Kim Jin-Wook. Our asional spats were more habit than anything else. Recently, I hade to view him as a fairly reliable business connection.

    Kim Jin-Wook remained silent for a moment after my plea. Then, he quietly responded.

    - Come to the office.

    ¡°Now? Okay, hyung. You know I have nothing but respect for you¡ª"

    <em>Click.</em>[1]

    ¡°Damn."

    It was 10 PM, which was quitete. A meeting hadn''t been on my agenda, but I had a favor to ask and thus needed to be amodating to Kim Jin-Wook''s schedule. I tossed my phone aside on the bed and hurriedly got ready. The idea to meet just sprung up spontaneously.

    As the preparations for theeback and the inaugural ceremony kicked off, Goh Yoo-Joon''s solo track hit a creative block. Unlike "Once Again," which was fueled by personal experiences, crafting lyrics that encapsted Goh Yoo-Joon''s persona and theme was challenging.

    I could craft some passable lyrics. However, given that this was Goh Yoo-Joon''s debut solo, I aimed to deliver nothing short of excellence, and this led me to seek out Kim Jin-Wook.

    Despite our differences, Kim Jin-Wook''s talent inposition was undeniable, and I had to agree that his musical sense was impressively good.

    After notifying Joo-Han and our manager, I caught a taxi to YU. I arrived with cups of coffee in hand as I promised and entered a studio room. There, Kim Jin-Wook was preupied with his phone, and he nced up at me with a hint of irritation.

    I greeted him with a friendly smile and bowed slightly to exaggerate my respect toward him. ¡°Good to see you, hyung."

    ¡°What brings you here?"

    ¡°May I dive straight into it? But first, here''s your coffee."

    Kim Jin-Wook took the coffee, his expressionced with skepticism.

    <em>¡®Why are you two so close?¡¯</em> It felt as if Halo''s puzzled question was echoing in my ears once again.

    <em>¡®I know right? Why do we end up meeting despite not being fond of each other?¡¯</em>

    I took out a notebook from my bag and handed it over to Kim Jin-Wook. Then I said, ¡°One of my members is about to release a solo, you see."

    ¡°Mhm."

    ¡°I''ve been tasked with writing the lyrics, but... I''ve hit a wall."

    Kim Jin-Wook nced over the lyrics I''d scribbled down while holding the coffee. ¡°These seem fine to me. What''s wrong with them?"

    ¡°I''m aiming to enrich the imagery and ambiance. I want to deliver the best possible lyrics, but I''m at a loss on where to enhance my work."

    ¡°To give proper feedback, I''ll need to hear the song."

    Luckily, I came prepared and yed the song for Kim Jin-Wook without hesitation. He listened intently until the end and then nodded in approval. ¡°You are considering making changes here?"

    ¡°Yes, exactly."

    ¡°How about incorporating some English lyrics in this section?"

    ¡°English lyrics, you say?"

    ¡°The track''s got a deep, sexy vibe, so adding a few English lines could really elevate it."

    ¡°I see."

    Kim Jin-Wook then took a pen and jotted down several English phrases that could rece or supplement my original lyrics.

    ¡°You seem to like me, hyung. You are surprisingly helpful."

    ¡°I keep telling you. If only you''d keep quiet more often, we''d always get along like this."

    ¡°That''s not been my experience. You treat your manager just the same as you treat me."

    ¡°...Just go, we are done here."

    ¡°Come on, hyung, let''s chat a bit more. The discussion about the lyrics isn''t over yet, and I can''t just take help and leave."

    ¡°It''s better if you don''t touch anything other than the parts I''ve corrected. You write better than you think you do. It would be good for you to have more confidence," said Kim Jin-Wook as he handed me back my notebook, as if he had nothing more to say. Then, he started editing his work again.

    I looked at the notebook for a moment. The English lyrics I jotted down briefly to match the rhythm of the song fit perfectly. I then revised some other lyrics into English on the spot and hummed them softly.

    Then, Kim Jin-Wook, who had been acting as if I wasn''t there, nced at me and asked, ¡°Do you want to try doing the feature your manager asked you to dost time?"

    ¡°A feature?" I remembered Su-Hwan mentioned something like that. Well, Kim Jin-Wook helped with the lyrics, so doing that kind of favor should be fine.

    ¡°We need to get permission from thepany to do it officially."

    ¡°Just try singing it for now."

    ¡°Okay."

    After I nodded, Kim Jin-Wook immediately yed the song for me. ¡°I thought your voice would fit really well too. I''ve been keeping you in mind."

    ¡°Well, thanks.¡±

    Like I highly regarded Kim Jin-Wook''s skills inposition, lyrics, and rap, it seemed that he also had a high opinion of my singing abilities and voice.

    1. Jin-Wook hung up. ?

 Chapter 202: Joy (39)

    Chapter 202: Joy (39)

    Surprisingly, Kim Jin-Wook and I found ourselves crossing paths more often than we''d prefer; perhaps it was the potential benefits that drew us together, and to be fair, the encounters hadn''t been entirely unpleasant.

    Kim Jin-Wook stood out with his exceptional talent, boldly opting out of joining any groups from his early days as a trainee at YU, although trainees usually had little control over their circumstances. Moreover, each interaction with him proved to be an enlightening experience that helped me learn more about music.

    ¡°Alright, time toe out."

    ¡°Is that it? I could go another round," I asked as I removed my headphone, only to be met with his frown and a silent gesture to exit the booth.

    A smallment on any final adjustments or additional takes would have been appreciated. Yet, he remained as brusque as ever.

    I stepped out of the booth and quickly collected my bag and phone. ¡°Thanks for today. Really appreciate the help. I will see you next time."

    "Hey."

    ¡°What.¡±

    A silent standoff ensued, and our gazes locked without any clear reason. A few secondster, Kim Jin-Wook nudged a nearby chair with his foot. The chair rolled slightly and positioned itself conveniently behind the desk.¡°What is it? Aren¡¯t you asking me to leave?" I asked.

    ¡°Before you go, hear me out on something from ourst conversation."

    ¡°Did you forget to tell me something?" I drew the chair closer with a foot, settling into it.

    ¡°If you are not interested, feel free to leave."

    ¡°Oh, you are going to show me how to use that program, aren''t you? Why would I object to that, hyung?"

    I responded with a smile, only to see Kim Jin-Wook''s expression sour once more as he reached for the mouse. He started to borate on the program''s functionalities and shared someposition tips. He went into greater detail than the brief overview in the waiting room. Despite his apparent distaste each time we met, he showed a surprising degree of patience and kindness as long as I didn''t retaliate too much.

    Our discussion extended for an hour, only concluding when I received a message from Joo-Han which indicated it was time to head back.

    ¡°I gotta go. Talk to youter."

    ¡°Sure, off you go."

    Kim Jin-Wook dismissively waved his hand and didn¡¯t bother to look up. As I turned to leave, a thought made me pause and nce back.

    ¡°By the way, hyung."

    ¡°What is it?"

    ¡°I was wondering if you''ve heard anything about On-Sae."

    It might have been quicker to ask Ji-Hyuk from High Tension. However, considering that I had met Kim Jin-Wook, I seized the opportunity to ask.

    The group''s once-active chats had quietened due to the flurry of activities surrounding oureback, and I was hoping to hear any significant developments from the members. On-Sae''s conspicuous absence was concerning, especially given his prominence within Team D and his role as one of my mentees.

    However, Kim Jin-Wook''s response was as expected. He asked, ¡°How would I know anything about someone from a differentpany?"

    ¡°Thought as much. Alright, then."

    I exited the studio with a shrug; perhaps I would ask On-Sae directlyter.

    As I left the YU building, the chill of the outside air hit me. It had been some time since I navigated the public area without my manager. Despite trying to stay incognito with a mask and hat, passersby definitely recognized me. Some photographed me, discreetly or otherwise, but I simply pulled my hat down further and hailed a taxi without any fuss.

    I read through thepleted lyrics again to review the day¡¯s work and then snapped a photo to share with Joo-Han. After that, I mentally arranged my schedule for the following day.

    <em>¡®Joo-Han has been preupied at the officetely.¡¯</em>

    Given his extended sessions with Producer Do, Joo-Han''s personal studio might be avable for me to use tomorrow.

    ***

    - On-Sae, got any ns? How about a meal with me?

    Amidst my busy schedule, worrying about someone else¡¯s problem seemed unnecessary. However, things were different when it came to On-Sae.

    Despite the numerous changes I had made in this life, they were primarily centered around me, so I had assumed On-Sae''s path would remain unaffected by my actions. However, ording to Ji-Hyuk, On-Sae hadn''t even broached the topic of transferring to YU. He apparently never mentioned movingpanies at all.

    <em>''What''s happening?''</em>

    Had my actions inadvertently impacted On-Sae''s life? For now, awaiting his response was all I could do.

    ¡°You are overthinking it, hyung."

    ¡°Pardon?"

    I turned and saw Jin-Sung. While engrossed in taking selfies, he asked, ¡°Are you worried we won''t hit the top spot? You and Joo-Han hyung should stop being obsessed with the first ce.¡±

    ¡°What''s that supposed to mean? I haven''t been fretting over anything like that."

    ¡°Is getting first ce truly what matters? The real importance lies in the quality of the song, don''t you think?"

    Joo-Han was in the midst of getting his makeup done, but hearing this, he shot Jin-Sung a sharp look. ¡°Wow, Jin-Sung. You are getting a bit too big for your boots. In Chronos, it''s about pouring our hearts and souls into everything while aiming for the top. It''s not an obsession, it''s just¡ª"

    ¡°That sounds like greed to me," Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in with a teasing grin and got a yful p on the back from Joo-Han.

    I set my phone aside, contemting. Indeed, I shouldn¡¯t be distracted by someone else¡¯s issues right now.

    We were in the waiting room to gear up for the live <em>Music Case</em> broadcast. The slightly extended interval between our song''s release and its debut broadcast allowed us to be in the running for first ce right off the bat.

    Each day served as a reminder of Chronos''s poprity. Since it was oureback stage, we had wrapped up the pre-recorded segment of <em>Music Case</em> and were now awaiting the announcement of this week¡¯s winner.

    ¡°What should our first-ce pledge be?" Joo-Han tossed the question to the group before quickly suggesting, ¡°How about we all wear headbands?"

    ¡°Huh? Headbands?"

    ¡°It seems like the Rings''pliments have really emboldened you. You''ve be quite daring since being dubbed ''fan-savvy.''" Despite his grumbling, Goh Yoo-Joon didn''t protest. Instead, he wandered off to consult the stylist about the different headband options.

    Figuring out a first-ce pledge turned out to be a more daunting task than anticipated, but we reached a consensus thanks to everyone lowering their standards a bit.

    ¡°I''m fine with anything as long as it''s not cat ears. Let''s pick headbands like the ones the stylists are wearing." I voiced my agreement with Joo-Han''s proposal and mentally imed one of the stylist''s headbands for myself.

    Then came a knock on the door, and a staff member popped their head in. ¡°Chronos, are you all set for the first-ce candidate interview?"

    ¡°Ready!"

    We soon found ourselves joined by the production crew, the host, and the other artists, all congregating in a different lounge.

    ***

    Being tedst because we were contenders for the top spot was ttering and appreciated, but presenting our stage in front of the entire ensemble of performers was somewhat daunting. This was particrly true for our new track''s performance, which wasden with yful antics and soulful moments.

    <em>Leaves!!!</em>?

    Jin-Sung''s robust ad-lib set off a wave ofughter across the board from the performers to the audience. We also couldn''t help butugh although sheepishly.

    As theeback stage recording wrapped up and a brief hush fell over the venue, the background music kicked in and the lights brightened once more.

    ¡°We will announce the winner of <em>Music Case</em> for thest week of January!¡±

    The anxious expressions of Chronos filled the screen alongside the other nominees. Shortly thereafter, fireworks erupted with the revtion of the final scores.

    ¡°Chronos with ¡®Joy¡¯ takes first ce! Congrattions!"

    Upon the host''s deration, the senior artists who were also in the running coolly pped and nodded. They seemed to have anticipated the oue.

    At that moment, we became the center of attention amidst a sea of performers. The chorus of fan cheers, the myriad voices extending their congrattions, and the glitter cascading down brought an overwhelmingly joyous and surreal feeling for us.

    ¡°Thank you so much!"

    ¡°Congrattions once again to Chronos. Please ept the trophy and bouquet. May we hear your thoughts on this win?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon was just beside the host, and he epted the trophy and bouquet. Then, he passed the trophy to Joo-Han and the bouquet to me.

    ¡°It''s only right that the creators of the song hold these," said Goh Yoo-Joon. He then prompted me forward with a nudge and signaled that it was time for me to share our sentiments.

    I nodded and took hold of the microphone. ¡°Uh, yes. I''ve been really worried all the time, thinking that we need to deliver better songs to all of you. Receiving so much love and support from you all has made me incredibly happy."

    After finishing my speech, I nced at Joo-Han who signaled for me to extend my talk. I then picked up the microphone again while looking out at our fans in the audience. ¡°Rings! Thank you so much! We will continue to work hard and show you the best of us. Actually, we have our first fan-signing event today, and I''m thrilled that we can share the joy of being number one with all of you. Thank you so much!"

    ¡°Yes! Congrattions to Chronos again. We will see you next week at <em>Music Case</em>, the heart of K-pop. Goodbye!"

    As "Joy" started to y in the background, the host and performers gradually exited the stage, and we turned to bow to our seniors before facing our fans again.

    Jin-Sung hurried backstage and returned with a bunch of headbands, distributing one to each of us. Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and I carefully ced the headbands on our heads to avoid ruining our hair, while Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung pushed theirs up like they were washing their faces, lifting their bangspletely. Seeing this scene, Goh Yoo-Joonughed heartily and did the same to Joo-Han and me.

    ¡°Joy" was always full of improvisations. Unlike the rehearsals, where we increasingly turned it into a haven of ad-libs simr to our times with Cha Cha, we had managed to deliver a rtively standard performance during the main stage.

    However, it seemed like no one nned to hold back during the encore, especially now that our hair was already messed up by the headbands.

    We indulged in the stage with the audience, incorporating various ad-libs and the unique chants we''d polished during rehearsals. We made the most of the chaotic encore even without the AR[1] effects. Su-Hwan even mentioned changing his phone''s wallpaper to a photo of us on stage during the encore because of how epic it was.

    ***

    [Hyung, treat me to a meal sometime. I''ve got some things to ask... When are you free? -Yoo On-Sae]

    I wanted to reply to On-Sae''s message when Jin-Sung started making a fuss. ¡°What if my hands get sweaty during the handshake?"

    ¡°Indeed, since we will be so close... it''s a bit worrying," said Yoon-Chan.

    Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung tried to ease their nerves while talking to our manager. After all, it was our first fan-signing event. Having one-on-one conversations and signing autographs for our fans at such close quarters was a new experience for all of us, so it was no wonder that even Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon were feeling the pressure. Truth be told, so was I.

    No, I was actually¡­

    ¡°Hey, hyung, what''s wrong? Feeling carsick?"

    ¡°Just tired."

    ¡°You can''t fall asleep until the fan-signing event is over."

    I nodded at Su-Hwan¡¯s words and looked outside again. The scene of the uing fan-signing event vividly yed out in my mind. Strangely, I broke out in a cold sweat just by sitting there and imagining it. It was a peculiar mix of excitement and apprehension as if I were getting motion sickness. As I cracked the window open slightly, I unconsciously rxed my clenched fist.

    ¡°..."

    <em>''I wanted to be loved on stage.'' </em>

    My darned trauma seemed to cling to my ankles, trying to hold me back.

    <em>¡®It''s okay.'' </em>

    The situation was probably better than I had imagined.

    ¡°We''ve arrived."

    When the car came to a stop, we started to get out one by one.

    1. Augmented Reality enhances the traditional listening experience and allows artists to create unique and interactive performances. ?

 Chapter 203: Joy (40)

    <h4>Chapter 203: Joy (40)</h4>

    The echoes of Rings¡¯ cheers floated to our ears. We whispered our slogan behind the curtain before making our way to the stage.

    ¡°Kyaaaak!"

    The moment we came into view, the Rings erupted into thunderous apuse, their cheers filling the entire space.

    <i>Snap, snap, snap, snap! </i>

    The sound of cameras clicked nonstop as the Rings at the front captured the moment, the sh adding a sparkle to the atmosphere. The air was charged with intimacy and camaraderie closer than ever before, wrapping around me in an indescribable warmth I hadn''t felt in a long time.

    Joo-Han confidently lifted the microphone. ¡°On the count of three! One, two!"

    ¡°Hello! We are Chronos. It''s a pleasure to meet you."

    ¡°Yaaaaay!!!" To my surprise, I recognized many faces among the sea of fans, perhaps from various music shows we''d been on.

    ¡°Have you all been waiting long?" When Goh Yoo-Joon shouted, a chorus of ¡°No!¡± came back loud and clear.

    Joo-Han chimed in with a warm smile, ¡°I see some familiar faces from <i>Music Case. </i>How did you find oureback?"

    Though responses came from all directions as they blended into discord, the overwhelming sentiment was clear. The Rings loved it.

    ¡°We are so grateful to kick off oureback with a trophy, all thanks to you. It''s an incredible honor."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°Thank you so much!"

    Joo-Han looked backstage and nodded subtly before addressing the crowd again. ¡°There''s so much I''d like to share, but it seems we need to keep things moving. How about we save our chats forter and get things started?"

    ¡°Yes!!!!"

    The incessant shutter sounds created a symphony of their own. Amidst the growing tension, the fan-signing event finally started. I forced a smile, trying to ease my stiff expression, and turned my attention to the first fan in line.

    Jin-Sung was already engaged in conversation, signing an autograph for a fan at the far end. Despite his earlier nervousness, the fan had broken the ice and led to a smooth exchange. Next up was Goh Yoo-Joon. Right from the start, he dove into cheerful banter with a beaming smile.

    Then it was my turn. As the next Ring approached, I licked my dry lips and managed a natural smile. ¡°Hello."

    ¡°Hi there! Feeling nervous, oppa?"

    ¡°Huh?"

    The fan leaned in to lock eyes with me and shed a reassuring smile.

    ¡°Do I seem... nervous?" I asked

    She gestured ¡°just a bit¡± with her hands and a nod. Her gaze was filled with such warmth and friendliness, a stark contrast to the cold looks I had dreaded on my way here. Thankfully, her kindness melted away my fears in an instant and rxed my tense muscles slightly. My hands still trembled, but thankfully, it wasn''t noticeable while I was signing.

    ¡°It''s my first time, so the nerves are kicking in. I hope it doesn''t show too much."

    ¡°Don''t worry. A bit of nervousness is endearing. I love you, oppa!" The fan extended her hand for a high-five. Smiling back, I high-fived back and she moved on to Joo-Han after a cheerful exchange.

    Soon after, another fan stepped forward. ¡°Hello! Gosh, I''m really shaking."

    ¡°Hello to you too."

    This fan seemed even more nervous than I was, her voice quivering. It dawned on me then that everyone here was supportive, all of them rooting for me. This realization enveloped me in aforting sense of belonging.

    ¡°Could you... Um, answer this question on the sticky note for me?"

    ¡°Pardon? Oh, sure! what is it?"

    "Oh, right!"

    [Who''s the cutest and most lovable member? Why?

    1. Joo-Han 2. Yoo-Joon 3. Me 4. Jin-Sung 5. Yoon-Chan]

    ¡°The cutest and most lovable? Hmm, tough call. No one reallyes to mind."

    After pondering for a moment, I scribbled down a cheeky response.

    [6. Our Manager (Reason: Always smiles fondly at us from afar. Constantly changes his phone wallpaper to our photos)]

    ¡°Here you go!"

    ¡°Thanks a lot! Also, since we are of the same age, can I call you ''Hyun-Woo'' next time?"

    ¡°Absolutely, I am looking forward to it."

    The fan-signing event turned out to be more serene than anticipated. Engaging in high-fives and interlocking pinky fingers with Rings soon became our second nature, and I managed to do so without a hint of trembling hands now.

    We used to be neatly presented at the beginning. However, as the autograph session unfolded, we found ourselves gradually wearing more essories, from nes and bracelets to headbands and whimsical toy hats. It was as if we wereyering up in an eclectic mix of game gear.

    Among these items were cat ear headbands we used to scoff at, chokers that once felt like they were strangling us, and vibrant Hawaiian-style flower nes, adorned further with flower crowns to enhance the yful look.

    The fans sitting in front of us relentlessly captured our amusingly decked-out appearance, showing no mercy with their cameras.

    In the midst of this essory frenzy, Goh Yoo-Joon, who was seated right next to me, yfully decided to ce his headband on me. This pushed my patience to its brink. I was unable to hold back any longer, so I rounded up all the headbands I could find and piled them high on Goh Yoo-Joon''s head in a yful act of retaliation. This yful scuffle escted into a headlock situation.

    Despite my difort, the fans seemed thoroughly entertained, convinced that they were witnessing the legendary friendly skirmish they had only heard rumors about. Instead of intervening, they chose to capture the moment, snapping away with their cameras.

    After a series of lighthearted incidents, we concluded the signing session. Then, all members regrouped at the front of the table. The microphone, which had been with Joo-Han, was now passed around among us for a brief moment of conversation.

    ¡°We''ve been pondering what we could do to make this moment more engaging. Ideally, we''d dive into a random chat with you all, but acknowledging our shared shyness, we''vee up with a special event instead.¡±

    ¡°Waaah!¡±

    ¡°Thank you for such an enthusiastic response! We are thrilled to introduce the ''Ask Us Anything!!!¡¯¡±

    I added, ¡°As it suggests, this session is all about Chronos meeting any request from our Rings as long as they are possible!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon said, ¡°While we''d love to entertain requests from everyone here, time constraints mean we will have to limit this to just ten for now."

    Yoon-Chan then stepped forward while holding a raffle box, signaling that the ticket numbers the fans received upon entry would determine their luck.

    ¡°Let''s start this off with Yoon-Chan.¡±

    ¡°Alright." Yoon-Chan reached into the box to draw the first lucky number. ¡°Ah, it''s fan number five."

    ¡°Yes!!!"

    The fan number five leaped up with an enthusiastic cheer, her excitement contagious, drawingughter from those around. She asked, ¡°Yoon-Chan, could you grace us with some aegyo, please?"

    ¡°Please show us your aegyo, Yoon-Chan hyung,¡± Jin-Sung yfully added.

    Momentarily taken aback, Yoon-Chan blushed deeply but was encouraged by the apuse from both the fans and his fellow members. ¡°Okay, I will... I will give it my best shot.¡±

    His face then flushed with a deeper shade of red.

    ¡°Our Yoon-Chan isn''t really used to doing aegyo," I said.

    ¡°Let''s give him some time to mentally prepare."

    ¡°Alright, I will do it!" Yoon-Chan dered, his face taking on a determined expression.

    ¡°Wow!"

    We all gathered around Yoon-Chan, lending our support. With a shy smile, Yoon-Chan stammered, ¡°I... I just really..."

    His voice was filled with a mix of bashfulness and hesitation, unexpectedly charming.

    ¡°What is it?"

    ¡°What are you trying to say?¡±

    ¡°You got this, Yoon-Chan!¡±

    "I... miss you... <i>meow</i>..."

    The room fell silent. Was this his attempt at aegyo? Seeing it being delivered in such a tender whisper, we couldn''t help but burst intoughter,pletely charmed by his effort.

    ¡°Ahahaha!¡±

    ¡°Incredible aegyo!"

    ¡°Wow, what a great disy of aegyo!"

    ¡°Yikes! Hyung, you nearly gave me a heart attack. That was no joke!"

    ¡°Okay, okay, that''s enough..."

    ¡°Indeed, that was some amazing aegyo. Shall we move on to the next?" Joo-Han quickly wrapped it up and hurriedly drew the next number. ¡°Who''s number sixty-seven here?"

    ¡°That''s me!" Fan number sixty-seven stood up, shyly covering her face with her hand. The microphone was then handed to her, and she said, ¡°Um, well, it might not be possible, but I was wondering if you''d consider releasing a song as a sub-group."

    ¡°Oh, a song as a sub-group." It was a sincere request and question, so all of us automatically looked toward Joo-Han.

    After a moment of thought, Joo-Han took the microphone to answer it. ¡°We haven''t nned anything like that so far, but we will consider giving it a try."

    ¡°Yaaaaay!!!"

    ¡°Hold on, we will obviously need to discuss it with thepany first, but if we were to release a unit song, whichbination would you prefer?" Joo-Han asked.

    All the fans shouted out their preferred unitbinations. Of course, with everyone talking at once, it was hard to hear them.

    Joo-Han listened to the fans and then took the microphone again. ¡°Whatbination would you like, fan number sixty-seven?"

    ¡°I''d like... um, a roommate unit, maybe."

    Goh Yoo-Joon startedughing and joked, ¡°If it''s a roommate unit, our leader will feel left out."

    ¡°Oh, no, that''s not what I meant..."

    ¡°Hey, are you teasing the Rings too?"

    ¡°It''s just a sign of closeness, antisocial Suh Hyun-Woo."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon and I bickered, Joo-Han thoughtfully said, ¡°We will take it into consideration. Thank you for your suggestion."

    After that, we concluded the session with various promises: Jin-Sung''s acape dance¡ªwhich I ended up joining, group promise for the Q&A app, Goh Yoo-Joon and my cover songs, selfie update promise, and so on.

    Following a photo session in various yful poses and a brief talk about our schedule, we ended our first fan-signing event with words of thanks. Not long after it ended, reviews and ounts of the event started popping up on various social media tforms.

    The posts detailed the conversations we had while signing autographs, the minor incidents that urred, and what happened during the photo and talk session.

 Chapter 204: Joy (41)

    Chapter 204: Joy (41)

    - It seems like YMM is finally starting to pay attention to fan services. Aww, we finally get a fan meeting as soon as they start promoting the second album, along with theunch of lightsticks and fan signings...?????? Please take care of the Rings... We''ve bought so many merchandise...??

    - Anyway, I went to Chronos''s second album fan signing. I was worried I couldn''t make it because of the restriction on the number of fans, and I had to split my tiny sry to buy as much as I could. But I made it!

    Review: I fucking love them. I will raise you with my bank ount.

    - The fan signing order was Jin-Sung, Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, Joo-Han, then Yoon-Chan. It was their first time doing this, so they seemed as nervous as I was...haha.

    - Jin-Sung''s sticky note (sticky note question.jpg) [Jin-Sung, do you prefer older, same age, or younger girls? Answer: Noona, you]

    He looked at the sticky note and then asked, ¡°Are you older than me?"

    Me: "Yes!" And then he immediately wrote down ¡°Noona¡± as the answer... My god, where did you learn to be so cute??????? I really love you ??????

    - Yoo-Joon looks even sharper in person, so I was worried he might not be approachable. But he greeted me with a big smile as soon as I sat in front of him.

    Yoo-Joon: "Hello!" Me: "Ah, hello!"

    Yoo-Joon: "Are you also a noona to me?"

    Me: "Yeah, way older..."

    Then Yoo-Joon said, "Really? You don''t look like it." He naturally looked at Jin-Sung''s autograph in front of him and then wrote my name. He seemed much more mature and skilled than what I''ve seen on TV... I felt a deep, invincible love inside ??

    - Yoo-Joon''s sticky note [What was the first thing you heard this morning and who said it?

    Answer: Swear words¡ª"Ah, please just turn off the game and let''s sleep" (Suh Hyun-Woo)] Yoo-Joon said, "And he''s the one who wakes upte..." ???????????? Looks like they had a fight first thing in the morning ahahaha.

    - Hyun-Woo seemed particrly nervous, but it was relieving to see him gradually rxing as time went by.

    - Hyun-Woo... After I went to the fan signing, you became my favorite... How could you treat me so warmly and kindly with that gaze and tone...? I didn''t usually fall for people easily, but I did this time, Hyun-Woo ??...

    - Does Hyun-Woo have a bit of stage fright? He seemed quite nervous, and I''m a bit worried because I''ve been there too.

    - Hyun-Woo''s sticky note [Draw Jin-Sung!] ?????????? Yes, he drew a muscle monster.

    - Hyun-Woo''s sticky note [If you were topare the members to a family, who would they be?

    Answer: Mom - Joo-Han, Dad - Manager Su-Hwan, Firstborn - Me, Secondborn - Yoon-Chan, Dog - Jin-Sung, Others (please specify): Professional gamer neighbor - Goh Yoo-Joon] ?????? Ah... Yoo-Joon ??????????????

    - At the fan signing, the two of the same age were bickering?????? Yoo-Joon wore a headband he received, posed for a bit, and then immediately put it on Hyun-Woo > After putting on four, Hyun-Woo copsed, and they wrestled to put it on each other > Hyun-Woo got caught in a headlock, and Yoo-Joon ended up kicking Hyun-Woo''s shin to finish it off > The fans who saw this in person wereughing and snapping pictures.

    - Joo-Han''s sticky note [When will Joo-Han''s solo be released?

    Answer: After I make songs for the kids] ?????? Joo-Han, you are such a kind person...

    - I thought Joo-Han was the type to maintain a professional distance, so I expected a brief conversation and an autograph, but he was incredibly kind ?? He reached out his hand right away, interlocked fingers first, and smiled well...

    - Yoon-Chan''s sticky note [My favorite and the healing fairy of the members, our Yoon-Chan! How do you feel when your fellow members hold your hands?

    Answer: They must be nervous.]

    - Review after actually seeing Yoon-Chan in real life: he is so pale and fluffy.

    - What the fuck!!! Why am I the only one who couldn¡¯t go? ???? I will definitely go next time, even if I have to buy hundreds of albums and tickets. Just for you, Chronos!!! I will go to the inauguration ceremony!

    ***

    The sticky note answers and heartfelt conversations we had shared during the fan-signing event were making their rounds on social media. All of us were on edge, worried about unintentional blunders we might have made. However, the online buzz seemed to indicate that, at least outwardly, the event concluded on a high note.

    As we were buoyed by the sessfuleback, we eagerly plunged into organizing an uing fan meeting. Our schedules used to be a tranquil stream but now were swiftly turning into a bustling river once more.

    Joo-Han was the first among us to dive into the solo variety show scene with <em>Catch the Thief, Boom-ba!</em> His silence on the filming details¡ªmet with a simple "It was fun" even when asked¡ªleft us more curious.

    However, the manager hinted at Joo-Han''smendable performance.

    ¡°With all the TV appearances lined up, remember to not just aim for screen time but also to safeguard your image," our manager advised.

    A chorus of "Yes!" filled the space.

    We were in a small meeting room at YMM Entertainment. The manager had not onlyid out Joo-Han''s itinerary but also disclosed the individual engagements for Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, which made him earn a nod of approval from Supervisor Kim.

    As the manager wrapped up, Supervisor Kim flipped through his diary and pondered aloud, ¡°Hmm, is <em>Graduating </em>wrapping up in about two weeks?"

    ¡°Yes, and there''s chatter about a potential spin-off given the positive response, though nothing''s set in stone yet."

    Supervisor Kim''s next question caught us off guard. ¡°Did I hear right that SES is picking up a new series by writer Bae Cha-Boon?"

    ¡°Writer Bae Cha-Boon?¡±

    Supervisor Kim nodded and continued, ¡°You all heard of her, right? She is the one who wrote the blockbuster drama <em>A Hundred Million Stories for You</em>.¡±

    It had once fueled the Korean Wave[1] across East Asia. Writer Bae Cha-Boon, celebrated for her string of hit romance dramas, was a household name in South Korea.

    The sudden shift to drama discussions piqued our curiosity. Was Yoon-Chan venturing into acting? However, his clueless expression suggested otherwise.

    Supervisor Kim then dropped another bombshell. ¡°You guys have been tasked with the original soundtrack for this drama. It''s a bit of a favor from the director, but I''m suggesting Goh Yoo-Joon for the job."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was taken aback, and he pointed to himself in disbelief. ¡°Me?"

    With a nod, Supervisor Kim continued, ¡°Yes. Your voice has been the talk of the town since before debut, but you''ve yet to fully showcase it. This is your moment."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s initial hesitation gave way to a bright smile as he eagerly epted. ¡°Yes! I''m on it!"

    ¡°The soundtrack is going to be popr with Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice. It''s a done deal," I said, patting Goh Yoo-Joon on the shoulder in congrattions.

    Given it was a drama¡¯s soundtrack, there was a high chance it would be a soft bad. This would really highlight his voice well. For someone like me who loved Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice, this was great news.

    ¡°I''m in the process of receiving a song, so if Joo-Han has any ideas, let me know. I will pass them on to the production team."

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°And also......"

    Supervisor Kim''s notebook made a brisk flipping sound. He mentioned, ¡°There''s a schedule for Hyun-Woo that we''ve discussed, but it''s not confirmed yet. It might be a gaming variety show. Just be aware of that."

    ¡°Is it like a variety show?" I asked, and Supervisor Kim shook his head. ¡°No, a show about gaming. It''s aboutputer games, and you are known among the fans for being good at games, right?"

    ¡°Yes... maybe."

    ¡°So, they are keeping you in mind. Just be aware of that."

    ¡°Okay!!¡±

    ¡°Oh, and how''s the fan meeting preparation going by the nning team?"

    As we grew in poprity, the volume of content we shared increased. After we attended numerous meetings and practices without a break, our eyes started to droop as Supervisor Kim continued to ask questions.

    Then, the nning team cautiously presented their masterstroke¡ªChronos¡¯s light stick.

    ¡°We''ve received the sample," said Supervisor Kim. My mind snapped back to attention at the sight of the unfamiliar, brightly glowing light stick before me.

    ¡°Based on the members'' opinions, the design team worked on it, and the nning team really liked it. What do you all think?"

    Inside an antique metal curved frame was a round transparent case with a clock''s second hand slightly tilted and rotating inside. Moreover, it had great luminance and came equipped with Bluetooth functionality. All in all, it was a very cool and amazing light stick that reflected all of our opinions.

    ¡°It''s so pretty, isn''t it?" I said, and the nning team staff smiled proudly. ¡°Right? Everyone liked it and said it''s adorable."

    We took turns touching the light stick and turned on the light, nodding in satisfaction. ¡°We like it. It''s good to go as is."

    ¡°What do you think, Supervisor?"

    ¡°Ick an aesthetic sense. If everyone says it''s pretty, then let''s proceed with it. Please move forward quickly. We are on a tight schedule."

    ¡°Ah, yes! Understood."

    ¡°Let''s all do our best this week too. Let''s work hard."

    ¡°Yes!"

    The moment the meeting came to an end, we stretched and loosened our bodies in unison. Joo-Han managed to get a sample of the light stick from the nning team''s deputy manager.

    ¡°Now, let''s go back to practice."

    ¡°Yeah."

    When we were about to follow everyone out of the meeting room¡­

    ¡°Ah, right, right. Guys!" Supervisor Kim hurriedly called us.

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Do you guys have passports?"

    We were caught off guard by the sudden question, hesitating and looking at each other.

    Supervisor Kimughed and said, "It''s nothing much, just something we talked about before. <em>Again After Rainfall</em>. We are scheduled to start filming after the song promotion, and it will either be Tokyo or New York, so those without passports should prepare them in advance. We have to fly."

    ¡°¡­<em>Gasp</em>."

    ¡°Wow, really? We are going to fly?"

    ¡°New York! Tokyo! Either way, it''s overseas. Yay!"

    ¡°Now that I think about it, this will be your first overseas schedule, right? You guys won¡¯t have much time, but there should be a day or two to look around."

    Excited by the news of our first overseas filming, the other members bombarded Supervisor Kim and the manager with questions.

    No one seemed to notice my condition. A thrilling sensation started at my toes, making me feel dizzy, and my entire body trembled with a chilling sensation. Eventually, I quietly slipped out of the meeting room.

    Oveing one hardship only to face another¡­ After I had endured the stares, now it was the vivid memory of explosions in my ears that convinced me I couldn¡¯t board a ne. It felt like a warning that I could never achieve my dreams without enduring everything.

    I leaned against the wall and sat down on the cold floor. Then, I rubbed my hands together. A little whileter, the meeting room door opened and someone stood in front of me. "Ah, um, um¡­"

    I looked up in surprise to find Su-Hwan looking down at me with a concerned expression.

    1. ??(Han-ryu) refers to the global poprity of South Korean culture, including music, TV dramas, movies, and entertainment. This phenomenon has spread worldwide, initially targeting regional neighbors like China and Japan before reaching global audiences through the inte and social media tforms. ?

 Chapter 205: Joy (42)

    Chapter 205: Joy (42)

    Su-Hwan knelt to align his gaze with mine and asked in a hushed tone, ¡°Airne."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Does the thought of flying unsettle you? I want you to be honest with me. I''m asking so that we cane up with an appropriate strategy to address it."

    The mere utterance of the word ''airne'' already caused my heart to throb so fast that its beats echoed in my ears. I was overwhelmed by breathlessness as if the air itself had thickened around me.

    I dodged Su-Hwan''s probing gaze and gave him a small, hesitant nod. He maintained hisposure, nodding and rising to his feet.

    ¡°That¡¯s a close one. Do you want to get up and chat, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    ¡°...Ah, yes."

    I stood up by grasping Su-Hwan¡¯s outstretched hand, and we made our way to the empty break room next door. It was a quiet spot, usually just for the staff, so it was now deserted and dim in thete hours.

    As soon as we entered, Su-Hwan quickly locked the door behind us and offered me a vitamin drink from the fridge before sitting down across from me. ¡°Do the others know about your fear of flying? They seemed to just assume that you have a moderate fear of height."I shook my head, not really wanting to talk about it. I was worried I might start stuttering or something.

    ¡°Being scared of heights doesn''t mean you will freeze up every time flyinges up, you know," said Su-Hwan.

    ¡°Right."

    ¡°Can I help you somehow?" Su-Hwan kept his cool, asking me all these questions.

    Being an idol meant I had to fly a lot. I couldn''t just skip out on international gigs, so I had to deal with this fear, but still...

    ¡°You are shaking."

    Memories of a past crash, the ring rms, the feeling of falling, the loud bangs, and that sharp pain¡ªall came rushing back, overwhelming me.

    ¡°Hang on, just... give me a sec..." I buried my face in my arms as I tried to forget it all. ¡°I am sorry for making you wait."

    It took forever to catch my breath and calm down, but when I finally did, I looked up at Su-Hwan again. ¡°Let''s keep this between us, okay? The others don''t need to know."

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°I had a bad fall before we debuted. That''s why..."

    ¡°Sounds like it was pretty serious."

    I couldn''t tell him the whole truth¡­ about nearly dying in a ne crash, so I just told him enough information.

    ¡°I will get through this, so don''t worry too much, okay? I will be fine."

    After I finished, Su-Hwan looked down and thought for a bit. With a serious look, he then met my eyes again. ¡°Hyun-Woo, just pushing through isn''t always the best way. You can''t keep doing that forever."

    ¡°But if I don''t keep going, I can''t do this job." I had to make this second chance work. I couldn''t let this stop me. I had gone through tough times before, so I could do it again.

    However, Su-Hwan sadly shook his head. ¡°You are still young, Hyun-Woo. Some things are too much to handle on your own, especially the deep-seated stuff."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Maybe think about getting some professional help, like counseling?"

    ¡°Counseling?"

    Su-Hwan nodded. ¡°You shouldn''t avoid hospitals, not with what we do. If you are up for it, I can make an appointment."

    That was when we heard it.

    <em>Knock knock knock knock knock-</em>

    ¡°Joo-Han here. I know you are in there. Su-Hwan, let Hyun-Woo out." Joo-Han''s voice came through the door, sounding urgent and persistent.

    Su-Hwan chuckled, got up, and opened the door. Seeing how Joo-Han and Su-Hwan interacted, it looked like they''d gotten pretty close.

    ¡°Just having a chat with Hyun-Woo. Is something going on?"

    ¡°Nope, all good. Just saw you two had disappeared, so I was wondering." Joo-Han looked straight at me, his tone casual but concerned.

    ¡°Why?" Su-Hwan asked.

    ¡°Nothing, really." Even though Joo-Han said it was nothing, he kept looking at me with a mix of concern and confusion on his face. He then suddenly pulled me into a tight hug. ¡°Why so down today, huh? Has Su-Hwan been giving you a hard time?"

    ¡°No, not really."

    Hugs weren''t really Joo-Han''s thing, but here he was, making an exception. He was patting my back gently, totally unlike his usual loud self.

    <em>''He must''ve overheard.''</em>

    Once I figured out why Joo-Han was acting like this, the noise from the break room drew in the other members, and they started crowding around us.

    ¡°What''s going on?"

    ¡°Been looking for Hyun-Woo, and here you are. Joo-Han, what''s with the sudden lovefest?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, are you okay? Did something happen with Joo-Han?"

    Then Joo-Han let go of me and gestured for the others toe closer. ¡°Chill, everyone. Come, give Hyun-Woo a hug."

    ¡°What''s this about? Is it some kind of feel-good ritual?"

    ¡°Joo-Han''s always like, ''Come get a hug!'' And now he''s not even telling us why?"

    It was funny how our group dynamics yed out. The whole situation was downright annoying, but the truly terrifying part was how even receiving some half-hearted constion started to have a soothing effect on me.

    It was only after my head was awkwardly patted and my patience stretched thin that this exasperating episode finally came to an end.

    ¡°Ah, forget it! I''m fine now, really!" I eximed.

    Joo-Han, who had somehow taken the lead in this chaos, casually shrugged off the tension. With his usual stoic face, he suggested, ¡°Time to head out?"

    ¡°Oh, heading out sounds good!"

    ¡°Well done, everyone! Let''s call it a day and head home," said Joo-Han. He might have brushed the incident off as if it were nothing, but his fleeting nces in my direction as we left the office and climbed into the car hinted at a deeper concern. I felt bad, but I stubbornly chose to ignore his looks right until the very end.

    As night fell, the air grew heavy with an unspoken tension. I had barely settled into bed when Goh Yoo-Joon brought it up, his voiceden with concern.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, is something bothering you?"

    ¡°And what would that be?"

    ¡°Umm, the vibe earlier was a bit off."

    I could only offer a shake of my head in response. ¡°It''s nothing..."

    ¡°Alright then."

    ¡°Hey, don''t hold back if something''s up. What''s the point of friendship if not for sharing the tough times?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s words, though earnest, seemed to embarrass him. Hence, he quickly turned away and soon fell asleep.

    I justy there and stared nkly at the ceiling, being lost in thought. ¡®<em>What if I keep pretending everything''s fine, and then suddenly it''s not?¡¯</em>

    The thought of dealing with a significant event, like an incident at the airport, was daunting enough. Even the mention of flights was enough to stir a sense of dread within me. ¡®<em>What if I''m confronted with emotions I can''t face?¡¯</em>

    <em>¡°Some things are too much to handle on your own, especially the deep-seated stuff."</em>

    Su-Hwan''s words echoed in my mind. Some burdens were indeed too substantial to bear alone, and this was clearly one of them. After much contemtion, I reached for my phone. My fingers hovered above the screen for what felt like an eternity before finally, with a resolute determination, I started to type.

    - I think I need to get a consultant. Please and thank you. I am ready to get some help.

    Perhaps it was time to acknowledge that I didn¡¯t have to fight alone.

    ***

    With the whirlwind of music broadcasts, a myriad of events, and unofficial schedules such as fan meeting preparations, I finally managed to have a rxing moment.

    At the YMM Entertainment building, I was working on Goh Yoo-Joon''s solo track and found myself alone in the studio as Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon had stepped out for a coffee break. I then seized the opportunity to experiment with theposition software, applying tips I''d learned from Kim Jin-Wook and the guidance of Producer Do.

    ¡°Is this really your first time using this software? You are quite adept. I noticed your knack for it when we were working on the track. You should consider learning from me, like Joo-Han has. I''d be d to help."

    ¡°Thank you. I might just take you up on that offer."

    ¡°Feel free. The studio is yours whenever I''m not around. Try it, and if something goodes out, don''t hesitate to show me."

    ¡°Will do!"

    Producer Do nodded approvingly and saved my experimental piece under my name for future reference.

    ¡°By the way, how is Joo-Han''s projecting along? Haven''t heard much about it," asked Producer Do.

    ¡°His project?"

    ¡°Yeah, the original soundtrack that Supervisor Kim asked about. It''s crucial to seize such opportunities, but it seems like he hasn''t made much progress. Perhaps he''s been working on it in the dorm?"

    I shook my head in response. While Joo-Han had indeed been busy with music production at the dorm, his focus seemed wholly consumed by the fan club''s inaugural song, leaving little time for the drama soundtrack.

    ¡°That''s unfortunate. Well, he''s already tasted sess with the Chronos tracks," Producer Do sighed, giving me a knowing look. "Remember, if you ever want to pitch a soundtrack, you know where to find me. Don''t hesitate to give it a try."

    ¡°Me? Well, I don''t know..."

    ¡°Don''t worry. If it doesn''t meet the mark, I will let you know. Consider it as a practice."

    Producer Do''s persuasive words carried such power that I found myself nodding earnestly, my face set with newfound determination. ¡°I will give it a try."

    Just then, Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon came into the studio with coffee in hand. ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting! Yoo-Joon wanted to go over the lyrics one more time beforeing in."

    ¡°That''s fine. So, Yoo-Joon, are you ready?"

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Let''s go in." Producer Do then pointed toward the recording booth while looking at Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was slightly taken aback, ncing at me before nodding vigorously and stepping into the booth.

    ¡°Joo-Han has crafted an impressive track, and Hyun-Woo has contributed beautiful lyrics. Since this song is filled with the members'' affection, Yoo-Joon, you need to sing it super well."

    After hearing the weighty expectations from Producer Do in the recording studio, Goh Yoo-Joon momentarily faltered but soon adjusted his expression and nodded confidently. ¡°I will do my best to sing it as impressively as possible!"

    ¡°Good. Let''s get started."

    I looked down at the neatly printed lyrics in front of me, aligning myself with the moment.

    Soon, the intro music started to flow, and a deep, resonant voice brought the words to life. Goh Yoo-Joon was singing the song just as the letters on the page dictated.

 Chapter 206: Joy (43)

    <h4>Chapter 206: Joy (43)</h4>

    <i>The red petals burn,</i>

    <i>The smoke drifts to the lips,</i>

    <i>Enveloping you</i>

    <i>Tripping over the imperfect lighting,</i>

    <i>Slowly getting closer</i>?

    <i>I will be anything,</i>

    <i>Whisper sweetly,</i>

    <i>For the cold burning moment,</i>

    <i>I will smile and speak kindly</i>?

    <i>If you like it,</i>

    <i>I will always be a fun person,</i>

    <i>But,</i>

    <i>I''m not actually that pleasant</i>?

    Engrossed in Goh Yoo-Joon''s song, Joo-Han remarked thoughtfully, ¡°Hmm, it''s quite different from his usual style. The lyrics have a different vibe as expected."

    I agreed, ¡°Yeah, the song has its own vibe, and Kim Jin-Wook hyung lent his magic touch to it."

    The music was tailored to fit Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s image rather than his inherently bubbly personality. It took the form of deep R&B, which suited his voice impably. However, he grappled with achieving the perfect vibe right up until the final moments before recording. Anyway, the lyrics were a truebor of love, meticulously crafted with the assistance of Kim Jin-Wook.

    Sipping my coffee while observing Goh Yoo-Joon, I then said, ¡°Hey, he really owes me one."

    No kidding, it took more effort to create these lyrics than the ones from my solo tracks. In any case, Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice was truly remarkable. I had long felt that the group''s upbeat tracks didn''t fully showcase Goh Yoo-Joon''s vocal talent, making this solo opportunity all the more valuable. It was a chance for the audience to experience his genuinely well-crafted solo track.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, you cane out now," said Producer Do.

    ¡°Are we done?"

    As Producer Do gave a nod, Goh Yoo-Joon swaggered off, set down his headset, and stepped out of the recording booth. He asked, ¡°Did you see that? I wrapped up early, all thanks to my ster voice."

    ¡°Must be nice, huh?" I asked indifferently.

    ¡°Aren''t you going to react properly?"

    ¡°Too drained to muster up a response." I nonchntly brushed off Goh Yoo-Joon''sments when our manager suddenly sprang up and started to gather our things.

    ¡°Have we wrapped up here, Producer Do?"

    ¡°Hm? Oh, yes. You guys can head out first."

    The manager bowed politely and herded us out of the studio with Producer Do''s somewhat distracted confirmation.

    ¡°We will see youter then. Thank you, Producer."

    ¡°Good job, everyone."

    ¡°Hey, don''t push! Thank you, Producer!"

    ¡°Thank you!"

    Even though our manager was alwaysposed, we were really pushing it with our recording time, and he seemed somewhat panicked. Thankfully, we managed to squeeze it in just before our next scheduled activity.

    After dropping Joo-Han off at the practice room, the manager drove Goh Yoo-Joon and me to the KEW Broadcasting Station.

    We arrived at the fourth floor of KEW Broadcasting Station. The corridor was nked by doors, eachbeled with the name of a different program produced by thepany. The faint glow of the fluorescent lights and the silhouettes of people behind the semi-translucent ss created a subdued ambiance, with everyone seemingly engrossed in discussions about their respective broadcasts, rendering the corridor eerily silent. For us neers, this space remained unfamiliar no matter how many visits we made.

    We knocked on a door adorned with a sign that read <i>Graduating: Boys¡¯ High School Edition.</i>

    ¡°Come in."

    ¡°Excuse us for interrupting."

    As we peered in, faces familiar from the filming of <i>Graduating </i>greeted us warmly.

    ¡°You must be swamped with your recent schedules, aren''t you?"

    ¡°Haha, just a bit?"

    ¡°I''ve been following your work since west met at the auditorium, and I must say, I''m a fan of Chronos''s music. I''ve been listening to it on repeat."

    ¡°Thank you so much!"

    There was Director Ra Hee-Ra, the revered Director of <i>Graduating</i>. Despite ourst encounter not being long ago, it was evident that Director Ra had be noticeably more haggard. She appeared visibly exhausted, her energy seemingly drained.

    The reason behind her condition was all too clear¡ªit stemmed from the incident involving Lee Cheol-Min stealing a wallet. During ourst shoot, there was an unfortunate episode where Lee Cheol-Min surreptitiously took the allowance meant for a mission.

    ¡°First off, thank you so much for taking the time toe here despite your hectic schedules. The reason I wanted to see you before we start filming is to discuss the issue with the missing allowance fromst time."

    ¡°Ah, that matter..." As Goh Yoo-Joon hinted at being aware of the full story, Director Ra simply pursed her lips and nodded solemnly. It seemed to be a subject she hated bringing up.

    ¡°<i>Sigh</i>. I did pass on the message to Su-Hwan through one of the writers..."

    ¡°Yes, we''ve been informed. It was Lee Cheol-Min''s doing."

    ¡°That''s correct. Ki-Hoon was the one who discovered it, and Cheol-Min admitted to it right away. We managed to wrap up the shoot somewhat awkwardly, but..." Director Ra wore an expressionden with contemtion. ¡°To be honest, from our standpoint... Well, it''s quite awkward to discuss this with you, but..."

    Having been around the industry for a while, I had a rough idea of what Director Ra was trying to say.

    ¡°Well... Uh."

    Due to our packed schedules, we couldn''t stick around until the very end. Therefore, I was not entirely sure how things had wrapped up during the shoot. However, I had a feeling that the incident didn''t conclude on a high note.

    After all, the filming had undergone for quite a while, and the episodes had even been broadcast. Given the show''s virtual observation format that relied heavily on each student''s unique charm, the first episode aimed to shine a spotlight not just on Chronos but on every student, helping the audience be familiar with their faces. Thus, if Lee Cheol-Min were to abruptly leave the show, it would undoubtedly raise more than a few eyebrows.

    "..."

    Silence descended in the meeting room as Director Ra hesitated to bring up the subject. With only two weeks of shooting left, the production team would probably prefer to gloss over any issues and carry on as if nothing had happened. The situation was simr to the phrases often found in articles about celebrities in hot water: ¡°It was an open secret in the industry,¡± ¡°The cast was already in the know,¡± and so forth.

    However, it seemed Director Ra found it particrly awkward to request such a thing from these young kids, especially to those who affectionately called her Director and looked up to her.

    ¡°To give you an idea of how things ended that day, Ki-Hoon wanted to stick with Cheol-Min till the very end."

    ¡°Really? He was okay with just letting the theft slide?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s incredulous question was met with a nod from Director Ra.

    ¡°Well, Ki-Hoon didn¡¯t directly say that. His manager told us that they had be especially close, and despite Cheol-Min¡¯s wrongdoing, the manager felt that it would be best if the news of this incident didn¡¯t spread since Cheol-Min was showing remorse. He suggested we film as nned."

    ¡°It''s true they seemed close, but still..."

    ¡°Ki-Hoon is an actor after all. There''s their friendship, andpletely cutting out Cheol-Min would mean losing all of Ki-Hoon''s footage as well. It would be a tricky situation for him and his agency, wouldn''t it?" Director Ra seemed to be looking for our agreement.

    Certainly, the agency must have made such a request to preserve Ki-Hoon''s screen time since they had been together so often.

    <i>''But is that all there is to it?''</i>

    Something about that day was off. The expression I caught on Lee Cheol-Min''s face... The silent frustration he harbored toward Ki-Hoon, hidden behind his tough appearance...

    Having witnessed that, I couldn''t take Ki-Hoon''s gesture of goodwill at face value. I had to remind myself that after this broadcast, a major controversy would erupt¡ªa detail that would go unnoticed by everyone else but not by me.

    ¡°And we are in the same boat..." Director Ra carefully exined the production team''s perspective. ¡°The episode has already aired, and with the chapters alreadypleted and all the footage filmed, reshooting is out of the question."

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°We''d really prefer to keep this matter among us and continue shooting as nned. So, I''m sorry, but we''d really appreciate it if you could act as if you were unaware of this."

    Director Ra''s awkward demeanor prompted me to give her a reassuring smile and nod. ¡°It''s okay with us. We weren''t particrly close with him anyway."

    Finally, relief washed over Director Ra''s face, which had been marked by fatigue throughout our conversation. She said, ¡°Thank you. I called you here today specifically to discuss this. It''s quite a sensitive matter, after all."

    There wasn''t much more to say about the broadcast after that. Director Ra then asked us a few routine questions, like whether we found anything challenging about the shooting or if our schedules were too packed. Then, we wrapped up the conversation with some praise from our manager.

    ¡°Thanks for taking the time toe here despite your busy schedules. We will see you at the next shooting."

    ¡°Yes! Thank you!"

    ¡°Good work!"

    On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min. From my point of view, it was unclear who was wronged. If that was the case, then Lee Cheol-Min would be the one to reveal the truth, and Ki-Hoon would be the one exposed.

    As we made our way to the car, I mulled over the incident and reyed it in my mind. If it had just been a matter between the two of them, I wouldn''t have been so concerned.

    ¡°<i>Sigh..</i>."

    ¡°What''s with the sigh? ...Feeling a bit off, huh?"

    ¡°Seems like it."

    I vaguely remembered that the controversy centered around one person, but it soon spiraled out into a series of second and third revtions. The public imed that the entire cast and crew were aware of the situation but chose to turn a blind eye, which cast a shadow over everyone involved.

    In light of this, perhaps my role was to ensure the smoothpletion of the filming and to seal away Lee Cheol-Min''s grievances, preventing any future problems. Essentially, even if something were to happen, it wouldn''t be tied back to Chronos.

    At that moment, a simple solution popped into my mind.

    As we got into the car, I turned to Goh Yoo-Joon and said, ¡°Hey, I need to talk to you about something."

    ¡°What''s up? nning a trip abroad?"

    ¡°Why would I suddenly discuss going abroad with you? No, it''s about Lee Cheol-Min."

    ¡°He is not here. ...Sorry, what''s it about?"

    ¡°It''s about the uneasy feeling from the other day. When we had to leave early due to our schedule, I caught Lee Cheol-Min''s eye..." I methodically recounted the day''s events to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then asked, ¡°Hmm, I always found On Ki-Hoon a bit off-putting, but I''m not sure. You are saying you just caught a certain look in Lee Cheol-Min¡¯s eyes?"

    ¡°Yeah, but imagine if Lee Cheol-Min was actually framed. It would be terribly unfair, wouldn''t it? What if he was being manipted for reasons unknown?"

    ¡°Huh." Goh Yoo-Joon gave me a look of disbelief.

    I was aware that I was not the type to extend such kindness or get overly involved in other people''s business. However, I needed to empathize with the guy to make my next point.

    ¡°So, what do you want to say?"

    ¡°Let''s at least hear his side of the story."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s look of astonishment deepened. There was no reason for us¡ªwho were neither champions of justice nor particrly friendly with him¡ªto extend such a courtesy to him, someone whom we had been at odds with.

    However, I gave Goh Yoo-Joon a look that said we had to do this. I didn''t attempt to logically convince him since my argumentcked persuasiveness. Eventually, Goh Yoo-Joon grudgingly nodded with a look of utmost reluctance.

    ¡°Alright. Let''s hear what he has to say, but don''t get too involved with their business. They will sort it out themselves."

    ¡°Right."

    I let out a sigh and turned my gaze out the window. Their business might very well be our business.

    The shooting for <i>Graduating</i> was tomorrow. If my hunch was correct, I nned to spend the remaining filming period distancing Lee Cheol-Min from On Ki-Hoon and ensuring they didn''t stick together.

    <i>¡®Kim Jin-Wook...¡¯</i>

    I had loosely dubbed this the ¡°Be Lee Cheol-Min''s teacher¡± n.

 Chapter 207: Joy (44)

    <h4>Chapter 207: Joy (44)</h4>

    <i>I will smile~</i>?

    <i>And speak kindly~</i>?

    ¡°This could be a hit as a duet, right?" Goh Yoo-Joon suggested and paused his song to nce at the car''s camera.

    We were trying to shake off our morning drowsiness. Our journey to school for <i>Graduating </i>had be a routine, even the in-car cameras. Thankfully, the uing broadcast of this episode was after his solo debut, so it didn''t bother us.

    The usual morning weariness aside, today''s journey to school had an unusual heaviness¡ªa significant task awaited Goh Yoo-Joon and me at school.

    <i>¡®I hope Chronos remains unscathed.''</i>

    ¡°We''ve arrived. Please go straight to the car once you are out," Su-Hwan dered after parking at the school.

    I sighed deeply, flung open the car door, and marched toward the school. Goh Yoo-Joon hastened to catch up and synced with my stride. He said, ¡°We should tread lightly around Lee Cheol-Min."

    ¡°Is PE on the schedule?"

    ¡°Indeed, it should be."

    ¡°Ki-Hoon''s absence during PE is our chance to talk to Lee Cheol-Min."

    Though cameras were scattered across the school, we didn¡¯t have microphones on us yet, so this was our final discussion before the filmingmenced. Our designated ssroom was nestled in a corner of the Memory High. As I walked in, I noticed the nonchnt buzz of students filling the space, and nerves tingled within me.

    <i>¡®You guys are lucky that you know nothing.¡¯</i>

    I then made my way to our desks.

    ¡°Hello, Wow Joon."

    ¡°Gosh, you guys are calling me ''Wow Joon,¡¯ too? Good morning."

    ¡°Good morning."

    Hee-Su''s jest elicited augh as I settled in. Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan seemed to have been briefed by the director, so they exchanged knowing nces, their difort silent.

    Their looks coaxed a feeble smile from me as I neatened my desk. ¡°Oh? What''s this?"

    ¡°Your desk too? Same here."

    [Chrong Chrong, Hyun-Woo''s spot?]

    [I love you, Hyun-Woo!!!! - Ring]

    Identical handwritten messages could be seen on Goh Yoo-Joon''s and my desks. Apparently, Rings had left these when we were not shooting at Memory High, presumably a student from the school.

    ¡°They are jotted down with pencil. It''s bound to fade."

    Fortunately, it was off to the side, so I would likely not be disturbed by it. I nced at the message and covertly observed Lee Cheol-Min. He hunched over his desk, and Ki-Hoon had yet to make his appearance.

    ¡°Whoa! Joon! I saw the show!!!" With a broad smile, Daniele shouted and thumped Goh Yoo-Joon''s back.

    ¡°Cheers on Chronos¡¯s top spot!"

    ¡°Ah! Take it easy, will you?"

    ¡°Congrattions on clinching number one! Straight to the top with aeback? Chronos''s allure is truly unmatched. Ever thought about a concert? I''d be down to attend."

    ¡°Nothing on the horizon as of yet," I answered. Goh Yoo-Joon offered me an earphone, so I plugged it in and delved into Joo-Han''stest group melody while engaging with our peers. Perfecting new song renditions at Memory High had be our niche. It seemed more effective to memorize the lyrics and grasp the concepts here than during solitary practice sessions.

    Then, Kun-Ho made his entrance.

    ¡°Hello, teacher!¡±

    ¡°Have you all been well? You are all looking robust." He warmly greeted the students upfront before taking his position at the podium. He then said, ¡°ss president."

    Goh Yoo-Joon stood up. ¡°At attention. Salute."

    ¡°Good morning."

    ¡°Morning, everyone. It seems like it''s been a while, though not really."

    ¡°Not at all, sir! It''s been a week."

    ¡°A week just flies by at my age, kiddos."

    Today''s agenda seemed light, with Kun-Ho spending ample time mingling with the students to create more memorable moments. He said, ¡°By the way, we are wrapping up early today."

    ¡°Really???"

    The announcement of an early dismissal was unforeseen. After all, there had been no prior mention of any event today, only the regr sses as briefed. While the element of surprise was typical at Memory High, this still took us aback.

    A murmur of confusion spread through the room, but Kun-Ho''s suggestive smirk steered the conversation elsewhere. ¡°Let''s take a moment to celebrate, shall we?"

    ¡°Celebrate what, exactly?"

    ¡°A round of apuse for Goh Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, our music show victors! Let''s hear it!"

    ¡°Wow!!!"

    I was flustered by the intense gaze of the students and dipped my head. I then whispered a timid thanks. ¡°Thank you, everyone."

    ¡°Chronos, the chart-topping artist!"

    ¡°Oh,e on."

    After Goh Yoo-Joon and I had our fill of celebrations, Kun-Ho nodded in satisfaction and checked something off in the attendance book. ¡°Ki-Hoon won''t be here until the second period because of a shoot. Yoo-Joon, as the ss president, make sure the teachers are informed when hees."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°See youter. That''s all."

    I remembered an article saying that On Ki-Hoon joined a drama on the second week of <i>Graduating.</i> He wasn''t the lead but still yed a significant supporting role as the protagonist''s friend, though I hadn''t seen it myself.

    But that did not matter.

    My gaze briefly swept over Lee Cheol-Min and then moved away. It was a good opportunity to strike up a conversation with him. However, since we weren''t exactly close, we just ended up looking over during the homeroom and the first break without actually approaching him. It was tricky to approach naturally without seeming forced on the TV, especially since we weren''t close at all.

    Strangely, we still couldn''t bring ourselves to initiate a conversation with Lee Cheol-Min even when On Ki-Hoon was absent and Lee Cheol-Min was sitting alone.

    While I was lost in thought, Goh Yoo-Joon tried to stifle a yawn and saidzily, "I remember the teacher once asking me."

    ¡°About what?"

    ¡°To make sure to look after someone who didn''t quite fit in."

    ¡°Ah, you could''ve mentioned that sooner."

    ¡°I was sleepy."

    I looked at Cheol-Min more openly now. As Goh Yoo-Joon failed to stifle another yawn, he lowered his head to hide it and then looked over at Cheol-Min with me.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, are you saying you are worried about that guy?"

    ¡°Yeah, with On Ki-Hoon not around."

    Lee Cheol-Min sensed our gaze or perhaps heard us, so he turned to look at us. He did pause for a moment but then met our eyes without flinching, with his usual fierce expression. Ah, seeing his eyes made me wonder if the look I saw in them before was just my imagination.

    <i>Sigh.</i>

    Back when I was a trainer, I would have cut off trainees who looked at me with such defiance without a second thought. ...I muttered such oldints to myself and stood up.

    ¡°Let''s go."

    ¡°Okay."

    Goh Yoo-Joon rubbed his tired eyes and stood up to follow me. I then approached Lee Cheol-Min and leaned on his desk.

    ¡°Cheol-Min."

    ¡°..." He seemed a bit surprised by the sudden closeness.

    With a friendly smile that was usually reserved for our seniors, I asked, ¡°Wanna go to the canteen?"

    ¡°What, all of a sudden?"

    I tilted my head. ¡°Let''s go together."

    ¡°With me?"

    ¡°Didn''t we get closer when we went out that time? I thought we had."

    ¡°..." Lee Cheol-Min''s pupils wavered for a moment as if he had caught some signal. His expression then softened slightly, and he nodded. ¡°Ah, I''m hungry. Let''s go before the bell rings."

    ¡°Break just started."

    Observing Lee Cheol-Min''s expression and his willingness to follow, I was sure there was something we didn''t know about¡ªsomething he probably didn''t want to handle on his own.

    As we walked toward the canteen, I suddenly said, ¡°Ah, I need to use the bathroom."

    ¡°Go for it."

    ¡°..."

    Secret talks were best held in the bathroom. As Goh Yoo-Joon and I headed for the bathroom, Lee Cheol-Min naturally followed us in. Once inside, I immediately turned off my mic. ¡°Cheol-Min, turn yours off too."

    Since students frequently went to the bathroom or locker rooms¡ªces without cameras¡ªthe production team had instructed us to turn off our mics when we went in such areas. Lee Cheol-Min awkwardly turned off his mic and stood by the door. After that, Goh Yoo-Joon closed the doorpletely.

    ¡°What''s this about?" Lee Cheol-Min asked.

    ¡°Don''t be scared. It''s nothing bad."

    I stood Goh Yoo-Joon beside and created some distance from Lee Cheol-Min. Trying to make the situation as non-threatening as possible, I asked, "Straight to the point, do you have anything to tell us?"

    ¡°About what? There''s nothing."

    ¡°...About the allowance we got at the grocery store."

    We needed to lower Lee Cheol-Min''s defenses, and this wasn''t just for his sake. It was for us and Chronos, so we needed to understand the situation better.

    ¡°I''ve heard some things, but there''s something that bothers me.¡±

    ¡°We will keep it between us. Is there something going on with you and On Ki-Hoon?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I worked well together in such situations. Even if it was all conjecture, we framed our questions as if we knew everything and caused hesitation to emerge in Lee Cheol-Min''s eyes.

    If it had been Kun-Ho or the production staff, he might have spoken morefortably. However, unfortunately, no one else was there to help him.

    ¡°Did you really steal the money? Really?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t see you as someone who would do such a thing. Was there some kind of misunderstanding?¡± As we directly mentioned the theft, Lee Cheol-Min frowned. After we set aside past grievances and convinced him that it wasn¡¯t like him to do such things, his gaze finally changed after a while.

    ¡°On Ki-Hoon, that asshole. Motherfucker... I want to beat him so fucking bad.¡±

    ¡°...Wow.¡±

    My heart almost dropped. Lee Cheol-Min started to vent his built-up frustration with a barrage of rough and raw curses.

 Chapter 208: Joy (45)

    Chapter 208: Joy (45)

    Lee Cheol-Min exined that he and On Ki-Hoon had known each other before the shooting started. They were from the same school but different sses, and they were not friends. At first, they had no intention of hanging out with each other. The first week then passed with them remaining distant toward each other. However, On Ki-Hoon started to approach Lee Cheol-Min in the following week as he seemed to be alone.

    Lee Cheol-Min said, ¡°He asked if I joined this program by lying to the production team. He even asked them if the interview was carried out properly."

    I was puzzled by his words and tilted my head. ¡°What do you mean?"

    Then, Lee Cheol-Min hesitated for a moment before starting to curse wildly again.

    Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled, ¡°Oh, cut it out with the swearing, you lunatic!"

    ¡°Isn''t lunatic also a bad word, you bastard?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon wanted to say something but then shut up, seemingly shocked by the harsh words.

    ¡°They said they wouldn''t pick anyone with issues for the shoot, right?" I asked.

    ¡°Right." The cast wasposed of numerous young ordinary people, and the team selected them after lots of research and interviews. Hence, anyone with a problematic school life or bullying behavior was rigorously eliminated.

    ¡°Do you have issues? Well, it seems like you might," I remarked.

    Lee Cheol-Min frowned at my words and opened his mouth again. ¡°You son of a¡ª!"

    Before Lee Cheol-Min could finish his swearing, Goh Yoo-Joon covered his mouth, unable to bear it any longer. ¡°Ah, please act like an adult, you fool."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Sorry. Don''t swear and continue talking," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I don''t have any problems," Lee Cheol-Min retorted, avoiding my gaze.

    <em>¡®Why does he look troubled?¡¯</em>

    As I stared silently at Lee Cheol-Min, he seemed to take it as a cue to speak up again. ¡°On Ki-Hoon said the production team didn''t know about my dad being in prison."

    ¡°¡­What?"

    ¡°I didn''t know I had to talk about things like that during the interview. I didn''t really want to mention it¡­"

    ¡°¡­"

    ¡°Why should I even mention my... On Ki-Hoon told me not to tell the production team and to do as he says. He ckmailed me, that asshole." Lee Cheol-Min clenched his fists and seemed furious.

    My silence was an attempt to figure out what kind of issue this was, and all of a sudden, I could envision articles branding him ¡°the criminal''s son,¡± but since it wasn''t really Lee Cheol-Min''s fault, the production team might see it as a sympathetic backstory.

    How could that be used for ckmailing? After a bit of pondering, my question was answered simply by looking at Lee Cheol-Min in his school uniform. After all, the perspective of a third party and that of the person involved were different, weren''t they? Lee Cheol-Min must have faced a lot of humiliation and discrimination due to his father''s imprisonment, so the existence of his father became somethingplex for him. As a result, the twenty-year-old Lee Cheol-Min felt that this issue was a significant problem for him.

    Furthermore, his vulnerability could seem like powerful ckmail material from On Ki-Hoon''s perspective, who was also a young guy in his early twenties. At this point, I started to feel a bit sorry for Lee Cheol-Min.

    ¡°So, you''ve been hanging out with On Ki-Hoon all this time?" I asked.

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°Have you thought about quitting? If you couldn''t talk to the production team about it, rather than suffering¡ª"

    ¡°If that was possible, wouldn''t I have done it already? I need to make money."

    ¡°Money."

    The pay here was indeed more than what one would make from a typical part-time job.

    Lee Cheol-Min continued, ¡°It''s been a while since my father was imprisoned, and we have no rtives to take care of us. I''ve been working part-time jobs to feed my brother and send him to school¡­ Ah, I won''t talk about it anymore. It makes me seem pitiful, so annoying."

    He then told us that On Ki-Hoon had been using him as a so-called ¡°content shuttle¡± until now. Throughout the shooting, On Ki-Hoon''s kind image contrasted sharply with Lee Cheol-Min''s struggles to fit in and his portrayal as a delinquent.

    The scenario where On Ki-Hoon took care of Lee Cheol-Min, and Lee Cheol-Min gradually opened up to On Ki-Hoon, would have warmed the hearts of the viewers as a touching story of the show. However, the reality was quite different. On Ki-Hoon ensured that Lee Cheol-Min didn''t be close with anyone else from the show and asionally caused problems within certain limits to create additional drama.

    The incident with the stolen allowance and On Ki-Hoon finding out about it, then asking for Lee Cheol-Min''s continued appearance, were all part of this scripted maniption. However, it appeared that things wouldn¡¯t go as On Ki-Hoon intended, especially since stealing was a serious crime that would likely be edited out of the show.

    Lee Cheol-Min said, ¡°It seems he''s eager to showcase his ¡®good¡¯ intentions. He even chuckled and asked if it would be okay to release an article if he gets edited out... But I don''t want to be a criminal... So, I was seriously considering quitting the shoot and giving it all up."

    ¡°That guy is worse than I thought."

    ¡°If On Ki-Hoon really publishes such an article, I will reveal everything on the inte and expose it all."

    ¡°Why would you expose yourself, man? Just calm down."

    It seemed like I had gotten a good grasp on the situation. So, what should I do next?

    My goal had always been to ensure <em>Graduating</em> concluded without any issues, even if it meant straying from justice. I personally couldn¡¯t stand On Ki-Hoon, but he shouldn''t be exposed or embroiled in any controversy.

    Lee Cheol-Min also needed protection and should distance himself from On Ki-Hoon without tarnishing his image further. Ultimately, neither Goh Yoo-Joon nor I should suffer any fallout from appearing on <em>Graduating. </em>

    For now, we would protect Lee Cheol-Min and give On Ki-Hoon the footage he desired. This would ensure him not to publish any articles.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, what do you think?" I asked.

    ¡°About what?"

    ¡°It''s pretty unfair for him, ss president."

    Goh Yoo-Joon red at me with displeasure but eventually nodded reluctantly. He said, ¡°Why do you want to give up? Just stick with us for now. Don''t worry about On Ki-Hoon."

    Lee Cheol-Min looked quite anxious and responded, "But what about the article? And my dad''s situation..."

    ¡°We will make sure that doesn''t happen," I assured him confidently, and Lee Cheol-Min started to ponder. But after a long pause, he still looked uncertain.

    I suggested, ¡°Maybe it''s best to hang on till the end since there''s not much time left. Just hang out with us for the time being."

    Although I didn''t like the idea of hanging out with Lee Cheol-Min, I thought of it as part of the job. However, I''d have to apologize separately to Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Daniele.

    ¡°Are you sure it will be okay regarding On Ki-Hoon?" asked Lee Cheol-Min.

    ¡°Of course, trust me. You need to feed your brother, right? You can''t just quit the show," replied Goh Yoo-Joon softly.

    Finally, Lee Cheol-Min nodded. Goh Yoo-Joon really seemed like a knight of justice. Hmm, knowing a bit about the future could be pretty annoying at times. Just then, the bell signaling the end of the break rang, so we turned on our mics and quickly headed back to ss.

    ***

    I discreetly asked Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Daniele for their understanding through notes. While they weren''t thrilled, they agreed to hang out with Lee Cheol-Min after Goh Yoo-Joon and I exined he was bullied.

    The only thing left was the ticking time bomb, On Ki-Hoon... There was a lot that could explode there, but I figured he''d quiet down on his own if we just gave him the footage he wanted. Plus, the drama he was in had be well-known enough that I had even heard of it, and it might calm him down from causing any more scandals by ckmailing friends.

    ¡°Are Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon around? Oh, there you are."

    During the break, another student from Memory High came in through the back door, looking for us while we were chatting with friends. I asked, ¡°Why?"

    ¡°The teacher wants you two in the office. It was the homeroom teacher." After delivering the message, the student simply returned to his seat.

    ¡°What? Are you guys finally doing a mission?"

    ¡°Wow, Joon! What did you write? I''m so curious!"

    ¡°Come to think of it, you guys are almost graduating but haven''t had a mission yet. I thought it was done during the department store group mission."

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I chuckled and stood up. ¡°We will be back."

    It was good timing as I had something to discuss with Kun-Ho. Upon entering the faculty room, we saw the production staff and Kun-Ho almost dozing off quitefortably amidst the crowd. Sleeping undisturbed with so many people around was truly professional idol behavior.

    ¡°Teacher."

    As I called out to Kun-Ho, he lifted his head and looked at me with sleepy eyes. ¡°Ah, right. You are here? I''ve been so busy, so I just nodded off."

    I heard Kun-Ho had been busy preparing for a long-awaitedeback, aligning with the end of <em>Graduating</em>. Therefore, he was definitelycking sleep these days.

    ¡°I called you here for this." Kun-Ho handed us a mission sheet. ¡°It''s an individual mission, but you can do it together. Just make sure the ''friend'' mentioned here isn''t each other since you live together."

    [Win a game with a friend]

    [Visit a friend''s house and have dinner together]

    The missions were exactly as we had written on our answer sheets.

    ¡°You two can apany each other if you like. In fact, I¡¯d prefer that. The more friends, the merrier.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°I wish you sess. You can go back now. It¡¯s nice having shortened sses. It¡¯s already thest period of the day.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    I turned to Kun-Ho, who was tidying up his desk. ¡°Umm¡­ Teacher.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°Are you free tonight?¡±

    ¡°...Huh? Are you asking me out for a date?¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­ No, it¡¯s not that. It¡¯s about vocal training¡­¡±

    Kun-Ho nodded after a moment¡¯s thought. ¡°Sure. But I can¡¯t spend much time tonight. Is that okay?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± I was immensely grateful for him taking the time to teach me during his busy schedule. I bowed politely to him and left the staff office with Goh Yoo-Joon, hoping everything would go as nned.

    With the graduation from Memory High approaching, I found myself navigating the final act of this journey alone.

 Chapter 209: Joy (46)

    <h4>Chapter 209: Joy (46)</h4>

    ¡°Whose ce is avable for us toe over today?" I asked

    ¡°Why so out of the blue?" Joon-Hwan''s baffled question prompted Yoo-Joon and me to silently sh our mission paper.

    Then, Hee-Su quietly pulled out his phone and said, ¡°I will check with my mom."

    ¡°Wow, thanks."

    ¡°Count me in!" Daniele eximed.

    I then nudged Lee Cheol-Min next to me and asked, ¡°Do you have time today?"

    ¡°Part-time job."

    ¡°Ah, tough luck. Okay, then. I feel sorry for you though." Actually, it was a mere formality. Knowing his jobmitments, I had expected that he wouldn''t be able to join.

    Gesturing with his hand, Hee-Su said, ¡°My ce is avable. Just brace for my noisy sis! She is he loud."

    ¡°Awesome, thanks."

    ¡°So, it''s just Lee Cheol-Min who can''t make it?"

    ¡°Yep!" Daniele had been busy with his modeling worktely, and Joon-Hwan also had just found a part-time job. Luckily, their free time aligned well this time.

    On Ki-Hoon''s eager gaze from the front was hard to miss, but Yoo-Joon and I kept ignoring it.

    It felt like he''de over with just one eye contact, but I no longer wanted to mix with him, beyond just protecting Lee Cheol-Min. Therefore, On Ki-Hoon seemed to hold back and merely watched us without intruding.

    ¡°Short ss today because of Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo''s mission?"

    ¡°Probably not.¡±

    ¡°Surely they wouldn''t shorten it just for us~ <i>Ahem</i>!"

    ¡°Joon! Don''t be arrogant!"

    ¡°<i>Oops</i>, sorry~"

    Amidst the noisy excitement about the unexpected visit to our friend¡¯s house, Kun-Ho stepped in and faced the ss. ¡°ss wraps up quickly today, right?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°The early finish is to ensure you all createsting memories with friends as your graduation is nearing." The mention of graduation stirred the crowd. ¡°Enjoy your time out with friends and relish good food after the ss. Well, we are not forcing. Just optional."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°I love the enthusiasm. That''s it for today. ss president."

    Yoo-Joon sprang up. ¡°Attention, salute!"

    As our ssmates eagerly gathered their bags to leave in groups, returning their mics to the production team, I couldn''t help but notice On Ki-Hoon still gazing in our direction, particrly at Lee Cheol-Min.

    ¡°Lee Cheol-Min, let''s head out. We will walk together till we part ways."

    ¡°..."

    Lee Cheol-Min sensed the stares and nodded subtly. In response, On Ki-Hoon frowned and started fiddling with his phone. Shortly after, Lee Cheol-Min''s phone rang, and he hesitated before answering.

    It was absurd how On Ki-Hoon''s demeanor shifted as soon as he returned the mic. I shook my head in disbelief and followed Hee-Su. Unable to intervene directly while still on camera and mic''d up, I could only silently cheer for Lee Cheol-Min.

    <i>¡®Just get through today.¡¯</i>

    I hoped that my involvement wouldn¡¯t lead to a dramatic shift in the future or precipitate the unveiling of everything tomorrow. If things went ording to n, Lee Cheol-Min would have a much easier time if he could just hang on for one more day.

    ***

    ¡°Just a heads-up..."

    ¡°Seriously! Fine, Hee-Su! Just open the door!" Daniele''s patience wore thin against Hee-Su''s dallying.

    Yet Hee-Su persisted. ¡°E...especially you, Wow Joon! Watch out for my sister, she can get crazy."

    ¡°As if you''d call me ''Wow Joon'' in front of her too."

    ¡°Got it, okay?"

    It made me wonder how wild his sister was. All through the ride in the crew''s car, Hee-Su only talked about his sister. I knew she was a Chronos fan, but Hee-Su''s words painted a picture of an obsession that had deepened with days, which was filled with videos, screams, and songs.

    ¡°Last I heard was ''Suh Hyun-Woo is divine.''"

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo''s her top pick? What about me?"

    ¡°That was thetest! She was once like, ''I want to gift Yoo-Joon a Rolex.''"

    ¡°<i>Pffft</i>!"

    ¡°Steer clear of her room. You''d pass out. It seems like she''s got a thing for you two the most."

    Daniele then huffed and puffed. ¡°Ah! Open the door! My legs are killing me!"

    ¡°Okay, okay......" The front door to Hee-Su''s house finally swung open. As we stepped in, we were greeted by delicious aromas and a cozy, warm interior bathed in sunlight. The living room was bright even without lights.

    ¡°It is a whole different world from Joo-Han''s room."

    ¡°Yeah, right? Let''s ask for a ce like this next time. It''d be great for weekend chilling."

    ¡°Deal."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon and I quietly exchanged our thoughts about the house, Hee-Su''s mom emerged from the kitchen and greeted us with quick steps. ¡°Wee! Why are you just standing at the entrance? Come on in, quickly."

    She was just as caring as Hee-Su. At this moment, she said, ¡°Hee-Jeong,e out and say hi! Aren''t they your favorite oppas?"

    ¡°Oh, mom! Don''t say that! <i>Shh</i>!¡± A voice that sounded about Hee-Su''s age came from the kitchen. However, his mother was unfazed by her daughter''s annoyance. Then, she looked us over.

    ¡°All three of you are from the same group, right? It''s hard to tell who Hee-Jeong likes more since you are all so handsome."

    ¡°Mom, you watched the show. These two are from Chronos. Their posters are all over Hee-Jeong''s room," replied Hee-Su.

    ¡°Hello!"

    ¡°Hello, ma''am!"

    ¡°Ah, yes! I''ve seen the pictures. But I couldn''t recognize you. Seeing you now makes it clear. Hee-Su, you shouldn''t cling too much to them like on the show."

    ¡°Oh! Mom!"

    Their family was truly harmonious. Hee-Su''s sister, a fan of Chronos, was too shy toe out of the kitchen at first. It was only after we settled on the living room couch that she emerged, urged by her mom''s persistent coaxing, her face flushed and her eyes seemingly on the verge of tears. ¡°Uh... Hello..."

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°She really likes you guys a lot. She''s not usually this quiet."

    As Hee-Su continued to speak, his sister''s expression suddenly darkened, and she red at him.

    "Stop it, Hee-Su," she said firmly, her tone carrying a hint of irritation.

    ¡°Ah, yeah, yeah."

    ¡°I''m a real fan... I have albums... I wanted to go to the fan signing... Ah, what do I do..."

    ¡°Go have some cold water. I''m embarrassed in your stead."

    Hee-Su¡¯s sister shook her head and hid behind her mom, who was slightly moreposed.

    We had a brief chat in the living room before diving into the early dinner prepared by Hee-Su¡¯s mom.

    Even as we helped set the dining table in the living room, Hee-Su''s sister maintained a distance from us.

    ¡°Why stay away if you like them so much?" Hee-Su teased.

    ¡°Shut up. Any closer and my heart would stop. How can you stay calm after seeing their faces up close?" his sister muttered swiftly.

    ¡°Does Daniele live in the dorm or somewhere like that?"

    ¡°No, I live at home! Not too busy with schedules! Not busy!"

    ¡°Do Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo live together in the dorm?"

    ¡°Yeah, we''ve been living together since our trainee days."

    ¡°Then you must struggle to find time for meals, right?"

    ¡°We manage to eat alright, but our schedules are all over the ce... so, we often get indigestion."

    ¡°Tough life. Barely get to eat homemade food, huh?"

    ¡°Yeah." We responded without much thought, as we always cherished homemade meals. However, Hee-Su¡¯s mom looked at us with a look of sympathy.

    Seeing her expression, Yoo-Joon awkwardly wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me in. ¡°During our trainee days, I often ate at his home. Couldn''t go to mine much since it''s far."

    ¡°And now?"

    ¡°Now, well, we resort to delivery food..." Feeling a bit like I was in a headlock, I shrugged off his arm, but then our eyes met Hee-Jeong''s. She''d been staring nkly at Yoo-Joon and me. When she noticed my gaze, she quickly picked up her chopsticks and ate.

    After finishing the meal, we headed to Hee-Su''s room to tackle another mission, ¡°Win a game with a friend.¡±

    ¡°But we only have oneputer here. What game can we all y with just one?"

    Hearing Hee-Su''s question, Yoo-Joon and I spoke up simultaneously.

    ¡°Water balloon."

    ¡°The water balloon game."

    It was one of Chronos''s signature games. While Hee-Su looked puzzled by our game choice, he eventually nodded. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m downloading it."

    ¡°What''s the water balloon game?" asked Daniele.

    ¡°You haven''t yed it, Daniele?"

    ¡°Never."

    While Joon-Hwan exined the game to Daniele, Hee-Su suggested, ¡°Since it''s a special asion, why not include Hee-Jeong too? We are five here, so we need one more person to make it even."

    ¡°I don''t mind. Let''s y together."

    Hee-Su hit the download button and then went to fetch Hee-Jeong. The six of us then dove into the water balloon game and split into teams. Each team consisted of three people, and one person from each team yed three rounds. The losing team would treat the winners at the canteen. Additionally, if Hee-Jeong ranked first, Goh Yoo-Joon and I promised to gift her an album signed by all the members.

    ¡°How shall we team up?"

    At Joon-Hwan''s question, Yoo-Joon slung an arm around my shoulder again.

    ¡°Ah, you are choking me!¡±

    With gusto, Goh Yoo-Joon shouted, ¡°I''m definitely teaming up with Suh Hyun-Woo. He''s the ace of this game. Can''t give up Suh Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Oh, really? I am the master of this game. Just wait until I show you how shy my avatar is. Get excited.¡±

    ¡°An avatar decked out with money? I will win with just a normal one. Jeong Hee-Su, team up with me. We will take Daniele with us too.¡±

    The water balloon game started as a taunting role-y. While they were bragging and teasing each other about who was better, I quietly warmed up my hands, a sly smile gracing my face.

 Chapter 210: Joy (47)

    Chapter 210: Joy (47)

    It baffled me. The game was incredibly simple¡ªjust scatter your water balloons and find a safe spot to avoid getting hit by the opposing team''s balloons. It was so straightforward that even kindergartners could master it easily. So why did they oveplicate it?

    ¡°Ah! I''m out of items!"

    ¡°You are over, man....Ah! Trapped!"

    ¡°Now it''s a matter of time."

    ¡°Not exactly. I''ve still got my needle." Goh Yoo-Joon unleashed his needle item with a smirk.

    This prompted Joon-Hwan to m his head on the desk in anger. Then, he turned to Hee-Su. ¡°I''ve lost."

    ¡°Ah! Can''t believe you did this again! Let me try."

    Goh Yoo-Joon changed his character and boasted, ¡°Don''t worry, I will end you swiftly as well. After all, I''ve been trained by the legendary Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Joon! Is Woo really that good?"¡°He excels at games and probably aces most of them. I remember him dominating in MMORPGs[1] too."

    With pride, I chimed in, ¡°Games demandmitment till the end."

    We didn''t haveputers in the dorm that could handle such games, so we were not able to y MMORPGs. However, back in middle and high school, I used to sneak off to inte cafes to y such games. Well, time constraints kept me from joining guilds though.

    What was that game''s name again? One Hours... something? It had been ages since Ist yed it.

    ¡°Ah! Dead!"

    <em>Boom!</em>

    ¡°I won! I kill Goh Yoo-Joon!"

    ¡°Hey, ''kill'' is a bit harsh! It''s just a game character."

    ¡°Come on. Don''t sweat the small stuff."

    Goh Yoo-Joon faced defeat while I was lost in thought. I then rose and walked over to theputer. ¡°Step aside, loser. It''s my turn now."

    ¡°Wow, so reassuring. Go on, my hero. The rest is up to you." Goh Yoo-Joon vacated his seat for me and gave my shoulders a quick rub.

    ¡°Wow..." Hee-Jeong''s voice came from behind us. Our conversation, albeit a tad childish, must seem odd to her.

    I brushed off Goh Yoo-Joon''s hands and signed in with my username. Then my avatar greeted me, shining with premium and event items. I was ready.

    ¡°Wow, Suh Hyun-Woo''s character is insane."

    ¡°Yoo-Joon''s character isn''t bad either."

    In an arrogant tone, Goh Yoo-Joon asked, ¡°Do you think we only y water balloon games here?"

    ¡°Shall we begin?" At Joon-Hwan''s cue, I nodded, and the game kicked off.

    The challenge started in a tight space. I swiftly broke blocks and scavenged for items, hoping for speed boots, extra water balloons, range-extending potions, and the mighty rainbow balloon. All I needed were those.

    ¡°Look at Suh Hyun-Woo''s speed. No hesitation."

    ¡°There''s skill even in this game..."

    Hearing Joon-Hwan''s murmur, Goh Yoo-Joon remarked, ¡°Of course. Every field has its pros."

    Indeed, I was a Crazy Arcade pro. I cleared the blocks around me and headed to Joon-Hwan''s side to set up multiple water balloons. As I hid in the corner, I grabbed the items from the exploding balloons and repeated the process.

    This pace might surprise neers or those out of practice. Seeing my prowess, Joon-Hwan was clearly flustered and made a few errors, like miscing balloons.

    ¡°See that? That is Suh Hyun-Woo''s aggressive ystyle. ying with him will turn you into a pro."

    ¡°Yeah, can''t argue with that."

    I yielded the final potion to Joon-Hwan and got serious when hisst block was gone.

    The real thrill of Crazy Arcade started when the blocks were gone. Dodging and weaving, releasing balloons and avoiding the opponent''s balloons¡­ The game truly sped up with no blocks present.

    ¡°Uh."

    ¡°Ah! How did this happen!?"

    Immediately after I ced my first balloon bomb, Joon-Hwan got caught and said, ¡°You are so mean¡­"

    I felt a bit guilty and waited for Joon-Hwan to use his needle. Thankfully, they gave out a lot of needles as a sign-in event. Otherwise, I would''ve just farmed to no end, and it would''ve been over.

    ¡°Look at how Suh Hyun-Woo is leisurely waiting for his opponent¡¯s resurrection. Truly a veteran."

    ¡°That''s exactly him. Like the so-called warrior gaming tribe of these days."

    ¡°Seeing him waiting for my resurrection hurts my pride. I will make Suh Hyun-Woo regret it." Joon-Hwan managed to catch on to my ystyle and started dodging water balloons swiftly after being resurrected.

    ¡°I''ve never seen this game yed so ruthlessly before. What other games did Hyun-Woo y besides this?" asked Hee-Su.

    To Hee-Su''s question, Goh Yoo-Joon answered, ¡°Um, not sure. There were racing games, shooting games, strategy games, and that RPG... what was it called... the one from early high school, something One Hour..."

    Meanwhile, Joon-Hwan was trapped by a balloon again as we kept cing and throwing our water balloons, and then I won. With a shrug, Joon-Hwan got up. ¡°I can''t beat him. How do you beat someone who never gets hit by the balloons? No matter how many youy, he dodges them all."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo would be great if he did game streaming."

    I shrugged and stood up. ¡°Hee-Jeong should y too. Why don¡¯t you y against Hee-Su? I need some water."

    I entertained the cocky thought that Hee-Jeong might not get a turn if I took on Hee-Su and Daniele, who was new to the water balloon game.

    ¡°Ah, I''m... I''m fine? You guys can keep ying."

    ¡°Jeong Hee-Jeong, why are you like this? You have never been this kind and naive before."

    ¡°Ah, please make Hee-Su shut up."

    <em>¡®Yeah, you two really are siblings.¡¯ </em>Their bickering was quite entertaining.

    ¡°Hee-Jeong,e on. Don''t be like that. Win against your brother." After Goh Yoo-Joon persuaded Hee-Jeong, she finally sat down and started the game with an awkward step. After watching our fast-paced round, their y seemed slow. However, Hee-Su and Hee-Jeong also broke blocks quickly and showed us fun gamey.

    ¡°Wow, look at them using obstacles. Who puts water balloons inside tents?"

    ¡°That''s the way it''s done!"

    ¡°Right! That''s how it''s supposed to be yed. Don''t say that to Hee-Jeong, okay?"

    While Hee-Jeong was quietly focusing on the game, Goh Yoo-Joon and I heavily criticized Hee-Su from behind and cheered for Hee-Jeong.

    Hee-Jeong calmly but quickly ced water balloons, eventually trapping Hee-Su in a balloon prison.

    ¡°Ah, shoot. What do I do now?"

    ¡°Kick it! You can throw it if you kick it!"

    ¡°How do I kick?"

    ¡°Bump into it!" When Joon-Hwan said that, Hee-Su tried to kick one of the balloons that trapped him, but unfortunately, he was toote.

    Then it was Daniele''s turn. Daniele was... ¡°Huh? What do I do? Su! Help!"

    ¡°Ah... Danie, dear..." He misced a water balloon from the start and trapped himself. He understood the rules but unfortunately couldn''t keep up with them. After that, Goh Yoo-Joon yed another game with Daniele, but a win was a win. I managed toplete the one-win mission with ease.

    After we finished the game and chatted for a while, the camera was collected with the announcement that the shooting had ended. However, we continued to hang out until we received a call from the manager to wrap up.

    ¡°Let''s meet up like this more often."

    ¡°Sure. If you guys have the time."

    ¡°You guys will keep in touch with us even after the shooting ends, right?" Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan asked.

    Seeing them ask this made me feel like the end of the shooting was indeed near. It would indeed be difficult to meet up with them without setting aside time in the future.

    ¡°Of course," Goh Yoo-Joon answered.

    I nodded and added, ¡°Let''s have a drink on thest day."

    My suggestion brightened everyone''s mood.

    ¡°Yeah!"

    ¡°I wille."

    After that, we got in the car and headed to the practice room. On the way, our manager said, ¡°You two, no drinking on thest day, but if you have to, just have one."

    ¡°Why?"

    ¡°Ah..." The manager sighed deeply, but he seemed to have no intention of exining further. Anyway, a fun day had passed just like that.

    ***

    A few days after Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon finished shooting <em>Graduating¡­ </em>

    ¡°Then, we will include ¡®Paid Advertisement¡¯ logo and add a special notice and guidance for the first broadcast in the MC¡¯s script.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good. Oh, and this is about the system we are adding to our major directorate. This part is an improvement on aspects that were often criticized, so I''d really appreciate it if you could exin it thoroughly."

    ¡°I will inform the editing team. We will contact you about the broadcast schedule once the casting is finalized."

    ¡°Great! How''s the castinging along?"

    The game manager Lee Hoon''s question was met with Director Kim Seok-Soo''s uncertain expression. He replied, ¡°Nothing much yet."

    The new game variety show was nned by SES, with Kim Seok-Soo as the main director for the first time. His goal was to promote gaming, and he was determined to build a team with a strong lineup capable of generating excitement and interest.

    ¡°We''ve reached out to celebrities known for being good at games or having an interest in them, but it''s hard to say how it will turn out," said Lee Hoon. After all, it was a program led by a novice main director, and the format might involve celebrities simply sitting and interacting with aputer. This setup might not be appealing enough to attract popr celebrities to participate.

    ¡°We will still do our best in casting," said Kim Seok-Soo.

    Hearing this, Lee Hoon stood up and bowed. ¡°Please take good care of it. Our One Hours¡¯ fate hangs on this broadcast!"

    ¡°Oh, please don''t say that. I''m truly putting my best effort into this. We''ve even called the famous idol, Chronos''s Suh Hyun-Woo."

    Of course, YMM¡¯s response was lukewarm when approached for casting. One Hours was nearing its tenth anniversary, having initially gained poprity for its evolving graphics and storyline. However, it fell into the abyss suddenly due to the easing of the difficulty and excessive emphasis on in-game purchases.

    A major patch was in the works to address the issues, with the game director overhauling the system and ramping up the difficulty of dungeons and raids. This broadcast was strategically nned to promote these significant improvements and regain yer interest.

    Showing these changes on arge scale was good, but... Kim Seok-Soo looked over the proposal again.

    [Proposal: Celebrities clearing the revamped, most difficult raid content on a grand scale]

    ¡°Given the challenging format and the difficulty level, this could be emotionally taxing, which might make casting quite challenging."

    1. Massively Multiyer Online Role-ying Game is a genre of video games thatbines elements of role-ying video games with the vast scale and social aspects of online multiyer environments. yers create their own character, often choosing from various sses, races, and skills, and embark on quests, explore vast worlds, interact with other yers, and engage inbat againstputer-controlled foes or other yers. ?

 Chapter 211: Joy (48)

    <h4>Chapter 211: Joy (48)</h4>

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>, so tired,¡± I grumbled. As I stepped out of the car, I instantly felt the day''s fatigue overwhelming me. If I knew today''s <i>Graduating</i> shoot would stretch thiste, I wouldn''t have hijacked my busy senior''s schedule.

    I gazed at the illuminated building of YMM. Turning toward my manager, I said, ¡°Thanks for the ride, hyung. The dorm''s just around the corner, so I will head back by myself. The talk might take a while."

    He nced at his watch and nodded. ¡°Send me a text when you are heading back, will you?"

    ¡°Sure thing, thanks."

    With a casual wave, he headed inside the building. It was clear that he still had tasks pending at thepany.

    <i>¡®Tough day for him too.''</i> Our rest time might be short, but not as short as his.

    After a deep sigh, I hummed the tune of a game I had yed at Hee-Su¡¯s ce and made my way to Kun-Ho''s exclusive practice room. As I ambled down the dim hallway, the thudding bass and Kun-Ho''s voice reached my ears. Though it was a new song from him, I had heard it multiple times. Back then, I often made trainees cover this song.

    My humming soon shifted to Kun-Ho''s new melody. When I reached the practice room, I paused outside as I didn¡¯t want to interrupt. Only after the singing ceased, I knocked.

    No response came, but practice rooms were always bustling. Therefore, I nudged the door open a tad and said, ¡°Excuse me."

    Kun-Ho was catching his breath. When he saw me, he beckoned with a bright smile. ¡°Looks like ate shoot brought you here at this hour."

    ¡°Yeah, it was a casual shoot, just gaming at a friend''s. Sorry to keep you waiting."

    ¡°No worries. I expected you''d bete. It''s a nice break time anyway." Kun-Ho then turned to the dancers and said, ¡°Shall we call it a day?"

    ¡°Already?¡±

    ¡°Is it because your adorable junior is here, Kun-Ho?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that too. I was about to call it a day anyway. Let¡¯s wrap up here. I can¡¯t practice more since I am getting old. I have no energy left, haha.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Cheol hyung is going to smack you if you say that you are old in your mid-thirties.¡±

    The dancers seemed tight-knit with Kun-Ho. This kind of camaraderie was absent in Chronos because we didn¡¯t have a fixed dance crew. Hence, it was impressive to see them being close like one team.

    ¡°I heard you were practicing, so I brought some drinks,¡± I said. While handing out the drinks I bought, I felt somewhat out of ce yet touched by their warmth.

    ¡°Huh? Did you buy all these with your own money? You are so kind, Hyun-Woo. Hey, everyone, take these. Hyun-Woo bought them for you.¡±

    ¡°Wow, not that many idols do that these days. He is so caring... unlike some I know. What''s his name again?"

    ¡°Ah, he¡¯s Suh Hyun-Woo from Chronos!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, I will enjoy the drink. Thank you!"

    ¡°Ah, yes! No, it''s nothing..."

    All fourteen of them looked like trainees practicing hard as a group, loud and cheerful.

    I greeted each person who spoke to me and shared the drinks. Then, Kun-Ho took the bag of drinks all at once, ced it at the center of the room, and led me out of the practice room. He remarked, ¡°When will you finish handing them out? You are really shy, aren''t you? Or not. It must be a bit scary since they are all bulky guys."

    ¡°No, haha."

    Kun-Ho at school was indeed quite different from the one I saw now. He spoke in a much more friendly andfortable manner than during the shooting, which eased my nerves.

    When we arrived at a small meeting room, I was somewhat surprised because I thought we were going to a vocal booth. After all, I had asked for singing guidance.

    With a smile, Kun-Ho said, ¡°A guy who has safely made aeback and stood on stage several times wouldn''t juste to me to ask for vocal advice."

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°This teacher knows everything. I saw you guys taking Cheol-Min to the bathroom and noting out for a while."

    I thought the monitoring would be off during the break, but it seemed Kun-Ho''s gaze just happened to fall on the three of us at that time.

    Kun Ho remarked, ¡°Other staff might not have seen it, but I did. How long have I been in this industry? If you go into the bathroom without a mic and don''te out for a while, something''s up, especially with Cheol-Min."

    Considering the recent issue with Cheol-Min and the pocket money theft... Kun-Ho must have guessed what I was going to talk about and agreed to my request. He asked, ¡°So what do you want to consult with me about? Feel free to speak up. I don¡¯t like it either if there is a problem with the show I am doing.¡±

    I nodded and said, ¡°I have something to ask of you, Senior. It¡¯s about On Ki-Hoon.¡±

    ¡°...Ki-Hoon?¡± He frowned, surprised by the unexpected name.

    Iid it all out for Kun-Ho, from the supermarket debacle to the tangled web between On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min. As the tale unfolded, Kun-Ho''s expression darkened. ¡°Bold move for a newbie."

    ¡°Yes, he debuted around the same time as us."

    ¡°That bastard is crazy. Well, the industry is filled with lunatics indeed."

    Based on Kun Ho¡¯s expression, it seemed that he had encountered lunatics like On Ki-Hoon more than once or twice.

    ¡°I avoided shows for a while to steer clear of such humans. And now, here I am, running into one right off the bat."

    Perhaps Kun-Ho''s sporadic activities were his way of dodging the industry''s darker side. He asked, ¡°So, do you want me to handle On Ki-Hoon? The crew might find it tricky since we are nearing the end of shooting, but if I speak up, they will act."

    I shook my head and replied, ¡°I appreciate that, but there''s more to it. On Ki-Hoon is ckmailing Lee Cheol-Min. While I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a big deal, it''s significant for Lee Cheol-Min. It seems On Ki-Hoon wants to continue pretending to be nice by using Lee Cheol-Min."

    ¡°ckmail? You mean..."

    ¡°Moreover, Lee Cheol-Min is at his limit and might expose everything that happened during the broadcast.¡±

    That was when Kun-Ho''s expression turned grave. Someone who had seen the devastating effect of a scandal in the entertainment industry more than anyone else would understand. He knew very well how many people would be involved and swept away by a single person''s revtion.

    ¡°Such an exposure could be problematic not just for Cheol-Min. I am not sure if you know this, but a scandal is scarier than you might think. It could involve all the participants and the production team of <i>Graduating</i>. I don''t know what Ki-Hoon intends, but the controversy itself can significantly damage his image. It''s like holding a time bomb. If we kick On Ki-Hoon out now, he might continue to contact Lee Cheol-Min privately and blow it up."

    I bit my lip and paused before speaking, ¡°So, what I''m asking is, could you please create some content for On Ki-Hoon?"

    ¡°Me?" Kun-Ho frowned as he didn¡¯t understand.

    I nodded calmly. Now that I had exined the situation, it was time to n how to safely wrap up the remaining shoots. However, it would be a bit of a hassle for Kun-Ho.

    ¡°Some content? For On Ki-Hoon?"

    ¡°Yes, I thought you could easily secure some boring rookie content... I can only ask this from you, Senior."

    This kind of a favor wouldn''t be too difficult for a veteran like Kun Ho. The only pain would be having to witness On Ki-Hoon''s shamelessness upfront.

    Looking utterly unconvinced by my words, Kun Ho asked, ¡°...Why?"

    ¡°Because it''s the safest way to finish the shoot. You seem to know well about On Ki-Hoon''s personality and behavior patterns. If he secures his screen time, he will quiet down."

    After all, On Ki-Hoon had been using Lee Cheol-Min to appear on camera more. Given how nicely he had treated me and Goh Yoo-Joon, it seemed he preferred the ¡°content secured through friendship with popr celebrities¡± approach over creating narratives with Lee Cheol-Min.

    ¡°Ah, there are indeed such psychos. They behave outrageously in front of the camera to secure content and then apologizeter, saying it was all for the show. If you think about it, those people don''t mess with the really popr ones," remarked Kun-Ho, shuddering again.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I''m asking you, Senior. Please make sure On Ki-Hoon stops paying attention to Lee Cheol-Min, both privately and on set." It was like giving Ki-Hoon a sweet gift that he wouldn''t care about using Lee Cheol-Min.

    ¡°Please secure some content for him, Senior. We will take care of Lee Cheol-Min."

    Kun-Ho seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding. ¡°Alright. Let''s do that. Let''s give it a try."

    Just like that, an alliance between a senior and a junior was formed. After all, the entertainment industry was full of people like On Ki-Hoon. It was something I learned during my trainer days, and Kun-Ho''s expression confirmed it all. Since the majority of such people eventually fell from grace, we should just ignore them. Our only task was to ensure that Lee Cheol-Min, the victim, didn''t end up detonating the bomb.

    ***

    The activities for ¡°Joy¡± were already midway. Although it was not as popr as ¡°Parade¡±¡ª of course, most people didn''t realize it was a song by the idol group Chronos¡ªit was gaining momentum through introductory choreography, ad-libs, and the members gradually shedding their rookie image. This led to an influx of fans and a sessful climb in poprity.

    The excitement among the Rings was evident, especially with the numerousption and cross-edit videos on <i>UTube</i>.

    [Collection of "Joy" Moments: Authentic Jumps]

    [Collection of "Joy" Moments: Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo Piggyback Rides]

    [Collection of "Joy" Moments: Leaves Rolling Down]

    Especially popr was the ¡°Collection of ¡®Joy¡¯ Endings.¡± It was loved for its unique direction where Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, who were rtively less noticeable, were entrusted with all the endings and made each ending different.

    This collection included various fun scenes such as Yoon-Chan shouting "Rings, I... I love you!" while making a heart shape, Joo-Han wearing sunsses and striking a cool pose, sometimes kicking the buttocks of a fellow member who made a mistake in the choreography.

    Among the variousption videos and cross-edits, a new video was bing popr among the Rings.

    ***

    "When we look at this video, it seems like our dance styles are really different, right, hyung?"

    ¡°Yeah, that''s right." Ipletely agreed with Jin-Sung''s statement and nodded. The video that was bing popr was the ¡°Same Choreography, Different Feel, Dance Line Comparison Video¡± between me and Jin-Sung.

    As this video started trending on the inte, there were a lot of mentions of me and Jin-Sung''s dance lines on various social media, including <i>BlueBird</i>. Only then did we remember. It was the content of me and Jin-Sung that was postponed and eventually forgotten due to my injury, our variety show filming,eback, and fan meeting preparations. However, the Rings were moring about our cover dance, asking when the next one would be.

    To make that happen, Jin-Sung and I came to the practice room early after finishing a music show broadcast.

    ¡°It''s definitely Allure''s new song, right? Ah, I guess it''s been a while to call it a new song..."

    ¡°It''s theirtest song."

    Jin-Sung watched a dance video of Allure on hisptop and suddenly brightened up before turning his head to suggest, ¡°Hyung, how about we just turn on a <i>Q-app</i> live and dance on the spot?"

    ¡°<i>Q-app</i>?"

    ¡°Yeah! The Rings asked us to dance live before. It would be more fun with you."

    ¡°Uh, yeah, let''s get permission from Su-Hwan hyung first." It had been a while since we did a live, and we had never done a <i>Q-app</i> live just the two of us. Therefore, it could be a good content.

    After we sent a message to Su-Hwan about the <i>Q-app</i> live, a quick reply came back.

    - I''m heading to the practice room now. If you''ve thrown clothes and snacks on the floor, clean all that up first.

    <i>¡®How did he know?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Yeah, looks like we got permission," I told Jin-Sung and picked up the clothes and snack bags we had carelessly thrown around.

 Chapter 212: Joy (49)

    Chapter 212: Joy (49)

    Fortunately, I was wearing suitable clothes for the livestream. Jin-Sung had no choice but to wear his tracksuit, but at least, I came out in a quality shirt that I often wore.

    After we tidied up the things we had carelessly thrown around, the manager came into the practice room with a smartphone and a stand for the <em>Q-app</em> live. He said, ¡°I will be watching the broadcast for now."

    ¡°Did youe here after working on documents, Su-Hwan hyung?"

    ¡°Yes. Hmmm, maybe I can go back. Since the sub-leader Hyun-Woo is here, everything should be fine, right?"

    I flinched a little at Su-Hwan''s words, which deliberately emphasized the word ¡°sub-leader.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Yes, I won¡¯t let you down. Don''t worry."

    ¡°Even if it takes long, please wrap it up within an hour. The other members wille to the practice room around that time."

    ¡°Yes."

    After leaving various instructions for us, Su-Hwan went back to thepany. I then set up the phone on the desk and started the Q-app. We decided on the live title as ¡°Have you been waiting? The return of the dance duo¡ªpart two!¡± based on Jin-Sung''s suggestion. ¡°Ah, I just realized you are wearing a shirt. Ah, if I knew we were going live now, I would have dressed properly too."

    ¡°Isn''t this properly dressed for you, Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°No, it''s not. I hate you."

    ¡°I like you though."

    ¡°<em>Ugh</em>." As we made some silly jokes, viewers quickly started to pour in after seeing the live notification.

    ¡ªWow, I didn''t even think there would be a live at this hour.

    ¡ªHyun-Woo, Jin-Sung AWWW! Is it a live dance between the dance duo?

    ¡ªWow, I was just thinking about you guys, look at the timing...

    ¡ª??Such a sweet live, what''s the asion?

    ¡ªHi.

    ¡ªHuh? I rushed in after seeing the rm :0

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°Hi, Rings~!¡±

    ¡°Have you all had your supper?"

    At the question of whether they had eaten, various chats came pouring in¡ªfrom yes, no, about to, and some foreignnguages that were hard to understand.

    I gave the viewers a moment to respond and nodded as I spoke. ¡°There have been a lot of danceparison videos of Jin-Sung and me going aroundtely."

    ¡°Right. Did you see a few every time you open <em>UTube</em>?"

    ¡°Seeing those, I thought, ''the time hase.'' It''s been a while since we uploaded a dance cover video. So we thought, why not take live requests for dance covers, and that''s why we are going live now."

    ¡°Please understand that my outfit is like this because we decided to do this out of nowhere," said Jin-Sung as he pointed out his clothes. Though they weren''t particrly shabby or poor-looking, it seemed he was quite conscious about it. He was also right next to me who was decently dressed.

    ¡ªWhat were you all doing?

    ¡°We''ve been, well. As you know, we have been busy with schedules and preparing for the inauguration."

    Although we turned on the <em>Q-app</em> with a clear intention to take dance requests, we couldn''t just start dancing right after. We first had a simple conversation with the viewers.

    ¡°One of the rings asked, ¡®What did you think after watching the dance lineparison video?¡¯ Jin-Sung, what did you think?"

    ¡°Well, nothing much really, since I already know about it. However, seeing itpared directly, I realized how different we really are. Hyun-Woo hyung''s expressions are really something, aren''t they?"

    ¡°I felt simrly since I already knew Jin-Sung''s dance style. When we choreograph, we often take into ount our different styles. So, I viewed it more objectively from a third-person point of view."

    ¡ªHyun-Woo has something elegant, delicate, andnguid, while Jin-Sung has strong, refreshing, and big movements. That''s the difference!

    ¡ªI love both!

    ¡ªBoth are my type.

    ¡ªLOVE U!!! ??

    ¡ªIt''s my birthday today, could you wish me a happy birthday?

    ¡ªWhenever I see Chronies'' stage, it¡¯s so thrilling when Hyun-Woo''s solo is followed by Jin-Sung''s solo!

    ¡°Oh, happy birthday!" I said.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung has such beautiful lines whenever he dances. I''ve tried to copy him but could never get it quite right. It''s like only his body and his face can produce that kind of grace."

    ¡°<em>Ew</em>, stop it. Don''tpliment me like that." As I felt embarrassed by the ongoingpliments from both fans and Jin-Sung, I pushed Jin-Sung away. However, I was the one who ended up getting pushed back.

    The Rings had been so used to our banter like this, so I thought it wouldn¡¯t be particrly funny. However, the chat exploded withughter andments about ¡°paper human[1] Suh Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡ªIs there any behind-the-scenes story for "There go the rolling leaves!?¡±

    ¡ªI rushed here as soon as my sses ended! How long has the broadcast been going on for? ??

    ¡ªHyun-Woo, I love everything about you. It''s genuinely tear-jerking.

    ¡ªThese two goofballs lol

    ¡ªThe broadcast just started not long ago.

    ¡ªOh, that person is here too, please just stop

    ¡ªWhat are the other members doing right now?

    I slowly scrolled through the chat on my phone and engaged in conversation as appropriate.

    ¡°Any behind-the-scenes stories for ''There go the rolling leaves,¡¯ Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°It''s a bit toughing up with new ad-libs every time, but it''s fun. Actually, the leaves we sprinkled around were cut out from colored paper by ourselves."

    ¡°Initially, that''s how we did it, but now the staff helps us out. We used to gather in the living room of our dorm every night and cut out leaves while chatting. It was like sorting bean sprouts with my family."

    After answering, I paused to look at the chat, which had moved on to questions about the new phones we all got, bnce games, stories about <em>Graduating, </em>updates on members, and even mentions of Chronos from a previous live show. As expected, the most frequent topic was updates about the members.

    ¡°Other members must be at the dorm right now. Joo-Han hyung might be working. Should we give him a call now?¡±

    I turned off the live broadcast on my phone and called Joo-Han, turning on the speaker. As soon as I did, cute meowing sounds came through.

    <em>I miss you meow~ When will youe meow~</em>

    <em>There is a dog here too woof~</em>?

    Joo-Han was always serious about ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow,¡± so he even set it as his ringtone. Unlike us, who were used to it, the fans hearing the ringtone for the first time responded withughter. They found Joo-Han''s taste endearing.

    While Jin-Sung wasughing and bobbing his shoulders to the tune, Joo-Han''s very deep voice came through, in contrast to the cheerful atmosphere here.

    - Yeah, why?

    ¡°What are you doing, hyung?"

    - Working. Why? I was about to go to the practice room. I''ve just lost everything I worked on, and I feel like crying here.

    ¡°Oh no... I''m actually on a <em>Q-app</em> broadcast right now, and the fans want to see other members, so I called. Should I hang up?"

    -...What? Really? Our Rings want to see me?

    Joo-Han''s voice changed instantly. Could someone''s voice really change that quickly? The previously depressed tone was gone without a trace, much to the fans'' amusement.

    - Hello, my beloved Rings! This is Joo-Han. How are you all doing?

    ¡°I think hyung''s personality is quite extraordinary."

    - As you can see, I''m doing fine. Our lovely younger ones are doing a live chat, right? Hahaha, how''s it going?

    ¡°Yes, Joo-Han hyung is having a tough time. I will hang up for now. See you in a bit, hyung."

    - I love you, Rings! Always with you! Foreve¡ª.

    ¡°That was Joo-Han."

    After that, I called Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan in turn. Goh Yoo-Joon only talked nonsense as he was half-asleep, so I hung up, and the only meaningful conversation was with Yoon-Chan.

    This was likely why our seniors were hesitant to call their group members during a livestream. Just like that, I decided not to make calls without prior agreement in the future.

    First question. ¡°A five-year-old Jin-Sung VS. five Jin-Sungs."

    ¡°Ah, why me?"

    ¡°I''d choose the five-year-old Jin-Sung. If there were five of him, our roof would be torn off."

    Second question. ¡°Calling the full names of your friends VS. Making them sound bad¡­ Hmm?"

    ¡°What if you think of it as Yoo-Joon hyung?"

    ¡°Well, I usually call Yoo-Joon by hisst name... So, I guess it''s okay? I''m not that close with him."

    ¡°Who''s going to believe that? I feel bad for him. I think I''d cry if the hyungs called me Lee Jin-Sung."

    Next challenge. ¡°...Close one eye and poke each other¡¯s cheek?¡±

    ¡°Huh?"

    <em>¡®Is this like the new ''touch your elbow with your tongue''?¡¯</em>

    Jin-Sung and I read the chat and did as it said, closing one eye and poking each other¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°We can both do it. Are there people who can''t?" After doing it a few more times and indicating we could do it, we realized it was meant to show our cute expressions.

    ¡°Ah, what? Was that it? Is it trending these days?"

    ¡°Let''s try it when the otherseter."

    After a fairly long warm-up talk, Jin-Sung and I checked the time and wrapped up the conversation.

    ¡°So, shall we start dancing? Any requests?" I asked.

    ¡°Actually, we were nning to practice and upload a cover video of Allure¡¯s song today," Jin-Sung said. He then danced the choreography he had memorized.

    ¡ªI want to see Hyun-Woo dance Jin-Sung''s part and Jin-Sung dance Hyun-Woo''s part.

    ¡ªSwitch parts and dance!

    ¡ªCan you do the ¡°Cha Cha¡± again after such a long time?

    ¡ªCan you do one of your old cover videos again?

    ¡ªPlease do Street Center''s ¡°Evil Night Together!¡±

    ¡ªDo a duet from Instant Love!

    Many suggestions came in, including dances we had done before, songs by groups we were close with, and even mixed-gender dance duets.

    ¡°Um, shall we start with something simple?" We decided to start with dances we could perform without looking up, and then we would gradually increase the difficulty.

    ¡°Shall we try switching parts? I will do Jin-Sung''s part, and Jin-Sung will do mine. Which song should we choose?" I asked.

    Jin Sung replied, ¡°If we are going to do it, let''s do it right! Let''s go with ¡®Chronos,¡¯ which has a lot of solo parts. Hyung, remember the choreography?"

    ¡°Uh, vaguely? My body will remember¡­maybe." I shook my head as I wasn¡¯t sure about it. Then, I took off my rings and bracelets, and put them on the desk.

    1. ?? ?? is a Korean ng that typically describes a person who appears very fragile, light-weighted, and delicate, almost as if they can be easily blown away by the wind or damaged like paper. This term is often used in a metaphorical sense to emphasize someone''s slender physique or to imply that they seem very gentle or delicate in appearance. It''s not necessarily a negative term and can be used yfully or affectionately to describe someone''s physical characteristics. ?

 Chapter 213: Joy (50)

    <h4>Chapter 213: Joy (50)</h4>

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>, this guy keepsing back even after being reported."

    What was the use of a permanent ount ban when the trolls kept changing their ounts, even using their mom''s, dad''s, siblings'', or friends'' ounts?

    Hwang Go-Ri sighed deeply and reported the malicious chats that popped up during the live broadcast. Yet, her gaze remained fixed on the two people on the phone¡ªSuh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung¡ªas they were getting ready to dance, straightening their clothes.

    She wanted to show them only positive chats during the live broadcast, especially since it was their first time doing a livestream together. Unluckily, the chat today was particrly foul, with antis and malicious fans running rampant. They were the worst of the worst, with some of them even stalking the idols in person.

    She had tried to report and delete these foulments, but she was sure the two of them had seen them too.

    [I think I can do it.]

    [Look at the confidence. Let''s start.]

    [Shall we start with Jin-Sung? I will y the song.]

    [Yeah!]

    Lee Jin-Sung responded energetically, and Suh Hyun-Woo nodded before stepping out of the frame. Then, ¡°Chronos¡± started ying.

    - Wow, Chronos ??

    - I''ve missed it so much already

    - LMAO Jin-Sung is going to dance Hyun-Woo''s solo?

    - I feel like Jin-Sung knows all the other members'' dances too haha

    [But my dance won''t feel like hyung¡¯s. Hyun-Woo hyung is really good at setting the mood.]

    The intro of ¡°Chronos¡± started with the highlight of Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo, with each member joining in one by one. It was one of the Rings¡¯ favorite parts as Suh Hyun-Woo''s unique dance lines were elegant andnguid.

    ¡°Hahaha! Jin-Sung is already causing amotion," said Hwang Go-Ri. Though Jin-Sung was supposed to stand still during this part, he was already moving around excitedly and rode the rhythm.

    [Hey, Jin-Sung, you are supposed to stay still there.]

    [It''s just a warm-up.]

    [What did hyung say, Jin-Sung?]

    [Ah, seriously! You said that I should dance like a turtle.]

    Lee Jin-Sung then started dancing properly. He usually performed the fast and powerful dance he preferred, so the slower pace might feel frustrating for him.

    [<i>Ugh</i>!]

    Lee Jin-Sung groaned while diligently replicating Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo.

    [lol Jin-Sung''s version is good too?]

    [No, really, it''s decent?]

    [Turtle AHAHAHA]

    [It''s really different lol ?? The intro feels like a powerful version!]

    ¡°Oooh...." Hwang Go-Ri''s mouth curled into a smile without her realizing it.

    Lee Jin-Sung''s rendition of Suh Hyun-Woo''s part was indeed quite different. The yearning atmosphere that many fans cited as a reason for their fondness was almost gone, but Lee Jin-Sung''s unique, strong, and refreshing dance lines somewhat expressed the delicate choreography, creating an interesting bnce.

    This cover was good enough that fans would want to see it on stage as a special event. For the fans watching right now, the broadcast brought pride, happiness, and visual pleasure. It was fascinating to see how differently members of the same group interpreted the same part.

    Next was Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s turn to dance Lee Jin-Sung''s part.

    [I''m honestly not sure. Even though I know Jin-Sung''s part, it''s hard to mimic it. Give me a moment. Let me try to remember.]

    [You all saw hyung take off his essories earlier, right? He''s trying to outdo his younger brother here.]

    [No, it''s because your dance moves might catch on my casual clothes, bracelets, and rings.]

    Suh Hyun-Woo spoke awkwardly, but the fans knew he had the intention of winning. Both were the main dancers of Chronos¡ªmembers known for their passion for dance.

    [Let''s see then. I will y my part.]

    After Lee Jin-Sung had stepped out of the frame, Suh Hyun-Woo took his position.

    ¡°<i>Uuuuhhhh</i>h!" Hwang Go-Ri made a strange noise and covered her mouth tightly. Her favorite, Suh Hyun-Woo, was about to cover Jin-Sung¡¯s part.

    There had been a slight buzz among fans when Suh Hyun-Woo subtly adapted his dance style toplement Lee Jin-Sung''s during their recent pair dance. Because of it, it was impossible for them not to feel excited.

    [But I''m not sure. Honestly.]

    [You say that, but you will dance well anyway!]

    In response to Lee Jin-Sung''s whining, Suh Hyun-Woo started to dance with aposed smile as if to soothe himself. It was a dance in Lee Jin-Sung''s style, which had only been seen in a very short fifteen-second video before.

    [There it is, Hyun-Woo''s changing dance style... aaah!]

    [I swear, every time I see Hyun-Woo oppa dance, I feel like I could die because it''s so good!!!]

    [What the... You said you forgot everything, but you are dancing so well... I''m shocked lol]

    [Oh crap, I''mte... Just got here, sorry ??]

    [Hyun-Woo, you are a genius... I''m gonna cry...]

    Hwang Sae @hangse_c0817 ? Just now

    (Live) Wow, isn''t Suh Hyun-Woo insane? It''s not just because he is my fav, but he seems like a real genius!!! It''s so cool how he can change his dance style at will :0

    Reply RT Like

    Hwang Go-Ri posted on <i>BlueBird </i>in unbearable happiness. Though there were moments when he hesitated due to not knowing the choreography that well, wasn''t that cuteness in itself?

    Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s movements were cooler and more powerful than usual yet still had hisnguid charm. He was lighter and more agile than Lee Jin-Sung, who put strength into every step. It was different but so good.

    That handsome guy was her favorite singer. Hwang Go-Ri''s overwhelming joy was expressed by her beaming smile. While Suh Hyun-Woo was dancing, he stopped during an extended dance break and waved his hands.

    [Stop, stop, that''s enough. I really don''t know anymore. Sorry, Rings.]

    Suh Hyun-Woo apologized and approached the screen together with Lee Jin-Sung.

    [What shall we do next? Oh, we can''t do the duet (Instant Love) dance. Families don¡¯t do such a thing.]

    After firmly refusing to cover couple dances, Suh Hyun-Woo proceeded to cover songs by other artists in turn. He showed off his genius side by immediately presenting known choreographies or quickly learning them on the spot, making it a mutually beneficial live broadcast in many ways.

    [It''s not that hard. Just put one hand in your pocket and move your feet like this.]

    He was in the middle of teaching the fans the choreography for ¡°Joy¡± when the practice room door opened. Suh Hyun-Woo then stopped moving and turned his head.

    There was a moment of silence. The person who opened the door didn''t show themselves, but Hwang Go-Ri could tell from the expressions of Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung that the other members had arrived.

    [Yes. Uh, that''s right.]

    Suh Hyun-Woo looked meaningfully behind the phone that was recording.

    [Shall we wrap it up here?]

    ¡°What? No way! You have to show the kids." Just as Hwang Go-Ri was frantically typing a chat saying no...

    [Hey, this guy is funny.]

    [Good evening, everyone. Hello.]

    [Hello.]

    The other members quickly filled the screen, covering Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung. Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan greeted the fans from the front, and Lee Jin-Sung ran excitedly toward them. Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon put Suh Hyun-Woo in a headlock for attempting to end the broadcast.

    Suh Hyun-Woo managed to escape from Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s grip and pped his back hard.

    [Ah! Are you Joo-Han hyung or what? Ah, that really hurts.]

    [What do you mean? Why does my namee up when you two are fighting?]

    [What did I say would happen if you put me in a headlock again?]

    [Did you say you''d kick me?]

    [Well, anyway.]

    Suh Hyun-Woo kicked Goh Yoo-Joon''s butt. Then, Goh Yoo-Joonughed and pushed Suh Hyun-Woo away.

    [Come up to the rooftop.]

    [Thepany''s rooftop is locked.]

    - lol Still on good terms, I see hehe

    - They fight as soon as they make eye contact ahahaha

    - The rooftop is locked AHAHA

    - No one worries when they kick and fight oof

    Hwang Go-Ri alsoughed out loud at their fight and uploaded it to <i>BlueBird.</i>

    Hwang Bird @hangse_c0817 ?

    (Live) [Breaking News] The same-age duo are having their 98566412583rd fight in the live broadcast

    Hyun-Woo says "If you headlock me one more time, I will kick you..."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s position on "Come to the rooftop" revealed...

    Reply RT Like

    Their petty fights always brought great joy to the fans. The never-ending battles only calmed down after both were hit in the back by Kang Joo-Han.

    [Ah, right. Hyung, you said your work got deleted earlier. Did you manage to recover it?]

    [Ji- Jin-Sung.]

    Park Yoon-Chan desperately signaled Lee Jin-Sung to keep quiet. But by then, Kang Joo-Han''s face had already darkened.

    [Sigh... It can''t be recovered...]

    Goh Yoo-Joon stood up.

    [Everyone,e here. Let''s hug Joo-Han hyung.]

    Just like what Kang Joo-Han had done for the members sometimes, they gathered for a Chronos-style constion ceremony. After a long hug, the members sat down side by side, andmunication with the fans started again.

    [Why did youe so early when there''s still some time left before practice? Goh Yoo-Joon, you were sleeping earlier.]

    At Suh Hyun-Woo''s words, Kang Joo-Han suddenly started giggling.

    [Beforeing here, I was tidying up some stuff, and Goh Yoo-Joon broke the toilet.]

    [What does tidying up have to do with the toilet?]

    [I will tell youter. Anyway, the manager was angry, so we came early to change the mood.]

    Suddenly, news about Chronos''s broken toilet surfaced, apanied by light-hearted banter, around an hour and ten minutes into the broadcast. Despite the unexpected interruption, the live broadcast, which was longer than usual, carried on. Suh Hyun-Woo, noticing the time, nced at Kang Joo-Han.

    However, Kang Joo-Han appeared to be barely engaging in the conversation, still shocked by his recent setback. Sensing the mood, Suh Hyun-Woo discreetly nced at the other members and skillfully redirected the discussion by pping his hands at an opportune moment.

    [Alright, everyone. Shouldn''t we start the practice now?]

    Only then did Kang Joo-Han check the time and nod.

    [Oh, yes. Rings, thank you for joining us in today''s live broadcast. We need to prepare for the inauguration ceremony now.]

    [Even in our personal live broadcasts, we always end up saying goodbye together.]

    [It''s nice, isn''t it? Everyone, see you at the next music show!]

    [Good night!]

    The broadcast whichsted about an hour ended. As soon as the broadcast was turned off, Hwang Go-Ri immediately shared her thoughts on <i>BlueBird </i>and started refreshing the <i>Q-app</i> site.

    When the rey video was uploaded, she immediately turned on her editing program. Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung''s numerous dance covers, calls with other members, the peers'' fights, the famous Chronos-style constion, and the story of Goh Yoo-Joon breaking the toilet¡ªa live broadcast that was started with a light heart always turned into such a treasure trove.

    The more the members shared stories, making the broadcast increasinglyfortable and enjoyable, the busier fan channel operators like Hwang Go-Ri became.

    ***

    The preparations for the Rings inauguration ceremony were proceeding smoothly, even amid the promotional activities for "Joy." We had ample time to prepare and refine the ceremony''s quality, and today marked the special video shoot for the inauguration ceremony.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, do you want to wear sses?" asked one of the stylists.

    ¡°sses? I don''t like them because they are ufortable."

    ¡°Only Joo-Han wears them when sses propse in. Today, let''s have our Jin-Sung wear them."

    ¡°Then give me a cool design, please."

    ¡°Of course."

    I watched Jin-Sung being persuaded by a stylist and then looked away. The prepared set resembled a corporate meeting room, and the members were all dressed in full suits. This shoot was for a skit to announce that I had be the sub-leader.

    ¡°We will start shooting in twenty minutes!"

    ¡°Okay!" I entered the set first and looked at the documents ced at each member''s seat.

    Chronos Debate (Host: Kang Joo-Han)

    Topic 1. Is Chronos okay as it is?

    - Announce theunch of individual variety shows.

    : Please act as if Joo-Han is epting the other members¡¯ opinions on their individual variety shows schedule.

    Topic 2. Is Kang Joo-Han¡¯s autocratic system okay?

    - Announce the news of Suh Hyun-Woo bing the sub-leader.

    : Please appropriately distribute the ratio between the pro and con teams.

    Although the skit was mostly improvised and not much was written down, it specified the points we definitely needed to convey during the shoot.

 Chapter 214: Joy (51)

    Chapter 214: Joy (51)

    ¡°Let''s start shooting!"

    ¡°Sure!"

    ¡°Get ready! Go on three!...And cue!" Just like that, the debate filming for the Rings inauguration kicked off.

    As the director signaled, the background music we would hear on a debate show filled the room. We all gathered around Joo-Han at the center,unching into a serious discussion, with everyone looking grave and thoughtful.

    ¡°Man... I''m craving some kimchi fried rice," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°The guy who smashed the toilet''s talking big. I can''t believe it. Why did you even break it?" asked Joo-Han.

    Their serious faces belied the trivial nature of their conversation, but since this scene was meant to be audio-free¡ªjust background music and visuals¡ªit didn''t matter.

    ¡°Shouldn''t you worry if your buddy got hurt first?" asked Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Did you get hurt?" I asked.¡°Heh, nope."

    I tried to grab Goh Yoo-Joon''s cor, but Joo-Han pointed a stick at us. ¡°Quiet down, you two. We are going live with audio."

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°Alright."

    We halted our tiff and zipped it as the music came to a stop.

    Joo-Han was now at the center. Raising the cue card, he started, ¡°Hello, everyone! Wee to the first-ever Chronos Debate."

    ¡°Woohoo!"

    ¡°Yay!" Jin-Sung banged on the desk with excitement.

    ¡°I''m your host, Kang Joo-Han, and I¡¯m also the leader of Chronos."

    ¡°Yay! The best leader!"

    ¡°The king of copyrights!"

    Joo-Han smiled, pleased with our reactions, and he moved the session along. ¡°It feels like we just debuted, but here we are, having finished our second album and gearing up for our first Rings inauguration."

    This discussion video would air around the time of the inauguration and not now, as there were still a couple of weeks left in our second album¡¯s promotion schedule.

    ¡°We''ve all had our fair share of thoughts on group activities and things we wish were different or could be improved. Let''s openly discuss these."

    ¡°Great idea. We often avoid such topics in our talks."

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement. ¡°Our team has prepared two topics for today''s discussion. Let''s dive into the first one."

    He peeled a sticker from the panel beside him.

    [Topic 1: Is Chronos okay as it is?]

    ¡°Our first topic is ''Is Chronos okay as it is?''"

    ¡°Yes, I think we are doing fine!" Goh Yoo-Joon answered promptly and made Joo-Han point at me with the stick.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, keep the guy next to you quiet, please."

    ¡°Sure thing, sir. <em>Shh</em>! You are interrupting the boss here!" I mockingly pped Goh Yoo-Joon on the back like a gangster. He justughed it off, seemingly immune to the pain by now.

    Joo-Han continued hosting. ¡°We¡¯ve been working hard as Chronos, but if there are areas we¡¯re missing, let¡¯s discuss what they might be and how we can address them.¡±

    ¡°Me!" eximed Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Yes, Jin-Sung. You have the floor."

    ¡°Our public recognition seems reallycking."

    ¡°Wow."

    Jin-Sung came out with a surprisingly astutement. Right, Chronos was popr, but our mainstream appeal could use a boost. Despite the sess of "Blue Room Party," our group''s recognition didn''t quite match up to it.

    Around our debut, a member from High Tension was already ranking high in brand reputation, while only Tinta University''s fancams and <em>Graduating </em>appearances had brought me and Goh Yoo-Joon into the rankings. However, we were in the mid tote tenth of the rank.

    ¡°But haven''t Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo been getting more recognitiontely?" asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°Our recognition did go up with <em>Graduating.</em>" After Goh Yoo-Joon responded, Yoon-Chan cautiously raised his hand.

    ¡°I think... our content was a bitcking."

    ¡°Right, I felt that too. We barely have any content, do we?" I agreed wholeheartedly with Yoon-Chan''s point.

    ¡°While we''ve been doing some solo stuff, it feels like we are missing group content, doesn''t it?"

    ¡°Yeah, Hyun-Woo''s right. In retrospect, our group''s activities have been a bit limited since the debut," replied Joo-Han, reflecting. Indeed, YMM, an agency with little idol management experience, was slow on the content rollout.

    I felt this more keenly because of my prior dealings with YU''s executives. While High Tension hadunched their lightstick right off the bat, we only started making ours once we were on a roll.

    Other idols who debuted around the same time had released at least one season DVD for fan meetings and, of course, had plenty of main and side content on <em>UTube. </em>Therefore, High Tension was enjoying a massive fan influx, both domestically and internationally. The difference a well-maintained database made was enormous.

    Unlike the majorpanies familiar with managing popr idols, YMM only had Allure, who broke throughte after a long period of obscurity. As a result, the management teams seemed struggling to figure out how to manage Chronos, who had attracted arge fanbase even before their debut.

    On top of that, YMM naturally gravitated toward music-centered activities as they were apany that focused on solo artists. This led to our lightsticking out aste as Allure¡¯s, with the management of our fan club and content rollout following suit, slow and steady. It was an unavoidable situation.

    ¡°Ah, I wish we had our own group content on<em> UTube</em> or <em>Q-app</em>, like video concerts or individual variety shows."

    ¡°And how about we all get into the habit of doing <em>Q-app </em>live broadcasts more often?" suggested Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I''m on board with Yoo-Joon''s idea," Joo-Han agreed. ¡°Let''s make live broadcasting a regr thing. We all love interacting with our Rings, but we are not going live nearly enough. Whether it''s solo or as a group, let''s have more live streaming."

    ¡°Absolutely!"

    ¡°Any other thoughts, everyone? Anything about Chronos''s future is fair game."

    The members mulled over their suggestions in silence. To be honest, we were quite content with our activities. Even though group variety show invitations had dwindled, we still got decent opportunities for individual and group activities.

    ¡°Come on, we need some input. The audio is waiting," Joo-Han urged, and I raised my hand.

    ¡°Not a big deal, but I''d like to request Jin-Sung to put a hold on bulking up," I said.

    ¡°What! Why? That''s personal!" Jin-Sung protested and jumped up.

    Joo-Han turned to me and asked, ¡°Does Jin-Sung''s bulking up have anything to do with Chronos''s future, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Yes, every time he jumps over the vault, it''s just too heavy." I threw in my two cents, holding a bit of a grudge. ¡°Chronos''s choreography is getting tougher by the day, and my dance partner is just too strong, too powerful, and too heavy."

    ¡°That''s not fair!"

    ¡°True, every time Jin-Sung does the vault move, we can hear Hyun-Woo groaning."

    ¡°Exactly."

    ¡°Right."

    Everyone but Jin-Sung nodded. Though it wouldn''t have been audible in the broadcast, they had all heard me groan every time Jin-Sung used my back to vault over.

    Joo-Han pretended to ponder and finally said, ¡°Let''s go with the victim''s suggestion. Jin-Sung, maintain your current physique for now."

    Jin-Sung wasn''t convinced, but the discussion ended there with a round of satisfied apuse from the members.

    ¡°Let''s wrap up the first topic. We will make live broadcasting a habit to keep in touch with our fans more frequently. Jin-Sung will maintain his physique, and we will positively consider regr group content. I will talk to thepany about it. That''s it. Next!" Joo-Han moved on to the next topic.

    [Topic 2: Is Kang Joo-Han¡¯s autocratic system okay?]

    "Ah!"

    ¡°Oh no... Joo-Han, your era might be over." We sighed and threw somements toward Joo-Han, who looked bewildered at the panel before him.

    ¡°Who else is as democratic as me? Ha. You all agree, right?"

    An eerie silence fell, but Joo-Han kept his cool and carried on. ¡°An odd topic, but let''s split into pro and con for a debate. If you support my autocracy, move to the right. If not, the left."

    ¡°Hmm, do we take our chairs?"

    ¡°Whoever picked this topic did a great job. Finally, the dark truth of Chronos will be revealed."

    ¡°So this is it."

    The consensus naturally leaned toward the opposition, with three opposing votes and only one in support. The solitary support vote was merely Yoon-Chan''s attempt to bnce the expectedndslide.

    Joo-Han shrugged and said, ¡°Folks, the other members don''t understand my heart. What ungrateful kids."

    Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled, ¡°Maybe it''s time you step down a bit. I still can''t forget the rap writing incident during thepetition show."

    Jin-Sung eximed, ¡°And I can''t forget being forced to sit down and study! With homework and everything!"

    <em>¡®Huh, I didn''t have any unforgettable incidents</em>.¡¯

    Joo-Han nced at me, waiting for me to speak, and then said, ¡°So, I guess Hyun-Woo doesn¡¯t have hard feelings toward me. How about moving to the support side? The script says, ''Please appropriately distribute the ratio between the pro and con teams.¡¯"

    ¡°Um... okay."

    Joo-Han had always looked out for me. Without any real grievances, I stood up and moved next to Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo, the traitor," remarked Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I will support this," I said. Thinking about it, me being on the support side might work well for Joo-Han passing me the sub-leader role.

    As I settled in, Joo-Han silenced the opposition and picked up his stick again. ¡°Alright, let''s start the second debate. I will let the support side speak first.¡±

 Chapter 215: Joy (52)

    Chapter 215: Joy (52)

    ¡°Let''s start with Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Me? Well, I think."

    I got the first say in the second topic of the debate¡ª¡°Is Kang Joo-Han¡¯s autocratic system okay?¡±¡ªthanks to Joo-Han''s decision. Despite the protests from Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung about the bias, Joo-Han ignored them and waited for my input.

    I shared my thoughts. ¡°I believe Joo-Han''s autocracy is fine as it is."

    ¡°Oh, why is that?"

    ¡°Why not? Joo-Han has led us well as our leader, and that''s why Chronos hase this far, right?"

    ¡°No, that''s because we all worked hard!" Jin-Sung stood up to argue.

    Then I followed suit. ¡°What are you talking about? It''s all thanks to Joo-Han''s hard work alone!"

    Then Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in, ¡°Respected Joo-Han, Suh Hyun-Woo is overstepping his bounds."¡°What¡¯s the matter? I like what he is saying. I agree with the supporting team."

    ¡°Are these guys for real?"

    As Goh Yoo-Joon spoke, Jin-Sung raised his hand while still standing. ¡°I have a point to make. The moderator is favoring one side. That side is full of Joo-Han''s biggest fans. Can we switch members? I want Hyun-Woo back on our side."

    ¡°Denied," said Joo-Han.

    Goh Yoo-Joon raised his hand again. ¡°I have a point. Suh Hyun-Woo''s argumentcks persuasiveness."

    Hearing this, I countered, ¡°What? I have a point too. I demand an exnation from Goh Yoo-Joon about the broken toilet at our dorm."

    ¡°Guys... the topic is changing..." Yoon-Chan tried to steer us back, but Joo-Han just shrugged.

    ¡°So what? A little mudslinging is fun."

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°How many times are we going to talk about the toilet?"

    ¡°Because of you, we have to go all the way to thepany just to use the bathroom!"

    ¡°Wait, you use the bathroom? As an idol?"

    ¡°Grab each other by the cor, you two,"manded Joo-Han.

    ¡°Uh, Joo-Han hyung..."

    Following Joo-Han''s request, Goh Yoo-Joon and I slowly approached each other and grabbed each other''s cors. The familiar grip felt almost nostalgic. Was this the first time since high school?

    ¡°Shall we settle this here?"

    ¡°Fine. I didn''t get hurt in the washroom, okay?"

    ¡°If you are not hurt, that''s all that matters!"

    We let go of each other''s cors simultaneously afterforting one another and parting ways.

    Jin-Sung had calmed down from watching our scuffle, and he asked, ¡°I''m curious. What exactly happened to the toilet at the dorm? Did you summon Rasputin or something?"

    What exactly happened while Jin-Sung and I were doing our <em>Q-app</em> session?

    Joo-Han epted our queries. ¡°Let''s take a moment from our main topic to address ''How did the dorm toilet end up broken?'' ording to Goh Yoo-Joon. This is something not only we but also our fans are quite curious about, having seen it on our <em>Q-app</em>."

    Honestly, I knew the exnation wouldn''t be anything out of the ordinary. It must have happened while packing up for the move, trying to reach for the shampoo on the shelf by climbing onto the toilet.

    ¡°That''s because we are moving soon. I was packing up, trying to grab the shampoo and towels by climbing on the toilet."

    As expected.

    ¡°Then Joo-Han hyung suddenly came out into the living room and started singing trot."

    ...What?

    ¡°I got excited and started moving to the rhythm while still standing on the toilet."

    ¡°...Why were you dancing to trot? And that caused it to break?"

    ¡°No, it was still fine then. But the manager who came to pick us up turned on his phone camera and requested an encore from Joo-Han."

    <em>¡®...Trot... Encore¡­¡¯</em>

    ¡°So when Joo-Han hyung was singing the encore, I broke the toilet doing headbanging while still on it."

    ¡°...I think our fellow members are a bit weird."

    ¡°I know right?"

    Jin-Sung and I nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Why were you singing trot, Joo-Han hyung?"

    Joo-Han responded nonchntly, ¡°I was so stressed from losing my work, and Yoon-Chan told me to sing trot if I felt down."

    ¡°Yoon-Chan too?"

    ¡°Ha... Joo-Han hyung was just too gloomy..."

    Then Joo-Han tapped his cue card on the desk in front of him. ¡°Alright, enough about the toilet. Let''s get back to the main discussion. We''ve heard from the supporting team, so let''s listen to the opposing team now. Goh Yoo-Joon, your thoughts, please."

    ¡°Sure. Honestly, how have we been living up till now? What was it like when Joo-Han hyung was working? It was like a household with a senior taking the college entrance exam, right? Walking around in socks, living quietly, and Joo-Han hyung hogging the goodputer¡­ I don''t think this kind of dictatorship is right."

    With a soft tone, I chuckled and answered, ¡°So, what was the result we got? Chronos¡¯s songs and your solo tracks, right? Then, you should be grateful for it. Plus, he doesn¡¯t really work at the dorm anymore. He is always at thepany studio.¡±

    ¡°...That¡¯s true.¡± As Goh Yoo-Joon agreed, Jin-Sung raised his hand.

    ¡°I have something to say. It makes sense to be quiet during work, but why the studying! Why make me study? It has nothing to do with Chronos!"

    Pointing at Jin-Sung with his stick, Joo-Han reprimanded, ¡°Hey, no informal speech. Please be more respectful to others. That''s a warning for you."

    ¡°What? Why am I the only one getting called out when everyone else has been talking informally?"

    Then Yoon-Chan tentatively raised his hand. ¡°I have a thought. Joo-Han hyung making Jin-Sung study was for Jin-Sung''s future. Isn''t it right for a big brother to ensure his younger brothers have more opportunities and options for the future? I think Jin-Sung needs to appreciate Joo-Han''s caring nature more."

    ¡°That''s... thanks for looking out for me, but..."

    The topic drifted away again, but no one seemed to mind. The crew seemed to enjoy the mix of fighting and random conversations. At this moment, the writer held up a sketchbook.

    [Improv is good, but please wrap up with a dramatic ending]

    Seeing this, we suddenly fell quiet as we were unsure how to end it with a dramatic ending.

    In that brief silence, Joo-Han started to move and slowly walked toward the opposing team.

    ¡°Hyung?"

    ¡°Where are you going?"

    Everyone watched curiously, and Joo-Han slightly pushed Jin-Sung aside to sit next to him.

    ¡°I oppose the Joo-Han dictatorship."

    ¡°Wait, yourself?"

    Goh Yoo-Joonughed incredulously, but Joo-Han just shrugged and confidently continued, ¡°Honestly, it''s lonely and tough on my own."

    His monologue was devoid of emotion, and his face showed no sign of struggle.

    ¡°Rings, after seeing today''s chaos, you know, right? It¡¯s really tough to manage two quarreling friends of the same age, our youngest who doesn''t consider his size, and the trembling puppy."

    ¡°Why''s he like this?"

    ¡°Are you whining?"

    ¡°A puppy..."

    Joo-Han continued, ¡°That''s why I oppose the dictatorship. Now, I have an announcement to make, and it''s already been decided."

    ¡°It''s decided already?"

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the leader''s privilege." Joo-Han stood up from his chair, soothed Jin-Sung''s shoulder, and returned to his spot. He then wrote something big on the board.

    [Sub-leader]

    ¡°Chronos will be managed by both a leader and a sub-leader from now on."

    We all reacted with surprise and raised our hands in shock.

    ¡°No way!"

    Joo-Han dered, ¡°Now, I will announce the sub-leader I''ve chosen."

    ¡°Already?" At Yoon-Chan''s question, Joo-Han nodded and pulled out a panel from the floor.

    ¡°The sub-leader of Chronos is¡­ Well, drumroll please."

    As Jin-Sung yed a drumroll on the desk, Joo-Han tore off the sticker with gusto, and the panel read.

    [To be revealed shortly!]

    ¡°...¡±

    Three, two, one.

    ¡°Okay, cut! Well done, everyone!"

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work!"

    The recording concluded, and the video for the inauguration would end with a close-up of the ¡°To be revealed shortly!¡± panel. We would then reveal the backstory and sub-leader live on stage.

    Our manager quickly gathered our things. ¡°Great work. Off to the recording studio now."

    ¡°Thank you! We appreciate it!" We politely thanked the crew and headed straight to the car.

    Next was the recording of a fan song that Joo-Hanposed, with just a week left until the inauguration.

 Chapter 216: Joy (53)

    Chapter 216: Joy (53)

    ¡°Should we wake him now?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    A buzz ran through my body as I sat in an awkward position, surrounded by unfamiliar noises. Scrunching my face, I opened my eyes to see that I was already in the car.

    ¡°Hey, time to get up. We are almost at school," said Goh Yoo-Joon from beside me. It seemed like they hadn¡¯t been able to wake me up, so they had just quickly dressed me and carried me out while I was still sleeping.

    I nodded and properly fastened my loosely worn school uniform buttons, saying, ¡°Ah... I''m exhausted."

    ¡°That makes sense. Last night was rough."

    As we were in the final stretch of "Joy" promotional schedules, we had been practicing through the night as much as before oureback. Because of the umted fatigue, I had been struggling to wake up for school¡ª<em>Graduating</em> session, and they couldn¡¯t even wake me up anymore.

    Su-Hwan nced at me through the rearview mirror and said, ¡°I get it, but make sure you give it your all during filming. There''s only one episode left until graduation. Let''s end it on a high note."

    ¡°Of course, hyung."<em>Graduating</em> was still performing well on the surface. Despite unresolved issues with On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min, the broadcast significantly boosted Goh Yoo-Joon''s and my public recognition. While the regr people might not know every Chronos member, they now recognized me and Goh Yoo-Joon, often giving us a second nce or nodding in recognition.

    Despite all the headaches about filming, I was determined to give it my all for the rare chance to boost our fame.

    ¡°We''ve arrived," said Su-Hwan as the car stopped at the school''s yground.

    ¡°We will head out then.¡± When I opened the car door, the cameras immediately followed us.

    I was used to being filmed by observation cameras while going to school, so this started me. As I slowly walked toward the school, the cameraman came up with a question.

    - It''s yourst school day before graduation. How do you feel?

    ¡°Um, I am not sure. I feel a bit sad but really can''t tell. It''s a mix of emotions."

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded at my words and added, ¡°Right. Just when I get close to my ssmates, I have to leave already. This feels odd."

    - You can still keep in touch and hang out with them.

    ¡°I hope so, but meeting up and hanging out like real students from now on will be tough. That''s disappointing."

    While Daniele was in the same industry, and we might cross paths asionally for work, meeting Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan would be somewhat hard.

    Aside from our tight schedules, Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan would have theirmitments too, and it would be harder to meet and keep in touch like before, just like how our contact dwindled with the A-grade trainees we had spent a long time with. It was heartbreaking that memories would only remain as memories.

    As I was interviewed by the cameraman and entered the school''s main gate, I reached the Memory High ssroom. It was bustling as always.

    When Goh Yoo-Joon and I entered, Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Daniele quickly beckoned us over and said, ¡°Oh, you are here! You are here!"

    As we took our seats, the ssmates gathered around Goh Yoo-Joon and me.

    ¡°Did you sleep on your way here, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°How did you know?"

    ¡°Your eyes look more puffy than usual. Have you been busytely?"

    ¡°Ah, yeah. We are living an insanely busy life these days,¡± replied Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Hearing this, Hee-Su frowned with concern. ¡°Are you getting any sleep? How many hours did you sleepst night?"

    ¡°Maybe one to two hours? I have stuff I''m preparing for, so it can''t be helped."

    ¡°I''ve always found it amazing how celebrities managed to only sleep a few hours. I''d copse if I had to do it.¡±

    Exactly¡­ I already felt like copsing right now. Given that I struggled the most among the members in the morning, it was miraculous that I could pay attention to my friends'' conversations now.

    Still, as my exhaustion peaked, their words started to sound like lubies, and my eyes grew heavier. Just as I was about to nod off, the ssroom door opened and Kun-Ho walked in.

    In an instant, my sleepy eyes snapped open.

    ¡°Good morning, everyone."

    ¡°Teacher¡ª!"

    ¡°Still so lively. Our Memory High students, how have you all been?"

    ¡°Good!!!"

    Kun-Ho looked around the ss. ¡°It looks like no one''s absent. Today is yourst day before graduation. You all know that, right?"

    ¡°Yes..." The energy in our voices dropped.

    The young adults who were busy with their lives found a sanctuary in Memory High from the enjoyable shooting. They were those who regretted not being able to attend school as they had to start working early and missed it deeply. Every moment of going to school and making memories with friends was precious to them.

    Kun-Ho nodded with a bitter smile. ¡°Since it''s thest time, make sure to have fun with your friends. After lunch, we will gather at the yground for a special outdoor ss during the fifth and sixth periods. That''s all. Pay attention in ss! And Ki-Hoon, could you see me after the first period?"

    On Ki-Hoon showed a hint of surprise at Kun-Ho''s sudden call but quickly replied, ¡°...Yes."

    I hadn''t expected such an open call... Still, it seemed Kun-Ho was taking my request seriously.

    ¡°Then, I will see you allter," said Kun-Ho before leaving the ssroom. We still had time before the start of the first period, so everyone started chatting with friends around them. I simply rubbed my eyes with force and turned around.

    ¡°Whoa, feeling super sleepy?"

    ¡°Yeah, kind of. I will snap out of it soon. By the way, are you guys free this Saturday?"

    ¡°What''s happening Saturday?"

    I powered up my phone and shot a text to the group. ¡°If you are free, stop by. It''s our first fan club event."

    ¡°Really, can wee?"

    I nodded and took the earbud Goh Yoo-Joon offered. He then leaned in and rested his elbow on my shoulder.

    ¡°We are footing the bill for this one. Suh Hyun-Woo and I pooled our allowances."

    ¡°Do artists usually pay for their own stuff like this?"

    ¡°Oh, for sure. Our agency might give tickets to our families, but for acquaintances, we need to buy them ourselves."

    ¡°Wow, I didn''t know that. Thanks, I will definitely be there."

    ¡°Soo! Woo! Joon! Hwan! What''s the n after school?" Daniele''s voice boomed with energy. Despite his efforts, the nickname just wouldn''t stick, so only he seemed keen on pushing it.

    ¡°Probably more practice for us? It''s crunch time."

    ¡°I''m free."

    ¡°Same here."

    Daniele pouted, looking somewhat out of character. ¡°What about the graduation ceremony then?"

    I let my eyes wander before responding, ¡°For the ceremony... not sure, but we will probably be there?"

    We hadn''t yet discussed ns for the graduation day. I was thinking about a group dinner for <em>Graduating,</em> considering it was the finale. However, I''d need to check the schedule with Su-Hwan.

    ¡°Drinks after that day?" Daniele gestured drinking with his hand. Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan were quick to agree, while Goh Yoo-Joon and I shared a look and thenughed awkwardly.

    ¡°It might work since it''s thest day, but let me confirm with the manager first."

    ¡°Sounds good!"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, are you guys good with drinks?"

    At Hee-Su¡¯s question, we looked at each other and nodded vigorously.

    "Absolutely."

    ¡°We never get drunk, trust us."

    Would actual students get this excited talking about booze right before graduation?

    As we were chatting about drinks, the bell for the first period rang, and the history teacher walked in. ¡°It has been a while, hasn''t it? Feels like ages since we¡¯ve had a regr ss."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Let''s have the ss president lead the greeting. It''s been so long."

    Goh Yoo-Joon stood up. ¡°Attention! Greetings to the teacher."

    ¡°Good morning."

    ¡°Great. It''s been a while, but it''s ourst ss. So today, I thought we''d do something special instead," said the history teacher, handing outrge pieces of paper to everyone.

    ¡°Is this rolling paper?" a student murmured.

    The teacher pointed at him and nodded as if to confirm. ¡°Yes, rolling paper. Though we¡¯ve only been together for a short time, we''ve created lots of memories. Today, we will write down our messages to each other."

    The papers were adorably decorated, ready for the names to be added. ¡°Write and pass to the right. Shall we start?"

    The rolling paper session kicked off, and the first one I got was Goh Yoo-Joon''s.

    ¡°Let''s see what Suh Hyun-Woo writes!" eximed Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Hey, focus on yours. Don''t peek."

    ¡°You know we live together, right? Joke around and you will find your door locked. Just warning you."

    ¡°Such threats. A typical Goh Yoo-Joon thing..." I turned away from Goh Yoo-Joon and filled out the paper.

    [<em>Ugh</em>, we never say cringy things to each other <em>e</em>. This is so embarrassing that I won¡¯t be able to face you at home... If you dare to read this out loud, I might just avoid you. Lol just kidding, or maybe not. Got lots to apologize for and thank you for. Let''s stick together through the highs and lows. I treasure you, dude. <em>Aaah</em>, I can''t believe I''m writing this.]

    I hurriedly wrote it down and passed it along before Goh Yoo-Joon could sneak a peek.<blockquote>

    hedgethehog''s Thoughts

    Hey there, dear readers! I just want to take a moment to thank you all for joining me on Hyun-Woo''s rollercoaster journey to stardom. Yourments and feedback have truly made this trantion adventure so much more fulfilling and way less lonely for me. It''s been a st sharing this story with you, and I''m super grateful for yourpany and insights. Thanks for sticking with us and making this experience a shared one! Any feedback would be so weing, so please don¡¯t hesitate toment or send messages on <em>Discord</em> ?? </blockquote>

 Chapter 217: Joy (54)

    <h4>Chapter 217: Joy (54)</h4>

    The final entry in my rolling paper came from Goh Yoo-Joon. However, I was overwhelmed by sleepiness to the point where the letters blurred before my eyes, so I wanted to read itter.

    However, Goh Yoo-Joon swiftly concealed my rolling paper from view, perhaps embarrassed by his own words. What an immature child.

    Izily reached out and tried to get it back. ¡°Hand it over, quickly. What did you write that''s got you so flustered?"

    ¡°I will give it to youter, after school."

    ¡°Why all the drama over what you wrote? Seriously, do as you like." I relinquished my im on the rolling paper with ease and stifled a yawn.

    <i>¡®I want fresh air from outside.¡¯</i>

    Could stepping outside for a gulp of cold air make a difference? The ssroom was sweltering from the heater''s warmth, and it seemed on the verge of lulling me into an unintended slumber.

    I admitted that I had been overdoing ittely and neglected the advice to rest up, especially a day before a packed schedule. I really had to manage my stamina better.

    ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°He is not asleep with his eyes open, is he?"

    ¡°Woo! Where did your spirit go?"

    My friends''ments about my drowsy state prompted Goh Yoo-Joon to gently press my back down onto the desk. As he tried to get me to rest, he said, ¡°He is like this fromck of sleep. Let him be. He will probably wake up by lunchtime."

    As I dozed fitfully at my desk amidst the ongoing exchanges over rolling papers, my consciousness drifted in and out. However, I was strangely aware of the surrounding conversations. When I finally felt a bit parched, the end-of-ss bell rang and prompted me to lift my head.

    Our history teacher surveyed the room with a look of gentle regret. ¡°You''ve all done well up to now. I hope the experiences and memories you got in this school enrich your lives as valuable history. ss president."

    Goh Yoo-Joon stood up. ¡°Attention. A salute to our teacher."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    Just like that, the final first period session at Memory High concluded. As break timemenced, On Ki-Hoon was the first to spring up and exit the ssroom. I pondered what sweet things Kun-Ho had promised to make Ki-Hoon so unexpectedlypliant. For today, Ki-Hoon seemed indifferent, not only to me and Goh Yoo-Joon but also to Lee Cheol-Min.

    Since Kun-Ho had dealt with my request so well, I contemted whether it was time for me to offer some support to Lee Cheol-Min''s well-being... But the thought was quickly overshadowed by my exhaustion.

    Just as I thought of stepping out for some air, Kun-Ho appeared at the back door with On Ki-Hoon. He then beckoned Goh Yoo-Joon over with a gesture. ¡°Yoo-Joon! A moment, please."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon approached while looking somewhat dazed, Kun-Ho handed him a white card and then vanished as quickly as he had appeared. The card looked familiar to all of us, so Hee-Su asked with an excited tone, ¡°Isn''t that a mission card?"

    The entire ss turned their attention to Goh Yoo-Joon, who was holding the card. ¡°A mission card on thest day? For real? I bet there will be one at the graduation ceremony too."

    ¡°With so many of us here, I don¡¯t think all the missions have beenpleted," someone muttered.

    Despite the numerous group missions from before, some students hadn''t received their missions.

    Goh Yoo-Joon stood at the front and unfolded the mission card for all to see.

    [Let''s y a game of group hide and seek! We will have three seekers.]

    ¡°Hide and seek, out of the blue?"

    ¡°Whose mission is this?"

    The ss buzzed with curiosity, to which Goh Yoo-Joon replied, ¡°This is, uh... Le... Lee Cheol-Min, yeah, it''s Lee Cheol-Min''s mission."

    The unexpected mention of Lee Cheol-Min''s name surprised not only me and Goh Yoo-Joon but also those who rarely interacted with him. After all, Lee Cheol-Min''s aloof character was quite evident, so how could hide and seek be his mission? Did this imply he had listed ¡°hide and seek¡± as his most desired school activity on the admission questionnaire?

    As the ss''s gaze turned to Lee Cheol-Min, he blushed deeply and defensively said, ¡°Stop staring at me. Fuck it... I just wrote the name of the stationery shop right outside the school, okay?"

    ¡°No swearing! Watch yournguage, you dumbass! This will be broadcast!" eximed Daniele.

    ¡°Both Lee Cheol-Min and Daniele, stop the cursing, you fools." Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s scolding made Daniele obediently take his seat with a grunt. The bleeps that would cover the swear words were bound to be quite a spectacle.

    The stationery shop by the school gate was indeed named "Hide and Seek" as Lee Cheol-Min had mentioned. I couldn''t help but smirk at the irony. ¡°Ah, Lee Cheol-Min wanted to y hide and seek all along? You should have said it sooner."

    Hearing myment, Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled and handed the mission card to Lee Cheol-Min. ¡°It turns out that Lee Cheol-Min is more innocent and naive than we thought. Anyway, it''s gym ss next. Let''s y hide and seek together during the second and third periods. Are you guys in?"

    ¡°I''m in."

    ¡°Count me in."

    ¡°Do we need to wear gym clothes?"

    ¡°No need. Let''s just y in our uniforms," Goh Yoo-Joon answered the students'' questions before returning to his seat.

    My gaze was still fixed on Lee Cheol-Min, who was mumbling to himself as he slightly shivered from embarrassment. He was probably cursing under his breath. When our eyes met for a moment, I couldn''t help but smile mockingly before standing up. ¡°Let''s go, and make sure to look after Lee Cheol-Min."

    Although the drowsiness hadn''tpletely left me, this active mission was likely to shake it off. It also presented a perfect opportunity to talk to Lee Cheol-Min.

    ***

    ¡°Who wants to be the seeker for this round?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s call was met with silence as no volunteers stepped forward. He looked slightly perplexed before making his way through the students, obviously gearing up for a game of rock-paper-scissors.

    I discreetly pulled Lee Cheol-Min toward me as I anticipated the uing selection process.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then announced, ¡°Everyone''s going to y rock-paper-scissors. Win or lose, we will pick one person from each oue toe forward."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was taking his role as ss president seriously. His actions reminded me of Joo-Han leadership¡¯s style, which we admired during our trainee days. It seemed like he looked up to Joo-Han in this regard.

    Following his instructions, students chosen through rock-paper-scissors started stepping forward.

    ¡°Let''s do it," Goh Yoo-Joon suggested and extended his fist toward me.

    ¡°Rock-paper-scissors!"

    After a few rounds, Daniele was selected. He reluctantly agreed with a disgruntled "Okay, okay" and moved to the front. The selected students yed another round of rock-paper-scissors in full view of everyone to narrow it down to three seekers. Daniele ended up being one of the seekers, and his face got hriously sour.

    ¡°You will have one minute to hide, and it''s okay to move spots without the seeker seeing. No leaving the school grounds or entering buildings though. Just hide anywhere in the field to avoid overburdening the seekers." Goh Yoo-Joonid out the rules.

    ¡°Do we have to catch everyone to finish?"

    ¡°Seems like a lot."

    ¡°Not really. You will see it''s not that many once you start catching people. Let''s begin!"

    With that, the game of hide and seekmenced. As the seekers counted down with the crew''s help, students scattered in search of hiding spots. Lee Cheol-Min, who had seemed reluctant, was now sprinting excitedly toward a destination.

    Goh Yoo-Joon caught up to me and slung an arm around my shoulder, causing me to lean forward slightly before getting a bnce again. He asked, ¡°Where are you nning to hide?"

    ¡°Are you thinking of hiding together? I was hoping for a solo mission. Let me go solo, man."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''sughter rang out at my response. ¡°No chance. You think I''d leave you alone? I will stick with you, special service."

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>, I''d rather you don''t." I shook off Goh Yoo-Joon''s arm and took off, running.

    My sprinting skills as a ry racer came in handy as I darted away from Goh Yoo-Joon. However, he was really fast too. I eventually ducked behind a row of parked cars.

    ¡°Whew... wow... he was in the ry too... right..." I muttered to myself and settled into my hiding spot when suddenly...

    ¡°Huh?"

    ¡°Oh crap, what are you doing here?"

    Behind the car was Lee Cheol-Min, already huddled in his hiding spot. I quietly sat next to him and reiterated, ¡°It''s just a coincidence. I didn''t follow you here."

    Lee Cheol-Min eyed me suspiciously, but since ourst heart-to-heart conversation about On Ki-Hoon, he seemed a bit more open. He didn¡¯t immediately run away, or perhaps, he was hoping I''d be the one to leave.

    However, I was just as stubborn, and Lee Cheol-Min needed to realize that.

    ¡°Go somewhere else."

    ¡°Come on, Lee Cheol-Min. We are friends, aren''t we?"

    I shouldn¡¯t have forgotten that we were filming just because the potty-mouth was nearby. Then, silence ensued for a moment. I could hear the voices of the seekers from the back and asionally the footsteps and conversations of other students. Despite this, the silence persisted, and sleepiness started to creep in out of nowhere.

    <i>¡®How long has it been?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Hey, what did you say to On Ki-Hoon?" Lee Cheol-Min blurted out as he didn¡¯t care about the audio.

    Turning off my microphone, I replied, ¡°If you want to talk about that, either turn off your mic or I will give you my number. You can call meter."

    Luckily, this spot between the cars was a blind spot for the cameras. Unless the seekers and their apanying cameras came together, we wouldn''t be filmed.

    Lee Cheol-Min stared at me with a defiant look and then turned off his mic too. I sighed and said, ¡°Can you please be a bit more aware that we are filming? I asked Senior Kun-Ho to make some special arrangements for On Ki-Hoon''s screen time."

    ¡°Why do you even care? Are you afraid I will spill some secrets?"

    He had a point, but I couldn''t say it outright. I remarked, ¡°Can''t you just mind your own business for once? I asked Senior Kun-Ho to do this because I was getting annoyed. Can''t you at least pretend to be grateful instead of acting like a child?"

    ¡°...¡± He remained silent.

    ¡°I really hate people who use others'' weaknesses to threaten them, so I was trying to help you. That''s all."

    Well, he would not know the nights I spent worrying about what to do. I let out a deep sigh and closed my sleepy eyes, and when I opened them again, Lee Cheol-Min was suddenly much closer to my face.

    As I was taken aback and blinked rapidly, Lee Cheol-Min said with an unimpressive expression, ¡°Right? I fucking hate On Ki-Hoon too."

 Chapter 218: Joy (55)

    Chapter 218: Joy (55)

    "...uh..."

    I momentarily froze as I was taken aback by Lee Cheol-Min''s action. He acted as if he wanted to be empathized.

    I then pushed him away firmly. ¡°Get off of me man. Stop focusing on On Ki-Hoon, and you should make some memories too since it''s thest day."

    <em>¡®Please calm down your anger toward On Ki-Hoon and give up on exposing him, brave one.¡¯</em>

    Although I was pretending to be cool and calm while talking to Lee Cheol-Min, I felt as anxious as if I was holding dynamite.

    Lee Cheol-Min then sat down a distance away while lowering his head. After that, he muttered curses under his breath, ¡°My entire fucking life¡­ Should have just put me out of the family registry¡­ Should have sent me to an orphanage or something.¡±

    ¡°Are you talking about your dad?"

    ¡°Why do I have to suffer because of him... I even dropped out of school and now here too..."

    ¡°...Are you crying?" I asked.Lee Cheol-Min didn''t answer and seemed to be actually crying.

    Thinking about it, Lee Cheol-Min must have had his reasons for applying to this show. Perhaps he simply wanted to finish school life without prejudice, not knowing he would meet On Ki-Hoon.

    I could faintly understand his heart, even though I had never experienced such pain. It must have felt like all the misfortunes stemmed from his father''s imprisonment. In reality, most of Lee Cheol-Min''s hardships were actually caused by his parents.

    ¡°It''s so overwhelming that I don''t fucking know how to live anymore. Shit¡­ Life is so fucking scary, but no one will know how I feel. Being used by bastards like On Ki-Hoon also sucks."

    ¡°It''s been tough on you."

    Lee Cheol-Min''s ears and neck turned red as he buried his head in his knees, but he always looked like a proud man.

    However, now I could even hear him sobbing, so I silently stroked his back. His family issue was a monster that inevitably followed him for life.

    ¡°I have it too, something I want to hide." I knew the feeling of having my dreams slip away because of something that wasn¡¯t my fault and was out of my control.

    I continued, ¡°...Hey, I''m not your friend, but if it''s really tough and unbearable¡ª"

    Just then, the phone rang. It was a call from the writer of the show. Ah, they must have noticed the mic was off. I sighed, stopped talking, and answered the call. ¡°Hello."

    - Hyun-Woo, where are you? You are still in the parking lot, right?

    ¡°Yes, I''m hiding here with Lee Cheol-Min."

    - Could you check if your mics are on? They seem to be off.

    ¡°Just a moment, please." I quickly turned on the mics for both me and Lee Cheol-Min. ¡°Ah, they were off. Must have been pressed by mistake. They are on now."

    - Oh, got it. They said they caught your signals. Alright.

    I put away the phone and roughly brushed off the situation. ¡°Anyway, keep in touch. What''s your phone number?"

    ¡°010-2182-1821," Lee Cheol-Min said with a congested voice.

    I frowned and saved the number in my phone. After that, I made a call. ¡°<em>Geez</em>. If you hated parting with your friends so much, you should''ve said something. I can¡¯t believe you are crying because of that. Stop, kiddo!"

    ¡°Ah, what kind of bullsh¡ª"

    ¡°Stop swearing. The mic is on now, you stupid!¡±

    Lee Cheol-Min shut his mouth when I pointed at the mic.

    ¡°Do you want toe to our fan meeting? We are performing, and the other kids decided toe."

    ¡°I have a part-time job, but, <em>ugh</em>, don''t know. Just send the address."

    ¡°You are adorable, kid. Alright." It felt like I was looking at a young boy. The reason I continued to meet Lee Cheol-Min after the shooting was for after-service. After all, I had to prepare for any possible troubles as the exposure often happened quite a while after the shooting. There was a possibility that something might happen with On Ki-Hoon after the shooting ended, and it could lead to an impulsive post on the inte.

    ¡°Ah, Suh Hyun-Woo is here. I was looking for you and wondering where you ran off to."

    Goh Yoo-Joon spoke quietly as he came next to me and joined me.

    Then, Lee Cheol-Min moved a bit further back.

    ¡°Were you two together? What, wow, why is Lee Cheol-Min like that?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked worriedly as he saw Lee Cheol-Min who obviously had been crying.

    ¡°Ah shit, this is embarrassing..."

    Lee Cheol-Min lowered his head in embarrassment, and I answered, ¡°He must have been very sad about parting with his friends."

    ¡°Ah, is that so? Do you want toe to our performance? We are going to have our fan club inauguration soon."

    ¡°I asked about that already. He said he wille if he can.¡±

    ¡°Ah, then let''s keep in touch. We don''t even know each other''s contact. What''s your number?"

    ¡°I asked about that too. I will tell youter. Don''t ask too much from someone shy, dummy."

    ¡°Oh. Hey, don''t cry. We are, like, adults now~"

    Despite our intention to hide, our talking made it pointless. But thanks to that, we managed to avoid an awkward situation.

    ¡°Found you! Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, and Cheol-Min!"

    ¡°You guys are talking too loud. Didn''t you even want to hide at this point?¡± The seekers came running toward us as they heard us.

    ¡°Ah, we got caught. It''s all because of Goh Yoo-Joon, really."

    ¡°No? It''s because Lee Cheol-Min was crying."

    ¡°What?" When Lee Cheol-Min frowned, Goh Yoo-Joon smirked and put an arm around his shoulder.

    ¡°Kid, you do like ying hide and seek unlike how tough you look, huh?"

    ¡°No, I don''t! Ah, I said it was the name of a stationery shop, you mother...."

    I quickly covered his mouth to seal it. <em>¡®Back off, foul-mouthed demon.¡¯</em>

    Anyway, Goh Yoo-Joon could joke around with someone who was grumbling like that. We then went to the stone steps outside the field where the caught kids were already sitting and chatting.

    ¡°I got caught! First one to be caught, and I thought I''d die of boredom! Woo! Joon! And you are... Cheol?"

    ¡°...<em>Pfft</em>."

    ¡°Cheol? Are you talking about me?"

    ¡°Because you are Lee Cheol-Min, that''s why," Goh Yoo-Joon casually replied and sat down on the steps.

    While the seekers and the remaining hiders were engaged in an intense chase, we had nothing to do as we were already caught. The only thing to fill the time was chatting.

    ...But still. Even though it was a bit cold, sitting quietly in a ce where the sunlight was warm and without a breeze made me sleepy.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, don''t fall asleep," Goh Yoo-Joon muttered softly and passed me one earbud.

    ¡°Ahh... I should have slept more yesterday."

    ¡°You''ve been overdoing it."

    I put in the earbud and leaned back against Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°But you will be able to sleep today. Su-Hwan hyung lets us rest the day before a performance."

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, you can''t fall asleep."

    Being told not to sleep was something I could easily ignore at this level of sleepiness. I knew I shouldn''t have slept, but¡­

    Whether Goh Yoo-Joon spoke to me or not, whether the insane dance break part of "Chronos" was ying in the earbud or not, my eyelids closed on their own, and I really fell asleep.

    ***

    ¡°Hey boo~."

    ¡°<em>Ugh</em>, please."

    ¡°Wake up, Woo!"

    I frowned at Daniele''s incredibly cheesy voice and woke up. ¡°Get off, Daniele..."

    ¡°Did you hear? You are misunderstanding~ Misunderstanding~"

    In my drowsy state, I could tell that Daniele was really high-spirited. While I was asleep, the game of tag had ended, and all the students had gathered around to watch me sleep.

    ¡°I thought you had frozen to death," Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled, and he apparently had taken pictures of me when I was asleep.

    ¡°Anyway, now that Hyun-Woo is awake, let''s go back to the ssroom. It''s cold."

    ¡°Yeah!"

    All the students followed Goh Yoo-Joon''s words and flocked back into the ssroom.

    During the ten-minute break, the fourth period was a special time with life stories from Kun-Ho, who had been our homeroom teacher until the end, followed by final goodbyes from other teachers and the cafeteria staff after lunchtime.

    The sixth period of Memory High was for interviews, also known as consultations.

    It was soon my turn to start the interview from the front row.

    - Can you share your feelings now that thest ss at Memory High is over?

    Because the writer asked this question, I pressed my slightly swollen eyes and responded, ¡°It''s like... I realized today that we''ve all be really close."

    - What do you mean by bing close?

    ¡°I somehow made friends with many people of the same age. I''ve been a trainee since I was very young, so I barely had memories of hanging out with ssmates. I''ve really built a lot of memories here, and I am grateful for it."

    - You were pretty shy at first, Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°I still am. But the fear and strangeness of dealing with friends my age seem to have faded a bit. It¡¯s probably because everyone is so nice and friendly.¡±

    - Now, all that''s left is to graduate. How do you feel?

    ¡°I wish it could havested longer. I''m actually sad. Coming to shoot always felt like ying and having fun."

    Even on really tiring days, it felt like being back in real school, and I genuinely enjoyed myself as if I were neen or twenty years old again.

    Despite being a shoot, I felt sofortable that I was genuinely sad it was ending. ¡°But I''m d that I will keep in touch with my friends even after graduation. Thank you so much for creating such memories for us."

    The writer handed me a folded piece of paper with a smile.

    - You haven''t checked the rolling paper that Yoo-Joon took, have you?

    ¡°My rolling paper?"

    - Yes, the teacher brought it. Want to see it here?

    I nodded and unfolded the paper.

    [You are the prettiest friend in the world! I''ve never met anyone as beautiful as you! We are friends! I can''t write in Korean well, so I couldn''t write what I wanted to say. Sorry ?? - Daniele]

    [I''ve actually been a fan of you guys for a few weeks now. I kept watching your music video over and over... It''s okay if you don''t give me a ticket to the inauguration ceremony... because I already got one lol - Hee-Su]

    [At first, it was fascinating to be on a show with a celebrity, but now you just seem like a good-looking friend who is very shy hahaha. Let''s keep in touch and y league together if we are too busy to meet in person. - Joon-Hwan]

    [I can''t usually say this, but I rely on you a lot. I hope you can rely on me too, dude. Tell me anything, and I will listen. Always thankful and love you. (Let''s not show our rolling papers to other members, please) - Your favorite human in the world, Mr. Goh]

    They were characters brimming with personality and warmth, enough to make meugh.

 Chapter 219: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (1)

    Chapter 219: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (1)

    As I felt a sudden surge of gravity pulling me down, my body trembled as if on a wild roller coaster that plummeted fast in a falling ne. I was desperate for a solution, but I realized no one was here to save my life or offer an escape route. Then I crashed to the ground with a massive thud.

    <em>Bang!!!</em>

    A loud burst echoed as mes engulfed me. Despite my agony, I angrily thought about being smothered by the heat again. As I was about to faint, I saw images in ck and white flicker before me.

    ¡°No!!! You can''t do this... How can I live if you leave like this? I can¡¯t stand this guilt!!! I should be the one dead instead!!!" My mother''s wails of despair filled the air.

    ¡°Why! Why did you have to take him? Why! Whyyy...." Goh Yoo-Joon copsed as he was overwhelmed by grief.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, calm down. Try to settle down, man!"

    ¡°How can I calm down now? You fucking asshole... Why till the end... to a kid who''s only known hardship... why till the very end... Do you really feel nothing, hyung?"

    ¡°How could I not feel anything? Just shut up and calm down."

    I saw my fellow members struggling to steady Goh Yoo-Joon, their figures shaky and on the verge of copse. Ah¡­ This was my funeral; it was a scene painted in stark ck and white. ¡°...Huh!" I jerked awake and sat up abruptly, gasping for air. Sweat and tears streamed down my face¡ªa clear sign of the nightmare I had just endured.

    ¡°Haah..." I reached up to touch my face and then buried my head in my knees. It was just a dream¡­ Thankfully, it was just a terrible dream.

    As I tried to catch my breath, I felt a gentle touch on my back. ¡°Drink some water."

    ¡°Huh! Man, you startled me!"

    ¡°...What''s so startling about that?" asked Goh Yoo-Joon, looking puzzled as he handed me the water. He then gave my back aforting pat. ¡°What kind of intense dream made you cry like that? I was seriously freaked out. I thought you passed out."

    After drinking the water to shake off the remnants of the nightmare, I said, ¡°Thanks. Now, could you bring Yoon-Chan to me? I really need some healing."

    ¡°Ha, you are unbelievable~"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, if you''ve woken Hyun-Woo up, both of you need toe out quickly. We have to eat, get ready, and head out."

    We then got up and moved toward the living room where the Chronos team staff were already busy prepping for the day.

    ¡°Jin-Sung''s outfit might take some time to fix. Is the dry-clean essential?"

    ¡°Try to get it done as soon as possible. Casual clothes will do for the rehearsal."

    The stylists seemed particrly busy today. After all, it was the grand fan club inauguration ceremony for Chronos¡ªa day we officially gained a fan base.

    ¡°Hurry up. Hyun-Woo,e out after you wash up. You are thest one."

    ¡°Typical Hyun-Woo hyung, always thest to wake up!"

    "Hyun-Woo hyung must be tired fromst night''s practice," Yoon-Chan defended me, which felt like a bit of healing. I then patted his back and headed for a shower.

    After showering, we grabbed a quick breakfast of kimbap[1] brought by the manager and then made our way to the fan-meeting venue.

    ¡°This ce looks more like a concert venue, doesn''t it?" asked Jin-Sung

    ¡°It''s often used for concerts too," replied Joo-Han.

    The Olympic Hall inside if Olympic Park was our destination, and it was a venue capable of holding around three thousand people, popr among idols for fan meetings and artists for concerts. After hearing about the fiercepetition for tickets, I felt grateful that so many people chose toe see Chronos.

    After we arrived, we set down our gear and headed straight to the stage for rehearsal.

    ¡°Hello! We are Chronos! Thank you for your help!"

    After we greeted the staff from the stage, the sound of apuse filled the air. The atmosphere seemed exceptionally supportive, perhaps because this team was specially put together for us, unlike the usual music shows.

    ¡°Thank you. Let¡¯s start the rehearsal now."

    ***

    ¡°What¡¯s going on with you, Jin-Sung? You were off beat all by yourself during the dance earlier."

    ¡°Which song? Parade? I danced as I always do."

    ¡°You might have mixed up your in-ear monitors. Better check them."

    ¡°Umm¡­ I am sorry, but could you turn up my mic a bit, please?"

    The rehearsal unfolded with an undercurrent of sensitivity and seriousness, more intense than usual. It felt akin to a concert performance, with lengthy stays on stage and each of us shouldering many responsibilities. Hence, any issues had to be addressed immediately. Finally, the prolonged rehearsal concluded after what seemed like an eternity.

    My energy was already drained from the moment we started. Now, we had toe down from the stage and move to the saloon immediately. Well, it was a tight schedule, but it was something we were ustomed to.

    Even while moving by car, we monitored each other on our phones and provided feedback. It had been a long time since we had such intense discussion sessions and monitoring after an end-of-year stage.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan hyung, if you look here, only your position is off. The site is wider than we thought, so we need to move further and find our spots."

    ¡°Ah, okay. I am sorry."

    Upon arriving at the saloon, we scattered and started getting our hair & makeup done as usual.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo''s hair color fades well, but it seems to not dye well. It faded quickly, didn''t it?"

    ¡°Right? It just went back to blonde immediately."

    ¡°Going back to blonde is nice, but this shade isn''t pretty. Let''s go back to tinum blonde for Hyun-Woo."

    Hearing their discussion, I grimaced and reluctantly nodded. At this rate, I would lose all my hair when I was older.

    Except for Goh Yoo-Joon, whose ck hair suited him perfectly, all members decided to switch up their hair color for our first fan meeting: Yoon-Chan went for a vibrant orange, Joo-Han opted for a cool ash brown, and Jin-Sung¡ªmuch to our relief¡ªstopped whining and embraced a bold bright blue.

    ¡°Noona, it really hurts...." grumbled Jin-Sung.

    I said, ¡°Yep, that''s why I said bleaching hurts."

    Sure enough, Jin-Sung regretted his words less than a minute after the bleach was applied.

    Going back to tinum blonde, I left the fate of my head and face in the hands of the excited stylists.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo looks in at first but bes morous with just a touch. It''s nice."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, can you lift your head a bit?"

    ¡°Yes?"

    As I lifted my head, the stylist grabbed my face and drew something near my eye. ¡°It''s cold. What is it?"

    ¡°A beauty mark."

    ¡°A mark?"

    As I looked into the mirror, I saw a new mark under one eye. ¡°Why do I need this?"

    ¡°You might think it''s nothing, but fans love it. tinum blonde with a beauty mark. This is the description of <em>gorgeous</em>."

    I had never heard of makeup that involved a beauty mark before. Hence, I stared at the annoying faux mark for a while and then got up, putting on the lenses the stylist handed me.

    The manager said, ¡°The boys are blooming, totally blooming. The finishing touch is the lenses for sure. Good luck!"

    ¡°Thank you!"

    With the manager''s final confirmation, we headed back to the venue. On the way, we noticed a long line we hadn''t seen before. It was made of the Rings who had been waiting outside since our rehearsals. Recognizing our car, they waved.

    ¡°Can we roll down the window and say hi?" Jin-Sung asked.

    However, the stylist firmly said no. ¡°No. We''ve done your hair and makeup. What are you thinking? The wind and your exaggerated move will ruin them. We will greet them more energeticallyter but not now."

    ¡°It''s really cold outside," I murmured softly, feeling both sorry and thankful for those waiting in the cold.

    Then, after finishing a call, Su-Hwan hyung said, ¡°The cast of <em>Graduating </em>has arrived in the waiting room, uh... all four of them."

    ¡°Ah, thank you. The guests are for me and Goh Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°High Tension mighte byter too," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Hearing this, Joo-Hanughed, ¡°High Tension only has extroverted people, haha. Idols whoe to watch another group''s fan meeting are only High Tension."

    ¡°Especially Ji-Hyuk. He even went to the Street Center concert, bringing wreaths and rice[2]"

    It seemed Ji-Hyuk was really well-connected with other people. Following Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon also started chatting.

    Right then, my phone vibrated at a perfect timing.

    - Hyung is going to your monumental first fan meeting today >0< I¡¯ve prepared a gift too. It¡¯s something Hyun-Woo will really like <em>^^</em> Make sure to greet me warmly! Got it? (Woo Ji-Hyuk winking selfie.jpg) - Ji-Hyuk

    ¡°We''ve arrived. You can head straight to the waiting room."

    I merely chuckled at Ji-Hyuk''s affectionate message and got out of the car to head to the waiting room. As I opened the door, familiar faces sitting with a few cameras turned to look at us.

    ¡°Oh! Uh... hello," I said.

    ¡°Hello." Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, Daniele, and Lee Cheol-Min were about to greet us warmly but stepped back shyly when they saw the other members following us.

    ¡°Wow, you guys came early! We''ve been waiting for you for quite a while~." Goh Yoo-Joon approached them with a warm smile. However, they remained frozen and awkward in this unfamiliar situation.

    Then, Joo-Han stared nkly at the awkward four and the cameras before breaking into a wide smile. ¡°It''s the students from Memory High! Nice to see you guys! I''m the guardian hyung for Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon."

    Joo-Han had quickly grasped the situation. Amused by Joo-Han''s transparent behavior, I approached the kids too and asked, ¡°Have you guys eaten?"

    ¡°Uh? Of course...." They were about to greet me warmly too but hesitated and stepped back awkwardly.

    ¡°What''s with Suh Hyun-Woo? He looks like a real idol right now...."

    ¡°Why is everything so sparkly? Did you bleach your hair?"

    ¡°The makeup is so heavy. Did you draw that teardrop?"

    ¡°Wow! Such a pretty face, indeed! Awesome...."

    Despite their attempts to engage with us, they maintained a physical distance as they were unustomed to my appearance¡ªsomething meticulously crafted by the salon''s stylists.

    1. A beloved Korean dish consisting of seasoned rice and various fillings like vegetables, fish, and meats, all rolled in dried seaweed and sliced into bite-sized pieces. It is renowned for its delightful mix of savory vors and contrasting textures.? The best tip is to have it with tteokbokki sauce! ?

    2. Idols often receive wreaths and bags of rice at their concerts as gifts from fans, which serve as symbols of support and celebration for their achievements. The rice is typically donated to charities in the idols'' names, reflecting the fans'' desire to share their sess and goodwill with those in need. ?

 Chapter 220: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (2)

    <h4>Chapter 220: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (2)</h4>

    ¡°Wow, you are so handsome."

    ¡°Joo-Han, can I get one autograph from you? I''ve got my album here."

    ¡°Of course I will sign it. Where''s the album?" answered Joo-Han. The Memory High friends felt shy at first, but soon, they were all chatting andughing with my fellow members.

    Joo-Han was a bit business-like, while Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan were amazed that they could meet people they''d seen on TV. Hee-Su was particrly excited, though he became quieter around Joo-Han because Joo-Han was his favorite.

    ¡°Please keep being friends with our kids. They might not be perfect, but they have a good heart."

    ¡°Nah. Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo have been so nice to us. We are the ones who should be grateful."

    As the <i>Graduating</i> team mingled with Chronos, the waiting room¡¯s door swung open again.

    ¡°Am I toote?"

    ¡°Wow, it''s High Tension!"

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe the most popr singers are at our fan meeting. Amazing!"

    ¡°Hello there!" eximed Ji-Hyuk as he walked in with his arms full of snacks.

    ¡°Holy... it''s High Tension..."

    ¡°He is insanely hot."

    The <i>Graduating</i> friends expressed their admiration from behind me. After Ji-Hyuk handed out sweet treats to Yoon-Chan and greeted Joo-Han with a wide smile, he then came rushing over to me.

    ¡°It''s been too long, Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Aaah... hyung, indeed it has." I was suddenly wrapped up in Ji-Hyuk''s hug. Well, he had always been overly affectionate, but his actions made the friends behind me step back even further.

    ¡°It has been a while since we met. You''ve be even more handsome. Did you bleach your hair today? The color is nice, and that lipstick''s pretty dark. And that teardrop, did you do that?"

    ¡°Ah, no, none of that. Uh, it''s a bit much, hyung. No, no. Good to see you though."

    ¡°That guy''s from High Tension, right? The one always on TV shows?"

    ¡°Yeah... It seems like he''s really close with Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Ji-Hyuk and Suh Hyun-Woo are really close. Before debuting, they were in a group together on a TV show,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon exined to the shy Memory High kids.

    After that, Ji-Hyuk bombarded me with so many questions.

    ¡°Did you get the text I sent earlier?"

    ¡°Yeah, I saw it, hyung."

    ¡°I brought you a gift. Can you guess what it is? Do you want to try, Hyun-Woo?" Ji-Hyuk asked while blocking my view to keep the element of surprise alive.

    ¡°Has that High Tension guy lived overseas? He''s so... high tension."

    ¡°Was that a joke? Not funny at all, man."

    ¡°Not a joke... it¡¯s for real though. Hmm, Hyun-Woo seems to have a hard time saying no to his seniors. Seeing him so tame after his wrestling matches with Yoo-Joon is something else." Joon-Hwan''sment made Goh Yoo-Joon shake his head.

    Goh Yoo-Joon rified, ¡°I heard Ji-Hyuk hyung studied abroad, and I am not sure if he was born there. Anyway, what you are seeing isn''t Suh Hyun-Woo being submissive. It''s him being shy."

    Yeah, I was still pretty shy around Ji-Hyuk. After all, we hadn¡¯t met that often. I was slightly overwhelmed by Ji-Hyuk''s aggressive social nature.

    Seeing my puzzled look, Ji-Hyuk stepped aside with a grin and said, ¡°<i>Ta-da</i>, the gift!"

    ¡°...Haha, long time no see, Hyun-Woo hyung."

    ¡°On-Sae!" On-Sae stood with an awkward smile behind Ji-Hyuk. He seemed to have grown taller. I first encountered On-Sae during my days as a trainer at YU, and back then, he was around this big.

    ¡°I caught On-Sae at thepany while he was in a meeting, so I invited him along."

    ¡°Are you joining YU, On-Sae?" I asked. Even if my timing was off, it made no sense for On-Sae not to be a YU trainee by now.

    However, On-Sae shook his head and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve just had a few meetings... There were some offers, but I haven''t made up my mind yet."

    ¡°I told him to join ourpany, but he''s still hesitating," said Ji-Hyuk, his tone baffled.

    ¡°Big agencies have their perks... But then, you never know how long it will take to debut... I am actually considering smaller agencies now," On-Sae said, looking a bit unsure.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, what about YMM¡ª"

    On-Sae''s words vanished beneath the loud calls of the <i>Graduating </i>crew.

    ¡°We will head out first!"

    ¡°We will watch from the audience seats!"

    ¡°You got this! We are rooting for you!"

    ¡°See youter."

    After I waved to my friends, I turned to On-Sae who had mmed up. ¡°What''s up with YMM, On-Sae?"

    ¡°No worries, hyung. We will step out now. Enjoy your performance."

    ¡°Really? Okay then."

    ¡°Catch youter, Hyun-Woo," said Ji-Hyuk. On-Sae hurried off and took Ji-Hyuk with him.

    The dressing room quietened down from the bustling, and we shifted back to show prep. We each took turns changing outfits and added bits and bobs toplement our looks. Our first performance costume was...

    ¡°<i>Sigh</i>... I never thought I''d wear this again." Goh Yoo-Joon let out a deep sigh.

    ¡°Are we skipping the wigs today?"

    ¡°No wigs today. They ruin the hair, so it''s just headbands for Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°How about sunsses, Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°Sure!"

    ¡°Ahh, our Hyun-Woo looks stunning as always! Look at him, unnie!" The stylists buzzed with excitement as they fitted a red headband on my head.

    ¡°How does it feel, Hyun-Woo? All good?"

    ¡°Uh, yeah, it''s nice..."

    ¡°Come on, put some life into your response." Our first costumes were a throwback to the nostalgic cosy of Cha Cha. ording to a pre-event survey among the Rings, the "Red Riding Hood Cha Cha" performance was a top pick they yearned to see again. Despite us having sophisticated stages like "Moon Sea," it seemed our fans had a peculiar fondness for seeing us in less poised moments.

    I remembered those ¡°Try Not to Laugh: Chronos Edition¡± videos on <i>UTube</i>, always packed with our goof-ups. Our fans likely wanted us as their personaledy troupe, and it just felt right to oblige. After all, this was Joo-Han''s chosen setlist.

    <i>Knock knock.</i>

    ¡°Chronos, are you guys ready? Let¡¯s head backstage now!"

    ¡°Okay!"

    <i>Rustle rustle.</i>

    After gathering backstage, we huddled up, and Joo-Han looked at each of us. ¡°This is our first fan event. Remember what we discussed yesterday? Treat today like the Rings'' birthday, and let''s give it our all to send them home happy."

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°Remember the cues, especially for costume changes. And above all, stay safe."

    ¡°Understood!"

    ¡°Alright, team!"

    ¡°Cha Cha!!!"

    ¡°Yesss!!!" The hall darkened with our first cheer, and the VTR kicked off.

    ***

    <i>¡®Why is YMM acting so suddenly? Have theye to their senses?¡¯</i>

    Kim Go-Ri fought back the screams trying to escape her throat as she was clutching the Chronos lightstick, also known as the Gori-stick. ¡°Ah... If the start is like this, then..."

    She was on the verge of dying from the excitement. With a grimace, Kim Go-Ri turned on her lightstick. Its blinding light snapped her back to reality. <i>¡®Right, even if I die here, I have to survive till the end of the show. The VTR can''t be thest thing I see.¡¯ </i>

    The VTR was a montage of unused footage from the "Parade" and "Joy" music videos, crafted into something hauntingly beautiful and slightly eerie.

    [The first Rings Inauguration Ceremony]

    [Starting Now]

    ¡°<i>Kyaaaaaah</i>!!!" Kim Go-Ri couldn''t hold back anymore and let out a scream. At this moment, everything was perfect for the Rings. As they held the newly acquired lightsticks, the formation of the official fan club and the anticipation of seeing Chronos live were exhrating for them.

    ¡°All this buildup! What are you going to show us?! Perhaps ¡®Parade?¡¯ Or maybe a light ¡®Blue Room Party¡¯?¡± It felt like thetest song "Joy" would be saved for the end.

    The stage was set for Chronos''s first performance, and the atmosphere was filled with the fans'' eager wishes. Then, the stage lights brightened. But... There was no sign of Chronos on stage.

    ¡°What''s going on?¡± The fans started murmuring.

    <i>A cute little one full of mistakes... (Woaah)</i>

    <i>A cute little one full of mistakes... (Woaaaaah)</i>

    <i>A cute little one full of mistakes... (Pendant)</i>

    <i>Hey yo...</i>

    <i>A cute little one full of mistakes... (Magic)? </i>

    The intro wasced with an incredible arrangement and was apanied by breathy narrations from Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo. It felt like a solemn prelude to a powerful dance break that was about tomence. This was ¡°For Rings Only¡ªRed Riding Hood Cha Cha vs. Jin-Sung Feedback Edition.¡±

    As fans started to catch on to the ongoing narration,ughter started to spread and soon after.

    <i>Chronos¡¯s Red Riding Hood Cha Cha starts now~</i>?

    With Kang Joo-Han''s final narration, the familiar, cheerful intro of the beloved cartoon theme began to y.

    <i>Dingdong, Dingdong, Dingdong~!</i>

    The intro was definitely adorable.

    ¡°<i>Wahahahahahaha</i>!!!"

    ¡°<i>Kyaaaaaaaah</i>!!!"

    The Chronos members burst onto the stage as Cha Cha with lightsticks in each hand.

 Chapter 221: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (3)

    <h4>Chapter 221: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (3)</h4>

    The murmurs of the crowd sounded like a chorus of cheers. They were clearly fond of the stage as their cheers were mixed with unmistakableughter.

    <i>¡®It¡¯s so embarrassing.¡¯ </i>

    It was too much to ask for Cha Cha after such a cool video. As my face heated up, I saw Lee Jin-Sung excitedly running toward the center and waving a light stick like a magic wand. I then gripped my own light stick and regained myposure.

    <i>¡®I have to try hard too, especially when the youngest is doing his best to lift the spirits. Hmph, is Cha Cha a joke?¡¯</i> I might have no pride or sense of cosy, but it was all in jest. If I was going to make a joke, I had to do it right.

    I raised my light stick high and grabbed the microphone. ¡°Cha Cha!!! Returns!!!!"

    Then Goh Yoo-Joon eximed even louder, ¡°We have made a debut!!! So, let''s do everything we''ve always wanted!!!"

    ¡°Uh... Ah! Oh... Eek," Yoon-Chan hesitated. It was as if he was about to say something crazy but seemed toe to his senses. He simply lowered his head and ran forward.

    As we all moved to the center of the stage, the repetitive intro of Cha Cha''s song sped up with a changed beat. Joo-Han then shouted, ¡°Disco Party Night!"

    The theme was akin to a cute nursery rhyme and was now blended with a disco rhythm. The crowd''s response was explosive, and we started dancing to the lively tune and exaggerating our moves.

    I brought out all my cuteness and energy, drawing circles with my arms and waddling to the rhythm. As the dance continued, my leftover embarrassment faded away, reced by enjoyment as I started my part at the center.

    <i>A cute little one~ full of mistakes~</i>

    <i>With a magical power~</i>?

    After that came Yoon-Chan''s embarrassing part, followed by the beaming Joo-Han. Goh Yoo-Joon then stumbled over the lyrics, retreating after locking eyes with Hee-Su in the corner. Their presence suddenly became real to me as well, and my gaze naturally drifted toward them. There, I saw Daniele dancing with shoulder moves and Lee Cheol-Min with a sincerely furrowed brow.

    Following Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s fumble, my brain reset as well, forgetting both the dance and the lyrics.

    <i>...Mysterious t... treasure! ...With the power of miracles!</i>

    <i>Love...! I... ugh... forgo the lyrics... haha... I am so sorry, so sorry...?</i>

    This would have been a disaster at <i>Pick We Up¡¯s</i> audition, but this stage was solely for us and the Chronos. The crowd enjoyed themselves and forgave our mistakes withughter. As Goh Yoo-Joon and I regained ourposure...

    <i>YO...</i>?

    The cute and exciting disco nursery rhyme beat disappeared, and a cool narration started to y.

    <i>Bum diggy bum diggy bum bum diggy diggy</i>

    <i>Bum diggy diggy bum bum diggy bum diggy</i>?

    <i>Rustle. </i>

    As I moved my body in sync with the serious narration, my skirt rustled annoyingly and slid down my legs. In any case, I had decided not to care whether my skirt was flipped up or not. I would just do what I had to do. I seriously broke into a dance break, regardless of how I looked.

    ¡°Kyaa!!!"

    Through my in-ears, I could hear the cheers of the audience, which was much clearer than before.

    When I finished thest dance break of the song with all my energy, the music quietened down. I could subtly hear the sound of jingle bells, which gradually grew louder and naturally changed the melody of the song.

    The next song was ¡°Christmas is Ours¡±¡ªa song that Goh Yoo-Joon and I had performed on a year-end stage, but some Rings also recognized it. It was a song I had rmended which aligned with the members'' wishes to start the opening as joyfully as possible. Following the choreography, Goh Yoo-Joon and I came forward with our arms linked.

    <i>A beautiful white Christmas</i>

    <i>The sound of jingle bellses close</i>

    <i>Today, it¡¯s just you and me, our own Christmas</i>

    <i>Isn¡¯t it enough with just the Rings and Chronos?</i>

    <i>A Christmas of friendship, it¡¯s going to be so fun!</i>?

    Goh Yoo-Joon sang the lyrics, and I stood next to him with hands neatly folded on my chest, just smiling. Goh Yoo-Joon circled around me and mimicked the persuasive gesture we had used during the year-end stage. Seeing his antics, Iughed and dropped my hands from my chest.

    <i>Really, is that so?</i>

    <i>But I want to spend a lively Christmas with everyone</i>

    <i>Holding hands with my loved Rings by my side</i>

    <i>Walking down the Christmas streets</i>?

    That was when it happened.

    ¡°No, stop! Don''t hog it all!"

    ¡°If you two are having fun, let''s do it all together!"

    ¡°Rings, you''ve waited long enough. ¡®Christmas Is Ours¡¯ by Chronos! Let''s go!"

    The other three burst between Goh Yoo-Joon and me, each throwing their disruptive lines.

    Then, the sweet apaniment subtly reappeared with disco sounds, and the atmosphere felt like something from a 90s nightclub rather than a musical. The choreography became freer, where the members could dance on their own without synchronized set choreography. Before I knew it, a genuine smile was spreading across my lips, and it was not just an act.

    The other members took turns singing their parts and improvised. During the final part of "Christmas Is Ours," all the members crouched down, and Goh Yoo-Joon approached me with a flower while standing. He resumed singing.

    <i>Let¡¯s do this together, my friend</i>

    <i>Come on, hold my hand!</i>?

    I nodded and sang along.

    <i>Okay! With you by my side,</i>

    <i>Even a simple Christmas feels like it could be truly delightful!</i>?

    I tossed the flower Goh Yoo-Joon gave me to the Rings and sped his hand.

    <i>Now that we are holding hands,</i>

    <i>We are spending Christmas together</i>

    <i>Echo my words. Christmas is Ours!</i>

    <i>Then, the Rings sang along with us.</i>?

    <i>Christmas is Ours!</i>

    <i>Christmas is Rings¡¯!</i>

    <i>Christmas is Chronos¡¯s!</i>?

    <i>Bang!</i>

    Sparkles erupted and added to the fervor. We then repeated "Christmas is ours" while holding hands and finished the stage together.

    As the song ended and the lights dimmed, only the Rings and their light sticks were fully visible in this vast space filled with a massive cheer meant just for us. It felt like experiencing a concert indirectly.

    With our hearts still racing with excitement, we expressed our gratitude. ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°Chronos! Chronos!" The Rings'' cheers started to put us at ease.

    Joo-Han caught his breath and took the microphone. ¡°Are you all having fun?"

    ¡°Yes!!!!"

    ¡°It''s a bit embarrassing to say this in these outfits, but thank you so much foring to our first fan club inauguration ceremony."

    After Joo-Han, I took the microphone and said, ¡°We''ve pondered a lot and put a lot of effort into the next stages. I am sure you all will enjoy them! So, let''s have fun till the end!"

    The Rings responded enthusiastically to my every word, and I bowed repeatedly to express my gratitude. ¡°Then, let''s invite the host who''s taking care of today''s inauguration. He is someone we have a deep connection with."

    ¡°That''s right."

    ¡°We''ve invited someone who has looked after us even before our debut. Please wee with a round of apuse... Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan!"

    ¡°Hello, everyone!"

    ¡°Waaaaaah!!"

    Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan waved as he appeared on stage. The Rings were very familiar with him, so the cheers for Jeong Gyu-Chan were tremendous. Even Jeong Gyu-Chan was surprised by the unexpected response and soon greeted everyone with joy.

    ¡°Oh, thank you. Thank you. I''m Jeong Gyu-Chan, the announcer in charge of hosting the first inauguration ceremony for Chronos and the Rings. Let¡¯s have fun today!"

    ¡°Yes, we are really looking forward to today."

    ¡°Of course. Thank you for inviting me. Now, our cute Cha Cha members, please go inside and change your clothes. You''ve worked hard. You''ve worked hard, haha," said Jeong Gyu-Chan as he gestured for us to hurry inside.

    We then waved our hands to the Rings and headed backstage, saying, ¡°See you in a bit, Rings!"

    ¡°Yes, while Chronos is changing, I''d like to have a chat with the Rings. Time does fly. When I first met Chronos, they were very hard-working trainees with big dreams. But now, they''ve be such popr stars¡ªah, do people not use the word ''popr'' much these days? Hahahaha! You guys all know what I mean, right?" Jeong Gyu-Chan did his best to buy time for us to change.

    We quickly changed clothes, tidied up our hair and makeup, and rushed backstage again. Now, we were dressed infortable casual clothes and equipped with mics. After we received a signal from our in-ear monitors, Jeong Gyu-Chan nced at us.

    ¡°Ah, thank you for waiting. Finally, Chronos is ready. Shall we bring them out and catch up on what they''ve been up to? When I count to three, the Rings will call out ''Chronos,e out!'' Ready? One, two, three!"

    ¡°Chronos,e out!" shouted the Rings.

    At this moment, Jin-Sung took the lead and eximed, ¡°Alright, Chronos ising out for you!"

    ¡°<i>Pfft</i>, what is he saying?¡± We smirked at the excited Jin-Sung and followed him to the stage.

    There were five chairs on the stage, and our gazes swept over the Rings before we took the seats.

    ¡°Let¡¯s greet them one more time. One, two, three!¡±

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Let¡¯s have a st today!¡±

    ¡°Wow, Chronos is still polite and respectful. Alright, please take a seat. You as well, Rings. So, how have you been, Chronos?¡±

    Joo-Han responded, ¡°Well, we have been busy with our schedules,posing and practicing as you know. That¡¯s what we basically do every day, haha. Oh, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo are on a variety show called <i>Graduating.¡±</i>

    Jeong Gyu-Chan said, ¡°Ah, right. Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo are hot topics these days. I am watching their variety show too! All the cast are so adorable and innocent that it heals my soul just by watching the episodes.¡±

    ¡°Haha, thank you.¡±

    In fact, not only cute and naive things happened in the shooting. On Ki-Hoon¡¯s face suddenly shed through my mind, sending shivers down my back. Shaking it off quickly, I pointed at one corner of the audience seats and said, ¡°My friends from the show are here today!¡±

    Then, the faces of four guys from <i>Graduating</i> popped up on the screen. Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Lee Cheol-Min hurriedly hid their faces with their hands as they were bewildered. On the other hand, Daniele simply waved his hand and smiled widely. With warmth, the Rings cheered for them.

    ¡°Those are the friends who usually hang out with Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo in the show, right? Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, Daniele... and, um... Cheol-Min, right? I know all about the show,¡± asked Jeong Gyu-Chan.

    ¡°Wow, you are really watching them!¡± said Goh Yoo-Joon

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s admiring tone elicited a proud nod from Jeong Gyu-Chan. "Of course! Ah, and we can''t overlook this topic in a discussion about what you''ve been up to."

    Jeong Gyu-Chan then flipped a Q-card and said, ¡°Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung had a<i> Q-app</i> live session a few weeks ago.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes.¡±

    ¡°Yep, we did.¡±

    ¡°You received an incredible reaction and showcased dances based on the Rings'' requests. Surely, many of your fans are eager to witness your moves in person. Could you demonstrate a few moves for us here, please?¡±

    ¡®<i>Here? Right now?¡¯</i>

    Jin-Sung and I exchanged nces and slowly got up.

    ¡°We probably can do the climax of the song,¡± I said.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan replied, ¡°That is more than enough.¡±

    It was too impromptu and sudden, but the Rings seemed to really want it. Therefore, we got ready to dance without much thought.

    ¡°Can you dance while wearing those jewelry, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    Hearing this, I simply looked at Jeong Gyu-Chan with surprise. ¡°Wow, you even know about that?¡±

    There were indeed GIFs circting in social media, showing Jin-Sung removing his rings and bracelets before dancing, just to prevent them from getting stuck to his clothes. However, I didn''t expect Jeong Gyu-Chan to be aware of such small details about us.

    ¡°Of course, I am one of the Rings! Alright, then. Shall we start, Hyun-Woo? Drop the beat, please!¡±

    The random dance music started with a light mood. However, as the first song filled the air, the cheers were louder than when we showed up in Cha Cha costumes.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan shouted in excitement, ¡°Wow!! They have performed this once in the end-of-year stage. It¡¯s Renewal¡¯s ¡®Red Sun!¡¯¡±

 Chapter 222: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (4)

    <h4>Chapter 222: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (4)</h4>

    <i>I cast a spell</i>

    <i>Red Sun, Red Sun</i>

    <i>This is our happy ending</i>

    <i>Red Sun, Red Sun</i>

    <i>There¡¯s no tragedy in sight</i>?

    I stood still when the music started ying as I tried to recall the dance moves.

    ¡®<i>What was the choreography again?¡¯</i>

    However, nothing came to my mind since this part originally had no choreography. It was meant to be a scene where Jin-Sung identally dropped and shook a pocket watch.

    As Jin-Sung and I stumbled because we forgot the steps, Jeong Gyu-Chan assumed we erred and started teasing us yfully. ¡°It''s only been two months and you''ve forgotten already?"

    Jin-Sung quickly seized the microphone and said, ¡°Actually, there''s no choreography for this part!"

    Whether Jin-Sung was right or not, the other members and the audience enjoyed our baffled looks andughed heartily. Later on, I remembered that there was a pair dance for Jin-Sung and me in this section.

    Next up was Allure''s new hit followed by High Tension''s debut track. Despite the random selection spanning from a famous international pop song to a slow bad, or even Chronos''s song at double speed, we managed to cover them quite well, except for "Red Sun." The cheers were so overwhelming that they made us dance a bit. As the atmosphere brought us closer and our awkwardness peaked, we stopped and grabbed the microphone.

    ¡°I''ve said this before, but Rings, this isn''t something to do among family."

    ¡°Ah, it looked nice though," Jeong Gyu-Chan remarked.

    I waved it off andmented, ¡°Imagine doing this with your own sibling, everyone. <i>Ugh</i>."

    Whether my embarrassed feelings showed on my face or not, the audience, Jeong Gyu-Chan, and the other membersughed heartily. We then smoothly transitioned to the next song.

    ¡°Alright, that was an awesome move! Are you enjoying your time here, Rings?¡±

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Then, let''s slowly move on to the next stage, shall we? Oh, but before that!" As Jeong Gyu-Chan was preparing to introduce the next stage, he suddenly stopped us.

    After shing a knowing smirk, he masterfully roused the eager crowd before him. ¡°It feels like we are missing a little something, doesn''t it, Rings?"

    The Rings were clueless yet intrigued, so they yed along, their anticipation palpable. Seeing their reaction, Jeong Gyu-Chan seized the moment and theatrically pointed a cue card in my direction. He said, ¡°Indeed, today''s opening definitelycked something. An essential piece of the ¡®Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡¯ is missing."

    <i>¡®An essential piece? What could he possibly¡ªah...¡¯</i> As realization dawned on me, I chuckled and reached for the mic with a mix of dread and resignation. ¡°The magic..."

    ¡°Exactly!" Jeong Gyu-Chan eximed, and his voice brimmed with mock astonishment. ¡°The Magic Pendant! How could we possibly skip it? Rings have been waiting for it nonstop!"

    Hearing this, Joo-Han smiled broadly and agreed, ¡°I omitted it because I couldn¡¯t find a part to include it in the song arrangement, but I guess I have done something terrible. Well... Hyun-Woo, why don''t you give it a try since it''s a special asion?"

    Joo-Han then pushed my back.

    ¡°Uh-oh..."

    No joke... At this moment, every single person in the venue was looking at me. Despite already being ustomed to receiving attention on stage, I still felt embarrassed by their stares.

    ¡°Hurry up and show us! We need to get ready for our next performance, alright?" Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled. Just then, I saw how Lee Cheol-Min was staring at me, and I felt my face heat up. Right, it was not my first or second time doing something like this. I had done ¡°the magic pendant¡± multiple times because the Rings liked it so much! Hence, I reminded myself that it was just a business for me.

    Taking a deep breath, I picked up the microphone and said, ¡°I will do it."

    ¡°Yes! One, two, three!"

    ¡°Wow, ma... magic pendant, <i>waaaaaah</i>!" When I called for the magic pendant, everyone at the venue pped their hands. I wished they would justugh as pping made it even more embarrassing and awkward.

    "Yikes!" I tried to escape backstage to hide my face, but the mischievous Goh Yoo-Joon caught me and prevented me from hiding.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you can''t hide. See... the Rings love it. Oh, it was so good."

    ¡°Thank... you. Haha..."

    ¡°Now, we can move on to the next stage without any regrets. What''s next, Jin-Sung?"

    "Yes, we haven''t had the chance to showcase solo stages for each of us until now."

    ¡°Right?"

    ¡°So, we prepared it. Each of us has personally nned our own stage. We''ve practiced really hard and hope the Rings will enjoy it!"

    Jeong Gyu-Chan said, ¡°Jin-Sung speaks so passionately, and that makes me look forward to it! Now, Chronos, please get ready for your performance."

    We went backstage to prepare, and the waiting room became noisy again. Themotion was particrly intense around Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan as they were first and second in line.

    After quickly changing clothes and getting their hair done, they left the waiting room almost bouncing. On the other hand, the rest of us took a break. We leisurely drank coffee and slowly prepared for our turns since we had much more time to get ready.

    ¡°Look up," instructed my stylist.

    I followed her instructions and looked up, but my eyes quickly dried out due to the colored contact lenses I was wearing. The ck velvet shirt and leather pants, along with makeup much heavier than usual, reminded me of a vampire concept from the past year-end performance.

    The stylist marveled repeatedly at the concept photos from thest meeting. ¡°How did youe up with such an idea, Hyun-Woo? Who rmended it to you?"

    ¡°I got an idea when I was browsing on the inte."

    ¡°Isn''t it theplete opposite image of you? I thought you were a timid and quiet person. Well, you might not be able to try such concepts at any other time. Give me your hand."

    When I handed over my hand, she skillfully applied ck nail polish on my nails.

    ¡°Wow, look at Suh Hyun-Woo all dolled up."

    When Goh Yoo-Joonmented, the stylist who was dressing me up proudly said, ¡°He looks so pretty. This kind of makeup suits him well because of his fine features."

    The concept I envisioned for my solo stage was visual rock, referring to the Japanese rock genre that emphasized visuals, and it was quite popr fifteen years ago. Of course, it wasn''t a pure visual rock look, as I only followed the vibe with heavily wrapped essories and slightly heavier makeup than usual.

    ording to the stylist, it was akin to doing the precise makeup of a girl group for an award ceremony. The song was also just a band-like rendition of an existing song, performed together with the participating band of "Joy." In short, it was a pseudo-visual rock with visual enjoyment.

    It was a very unfamiliar genre and stage, but after seeing the first rehearsal, Joo-Han was extremely satisfied and included it in the setlist.

    ¡°Are Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo ready? Yoon-Chan has started his stage."

    ¡°Oh! Just a moment. ...Beautiful. You look like a doll today, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Stop it, noona. It''s embarrassing."

    My stylist added a teardrop on my face and finished up. Joo-Han chuckled as he saw two of us, who were preparing to leave. ¡°Both of you look amazing today. My kids are so handsome."

    Goh Yoo-Joon countered, ¡°But why do you look like that, hyung?"

    ¡°...<i>Pfft</i>."

    ¡°What?"

    Trying hard to suppress myughter, I looked back at Joo-Han with a serious face, along with Goh Yoo-Joon. When the other members and I put our hearts into dressing up, Joo-Han wore a glittering jacket with a sensitive and fussy expression.

    ¡°Are you looking down on trot[1] music?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon wore aplicated face and shook his head. ¡°No, you look really cool, hyung. Let''s go, Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Okay. See youter, hyung."

    ¡°Yeah, good luck."

    I moved backstage and watched Yoon-Chan on stage while putting on my in-ear monitors. Jin-Sung showcased a dance performance of a difficulty never before seen in the group, while Yoon-Chan covered ¡°Checkmate¡± by Reina.

    ¡°Checkmate¡± was one of Reina''s hit songs, renowned for its unique falsetto and mystical melody, perfectly suited to Yoon-Chan''s voice.

    ¡°He sings really well. Definitely got more powerful," Goh Yoo-Joon said. Indeed, his voice used to be just thin and pretty, but it had gained more strength and stability. Now, he could even sing the high notes in full voice, not just falsetto.

    Yoon-Chan hadn''t shown much interest in singing before the group''s disbandment prior to my regression. It was astonishing to see how much he had grown over time.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yes."

    At the staff''s cue, I turned away from the stage and joined the band members who wereing up to perform with me.

    ¡°Thank you all for practicing so hard until today."

    ¡°Nah, you did a great job, too."

    ¡°You guys are the best band ever! Let''s make the best stage!"

    ¡°Yeah!"

    ¡°One, two, three!"

    ¡°Let''s do our best!!!" Right on cue, Yoon-Chan''s performance ended. Hearing the cheers, I made my way to the center in the darkness¡ª my spot. While admiring the rose-adorned stand microphone, I positioned it well with a couple of taps.

    ¡°The band will go in first.¡±

    I heard the staff''s voice through my in-ear microphone, and the band started ying.

    ***

    ¡°Kyaaaaak!¡±

    ¡°Aaaaah! Who? Who is it? What do we do, what do we do! Hyun-Woo...."

    The figure on stage rode the rhythm, head bowed down while clutching the stand microphone. Though his face wasn''t visible, his silhouette and hair color were enough for the Rings to recognize him as Suh Hyun-Woo. The band went wild with their performance, as if the cheerful, bright, and slightly calmer original melody of "Joy" didn''t quite suit them.

    Suh Hyun-Woo was dressed entirely in ck, with ck nail polish and various jewelry adorning his attire, giving off a deliberate and stylish appearance.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Wooooo! This is crazy! Show your face!!!" Kim Go-Ri''s heart beat faster. ¡°I haven''t even seen his face, but I''m this excited already! I''m going to die from a heart attack, gosh."

    Then, she realized that Park Go-Ri, Hwang Go-Ri, and the other Rings were feeling the same. No matter who their favorite member was, they all held a ce for Suh Hyun-Woo in their hearts as they were a Ring.

    As the stage lit up and revealed Suh Hyun-Woo, the Rings exploded along with the rhythm of the band. And then, Suh Hyun-Woo lifted his head.

    ¡°<i>Gasp</i>!" Kim Go-Ri stopped breathing at that exmation. <i>''What''s with him? Why is he so pretty?'' </i>

    ¡°....Aaaaaah!!! He must be crazy... Let''s create a country for Suh Hyun-Woo!!! Make him lead the nation with that beauty!!!"

    ¡°Ahahaha, that¡¯s crazy! Kim Go-Ri, have you lost your mind?!" Park Go-Riughed and teased Kim Go-Ri, but Kim Go-Ri didn''t care about her tease. Her favorite was just too pretty. With moderately thick smoky makeup, red lips, and even a beauty mark, could he be more perfect? It was unbelievable that Suh Hyun-Woo himself hade up with this look.

    Then the band, which was showing off their skills, stopped ying, slowly crafting another melody.

    ¡°What''s this song? I''ve heard it somewhere." Park Go-Ri had calmed down after seeing Kim Go-Ri''s excitement. This song seemed like a rearrangement by the band, but it sounded very familiar. It must have been a heartbreaking bad.

    <i>¡®What is it? What is it?¡¯ </i>Park Go-Ri was thinking hard during the long intro.

    Then, when Suh Hyun-Woo started singing, she started shouting. It was "Goodbye Snow"¡ªa solo song from Kun-Ho''s idol days.

    In the previous <i>Graduating</i>¡¯s episode<i>,</i> it was mentioned that Suh Hyun-Woo had received vocal lessons from Kun Ho before hiseback. This seemed to have formed a respected teacher-student rtionship. Anyway, it was heartwarming and wonderful to see some form of interaction with the senior, and how Suh Hyun-Woo cherished it.

    The lyrics were a bit melodramatic as it was an old song. However, it was also famous for being a delicate song that was very difficult to sing, with high notes rising in every verse and consuming a lot of emotion.

    Yet, Suh Hyun-Woo was expressing it so well with the band''s arrangement. Was it the atmosphere, the expression, or the lighting? Despite not shedding a single tear, his face somehow looked as though he was crying. And then that famous part started.

    <i>Farewell, my joy,</i>

    <i>My sorrow that whitened the world,</i>

    <i>Could walking on a snowy mountain be lonelier than this?</i>

    <i>My love is so fragile, scattered away like mist</i>?

    <i>The pure white cold falls and piles up,</i>

    <i>I look at the sky with my reddened eyes</i>

    <i>Covering my heavily falling eyelids,</i>

    <i>I walk with my head lowered in meaningless beauty?</i>

    The quiet buildup of the electric guitar and Suh Hyun-Woo''s low and calm voice calmed the excited Rings. They then started focusing on the lyrics.

    <i>The endlessly falling snow is only white,</i>

    <i>Just sad without you in it?</i>

    <i>Now the distance with you is too far,</i>

    <i>Even your voice doesn''t reach,</i>

    <i>I want to see you right now?</i>

    ¡°Damn... My boy is a singing genius..."

    <i>Farewell.... my joy,</i>

    <i>My sorrow that whitened the world,</i>

    <i>My love is so fragile, scattered away like mist...</i>?

    The high notes were present everywhere in this part. Even Kun-Ho, the main vocalist of his idol group, used to say he always felt nervous singing this part. However, Suh Hyun-Woo perfectly delivered it with emotions.

    ¡°I knew he was good at it, but he really sings fucking well."

    Hyun-Woo¡¯s vocal skills improved out of the blue after the previous year''s end-stage performance and his training with Kun-Ho. After delivering several live renditions of "Joy," replete with spontaneous high notes, his vocal skills had markedly advanced.

    <i>¡®I did it...¡¯</i>

    Of course, Suh Hyun-Woo himself was trembling as he was afraid of going off-pitch, so he earnestly hit the high notes. However, such inner feelings only needed to stay hidden from the fans.

    1. A genre of Korean popr music known for its repetitive rhythm and simple, catchy melodies. Originating in the early 20th century, it holds sentimental value for many Koreans and has experienced a resurgence in poprity across multiple generations. ?

 Chapter 223: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (5)

    Chapter 223: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (5)

    After my performance ended, the lights dimmed. Although it was dark on the stage, I still greeted the fans and then caught my breath as I moved backstage. I could hear the staff quietly moving around and changing all the props on stage. And then¡­

    ¡°Good job," Goh Yoo-Joon whispered as he passed by me. I realized it was his turn, so I tensed up again. Yes, next was Goh Yoo-Joon''s stage.

    ¡°Great job, Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Well done!¡±

    ¡°Thank you!" I greeted the staff and band members who worked with me and then shifted my gaze to the monitor.

    Joo-Han stood by my side and patted my back as I looked at the screen with a serious expression. He said, ¡°That was very impressive, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Hmm? Ah."

    ¡°Are you going to watch Yoo-Joon''s performance before leaving?"

    ¡°Yes. I think I will feel relieved after watching it." It was my first time watching him live on the stage. Goh Yoo-Joon''s performance was especially nerve-wracking for me, as it was his first solo song, and I had written the lyrics for it. I had heard the song numerous times during practice and rehearsals, and I felt confident. I knew Goh Yoo-Joon would do it justice, but I felt I needed to watch until the end to bepletely reassured.

    I turned on my phone to record a video so Goh Yoo-Joon could review his performanceter.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon¡¯s song will start soon," said Joo-Han. From the end of my performance to the start of Goh Yoo-Joon''s, the cheers were incessant. Soon, the dim lights gathered on the stage, and Goh Yoo-Joon started to move as soon as he received the cue through his in-ear microphone.

    <em>Sigh-.</em>

    The sigh had be Goh Yoo-Joon''s trademark since <em>Pick We Up</em>, where he was known as the Sigh Boy. It was something I tried incorporating as part of Goh Yoo-Joon''s identity, and he pulled it off so well. Moreover, the ck leather couch and his unbuttoned shirt added a more sexy vibe to his performance.

    Goh Yoo-Joon flicked one of his feet up and ced it over his thigh, with a cool expression and lowered eyelids.

    ¡°He looks like a grumpy boss, haha. But, wow. He is really good-looking," Joo-Han chuckled.

    I nodded in agreement. ¡°I''ve known it since <em>Pick We Up,</em> but he bes apletely different person on stage. All the yfulness disappears."

    Anyway, it was a perfect start. Excellent.

    <em>The red petals burn,</em>

    <em>The smoke drifts to the lips,</em>

    <em>Enveloping you</em>

    <em>Tripping over the imperfect lighting,</em>

    <em>Slowly getting closer</em>?

    The stylist, who was fixing Joo-Han¡¯s hair, asked, ¡°I can''t believe Hyun-Woo wrote this no matter how many times I listen to it. How in the world can a kid write such sexy lyrics?"

    I shrugged nonchntly. ¡°I just wrote it ording to Yoo-Joon¡¯s image."

    Of course, I couldn''t have written it with the usual image of him in mind, so I watched the sighing part of <em>Pick We Up</em> over and over... I even went as far as to consult the annoying Kim Jin-Wook. But as a result, the lyrics fitting so well with Goh Yoo-Joon''s onstage image came out. It was so fortunate.

    <em>I will be anything</em>

    <em>Whisper sweetly,</em>

    <em>For the cold burning moment</em>

    <em>I will smile and speak kindly</em>?

    With minimal choreography, the song allowed the audience to focus on Goh Yoo-Joon''s unique, enticing voice. And just in case it got boring, we prepared to perform a hat choreography while he sat there.

    <em>If you like it,</em>

    <em>I will always be a fun person,</em>

    <em>But</em>

    <em>I¡¯m not actually that pleasant</em>?

    ¡°Perfect. He is doing well. Yeah, that''s it." I bit my lip to stop a proud smile from forming as this reminded me of my time as a trainer. Just like that, the debut of Goh Yoo-Joon''s first solo song¡ªa coboration created with much thought by Joo-Han and me¡ªwas perfectlypleted.

    Ah, memories of countless worries and hardships shed by. I was definitely moved. As I was waiting for Goh Yoo-Joon toe backstage, I felt a tingling sensation in my nose.

    ¡°Joo-Han, you are next."

    ¡°Ah, yep."

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, great job."

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, you¡¯ve worked hard."

    <em>Tada! Dadada dam dam~!!!</em>

    <em>Hey! Everyone, here Ie! It''s trot time! </em>?

    Joo-Han rushed out just as Goh Yoo-Joon wasing in. The catchy ad-libs, the sing-song, and even the lighting were all so dramatic. Joo-Han had just swiped away all my emotional feelings.

    ¡°Hahaha! Great job!"

    Unaware of my empty feelings, Goh Yoo-Joon simplyughed at Joo-Han''s humor beside me. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, isn''t it funny? What''s with that expression?"

    ¡°No, it''s nothing. Anyway, hey, you did well."

    ¡°Were you watching from here? Oh, what a good boy."

    ¡°I recorded your performance on my phone. Watch itter."

    ¡°Eh."

    Jin-Sung let out a scream and dashed onto the stage with a microphone. ¡°Wow, I can''t contain my excitement!!!"

    ¡°Jin-Sung... Joo-Han hyung..." Yoon-Chan watched the two with aplex expression on his face. On stage, those two were partying, while Yoo-Joon and I were cooling off backstage. Only Yoon-Chan was somewhat oblivious and just found everything funny.

    Meanwhile, the Rings were cheering passionately and loving even the silly side of us.

    <em>¡®Ah! What a sight Chronos is!¡®</em>

    As I nkly watched the performance, a stage staff approached and handed me a microphone, saying, ¡°After Joo-Han''s stage, you will start ¡°Parade."

    Ah, right. We still had more performances to do. After the individual stages, we were to perform ¡°Parade¡± and ¡°Blue Room Party¡± in the same costumes.

    ¡°What are we going to do about the vibe?"

    Could we really lift the mood more than this? Despite my worries, we finished the two songs with a surprisingly good atmosphere, or rather, an extension of the excitement.

    ***

    There was no official division into parts one and two for the inauguration event, but we tentatively decided on part one being up to ¡°Blue Room Party¡± during rehearsal breaks. Afterpleting the first part, we changed costumes and took a breather while watching the broadcast of our debate VTR. It made me realize how unserious we had been.

    It was a lengthy clip, but all I remembered were the scenes of Joo-Han''s arbitrary hosting, Goh Yoo-Joon''s toilet scene, and Jin-Sung''s bulk-up ban. It was clear that everyone was out of their minds while filming, except for Yoon-Chan¡ªthe only normal one.

    We watched half of it from the waiting room and half from backstage, and the chaotic yet well-received fan reactions were evident to us. Or perhaps, it was well-received because of the chaos. Then came the much-anticipated announcement of the sub-leader, which caused a buzz among the Rings. It must have been confusing for them.

    <em>¡®What if they don''t like it¡­?¡¯ </em>

    I tried to suppress my unbearable worries as we headed onto the stage for the VTR reveal.

    ¡°Yes! Another piece of information has been revealed."

    ¡°Oh my Chronos! What is this? I''m curious, what is this?" Announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan emerged from the opposite side and spoke teasingly. ¡°It seems the Rings are quite surprised by the sudden news of a sub-leader. Leader Joo-Han, what''s this about?"

    ¡°Yes, well... As you all watched, Chronos now has a sub-leader. You might wonder why we need a sub-leader with only five members, but I''ve hit my limit a few times while preparing forebacks and fan meetings."

    I then added. ¡°Now, Joo-Han is also in charge of music production, and ourpany tends to consider member opinions a lot in nning performances and content, so Joo-Han had a lot of pressure on him."

    ¡°That''s right. So we decided to have a sub-leader who could assist me."

    The Rings quickly epted Joo-Han''s serious words, and they even seemed sympathetic, considering how tough it must have been for Joo-Han.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan said, ¡°Yes, our Joo-Han¡­ While he¡¯s a perfect leader who leads the members, the role of a leader can be very heavy and lonely."

    ¡°Yes, that''s right."

    ¡°We hope that Chronos can enjoy their schedules a bit morefortably with the sub-leader in position. Now, it''s time for the announcement."

    ¡°Indeed!" Joo-Han let out a tense sigh with a grin. After that, the Rings looked at us with curious eyes; they seemed to be guessing it was either me or Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Let the sub-leader reveal themselves." Joo-Han yfully passed the announcement responsibility. ¡°Alright! The sub-leader of Chronos is¡­!¡±

    Jeong Gyu-Chan emphasized again. ¡°The sub-leader is¡­! Drumroll, please!"

    While the atmosphere builded up, I pretended to be oblivious and nced at Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han before standing up abruptly. ¡°The sub-leader is me! I will do my best to assist the leader and other members!"

    ¡°Aaaahhhhh!!!"

    ¡°Woooaahhhhh!!!" The response was unexpectedly overwhelming. I was surprised but also embarrassed and happy, so I bashfully lowered my head.

    ¡°Yes, yes! Rings, I understand your enthusiasm, but please calm down a bit!" Jeong Gyu-Chan managed to calm the still-excited crowd. ¡°Now, now! Shall we ask? Why did Hyun-Woo be the sub-leader?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo has been a reliable friend to me for the longest time. Of course, all our members are reliable, but considering various factors, we decided on him."

    ¡°Excellent. Hyun-Woo, could you share a few words about bing the sub-leader?"

    I nodded and took the microphone. ¡°Yes. Well, it was quite a surprise and initially shocking, but I will do my best to ensure Chronos moves in a better direction. Please keep an eye on us."

    Jeong Gyu-Chan nodded. ¡°Yes, Rings. The sub-leader of Chronos has been decided. Please continue to support Chronos as they ponder how the group can develop and grow. Now, shall we move on to the next part?"

    Jeong Gyu-Chan smoothly transitioned from the sub-leader discussion and showed the sign for the next session. ¡°Up next! You''ve been waiting for this. It is a time when the fans'' wishes are granted, whatever they may be!"

 Chapter 224: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (6)

    Chapter 224: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (6)

    A draw box was brought onto the stage. Jeong Gyu-Chan held the box and said, ¡°We have collected answers from the Rings beforehand to the question, ¡®What would you like Chronos to do for you?¡¯"

    ¡°Oh, so we just have to draw from it?"

    ¡°Correct. You will fulfill the Rings'' wishes by drawing papers from this box. However, we''ve pre-screened the requests to ensure nothing too awkwardes up. But if there happens to be something like that¡­" Some staff then handed out ¡°X¡± signs to each of us.

    ¡°Ah, this is for when you really can''t do it! If you find something uneptable, just raise the X sign you are holding."

    ¡°Haha! Even if dirt gets in our eyes? Ahahaha." Goh Yoo-Joon joked and shook the X sign.

    ¡°But please use it wisely. You can only raise the sign once."

    ¡°Only once?"

    ¡°Yes."

    Perhaps it was to prevent misuse of the X sign for slightly inconvenient requests. With so many Rings, who knew how many opinions were submitted. In any case, pre-screening only meant filtering out those that wouldn''t cause idents, so I was still worried about getting the awkward requests. ¡°Don''t worry too much. Who wants to draw first?"

    As the members hesitated, I raised my hand. ¡°I will go first."

    ¡°Ah, such courage befitting the sub-leader!"

    ¡°Nah, one of us has to do it anyway. Plus, the request might not be for me but someone else in the group," I said, and Jeong Gyu-Chan gave me a cheesy wink.

    ¡°You are sharp. Indeed, the order doesn''t really matter."

    I then confidently reached into the box and pulled out the topmost piece of paper.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, please unfold the paper."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    [Chronos group performing ¡°Rasputin¡± together!]

    ¡°Ah, haha, it is a request for the entire Chronos to dance ¡®Rasputin¡¯. This is, umm."

    ¡°Ah, Rasputin! The one Yoon-Chan did on <em>Flying Man</em>, right?"

    Jeong Gyu-Chan''sment made Jin-Sung p in admiration. ¡°Wow, a true fan right here. I didn¡¯t expect you to even know that."

    ¡°I told you that I''m a true Ring."

    Joo-Hanughed. ¡°Are you a High Tension fan at High Tension meetings and a Street Center fan at Street Center meetings? Haha. I''ve heard rumors that you like all sorts of groups."

    ¡°Ah! I am exposed. Haha! Anyway, as far as I know, ¡®Rasputin¡¯ is a favorite among you guys at the dorm even before you performed in <em>Flying Man</em>."

    I replied, ¡°That''s right. It''s a challenging song from a dance game, and it¡¯s especially loved by Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung. But what about the copyright, can we y it right now?"

    I recalled Yoon-Chan getting permission to y it from his phone on <em>Flying Man</em>. Looking backstage, I saw the staff conferred and then gave the okay sign.

    I nodded and said, ¡°They say it''s okay."

    ¡°Wow! We are actually going to see Chronos perform ¡®Rasputin¡¯ live," said Jeong Gyu-Chan. We all stood up and pushed Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung to the front. Then, we took our ces behind them.

    ¡°It''s been a while since we did this, so I''m a bit rusty."

    ¡°It''s okay, muscle memories!"

    ¡°Let''s have the music, please!"

    As the intro started, it was unbelievable! Jin-Sung was right. Despite thinking we''d forgotten, the three of us in the back, excluding Joo-Han, experienced the miraculous sensation of our bodies moving automatically.

    Maybe it was because we had repeated it nonstop for a while before. Although we were confused, we diligently performed.

    ¡°Incredible! Chronos delivers sharp choreography to ¡®Rasputin¡¯!¡±

    It was truly embarrassing, but our bodies moved on their own.

    Contrary to their baffled expressions, the Ringsughed joyfully at our sync movements. Now, I felt somewhat like aedian.

    Meanwhile, Joo-Han tried to follow along but soon gave up. He just stood there and said, ¡°My joints hurt. Aaaaah, I might get arthritis if I continue!"

    ¡°What do you mean?!" asked Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I just heard a bone crack from his knee," I replied.

    ¡°We seriously need to get a physical age test for him!...Wow, doing this after so long feels like¡­!"

    After Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and I gave up, ¡°Rasputin¡± performance ended and we continued reading the Rings¡¯ requests. We then showcased our charm catchphrases, Yoon-Chan''s nursery rhymes, and my flexibility test.

    ¡°Now, shall Jin-Sung draw the lot next?"

    ¡°Sure.¡± Jin-Sung stirred his hand in the box and then pulled out a piece of paper.

    ¡°...<em>Pfft</em>! <em>Ahem</em>. Please make peace with each other, you same-aged buddies.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The request prompted both Jeong Gyu-Chan and the Rings to burst intoughter.

    ¡°Right. The two of you are famous for your frequent spats. Let''s be honest here. Have you fought today?"

    ¡°Nah, not today."

    ¡°You might think we fight from the morning till night, but that''s not true. We are actually quite close."

    Just as Goh Yoo-Joon and I were getting along for once, Jin-Sung blurted out without any tact, ¡°Oh, don''t lie, you two! I don''t know why, but earlier, Hyun-Woo hyung''s ring got caught in Yoo-Joon hyung''s outfit during wrestling, and you both started ming each other, didn''t you?"

    ¡°No, no, no, no, no." Goh Yoo-Joon quickly covered Jin-Sung''s mouth and pushed him away. ¡°Everyone might misunderstand, but wrestling with each other is like taking a daily walk. It definitely doesn¡¯t count as fighting," I exined.

    ¡°Yes, because those two can''t help but quarrel every second they breathe,"ughed Joo-Han.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan chuckled after hearing our conversation and said, ¡°Alright, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon, pleasee forward. We hope you make peace."

    ¡°We were actually not fighting."

    ¡°Now, please shake hands."

    ¡°<em>Aagh</em>!" At Jeong Gyu-Chan''s words, the fans screamed, and we yelped. We absolutely couldn¡¯t do this cringy stuff.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I tried to grab our X signs, but Joo-Han just smirked and tore them in half. The fansughed heartily while we were forced to hold hands by Jeong Gyu-Chan. He said, ¡°Okay, then¡­ Please say something nice to each other. No fighting! Let''s start with sub-leader Hyun-Woo."

    I grimaced and then spoke grudgingly. ¡°Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°To be honest, I''ve told the manager about switching rooms because of your nightly gaming habit and snoring."

    ¡°Oh, what?"

    ¡°I even thought about sharing a room with Jin-Sung, who snores louder. But I''m thankful for you waking me up every morning¡­ thank you very much. Let''s make peace."

    As I spoke, Jeong Gyu-Chan looked intrigued and said, ¡°Wow, that was a bombshell about roommates almost splitting up! But a peace request has been made! Now, Yoo-Joon, it''s your turn."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°Remember when we were trainees and went on a school trip?"

    ¡°...Wait, hold on." I desperately tried to cover Goh Yoo-Joon''s mouth, but our hands were intertwined, and I couldn¡¯t cover his mouth quickly enough.

    ¡°Do you remember when I decided to share a room with another friend, and you dered a week-long silent treatment toward me?"

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Since then, we''ve been eternal roommates. Well,tely you''ve been a bit restless in your sleep too, but I understand. Let''s make peace."

    What was all this now? Goh Yoo-Joon and I red at each other, barely smiling.

    <em>¡®You are bringing that up, you bastard?¡¯ </em>

    Contrary to our feelings, the atmosphere was still cheerful, and Jeong Gyu-Chan gleefully said, ¡°Well, I hope you two can agree on your roommate situation. For now, let''s make peace. Give each other a hug and say ''I love you.¡¯"

    ¡°Can''t we just say ''X¡¯?"

    ¡°No, you cannot."

    I resignedly opened my arms, and Goh Yoo-Joon nodded with a reluctant face.

    ¡°Mmm¡­ I love you."

    ¡°Love... you."

    Then, we hugged each other for 0.1 second. With that, the request for a peaceful resolution was somehow fulfilled, and the lengthy talk session concluded.

    It was almost the final part of the ceremony, so we changed our outfits again. The next songs were ¡°Chronos¡± and an acoustic version of ¡°History.¡±

    ***

    Producer Do had arranged the setlist''s final song ¡°History ver. Acoustic,¡± excluding ¡°Joy¡± to leave a lingering impression that fit its ce toward the end.

    <em>Because I know the weight of effort</em>

    <em>I will cheer you on</em>

    <em>I want to be that kind of colleague who can push your back</em>

    <em>It¡¯s nice, isn¡¯t it?</em>?

    Perhaps the slightly breathless state from the ¡°Chronos¡± performance actually enhanced the poignant emotion unique to ¡°History.¡±

    <em>So many tears have been shed</em>

    <em>Day by day, preserving through, repeating ¡®Just one more time,¡¯ countless times</em>

    <em>I remember all your frustrations</em>?

    The lyrics were filled with the heartfelt sentiments of the fourteen trainees who were once together. I wondered if that was why singing this song always brought such a surge of emotions. At the tail end of the fan meeting, we believed it wasn¡¯t the end as we sang each word with care, illuminated by the glow sticks meant just for us.

    <em>I believe this is not the end</em>

    <em>If we keep walking, someday we will meet at the same ce</em>?

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    The Rings started to sing louder than us, so we got confused and lowered our microphones.

    <em>Cry once more and rise again</em>

    <em>Trust in me once more for thest time</em>

    <em>I will run so much that you will never have any regrets</em>?

    Soon after, we realized it was a sing-along event from the Rings. This time, our Rings sang for us, and the venue lit up as they uniformly held up the slogans.

    [Let¡¯s run together. Far enough to have no regrets.]

 Chapter 225: Again After Rainfall (1)

    Chapter 225: Again After Rainfall (1)

    [Let¡¯s run together. Far enough to have no regrets.]

    The moment the slogan caught my eye, I was engulfed in an ineffable emotion, my mind bing a stark and empty space. The message clearly suggested running together, not just by ourselves. The Rings sang for us with unmatched warmth gazes, as if to say, ¡°You are not alone anymore. You are enveloped in love. You are someone who deserves so much love.¡±

    The sensation was peculiar, almost surreal. The idea that I, who once shied away from the gazes of others, was now basking in an abundance of love was utterly unbelievable. I didn¡¯t know how to describe such intricate and dreamlike emotion.

    My heart was brimming with joy at this moment. The reactions and words of my fellow members seemed distant, as if muffled by the overwhelming emotions.

    ¡°Sob¡­ sob¡­¡± My tears streamed down relentlessly. No matter how much I attempted to stem their flow, it kepting out, apanied by the embarrassing sound of my cries.

    I never expected that being loved and realizing that I was not alone could bring such profound happiness.

    ¡°Hey, watch out!" said Joo-Han.

    As I nearly toppled from my chair amidst the tears, Joo-Han quickly steadied me, his face etched with concern. Then, he wrapped around my shoulder, his tears welling up as well. ¡°Feels good, doesn''t it? I''m happy too, Hyun-Woo. It''s been a rewarding ten years, right?"

    ¡°...Yeah."¡°Yo, why the tears? You are making me feel like crying too."

    I was finally able to see my fellow members, and their faces were awash with emotion. Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon were looking at the Rings with serene and joyful expressions, while Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung were locked in an embrace as their tears flowed more freely than mine.

    The scene before me was breathtakingly beautiful as if it was captured through the soft lens of a heavily filtered camera. This would surely be a moment etched in memory, so I allowed my tears to flow unchecked and lowered my head in gratitude.

    ¡°Thank you," I said with appreciation from the bottom of my heart.

    The event dedicated to Chronos by the Rings came to a close amidst a flood of emotions. As the afterglow of the event lingered, Jeong Gyu-Chan took the stage and his voice echoed gently across the room.

    ¡°The Rings have put together this event for Chronos. And now, Chronos¡­ Hahaha. I see some of you are still caught in the throes of emotion. Let''s hear your thoughts, starting with our leader Joo-Han."

    The soft strumming of an acoustic version of ¡°History" filled the background.

    ¡°Ah, yes." Joo-Han''s voice trembled a bit, and it broke the silence. ¡°It''s been a long journey. I was a trainee for eight years, but all those years of hard work weren''t for naught. They were trials meant to lead me to you all. To every one of the Rings who helped me realize this, I owe you my deepest thanks. This is such a happy and precious moment in my entire life.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Joo-Han. And now, our sub-leader Hyun-Woo."

    I gripped the microphone with determination, but¡­

    ¡°Yes, uh... um..." I suddenly started to bawl once more as my emotions betrayed myposure.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, hold back your tears!"

    ¡°Don''t cry!!!"

    ¡°My heart will break!!!¡±

    ¡°If you are telling me not to cry¡­ I am going to cry¡­ even more¡­¡±

    Jeong Gyu-Chan noticed that it was impossible for me to continue, so he took back the microphone from my hand. ¡°Alright, it seems Hyun-Woo is deeply moved. Perhaps we should move on to Yoo-Joon while Hyun-Woo gathers himself."

    ¡°Yes! How do I even begin to express my gratitude for this event? Since before our debut, I''ve been overwhelmed by the love we received, and today has made that all the more real. Can I ever reciprocate this love? I am so very thankful and filled with love for you all."

    ¡°Now, we''d love to hear from Jin-Sung... and Yoon-Chan¡­ but it seems that they are too overwhelmed to speak. So, let''s return to Hyun-Woo. Are you a bit calmer now?"

    I nodded and took the microphone. ¡°<em>Sigh</em>, ha... Well, to be honest¡­ I doubted whether I''d ever stand on a stage again until not long ago."

    My tears threatened to make aeback. As my confession stirred a murmur among the Rings, I hastily continued, ¡°Well, I was at the brink of not debuting after being a trainee for a decade."

    Ever since <em>that</em> ident right before the debut, I thought I would never be able to be in the spotlight. That was why I became a trainer as I resigned myself to the possibility that I could only make others shine.

    ¡°Icked confidence because I was afraid of people''s stares and wondered what I would do if I had to live like this forever. What if my life couldn''t ascend from here and this was the end? I lived every day with such anxiety."

    If this was a dream, I didn''t need to wake up. ¡°I''m so fortunate to be able to debut as Chronos and to meet all of you. I cannot be happier than this. Thank you Rings and you guys for making me feel loved. I''m really grateful."

    After I finished speaking, Yoon-Chan struggled to express his thoughts as he was still crying. He stuck to the slogan ¡®Let¡¯s run together. Far enough to have no regrets,¡¯ while Jin-Sung eventually gave up on speaking because he was overwhelmed by emotions.

    Meanwhile, the fan song ¡°Six Stars,"posed by Joo-Han, and the final song of the fan meeting, ¡°Joy,¡± resonated through the venue. Just like that, we went to the audience stands and walked around without any choreography, simply singing and giving high-fives to the Rings.

    During the song, pink petals fell from the ceiling. I and my fellow members all seemed happy, and the Rings looked at me with eyes full of love. This was indeed a reality. It was happening before my eyes.

    I was... a person who was dearly loved.

    Amidst overflowing happiness, our first fan meeting came to an end.

    [First Requirement: Acknowledge Being Loved]pleted.

    ***

    ¡°Does this life really feel like yours? A question tinged with mockery reached my ears. After that, the past I wanted to forget shed by like a swiftly passingntern light.

    ¡°I''m sorry, Hyun-Woo," In-Hyun apologized to me. After that, the doctor spoke calmly, saying that restoration of my face was absolutely impossible. There were also scenes of my parents copsing. People flinched every time they saw me, and then...

    [Let''s have a drink, or can you answer the phone at least?]

    The text messages from my fellow members piled up like dust. As more scenes shed by, a fear of being chased by something crept up on me.

    When I closed and opened my eyes again, the view before me was that of a ne about to crash. As I screamed out in pain, that sarcastic voice asked again, "Does this life really feel like yours?"

    ***

    ¡°Aaagh!" I screamed and opened my eyes to see the peaceful ceiling of our dorm.

    ¡°Haa¡­ haa¡­"Yet, another nightmare again¡­ It hadn''t even been a week since the fan meeting ended, and how many nightmares have I had?

    ¡°Are you awake? Drink some water, man. You were shaking more today. Are you really okay?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked and handed me water as usual.

    ¡°...I don''t know."

    ¡°You are having nightmares every other day. Do you really have nothing going on?"

    I shook my head and gripped my still trembling hand. Then, Joo-Han opened the door and looked at Goh Yoo-Joon with sharp eyes. He said, ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon,e out."

    ¡°Alright, alright. Anyway, have a good day today," replied Goh Yoo-Joon. He then followed Joo-Han out and closed the door.

    Iy back down on the bed, still trying to catch my breath. Today was the day I was supposed to consult about my severe fear of flying as Su-Hwan suggested. I had only told the members that I was going to get a passport, but with the nightmares every other day, they must have noticed something was off.

    <em>Knock, knock. </em>

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, we are about to leave. Just wash your face ande out."

    ¡°Okay." I followed his instructions by quickly washing up and changing clothes before leaving the dorm.

    Then, I suddenly felt anxious about this¡ªan idol going to see a psychiatrist. However, seeing howposed Su-Hwan was, I decided to trust and follow him.

    ¡°What exactly are you afraid of, Hyun-Woo? Are you afraid of flying, or is it severe acrophobia?"

    ¡°It''s both, but just hearing about nes makes me suffocate..."

    ¡°It''s a good thing you mentioned it. If you had boarded without knowing, it could have been dangerous," said Su-Hwan while checking my condition through the rearview mirror. He continued, ¡°You mentioned you''ve been having frequent nightmares. Is that because of the ne too?"

    ¡°Well, I''m not sure, but they definitely started after I heard about nes."

    ¡°I see. Anyway, feel free to talk about anything with the doctor today. I heard they are quitepetent."

    I nodded to Su-Hwan''s words and looked out the window. To be honest, I wasn''t sure if anything would improve by talking about it, but it felt awkward and ufortable to even have this conversation.

    Just as I was distracting myself with thoughts of nearby hospitals, Su-Hwan stopped the car and said, "We are here. Let¡¯s head out."

    ¡°Hmm?" We hadn''t been in the car for even three minutes, so I looked at Su-Hwan in confusion, but he just opened the door with his usual stoic face.

    ¡°You will be consulting here today."

    ¡°But this is..." It was our agency building, just a five-minute walk from the dorm.

    Then Su-Hwan looked puzzled and said, ¡°What? Did you think I was going to take you to a hospital? Do you want to be in the headline of a newspaper?"

    ¡°Eh? How can we... here..."

    <em>¡®I am having a consultation here?¡¯</em>

    Seeing my bewildered face, Su-Hwan led me into the building and exined, ¡°Luckily, one of CEO Shim''s acquaintances is well-known in that field. They''ve been invited to thepany, so you will receive your consultation and prescription here."

    It seemed the manager had prepared quite a bit for my mental consultation.<blockquote>

    hedgethehog''s Thoughts

    <em>Begin Again</em> is a South Korean reality show where well-known Korean musicians and singers go abroad to perform live street performances. It''s a refreshing concept where artists get to connect with foreign audiences and showcase their music in a raw and intimate setting, often leading to heartwarming interactions and cultural exchanges. It seems like the author referred to this show. It¡¯s one of my favorite shows that I regrly watch, so I definitely rmend it if you are interested in kpop or pop music! There are YouTube clips avable, too :)</blockquote>

 Chapter 226: Again After Rainfall (2)

    Chapter 226: Again After Rainfall (2)

    <em>Hiss-</em>

    White smoke rose from a cigarette held in Yoo Hye-Jeong¡¯s lips.

    ¡°<em>Sigh...</em>"

    Although she wanted to refrain from smoking as much as possible today, her resolution crumbled as it always did given her patient''s profession. Her face was weary as she gazed into the void, and a sigh filled with resignation escaped her lips again. Then, Lee Su-Hwan approached her with his refined footsteps and asked, ¡°How did it go, Doctor?"

    As Su-Hwan handed Yoo Hye-Jeong the coffee he had bought, she nced at him and then looked back into the void. ¡°You can just call me Senior. We are from the same university, aren''t we?"

    ¡°But still..."

    She was Yoo Hye-Jeong¡ªa psychiatric specialist at Tinta University Hospital and a junior of Shim Sang-Bok, the CEO of YMM Entertainment. She took on the treatment of Chronos''s Suh Hyun-Woo upon the request of her university senior, CEO Shim.

    ¡°Hmm."

    ¡°How is Hyun-Woo?"¡°The consultation hasn¡¯t finished yet. We are just on a break, but what is Hyun-Woo like usually?"

    ¡°Usually?"

    Yoo Hye-Jeong nodded. ¡°Something like his rtionship with his fellow members and his demeanor at work. Did he show any symptoms of depression that others would notice? You are always with him, so you should know."

    ¡°Symptoms..." Lee Su-Hwan shook his head after pondering seriously. ¡°There weren''t any. He gets along well with his fellow members and is very passionate about his career. Until the topic of airnes came up, there was no problem at all."

    Of course, Suh Hyun-Woo was excessively shy and sometimes seemed lost in thought, but that was more of Suh Hyun-Woo''s personality rather than symptoms. Thus, when he trembled severely and avoided the topic of airnes, and then his fellow members expressed their concerns about his frequent nightmares, Su-Hwan couldn¡¯t help but worry about it.

    At Lee Su-Hwan''s words, Yoo Hye-Jeong''s expression grew even more unreadable. ¡°...He is doing well, you say? Does hemunicate well?"

    ¡°Yes, is there a problem?"

    Yoo Hye-Jeong remained silent for a while. Then, with a lightugh, she shook her head and said, "No, I was just wondering.¡±

    No matter what, she couldn''t carelessly disclose her patient''s condition. She shrugged lightly and continued, ¡°Then, it seems like he doesn''t trust me yet. Don''t worry too much and just wait. I will go back in after finishing this."

    ¡°Ah, Doctor..."

    ¡°Hm?"

    Lee Su-Hwan''s gaze was filled with difort, looking at Yoo Hye-Jeong''s cigarette. She let out a small sigh and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.

    ¡°Sorry, I can''t help it when things don''t go well. I get it," remarked Yoo Hye-Jeong. She then sprayed some deodorizer and let out an awkwardugh.

    ¡°Anyway, let''s observe him for now. I will prescribe some anxiolytics and sleeping pills. Just put him to sleep for any urgent overseas schedules. That¡¯s the best solution for Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°I will go back in."

    This time, she had to make Hyun-Woo talk. A determined look shed in Yoo Hye-Jeong''s eyes as she turned around.

    ***

    ¡°Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°...Yes. I''m sorry."

    ¡°..."

    Yoo Hye-Jeong wondered why he was apologizing without even raising his head. Or was it his way of saying he didn''t want to talk about anything?

    She looked at the young man before her, who seemed to shrink into himself. He was a boy who had just turned twenty. Although she wasn''t very familiar with the entertainment industry, she heard he was a member of a very popr idol group.

    Working as a psychiatric specialist in a university hospital often involved treating famous people, but honestly, Suh Hyun-Woo was among the more difficult patients. After all, he hadn''t spoken a word about himself since sitting down with her. Whenever she asked something, he would just mumble and seem lost, which made her wonder if he was really the one who had agreed to the consultation.

    Meeting him in person revealed that the problem wasn''t just aerophobia. There was a deeper wound, an illness of the heart.

    <em>¡®Could he have an unspeakable secret?''</em>

    From what she heard, there hadn''t been any particr incidents during Suh Hyun-Woo''s trainee days or his debut. If he was reluctant to talk about airnes or acrophobia, she didn''t want to force him to speak.

    Yoo Hye-Jeong said, ¡°It''s okay to talk about anything."

    As soon as she started to speak, Suh Hyun-Woo''s face turned even paler. The frustration of not being able to express himself and the look of someone about to cry out of nervousness were pitiable beyond the doctor-patient rtionship.

    He surely wanted to get better. Perhaps he had resolved to do so and had agreed to the treatment, but the embarrassment of having to reveal more than he intended caused him to shut down.

    <em>¡®Who can I even talk to about my situation? Who would understand me?''</em>

    It seemed as if his thoughts were transparent.

    ¡°...The prescription is already done. So rx, stop trembling now."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I won''t say anything either."

    ¡°Sorry?" Suh Hyun-Woo looked bewildered as Yoo Hye-Jeong gestured to her eyes.

    ¡°I will even close my eyes. I will just listen, so why don''t you say whatever is on your mind?" She decided to change her approach and not converse at all, bing like a wall simr to the anonymous confession sites like the Bamboo Forest[1] next to Tinta University Hospital.

    Though the prescription was alreadyplete, and it might seem excessive to go this far, this was Yoo Hye-Jeong''s professional dedication. She wanted to alleviate even a bit of her patient''s pain and take on some of the burden he was carrying alone, even as a stranger. However, she didn¡¯t know whether this would work for Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Whatever we talk about today will remain a secret I won''t share with anyone. That''s a given. Not with yourpany and not even with family. I will listen and forget it all by myself."

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°So, even if you say you suddenly grew wings and flew, it''s fine." Yoo Hye-Jeong reached her hand out toward Suh Hyun-Woo. He was startled, but she justughed lightly and held his hand.

    A mix of cigarette smoke and deodorizer scent wafted over. Yet, she exuded a strangelyforting aura. Yoo Hye-Jeong then flipped Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s hand over and ced a water cup in it. ¡°I''m here to help you, Hyun-Woo. I won''t do anything you are notfortable with."

    She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and turned away demonstratively. She continued, ¡°Talking about one''s true feelings requires courage and a bit of shamelessness, even if you are not understood. I won''t force you."

    ¡°...Okay."

    ¡°It''s okay to lie or make things up. I will just sit here quietly for exactly ten minutes." Then Yoo Hye-Jeong actually turned away and said nothing more.

    Suh Hyun-Woo watched her back, and he was unsure of what to do. He just chewed his lips.

    ***

    <em>¡®The sudden turn was meant to make me feel at ease, but¡­¡¯</em>

    ¡°<em>Sigh</em>..." I sighed deeply and looked at the back of the doctor''s head. She even mentioned lies and making things up was okay. I only had to speak whatever was on my mind.

    The moment the unfamiliar gaze was no longer on me, my thoughts became organized. I could calmly reflect on my thoughts. Until just a moment ago, I was in so much pain because I felt I had nothing honest to say. However, now I thought, maybe I could have just said ¡°I fell from somewhere.¡±

    After all, the doctor wouldn''t know what my daily life as a trainee was like, or whether I had ever been on a ne... But still, I sorted my thoughts and hesitated for a long time. ¡°...I think whatever I have¡­ will not be cured¡­"

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I feel like nothing will get better." From experience, I knew it was best not to talk about pains and sorrows that couldn''t be understood by others. I''d only receive sympathy or empty encouragement. The reason I sometimes felt terrorized by people''s gazes, developed a fear of heights, had nightmares, or felt anxious was because these were secrets I had to carry alone until death.

    ¡°If I don''t talk about it... can it be resolved just with medication?" I didn''t want to be treated as a weirdo for sharing an iprehensible story. My hand that was holding the cup was shaking so much that I quickly clenched it into a fist.

    <em>¡®Why can''t I escape the pain even until now?¡¯</em> Neither my rtionship with my parents nor the wounds in my heart had healed. It seemed like the things I was afraid of only increased.

    <em>¡®Why me? Why is this happening?¡¯</em> A sense of injustice made me cry, and I struggled to breathe.

    I ignored the tears falling and said, ¡°All I want is to achieve my dreams..."

    ¡°..."

    I didn''t understand why it was so hard to feel excited and happy about joyful stuff. ¡°It''s my first overseas schedule, and I didn''t want to ruin it for everyone, so I sought counseling. Can you just help me handle the schedule well? I''m sorry... Maybe I''m not ready yet. I''m sorry."

    The promised ten minutes with the doctor passed. After that, the doctor turned back to look at me and wore a much sadder expression than before. ¡°You will be able to handle the schedule. As I mentioned before, the prescription is done. But I will need to discuss this with Su-Hwan and set up a follow-up appointment."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°We will have to continue this until I hear something outrageous from you, Hyun-Woo. I can''t say the treatment is over like this. Anyway, thank you for saying something."

    The doctor handed me a business card and stepped back. She said, ¡°I might not be avable during treatment hours, but feel free to contact me anytime. That''s all for today....You''ve cried. You must feel terrible."

    Then she turned and opened the door to the conference room. ¡°It''s over."

    On the other side of the door, I saw two familiar faces. One was the manager, who came with me to thepany, and Joo-Han. The two of them peered from a distance to check on me, and then their expressions hardened.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, did you cry?" asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°What... How did you know I was in counseling?"

    Joo-Han approached me quickly and examined my face. ¡°I should at least be aware of what my members are up to as a leader. I came because something seemed off. Why did you cry? Things must have been tough. I didn''t know."

    ¡°Huh?"

    After Su-Hwan left with the doctor, I was awkwardly caught by Joo-Han and had to listen to his worried words. ¡°I was worried because you seemed to be in a bad state recently. How did I not realize it was this bad?"

    ¡°Hyung?"

    Joo-Han muttered to himself seriously and then hugged me tightly. It seemed like he had been talking to Ji-Hyuk a lot recently and even caught his overflowing affection.

    Anyway, being with someone who made me feel at ease cleared my mind and calmed my nervous heart.

    Joo-Han asked, ¡°Do you need your support system? Yoon-Chan is currently at the dorm."

    ¡°Ah, please make sure to tell them to let Yoon-Chan sit next to me on the ne, hyung," I replied. I then got up and left the conference room with Joo-Han, who put on a somewhat worried and joking expression.

    1. In Korea, the metaphorical "Bamboo Forest" refers to anonymous tforms where people can freely share their secrets and thoughts without revealing their identity, akin to confession boards in universities or online sites. This provides a safe space for individuals to express themselves candidly, offering relief from societal pressures and emphasizing the importance of privacy andmunity support. ?

 Chapter 227: Again After Rainfall (3)

    On our final journey to the school for <em>Graduating,</em> I could feel the crisp air.

    ¡°Look at this great weather! Suh Hyun-Woo, wake up and take a look," said Goh Yoo-Joon as he was bubbling with excitement.

    ¡°I wasn''t sleeping," I remarked as I pulled out my earphones. Then I looked outside to see snowkes falling. The wind had felt gentler when we set off, which must have been a hint at the snow''s imminent arrival.

    I neatly winded my earphone cord and chuckled, ¡°Snowy weather hardly counts as nice.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon turned my way and grinned widely. ¡°It''s the perfect setting for our graduation. You might not see it now, but a snowy ceremony will stick with you."

    ¡°Really?" I humored him and yed along.

    Goh Yoo-Joon snatched the earphones from my grip and shook his head. ¡°Where''s your sense of romance, Suh Hyun-Woo? Plus, those are my earphones."

    ¡°Alright, alright, they are all yours.¡±

    In the midst of our banter, Su-Hwan¡¯s eyes met ours in the rearview mirror, and he asked, ¡°Got a minute, you two?" ¡°Yes?" We responded in unison.

    ¡°You are aware of the <em>Graduating</em> crew dinner after today''s shoot, right?"

    ¡°Yes, we''ve heard. Rumor has it that we will be having beef."

    Today marked the conclusion of <em>Graduating</em>¡ªour graduation ceremony. As with most shoots, we''d celebrate the wrap with a cast dinner. Given that we were all of legal age, alcohol was expected to flow freely, so Su-Hwan''s reminder likely stemmed from concerns about our drinking habit. ¡°I trust you both will behave, but let''s be real, it''s your tolerance I''m worried about.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but ask, ¡°Are you suggesting we are lightweights, hyung?"

    Su-Hwan nodded solemnly and replied, ¡°That''s one way to put it. Anyway, please control yourselves, and don¡¯t drink too much. We are always in the public eye. I trust you won''t embarrass yourselves in front of the crew, but try to keep it to one or two drinks.. You know what I mean, right? I trust you."

    He seemed to have said his piece, though hisck of trust was evident. However, that was fair given our mishap with alcohol at the dorm. He had not only witnessed our drunken spectacle but also had to clean up after us. So, it was understandable.

    ¡°Okay. We will be careful.¡±

    ¡°We will avoid drinking if we can.¡±

    ¡°Thank you," Su-Hwan said with a sincere tone.

    Soon, the school gates loomed before us, and the car came to a stop. After saying goodbye to Su-Hwan and getting out of the car, I saw that the snowkes had berger than before and coldly touched my skin.

    I lifted my head to look up at the school. The damp earthy smell and the quiet school grounds gave rise to a mix of emotions: a bit of regret, yet a strange sense of excitement. Perhaps, it was a scene memorable enough to stay etched in my mind as Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    ¡°Let''s go."

    ¡°Yeah."

    I followed Goh Yoo-Joon toward the school building with his arm slung over my shoulder.

    ***

    From morning on, the ssroom was already bustling, with noises echoing through the entire hallway. Goh Yoo-Joon ran ahead and opened the door of the ssroom, quieting the din momentarily before cheerful greetings filled the air again.

    ¡°Hey, Joon and Woo!"

    ¡°Hi."

    ¡°Wow, look who it is! Aren¡¯t they from the super duper idol group called Chronos?"

    I approached the kids with a chuckle and asked, ¡°What is up with Joon-Hwan today?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon replied, ¡°Just ignore him. Ever since the inauguration ceremony, he''s been like this. Always messing with us through messages and calls. He is just teasing us."

    ¡°Oh, I see." I nodded in understanding.

    Hee-Su tilted his head at Goh Yoo-Joon and my conversation. ¡°Hmm? Isn''t Hyun-Woo in the group chat too? Howe you don''t know about Joon-Hwan''s antics?"

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo hardly ever checks his phone," Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    ¡°...I figured as much. There''s always that one person who never reads the chat. So it was Hyun-Woo."

    Since Joo-Han always received the schedule-rted messages and we were usually together, I didn¡¯t really bother to check my phone. Even though I had started checking more since bing the sub-leader, I often missed messages because I turned off notifications for the group chat.

    ¡°How can you live without checking your phone?"

    ¡°Exactly. I need to check mine all the time. Doesn''t it feel suffocating not to?"

    ¡°Yeah, same here."

    Thest time I checked the group chat was right after the fan meeting. Due to Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Lee Cheol-Min''s part-time job shifts, we couldn''t properly say goodbye and ended up exchanging messages in the chat.

    With a skeptical look, Hee-Su asked, ¡°Did you know Lee Cheol-Min joined the chat?"

    ¡°Ha! Of course he doesn¡¯t." Goh Yoo-Joon spoke up before I could, so I just smacked him on the back.

    ¡°That¡¯s not true! I saw it. You invited him, Hee-Su. You said you all got close at the fan meeting, and I am not the person who doesn¡¯t check the chat. It should be someone else."

    They were using me for nothing! I even sent an emoji to wee him, but it got buried under the rapid-fire messages from the others.

    Then the ssroom door slid open again, causing the students'' attention to shift back to the door. But this time, an awkward silence filled the air.

    ¡°...¡±

    It was Lee Cheol-Min. He surveyed the ssroom with a sullen expression, as if scowling at everything inside. Instead of entering quietly, he always had to make such an unnecessarily dramatic entrance¡­

    Ever since On Ki-Hoon''s threats against, his already sour demeanor only sharpened, earning him a bad reputation at school. No wonder the ss reacted this way. Still, there was no need to make it so obvious. Aside from some early friction with me and Goh Yoo-Joon, he hadn''t really caused trouble in the ss.

    I broke the silence and greeted him, ¡°Hey, Lee Cheol-Min."

    Then, his eyes, which had been defiantly sharp in an attempt not to be overwhelmed by the surrounding atmosphere, looked at me with bewilderment.

    ¡°Why are youte? Hi," asked Goh Yoo-Joon. Following his lead, the other kids started greeting him.

    ¡°Cheol! You made it?"

    ¡°Hey, Lee Cheol-Min."

    ¡°..." Lee Cheol-Min scowled but approached us with hands stuffed in his pockets. ¡°Why are you guys suddenly acting friendly toward me?"

    The hypocrisy of his statement was ring. He was the one who came to us but wondered why we were acting friendly.

    ¡°Ha, stop joking."

    With augh, I pped Lee Cheol-Min on the back and remarked, ¡°Did you get home okay the other day? You were the only one who didn''t reply in the chat. Not that I was worried."

    ¡°I was busy with my job."

    ¡°Right, Lee Cheol-Min has two part-time jobs."

    ¡°<em>Gosh</em>. Hey, did you take shifts after the fan meeting? You must have been exhausted. Okay, you are forgiven," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Who are you to forgiv¡ª"

    The door slid open again, and a voice rang out. ¡°Everyone, take your seats."

    Kun-Ho entered and calmed the bustling students. After that, Lee Cheol-Min simply shot Goh Yoo-Joon a re and scampered back to his seat. Kun-Ho dressed formally, in a tie and matching suits.

    ¡°Alright, has everyone been well?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    Kun-Ho looked around at the ss with a bittersweet look. Instead of the usual attendance book, he held graduation certificates for each student. ¡°The day has finally arrived. With today''s ceremony, you, the first batch of Memory High students, havepleted all courses and graduated. You''ve all worked so hard. Great job!"

    The kids normally would''ve been joking around, but today, they listened intently to Kun-Ho''s words.

    ¡°It was such a short time, but I didn¡¯t expect to be so attached to every single one of you. As your guardian beyond the show, I am incredibly proud, grateful, and honored that we could all graduate together without leaving anyone behind.¡± Kun Ho simply poured out his heartfelt emotions. He had always been more of a friend than a strict teacher

    ¡°It feels like we are actually graduating. This is so weird,¡± whispered Goh Yoo-Joon.

    I nodded in agreement. ¡°Right?¡±

    At this moment, all students including myself were probably experiencing the peculiar sensation of graduating from a real high school.

    ¡°Memory High School. It is literally a school where you create the memories of adolescence that you missed while starting your career. I want to ask you all: have you made many memories here? Before we graduate, shall we share our thoughts starting from the front row?¡±

    At Kun-Ho''s words, the previously quiet students started to murmur. It had been a while since Kun-Ho''s enforced presentation time, not since our first meeting and self-introductions.

    ¡°Teacher! Why does it always have to start from the front? Can''t we start from the back today?"

    Last impressions were often more daunting and challenging than introductions. At the outcry from the students in the front row protesting the discrimination, Kun-Ho agreed and pointed to a student sitting at the very back. ¡°Alright. Let''s start from the back!"

    ¡°Ah, why from the back..."

    The decision left Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan feeling like the ground had copsed. Anxious, they started racking their brains for what to say when their turn came. The students before them spoke briefly and finished quickly, unprepared and embarrassed.

    Kun-Ho seemed unsatisfied with the brevity and specifically called on Hee-Su. ¡°Next is Hee-Su. Hmm, no, this won''t do. You need to speak for at least thirty seconds. You can''t sit down until then."

    ¡°Ahh! Why do you have to enforce this rule on my turn, Teacher!?"

    ¡°It''s the teacher''s prerogative. Now, Hee-Su, begin."

    I looked at Hee-Su with a teasing gaze. Standing up, Hee-Su met my eyes, then Goh Yoo-Joon''s, Joon-Hwan''s, and Daniele''s with an aggrieved expression.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Hey?" Then his eyes started welling up. ¡°I just..."

    ¡°What? Is Hee-Su crying?"

    ¡°My precious¡­ <em>ugh</em>.¡±

    As I had noticed, Hee-Su was quite emotional. Seeing his tears, everyone, including myself and Kun-Ho, was taken aback. Some couldn''t help butugh, and there was no one to console him as we watched his presentation unfold.

 Chapter 228: Again After Rainfall (4)

    <h4>Chapter 228: Again After Rainfall (4)</h4>

    ¡°Is Hee-Su crying?"

    ¡°Is Hee-Su really crying?"

    ¡°For real?"

    ¡°Crying during the presentation? What?¡±

    ¡°Ah, stop it, really... Ah, geez..."

    As the students teased Hee-Su, he lowered his head and covered his face with his arms. However, covering his face didn¡¯t stop the tears; his shoulders were shaking incessantly.

    ¡°I really... really think it was a good decision to apply for this program. I really mean it. It was so much fun."

    ¡°Great. It seems like Hee-Su has built a lot of fond memories and friendships. Right?"

    Hee-Su nodded and buried his face in the desk while sitting down. Joon-Hwan smiled wryly and btedly patted him on the back.

    After Hee-Su, it was Joon-Hwan''s turn and then Daniele''s. After that, the other friends shared their thoughts in turn, and now it was my turn. ¡°Next is Hyun-Woo¡¯s time to speak."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    As I stood up, the gaze that had briefly turned toward Kun-Ho now shifted to me. I thought I had gotten used to being the center of attention, but it felt more embarrassing to receive familiar stares.

    ¡°Um... I''ve been a trainee since I was very young, so everything from school life to hanging out with friends was new and exciting for me. I''m so d I could make many memories with you all, and I''m sad to be graduating. However, I look forward to continuing to meet you all. Thank you for everything, guys."

    ¡°Let¡¯s give him a round of apuse! Next is Yoo-Joon. Try to talk as long as Hyun-Woo did. Got it?"

    ¡°Oh no, how can I?" Yoo-Joon stood up and exchanged jokes with Kun-Ho.

    ¡°I''m in trouble. Hyun-Woo has said everything I was thinking."

    ¡°No choice then. Let''s just say something on the spot."

    ¡°Um, honestly, it feels like it is ending too quickly, and I''m sad. Being here is like going back to school and ying with friends. Sometimes, I even forgot we were filming. I purely enjoyed it."

    Even Yoo-Joon felt embarrassed to talk like this with so many friends staring, so he quickly finished and sat down. Kun-Ho looked somewhat unsatisfied but let it slide.

    Everyone finished sharing their thoughts one by one. Just then, the bell signaling the end of the first period rang. However, Kun-Ho did not leave the ssroom and proceeded with the next agenda.

    ¡°Now, only the distribution of diplomas remains. Well, usually at graduation ceremonies, parentse to celebrate, right? But since they can''t make it today¡ª"

    Unlike real high school graduations, most Memory High students'' families couldn''t make it, so the management decided not to involve the parents at all.

    ¡°It would be sad to send you off without a single bouquet on such a day, right? So, I prepared this on behalf of your families.¡±

    Kun-Ho opened the ssroom door.

    ¡°Wow, what''s that?"

    ¡°Senior is awesome."

    There were as many bouquets prepared at the door as there were students.

    ¡°Teacher, did you buy those with your own money?" asked a student in the front jokingly. Kun-Ho smiled and said, ¡°Of course, I bought them with my own money. It could be seen as the end of filming, but for you guys, it''s the start of a new chapter of life. I prepared this to celebrate. Now, let''s start distributing the diplomas. Come forward when your name is called."

    The distribution of diplomas started. Kun Ho called each person''s name and handed out diplomas and bouquets. The students, who went up without much thought, strangely hadplex expressions upon receiving their diplomas. Even Goh Yoo-Joon, who went first ording to Korean alphabetical order, was no exception.

    ¡°..." Yoo-Joon returned to his seat and looked at his diploma for a while. After that, he abruptly closed the cover andid his head on it.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon. Hey, you are not crying, are you?"

    ¡°You are not crying, right? Right?¡±

    I awkwardly patted his back in panic, but Yoo-Joon shrugged off my hand and said, ¡°Stop it. I''m not. Hey, but it feels really weird."

    ¡°You are really not crying? Don''t cry. It hurts my heart."

    ¡°What the heck?¡± Yoo-Joon still had his head down but turned slightly to look at me. Ah, he was fine.

    ¡°That''s good then." I awkwardly stopped patting his back.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yes." After waiting for a while, it was finally my turn, and I slowly walked up to Kun-Ho. I was just supposed to receive it, but I felt nervous...

    Kun-Ho chuckled softly and patted my shoulder. ¡°Chin up, Hyun-Woo."

    In the midst of this, he didn''t forget to advise me to ensure my face would be captured on camera. I lifted my head and looked at him.

    ¡°Here''s your diploma. Suh Hyun-Woo, you are an alumnus from now on. Congrattions on your graduation."

    ¡°Thank you."

    After receiving the diploma and bouquet from Kun-Ho, I instinctively looked at the diploma like the other kids. My name was at the bottom of the paper¡ªSuh Hyun-Woo.

    Ah, this was why. This was why everyone felt so strange.

    It was a diploma neither Goh Yoo-Joon nor I ever thought we''d receive, having dropped out of high school for our dreams. All the students at Memory High had their own reasons for not having a diploma until now. As a result, we all had aplex emotion that couldn''t simply be expressed as happy or sad. It was truly a mixed feeling.

    I returned to my seat and stared at the diploma for a while. Overwhelmed by an inexplicable surge of emotion, I covered the diploma andy my head on the desk. Then, a hand came over my back and creepily stroked it. Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to have been waiting for it.

    "Suh Hyun-Woo, you are not crying, are you? Don''t cry. It breaks my heart."

    <i>Geez.</i> He was so annoying. I red at Goh Yoo-Joon, who was mockingly repeating the words I had said.

    ¡°Don''t make me angry," I grumbled.

    Seeing my expression, Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled quietly.

    The distribution of diplomas was over. Now, it was truly the end. The filming at Memory High was soon to conclude.

    "Everyone truly worked hard. Congrattions on graduating once again. As this is just the beginning, I sincerely hope only happiness and good thingse your way. That''s all. ss president."

    ¡°Attention! Let''s salute the teacher."

    ¡°Thank you for everything, teacher! <i>Wo</i>!!!"

    With that, the filming in the Memory High ssroom came to an end.

    ***

    Just because the ssroom filming was over didn''t mean all the shooting for <i>Graduating</i> was done. There was onest interview after the graduation, and I heard the cameras would also apany us to the dinner.

    Usually, my interviews were conducted in sets with Goh Yoo-Joon, but today, it was done solo.

    - Congrattions on your graduation, Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Thank you."

    - How do you feel? You couldn''t speak properly earlier because your friends were around, right?

    ¡°It feels... really strange. Receiving the diploma is weird, and having school friends is surprisingly amazing."

    - Why is it amazing?

    ¡°I''ve been a trainee since elementary school, so I''ve never attended school properly. Yoo-Joon was my only friend, and now, to think that I could have fun with so many friends in such a short time is just awesome."

    Thinking about how we all became friends through the shooting and realizing that moving forward, we might not see each other often¡ªand certainly not at Memory High¡ªfilled me with boundless sadness. Memory High was such a special ce, and it was truly bittersweet to leave it behind.

    ¡°I''m really grateful for this incredible opportunity. I don''t think I will ever forget this experience, truly. It has brought me so much happiness."

    "...Cut! Well done, Hyun-Woo."

    The interview wasn''t very long since it needed to capture everyone''s thoughts. I then thanked the entire filming team and left the interview location. Su-Hwan and Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been waiting for me, leaned against the wall outside the ssroom. When they saw meing out, they approached me.

    ¡°Is it over?"

    ¡°Yeah, it''s over."

    Su-Hwan then returned my diploma and bouquet he had been holding.

    ¡°Wow, so this is really the end," Goh Yoo-Joon said while looking down at his bouquet. His voice wasden with lingering feelings, and I felt the same way.

    ¡°You both did great. Let''s take a picture against this wall for a moment."

    ¡°Okay."

    After taking a photo to post on <i>BlueBird</i>, Su-Hwan let us say our goodbyes to our friends. Hee-Su was off to a part-time job, Daniele to a photo shoot, and Joon-Hwan was being picked up by his parents, so there wasn''t much time for lengthy farewells.

    We took a group photo at the suggestion of Joon-Hwan''s parents, and then we quickly parted ways after promising to meet up again for dinner.

    ¡°We will be leaving now. Let¡¯s head to the dorm first."

    ¡°Okay."

    As our car drove out of the gate, I watched the school grow smaller in the distance before finally turning away.

    ***

    ¡°Ah, our Memory High beauties have arrived!"

    ¡°Hello!"

    ¡°Ah, Director! What''s with ''beauties''? Is that still a thing?"

    ¡°Oh, do they not use ''beauties'' anymore? What''s the term these days?"

    After the shoot wrapped up for the evening and we got word that the set was ready, we arrived at the dinner venue to find the film crew already in high spirits, cracking open bottles. We exchanged greetings with the crew and had some small talk before heading straight to where the students were gathering.

    ¡°Did you make it? Hyun-Woo, you look a bit swollen. Did you sleep?"

    ¡°I did. I was so tired when I got home. Hee-Su, did you just finish your shift?"

    ¡°Yeah. I only helped out during the evening shift so I could join tonight''s dinner."

    When we arrived and saw so many people here, we were a bit worried, but it turned out Hee-Su and the others had saved seats for us.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I took our seats across from Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and Lee Cheol-Min. Daniele came running from afar and shouted something indistinct with a bottle of alcohol in each hand. As soon as I saw the bottles, I immediately turned to look at the others.

    ¡°Hey, let''s not drink alc¡ª"

    ¡°Woo! Joon! Are you ready?!"

    ¡°Ah! How long has it been since I drank with friends!? Hey, gather your sses. I''m an expert at mixing bomb shots."

    At Hee-Su''s words, Lee Cheol-Min started quietly collecting sses with a small smile.

    <i>¡®Are they nning on drinking to oblivion today?¡¯</i>

    We were not supposed to join them.

    As Goh Yoo-Joon and I exchanged nces and steadied ourselves, the already tipsy Director suddenly stood up with a ss in hand. ¡°Alright! Kiddos! Everyone has drinks in their sses, right? Let''s make a toast!"

    One side was busy making bomb shots, and the other was gearing up for a toast.

    ¡°Can we order soda instead?" I asked.

    We had to stay sharp, or we''d quickly be part of the merry drunkenness.

 Chapter 229: Again After Rainfall (5)

    Chapter 229: Again After Rainfall (5)

    ¡°Everyone has truly outdone themselves. I think the show turned out to be much more entertaining because all the cast fit seamlessly without any issues. We really enjoyed the filming process. I hope Memory High will be a fond memory in your lives. So, for Memory High! May it live on forever!"

    ¡°May it live forever!"

    With the Director''s toast, the sound of sses clinking resonated from all corners.

    ¡°Man, well done."

    ¡°Kudos to you too, and you."

    I exchanged cheers with my friends nearby and took a swig of the soju in my ss.

    ¡°Why settle for soda on such a great asion, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°I''m not much of a drinker. Just soaking up the vibe is enough for me."

    It seemed that my young body was quite the lightweight, so I got anxious over just a drink or two. Given the way the night was shaping up, there would possibly be several toasts ahead, and Goh Yoo-Joon seemed eager to take this rare opportunity to indulge. So, I decided to stay sharp and keep an eye on him as the trusty sub-leader.¡°Lee Cheol-Min, are you not drinking?"

    At Hee-Su''s question, I nced over at Lee Cheol-Min. He hadn''t touched his drink and was merely going for the side dishes.

    ¡°I have a part-time shift early in the morning tomorrow."

    ¡°How many jobs are you juggling, exactly? Not sure if I should be impressed or..."

    ¡°Gotta make ends meet. Don''t worry about it."

    ¡°Then just focus on the meat."

    Joon-Hwan was already used to Lee Cheol-Min''s blunt way of speaking, so he piled a generous amount of grilled meat onto Lee Cheol-Min''s te.

    ¡°Cheol! Can''t you be nice for once? You are always cursing. No wonder you don''t have friends!"

    ¡°Daniele, enough with the brutal honesty."

    While Daniele and Lee Cheol-Min had their minor skirmish, the cameras that had been circling us and capturing our interactions started to retreat.

    ¡°Alright! That''s a wrap on filming! Cameras are off, so let''s eat and enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"

    ¡°Yeaaaahhh!"

    The Director''s exuberant announcement confirmed the end of the shoot.

    ¡°What? The filming is done?" Daniele brightened up and addressed Lee Cheol-Min. ¡°It''s over! Now we can do whatever we want! You, swearing maniac!"

    ¡°Ahahaha. Shut up!" Daniele''sment sent Joon-Hwan into fits ofughter. It seemed like Joon-Hwan got giggly when he got tipsy.

    ¡°Alright, everyone, let''s have a drink."

    In a burst of bravado, Goh Yoo-Joon started filling up everyone''s sses. I simplyughed and grabbed his hand. ¡°Hey, don''t fill your own ss. Stick to soda."

    However, Goh Yoo-Joon gave me a serious look, shook his head, and firmly grabbed my hand back. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, that''s not the point right now."

    ¡°Then what is?"

    ¡°The point is... I freaking adore you, man."

    Ah, he was already tipsy. Goh Yoo-Joon started clinging to me.

    ¡°¡­Let''s get some more soda."

    The real party animal and lightweight of Chronos was none other than Goh Yoo-Joon. No sooner had he arrived than he was persuaded into a drink by friends, then another by the Director, and another for the toast.

    After just three drinks and thirty minutester, Goh Yoo-Joon''s affections were overflowing. ¡°Man, you know how much I cherish you, right? Ha, you get it, right?"

    ¡°I get it, I get it. Back off, man. You are getting annoying." I tried to shake off him, who was clinging like a leech, but I eventually gave up and just shoved his ss of soju away.

    ¡°Look at that. It is so nice having a friend who takes care of you, even when you are drunk. Is Yoo-Joon wasted?"

    ¡°Yeah. He is absolutely drunk. Avoid eye contact with him. He willtch onto you if you do."

    ¡°What''s that about? Is he going to get clingy because he''s drunk?"

    As I was chatting with Hee-Su, someone shoved their body between us. ¡°Make some room."

    ¡°¡­Oh, sure. Here, sit down. Uh, On Ki-Hoon..."

    On Ki-Hoon suddenly appeared and startled Hee-Su into making space. Without a word of appreciation, On Ki-Hoon took a seat next to Lee Cheol-Min.

    His arrival felt like a cold ssh in the warm, lively atmosphere. Even Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been glued to me, snapped out of it and focused on On Ki-Hoon.

    ¡°¡­Why."

    ¡°What''s up? I came for the meat too. Why is everyone looking so grim?"

    Just look at On Ki-Hoon¡­ pretending not to notice the obvious tension with that shameless attitude. Of course, he probably didn¡¯t know that Lee Cheol-Min had spilled everything to us. So, he must have thought he could just show up at gatherings like this dinner without any issue.

    ¡°Seriously, what are you even¡ª"

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon." Goh Yoo-Joon was about to let his frustration explode, but Lee Cheol-Min cut him off and shook his head to signal him to keep quiet.

    <em>¡®Is he still wary of On Ki-Hoon, even after everything that''s happened?¡¯</em>

    The awkward dinner continued, causing me to lose my appetite.

    ¡°Daniele, could you pour me one too? Are you guys not drinking?" asked On Ki-Hoon.

    ¡°<em>Pffft</em>, you pour for yourself! I''m all out of hands here!"

    ¡°..."

    On Ki-Hoon ignored Daniele''s re and filled his own ss before offering me some. ¡°What about you, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°I''ve got a schedule to stick to tomorrow morning, and I have to take care of this guy," I replied, nodding toward Goh Yoo-Joon, who clearly wasn''t in the best of moods.

    ¡°It''s a shame. Dinners like this are always more fun with a bit of alcohol. At the dinners after my dramas, everyone loved to drink, and we had a great time."

    His attempt to keep the conversation going, despite our clearck of interest, made me wonder if it might seem like we were the ones giving On Ki-Hoon a hard time. Thankfully, no one outside the filming crew was here to witness this.

    As we ufortably muddled through the dinner, On Ki-Hoon, who had been quiet for a bit, suddenly shed a big smile at Lee Cheol-Min. ¡°But Cheol-Min, why haven''t you been responding to my textstely?"

    <em>¡®Is this guy for real?¡¯</em>

    ¡°I¡¯ve been busy."

    ¡°Too busy to even reply to my texts, but you had time to go to Suh Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon''s fan meeting? That''s a bit troubling, isn''t it?"

    ¡°..."

    ¡°No matter how many shifts you are taking, I must be much busier than you are. Why don''t we step outside for a chat?"

    ¡°Hey, what are you doing?" I asked.

    As the atmosphere had turned incredibly awkward, I threw my chopsticks at On Ki-Hoon with frustration, causing them to fall to the floor. That was when On Ki-Hoon finally looked at me with a frown. ¡°What did you just throw at me?"

    ¡°Chopsticks. Look, Cheol-Min definitely seems ufortable. What''s this ''let''s talk outside'' business? Just say it here."

    ¡°..."

    In the noisy room, nobody paid us any attention, with the cameras off and no mics in sight. It was a moment where I could act without thinking too much about the consequences.

    ¡°What are you trying to do, acting like this?" On Ki-Hoon asked.

    ¡°What do you mean?"

    ¡°Where there''s smoke, there''s fire. How long do you think you can keep threatening people for screen time? Read the room and back off," I remarked.

    ¡°..."

    On Ki-Hoon was cunning. He would pick on someone without power or money, but he was infinitely weak against real celebrities, especially those more popr than him. This guy might be sneaky, but he didn''t have the guts to publicly discuss our little spat, especially in an industry where poprity was power.

    ¡°Lee Cheol-Min, if you''ve blocked On Ki-Hoon, keep it that way. If he calls, record everything," I said.

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°Let''s see how long a rookie actor canst doing this kind of thing."

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, this doesn''t really concern you. It¡¯s none of your business."

    ¡°If you don''t like it, stop bothering him and leave. Who is watching whom here? On Ki-Hoon, you should be the one cautious around Lee Cheol-Min."

    Lee Cheol-Min had a trove of messages from On Ki-Hoon. How arrogant must On Ki-Hoon have been to not consider that he might be exposed? In many ways, he was an annoying and incredibly foolish guy.

    On Ki-Hoon looked offended and got up after a moment of just staring at the floor. ¡°I''m leaving. See you around."

    It was frustrating how only the powerless ended up as victims. For now, the most I could do was argue on behalf of Lee Cheol-Min. In the end, On Ki-Hoon would probably be portrayed as a somewhat nice rookie actor in <em>Graduating</em> and Lee Cheol-Min as a socially awkward participant.

    Perhaps this would prevent Lee Cheol-Min from impulsively responding to On Ki-Hoon''s contacts after filming, and hopefully, it wouldn¡¯t spiral into a series of retaliatory exposures, ultimately causing all the cast to be overly cautious. However, I couldn''t help but feel it was not exactly the ideal conclusion.

    Just like the saying, where there was fire, there was smoke. In one way or another, On Ki-Hoon was bound to vanish from the industry, either quietly or with a bang. Yet, it was sad to think we would run into each other on various shows for the time being, given we were both entertainers and alumni of Memory High.

    ¡°<em>Sigh</em>... What a life. Lee Cheol-Min, keep him blocked from your contacts. And can you get me some new chopsticks¡­?" I asked.

    ¡°Huh? Oh." Lee Cheol-Min awkwardly put away his phone he''d been fiddling with.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, didn''t you have a couple of drinks earlier? Does he usually get rough when he''s drunk?"

    ¡°No,st time he was drunk, he was actually kind of cute. You know, all the cooing and stuff?"

    Just like that, Goh Yoo-Joon''s drunken behavior kicked off again. I grimaced and smacked him on the back. ¡°Please stop. You are going to regret this when you sober up and reflect on it."

    I didn¡¯t have much thoughtst time, but listening to him sober made me want to run away.

    ¡°For someone who usually keeps his cool, you must have really been fed up... Don''t worry. Next time, I will take care of it. Suh Hyun-Woo, only focus on the good stuff from now on, okay? I got you, I got you,¡± said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. That''s just your way of saying you love Chronos, right?"

    ¡°You got it. Where is Su-Hwan hyung?"

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung is over there."

    <em>¡®Go talk to him and get scolded, dude.¡¯</em>

    As I pointed, Goh Yoo-Joon dashed over to Su-Hwan with a meat wrap in hand. It looked like Su-Hwan had be his next target for affection.

    While I was incredulously watching Goh Yoo-Joon feeding Su-Hwan, someone tapped my shoulder.

    ¡°...Whoa, you startled me," I said.

    It was Lee Cheol-Min.

    ¡°Hey, let''s step outside for a sec."

    ¡°To fight?" I asked half-jokingly, but Lee Cheol-Min shook his head to indicate he had something on his mind. So, I got up and followed him without hesitation.

 Chapter 230: Again After Rainfall (6)

    Chapter 230: Again After Rainfall (6)

    ¡°Fuck, I¡¯m in trouble.¡± ??Lee Cheol-Min realized he was screwed.

    ¡°Yeah..."

    ¡°Don''t you dare swear! You son of a bi-a-shhh"

    ¡°Daniele! You are the one swearing..."

    ¡°Good thing no one is around... It''s so embarrassing. Let''s take him inside before anyone sees us."

    Lee Cheol-Min tried to keep a straight face and said, ¡°Fuck off, you guys. Please get the fuck off!"

    He had only pulled Suh Hyun-Woo outside to express his gratitude. Despite his pride and the embarrassment it brought him, he just wanted to thank Suh Hyun-Woo privately and ask for his number¡­

    <em>¡®How did it end up like this? Damn it. Ugh, geez.''</em>

    He just wanted to disappear from the situation as he wondered what went wrong, but the answer was pretty simple.When he took Suh Hyun-Woo outside, they were stopped by several groups from the filming crew. The filming crew usually left the regr cast members to their own devices and asionally called over Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon. Since both were neers to the industry and both sides were likely to cross paths often, they offered the two of them drinks along with some encouraging words. This happened a few times even as Lee Cheol-Min was taking Suh Hyun-Woo outside.

    Suh Hyun-Woo usually stuck to drinking soda by iming he couldn''t handle alcohol well. However, he found it hard to refuse drinks offered by adults and ended up having several rounds of soju. By the time they stepped outside, he was already slightly tipsy. Now, after having four more drinks outside, making it six in total, Suh Hyun-Woo seemed thoroughly drunk.

    ¡°Do you progress through stages of drunkenness or something?"

    Suh Hyun-Woo responded to Lee Cheol-Min''s irritated question. ¡°Uh¡­ yeah¡­ I guess so¡­¡±

    ¡°First, you areshing out with chopsticks, and now what?"

    The real spectacle wasn''t just Suh Hyun-Woo''s behavior. If he had been the only drunk one, Lee Cheol-Min could have just sucked it up, taken him back inside, and handed him over to his manager...

    However, Lee Cheol-Min''s real trial and tribtion started when Goh Yoo-Joon and Daniele followed them outside. On top of that, Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan also tagged along to calm Daniele down. Here they were, making a ruckus in front of Lee Cheol-Min.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung said he won''t let you off the hook tomorrow."

    ¡°Yeah..."

    ¡°It''s just a wrap with meat. Would you eat it if I wrapped it for you? Huh? You would, right? We are Chronos, aren''t we? Right?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°I will wrap it for you then!" Goh Yoo-Joon was overly affectionate toward Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Where are you going!? Joon! Don''t go! Stay here! There''s no wrap! What? Wrap? Isn''t that a swear word? Oh no!"

    ¡°Hey, Daniele, you are no small-time swearer yourself! Ease up! Use pretty words!"

    This one was swearing about not swearing while holding bottles of alcohol.

    At least, Jeong Hee-Su and Yoo Joon-Hwan seemed somewhat sober, but Lee Cheol-Min felt out of ce among them.

    Lee Cheol-Min stood up and sighed, ¡°Anyway, what I wanted to say was."

    He raised his voice a bit, and everyone except a drowsy Suh Hyun-Woo turned to look at him.

    ¡°Hey, this is meant for you to hear."

    However, Suh Hyun-Woo seemed half asleep.

    ¡®<em>This is ridiculous.¡¯</em>

    Lee Cheol-Min looked at him and said, ¡°Thanks. That''s it. I''ve said it."

    His cheeks flushed red, and he intended to step back into the restaurant. However, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jeong Hee-Su rushed over with mischievous smiles and clung to him.

    ¡°Where are you going? Why leave when you have no other friends but us? Are you going to grill meat all by yourself?"

    ¡°Ah, fuck. I don''t want to be here, okay?"

    ¡°No way, that''s not happening."

    ¡°What do you mean?"

    ¡°Let''s go back in when you sober up a bit. Where are you off to after all?"

    Lee Cheol-Min was forcibly seated by the two. Except for a quietly seething Lee Cheol-Min and a drowsy Suh Hyun-Woo, the kids were making quite the ruckus. Lee Cheol-Min felt a pang of bitterness, realizing the kids were this lively even in the absence of On Ki-Hoon and himself. He had always wanted to create memories with people like them. That was his intention right until he first set foot on the path to <em>Graduating.</em> How did things end up like this?

    ¡°Hey." Lee Cheol-Min''s voice brought the noisy crowd to silence. After hesitating for a while, he finally said. ¡°Thanks to all of you too. I know you might not have the best feelings toward me, but I appreciate you looking out for me like this."

    ¡°Ah,e on, that''s what friends are for."

    ¡°Friends are supposed to fight and make up. That was the life lesson I got. To be honest, I didn''t have friends in high school, so I just learned it from this program."

    ¡°You too? Me too. Hahaha! Anyway, now you are just another friend among us, Cheol-Min."

    ¡°Wow, how can you guys be so nice? I seriously love you guys so much. May our friendshipst forever¡ª"

    Jeong Hee-Su interrupted Goh Yoo-Joon and pushed him toward Suh Hyun-Woo. ¡°You both are going to get scolded by your manager tomorrow. Keep it down for now, okay?"

    Amidst theughter-filled conversation, Lee Cheol-Min couldn''t bring himself to smile. His mind was flooded with all the wrongs he had done to them up until now. After much contemtion and lip-biting, Lee Cheol-Min finally managed to blurt out, ¡°Can I text you guys sometimes? Like, when I want to drink? Since I don''t have many friends."

    ¡°You can call anytime."

    Only then did Lee Cheol-Min manage to eke out a small smile, his ears turning red. And so, thest night at Memory High came to a close.

    ***

    ¡°Being able to feel all your love right until the end has been truly gratifying. We will return with even better music and performances. Thank you!"

    ¡°Thank you so much!"

    - Yes, congrattions to Chronos on your win. Please get ready for your encore performance!

    - Oh, also we are finally weing them back, aren''t we?

    - Yes, indeed! Theeback of High Tension is next week! We are looking forward to theireback stage, so please stay tuned! We will be back next week with another great lineup.

    - Live show <em>Music Case</em>! See you next time! Goodbye!"

    As the MCs bid farewell, the intro to "Joy" started to y, and we followed our nned first-ce celebration by lying down on the stage and starting our song.

    ¡°Rings, we are truly grateful! Thank you so much!"

    ¡°Just wait a bit longer, okay? We will be back before you know it!"

    The end of "Joy" schedules followed the wrap-up of <em>Graduating.</em> While it did not capture the same mainstream sess as ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± it was an incredibly precious time that definitely bolstered Chronos''s growth. It was our first time juggling both stage performances and variety show appearances, and it was fantastically fun.

    ¡°Great job, everyone!!!"

    ¡°<em>Phew</em>!!!"

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work!"

    After finishing the encore, we were greeted in the dressing room by a cake celebrating the end of our activities. We took photos with the cake and shared our final thoughts on camera, concluding our second album promotions.

    As soon as we wrapped up our second album, our next destination was the meeting ce for <em>Again After Rainfall</em>.

    ***

    <em>Again After Rainfall </em>was a variety show where a single celebrity became the manager for multiple singers and arranged international stages for them. The plot was broadly divided into two parts:

    1. The celebrity in the manager role had to promote the singers to international producers, nners, and stage personnel, aiming to secure performances for them.

    2. The singers would perform on stages and in guerri street concerts, drawing reactions from the crowd with their singing prowess.

    In Season One, the role of the manager was yed by aedian and actor who added fun to the show by making impromptu decisions to break through and set up stages. They even shed tears in the process. The singers were some of the most renowned solo artists in South Korea, bringing musical delight to the audience.

    <em>Again After Rainfall</em> garnered significant public acim, leading to the inception of Season Two. The confirmed participants for Season Two were none other than us, Chronos, and Reina.

    ¡°For Season Two, we aim to explore a different kind of concept than Season One."

    ¡°What kind of different concept...?"

    The writer answered Joo-Han''s question, ¡°National pride."

    ¡°Excuse me?"

    The writer exined, ¡°National pride. Considering the poprity of K-POP abroad, we thought, how about showing off idols who are perfect not just in singing but in dancing too? They can perform on the streets and on stages, fit to be presented to international producers."

    The director nodded in agreement to the writer''s idea and said, ¡°The manager role was given to Reina because she had reached out to us directly. We thought Reina would bring more interesting scenes to the show, so we asked her in line with what the writer suggested."

    I looked through the proposal. Unlike Season One, which was quite improvised, this season already had bookings with famous international figures and venues, not counting producers and event nners Reina had personally reached out to for meetings. I wondered if it was okay to cast us, who had rtively low international recognition, in such a heavily invested program.

    Then Reina said, ¡°I volunteered for the manager role because I have a keen interest in producing and managing singers. It seems like a great opportunity in many ways. Beyond just being a part of a show, I n to raise Chronos¡¯s international recognition as high as possible."

    ¡°Wow... Oh, <em>heup</em>." Jin-Sung couldn''t help but let out an impressed exmation before covering his mouth.

    ¡°I am sorry."

    The producer smiled contentedly and said, ¡°We trust Reina. We will give her as much freedom as possible. Please take good care of it."

    ¡°Yes, for sure. Leave it to me," replied Reina. After that, she looked at Su-Hwan. ¡°First of all, the proposal has been prepared by the producer, the writer, and myself. What we''d like to ask YMM is to focus on vocal and dance practices for the cast, along with English and Japanese lessons."

    ¡°Ah, yes, understood." Su-Hwan quickly noted down Reina''s requests.

    ¡°Even if they can''t converse fluently, please focus on simple greetings and the pronunciation of the songs they will perform. We''d also appreciate it if you could arrange for anguage teacher to apany them on-site to help with song pronunciations."

    ¡°...Wow! Ah! I am sorry." Yoon-Chan let out an impressed exmation before hastily apologizing.

    <em>¡®Is this the charisma of an award-winning singer?¡¯</em>

    Reina had the influence to participate in nning, the unconditional trust of industry insiders, and well-founded confidence... With such an impressive individual promising to boost our recognition through the broadcast, what could we do? Of course, it was to express our gratitude and dedication.

    ¡°Thank you! We are counting on you! We will do our best!"

    Our only task was not to ruin Reina¡¯s reputation and effort. We had to fervently polish our skills and ensure that we didn''t be a burden.

 Chapter 231: Again After Rainfall (7)

    <h4>Chapter 231: Again After Rainfall (7)</h4>

    Right after finishing our album-rted schedules, we started our English lessons for <i>Again After Rainfall.</i> These weren''t your typical lessons focused on memorizing vocabry and practicing conversations. Instead, the lessons were aimed at correcting the pronunciation of the songs we''d perform during the shows and rifying the meanings of the lyrics to help us convey more emotion.

    Three members of our group, including myself, struggled with English. Therefore, these lessons were incredibly beneficial for us. Since they were integrated with singing, they never felt tedious. However, Jin-Sung always looked like he was about to cry every time we headed for a lesson.

    Now, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung were out for their lesson, while Goh Yoo-Joon and I were bustling about in the kitchen to prepare for our <i>Q-app </i>broadcast.

    I said, ¡°There''s no way we have beef at home. We need to buy some."

    ¡°Yes, we do. Su-Hwan hyung said he bought some yesterday. Right, hyung?"

    ¡°Yes. We usually store beef in the freezer, not the fridge, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Ah." I had been looking in the fridge, so I sheepishly smiled. I then fetched the beef from the freezer and ced it on the table.

    Today was March 5th, Yoon-Chan''s birthday. For myst birthday, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung had made me a soy sauce-vored seaweed soup, so this time, it was Goh Yoo-Joon''s and my turn.

    We were determined not to repeat their mistake, so we made sure to use soup soy sauce instead of regr soy sauce and prepared dried seaweed slices. We were set on making the best seaweed soup for Yoon-Chan.

    After getting the ingredients ready, we stood at the dining table.

    ¡°Hyung, we are all set," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    I remarked, ¡°The title of the broadcast should be ''It''s here. It''s finally here. The day of revenge.¡¯"

    ¡°What do you mean by the day of revenge? We are going to make it tasty." Goh Yoo-Joon skeptically raised an eyebrow at my words.

    ¡°You? Me? Us? Tasty? Have you ever cooked seaweed soup before?"

    ¡°No, but I heard seaweed soup is easy to make. I even printed out a recipe."

    ¡°Yoon-Chan printed out a recipest time too."

    ¡°...Did he? We are in trouble then."

    From a distance, Joo-Han sighed, ¡°What are we going to do with these two dummies? I can''t watch this."

    ¡°We are starting the live broadcast," said Su-Hwan.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung, you''ve gotten too used to their banter, haven''t you?"

    ¡°It''s entertaining."

    ¡°Shh, shh! The livestream started. Hello! Wee, Rings!"

    I was startled by Goh Yoo-Joon''s loud greeting and shook my head. ¡°No, they haven''te in yet, have they? Oh, they have?"

    I had forgotten to bring the phone to check the chat. I couldn''t see the messages, but I could see the chat filling up.

    ¡°They are here. Hello."

    ¡°Hello. It''s Yoo-Joon and..."

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo here. The reason we''ve started this live session today is..."

    <i>Thud!</i>

    Joo-Han still looked at us with disdain and tossed my phone onto the table.

    ¡°Thanks. Now we can check the chat. Everyone knows what day it is today, right?"

    - AHAHAHA

    - Joo-Han''s expression lmao ??

    - I''ve been waiting for this...hehe

    - HAHAHA the day of revenge? What a title ??

    - Aaah... I was wondering who''d show up today ??This is me crying in happiness.

    "See, they heard everything Joo-Han hyung said. Yes, today is Yoon-Chan''s birthday, and we, the hyungs, are going to make him seaweed soup," I said.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo has sharpened the knife for a bloody revenge."

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, <i>ugh</i>." I pushed away Goh Yoo-Joon, who was sticking close to read the chat, and shook my head.

    ¡°Keep it a secret from Yoon-Chan. He''s at thepany now, and our goal is to finish it before he returns. We even brought a recipe."

    - Hyun-Woo-yahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

    - I am so d I stayed awake instead of taking a nap.

    - OMG, the same-age-duo ??

    - It feels like d¨¦j¨¤ vu, I swear I''ve seen this scenest year too lol

    - LOL, this recipe looks familiar! ??

    I was confident that as long as we got the measurements right, failing would be more surprising. However, judging from the chat, it seemed like none of the Rings believed in us.

    I ignored the chat and hurried to move on. ¡°First, we need to soak the seaweed and thaw the beef."

    ¡°Huh? Shouldn''t we have thawed the beef beforehand?" asked Goh Yoo-Joon as he raised the frozen solid beef package. Indeed, he was right. As soon as I looked at the first part of the recipe, I realized that.

    Goh Yoo-Joon banged the beef a couple of times before cutting the package open with scissors. ¡°We can just heat this up. I''ve seen mom thaw frozen pork for spicy stir-fry directly on the pan before."

    ¡°Your mom? Or my mom?"

    ¡°Your mom."

    ¡°Ah... I knew it!"

    The absurdity of the conversation made me chuckle as I soaked the dried seaweed in water.

    ¡°We need to stir-fry that beef in sesame oil," I mentioned.

    ording to the recipe, making seaweed soup was supposed to be incredibly simple, hardly involving any intricate steps. It was just about stir-frying the beef, adding the seaweed, water, and seasoning. I took the phone from the tripod to film Goh Yoo-Joon cooking the beef.

    - Please nooo ???? It''s really dangerous...

    - Be my boyfriend.

    - Please read the chat... ?? It''s not safe, Yoo-Joon...

    - LOL, you are not supposed to stir-fry frozen meat in sesame oil ???? Hyun-Woo ?? Yoon-Chan ??

    - If the manager is watching, please stop them!!!

    - ??

    ¡°Eh? Wait, hold on." I paused in confusion and grabbed Goh Yoo-Joon''s wrist.

    ¡°Why?"

    ¡°They are saying it''s dangerous. That we shouldn''t do this," I said. It seemed like the Rings were relieved that we noticed their warnings.

    <i>¡®So what do we do with the frozen meat? We can''t start without stir-frying the meat, but we can''t stir-fry the meat right now.¡¯</i>

    Thawing took too long, and the livestream had already started. As the sub-leader of Chronos, I had toe up with something. ¡°Let''s do this instead."

    I took the meat from Goh Yoo-Joon''s hands and brought it to the safer part of the kitchen.

    ¡°Just watch from there," I said.

    ¡°You are going to stir-fry it? But you said it''s dangerous."

    ¡°Because the oil stters too much, right? It''s fine. I''m a Chronos member." I had to do this because there was not much time left.

    As I confidently stood in front of the frying pan, Goh Yoo-Joon handed me a pot lid as a shield. ¡°We are Chronos, so this is okay. Don''t worry, everyone. Maybe if we put it in and cover it immediately, it will be fine, right?"

    ¡°Let''s go, Sub-leader!"

    ¡°Both of you are the same. <i>Tsk</i>." We ignored Joo-Han''s muttering, and I poured the beef into the sesame oil.

    ¡°Eek."

    ¡°Wow!" As the oil sttered loudly, I grimaced and quickly covered it with the lid. The beef inside the pan started popping like popcorn.

    ¡°See? It''s fine like this. Right? Hahaha."

    Despite the Rings'' worries, the sizzling beef eventually calmed down. After that, Goh Yoo-Joon and I worked together to add the seaweed, stir-fry it, and swiftly move everything to a pot to boil. Even though the process was chaotic, the boiling seaweed soup started to smell quite decent as time passed.

    While the seaweed soup was boiling, we sat down and revisited the chat. We lightly conversed with the Rings, and I sneakily asked, ¡°By the way, everyone, do you have any units or duet songs you''d like to see?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon added, ¡°Like, any song or memberbination you''d want to hear? Anything''s fine, not just me and Hyun-Woo but including other members too."

    ¡°Why we are asking is a secret. It''s just something nice. Dance songs are fine too."

    The Rings seemed momentarily taken aback by our sudden question but soon shared many suggestions on songs they''d like to hear and the members they''d want to perform together. The essence was this: It was about choosing songs to perform on <i>Again After Rainfall</i>.

    There was a general consensus that just picking songs we liked wouldn''t bring anything new. We then thought who could analyze our vocal colors and suggest suitable songs better than our fans? So, as a small event and gift, we nned to fill all the unit and solo performances on <i>Again After Rainfall</i> with song requests from our fans.

    ¡°Ah, that song is really nice," responded Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°The Rings seem to have a wide musical spectrum. As expected!" I nodded and gave them a thumbs up.

    The popr units among the Rings were quite predictable, with the most requested being me and Goh Yoo-Joon, who were live at the moment. Their requests were followed by me and Jin-Sung, then Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, and so on.

    However, unlike the fixed units, the songs rmended by the fans spanned a wide range of genres¡ªsongs we hadn''t considered, but which, upon reflection, seemed like a great fit for the respective members. It was a good thing we asked.

    It seemed the units for the limited performances were settled, so Joo-Han and I could work on selecting and arranging the songs. We naturally shifted the conversation to other topics, including stories from the <i>Graduating</i> after-party and daily TMI. Joo-Han had left earlier as he was unable to watch our cooking, but he then returned with a cake.

    Just as we were seasoning the seaweed soup and setting the table, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung returned home.

    ¡°This is... seaweed soup? What''s this?"

    ¡°We are back..."

    ¡°Huh, when did you start the broadcast? Did you guys make seaweed soup?"

    ¡°Come here quick. We really put a lot of effort into this."

    Goh Yoo-Joon approached Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung while showing them his arms. ¡°Look, we got sttered with oil! Even if it doesn''t taste good, you have to pretend it does."

    ¡°But Yoon-Chan, sorry. We don''t have rice. Should we buy some?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, if it doesn''t taste good, I bought a cake. So, just eat that, okay?" said Joo-Han.

    As we were excitedly chatting, Yoon-Chan was just standing there with tears welling up in his eyes. He was speechless. ¡°Hyungs... I thought just receiving birthday wishes was enough... but you did all this for me..."

    Joo-Han quietly approached to check on Yoon-Chan''s face and then gestured for us toe over. ¡°Come here. Come and give Yoon-Chan a hug."

    Tears started streaming down Yoon-Chan''s face like little pebbles. Honestly, the soup wasn''t tear-jerkingly good, so I was a bit concerned.

 Chapter 232: Again After Rainfall (8)

    Chapter 232: Again After Rainfall (8)

    ¡°It''s really okay. I will enjoy it. I am already deeply touched just by the thought.¡±

    Yoon-Chan managed to say this through his teary eyes, and both Goh Yoo-Joon and I were left in awe. How could anyone be this kind-hearted? After all, all we had prepared for Yoon-Chan''s birthday was a lonely bowl of seaweed soup on our big dining table.

    Sure, we had ns to dig into some delicious fried chicken after the livestream, but as birthday feasts go, this was embarrassingly modest.

    ¡°No, wait up, Yoon-Chan. I will heat up some rice for us," I said. I slipped away to fetch the instant rice while Goh Yoo-Joon discreetly ced the chocte cake that Joo-Han had bought on the table.

    ¡°Don''t worry, guys. This is just the appetizer. We''ve got a whole feasting up," Joo-Han reassured our audience and popped into frame.

    - Lol, are you exining after putting in all that effort?

    - Seaweed soup as an appetizer? ??

    - What are you going to eatter???

    - Why the exnation after cooking it so well? ??As I warmed up the rice, I announced, ¡°We are going to have chicken in a bit!"

    Despite the modest spread, we weren''t tormenting Yoon-Chan for sure.

    ¡°But you all know, right? Didn¡¯t everyone see it? Hyun-Woo and I really put our all into making this. Just remember that, Yoon-Chan. We truly tried our best."

    Yoon-Chan responded, ¡°It''s really okay... I mean I made soy sauce soup for Hyun-Woo hyung''s birthday."

    - AHAHAHA, soy sauce soup ??

    - So the Rings knows it as soy sauce soup too lol ??

    - Can we make seaweed soup for every member''s birthday from now on? ??

    - LOL, just casually calling it soy sauce soup ??

    I ced the warmed rice on the table and sat next to Yoon-Chan, who seemed overwhelmed by the attention. He hesitantly looked at the seaweed soup again before suddenly sniffling.

    ¡°¡­Are you crying again, hyung? Wow, you are really soft. Too kind."

    Despite Jin-Sung''s murmurs, Yoon-Chan tried to hold back tears and scooped up a spoonful of the seaweed soup, tasting it. ¡°Uh-huh, delicious¡­"

    It was quite literally a tear-soaked seaweed soup.

    ¡°Why are you crying? Cut it out! Who made Yoon-Chan cry?" reprimanded Joo-Han.

    ¡°Hey, Joo-Han! How is it our fault? Yoon-Chan, it''s delicious, right? Tasty?" Goh Yoo-Joon mimicked Daniele. I then nudged him and pushed the cake toward Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°Quiet down a bit, Yoo-Joon. Don''t force yourself to eat just because we have cake, okay Yoon-Chan?"

    From experience, homemade seaweed soup always tasted good, even if it was not.

    Yoon-Chan sobbed heavily and shook his head vigorously. ¡°No, I really mean it. It''s delicious¡­"

    Seeing Yoon-Chan cry from being moved made the other members uproariously noisy.

    ¡°See? Told you it''s good. Hyung, try a bite."

    ¡°No thanks."

    ¡°Come on, I will give you five thousand won. Please, just one bite. It''s a gesture from your brother!" Goh Yoo-Joon teased Joo-Han as he was unable to stand the gloomy atmosphere. However, as a result, he got pped on the back.

    I took the chance to tap Jin-Sung on the back and whispered, ¡°Jin-Sung, take Yoon-Chan to wash his face, will you?"

    ¡°Uh? Okay." Jin-Sung led Yoon-Chan to the bathroom.

    Joo-Han finally took a bite of the seaweed soup and refused to have any more. With that, the chaotic scene somehow came to a close.

    When Yoon-Chan finally stopped crying and returned, we moved to the more spacious living room. We lit candles on the cake and sang the birthday song to celebrate Yoon-Chan''s first birthday since Chronos''s debut.

    Afterward, we reflected on the activities during the "Joy" promotion period as we enjoyed the cake.

    ¡°Didn''t we try a lot of new things during this period?"

    ¡°Yeah, especially the variety shows. Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon did <em>Graduation, </em>while Joo-Han hyung and I appeared on variety shows too."

    ¡°Most importantly, we had the fandom inauguration ceremony. Yeah, Rings, the ceremony!" Goh Yoo-Joon boasted, causing Jin-Sung to rummage behind the bed ande back waving a light stick.

    ¡°Did you all enjoy ourst album?¡± Joo-Han''s question prompted rapid responses in the chat.

    ¡°We will make the next album even cooler. Let''s try concerts and overseas promotions for Chronos next time!"

    ¡°Yeah!"

    Unlike the "Parade" activities that focused more on performances, "Joy" aimed to boost the domestic recognition of the members. Although we achieved our goals to some extent with individual variety show appearances, it was disappointing that the overseas reaction was lukewarm. Indeed, raising overseas recognition from scratch was a challenging task.

    The buzz created by the previous dance challenge fizzled out impressively fast after the activities ended. While the music videos and universe concept managed to catch the attention of overseas K-POP fans, "Joy," which was filled with ad-libs that mostly resonated with the domestic audience, barely attracted any core fans from overseas.

    On top of that, YMM was passive with their marketing and would only put in significant effort when clear opportunities presented themselves. Without a noticeable international breakthrough, akin to the response seen from thest dance challenge, any substantial overseas expansion seemed unlikely.

    Also, Allure only started having concerts overseas many years after their debut.

    Therefore, Joo-Han and I thought about giving <em>Again After Rainfall</em> a shot.

    ¡°Anyway, we will bring some great news soon, so stay healthy and take good care of yourselves until then."

    ¡°We will make time tomunicate with you while we prepare, Rings!"

    ¡°You will see us sooner than you expect!" Goh Yoo-Joon spoke with a swagger.

    As we kept addingments, Su-Hwan gave us a signal to wrap up.

    ¡°Alright, then it''s time to end the live. Let''s say goodbye. We are!"

    ¡°We are Chronos! Thank you!"

    ¡°See you next time!"

    The livestream ended. As some of us cleaned up the kitchen and lounged in the living room, Yoon-Chan scooped up a bit more of the seaweed soup despite knowing about the chicken order. Perhaps he was being considerate and eating more, thinking that Goh Yoo-Joon and I might feel bad if he didn¡¯t.

    Soon, the fried chicken arrived at the dorm, and we called it a day after celebrating Yoon-Chan''s birthday once more.

    I slept early because we had our final meeting and rehearsal for <em>Again After Rainfall </em>the next morning<em>. </em>Yoo-Joon then told me that Yoon-Chan had turned on the <em>Q-app </em>live session again by himself right after we wrapped up.

    It was his first time doing it alone, and he did a great job continuing the broadcast while lying on the bed, sharing his stories and answering the Rings¡¯ questions. I saw a few short videos on <em>BlueBird</em>, and when a fan asked why Yoon-Chan cried so much while eating seaweed soup, he responded like this¡­

    ¡°I realized I''m a precious little brother to my hyungs as they went through the trouble of cooking for me, even if they didn¡¯t enjoy cooking. After all, I joined them muchter during trainee days and didn¡¯t have much interaction with them. But now, I realize they love me so much¡­"

    Yoon-Chan''s live broadcast was filled with stories of love from us. After watching it, Joo-Han happily decided that the next solo song would be Yoon-Chan''s.

    ***

    The shooting of <em>Again After Rainfall </em>wasing up soon. However, the original n to shoot in both Japan and the USA was changed to staying in the USA the whole time. Various websites and social media also shared news of Chronos, Reina, and other cast members participating in the show.

    The lineup announcement was quite a hot topic, especially because Reina personally recruited the famous international artist Callia Lawrence for a regr appearance on the show. Our members and the agency took a very serious approach to preparing for this variety show, which was as popr as ever and had received several times more investment than the previous season.

    In the meeting room, Supervisor Kim looked back and forth between Joo-Han and me and said, ¡°We''ve discussed the ideas that Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo proposed, and we decided to go with your suggestion. We asked with the <em>Again After Rainfall </em>team, and they said they were nning to release all the songs on <em>UTube </em>anyway. It would help with promotion if it bes a trend clip before the broadcast.¡±

    ¡°But they are going to restrict the overall filming, and only street performances can be filmed," Mr. Seong added.

    I nodded in satisfaction. "That''s enough."

    Joo-Han and I recently suggested through YMM that some part of the performance in <em>Again After Rainfall </em>should be allowed to be filmed by the audience. It would help with the pre-promotion of the show, and we also had to pay attention to the overseas K-POP fans. Performances filmed by the audience could be uploaded to their social media as if they were pre-released, creating a secondary promotional effect.

    Also, Chronos¡¯s <em>UTube </em>camera should be able to film us as well. While it needed to be discussed separately before we uploaded it, this meant we could upload Chronos''s street performances and famous international cover songs to our channel for overseas-targeted marketing.

    Supervisor Kim viewed our proposal very favorably and would surely discuss it well with the <em>Again After Rainfall </em>team as he was a negotiation genius.

    He flipped through his notebook and said, ¡°You are all practicing English, right? It''s okay if it''s a bit awkward. At least, you should be able to immerse yourself in the song without being disturbed by the pronunciation."

    Hearing Supervisor Kim''s words, Jin-Sung made a sad face. ¡°My tongue doesn''t move as I want it to, Supervisor. I feel like I''m going to be estranged from English for life."

    Supervisor Kim chuckled andforted Jin-Sung. ¡°You can''t be estranged from English. It looks so cool to be able to sing and rap well in English, don¡¯t you think?"

    ¡°¡­That''s true. I saw Jin-Wook hyung''s cover the other day¡ª" Jin-Sung excitedly poured out his fan love for Kim Jin-Wook.

    Supervisor Kim shook his head as if he was tired of Jin-Sung fanboying, and I quickly covered Jin-Sung''s mouth with my hand. ¡°Please continue, Supervisor."

    ¡°Right, anyway, do your best during English lessons. Since you are all going to the USA together, keep checking the pronunciation from time to time. Uh¡­." Supervisor Kim paused, coughed, and seemed to be gearing up to say something important.

    When everyone''s attention focused on him, he said, ¡°I will talk about our personal goal here. Our biggest goal is to impress Callia Lawrence."

    ¡°¡­Excuse me?"

    ¡°Of course, finishing the filming safely is one thing, but the goal is to impress the top-tier artist Callia Lawrence andy the groundwork for a coboration."

    Out of nowhere? Callia Lawrence was a leading star of this era and, fortunately, we got the opportunity to film with her together. However, would such a sought-after person think about coborating with us, who were practically unknown overseas?

    Supervisor Kim seemed to read my thoughts and continued, ¡°Just sing and dance hard as you always do, but a bit better. We will handle the negotiations."

    ¡°It is just one goal, but if we seed in that, it could be a significant turning point for Chronos. Let¡¯s prepare thoroughly with that idea in mind,¡± Mr. Seong added.

    Usually, the YMM¡¯s marketing strategy would be so passive that it was frustrating, but the moment an opportunity arose, they kicked into high gear to get ready for a big shot. This time, ourpany once again prepared to quietly set aside the oars it was holding and attach a motor to the boat for greater sess¡ª<em>cough</em>, money.

 Chapter 233: Again After Rainfall (9)

    Chapter 233: Again After Rainfall (9)

    ¡°Getting a license was pretty easy. I don''t know. Anyway, you will get it quickly. You should get one too, hyung," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Why do I need one when I have you guys?" asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°Wow, I am so envious of you guys. Can you drive now, hyung? That''s awesome!" said Jin-Sung.

    It seemed that I had promised Goh Yoo-Joon to get my driver''s license as soon as I became an adult with him. Goh Yoo-Joon urged me to finish this task as soon as possible before leaving for the shooting of <em>Again After Rainfall</em>, and I happily agreed to get the license with him.

    I had driving experience from my past life, so I was able to get my license without much difficulty.

    ¡°Haah..." I sighed and looked at the scenery outside the car. The members were excited as if on a pic, but I was not happy at all.

    Today was the departure day for <em>Again After Rainfall. </em>Although everyone was looking forward to it, I was trembling with anxiety every day, even as I practiced hard. My heart was unable to calm down and my hands trembled nonstop. When I lifted my head, my eyes met Su-Hwan¡¯s through the rearview mirror.

    ¡°It''s about time for you to take your medication, Hyun-Woo." At Su-Hwan''s words, the noisy car suddenly fell silent. All my fellow members stopped talking and looked at me.

    ¡°Uh... why are you looking at me?"¡°Hey, do you have water there?" asked Goh Yoo-Joon. He then reached out from the front seat and handed me a bottle of water.

    ¡°Ah, thanks. Can everyone please look forward now? It''s really embarrassing for me."

    Only then did they turn their heads away from me.

    ¡°Ha, that¡¯s weird. He had never had a fear of heights before."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon tilted his head and spoke, Joo-Han said in a low voice. ¡°Things can develop as you get older, buddy."

    It was funny because he was only twenty-two.

    ¡°Hyung, why are you shaking? Are you sick?" Yoon-Chan asked in a whisper as he sat next to me.

    I shook my head and swallowed the medicine in one gulp. Just the thought of airnes, airports, and being there was driving me crazy.

    Meanwhile, the car arrived at the airport and stopped. ¡°Please get off in order, and if the reporters take photos, don''t panic and just greet them."

    Reporters and Rings were spread all around. The Rings had been sending loud cheers ever since they saw our car, but things that usually made me happy were somehow terrifying today. I followed the members out of the car, my face pale hidden by a mask and hat.

    The shes came from countless cameras and cheers. The louder the noise and the stronger the shes, the more I lowered my head just because this was an airport.

    ¡°Hyung, a greeting¡ª"

    ¡°Let''s greet them! One, two, three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos!"

    Joo-Han quickly led Chronos''s official greeting and helped me by ensuring I didn''t have to take my hands out of my pockets to greet the fans. We waited in front of the reporters to take photos for a moment and then moved forward under the manager¡¯s signal.

    At the same time, people gathered around, and the Chronos team staff held them back.

    ¡°Kyaaaah!!! Hyun-Woo!!!"

    ¡°Oppa!!! Just take this!!! Just this¡ªdamn, don''t push!!!"

    ¡°Don''t push! I get it! Stop pushing me, <em>gosh</em>!!!"

    ¡°How do you feel about leaving?"

    ¡°Ah..."

    People pressed in from all sides and weighed down on me. As I was pushed heavily from here and there, my body swayed, and the tone of the people around me became increasingly threatening and harsh.

    This was terrible. Irritable tones like these weren''t new to me as I had heard them more than once or twice before. However, this time, my breathing started to quicken. ¡±Ah..."

    This shouldn¡¯t be happening since I had taken my medication. However, as my upper body bent further and my breath becamebored, my consciousness started to blur. If more symptoms appeared here...

    It was unclear whether my vision blurred from theck of air or from unwitting tears. I couldn¡¯t even tell what was going on with me or my surroundings.

    ¡°Hey, I knew this would happen. You are not okay. It''s not just a fear of flying, is it?" Goh Yoo-Joon approached, shielding me with his body.

    ¡°Hyung, please take a look at him for a moment," said Yoon-Chan. He lifted my hat to check myplexion. After that, he put his hand on my shoulder and shielded me like Goh Yoo-Joon was doing.

    ¡°We are almost there."

    ¡°Did you bring sleeping pills? Who has them?"

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo."

    Everyone was wearing masks to cover their bare faces, acting naturally to make it seem like just a conversation among members. As I staggered slightly, Goh Yoo-Joon slipped his arm through mine to steady me and acted as if he already knew about my condition.

    With the help of all the members and staff, I was able to safely board the ne. Once on the ne, I fell asleep with the sleeping pills, unaware of any conversation that might have urred around me.

    ***

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo has been acting a bit strangetely. I honestly was surprised today."

    ¡°I told you. There might be something going on, but let''s pretend we don''t notice." Kang Joo-Han calmed Goh Yoo-Joon, who kept ncing at Suh Hyun-Woo in the back seat.

    ¡°He looked like he couldn''t breathe."

    No one knew what was happening or why. They only knew that Suh Hyun-Woo''s condition was unusual. Since they all lived under the same roof, everyone somewhat noticed that Suh Hyun-Woo might be seeing a psychiatrist or that something was off. He frequently had nightmares or felt oppressed, as if he had sleep paralysis.

    However, to say it was all due to a fear of flying or acrophobia¡­ It made no sense.

    After all, Suh Hyun-Woo had shown symptoms even before boarding the ne. As soon as the crowd started to gather, he seemed unable to breathe and was so pale he looked like he might pass out. It was almost as if he was having a panic attack. Of course, the crowd at the airport was overwhelming even for the other members.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was visibly worried about his best friend''s unusual behavior, almost to the point of feeling anxious himself.

    ¡°Hyung, should I just ask himter? Is it really okay to just leave him be like this?"

    ¡°¡­I understand your concern, Yoo-Joon. But let''s just watch over him for now. If Hyun-Woo seems like he can''t handle it, like today, just shield him from the spectators. That''s all we should do."

    ¡°¡­<em>Sigh</em>." Goh Yoo-Joon turned his head away as he got frustrated by Kang Joo-Han''s response, which sounded as if he was cating a child. Goh Yoo-Joon seemed a bit angry at being told to do nothing.

    It was understandable to feel upset seeing a close friend in such a state... However, Kang Joo-Han simply closed his eyes and pretended not to see Goh Yoo-Joon''s reaction.

    What else were they supposed to do? Joo-Han had pressed Su-Hwan for all the details. Suh Hyun-Woo was suffering from unknown panic and social phobia, fear of flying, and it was said to be a state where counseling wasn''t possible. Suh Hyun-Woo had sealed his lips shut.

    Kang Joo-Han thought there was nothing to gain from forcibly probing into an area that even the person involved found difficult to speak about, and that even psychiatrists found challenging to understand.

    ¡°Hyung, if you find anything, please let me know," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I will," replied Kang Joo-Han as he looked back at Suh Hyun-Woo in the rear seat.

    His paleplexion had returned to normal as he slept with an eye mask and earplugs. Park Yoon-Chan was sitting next to him, and he still looked worried. However, at least for now, he was a bit relieved as Suh Hyun-Woo was sleeping.

    Kang Joo-Han''s expression remained grim. ¡°<em>Sigh. </em>This is really a problem."

    As a member of Chronos, Suh Hyun-Woo would have to fly countless times. It was something he would have to ovee on his own.

    ***

    [WELCOME TO NEW YORK STATE!]

    The wee sign on the wall and the American gs were everywhere.

    <em>¡®Ah, this is definitely the USA. We''ve arrived at the New York airport.¡¯</em>

    The thought of being in the USA, specifically New York, sent shivers down my spine due to past events, but it probably didn''t show in my face. I was groggy and had a slight headache, so my whole body felt weak.

    ¡°Once we leave here, the shooting starts... Hyun-Woo, please try to gather some energy."

    ¡°Yes, I''m sorry."

    Was it the side effects of the sleeping pill? Had it not worn off yet? I forced my eyes open and focused on Lee Su-Hwan''s words with all the energy I could muster.

    ¡°In <em>Again After Rainfall,</em> there will almost always be a camera following us throughout the day. So, be careful with your words, whether you are in the hotel or in the car. If you are going to spend time personally, make sure to report and then go."

    ¡°Umm¡­ do we have free time?"

    ¡°Of course. You are free to spend your time as you wish outside the scheduled activities. Sometimes, the camera might suggest following you, but other than those times, it''s fine to just report your whereabouts and explore a bit."

    ¡°Okay!"

    It seemed that <em>Again After Rainfall </em>was shot in a rtively free atmosphere. The possibility of acting freely without cameras when there was no schedule was a very surprising and delightful development for us, who had recently be able to make personal appointments.

    ¡°Anyway, we''ve decided to meet with the other cast members at our amodation. Shall we start heading out now?"

    As we followed the manager to the exit, the staff of <em>Again After Rainfall</em> came toward us along with cameras and various equipment. We could see some international fans who hade to see us, but the staff''s intervention meant they could only send longing looks from a distance.

    I secretly waved to the Rings behind the cameras.

    ¡°Let''s greet them. One, two, three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to meet you!"

    - Yes! Thank you foring. Shall we move to the hotel now?

    ¡°Sure!"

    As we walked toward the car prepared by the staff, the apanying cameras started to conduct individual interviews with each member.

    - Hello, Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Hello. It''s been a while."

    - Haha, it has. You seem like you are still half asleep. You look tired.

    I smiled awkwardly. Indeed, my eyes were so swollen from sleep that I could hardly see. ¡°I just woke up a few minutes ago. That might be why it¡¯s so obvious, haha..."

    - If you are sleepy, you can sleep more in the car.

    ¡°Really?...Is that okay?"

    When I asked, the director said it was fine because it would look more natural than trying to stay awake.

 Chapter 234: Again After Rainfall (10)

    <h4>Chapter 234: Again After Rainfall (10)</h4>

    On our journey to our amodation, the production crew thoughtfully took us on a scenic route through the city. It was our first time experiencing the foreignnd, so it was the best chance to soak in the vibrant life of the streets.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung eagerly pressed their faces against the windows. Even Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, who had been abroad with their families before, couldn''t hide their excitement at the sights of New York.

    On the other hand, I was still caught in a drowsy haze as my gaze drifted aimlessly. I longed to be part of the excitement but too worn out to fully engage.

    <i>¡®I am too sleepy...'' </i>I yearned to etch the novel New York scenes into my memories, yet my body refused to cooperate. My entire limbs were heavy.

    As I tried to muster the energy to enjoy the view, my eyelids started to droop. They eventually surrendered to sleep amidst the soft murmur of conversations around me. I couldn¡¯t tell how long it had been since I closed my eyes. I then felt a gentle touch that tilted my head back to a morefortable position, inviting a deeper slumber.

    When I woke up, the world had whisked by in what felt like an instant, and we were already at our destination.

    ¡°Should I carry him on my back? Should I, hyung?¡±

    ¡°No, wake him up. Wake him up!¡±

    ¡°Ah, why? Jin-Sung, carry Suh Hyun-Woo. Whoaaaak!¡±

    The raucous banter of my fellow members filled the air as I opened my eyes. They were already outside the car, eagerly discussing our new surroundings while looking at me. Judging by the situation, it seemed like Goh Yoo-Joon had just been yfully hit by Joo-Han, and Jin-Sung was having a disappointed face somehow.

    ¡°...What''s going on?" I mumbled, still groggy from sleep.

    ¡°Ah, Hyun-Woo hyung''s awake.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, we''ve made it to the amodation. Time to get out." Joo-Han called out and prompted me to step out of the vehicle. I took in the sight of our temporary home.

    ¡°Is this it?" I asked and looked up at the imposing structure before us.

    The building was a pristine nine-story white hotel that stood proudly, embodying the unique essence of New York while exuding a weing resort-like ambiance. ¡°There''s a coffee shop nearby and a bakery too. This ce seems perfect for exploring.¡±

    ¡°Which floor are we on? The view at night must be spectacr.¡±

    Our curiosity about our new surroundings was soon met by the arrival of the amodation''s manager, dispatched by the production team.

    ¡°Wee!¡±

    ¡°Hello!"

    As we greeted loudly, the man seemed a bit taken aback but soon shed a warm smile. ¡°My name is Choi Han-Son, the manager here."

    He introduced himself as a Korean and led us to our amodations. The ce was impressive from the outside but was even more beautiful on the inside. It featured a square-shaped garden surrounded by the building, designed to offer different views from both inside and out.

    ¡°You will be staying on the eighth floor, the highest level here," Mr. Choi informed us, his voice tinged with pride.

    ¡°Wow...¡±

    The idea of staying in such a high-quality spot in New York, especially on the top floor, was thrilling. It seemed the production team''s promise of a significant investment had generously extended to our amodation as well.

    After showing us to one of the two rooms on our floor and providing some essential information, Mr. Choi left us to settle in. The room was already equipped with cameras, and the production crew lingered just long enough to capture our initial reactions before giving us some space.

    ¡°Feel free to rx until Reina arrives. If you want to step out for a bit, that''s fine too. Just keep your phones handy please."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    With the crew gone and the door firmly shut, the room became our own private haven. The excitement was palpable as we started to explore every nook and cranny of our spacious new lodging.

    ¡°<i>Gosh</i>, this ce is huge.¡±

    ¡°Hyung, check out this ss wall! The night view is going to be incredible.¡±

    The amodation was not just spacious but also stunningly beautiful, far exceeding our expectations. The broadcasts mostly focused on practices, performances, and meetings during thest season, so I didn''t expect much attention to be given to the amodations. However, considering the number of cameras installed, our time spent at the amodation was also going to be significantly featured.

    ¡°Look, this ce has three rooms too. Everyone,e over here," Joo-Han called out to gather us. ¡°Guys, there are three rooms here. Since all the beds are doubles, we could pair up two by two, and one person can sleep alone. How do you want to do it?"

    ¡°Why don''t we just stick to the same arrangements as at our dorm? These two will probably want to share their room anyway," Jin-Sung said and pointed at me and Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Jin-Sung continued, ¡°I''m okay with sharing with Yoon-Chan hyung as usual."

    ¡°Is that just because Yoon-Chan always sleeps quietly?"

    ¡°Yeah, probably right," Jin-Sung admitted with a chuckle. Given that our current roommate setup was working so well and everyone was ustomed to each other, I thought Joo-Han would agree.

    However, he seemed to have something else in mind and shook his head after some thought. He then exchanged a nce with Goh Yoo-Joon and looked over at me. ¡°Well, no. Either Yoo-Joon or Hyun-Woo should share with me."

    ¡°Huh? Why all of a sudden?"

    ¡°It''s just too spacious."

    A brief silence fell among the members.

    ¡°What? Ah! No way!" Goh Yoo-Joon vehemently objected and waved his hands.

    ¡°Hyung, your sleeping habits are no joke, right?¡±

    ¡°I heard Hyun-Woo has been really bad recently. So, what do you think, Hyun-Woo? Do you want to share a room with Joo-Han hyung?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Ah, no thanks. Hyung''s sleeping habits are way too intense."

    Even if Goh Yoo-Joon''s or my sleeping habits were severe, could they reallypare to Joo-Han''s? He was known for waking everyone who shared a room with him just by snoring.

    ¡°Why don''t you sleepfortably by yourself, hyung? Considering your notorious sleeping habits." Goh Yoo-Joon smirked and teased Joo-Han, who had been turned down.

    Joo-Han crisply closed his eyes and shook his head. ¡°No, that won''t do. One of you two has to bunk with me tonight. Let''s go with Yoo-Joon. Hyun-Woo''s not feeling well today, so let him have a peaceful rest by himself."

    Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon exchanged nces again. ¡®<i>What''s up with them? Did they have some conversation while crossing over to the USA?¡¯</i>

    After a moment of contemtion, Goh Yoo-Joon reluctantly nodded. ¡°Alright."

    ¡°Great. Hyun-Woo, you can sleepfortably by yourself tonight."

    <i>¡®Is this really happening? Joo-Han is handing over what could be likened to a big sweet room to me? What''s going on here?¡¯</i>

    I was surprised but dly epted the members'' consideration. Just as it seemed as if the New York amodation roommates were decided, with pairs and a solo...

    ¡°Ah, umm..." Yoon-Chan urgently raised his hand. ¡°I, um..."

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°I, um... I''d like to share a room with Yoo-Joon hyung."

    ¡°With me?"

    ¡°...Yoon-Chan hyung, you are not abandoning me, are you?"

    Yoon-Chan earnestly shook his head and replied, ¡°It''s not that I''m abandoning you..."

    Within Chronos, the notorious top two for bad sleeping habits were Joo-Han and Jin-Sung. It seemed even the kind-hearted Yoon-Chan didn''t want to suffer through another night''s sleep, especially after a tiring flight to New York.

    Jin-Sung made a pouty face, almost as if he was about to whine. ¡°Hyung, I thought you got used to my sleeping habit.¡±

    ¡°As if he could be okay. He has just been putting up with it until now," answered Goh Yoo-Joon on behalf of Yoon-Chan, who didn''t protest. This indicated he probably had been just enduring it.

    Joo-Han then suggested, ¡°How about excluding Hyun-Woo and ying rock-paper-scissors for old times'' sake?"

    ¡°Deal." They agreed in unison.

    The four engaged in a yful round of rock-paper-scissors. The oue? Yoon-Chan triumphed, and the notorious sleep disruptors, Joo-Han and Jin-Sung, ended up as roommates. They yfully bickered about who was less thrilled with the arrangement.

    Then came a moment of rest. After a rejuvenating nap in the smallest room''s bed, I was informed that Reina had arrived at the amodation.

    ***

    ¡°Good afternoon, Senior!"

    ¡°Hey there, did you guys get some rest?" She immediately handed over some snacks she had bought for us. ¡°I heard these were good, so I got them for you to try. Enjoy.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much!" we replied in chorus.

    ¡°Are the others not here yet?" She peeked into the adjacent room and checked for the other cast members we were supposed to meet.

    ¡°Oh my gosh, they are not here yet? Director, they haven''t arrived?"

    ¡°No, they missed their flight because of a passport issue. They should be arriving on the next one," the production staff exined.

    ¡°I see,¡± Reina murmured as she was a bit surprised.

    ¡°They said they will catch up with the meeting detailster."

    ¡°Well, they are acting like protagonists, <i>gosh</i>!" She joked, and herughter filled the room.

    The mention of the other cast members,edian Cha Yi-Seul andposer-producer Seon In-Ha, hinted at their close-knit rtionship formed through the program. They often gathered for personal hang outs beyond their professional ones.

    ¡°Let''s take a short break and then discuss our ns," Reina suggested.

    ¡°Okay!" After she retreated to her room for a brief respite, we too returned to ours and tiptoed around the fact that our senior was just next door. The chocte tarts she gave us were deliciously rich, but so sweet that we couldn¡¯t eat the whole thing. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan ended up iming the majority of it.

    ***

    Reina''s "short break" was indeed short. Despite having just arrived in the country and even meeting with Callia Lawrence upon her arrival, she already gathered us all for a dinner meeting in the rooftop garden restaurant on the ninth floor, much sooner than we had anticipated. We sat there, stiff and nervous, as we were not sure how to interact with such a revered senior.

    ¡°Rx, guys. Anyone else would think we are strangers meeting for the first time," she chided gently.

    ¡°Oh, no... We are not nervous." Yoo-Joon tried to assure her, but the tone of his voice betrayed him.

    ¡°Loosen up, loosen up. We''ve known each other since before your debut, remember?" Reina broke the ice and then asked us some questions. As Joo-Han and I joined the conversation, the rest of the members slowly chimed in, creating a genuinely warm and convivial atmosphere. It was at this moment that Reina made an announcement.

    ¡°Let''s put aside the formalities for now. For the next two weeks, consider me not a senior but your manager, Reina. Please call me ''manager,¡¯ not ''senior.¡¯ My goal is to ensure you all take something valuable from these two weeks, so focus solely on that."

    ¡°...Okay!¡±

    She pointed to her ears, signaling us to make the most of this opportunity. ¡°Make sure to entertain the viewers and listeners. Speak up if something''s not right or if you have any wishes."

    ¡°Yes, ma''am!" we responded, feeling a bit more at ease now.

    ¡°And don''t hesitate to mention if there''s something specific you want to eat,¡± Reina said with a reassuring smile as she resumed the meal. I steeled myself once again. The real shooting started the next day. Inspired by her passion, I was determined to give my best and create positive synergy during the shooting.

 Chapter 235: Again After Rainfall (11)

    <h4>Chapter 235: Again After Rainfall (11)</h4>

    How could a bed be this soft? The plushness was unparalleled by the beds back at the Chronos dorm. On top of that, the fresh air and the luxury of waking up naturally without an rm set the stage for a pleasant morning.

    Today, I discovered that it was indeed possible to wake up feeling wonderful without any particr reason. I almost smiled at the thought, but then I hesitated after remembering the cameras that might be capturing this moment. I simply opened my eyes with an impassive expression.

    Thanks to the thoughtful consideration of my members, I enjoyed a profoundly restful sleep. As I got up to tidy the bed and leave the room, I encountered Goh Yoo-Joon, fresh from a shower, with a towel around his neck.

    ¡°You are finally up."

    ¡°Did youe back from somewhere?"

    ¡°Ah, I went running with Yoon-Chan. Man, it''s great for running here in the morning. You shoulde with us tomorrow."

    ¡°Sure."

    Everyone was so diligent. Even though I hadn¡¯t set an rm, it was still morning. Yoon-Chan was showering now, and Joo-Han went out for brunch with Jin-Sung.

    After a quick wash, I gulped down some water from the bottle that Goh Yoo-Joon had left open. Then I opened the fridge to grab a tart that Reina had given us yesterday.

    ¡°Hey, what are you doing? Eating that for breakfast?"

    ¡°Well, there is nothing else to eat."

    ¡°<i>Gosh</i>, a chocte tart in the morning... It''s too sweet." Goh Yoo-Joon snatched the tart away and handed me some money instead.

    ¡°What''s this?"

    ¡°Pocket money. Su-Hwan hyung left it for you because you were sleeping. Use this to join Joo-Han and Jin-Sung for lunch."

    I nodded and checked the time on my phone. We had free time until our rehearsal at 2 PM. I guess I had enough time to step out for a bit then, not just for lunch at the amodation.

    ¡°Alright, I will go eat something else.¡±

    ¡°Do you want me toe with you?"

    ¡°It''s okay. I will let Joo-Han hyung and the production team know. I will be right back."

    ¡°Okie.¡±

    I was not usually keen on going out, especially with my tendency to avoid people. Therefore, I wondered why I suddenly wanted to eat out. Perhaps because it was my first time in New York. Having spent almost the entire previous day in a daze and slept through most of it, I had missed out on sightseeing.

    I felt surprisingly at ease amidst the foreign setting, so I ventured out but didn''t go far. There were plenty of ces to eat nearby, and straying too far from the amodation with our schedule in mind was a bit unsettling to me.

    I chose a quiet coffee shop over the crowded eateries nearby. I somehow managed to order in English that I had learned from Chronos''s dedicated tutor and found a corner seat. Then, I admired the cafe¡¯s interior.

    ¡®<i>How can it be so quiet here when the lunch spot next door is bustling?¡¯</i> I did worry momentarily that I had stumbled upon a less-than-ster establishment, but seeing a few patrons thoroughly enjoying their food reassured me.

    As I was taking photos to report my whereabouts to Su-Hwan and the production team, while simply zoning out while waiting for my order, I was startled by a sudden greeting.

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°...Ah."

    I turned around and saw an elderly man in a suit smiling broadly at me.

    ¡°Uh... Hi."

    I felt a bit intimidated, despite his kindly and approachable appearance. Oddly enough, his hair was dyed in a soft pink shade. As I awkwardly lowered my head, a heartyughter burst out from the man.

    ¡°You are a singer from Chronos, right?"

    ¡°Huh?" Just as I was about to move away, I paused and looked back at him. ¡°Do you know me?"

    ¡°Of course, my grandson is your friend."

    <i>¡®His grandson? A friend of mine?¡¯</i> I stared intently at the man. Was he just making conversation, or could it be true? Did I really have a friend from abroad...

    ¡°Oh."

    As I gasped in realization, the man chuckled again, ¡°My grandson is Daniele."

    I had never expected I would meet Daniele''s grandfather so unexpectedly, in a ce so far from both of our home countries. Come to think of it, he did bear a resemnce to Daniele. I then offered him the seat across from me.

    We exchanged simple conversations and touched on various topics.

    ¡°I''m d I''m able to speak in a way that you can understand." The old man seemed to know quite a bit about Daniele. He mentioned having watched <i>Graduating</i> to see Daniele and even knew stories about him that were only shared among friends, which was not aired on the show. It didn''t seem like he was lying to me.

    Even after our food arrived, our conversation continued for quite some time, and I found myself fully opening up and enjoying the chat with him.

    Suddenly, an excited voice broke through the calm atmosphere of the cafe. ¡°Oh my God!!! I didn''t know I''d meet you here! I''m so happy!!! Oh my God!! Hyun-Woo!"

    A foreigner who had just entered the cafe approached me with tears in her eyes, overwhelmed with joy. I quickly greeted her and signed an autograph. After that, I sent her on her way, trying to be mindful of the grandfather and the cafe owner. It was a surprise to randomly meet a fan like this, even though Chronos wasn''t widely recognized overseas.

    I looked back at Daniele¡¯s grandfather as I felt a sense of pride, and heughed warmly. He showed understanding for themotion. ¡°You are quite popr, huh?"

    <i>¡®Wait, was the hair of Daniele¡¯s grandfather pastel blue?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Anyway, it was a good time. Nice to meet you," he remarked as he seemed ready to leave.

    "Nice to meet you too," I replied.

    As the man picked up his cane from the table, I was about to offer a farewell. But then, he looked at me with a kind smile and asked, ¡°Are you enjoying this life?"

    ¡°...Sorry?"

    "To make it your life, you will have to ovee many things."

    ¡°...¡±

    I stood up and watched him walk past me with his cane. He paused and turned back to offer onest greeting, then slowly left the cafe. His parting words were too profound and cryptic to be just casual remarks.

    ***

    Ch-Ha @dohacha12 ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Guys, check out<i> Q-app</i> right now. The fourth youngest is crying over seaweed soup. Seriously, please, I am dead serious right now. Damn, I want to keep making Yoon-Chan cry, then give him chocte, see him smile brightly, and make him cry again aaaah ...Alright, I will stop.

    Replies RT Likes

    Ch-Ha @dohacha12 ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    So when is <i>Again After Rainfall</i> broadcasting~~~ I trust you, YMM. You better upload some fancams for the preview!

    Ch-Ha was an anonymous ount operated by Baek Go-Ri. She was suffering from Chronos loss[1]. Ever since Chronos ended their "Joy" activities and celebrated Yoon-Chan''s birthday with a live broadcast, she had been rolling on the floor with happiness upon hearing about their appearance in <i>Again After Rainfall</i>.

    And that was it. Since then, not much had been seen of Chronos, so Baek Go-Ri spent her days scouring <i>BlueBird</i> and asionally posting yearning messages. Despite searching in English, all she found were irrelevant results with hardly anything about the group Chronos.

    Yet, she habitually searched while hoping for something.

    cha&cha @hyunchawoo ¡¤ 1 day ago

    Love u my, minimi hyun?

    (Suh Hyun-Woo smiling alone at a lunch cafe.jpg)

    Replies 1 RT 2.4K Likes 12K

    ©¸What''s this? Where is it?

    ©¸New York Lunch Cafe! Hyun-Woo was smiling while eating because the food was delicious!

    It was a photo of Suh Hyun-Woo happily eating lunch alone.

    ¡°What the hell? Isn''t this candid photography? Foreign Rings have no respect for my boys¡¯ privacy."

    Still, it seemed he was doing well during the shoot. Baek Go-Ri felt a mix of anger at the invasion of privacy and joy at seeing a member''s update for the first time in a while. She roughly tranted ament with Google, telling them to delete the candid photo.

    <i>¡®They probably won''t listen anyway.'' </i>

    With creepy weirdos iming to have boarded the same ne as Chronos or entered their dorm, the Rings''munity was on edge. Actual photos of members being followed at the airport only heightened their anxiety.

    Baek Go-Ri sighed, turned off <i>BlueBird, </i>and opened <i>UTube</i>.

    <i>¡®I''m still hungry for more feeds about Chronos.''</i> Her search for Chronos continued throughout the weekend.

    1. Rings experienced a unique kind of withdrawal when Chronos had a lighter schedule, and their appearances on TV and live streams became infrequent, leaving fans longing for more moments to cherish. It seems like ng between Rings, haha. ?

 Chapter 236: Again After Rainfall (12)

    <h4>Chapter 236: Again After Rainfall (12)</h4>

    - Grandpa? No way, he doesn''t dye his hair. His hair is white!

    - Pink or blue by chance?

    - Never! Grandma would hate it. I''m in the middle of a shoot, so I¡¯ll talk to youter. Peace out, man!

    ¡°Ah, that''s right. He is a model."

    Daniele vanished with that hurried reply. So, who was the man I had been chatting with? Why was he posing as Daniele''s grandfather? I couldn''t quite recall whether his hair was pink or blue, but I did remember feeling momentarily intimidated by the bright color. Was he just an old man with an interest in K-POP or Korean variety shows?

    As I was lost in thought about the encounter, Goh Yoo-Joon joined me while fiddling with his phone. ¡°What''s this about Daniele''s grandpa? You met him?"

    I nodded. ¡°I thought I did, but it turns out I was wrong. It wasn''t Daniele''s grandfather."

    Goh Yoo-Joon frowned. ¡°So you were chatting with a stranger? Be cautious, man, especially since we are outside of Korea."

    ¡°I was cautious. His hair was pastel-colored, but he knew so much about Daniele..."

    He was so knowledgeable about conversations we had among ourselves, not just what was aired. This had made me think he must be the real deal.

    Goh Yoo-Joon shook his head as he was unimpressed. ¡°If I were you, I would have avoided talking to him in the first ce.¡±

    ¡°Let''s see if you''d do the same in that situation."

    As we were quietly bickering, the production team came over to set up the microphones. ¡°We are about to start filming the practice session. Reina will join after her individual interview, so just focus on practicing."

    ¡°Got it!"

    Yesterday, we arrived at the amodation; today, we were setting up the setlist and rehearsing, and tomorrow, we would perform on the ¡°street¡± that was personally scouted by Reina. If everything went ording to n, we would also meet Callia Lawrence there.

    The first goal of <i>Again After Rainfall</i> was to sessfully conclude the performance. Thus, we had to pull out all the stops and showcase our abilities to the fullest from the first stage.

    ¡°Let''s start filming! te, please!"

    At the Director''smand, Jin-Sung raised his hand high and pped sharply. And so, the filming of our rehearsal started in earnest.

    ¡°Is there anything in particr you want to show off in the first performance?"

    ¡°Me."

    As I raised my hand, everyone''s attention turned to me. ¡°I want to perform ¡°Encore Night."

    ¡°Then let''s have Hyun-Woo perform ¡®Encore Night,¡¯ and Yoo-Joon can add the harmony as we practiced."

    ¡°Sure."

    ¡°Shall we give it a try right away?¡± As Joo-Han finished speaking, the band members behind us swiftly flipped through their files to find the score for ¡°Encore Night.¡±

    Choosing the setlist from the already-decided songs meant that both Chronos and the band were fully rehearsed, even though it was our first time syncing up. I cleared my throat lightly and took a sip of water. Then, I held the microphone and said, ¡°Yes, let''s start."

    I closed my eyes and quietly captured the emotion. The soft sound of a piano soon began to fill the air. As theyers of musical instruments gradually built up, a shiver of excitement ran through me from the tips of my fingers. After that, I sang by pouring my heart into the song.

    <i>I know I can''t see you after this night</i>

    <i>We can dance sweetly and look into each other''s eyes</i>

    <i>but we don''t even know each other''s names</i>

    <i>That''s why I''m going to enjoy it more</i>

    <i>This feeling that might be thest one</i>?

    Beforeing here, we had discussions among the members about the song selection.

    We agreed not to transform group songs into acoustic versions, except for dance tracks.

    Of course, there were many Chronos songs we could perform, like ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± ¡°History,¡± and other bad tracks. However, we decided it was better to focus on individual songs that could showcase each member''s talents more effectively. We wanted to avoid the show being branded as just an idol promotional program that followed the previous season''s trend of performing famous pop songs.

    Without interrupting our practice, Reina quietly waited until we had selected all the songs and finished rehearsing.

    As Joo-Han''s solo song concluded, Reina approached with apuse and admiration. ¡°You guys always sing so well. Has your voice gotten prettier? I watched closely, thinking I''d give some feedback, but there''s nothing to criticize."

    ¡°Thank you, Senior!"

    Reina pulled up a chair and sat across from us. ¡°The location for your first performance has been decided."

    ¡°Where is it?"

    ¡°There is no need to go far since it¡¯s your first time. So, we will perform right in front of the amodation. Did you see the lunch cafe just across from here?"

    ¡°The one crowded with people?"

    It seemed she was talking about the cafe right next to where I had lunch, the one that seemed ready to burst with the crowd gathered around it. ¡°If you go down the alley behind that cafe, there''s a ce for street performances. Since there are many lodgings around here, street performances tend to drawrge crowds."

    ¡°Wow, we are performing there?"

    Reina nodded. ¡°Yes, I''ve rented a spacious area. Of course, there''s no stage, though."

    The thought of a street performance split the members between those who were nervous and those who were excited. Performing in English and dancing to our songs in front of strangers felt surreal. I wondered if we could actually draw a good response from foreigners.

    Reina noticed my nervousness and reassured me with a bright smile. ¡°It''s okay. I''ve done street performances in New York for the previous season of the show. Everyone will enjoy and react positively with your capabilities."

    ¡°I hope so."

    ¡°Let''s not worry and get back to practice. This is the first performance we will be showing to the famous Callia Lawrence, so we need to show her how great we are."

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    Reina skillfully tuned the band''s y and refined our vocals to ensure our practice was perfectly concluded. At 6 PM, we were given free time again after practice.

    ***

    After dinner, I stopped Jin-Sung, who was about to return to his room. ¡°Jin-Sung, how about doing Dance Combo Season Three?"

    ¡°The Dance Combo? Sure, but now?"

    When I nodded, Jin-Sung looked puzzled as he didn¡¯t get it. He then asked, ¡°In that practice room earlier? It''s a bit... there are too many instruments, and it''s cramped."

    ¡°No, not there." I pointed toward the entrance of our amodation. ¡°Outside. The spot where Reina mentioned earlier."

    I was referring to the street performance area behind the lunch cafe.

    Jin-Sung finally understood what I meant, and his face lit up. ¡°Yeah, let''s go. Should we go now?"

    ¡°Just a moment, we need to get permission first."

    Why was I suddenly proposing a street dance performance with Jin-Sung? Ever since Reina mentioned the street performance area, I had been contemting how we could use it for Chronos-exclusive content.

    After all, it was a rare trip to New York. For Chronos, who were rtively unknown in the USA, it seemed too wasteful to perform only for the broadcast.

    The first video of Dance Combo garnered a significant number of views over time, thanks to its English title. It was simr to a viral dance challenge, and both the first and second videos had a considerable amount of Englishments.

    Therefore, with the help of our staff, filming the third video as a street performance in New York seemed like an exciting idea that could capture the attention of many domestic and internationalizens.

    I immediately called Su-Hwan to discuss the street performance with Jin-Sung, and he was all for it. Then, our behind-the-scenes camera crew rushed over.

    ¡°What about the <i>Again After Rainfall</i>¡¯s production team? They offered to apany us earlier."

    As I asked Su-Hwan, who was panting from running down from the fifth floor, he smiled broadly and shook his head. ¡°We are making this exclusively Chronos content, so I turned them down."

    ¡°...Wow."

    <i>¡®Su-Hwan hyung, I didn''t know you are so keen on views.¡¯</i>

    ¡°How did youe up with the idea? It''s admirable to see you striving for growth, brainstorming, anding up with ideas," asked Su-Hean

    ¡°Ah, well, it just seemed like a shame not to use the space for a performance when we had the chance. Plus, Jin-Sung used to do street performances before debuting."

    ¡°Well, I was just a kid back then."

    ¡°Shall we go now?"

    After catching his breath, Su-Hwan led us outside and said, ¡°The writer told me the rented performance space isn''t avable now, but there is a free spot for busking[1]."

    ¡°A free performance space?"

    ¡°It''s a ce where anyone cane and perform without a special reservation. We can perform there."

    As we headed to the location, Jin-Sung and I quickly decided on which songs and dances to perform. Having rehearsed many dances together before, we didn''t take long to decide.

    Upon reaching the street performance area, we found a mix of countless people and artists, both performing and watching.

    1. Busking is when people perform out in public spots, like streets or subways, hoping for some tips from the crowd. They could be jamming on guitars, busting out dance moves, or doing magic tricks. It''s a cool way for performers to share their skills with people passing by and maybe make a little cash or get noticed. But I doubt that Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung are doing this to make money. ?

 Chapter 237: Again After Rainfall (13)

    <h4>Chapter 237: Again After Rainfall (13)</h4>

    Street performances weren''t just about singing and dancing. There were a variety of amateur artists showcasing their talents, some clumsily and others adeptly. The performances included ying violin, piano, trumpet, as well as mime and small-scale circus acts.

    ¡°Wow, there are so many people here."

    ¡°I heard it was crowded, but this is swarming. It feels a bit like stepping into a marketce.¡±

    ¡°Think of all these people as our audience, Jin-Sung," I suggested.

    Jin-Sung rolled his eyes and bounced around excitedly. ¡°Isn''t this amazing?"

    Our youngest member always had a positive outlook. Anyway, the staff responsible for the behind-the-scenes camera was already filming us. I waved at the camera after ncing at it, and the staff member responded with a brief smile and a shake of the camera.

    ¡°What do we do? There are way more people than I thought."

    Indeed, there were many onlookers, perhaps due to the camera apanying us. Fortunately, perhaps because we were just foreigners in their eyes, I didn''t feel as tense or stiff as when receiving stares on the streets back in Korea.

    ¡°How about over there, hyung?" Jin-Sung pointed toward a corner of the street that hadn''t been imed yet. It was a bit narrow but enough for two people to dance.

    I nodded and followed him to the spot. ¡°Let''s warm up, Jin-Sung. We are going all out today, okay?"

    ¡°Okay."

    Jin-Sung and I started warming up with determination. We were in a ce where nobody knew Chronos¡ªperhaps not just Chronos but also the existence of K-pop. In my mind, the way to capture attention here was to momentarily shed the idol persona and dance like a professional dancer, without a trace of a smile.

    We chose familiar pop songs for the local crowd and selected challenging pieces that we could dance to, at least through the first verse. Our n was to disy our professional, yet approachable, skills without a trace of humor.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung, can you pass me the speaker, please? We will turn on the music."

    After we connected the Bluetooth speaker to my phone and settled in, the people around seemed to sense the start of a performance and started to make room for us. Since there were already a lot of onlookers from the moment we started setting up, we pretended not to notice them. Without any special greetings, we just yed the music and kicked off our dance.

    <i>Our nights are full of each other.</i>?

    The song was an emotional R&B filled with sexual lyrics that couldn''t quite be tranted into Korean. The first song was a track that had be a hot topic among the Rings for "Jin-sung is a Turtle." The choreography¡¯s highlight was its control over tempo¡ªleisurely at times but asionally speeding up. It was a refined version of the original choreography I had created, made more visually appealing.

    True to Chronos''s reputation for sharp, synchronized dancing, our performance was polished and professional. Gradually, more and more passersby started to stop and watch us. We then heard asional exmations and brief assessments of our performance.

    The response was good as expected. Actually, it was great, especially since this song had remained on the Billboard HOT 100 from the time we made our first video until now. It was perfect for attracting the spectators.

    Throughout the dance, several people took videos of us on their phones. Some gave us thumbs up, and some even said we were amazing after one song ended. As we continued through our prepared list of songs and the audience grew, both Jin-Sung and I started to feel a genuine sense of aplishment and enjoyment.

    We performed from the slow and dynamic dances that I preferred to Jin-Sung''s powerful and relentless moves. The crowd''s reactions, whether they were mirroring our rhythms or dancing along, added to the atmosphere.

    ¡°Hey! Do you want to dance with us?"

    As more and more spectators gathered, dancers from other areas of the street came over to join our performance momentarily. This was the fun of street performances. The initial embarrassment and awkwardness of an unknown street act were fleeting. To be honest, creating the content was secondary to the enjoyment of the performance itself.

    After the performance, Su-Hwan quickly sent the footage to the editing team. ¡°Many people were filming you guys, so it might appear on others'' social media. So, we thought it''d be better to upload what we have as soon as possible."

    The team seemed hesitant about uploading the performance due to location spoilers of <i>Again After Rainfall</i>. However, after we shared the edited footage and persuaded them, they agreed because they saw the potential for the video to generate buzz.

    ***

    ¡°<i>Ugh</i>! Oh, my legs, my feet..."

    At 11 PM, Kim Go-Ri flopped onto her bed and turned on her phone after finishing her part-time shift at the convenience store. She was exhausted, but checking any news about Chronos was her daily routine.

    ¡°Why am I doing this to myself? For what riches and glory? <i>Sigh</i>..."

    Today''s shift was particrly tough, thanks to the elementary kids'' ramen noodle terror[1].

    ¡°Ah, but it''s all for my boys. Seeing Chronos makes it all worth it... Hehehe..."

    As soon as she turned on her phone, Chronos''s group photo washed away the day''s fatigue. Yes, all this hard work was for Chronos''s nexteback and their first concert in the future. It was all for the joy of fandom, though... she couldn¡¯t forgive those ramen pranksters.

    It had been a while since Chronos ended their previous song promotion, and even longer since they went abroad with no updates. There was that candid photo of Suh Hyun-Woo the day after they left, but there had been no official news since.

    Kim Go-Ri refreshed her <i>BlueBird</i> feed and let out a sigh. <i>¡®I hope the boys are doing okay. What are they up to these days? I wish they''d go live on Q-App.''</i>

    Rings often found sce in seeing Chronos after a long day. As Kim Go-Ri worryingly searched for Hyun-Woo out of habit, she couldn''t help but wonder if Chronos was struggling in the far-offnd.

    [Hey guys! ;D what are ya doin?

    Look at this if you have time!

    bussin?

    And look forward to it.]

    ¡°...What the heck is this?¡± Kim Go-Ri frowned at the notification. She then remembered she had followed Callia Lawrence, hoping to get some news about Chronos from her. However, there was no news on Chronos despite multiple annoying notifications, leading her to eventually lose interest.

    She thought this time wouldn¡¯t be different. As she was about to lose interest, Kim Go-Ri clicked on the notification somehow. She hoped that Callia¡¯s feed would reveal something new after so long.

    And there it was, a post by Callia Lawrence. The linked video seemed to be a street performance filmed by her manager. The clip showed two very familiar faces dancing incredibly well on the street.

    ¡°That''s Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung! What''s up with those two?" Kim Go-Ri sat bolt upright on her bed.

    Tiredness did not matter anymore, and her head filled up with the question ¡®<i>Were these two actually busking moves on the street right now?¡¯</i>

    The performance seemed impromptu and drew quite a bit of attention in a very rxed atmosphere.

    Kim Go-Ri''s mind raced<i>.</i> <i>¡®Was this a scene from Again After Rainfall? Or did they film it separately?¡¯</i>

    Either way, the video was intriguing, and she wanted to dig deeper. She switched from <i>Stagram</i> to <i>BlueBird</i> and started fervently searching for ¡°Hyun-Woo, Jin-Sung street performance¡± and ¡°Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung.¡±

    Amidst her search, not only Callia Lawrence''s post but also several posts by ordinary people started popping up. However, the reactions from the fans and the content of the posts were all too simr. This left her yearning for more information.

    <i>Ding!</i>

    This time, it wasn''t just any notification¡ªthe Chronos official <i>UTube </i>channel had uploaded a new video!

    [Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung¡¯s New York Downtown Impromptu Street Dance Time :D]

    #OurNights #Chronos

    A scream almost escaped Kim Go-Ri''s lips. If her parents weren¡¯t asleep, she''d have definitely shouted out loud.

    ¡°<i>Gosh</i>, what the fuck! What is going on with YMM?"

    YMM was suddenly dropping such a bombshell when she was about to doze off! The title was meticulously written in English for all to see, and they tagged a Billboard hot track they had covered before. Kim Go-Ri had never expected them to upload anything until <i>Again After Rainfall</i> aired. However, here they were, diligently sharing their experiences in New York. Also, it was a full video, no less butsting a whole thirty minutes.

    Kim Go-Ri clicked on the video with a mix of excitement and bewilderment. Their dance skills were as sharp as ever, with perfect synchronization. They showcased cover songs they hadn''t performed before and enjoyed dancing with other dancers.

    As she watched the members enjoy themselves for the entire thirty minutes, Kim Go-Ri clutched her pillow tightly and squealed in delight.

    After thirty blissful minutes that blew away her fatigue, she minimized the full-screen video and gasped, ¡°Wow, this is fucking insane! Look at those views!"

    The view count was climbing at an incredible rate just thirty to forty minutes after upload. Thement section was filled more with English than Korean. The ripple effect of world-renowned singer Callia Lawrence''s street cam post had incredibly reached the official Chronos video.

    1. In Korea, you''ll find some convenience stores with spots to sit and eat, both inside and out. But, it looks like a bunch of kids went wild and left noodles all over the ce without bothering to clean up before they took off. ?

 Chapter 238: Again After Rainfall (14)

    Chapter 238: Again After Rainfall (14)

    The street performance, whichsted about thirty minutes, came to an end. The crowd, who had gathered as if at a festival, naturally dispersed to watch the next show. This cycle of gathering for an engaging performance, enjoying it to the fullest, and then scattering in search of new excitement seemed entirely normal and familiar on the street.

    ¡°Ah, that was so much fun! I thought I''d never get to do a street dance performance again."

    ¡°Yeah, right?"

    Still sweating despite the cool air, Jin-Sung grinned widely. His smile was reminiscent of a high school student who had just relieved his study stress through some physical activity.

    ¡°Should we head back now? If you guys want to stop by somewhere, just let the production team know," asked Su-Hwan.

    ¡°What do you think, Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°About what?"

    ¡°Do you want to grab dinner with me before we head back?" I suggested. Even though we hade out mainly for the street performance, it was still our free time.

    Considering the curfew set by the production team was around 10 PM, we had plenty of time to grab a meal. Jin-Sung was likely to be hungry after all the energetic dancing and would start whining back at the dorm. Therefore, I thought it''d be good to have a meal together right now.Jin-Sung''s eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°Of course! Let''s go! Are you treating, hyung? Where are we going?"

    After hearing Jin-Sung''s eager response, Su-Hwan nodded in understanding and took out his phone. ¡°Just text me the location and name of the restaurant. We will head off to the hotel then."

    Our cameraman said, ¡°Stay close to each other, and eat somewhere you can see the dorm from, okay? Don''t wander off too far."

    ¡°Got it."

    After taking note of thest piece of advice from our behind-the-scenes cameraman, I took Jin-Sung with me. I wanted to find a ce that didn''t serve alcohol at this hour, but I got worried as the area was surrounded by bars. Fortunately, we found a Korean restaurant run by the manager Choi Han-Son right in front of our amodation.

    ¡°I will have the kimchi stew. Hyung, can we also get bulgogi?"

    ¡°Sure, but I will have the tteok-galbi[1]"

    ¡°What! I was actually craving tteok-galbi. How did you know?" Before we could even order, Jin-Sung was already nning to snag some of my dish.

    I smiled and told him. ¡°I am ordering it for you to enjoy."

    I wasn''t really hungry after the workout, so I ordered with Jin-Sung''s preferences in mind. I was going to let him indulge in whatever he wanted.

    Jin-Sung seemed delighted and happily ordered some stuff. Although he needed a bit of help understanding some of the server''s questions, the quick-witted server pointed at the menu and helped Jin-Sung figure things out before going away. This seemed to be the only Korean restaurant on this street, likely popr among Korean tourists.

    ¡°This is perfect. I''ve been craving kimchi stew since lunch after eating all that nd bread. This ce couldn''t have been more perfect."

    ¡°I agree. Koreans need their rice," I said. Was this the first time Jin-Sung and I had a meal out together since our trainee days? Even back then, we either rushed or consumed our meals half-asleep at the dorm, so this outing was a first for us.

    Jin-Sung''s eyes kept darting back and forth between the menus until he suddenly eximed, "Ah!" and looked at me with an excited expression.

    ¡°By the way, hyung."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Are you feeling okay?"

    ¡°...What do you mean?" I was taken aback by his sudden concern.

    When I tilted my head as I didn¡¯t grasp the meaning, Jin-Sung wore a worried look on his face. "I mean, about yesterday. When we arrived in the US."

    ¡°Oh, the flight? Ah, I''m fine."

    ¡°Are you sure?"

    We had just danced together energetically, so of course, I was fine. Plus, a good night''s rest had dispelled any lingering fatigue. Yet, Jin-Sung seemed to still be concerned about me. ¡°You seem totally fine now, but Joo-Han hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung were really worried. So, I was debating whether to ask this or not."

    He tightly closed his mouth, watching my every move. However, seeing that he seemed itching to ask something, I nodded for him to speak. I thought I could brush it off if it was too awkward to answer.

    ¡°Um, I was just wondering if... if you are feeling unwell or something... Remember how it was before you boarded the ne?"

    ¡°Uh..."

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung kept worrying even aftering here."

    ¡°It was nothing serious. Did Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon really worry about me?"

    Jin-Sung nodded. ¡°Even on the ne, there was a fight... um, never mind."

    ¡°They fought on the ne?" I asked, and Jin-Sung shook his head as if he had just said something he shouldn''t have.

    ¡°No! Absolutely not. It was just a little argument... Just... I shouldn''t have said that."

    It seemed like Jin-Sung took the chance to ask about my condition while we were alone, but ended up blurting this out inadvertently. He asked me not to tell, concerned about Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon, who weren''t even here.

    I smiled slyly and nodded. ¡°I won''t tell. But did they fight or what?"

    ¡°Ah, why are you putting me in such a spot? It was just a small thing. That''s all there is to it. I wasn''t sitting with them, so I don''t know the details.¡±

    ¡°What was the fight about? It''s not like me being sick is anyone''s fault."

    ¡°Well, I mean..."

    Once the words were out, there was no taking them back. Jin-Sung resignedly smiled and took a swig of his soda as if it were alcohol. ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung was going to ask you about your condition. So, Joo-Han hyung was like, ''Leave it be! Don''t ask.'' Something like that... It was just about whether to ask you directly or not. That''s all it was."

    Ah¡­ So, Yoo-Joon wanted to outright ask about my condition, but Joo-Han preferred not to pry until I spoke up myself. Given the distinct personalities of Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han, their approaches to uncovering the truth were bound to differ.

    ¡®Oh¡­¡¯

    Perhaps that was why Joo-Han wanted to separate me and Yoo-Joon when we chose our room.

    I remembered the moment when Joo-Han suddenly proposed to either Goh Yoo-Joon or I to share a room with him.

    As I pondered seriously, Jin-Sung nced at me from the corner of his eye and said, ¡°Hyung, I know I''m not really of any help, but..."

    ¡°¡­What are you talking about all of a sudden? Why are you saying that you are not helpful?"

    ¡°Still, could you tell me if something''s wrong? I was really shocked at the airport actually."

    I couldn''t say anything. They must have sensed something off about the incident at the airport, though they hadn''t spoken about it.

    As Jin-Sung said, pretending not to know at Joo-Han''s behest only meant they were aware that there was something more than just a fear of flying. I didn''t want to voice it out loud, so I pretended not to notice their concerns.

    ¡°Wouldn''t we be able to help you better if we know what''s going on with you? I was really scared something bad had happened to you then..." Jin-Sung suddenly stopped talking. When I looked at him, he was gnawing on his lip and looking at me with eyes that seemed on the verge of tears.

    ¡°¡­Are you about to cry?" I asked

    ¡°Ah, shoot, I''m not going to cry. This is not a time for jokes."

    Jin-Sung seemed about to cry, which was amusing in many ways. Therefore, I had thought of taking a photo if he really cried, but my words seemed to have stopped his tears.

    ¡°All of us were worried. There hasn''t been anything like this before. Anyway, what I mean is¡ª"

    ¡°I get it. You want me to rely on you guys if anything happens, right?" I cut Jin-Sung off before he could delve deeper, and he let it pass though he seemed dissatisfied.

    Right then, our food arrived, and Jin-Sung cheerfully started eating as if he had never been sad. I looked at him and thought to myself. <em>¡®I should tell them.¡¯</em>

    Even if I couldn''t tell everything, I had to tell them as they would take a great part in my future. I had to speak up, so we could brace for the chaos and panic when it happened again.

    ***

    ¡°Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung already experienced the spotlight here. How was it?" Reina''s question hung in the air as she awaited my response.

    ¡°The crowd here was absolutely electric, and the vibe was unmatched," I answered. Of course, we were in a different position than other amateur artists as we were apanied by multiple filming gear. However, the essence of good performance remained unchanged.

    Reina surveyed the bustling performance space with a seasoned eye and then decisively stepped forward.

    ¡°Shall we then?" She proposed with an adventurous twinkle in her eye.

    The day of the performance dawned in, brimming with a chaotic energy. As a result, from the crack of dawn, the air was already thick with anticipation. Callia Lawrence, who was scheduled to meet us for the first time today, had unexpectedly posted a fancam video of Jin-Sung and me on <em>Stagram</em>. Also, the official video that was uploaded afterward saw its views soar to rival those of music videos.

    Perhaps because of this, or simply because there were more travelers today, the street where the performance was held was literally bursting with people. It was definitely a perfect day for a performance.

    ¡°It looks like you guys are lucky with the weather."

    ¡°Haha, thank you."

    ¡°Now, go to your positions and get ready, everyone. Warm up your voices."

    Reina pointed to an area barricaded off for the performers. Though there was no real stage since it was just a street performance, the barricaded spot was wide enough, so we could bring in instruments and prepare for the performance with ease. The band setup was already in ce, so we just had to hold the microphones and sing.

    ¡°How is it? Did I prepare well?" asked Reina.

    ¡°Wow, I''m starting to get excited," Goh Yoo-Joon whispered as he looked at the well-set area.

    Following Reina''s lead, we each went to our positions and picked up the microphones. When we showed signs of starting something, the gazes of passersby started to gather one by one, as expected.

    ¡°Are you ready?" Joo-Han asked, casting a nce at the members and the band. Afterward, everyone nodded in readiness.

    ¡°Then, let''s start. Yoo-Joon, go ahead and greet them. Introduce us."

    ¡°Okay."

    The first stage was Goh Yoo-Joon''s solo. Hence, he stood up and moved forward.

    1. ??? is a delicious Korean dish made from seasoned ground meat, usually beef or pork, mixed with various ingredients like garlic, onions, and soy sauce. It is then shaped into thick patties and grilled to perfection, resulting in juicy and vorful bites that are perfect for a hearty meal. I personally prefer this over bulgogi. ?

 Chapter 239: Again After Rainfall (15)

    <h4>Chapter 239: Again After Rainfall (15)</h4>

    Goh Yoo-Joon effortlessly charmed the audience as he introduced himself and his next song in smooth, simple English. The song he picked was ¡°As Always,¡± which came highly rmended by Joo-Han. He believed it suited Goh Yoo-Joon''s vocal prowess perfectly.

    As Goh Yoo-Joon weaved his harmonies, I was ready toplement ¡°As Always¡± with my own harmonies and add depth to the duet.

    As the rugged strums of the guitar filled the air, the stage was set aze. Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice rode on the sharp and unrestrained melodies and started to craft the song''s story.

    <i>You and I have very different personalities</i>

    <i>But we can''t break up</i>

    <i>Because it''s natural for me to be by your side</i>?

    I simply closed my eyes and surrendered to the music. Goh Yoo-Joon''s low, velvety tones transformed the song and introduced falsettos that painted a new color to the song entirely. It was clear that he was a natural performer, blessed with both a captivating voice and an innate musical sensibility. I calmly savored Goh Yoo-Joon''s gradually building song as I picked up the microphone.

    <i>Anyway, we have to go through this ordeal</i>

    <i>As always</i>

    <i>we will be happy again after a short period of pain</i>

    <i>As always</i>?

    The unexpected harmonies I added from the background elicited soft gasps of surprise from the audience. They were unprepared for theyered depth of our performance.

    After I matched the harmony, one audience member stared at me intently. I could feel their gaze, so I turned my head to look at that person as soon as the harmony ended. Then, they appeared surprised for a moment before smiling and giving me a thumbs up. I just slightly nodded in response and prepared for the next harmony.

    The performance, led by Goh Yoo-Joon''s serene delivery, wrapped up with grace and resonated with everyone. After all, the audience was fond of the tune and enchanted by Goh Yoo-Joon''s rendition. They were thoroughly mesmerized, and their apuse was a testament to the sess of our performance.

    With a brotherly pat on Goh Yoo-Joon''s back, Joo-Han offered his praises. ¡°Thank you. He''s the member with the best voice among us."

    Joo-Han spoke fluently with greatposure. After that, he smoothly transitioned to introducing Yoon-Chan, who opted for Reina¡¯s song instead of a conventional pop song.

    His choice ¡°Lessa¡± was imbued with an enchanting Orientalism[1]

    ¡°It''s a very... interesting melody, so I hope you enjoy it,¡± said Yoon-Chan. He gracefully lifted the microphone to sing, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. Then, a band member behind him unveiled a gleaming new violin.

    As the bow caressed the strings, the violin weaved a melody that conjured an aura reminiscent of the East despite its Western heritage. It was expressing versatility in its emotional range. After that, Yoon-Chan¡¯s soft yet piercing voice melded with the music and captivated every soul in the surroundings.

    The once noisy audience fell silent and focused their attention on Yoon-Chan. It was the song that received rave reviews from Reina during yesterday¡¯s practice session. After Yoon-Chan got a torrent of high praise from the original singer, his confidence soared.

    He sang the song with his unique and beautiful voice, without trembling. While the audience wasn¡¯t familiar with the song, it still elicited a good reaction from the audience here. Anyway, Yoon-Chan''s rendition of "Lessa" would likely shine brighter than anyone else''s performance when broadcasted.

    Next up was Joo-Han, belting out a tune that had just imed the top spot on the Billboard charts. Initially, it had been hovering near the bottom, but today, it skyrocketed to number one, perfectly timed for his performance. Earlier, Joo-Han had been over the moon, dering, ¡°Didn''t I tell you this song would rise up the charts like crazy? Looks like I need toy down a mat for myself and be a shaman."

    Just like that, the audience immensely enjoyed themselves by dancing and singing along to the song. The sweet and heart-fluttering song ended with everyone¡ªincluding the audience, the members, and the band¡ªenjoying the rhythm and the atmosphere.

    Next was Jin-Sung¡¯s turn. He had prepared a special performance for this event. Of course, it was a performance that would seem unique to the audience, with him having a duet with Reina.

    Reina, known primarily as a beloved national singer and award-winning artist, made a surprising appearance as a manager this time around. However, the production team understood the disappointment fans might feel without hearing her sing, so they scheduled her to perform a duet or solo song in one show. Jin-Sung, the least confident in singing among the members, was chosen to sing with her. Reina herself had personally picked him, suggesting that singing together might even help boost his confidence.

    However, Reina also had a firm taste in music like a steadfast pine tree. Jin-Sung felt more pressured than ever, knowing he had to perform a difficult song perfectly alongside Reina. Yet, his worry was only momentary.

    <i>I want to see you and the stars</i>

    <i>I will give you my shoulder and look at the sky</i>

    <i>How beautiful it must be</i>?

    Reina was a genius at distributing parts. Thanks to her, Jin-Sung could manage well without overstraining himself. Jin-Sung was doing a great job with this difficult song. In fact, it made sense considering he had been called by Reina right after finishing the dance performance yesterday and had received special training... It even seemed like the song suited him very well.

    Then came my turn, thest in the solo song ry. As soon as Joo-Han introduced me to the audience, I started.

    <i>I know I can''t see you after this night</i>

    <i>We can dance sweetly and look into each other''s eyes</i>

    <i>But we don''t even know each other''s names</i>?

    I felt a slight pressure due to the great performances from my fellow members. Fortunately, my song seemed to appeal quite well to the audience.

    After finishing the duet with Jin-Sung, Reina moved to where the audience was and started to watch my performance. She had a serious expression, none of her usual hearty smiles, and seemed to be deep in thought. For a moment, I wondered if I was doing something wrong, but it didn''t seem like I was making any mistakes.

    The song calmly built emotion in tune with the melody and soon reached its highlight with a high note. I had been under tremendous pressure from Joo-Han yesterday as this was the first andst high note of this performance.

    I rxed my body and raised the pitch with strength. As I maintained the high note steadily, cheers erupted from the audience. After Reina saw me finishing cleanly, she smiled meaningfully and continued to watch my performance until the end before disappearing behind the camera.

    ¡°Herees ourst performance,¡± Joo-Han said, and it elicited sounds of disappointment from the audience.

    Throughout the performance, arge number of people gathered to watch our show. It was so gratifying to think that we provided a stage worth watching even though they didn''t know who we were.

    After that, the final stagemenced. Joo-Han stepped forward, revealing the true identity of the group and exining the concept of the next song.

    ¡°We are actually dance singers. I want to showcase our song with dance," he announced, eliciting enthusiastic responses from the audience.

    The rest of us promptly rose to our feet, assuming our positions on stage.

    ¡°The name of the song is ¡®Parade¡¯.¡± Soon, the intro to "Parade" started to y.

    ***

    Meanwhile, Reina remained behind the scenes and observed the performance alongside Callia Lawrence, who had made a special trip solely to see Reina. Callia was apanied by her manager and bodyguards, all dressed inconspicuously to blend into the crowd. However, despite their low-profile attire, they were heavily armed, ready to fend off any paparazzi attempting to snap unauthorized photos.

    ¡°Are they the ones you mentioned?" Callia asked and pointed at Chronos with her chin.

    Reina nodded in confirmation. ¡°Yes."

    Callia let out a deep sigh and shook her head dismissively. She stated quite bluntly, ¡°They are just dancers."

    This starkly contrasted with the eager persona Callia had projected on <i>Stagram</i>, where she excitedly anticipated meeting Chronos following their street stage performance the day before. Unbeknownst to Callia''s followers, it was her manager who curated her social media presence, not Callia herself.

    ¡°You missed their singing part," Reina pointed out as she felt a headache. Chronos''s choice of songs and their vocal prowess were impable. Considering Callia Lawrence and Reina had almost identical tastes in music, Reina thought for sure that Callia would enjoy it.

    The issue, however, was the timing of Callia''s arrival. Yesterday''s street performance was just a dance, and unfortunately, Callia missed all the songs that had been earnestly performed up until now due to her tardiness. Hence, she could only see the "Parade" lip-sync performance.

    Due to technical issues with the stage equipment, live singing to dance tracks was impossible. That was the only reason why the members of Chronos were lip-syncing.

    Nevertheless, this unfortunate timing made Chronos appear to Callia as just dancers, merely mouthing the words without singing. This perception turned them into faux singers, leaving the worst possible first impression.

    1. refers to how Westerners often depict Eastern cultures in a way that''s exaggerated or distorted, focusing on stereotypes and exotic elements. So, in the sentence, it means the song "??" is full of these kinds of portrayals of Eastern culture. ?

 Chapter 240: Again After Rainfall (16)

    <h4>Chapter 240: Again After Rainfall (16)</h4>

    During our "Parade" performance, not only the usual crowd had their cameras out. Even those who hadn''t nned on capturing the moment werepelled to start filming us. There was something about our presence that seemed novel and refreshing to them, which led to an eclectic response from the audience. Some were overtaken by enthusiasm and cheered us on with increased vigor, while others chose to dial back their overt excitement and observed us with a quiet appreciation that felt deeply affirmative.

    It was an invigorating experience, which suggested we had made amendable impression for our debut performance in the US.

    However, the high from our performance was short-lived. As we stepped off the vibrant streets while being bathed in the afterglow of sess, we were blindsided by a bewildering question.

    ¡°So, does this mean we won''t get to meet Callia Lawrence?" Jin-Sung''s voice was tinged with concern as his question cut through the air.

    The production team''s response was a somber shake of the head, which doused our spirits like a cold shower. One of them replied, ¡°Well, it''s not entirely off the table, but for today, it seems that''s the case. Reina is trying to talk to her... For now, let''s head back to the lodging and wait it out."

    The walk back to our amodation was silent as our energy was sapped by the unexpected turn of events. It turned out that Callia Lawrence had stormed off in a huff without so much as an exnation. Reina had gone after her, but with Callia having left by car, it seemed unlikely we''d have our meeting today. Our disappointment was palpable, which was a stark contrast to the eager anticipation we had all harbored for the encounter.

    Despite the letdown, none of us harbored any anger toward Callia. Experiencing firsthand the nature of celebrity culture that we''d only read about in articles added ayer of surreal humor to the situation.

    ¡°We are fine. But just out of curiosity, what was the reason?" I asked as I hoped to shed some light on the situation.

    The production team''s reply wasced with embarrassment. ¡°It appears there was a misunderstanding. Please don''t worry. It''s not your fault."

    Callia Lawrence was a titan in the music industry, a beacon for fans in their teens and twenties worldwide. As she held the reins as a top Hollywood star for six consecutive years, her influence was monumental. With just a few words, she could set trends, inspire charitable movements, and revive dying brands.

    Everywhere she went, Callia was a top-tier celebrity. However, in the United States, she was making quite a name for herself as a troublemaker. Despite treating her fans well and being serious about her performances and music, she was known for frequent tardiness, swearing during interviews, absenteeism, and even posting videos on social media while intoxicated, where she bad-mouthed other singers.

    In Korea, such behavior would have buried someone¡¯s career under controversies. However, her unique charm, musical ethos, and love for her fans meant that she enjoyed unwavering support and adoration from many¡ªthough, of course, she also faced significant criticism.

    Observing these dynamics, one might find the American¡¯s entertainment industry bewildering. However, it was simply a case of ¡°Callia being Callia¡± in this situation. While it was somewhat surprising, everyone epted it. After all, it happened in front of the cameras, so we really couldn¡¯t get angry to be honest.

    ¡°Then, are we free to go grab some dinner?" asked Joo-Han to break the silence. His question was a reminder of the sudden gap in our schedule. With no meeting to attend, we found ourselves having nothing to do, so we were unsure of our next move.

    ¡°Sure, go ahead. Have a meal and take it easy. We will have to regroup for practice once Reina returns this evening,¡± said the production crew as they handed us a small stipend for our meal. The simple act of dining out offered a brief respite, and it was a chance to recharge before returning to our hotel room.

    ¡°Ah, it''s disappointing. Isn''t it, Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Yeah, I thought we were super lucky as we won¡¯t have such an opportunity in the future.¡±

    ¡°Ah, what''s the point in mulling over it now?¡±

    Things were already set in motion. Sure, our meeting with Callia Lawrence was up in the air, but Chronos''s<i> Again After Rainfall </i>still continued. Whether we crossed paths with her or not, we had to maintain an unwavering focus on our performances.

    ...Yet, I couldn''t just shake off my disappointment.

    ¡°<i>Sigh</i>, I need to unwind. I am going to rest in my room.¡± After I said that, I left Goh Yoo-Joon in the living room, went into my room, and turned on my phone. As soon as I turned it on, I saw new updates from each app. Among them, a notification on <i>UTube </i>about a street performance featuring our official channel and Jin-Sung emerged.

    <i>¡®Wow, it''s already- ah, no.¡¯</i>

    I became aware of the cameras installed around, so as I clicked on the notification, I murmured my inner thoughts to myself. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s already uploaded.¡±

    ¡°<i>Gosh</i>, what''s with the views?" Howe the views are already so high?¡± It was just a street performance video, but somehow it settled at number eight in the trending videos.

    I scrolled down to thement section, I noticed that it was flooded with Englishments, while Korean ones were rare to find, likely influenced by the famous algorithm. Among the Englishments were those from people who stumbled upon the video and were amazed by it. Hidden among them were Koreanments filled with longing, such as ¡°I miss you,¡± ¡°Ie here every day because I miss you,¡± and ¡°It''s good to see your face like this. Come back soon.¡±

    ¡°Pfft,¡± I chuckled, easing some of the stress from the Callia situation by reading the cleverly phrased ¡°I miss you¡±ments by Rings.

    <i>Knock knock</i>¡ª

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung~"

    ¡°Ah, it''s Jin-Sung. There''s no one here."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung~" Jin-Sung spoke with a strange nasal voice and opened the door on his own.

    ¡°What are you doing?"

    ¡°I came to see what you are up to."

    ¡°Don''t sit on the bed. You are going to put dust on my nkets. Get out."

    ¡°Are you telling me to leave? I''m your younger brother, how cold."

    What was with that sly tone? Jin-Sung approached me, undeterred even as I made a disgusted face. He said, ¡°Mr. Suh Hyun-Woo, I have a serious favor to ask. I am dead serious."

    ¡°Can I refuse whatever it is without knowing what it is?"

    ¡°Ah,e on, listen to me. Okay?"

    Jin-Sung, who had been circling around with a greasy tone, suddenly smiled and leaned in closer. ¡°Hyung, wanna be roommates?"

    ¡°I refuse."

    ¡°Aaack!" Jin-Sung despaired and pulled at his hair. ¡°<i>Ugh</i>! Let''s be roomies! I can''t stand it!!!"

    ¡°What''s the matter? Why are you¡ª" Before I could finish asking, I realized that Jin-Sung''s current roommate was Joo-Han. Hence, I simply grinned and patted him on the head as if tofort him.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, that''s life. You must have caused Joo-Han hyung trouble in the same way, no?"

    ¡°Seriously, hyung? Just this time¡ªno, just for one day, please? Or should I just sleep in the living room? I got an uppercut from Joo-Han hyung''s foot yesterday."

    ¡°Ah, it brings tears to my eyes. Yoon-Chan must have had a hard time putting up with you all this while."

    ¡°Ah! Stop changing the subject."

    Iughed as I watched Jin-Sung throwing a tantrum. After that, I said, ¡°Let''s do this then. You are on a break anyway, right?"

    ¡°Yeah. But what about it?"

    ¡°Go out now and buy me a gift that I would like, and I will consider it."

    ¡°...A gift? Now?"

    ¡°Yeah, just buy anything I like. If not, forget it."

    ¡°...Okay! Deal!" Jin-Sung epted the offer, not understanding why I suddenly asked for it.

    ¡°I will be back. Take a rest and look forward to it."

    As Jin-Sung prepared to go out, I said, ¡°Jin-Sung, video call me on your way."

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°I want to keep an eye on where you are and what you are doing, so call me. Get permission from manager hyung first though."

    Jin-Sung made a face as if to say, ¡°Do we really need to go that far?¡± However, he called the manager without anyint.

    ¡°I will be back."

    ¡°Yeah, I''m looking forward to it."

    Jin-Sung left the room, and soon after, a call came in. When I answered, the video call showed him, who was already outside along with Goh Yoo-Joon. Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to have taken on the role of an international lost child prevention assistant, and it appeared Su-Hwan randomly enlisted him who was passing by.

    - Hey! Mr. Hyun-Woo!

    - Hyung! I came out with Yoo-Joon hyung!

    ¡°Oh, really?¡± I waved back at the two, who were excitedly waving their hands about their outing, and sneakily mentioned my main intent. ¡°But guys, can I record this?¡±

    - Huh? Why?

    ¡°I want to record and edit it so that the people around aren''t visible and then upload it to <i>UTube</i>. This situation is kind of funny." I said it as if it was no big deal and the idea just popped into my head. There had been so manyments saying they wanted to see us on <i>UTube</i>. As the sub-leader of Chronos, uploading stuff like this now and then would be a way to help manage the fans'' morale, especially since the schedule was canceled. I was thinking of capturing and uploading various aspects of the other members next.

    - Sure, go ahead. Then the Rings will see this, won''t they?

    - Hello, Rings!

    Seeing them enthusiastically waving again, I btedly pressed the record button. ¡°Say hello again."

    - Hi, Rings!

    - It''s been a while! We miss you! We are in New York!

    Goh Yoo-Joon showed off the New York scenery. Well, unfortunately, it might get edited or the entire scenery might have to be pixted due to the crowd.

    - How have you all been, my love Rings?

    ¡°Why are you two there?" I asked, and Jin-Sung replied.

    - We came out on an errand for Hyun-Woo hyung!

    - We are about to start the errand now!

    I smirked as I saw their readiness to get to work. ¡°Everyone, this is great. First off, Yoo-Joon!"

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Could you sing a song for the Rings? Please make it feel like you are video calling with the fans, and maybe add a little something before and after."

    - Huh?

    Since we were filming, I might as well ask everything I wanted.

 Chapter 241: Again After Rainfall (17)

    Chapter 241: Again After Rainfall (17)

    ¡°Could you sing a song for the Rings? Please make it feel like you are video calling with the fans, and maybe add a little something before and after."

    - Huh, seriously?

    Yoo-Joon was caught off guard by my sudden request and couldn''t help but chuckle in disbelief.

    - Right here?

    ¡°Come on, all the Rings have their eyes on you."

    -...So I need to imagine that I am on a call with the Rings. Fine. Jin-Sung, toss me your phone.

    ¡°Oh, what''s the n?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon seized the phone from Jin-Sung, sauntered over to a sunlit spot, and shed a victorious smile.

    - Hey, babe.¡®<em>What the heck.¡¯</em>

    ¡°Aaack! What in the world are you doing?"

    - Oh, c''mon, you asked for it. It¡¯s not for you, though. Rings~ Are you up?

    What was he doing? I was unable to stomach any more of my friend''s antics and turned off my own video, having my profile picture rece it before turning a cold shoulder to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    - How are you? I miss you, Rings.

    - Ah, hyung, you¡¯re being weird!

    - Eh? Sing a song, you say? Right now? I¡¯m a bit shy, but okay. I would do anything for you.

    The situation reminded me of those days filming music videos. Goh Yoo-Joon started to role-y over ranks and roles in the group out of nowhere¡­ His ir for drama, shamelessly overflowing with talent, had me in stitches. Even though this was my idea, he took it up a notch. Goh Yoo-Joon was born to be a celebrity.

    I could hear Goh Yoo-Joon singing from my phone, which I threw aside. The scene was too cringeworthy to watch, but he was singing so well. I slowly crawled to retrieve my phone and waited for Goh Yoo-Joon''s song to end. He hadn''t realized I wasn¡¯t watching, but he was really determined. He was looking at the screen and continuing to role-y.

    - How was it? I hope you like it. Then, see you in a bit! Bye!

    ¡°Ah, yes, yes. It was good, Yoo-Joon," I said.

    After I turned on my video again, embarrassment filled Goh Yoo-Joon''s face, which had been dripping with kindness.

    - Ah, why? You asked me to do this, so what''s with that face?

    ¡°I asked you to sing, not role-y, Yoo-Joon. Ah, I truly couldn''t bear to watch that."

    I couldn''t help butugh. Goh Yoo-Joon perhaps found his own role-y funny, so heughed with me for a while.

    ¡°Next up is Jin-Sung. Please sing for us too. Say hello to the Rings first."

    - Me?...Honey!

    Jin-Sung nced at Goh Yoo-Joon, giggled, and imitated what his friend had done before. He ended up in a headlock because of Goh Yoo-Joon. He somehow kept the yfulness at bay and quickly sang a song. My suddenmand was concluded.

    - Do you like this, hyung? I don''t know what to buy since you don¡¯t really like food.

    - He''s not into collecting souvenirs, either. Jin-Sung, it might be better to buy him clothes or essories.

    - Oh, let¡¯s get essories.

    The two earnestly roamed around, trying to pick something I might like. After browsing here and there, showing me things that might suit my taste, I ended up receiving a beautiful bracelet from a store near our amodation.

    ¡°Now that I got you this, be my roommate for a day."

    ¡°Okay, I will."

    Jin-Sung finally felt relieved and left after getting my firm answer.

    ¡°..."

    But, don''t people normally set conditions to use a room by themselves? It seemed like he made the deal not to sleep alone, but to let Joo-Han sleep alone. Maybe all of us members were naturally brainwashed to yield everything to Joo-Han.

    ***

    The sudden schedule cancetion continued until the evening, and we just loafed around in the amodation for half a day. Meanwhile, the camera installed in our ce kept filming, so we had to keep ying, talking, and showing bits of our ordinary daily life without having the time to be sad about Callia''s misdeeds.

    After the video call with Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung earlier, I spent the day humming and practicing songs in my room. Then, I yed games on theptop Goh Yoo-Joon broughtter.

    Jin-Sung had his meal, Joo-Han worked onposing, and Yoon-Chan went to buy the chocte tart that Reina had brought with the <em>Again After Rainfall </em>camera after working out.

    As I felt a bit gloomy and rxed, Reina, who had gone to pick up Callia Lawrence, came to our amodation. ¡°Sorry, did I keep you waiting for long?"

    ¡°No, not at all, Senior. Um, I meant Manager."

    ¡°Shall we sit and talk for a bit? Sorry, but could you turn off the camera for a moment?"

    At Reina''s request, the production team quickly turned off the living room camera in the amodation.

    ¡°I talked to Callia.<em> Sigh,</em> she does some unnecessary and strange things every now and then."

    ¡°What happened all of a sudden?¡± Yoon-Chan asked. ¡°I heard she was quite angry when she left..."

    Reina looked at him apologetically. ¡°There was a big misunderstanding. She got angry over her own mistake, but you don''t have to worry about it."

    Seeing that even the production team and Reina were not properly exining why Callia Lawrence was angry, it seemed like it was something that could hurt us.

    ¡°Anyway, I had a good talk with her, and she said she''de back tomorrow. So, just be aware of that, please. Don''t worry about Callia and practice hard, okay? A more proper venue has been arranged for tomorrow."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Then, everyone, go practice. Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo, could I have a word with you?"

    ¡°Yes."

    Instead of Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon led the other two members to the practice room, and Joo-Han and I remained to face Reina. As soon as it was just Joo-Han and me, Reina sighed deeply and showed how tired she was.

    ¡°Guys, about tomorrow''s stage..." she began.

    ¡°Yes, what about it?"

    ¡°Can you do it all live? Your group performance too."

    ¡°Of course, we¡¯re fine with that. But what''s the matter?" Joo-Han asked.

    Reina seemed bewildered, but this time she exined the reason properly. ¡°It seemed Callia doubted your abilities.¡±

    ¡°...Uh ¡­Were wecking in some way?¡±

    Reina quickly reassured us, dispelling our doubts with a wave of her hand. ¡°No, not at all. The issue wasn¡¯t with your performances. Callia arrivedte and only managed to catch your ¡®Parade¡¯ stage. She questioned the value of watching a performance that was not live.¡±

    Realization dawned on me. The first impression Callia had of us was our lip-syncing stage. However, the thought that this misunderstanding had led to her abrupt departure was still puzzling, especially considering that we had been performing live just moments before her arrival. This could have been easily verified by a quick inquiry to the production team. The notion of our skills being questioned was more infuriating than any scheduling mishap could ever be.

    As Reina sensed our frustration, she tried to soothe us. ¡°Callia isn''t always this difficult. She definitely acts impulsively sometimes, getting angry without knowing the full context. Her attitude can be unbearable, but she will never change."

    Despite Reina''s attempt to calm the situation, Joo-Han simply stated, ¡°¡­We are okay."

    His words echoed my sentiments. We understood that Callia Lawrence perceived us as insignificant neers, so we weren¡¯t worth her time unless Reina introduced us. Given her tight schedule, her disappointment for witnessing a lip-sync performance as her first impression was somewhat understandable, although the ensuing reaction seemed disproportionate.

    ¡°I''ve exined everything to her and scolded her for her hasty judgment. We''ve agreed to meet again tomorrow. This time, I want to make asting impression, one that she will regret not having witnessed a day earlier."

    ¡°Ah, of course, Senior."

    Joo-Han was motivated by the discussion, and had a fiery determination in his eyes. Known for his inability to tolerate disrespect, this incident had clearly struck a chord with him. He confidently stated, ¡°Regardless of how Callia Lawrence feels about us, we will prove our worth. She won''t be able to criticize our skills anymore."

    ¡°With that spirit, I''m counting on you for tomorrow''s live performance," Reina added. ¡°We are nning a grand show in the center of arge outdoor za. It''s going to be a massive event with a huge crowd. Let''s keep this quiet from the other members."

    ¡°Yes!"

    After a brief rest, Reina said, ¡°I wille watch you practice in a bit. Now, go ahead and get started."

    ¡°Yes! We¡¯re on it, Senior."

    After we left our amodations and headed to the practice room, Joo-Han remained silent as he was lost in thought. I refrained from initiating conversation, sensing the depth of his contemtion. It was evident from his expression that the doubt cast on our abilities had deeply wounded his pride.

    Upon our arrival at the practice room, the silence was broken. Joo-Han saw the faces of our fellow members and immediately took charge. ¡°Let''s choose ¡®Joy¡¯ as our next group song. Shall we draft the setlist? Gather around, everyone."

    This suggestion seemed spontaneous, yet it was clear Joo-Han had something specific in mind, given his recent experiences.

    It seemed like a straightforward proposal, with Joo-Han simply choosing ¡°Joy,¡± which had been released recently, so the members were gathered around without giving it too much thought.

    However, having seen Joo-Han''s clearly upset demeanor just a moment before, I thought to myself that even though it may appear that the members had the freedom to choose, the setlist would likely be craftily shaped ording to Joo-Han''s will, including all the solo and duet songs of the members.

    ¡°Joy¡± stood out among Chronos'' songs for its demanding choreography and vocal sections. The intense dance routines and high notes, especially in the climactic parts, which we had practiced extensively under Kun-Ho''s tutge, presented a significant challenge. This song wasn''t just about dancing. The vocal parts were equally demanding, making it aprehensive test of our abilities.

    ¡°I have a solo song I want to rmend to you, Yoo-Joon. How about ¡®Lovevevelove¡¯ by Big Band? It came to mind while watching today''s performance. I think it would suit you really well."

    ¡°Wow, that song is quite challenging. I tried it before and failed."

    ¡°But, Joo-Han, aren''t we supposed to choose from the list of songs we submitted to the band?"

    ¡°I heard in the pre-meeting that it''s not strictly necessary. We just need to provide the sheet music. Consider it, Yoo-Joon. If it doesn''t work out, we can always switch to something else. What do you think?"

    ¡°Well... okay. I like that song too."

    Joo-Han easily decided on Goh Yoo-Joon''s song before moving on to rmend a piece for Yoon-Chan. Again, he suggested a challenging song that would highlight Yoon-Chan''s voice, and Yoon-Chan agreed to try despite feeling anxious.

    ¡°What about you, Jin-Sung? What do you want to do?"

    ¡°Uh, I... What <em>should </em>I do? I haven''t really thought about anything. Can I take a moment to consider?"

    ¡°Sure, take your time. If you can''t decide, I will rmend something for you."

    Joo-Han was pretending to be considerate, but was already scrolling through his ylist on his phone to look for a song for Jin-Sung. The other members definitely didn¡¯t notice this, but standing behind Joo-Han, I could see his busy hands flipping through his ylist. It was likely that Jin-Sung would end up choosing a song rmended by Joo-Han without even realizing it.

    ¡°And what about you, Hyun-Woo? Got any songs in mind?" Joo-Han asked.

    I simply shook my head in response. ¡°No, nothing so far. Why don¡¯t you pick one for me?"

    It seemed that Joo-Han had already decided the theme of this performance to be a vocal capability disy tailored specifically for Callia Lawrence.

 Chapter 242: Again After Rainfall (18)

    Chapter 242: Again After Rainfall (18)

    ¡°Callia, are you ready?" the manager asked.

    Callia rolled her eyes skyward before nodding. ¡°Ugh.¡± Her expression screamed reluctance, yet no one dared to point that out. Despite her attitude, she had a vast following of fans who supported her even though they knew full well how she was.

    In Hollywood, where controversies often turn into publicity, Callia Lawrence''s temperament was the least of concerns for her agency and manager as long as there were people supporting her music.

    ¡°I wouldn''t have even looked at those kids if it weren''t for Reina."

    ¡°Don''t be so negative, Callia. It was all a misunderstanding, remember?"

    ¡°¡­That''s why I''m going back now."

    ¡°Did you see what I posted on social media?"

    ¡°Yes, I did. All their songs have intense dancing. I don''t see what Reina sees in them and why she rmends them so highly."

    Callia had met Reina at an after-party for a fashion show. Recognizing her as a famous Korean singer, Callia had checked out a few of her songs and found them quite to her taste on the spot. This had led to a friendship strong enough that Callia would make time whenever Reina visited the US.When Reina started shooting a Korean music variety show in the US and asked Callia to appear as a producer, Callia''spany agreed after considering various factors, like the previous season''s <em>UTube</em> clip views.

    The payment was barely worth mentioning, but Callia had agreed to participate because her friend Reina had asked her to. She had squeezed time out of her busy schedule, but the sight of unknown singers merely dancing to music without properly singing was uneptable.

    Reina convinced her to watch a few videos from Chronos'' official channel, which were all dance tracks and had dramatic music videos. Callia was honestly surprised because they were better than she had expected.

    However, Callia''s negative perception hardly changed. No matter which video she watched, she couldn''t imagine them doing anything but lip-syncing on stage. They seemed like a group of decent-looking boys dancing their way through the industry, which wasn¡¯t exactly Callia''s taste.

    ¡°I hope this time they show me a performance worth producing. I don''t enjoy elevating people I don''t like. You know that, right?"

    ¡°I know. I hope they live up to your expectations. Here''s a gift from Jhanel for you."

    ¡°A bag? Tell them I''m always grateful."

    The manager chuckled and shook his head. ¡°They should be thanking <em>you.</em> Think of the benefits you bring by carrying it."

    Callia''s mood finally softened, and she opened up. ¡°I just hope the preparations I''ve made won''t end up in disappointment." She yed a song from her phone, a piece she had created for her role in <em>Again After Rainfall.</em>

    Callia was aware of her sensitivity on that particr day due to unsessful work and a quarrel with her lover. She had prepared a song for the group, wanting to actively participate in Reina''s show, but ended up being stubborn due to her mood. ¡°Arrange some time for me to apologize to Reina before the shooting starts."

    ¡°Okay."

    Having Callia as a producer was a significant opportunity for Chronos despite her challenging personality. If they could impress her, they could secure a song and marketing that would firmly establish their name in the US.

    Every artist who had worked with her and had her as a producer had sessfully established themselves, and were currently enjoying a long-running career. The news of Callia Lawrence''s appearance as a producer had be a huge topic for that very reason.

    ¡°The people you are about to work with might be more talented than you think. There''s a reason Reina introduced them to you, so let''s go ahead with the filming," the manager consoled Callia, hoping that this time she would reconcile smoothly with Reina and conclude the broadcast shooting without issues.

    ***

    After a journey that spanned several hours, Callia finally reached the designated square. She maintained the same level of disguise as the previous day. The moment she stepped out of the car, she was acutely aware of the paparazzi lurking around. Some concealed themselves within crowds and others more overtly approached her, yet she made her way toward the backstage with a practiced air of indifference.

    Regret over her tardiness and the previous day''s anger prompted Callia to arrive much earlier than the scheduled time. There was a lingering uncertainty about whether Reina or any of the cast members had already arrived.

    The production team was caught off-guard by Callia''s premature arrival as they were thrown into a state of turmoil. Frantic calls were made. ¡°Someone please contact Reina!"

    ¡°She''s on her way, should be here any moment!"

    ¡°And what about Chronos?"

    ¡°They are expected to arrive ahead of Reina!"

    In the whirlwind of bustling activity, Callia found a moment of calm after taking a seat on a foldable chair. She crossed her legs and waited with a stern expression, biding her time for the cast to arrive.

    ¡°Chronos is here!"

    Her peace was broken eventually by the arrival of Chronos as they greeted with a chorus of ¡°Good morning!"

    The group was still drowsy from their exhaustive overnight rehearsal, and they were momentarily taken aback by Callia''s presence.

    ¡°Oh? Wow¡ª"

    ¡°Hello. Hi!"

    The Chronos members managed their expressions well and greeted everyone since they had experience appearing on TV. This frustrated some of the staff. Callia had stormed off in anger at Chronos the day before. No matter how warmly they greeted her, their effort could be in vain if she didn''t reciprocate, risking their footage being cut despite the hefty appearance fee.

    However, Callia rose from her chair and greeted them with a wide smile as if no tension had ever existed. ¡°Hello! Nice to meet you~."

    It was clear that Callia was more adept at navigating theplexities of the entertainment industry than most. She engaged in a brief yet warm conversation with Chronos by expressing her eagerness for their performance. ¡°I''m looking forward to your performance."

    ¡°We will do our best."

    ¡°I will be keeping an eye out. Where''s Reina?"

    With effortless grace, Callia wrapped up her interaction with Chronos by asking about Reina''s whereabouts before excusing herself.

    ¡°Wow, this is so unreal."

    ¡°I never thought I''d actually meet Callia Lawrence in my lifetime."

    ¡°Right? I figured we''d only ever see her on <em>UTube</em>."

    The innocent members of Chronos couldn''t hide their amazement following their short exchange with Callia Lawrence. Kang Joo-Han saw their reactions and couldn''t help but smile broadly. His determination rekindled.

    <em>¡®Just wait and see what we are capable of.'' </em>He hadn''t forgotten even for a second the humiliation they had faced the day before, when they had been treated as if they were nothing.

    Hyun-Woo might have brushed it off by attributing it to their rtive obscurity in the US and Callia''s known temperament. Kang Joo-Han personally viewed Hyun-Woo''s leniency as an excess of kindness, nearly saint-like.

    <em>¡®Our team is too good-natured,''</em> he thought, and his frustration grew.

    The idea of passively epting their dismissal with a <em>¡®Well, if the esteemed star finds uscking, what can we do?''</em> was uneptable to him.

    Kang Joo-Han was seething with resolve, determined to change Callia''s perception of Chronos that very day. He envisioned securing her production services, impressing her enough to receive a hit song, and perhaps even gleaning some songwriting expertise from her to ascend to musical royalty if luck was on their side. This was Kang Joo-Han''s form of revenge and his ambition.

    ¡°Everyone, gather around," he called out.

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    His group members were ever responsive and eager, so they quickly gathered around him.

    ¡°Did you see the crowd at our performance spot?"

    ¡°It''s packed beyond belief. I never imagined we''d be performing in front of a department store."

    ¡°It''s nothing like yesterday''s stage," Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung remarked.

    Kang Joo-Han nodded in agreement before adding, ¡°Most of these people don''t know us. Our only way to capture their attention is through our vocals, understood?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°Let''s stay calm and perform just as we rehearsed. There''s no need to overdo it just because someone famous is watching."

    ¡°Understood!"

    Kang Joo-Han watched his group members nod in agreement, a look of satisfaction on his face, before leading them in the Chronos chant.

    ¡°Let''s go!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s give it our all!"

    ¡°Yeah!"

    They were resolute in their determination to etch the name Chronos in Callia Lawrence¡¯s memory and to leave an impression that she would never easily forget. This wasn''t just about making a statement; it was about ensuring that Chronos became a name that resonated within the corridors of the music industry, particrly in Callia''s circles.

    ***

    ¡°I''m sorry, Reina," Callia began, her tone reflecting genuine remorse.

    Reina¡¯s words were heavy with disappointment. ¡°You broke my friends'' hearts."

    ¡°I know. Leaving the way I did yesterday was a mistake on my part," Callia admitted. She acknowledged her hasty departure and the hurt it caused.

    Callia had a moreposed demeanorpared to the previous day. She sighed and nodded in understanding.

    Reina told her, ¡°Today, I want you to watch their entire performance. I promise you, you won''t have any regrets."

    With that, Reina led Callia to the front row of the audience seats and prepared her for an experience that could just change her perspective.

    The stage was set in a low-rise tform in the square,rgely ignored by the passers-by for now. Chronos and their apanying band took their ces one by one, making light adjustments and engaging in brief exchanges to ensure everything was set for the performance.

    As Callia observed their preparations, her gaze sharpened again, not because of the irritation or disdain from the previous day, but because this was the discerning eye of a producer evaluating potential talent.

    In that moment, it was clear she was assessing whether Chronos possessed the qualities worthy of her production expertise. This was a significant shift from her earlier skepticism.

 Chapter 243: Again After Rainfall (19)

    Chapter 243: Again After Rainfall (19)

    Reina subtly observed Callia Lawrence from the corner of her eye. Hidden behind sunsses, Callia''s expression was unreadable with her arms crossed and lips pressed together in a firm line. This indicated her usual resilience.

    However, the typical stream ofints that usually escaped her when she was discontent seemed absent today, suggesting that Chronos'' performance was capturing her interest more than she''d anticipated.

    ¡°The member currently singing is Park Yoon-Chan. He''s known for his high vocal range and the incredible delicacy of his voice," Reinamented.

    ¡°...¡±

    Yoon-Chan swayed to the rhythm with his light smile and rxed demeanor. Everyone loved his kind of charm, and this made his voice appeal to a wide audience.

    After a moment of attentive listening, Callia expressed her desire to explore more of Yoon-Chan''s repertoire. ¡°I want to hear more songs performed by this member."

    It was clear that she appreciated the song Yoon-Chan had chosen. His selection was characterized by its buoyant rhythm and frequent shifts between registers. It definitely highlighted his adeptness at transitioning smoothly from lower tones to a striking falsetto and back again.

    Park Yoon-Chan had heeded Reina''s advice during practice sessions and decided to focus on the high notes where his strength trulyy. He had glossed over the lower ranges that didn''t suit him as well. Given the song¡¯s charmy in its recurring falsetto, seamlessly blending the lower and higher notes could transform it into an exceptionally delightful performance.

    Callia was intrigued by this disy of meticulous craftsmanship in Yoon-Chan''s performance. She found herself longing to hear a delicate song sung with the same level of dedication from start to finish. She was convinced his voice had the finesse to truly elevate a delicateposition, highlighting its subtleties with grace. Reina nodded with a wide smile. ¡°You should watch his live performance during practice. I''m familiar with a piece that particrly showcases his talent. I will ask him to sing it for you."

    Callia nodded crisply and shifted her attention to Park Yoon-Chan. She contemted his slight nervousness and questioned whether he had the capability to carry an entire song solo. Yet, the ambiance created by his voice was undeniably appealing. Its softness, serenity, and warmth invited listeners to rx and immerse themselves fully in the music by offering a glimpse into his personality and making the performance all the more endearing.

    <em>¡®So, he had such a voice.¡¯ </em>

    ¡°Quite a bold song choice for someone with such a caring voice. But it''s definitely a good choice," Callia murmured to herself.

    Typically, someone with such a lovely voice would select soft, mood-enhancing songs to emphasize their strengths. How did he end up choosing a moderately fast-paced jazz-pop song?

    Reina then pointed towards Kang Joo-Han on the stage. ¡°Today''s lineup was personally curated by the leader, Joo-Han. He''s not just talented atposing songs, but also boasts a broad musical spectrum and impable taste."

    Callia''s gaze shifted to Joo-Han. She hadn¡¯t given him much thought at the beginning, but in that moment, Joo-Han¡¯s gaze shifted toward Callia as he was softly smiling, listening to Park Yoon-Chan''s song.

    Callia got startled, almost looked away, but then she realized she was wearing sunsses and boldly met Joo-Han''s gaze head-on.

    Joo-Han''s attention stayed on Callia.

    ¡®<em>Why is he staring at me?¡¯</em>

    It was not merely out of curiosity, but with a recognition of her focused observation. He smirked slightly as if acknowledging her presence, and nodded.

    ¡°Who''s Joo-Han smiling at? Callia? He''s always had good stage presence, right, unnie?"

    ¡°Joo-Han? Yes, his manners were impably outstanding yesterday."

    Reina and the production team conversed about Joo-Han''s smile, but Callia, the direct recipient of his acknowledgment, was left momentarily speechless. It was as if an unspoken connection had sparked between them in those brief seconds of mutual recognition.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°..."

    Joo-Han and Callia continued their silent exchange. Their gaze locked for what seemed like an eternity.

    ¡°Joo-Han seems to be in high spirits today."

    ¡°Indeed. The solid performance by the members must have eased his mind."

    ¡°..."

    <em>¡®What the heck? Kang Joo-Han is tantly challenging me right now.¡¯</em> His gaze held no trace of wanting to ingratiate himself with Callia or impress her. Instead, it was filled with a proud defiance. Although this was an unexpected standoff, both global superstar Callia and Joo-Han, rtively unknown in the US, sensed a mutual recognition in each other.

    ¡®<em>He must be like me.¡¯</em>

    Park Yoon-Chan finished his performance and Goh Yoo-Joon followed. Kang Joo-Han finally averted his gaze from Callia by turning his attention to Goh Yoo-Joon. To Callia, this shift seemed almost like a directive. <em>¡®Stop ring at me, and focus on Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s performance without causing any troubles.¡¯</em>

    Well, of course, this could have been Callia misunderstanding. Kang Joo-Han was merely smiling without uttering a word on stage.

    Callia''s expression turned into a frown, which reflected her confusion and slight irritation. ¡°¡­Reina, about that leader¡ª"

    Her words were abruptly cut short as Goh Yoo-Joonmenced singing, capturing everyone''s attention with his melodious voice. As Callia''s gaze swiftly shifted toward Goh Yoo-Joon, Reina couldn''t help but smile. It was almost as if she had anticipated her reaction.

    ¡°I had a feeling he''d be your favorite member. His voice¡­ Doesn''t it resonate well with the song you crafted? It seems like a perfect match."

    ¡°¡­Yes, it does," Callia admitted, unable to tear her eyes away from Goh Yoo-Joon. The voice that so captivated her was precisely what she had in mind when sheposed a particr piece. It aligned seamlessly with her musical preferences.

    Any previous annoyance from her encounter with Kang Joo-Han dissipated as she lost herself in Goh Yoo-Joon''s performance. She tapped her fingers rhythmically and focused intently on the music. Her lips protruded and her brow furrowed in concentration.

    Even the pleasant voice demonstrated stable skills and brought a smile to her face that had remained stubbornly sullen until now.

    Callia reflected and acknowledged the value of the moment they were sharing. ¡°This is quite pleasant. Reina, I''m d I took your advice. I certainly regret my hasty departure yesterday."

    ¡°See? I told you," Reina responded with a nod, validating the worthiness of the Chronos members¡¯ stage presence, a stark contrast to the disappointing amateurs Callia had been exposed to previously. This realization led to a gradual erosion of her preconceived notions. Despite their amateur status, they possessed undeniable talent.

    As Goh Yoo-Joon''s song concluded, Kang Joo-Han took the stage with confidence and expressed his gratitude to the audience. ¡°Thank you for staying till the very end. The member who just sang indeed has the best voice among us, haha. Now, please allow us to introduce ourselves a bit more,¡± Kang Joo-Han said and set the stage for a more intimate connection with the audience.

    As the band members gracefully exited the stage and rearranged the setup, Kang Joo-Han announced, ¡°We are actually singers from Korea, specializing in dance music."

    This revtion elicited a wave of surprised murmurs from the audience, given the group''s previous pop performances devoid of any dance moves.

    Kang Joo-Han was unfazed by the audience''s reaction and seamlessly transitioned. ¡°Given this wonderful opportunity to perform in front of you all, may we present our own dance track?"

    Despite a few attendees departing, the majority remained. They were swept up in the lively atmosphere and were eager for what was toe.

    ¡°Our next piece is titled ¡°Joy¡± in Korean and ¡°Sunrise¡± in English. We promise it will be an engaging experience. We hope you enjoy it."

    The Chronos members expressed how grateful they were for the audience''s attention, then meticulously took their right spots to deliver an extraordinary show.

    ¡°Is the solo part over already?¡± Callia, who had been watching with interest, seemed to have somewhat calmed down. She was aware that they were dance artists and had enough interest since they were performing live instead of lip-syncing like the day before.

    However, she had enjoyed the solo performances of the first two members so much that she wanted to see solo performances from the other members as well. She thought it was a bit disappointing to move straight to the group song.

    ¡°There''s a duet song left after the group song. But the performance they are about to show will also be very good. I''m sure of it," Reina assured her.

    ¡°¡­If you say so, I trust you."

    Callia felt quite disappointed but trusted Reina''s judgment.

    ¡°The member who just sang¡­ Is he the best singer in the group?" she asked.

    Reina shrugged. ¡°He''s among the good singers. The main vocalist is¡ª," Reina pointed to Hyun-Woo. ¡°¡ªthat member with the light hair color."

    ¡°Then, I wish I could have heard his solo song, too. Isn''t it hard to showcase your skills in a group song?"

    ¡°That might not be the case. Just wait and see," Reina¡¯s displeasure was now gone, and she was enjoying Callia''s anticipation. Callia looked disappointed but obediently nodded and turned her gaze back to the stage.

    ¡°Right. We should watch and see."

    Despite being indulged by those around her and acting capriciously, Callia remained close with Reina because they were verypatible musically. Also, Callia obediently followed the advice of those close to her and revealed her emotions too easily, which Reina found endearing since Callia acted younger than her age. However, she didn''t seem to expect much since the parts of one song were divided among five people.

    ¡°Still, I will be able to tell the group''s vocal harmony. The main vocalist''s skills might not stand out.¡±

    Even without Callia noticing, Reina shrugged and gave Kang Joo-Han a thumbs-up.

    <em>¡®Joo-Han, you made an excellent choice.''</em>

    ¡°Joy¡± had a part during the climax when Hyun-Woo hit high notes. The notes were not only high, but also sustained for a long time, making it a topic of discussion among K-POP fans and industry insiders. More so, Hyun-Woo himself had faced significant challenges during the album preparation phase, so Kun-Ho had even given him personal lessons.

    It was such a challenging piece that Reina''s boyfriend, Kun-Ho[1], had to personally pass down his technique. Reina anticipated that Callia, who showed little interest, would likely decide whether or not to be a producer during this filming period because of ¡°Joy.¡±

    1. WHAT THE HECK? What a small world :0 They are such a power couple! ?

 Chapter 244: Again After Rainfall (20)

    <h4>Chapter 244: Again After Rainfall (20)</h4>

    Chronos performed "Joy" live while being conscious of Callia, who had previously dismissed them as mere dancers. Since the song was familiar to the members and they had sung it multiple times, the stage flowed wlessly without any difficulties.

    Some impromptu moments were cleverly swapped to engage with the audience in English. It was a twist that not only filled the gaps, but also sparked lively interactions. It definitely enhanced the vibe of the performance.

    Chronos stood out, not just for their dance that rivaled professional dancers, but also for their steadfast vocals that didn''t falter. Even the song''splexity wasn''t toned down to match their choreography. It was evident they were more thanfortable on stage.

    The Korean staff and Reina, who had seen Chronos'' performances on numerous asions, reacted with simple nods of appreciation, a ''well done'' here, a ''good job'' there. However, the performance struck a chord for Callia and the American audience, leaving an impression that was hard to shake off.

    <i>¡®They are just dancers.¡¯</i>

    <i>¡®They are just dancers.¡¯</i>

    <i>¡®They are just dancers.¡¯</i>

    Callia''s own dismissive thoughts echoed back at her. However, as the performance unfolded, she realized they were far from just dancers. They were perfect entertainers, masters of both dance and song. She was hit with the realization of her arrogance just as Reina had cautioned. She had seen only a sliver of Chronos'' talents and judged too hastily.

    ¡°I need to get ready for my stage. I will be back soon, Callia," Reina said and excused herself to prepare for her duet with Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°...Okay.¡±

    However, Callia remained transfixed by Chronos as her gaze was unwavering. It was a stark contrast to her indifference from the day before.

    Chronos'' stage was more than just a performance. It was an experience. The melodies were catchy, the staging innovative, and certain members began to shine amidst the group, particrly Suh Hyun-Woo with his striking tinum blonde hair.

    Park Yoon-Chan sang with a soft and calm voice, and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s tone perfectly matched Callia¡¯s taste from the start. Her gaze initially followed the two familiar faces, but she found herself fixated on Suh Hyun-Woo at some point.

    Of course, being in the center all along meant he caught more attention than the other members, but shifting someone''s gaze onto himself when it was already on another member was no easy task. His expressions and movements when dancing made it possible to see Suh Hyun-Woo as an incredibly appealing individual.

    During the highlight, Callia''s lips finally parted as the poetic melody continued and Suh Hyun-Woo''s high notes stretched out for a long time amidst the members dancing with a more dynamic choreography than before.

    ¡°...Are they famous in Korea?" Callia asked her manager, specting that a group of such caliber surely had a significant reputation back home.

    The manager confirmed their fame with a hint of frustration borne from past conversations.

    ¡°They are super famous! You simply epted Reina''s request when deciding whether to meet the members or not instead of listening to me! They are a really famous group."

    If they weren''t a famous group to begin with, they wouldn''t have been able to cast Callia Lawrence for the show. Therefore, the manager was nervous every time Callia boldly made dismissive remarks in front of the camera.

    Of course, they asked the production team to edit it, but if this scene were to be aired by mistake, Callia wouldn¡¯t be able to escape criticism in Korea, where Chronos was mainly active. The bacsh in Korea might not have a huge impact on Callia, but who knows? It was said that the influence of global K-POP fans was formidable these days.

    Despite the manager''s frustrated outburst, Callia nonchntly nodded. ¡°Really? Alright, they seem fine."

    Her tone was still condescending, but Caliia¡¯s acknowledgment brightened the manager''s expression. ¡°So, we are continuing with the broadcast?"

    ¡°Yeah. Go to the production team right away and tell them to send me the full audio files by email after today''s live."

    ¡°Alright, got it."

    The ¡°Joy¡± performance concluded.

    After that, the duets of Suh Hyun-Woo and Reina, as well as Kang Joo-Han and Lee Jin-Sung followed. Then, the second street performance was wrapped up. Unlike the first performance, which was tense, a bit chaotic, and even involved lip-syncing, today''s show was satisfying for Chronos in many ways.

    ***

    After the show, we first expressed our appreciation toward the band members who had worked hard. During a brief break from the cameras, we helped the production team clean up the stage and followed Su-Hwan to a meeting room prepared at the amodation.

    ¡°Hello!"

    ¡°You did great today. You guys were really good. I couldn''t help but apud till the end."

    ¡°Right? I told you they were good."

    ¡°Reina, I already knew Chronos was a group of talented kids."

    We entered the meeting room. Our manager, Reina,edian Cha Yi-Seul, andposer Seon In-Ha greeted us.

    ¡°Sit down. Take a seat."

    As we sat down awkwardly, the three of them halted their conversation and looked at us warmly.

    ¡°Callia Lawrence will be here soon. It seems like she is talking with the production team for a bit."

    ¡°Oh, okay!" Joo-Han replied with a relieved smile. He had been eager to show off our capabilities to Callia. With cameras around and seniors present, he definitely was in his good leader mode now.

    While we were discussing today''s performance and future schedules, someone knocked on the door.

    ¡°Excuse me."

    Finally, the celebrity of the celebrities, Callia Lawrence, entered the meeting room with an interpreter. Reina naturally engaged Callia in conversation, and Cha Yi-Seul and Seon In-Ha exchanged greetings and introductions on the spot.

    We awkwardly stood up and looked around until Callia greeted us with a broad smile. ¡°I look forward to working with you. I really enjoyed your performance. It was great."

    ¡°Ah, thank you!"

    ¡°Thank you!"

    We responded with all the sincerity we could muster, thinking, ¡®Joo-Han will give a longer answer.'' Everyone turned to look at Joo-Han.

    Callia''s friendly smile stiffened a bit as she turned to him.

    <i>¡®Hmm? What was that?¡¯</i>

    It was a slight stiffening that could be easily brushed off, but there was a subtle atmosphere that could only be felt much closer than the camera''s range. Joo-Han clearly noticed her expression, but he kept his polite business smile and spoke in English.

    ¡°It''s an honor to meet you. We are fortunate to show you Chronos'' performance. We look forward to working with you."

    ¡°Sure."

    The two shook hands before sitting down in their respective spots. Haha, everyone seemed to be acting normally. Maybe I was overreacting.

    After a brief exchange and introductions between the members and Callia by switching between the interpreter and English, Reina appropriately cut in and looked at me.

    ¡°We called you here today mainly for greetings. You worked hard on today''s performance. Suh Hyun-Woo, you will lead the members back to the amodation. You can practice or rest. Joo-Han, could you stay behind for a moment to discuss the next schedule with us?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°Alright, then." I stood up with the members and bowed. ¡°Thank you for your hard work. We will head back first."

    ¡°Sure, go rest."

    We would officially start performing on various stages, with Callia joining us as a producer. Therefore, today''s meeting between Joo-Han and the production team wouldst a long time. It was a break time for us until we got the details of the meeting from Joo-Han.

    The members left the meeting room to do their own things. Yoon-Chan seemed tired, so he went straight to his room, and Jin-Sung grumbled about going to work out if it weren''t for the bulk-up ban as he headed to the practice room with the camera.

    ¡°Uuuugh!" Goh Yoo-Joon stretched his arms and stood up.¡±Man, I''m totally exhausted. But going to bed now just seems like a waste, doesn''t it?"

    ¡°Maybe, maybe not."

    ¡°You¡¯re not tired? I need to hit the shower and maybe unwind with some gaming. I''m just zapped."

    ¡°Hold up a sec." I managed to stop Goh Yoo-Joon in his tracks as he was about to make a beeline for his room. He spun around, gave me a look that screamed, ''What now?'' and tilted his head to the side. ¡°If you''ve got nothing to do, how about we grab food? Could do us some good."

    ¡°Ah, dude, I''m totally exhausted. Drag Jin-Sung along." Goh Yoo-Joon let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders drooping.

    I bit my lip. Ever since returning to the past, I had never felt nervous facing Goh Yoo-Joon, but now even speaking to him or making eye contact felt a bit tense. It was so weird.

    ¡°But we''ve gotta eat, right?" I asked.

    ¡°...Is there something you want to talk about?"

    ¡°Uh, not really, I just thought we could shoot the breeze over some food."

    Well, that wasn''t entirely true. There was something on my mind. It wasn''t fully organized yet, but it was something that I felt the need to broach with the members.

    Silence hung in the air for a moment. Goh Yoo-Joon just looked at me and nodded. ¡°Alright. Let''s go eat, Suh Hyun-Woo. I''ve got a few things I''ve been meaning to ask you anyway. When was thest time it was just the two of us grabbing a meal?"

    His yful tone cracked me up, and we made our way out of the amodation together. We braced ourselves for a heart-to-heart conversation, ideally away from the prying lenses of the camera crew. This was usually considered impossible without Su-Hwan¡¯s permission.

    Despite our reluctance, the production team was adamant about capturing our outing, even suggesting we film ourselves with a self-cam if having them tag along felt too intrusive. They held our hands and ced the cameras tightly in our palms.

    ***

    Back in the meeting room, the lengthy discussion was finally drawing to a close. The session had been fruitful. The key takeaways included Callia''smitment to penning an original song, a concert venue being secured, nned TV appearances, and the potential release of a DVD.

    Callia had agreed to lend her full support during the filming process, and was surprisingly forting with her contributions. She seemed to value this newfound connection with Chronos and offered to craft an original piece for the group.

    Of course, it wasn''t out of sheer goodwill but rather a calcted gesture since she bet that this act of generosity toward Chronos would yield tangible rewards. Furthermore, Callia had managed to secure a venue that had been initially booked under her recordbel''s name. This ensured it was apt for Chronos'' fan base and the expected audience size. This event promised to rival the magnitude of thest festival gig that Reina had managed to book.

    Along with this, Chronos secured two sessions for international interviews and aggressive social media promotion with Callia. This aspect was promised to be kept secret and not to be revealed in the broadcast, leading to the slight hope that Chronos could appear on TV as ''the K-POP idol mentioned by Callia'' with a bit of luck.

    These were the proposalsid out by Callia today. In response, Reina and the <i>Again After Rainfall</i> team suggested they would consider releasing a full concert DVD if they could have exclusive use of the venue provided by the recordbel.

    Kang Joo-Han had been attentively following the discussions, and he couldn''t help but beam with excitement.

    ¡°We will wrap up the meeting here. Thank you everyone for your hard work."

    The cameras were switched off as the meeting concluded, marking the end of the shoot in the meeting room. Reina, Cha Yi-Seul, and Seon In-Ha were visibly drained as they sprawled out in their chairs. Kang Joo-Han remained seated quietly and patiently waited for the seniors to exit the room before making a move.

    It was then that Callia called out to him. ¡°Joo-Han."

    ¡°Yes?" Joo-Han was somewhat caught off guard and quickly rearranged his expression before turning to face Callia.

    ¡°...¡±

    The gaze Kang Joo-Han directed at Callia was definitely colder and more guarded than when the cameras were rolling. Callia pretended not to notice the icy look and responded with an equally nk stare. ¡°I''d like to hear your thoughts as the leader on this original song. I was hoping we could have a moment to talk, just the two of us, without the cameras."

    ¡°Ah, understood."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°..."

    <i>Crackle, crackle, crackle.</i>

    Was it necessary to have such a tense standoff over such a simple exchange? Amidst the sparking tension, Kang Joo-Han stood up.

    ¡°After you."

 Chapter 245: Again After Rainfall (21)

    Chapter 245: Again After Rainfall (21)

    ¡®<em>What can I say to the members if I want them to understand?¡¯ </em>

    The biggest problem was not being able to objectively judge where the line of what was permissibley. I had experienced too much, but my story seemed unbelievable. Moreover, I was not eloquent enough to make itprehensible.

    Above all, our conversation was being recorded by cameras. In this situation where more was forbidden than allowed, the only thing I could rely on was the belief that Goh Yoo-Joon would understand even if I didn¡¯t voice my thoughts out loud.

    <em>''Why worry about such things by yourself? It''s okay, it''s okay. I sort of figured it out already.''</em>

    As I imagined Goh Yoo-Joon responding with his usual breezyughter...

    <em>¡°I''m sorry for dropping out of nowhere. Your mom asked me to check on you. You weren''t answering her calls, so she was worried."</em>

    <em>¡°At least answer the phone. If not for your parents, then for mine....No, sorry, I will leave. It seems like I am no help to you."</em>

    I was reminded of the twenty-three-year-old Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been cautious even to meet me as he was unsure how to treat me after my life had seemingly crumbled. Perhaps he would have understood my situation as a friend back then.

    However, rekindling a friendship with someone that I had drifted apart from at some point and exposing even a part of my pain was not easy. The dark and serious Goh Yoo-Joon of that time wasn¡¯t like that in this timeline. Instead, he had been reced by a twenty-year-old whoughed as if there was nothing to worry about in the world¡­¡°Are we allowed in here? This ce serves alcohol."

    ¡°It''s fine. They don''t just serve alcohol."

    ¡°Then I will have tacos. What about you?"

    ¡°Same for me."

    Goh Yoo-Joon ordered the same dish, but a different variation of it. Neither of us were really here to eat, so we opted for something simple. After cing our orders, we pretended to look around the shop and paused our conversation. It wasn''t that we had nothing to talk about. We were just biding our time, figuring out who should start and when.

    Just as we were dragging out the silence, Goh Yoo-Joon casually broke it as if nothing was amiss. ¡°Hey, are you feeling alright?"

    ¡°Huh? Oh."

    He was referring to the incident at the airport.

    I nodded. ¡°I''m fine. Were you worried?" I asked teasingly as I expected him to deny it as usual, but he surprisingly just smiled quietly.

    ¡°Hey, what''s up with you? You are not seriously hurt or anything, right?" Goh Yoo-Joon reached out and turned off the camera. ¡°The camera is getting in the way and making it hard to talk freely. Let''s have afortable chat now. We can turn it back on when the food arrives."

    ¡°Hey, are you upset?"

    ¡°No, it''s just that it reminded me of the fight with Joo-Han hyung. Ugh."

    So what? I shrugged it off lightly and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, but...¡±

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I didn''t know this about myself... But I''m scared of crowds."

    ¡°...Isn''t it more like a fear of flying?"

    ¡°Umm, it''s both," I said half-jokingly.

    It was ridiculous to think that I was afraid of flying and crowds but still wanted to be a singer. For Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been with me through thick and thin, this surely seemed utterly out of the blue.

    Just as expected, Goh Yoo-Joon looked puzzled, but he didn''t seem too shocked. It looked as if he had somewhat anticipated it. ¡°All of a sudden? Since when? I had no idea. Was there something that triggered it?"

    ¡°Nothing specific. But I never had to face so many people''s scrutiny before debuting, right? Well, I just want you to be aware of that. Still, I will get used to it eventually, I guess."

    ¡°Sure, you will get used to it. But..."

    I tried to wrap this discussion up quickly, but Goh Yoo-Joon still looked doubtful. Right, I didn''t expect him to understand everything right away since I''d mentioned it without any buildup. Since I couldn''t exin the details, I just shared what I was feeling.

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked like he wanted to ask more, but then nodded reluctantly after seeing my troubled expression. ¡°Well, okay. It can suddenly happen, they say. But that''s a problem. Are you okay now? What about medication?"

    He seemed not to want to probe further. Ah, Goh Yoo-Joon had been quick on the uptake this time.

    I shared more about my symptoms, like being particrly sensitive to the stares of Koreans, feeling scared, and so on. The reason I mentioned this to a member was so that they wouldn''t worry like they did at the airport if it happened again.

    ¡°Anyway, sorry for the trouble, but please bear with me a bit. I will try to get it sorted soon."

    Goh Yoo-Joon frowned, incredulous. ¡°It''s fine. Which member would find that bothersome? Stop talking nonsense. Well, I get it.¡±

    ¡®<em>...That¡¯s it?¡¯</em>

    There had to have been parts of what I said that did not make sense, like some gaps in the conversation. Especially since we had always been so close, it would be even more difficult to ept this, wouldn¡¯t it?

    ¡°I won''t ask about this anymore. I am turning the camera back on."

    Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to have relieved some of his frustration as he wrapped up the conversation and reached for the camera. It appeared he just epted and came to terms with things that didn''t logically make sense. For something I dramatically stated could be a huge inconvenience to the members, the weight I felt lifted off my shoulders in an instant for not knowing where to start, how to exin, or how to make them understand had been resolved.

    As soon as I nodded, the camera light turned back on. Goh Yoo-Joon made an excuse, saying that he fumbled with the angle and identally turned the camera off. He shifted the topic and continued the conversation from before. The discussion mostly revolved around today''s performance, impressions of the US, and some TMI about the members.

    ***

    ¡°I will y you the song I made. It wasn''t created with your voices in mind, so it might need some tweaking. Let me know if you have any thoughts."

    Callia''s room was fully equipped for music production with gear that wouldn''t even be found in YMM''s studio. They were all expensive and heavy equipment that was surprisingly stationed right in her lodging. Kang Joo-Han couldn''t help butugh weakly at the sheer scale of it all.

    <em>¡®What''s the use of scale if she doesn¡¯t have a decent personality?''</em>

    There was no need to manage expressions with no cameras rolling around them. His weakugh wasden with sarcasm, but Callia seemed oblivious to it.

    Her original song flowed through the high-quality speakers. Kang Joo-Han closed his eyes and listened to the song in its entirety. She truly was a genius. Theposition alone was enough to shatter one''s self-esteem, making one wonder, <em>''How can these notes, this rhythm, be used in such a way?''</em>

    ¡°What do you think?" Callia asked.

    Joo-Han slowly opened his eyes with a deadpan expression. He dropped his honest impression. ¡°It''s good."

    ¡°...That''s it?"

    Was that all? Just that one statement? No furthermentary, praise, feedback, or eagerness to perform the song?

    Joo-Han looked at Callia and nodded. ¡°The song''s good."

    ¡°Good is a given, right?...So, you¡¯re not really eager about the song, huh?" she asked him.

    Callia''s sneer was met with Joo-Han''s typical indifference. ¡°It''s not really Chronos'' style."

    ¡°That''s why I called you here. To adapt it to your style."

    "Haha, what am I to say? This part might get better if you change a bit." Joo-Han pulled the mouse toward him and significantly, or rather slightly, altered a part of Callia''s song.

    Callia''s eyes widened as she jumped out of her chair. ¡°Who said you could change it?"

    ¡°It''s not even saved yet, so what''s the big deal? You wanted my opinion, right?"

    ¡°I said to give your opinion, not to change it at will. What are you doing?"

    ¡°It''s not saved, so..." Joo-Han cut off Callia''s protest by ying the song. Callia was about to scold Joo-Han, but stopped mid-sentence as the song yed. Being mad was one thing, but once the song yed, she had no choice but to listen.

    After listening to Joo-Han''s unauthorized modification, Callia begrudgingly admitted, ¡°...It''s not bad."

    ¡°See? Whether to save it or not is up to you, Callia."

    ¡°It''s my first time saving something someone else edited. You are quite talented."

    Callia saved the track and then re-modified some parts Joo-Han had changed. She yed back the changed section.

    ¡°I want Yoo-Joon to sing this part. It will still sound good with these changes."

    Kang Joo-Han maintained his tired expression, but listened to the song. His eyebrows subtly twitched. <em>''Damn.''</em> She had made a frustratingly good adjustment. Unfortunately, their musical tastes aligned quite well.

    He suppressed his admiration and casually remarked, "It''s good, right?"

    ¡°Right? What do you think? Should we go with this?"

    ¡°...What do you mean?" Joo-Han asked nonchntly.

    Callia''s face hardened. ¡°Are we going with this or not?"

    Kang Joo-Han shook his head as if he was confused. ¡°It''s not our style, remember? We are fine with not getting this song."

    Callia''s face turned sour with irritation. ¡°What''s wrong with you? You know I am offering you a song. Do you have a problem with me?"

    Joo-Han sighed deeply and retorted, full of disbelief, ¡°You still haven''t apologized to us."

 Chapter 246: Again After Rainfall (22)

    <h4>Chapter 246: Again After Rainfall (22)</h4>

    Apologize? To them? Callia''s expression was filled with incredulity. ¡°What are you talking about?"

    ¡°An apology,¡± Joo-Han said. ¡°You just left yesterday. Because of that, our entire schedule was messed up, and the members were really disappointed."

    ¡°Well, we ended up doing it after all anyway, didn''t we?" Callia asked.

    Kang Joo-Han''s expression turned grim. ¡°So, does agreeing to do it after all erase the fact that you canceled yesterday''s schedule?"

    ¡°..."

    ¡°You don''t want to apologize to us nobodies because it hurts your pride?"

    Joo-Han was acting as if he would really call off the song and the shooting if Callia didn''t back down.

    <i>¡®Though I doubt he would actually go through with it...''</i>

    Callia knew that Joo-Han was just like her. If he said he would do something, he would.

    She sat back with a scoff andughed in disbelief. She seemed to have lost interest in modifying the song further. ¡°You seem to have a lot of grievances against me, but what''s the point? You will be the ones at a loss. I''vee back for you, and your attitude is just unbelievable."

    Kang Joo-Han raised an eyebrow. His expression was annoyingly smug and showed no signs of backing down as if he wouldn''t care even if Callia got mad and turned away.

    ¡°We don''t feel like we lost anything at all. We will seed and be famous without your song, anyway. I have my ownpositions."

    ¡°Joo-Han, you are really short-sighted. Me offering a song isn''t an opportunity thates by easily. Despite your grievances, you should ept it. It''s a chance for you to climb thedder much faster¡ª"

    ¡°Nah.¡±Kang Joo-Han shook his head. Callia had been acting as if she was the only great thing that could happen to them, as if she was granting Chronos a huge opportunity.

    Honestly, many of Callia''s offers were indeed big opportunities for Chronos, but this was just a nice-to-have for Joo-Han, not a necessity. He was usually opportunistic, but he was willing to let go of this card so easily.

    ¡°Do you think you are the only opportunity for us?"

    ¡°..."

    Kang Joo-Han''s confidence stemmed from his belief in Chronos'' talent.

    <i>¡®What does that mean...?''</i>

    Callia''s mind raced. Hearing him say that there were opportunities other than the one she offered baffled her. She had been certain that this was like winning the lottery for Chronos. Even if it was a song made for broadcasting, just the fact that they received a song from Callia could have created a buzz in Korea and even in the US for a while.

    But she was smart. It didn''t take long for her to grasp the meaning behind Kang Joo-Han''s roundabout words.

    <i>¡®Since you quickly changed your mind about us, it¡¯s possible for us to catch the eye of other famousposers and artists without any issues.''</i>

    It meant that even without working with Callia, Chronos had plenty of other opportunities lying around. Joo-Han himself was talented enough when it came toposing songs, and even Callia had to admit their skills werepelling enough to make her give them her song.

    Although Chronos was not well-known at the moment, they would soon receive the recognition they deserved if they continued to work as hard as they were now, even without Callia.

    <i>¡®She got it.''</i>

    Kang Joo-Han grinned annoyingly. He thought Callia would quickly understand what he had meant. In a nutshell, he was telling her ''You are not Chronos'' savior, so don''t act high and mighty and show some respect.''

    ¡°Whether you give us the song or not is up to you. If we can''t get it, I''d feel really sorry for the broadcastingpany and the members who were expecting it. But I don''t want to suck up to someone who canceled an entire day''s schedule on us just to get a song and a performance."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Do you understand, Callia?"

    Given Callia''s own strong pride and self-esteem, she should understand why they couldn''t stand being disrespected.

    ¡°I would appreciate an apology."

    If Callia decided to quit the show over this, so be it. However, it was essential to address this issue to ensure Chronos wouldn''t be disrespected any further during the filming.

    ¡°..."

    Callia remained silent, her lips sealed as she was deep in thought. She was frustrated at having to listen to such remarks while offering her song, yet she also felt like she''d been hit over the head with a revtion.

    Kang Joo-Han had bluntly stated, ''I don''t like you, so I don''t want to work with you'' without any affection for Callia. It was the first time in Callia''s career anyone had done this.

    Since her debut at twelve with her ownposition that became a hit, she quickly rose to the top globally. The influence she wielded worldwide was significant, hence her manager, the industry, and even her fans always spoke well of her.

    The managers and staff closest to her were busy catering to Callia''s whims, and multiplepanies also bombarded her daily with gifts, hoping to impress her and get her to use their products at least once. Callia''s parents were living luxuriously off her earnings, so they were out of the picture.

    The only somewhat affectionate advice came from Reina, but since she and Reina were influential in different countries and lived in different ces, they didn''t interact much.

    Who would dare ask her to apologize? It was the no-back-down revolutionary Kang Joo-Han who did that.

    Callia was stunned as if shocked by the mere request to apologize. She eventually closed her agape mouth and became lost in contemtion.

    <i>''I did mess up, didn''t I?''</i>

    No one had ever called her out for canceling a schedule before, but if she were in Chronos¡¯ shoes, she would''ve been quite upset too. Therefore, she knew she had to apologize.

    <i>¡®But do I really need to apologize and give them the song?'' Isn¡¯t thispletely reversing the power dynamic? For whose benefit?¡¯</i> Just as Chronos didn''t necessarily need Callia''s song, Callia didn''t necessarily need to give Chronos her song.

    As Kang Joo-Han said, it really was Callia''s choice to make. She wasn''t one to freely give without receiving and wasn¡¯t as calcting as Joo-Han. She had no intention of giving a song to someone who openly disliked her.

    Honestly, the thought of giving them a song now was irritating. It felt as if she was the one desperate to offer her music. No way. There were plenty of others who would kill for a song by Callia.

    But... She nced at Joo-Han, who was silently waiting for her response.

    <i>¡®But...''</i>

    After much deliberation, Callia''s expression softened as she let out a sigh. ¡°I''m sorry."

    ¡°..."

    She decided to apologize for her wrongdoing first. ¡°It was wrong of me to leave like that yesterday. I was wrong to belittle and overlook you without knowing anything. I will apologize to your memberster too. I will give you the song, but I''d like to work on it together with you."

    Callia had a weakness for talented people. Despite the emotional confrontation, her desire to offer Chronos a song stemmed not only from her attraction to the members'' voices and skills, but most importantly, from her interest in Kang Joo-Han''spositional talent. It seemed he hadn''t beenposing for long.

    She wasn''t sure if it was amonposition method in Korea or something, but Kang Joo-Han''s unique approach was exactly to Callia''s taste. Their personalities were pr opposites, but their musical directions aligned.

    Callia softened her expression as she thought it wouldn''t be bad to coborate with thisposer from Korea at least once. Joo-Han''s expression finally eased up a bit after Callia readily apologized.

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°Let''s continue. Any thoughts?"

    ¡°Yeah, how about turning this into a dance track? Have you worked on dance music before? Something like this-"

    After their initial sh, the two surprisingly proceeded smoothly with the first modifications.

    ***

    It was almost midnight when Kang Joo-Han finished working with Callia and returned to the amodation. At the same time, Reina came to Chronos'' room. She was lively and very excited.

    ¡°I have tomorrow''s schedule for you. We are traveling a bit farther away."

    ¡°Where is it?"

    ¡°Farther away?"

    Reina briefly answered, ¡°Ellen Hall.¡± We were all clueless and didn¡¯t react because of theck of context. This prompted Reina tough heartily and exin in more detail. ¡°It''s not that far. Probably about a three-hour drive? It''s a small concert venue, often used for rookie artists'' performances or rehearsals."

    ¡°Are we going into a concert venue already? Will we have enough of an audience?" Joo-Han asked.

    Reina shook her head. ¡°There won''t be an audience. Tomorrow, we will have two performances. The first one is a street performance in front of people, and the second is at Ellen Hall. Ellen Hall is more of a filming than a performance. It will go up on <i>UTube </i>as part of <i>Again After Rainfall</i>¡¯s promotion."

    ¡°Ah."

    It seemed we were filming something like a pre-release video, which was a must-have for any show these days. It could ease the public''s anxiety about the idol version of <i>Again After Rainfall </i>and serve as promotional material.

    The members buzzed with excitement over the new schedule. Reina indicated she wasn''t finished and pressed her index finger to her lips before adding, ¡°And the footage we shoot will not only go on <i>UTube, </i>but will also be sent to foreign media who''ve requested reference materials. So, perform with all your heart. Got it?"

    ¡°Whaaat?"

    ¡°Foreign media?"

    ¡°...Gosh."

    Reina''s excitement made sense. It was unlikely that the rtively unknown Chronos'' <i>Again After Rainfall </i>would garner interest abroad, so it seemed that there was already interest and nning regarding the news of Callia Lawrence''s joining.

 Chapter 247: Again After Rainfall (23)

    <h4>Chapter 247: Again After Rainfall (23)</h4>

    ¡°We¡¯re here. Let''s get off."

    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m dying."

    ¡°I was on the verge of passing out."

    After a three-and-a-half-hour drive, we were already a bit tired before even starting our performance.

    Joo-Han usually didn¡¯t suffer from motion sickness, but he seemed to have a tough time as he opened the car door wide and stuck out only one leg while still sprawled out. ¡°Ah... I feel so drained. I will just rest here until they¡¯re done setting up the stage for the shooting."

    The other members quickly got out, not wanting to stay in the car any longer.

    I had slept soundly for three hours, so I stayed in the car with Joo-Han for a while, trying to shake off sleepiness instead of motion sickness.

    ¡°Ah, ah, ah-, bu-, bur-!"

    After warming up my voice and enjoying the peaceful outdoors, I suddenly got up and left the car. Although I was very sleepy, the drowsinesspletely vanished as soon as I stepped outside and felt the breeze.

    As I was stretching and getting ready for filming, Jin-Sung approached me out of nowhere and handed me his phone.

    ¡°Hyung, Hyun-Woo hyung."

    ¡°Huh? What, you want me to take a picture of you?

    ¡°Yeah. You always know what I want even without me having to tell you!¡±

    Jin-Sung seemed to have put extra effort into his appearance today, and was already striking various poses before I even opened the camera app on his phone. He was definitely pleased with the sponsored outfit.

    ¡°Just a sec... Done." I was about to take the picture as I usually do by lying down on the ground, but I was abruptly stopped by the stylist rushing over in horror.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo! Your outfit is sponsored too!"

    ¡°Ah, right. I am sorry." I had forgotten the stylist''s delighted expression when she mentioned we had received a particrly expensive sponsorship since my focus was solely on shaking off sleepiness.

    Instead of lying down, I crouched to take Jin-Sung''s picture. Besides that, I responded to impromptu interviews conducted by members with the camera on, participated in being spun around like a centrifuge as they suddenly grabbed my hands, and eventually spun away from them, taking this as my chance to escape.

    I heard Callia sincerely saying we were weird while I was ying along, which was why I ended up hiding behind Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan to catch my breath. Soon after, the camera approached us, and the shooting naturally resumed.

    ¡°Guys, see that? The stage in the middle of the square."

    ¡°Are we performing there?"

    ¡°Of course! It''s huge, isn''t it?" Reina proudly said. It was evident that Reina had worked hard to find us a spot and tried her best within her capabilities to grant us the best stage possible.

    I expressed our gratitude softly. ¡°...We will really give it our all."

    Reina patted me on the back, saying that was enough. She then informed all the members, ¡°Today''s performance will be held there, and Ellen Hall is over there."

    Reina extended her arm, which was previously pointing at a podium, farther to the right to indicate a building. The structure was adorned like an antique cinema, and Reina shared that itprised four levels from the basement to the third floor, all designed as small theaters. Our shooting location was the basement.

    ¡°We have some time before the show, so let''s head to Ellen Hall for a brief rehearsal," she suggested.

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ***

    ¡°Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, you¡¯re up first."

    ¡°Got it!"

    We followed the director''s cue and made our way to the stage. We were eager to present the passionately awaited same-age unit to our Rings and had meticulously prepared for this performance at Ellen Hall.

    ¡°It''s hrious that we are performing together.¡±

    ¡°I know, right?" Yoo-Joon replied. Sitting side by side, we found ourselves uncontroblyughing every time our eyes met. The situation was reminiscent of the awkward chuckles during our "Christmas is Ours" rehearsals, and the embarrassment of that time seemed unable to erode.

    ¡°You two, same-age buddies! Look over here," called Joo-Han.

    ¡°Eh?"

    We turned our heads only to be greeted by the crisp sound of a camera shutter clicking into action. In that fleeting moment, Joo-Han had skillfully captured a snapshot of us, and was now exchanging nods of approval with Su-Hwan. Both seemed content with the shot.

    ¡°What''s this? This is absolutely ridiculous~"

    ¡°Just leave him be. I''d bet my entire fortune that this picture is going to be Su-Hwan hyung''s next screen saver."

    ¡°You know you are broke, right?"

    ¡°Unless you are offering a loan, I''d appreciate silence."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''sughter filled the air. He couldn''t stop boasting about the hefty sum he had received for his lyrics, while I couldn''t help but feel that my own payment was at least a year away.

    ¡°Just ask, ''Hyung, could you spare some pocket money?'' and I might just lend you some. Who knows?"

    ¡°Hyung, could I have some pocket money, please?"

    ¡°Ah, why are you actually asking that?"

    ¡°It turns out that living in the US isn''t cheap. The banknotes in my wallet are thinning faster than I expected."

    Our conversation was as trivial as it could be. We continued talking until the distantughter of the audio director reminded us that our every word was being captured. We sheepishly fell silent as we suddenly became conscious of the recording.

    ¡°Alright, let''s get started. I want you two to take this rehearsal seriously, alright?"

    Reina, ever the professional, echoed the director''s usual demands. She was perhaps a bit more stern, given the presence of the cameras. We nodded and quickly recalibrated our emotions for the task at hand.

    The song we were about to rehearse was no light-hearted tune. It demanded our utmost sincerity and emotional depth, a stark contrast to the jovial ¡°Christmas is Ours.¡±

    ***

    The producers and cast became serious. Especially among them, Reina and Callia were watching us as if they were judges on an audition program with a heaviness that was almost overwhelming. The lighting shed down on us. It was so intense that it felt excessive under the burden of so many gazes.

    I ignored the difort of the lights and timed my voice to start with falsetto before diving into a rollercoaster-like drop to low tones. I focused on not making any mistakes.

    ? You are a different wind

    I feel a different scent

    It''s different from the person I''ve met,

    At the end of my part, Goh Yoo-Joon started singing.

    ? But it won''t be bad.

    I''m looking forward to it.

    Though we used tough out of awkwardness just by making eye contact, we were surprisinglyfortable singing together. Before we knew it, we became serious and harmonized our singing while looking at each other. Our voices weren''t perfect together, but they matched well enough, and the emotional depth we put into the song made itfortable to sing together.

    The lights were too bright and hot to see the expressions of the audience, but their invisibility somehow allowed us to concentrate and continue singing better.

    ***

    As the two sang, Callia went into full study mode. She put on her sses and furiously jotted down notes. She recorded the capabilities and characteristics of the members. For instance, she noted that Goh Yoo-Joon had the best voice in the low range, and that Suh Hyun-Woo consistently produced good sounds across various ranges, especially in high parts. Although his voice was not to Callia''s taste, he had a voice that was incredibly attractive.

    Surprisingly, the main focus in Callia''s notebook was not Goh Yoo-Joon, but Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Setting aside her personal tastes, she recognized a distinct quality in the track revised with Kang Joo-Han that resonated with the group''s essence. This was particrly true for dance numbers, where Suh Hyun-Woo emerged as the undeniable focal point.

    From yesterday onward, she couldn''t help but notice an allure about Suh Hyun-Woo. Her gaze was initially fixed on Goh Yoo-Joon, but inevitably shifted to Suh Hyun-Woo, almost as if drawn by an unseen force.

    ¡°Those two... Their voices match better than I thought. I was worried they wouldn''t because all the members have such distinct characteristics in their vocals."

    ¡°...Yeah, that''s right. They must have been singing together and harmonizing since their trainee days. There''s also the fact that they sing with consideration for each other."

    Callia nced at Reina. When Callia showed interest in Goh Yoo-Joon, Reina was only interested in Suh Hyun-Woo. It wasn''t very noticeable since Reina cared for all of Chronos, but Callia knew the face of someone captivated by another''s talent. That was exactly the look Reina had when she looked at Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Calliaughed and said, ¡°Reina, you seem ready to give that member a song."

    Reinaughed btedly and hid her expression. ¡°Shh."

    Only Callia was next to her, so she was the only one who saw Reina''s meaningful expression as she put her index finger to her lips. The conversation between the two ended as soon as they heard the harmony between Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon.

    After the performance of the two, Reina continued to watch the stages of the next members until the end. She murmured, ¡°We should upload this as soon as possible. I want to show it to as many people as we can."

    ***

    Meanwhile...

    ¡°Wow, shit... it''s over..."

    In a corner of the broadcast station''s editing room, Manager Han Gyeol-Joon copsed with a curse. The previous <i>Again After Rainfall </i>season had had its challenges, but season two was even more demanding.

    Due to the nature of street performances, there were always eyewitness ounts popping up on social media. For Chronos, their domestic poprity was so significant that eyewitness ounts were frequent even without international recognition. Therefore, mentions of <i>Again After Rainfall Season Two</i> on the inte naturally urred.

    The filming had not yet finished, but the buildup of anticipation due to promotional efforts and <i>UTube</i> fancams was already increasing public expectations without any effort from the broadcastpany. Under upper management''s orders to post something quickly, Han Gyeol-Joon had no choice but to edit while crying.

    ¡°Ah, shit. There''s still a long way to go until the broadcast..."

    What were they supposed to do if they were asked to create content already? Real tears flowed from Han Gyeol-Joon''s eyes, who was overwhelmed by frustration.

    ¡°I''m going to quit this job after this is over. This time for real. Mark my words. Seriously."

    After lying down listlessly for a while, Han Gyeol-Joon got up and sent off the video he made. ¡°Time to go home...¡±

    The video he edited was uploaded to the official <i>UTube </i>channel of <i>Again After Rainfall </i>an hourter.

    [Pre-release] Editing clips of our babies made my gums dry[1], Watch how they y #AgainAfterRainfall #CheckThisOut #Rings

    The title was quite long. The video featured Suh Hyun-Woo happily video calling with the members while lying on a bed, and Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung walking and talking on the phone around the streets. The clip quickly spread across various socialworks, scavenged by Rings like hyenas on the hunt for hints.

    1. Because they smiled so much lol ?

 Chapter 248: Again After Rainfall (24)

    <h4>Chapter 248: Again After Rainfall (24)</h4>

    [Pre-release] Editing clips of our babies made my gums dry, Watch how they y #AgainAfterRainfall #CheckThisOut #Rings

    A video about ten minutes long with a subtitle saying "A perfect day for a walk" showcased the scenery outside the dorm before focusing on Suh Hyun-Woo, who was inside.

    [Everyone''s enjoying their own leisure time~]

    With the change of subtitle, Suh Hyun-Woo was lying on a pure white bed and fiddling with his phone. He appeared unusually rxed. This tranquil moment was apanied by a peaceful song suitable for meditation. Fitting subtitles before continuing to provide a soothing vibe.

    - Haha!

    Suh Hyun-Woo burst intoughter as he sat up. His bright smile was enhanced by the sunlight streaming through the window, and was so charming, it made even the viewers on the other side of the screen smile.

    - Where are you?

    His affection-filled expression toward the phone, his waving hand, and his lively conversation clearly showed he was video calling.

    [Who is making him so happy?]

    The screen then transitioned to the content of Suh Hyun-Woo''s video call provided with subtitles.

    - Are you there? Have you arrived?

    - Hey! Hyun-Woo!

    - Hyung! I went out with Yoo-Joon hyung!

    - Oh, really?

    Despite seeing each other every day, their enthusiastic waving and greetings made it seem like they were having the time of their lives.

    [What are they doing?]

    - Hello, Rings!

    - Hi, Rings!

    - It''s been a while! We miss you! We are in New York!

    - Why are you two there?

    - We went out toplete an errand for Hyun-Woo hyung!

    - We are about to start the errand now!

    [An errand?!]

    The English subtitles expressed the viewers'' confusion, though it was eventually concluded that the Chronos members were simply having fun in their own way.

    [Hey guys, don''t leave us out~]

    While Suh Hyun-Woo and his group members were enjoying their call, the desperate subtitles wanting to join in created a perfect coboration.

    - Everyone, it''s fantastic here. Now, Yoo-Joon.

    - Yes?

    - Can you sing a song for the fans, please? Make it seem as if you are on a video call with them, and add some personal touches before and after.

    - What?

    Goh Yoo-Joon was taken aback by Suh Hyun-Woo''s sudden request. After a moment of contemtion, he nodded with an even more yful expression than Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s.

    - So I should think of this as a call with the Rings. Okay. Jin-Sung, give me your phone.

    Goh Yoo-Joon received the phone from Lee Jin-Sung and angled the camera to upy the entire screen by himself. What was he nning to do?

    While the editor, Suh Hyun-Woo, and the expectant viewers held their breath, Goh Yoo-Joon shed a world-ss smile. The moment he smiled, the screen lit up as if enlightened with cheesyputer graphic flowers blooming around him and a heart-fluttering background song ying.

    - Hey, babe.

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s response that burst intoughter was smartly muted by the editor. Whatever he was saying, his audio waspletely cut off, leaving only Goh Yoo-Joon''s warm voice.

    - Are you awake, Rings?

    Eventually, Suh Hyun-Woo was unable to contain himself and turned off his own video screen, an icon taking his ce in the corner. The editor seized the opportunity to draw a face on the icon screen andbeling it ''Rings.¡¯

    - How are you? I miss you, Rings.

    - Ah, hyung, you¡¯re so weird¡ª!

    Just like Suh Hyun-Woo''s voice had been muted, Lee Jin-Sung''s exmation, "Ah, hyung, you¡¯re so weird!" had also been silenced.

    - Eh? Sing a song, you say? Right now? I¡¯m a bit shy, but okay. I would do anything for you.

    Then, he sang a sweet song while looking at the screen. Shortly after, Suh Hyun-Woo turned his video back on. The screen showed Suh Hyun-Woo with apletely fed-up expression with another cheesy subtitle implying he couldn''t hide his reaction.

    - How was it? I hope you liked it. Well, I¡¯ll see you again soon! Bye!

    - Ah, yes, yes. It was good, Yoo-Joon. Ah, really, that was unbearable to watch.

    [I couldn¡¯t tolerate watching my friend¡¯s performance XD]

    The subtitles reiterated Suh Hyun-Woo''s feelings. The video shifted to show him sitting back on the bed, beaming with joy, just as Lee Jin-Sung excitedly shouted "Babe!"...

    [We may not understand the thoughts of Chronos...]

    [But it sure is delightful to see them happy.]

    ...and the clip ended with this final subtitle. Despite being uploaded just fifteen minutes ago, the video was already swarming withments from hyena-like fans on <i>UTube.</i> They were quite excited, starved for content, and ecstatic.

    - Why are you doing this to me, really... I do love you but...

    ©¸This is the peak of being overinvested LOL

    - Are you kidding me? This is too good aaaah Please release the full video asap, <i>Again After Rainfall </i>team ??

    - I almost died happy again today. Please post a simr video tomorrow too.

    ©¸ HAHAHA us fans are resurrecting on a daily basis ??

    - Wow, I hit rey without realizing. Yoo-Joon makes me feel like I''m in a pseudo-rtionship with him. I''m upset but I love you too, babe ??

    ©¸ Sorry, Joon... Ah... I fckin love you

    ©¸ ?

    ©¸ ??

    ©¸ Hyung...?

    - This is the best type of content. I mean it.

    - Everyone, don''t get too immersed. He said ''babe'' to me, you know?

    ©¸ Salute to the top three overinvested fans

    - LMAO I imagined for a moment that they were talking to me and felt happy.

    - Hyun-Woo, where are you right now? It''s not much, but I want to bow to you.

    - I wish they released individual versions of ¡®babe¡¯ for each member.

    ©¸ Ikr? Seriously!!!!

    ©¸ Please make this a regr content now, YMM!

    This video was like a storm for Rings. Content during Chronos¡¯ non-active periods was precious, especially well-made content that could be rewatched endlessly. Such pseudo-romance content[1] was a gift from individual members to Rings.

    How could the fans just let this pass? Rings went a step farther than the <i>Again After Rainfall </i>team and created clips as if they were actually on a video call and uploading their versions. The titles were [What if Goh Yoo-Joon was your boyfriend?] or [What if you had a secret fling with Lee Jin-Sung?]

    While Goh Yoo-Joon was speaking, the video highlighted Jin-Sung, who was sneakily ncing at his phone, waving his hand, making eye contact with the camera, and smiling. This created a secret crush or romance vibe with the viewer. Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice was reced with background music.

    [What if Suh Hyun-Woo was your male friend?]

    They made videos where Suh Hyun-Woo appeared to be speaking with either a disgusted, yful, or affectionate expression¨Dof course, the conversation was reced by background music. It was as if Suh Hyun-Woo was the viewer¡¯s actual male friend.

    However, there was only so much they could do with a fifteen-minute video, and Rings desired an ideal and higher-quality content. They expressed their wishes in thements and through other means for YMM to outright produce video call content featuring all five members.

    Of course, it was unlikely that YMM, who didn¡¯t even seem to consider what fans wanted unless it was handed to them on a tter, would produce such content. It would probably be more likely for Kang Joo-Han to discover this than for YMM to take the initiative.

    Lily Yoon @liyun ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    I mean, I''ve heard of restraining from pseudo-romance, but I¡¯ve never spoon-fed it... Yoo-Joon, ah no, babe, no, Joon, no, darling....

    Reply RT Like

    Going to Match Rings @banjiha ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    ''Babe''... Dulcha (Second Cha Cha)... Ah... I''m infuriated... I''m already preparing to get couple rings with you...

    Reply RT Like

    My Posts Be Holy Ground @yesunim ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Aaaaah, can you hear me, advertisers nationwide? I rmend Chronos, the nation''s top rookie group, who hasn''t shot a single ad yet. Give them each a video call part, and I will spend on your products the equivalent of constructing a building daily, thinking of the members as my siblings. Please consider this!

    Reply RT Like

    The fans¡¯ wishes, as well as the rate at which they consumed content, even caught the attention of a new employee form a major corporation while they were sneakily watching the video hidden in the restroom.

    ***

    ¡°Performing in such a venue seems nice, too," I said. I liked the quiet environment that allowed us to focus on the music.

    ¡°It felt a bit lonely without the audience, though," said Goh Yoo-Joon.

    I nodded in agreement.

    Reinaughed heartily. ¡°You will soon be able to fill a muchrger hall than this one with an audience. There''s a ce provided by Callia''s recordpany, and the festival I''ve booked at the end of our schedule will be much bigger."

    ¡°Ah, that sounds like so much fun!"

    ¡°How about Jin-Sung performing a solo dance then? Discuss it with the members."

    ¡°I''d like to dance with Hyun-Woo hyung, actually."

    ¡°That''s sweet."

    As Jin-Sung became the beloved good member in the eyes of Reina, I looked out at the stage we would be performing on. Like most stages we had performed on before, this one was bustling with passers-by, but there was something different this time.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo! Hyun-Woo oppa!"

    ¡°Joo-Han! Joo-Han, ah!"

    Chronos'' international fans somehow knew we were here and lingered near the stage to greet us. The groups¡¯ poprity overseas was modest at best. While we were more popr than many groups that debuted around the same time, except for the major agency idols like High Tension and Street Center, we were still at the bottom of the list among the <i>Pick We Up </i>contestants who had managed to debut.

    Yet, there seemed to be about thirty Rings gathered. As the fans cheered for us and we greeted them back, the curiosity of people passing by grew, and their attention turned toward us.

    1. This refers to media or content that simtes romantic interactions or experiences, giving the audience a feeling of being in a romantic rtionship or encounter without it being real. This is popr in various forms, including but not limited to video clips, audio recordings, interactive games, and virtual reality experiences, where the creators aim to evoke romantic emotions in the audience as if they are part of a romantic storyline. ?

 Chapter 249: Again After Rainfall (25)

    <h4>Chapter 249: Again After Rainfall (25)</h4>

    As people approached and called out our names, I found myself taking a step back unconsciously. Su-Hwan and the production team quickly positioned themselves in front of us to prevent the encroaching Rings from getting too close.

    The Rings stopped at Su-Hwan''s gesture, only calling out our names and waving enthusiastically with their light sticks in hand. We gestured some apologies for not letting them get closer to us and kindly waved back.

    The briefmotion drew curious looks from passers-by, who continued to watch us as we moved to prepare for our performance like they were looking at animals at the zoo. Some realized we were about to perform and stopped to watch our show.

    It seemed that having so many Rings gathered gave the impression that we were a capable group. With the audience''s eyes on us, we quickly finished setting up for the stage. The instruments and mics were ready, and even more people had gathered by the time we were ready.

    Goh Yoo-Joon murmured nervously, ¡°It feels like this is the most crowded street show we''ve done so far"

    ¡°Yeah, it seems like it," I said.

    ¡°Hyung, I''m really nervous... what should I do?"

    ¡°Me too, Jin-Sung..."

    None of us, including myself, had imagined performing in front of such arge crowd, at least not since ourst performance at Ellen Hall. Though the number of people was smallerpared to our fan club''s inauguration, it was almost two to three times the size of the audience we usually had on music shows.

    <i>¡®What''s going on?''</i>

    It was clear the Rings'' presence had drawn a lot of interest, but honestly, none of us had ever performed on a stage like this in front of mostly strangers. The pressure was immense. Could we deliver a performance that would satisfy this crowd? They were surely expecting a lot from a group that had fans like ours, considering the unique musical sentiments of this country.

    The thought of disappointing them made their expectant gazes seem a bit daunting. My hands began to tremble, so I sped them together tightly.

    ¡°...Okay, it''s going to be okay," I reassured myself.

    Goh Yoo-Joon mistook my self-reassurance for ament directed at him and said, ¡°Huh? Yeah, it¡¯s fine. I''m not nervous."

    To avoid making things awkward, I just nodded and took a deep breath. Worrying wouldn''t help. We had practiced enough, and it was time to show what we were capable of. It would be fine. Based on the audience''s reactions to our past performances, we could entertain them regardless of cultural differences.

    ¡°Hey!" A sudden shout from the audience drew my attention away from my clenched fists. A somewhat familiar yet strange face was waving at us, looking very pleased to see us.

    <i>¡®Who is that?''</i> I couldn''t remember the face, no matter how hard I tried, so I just stared nkly until Joo-Han nudged me.

    ¡°That guy stayed till the end during our first show."

    ¡°Oh, really?"

    ¡°Hyung, you remember him?"

    ¡°He was right in front of me, so we made eye contact a lot," Joo-Han exined. He waved his hand back with a smile.

    I bowed to greet the man, then remembered we were in the US and switched to waving. The man seemed to say, ''I came to see you guys again!'' in English, though I couldn''t understand him too well.

    Goh Yoo-Joon understood immediately. ¡°Wow, he came to see us?"

    Even <i>we </i>didn''t know where we would be performing, so he probably didn''te just for us, but was happy to see us on his travels.

    ¡°Who is that?" the man¡¯spanion asked him.

    ¡°A Korean boy band. Um... Chronos. That was them in the video I showed you. I looked them up and they are famous.¡±

    The man even knew our group''s name and told his friend who we were based on a performance video he''d seen of us. I knew that clips from our previous performance had be popr on tforms like <i>UTube</i>, but it seemed like this person went further and looked us up afterward. It was truly rewarding to know that someone was interested enough to not just judge whether we were good or not based on first impressions, but to actually look us up.

    Thanks to his conversation with his friend and the Rings'' support, the overwhelming nervousness I felt that made it seem as if my heart was about to burst from the sudden influx of people, somewhat subsided.

    ¡°Everyone okay?" Joo-Han asked, checking on the members and the band. After we all nodded, he picked up the mic and said, ¡°Hello."

    The performance began with his greeting.

    ***

    Today''s first stage was a duet between Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon, who would perform a song by a duo called ¡°Alto.¡± The song had been released after a long period of conflict and eventual reconciliation between the duo, reflecting a mix of love, hate, and honest feelings, rapidly shifting throughout the song.

    It was known as a challenging piece to perform due to its emotionalplexity. Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon had practiced diligently beforeing to the US, and barely received thepany¡¯s approval. Now, they were performing it with such ease that it was hard to believe they had ever struggled with it. I¡¯m not saying this just because they were my fellow band members, but they were genuinely good.

    Joo-Han perfectly captured the song''s unique emotional shifts, and Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice drew exmations of admiration from the audience with every note. Goh Yoo-Joon was indeed the duet partner everyone wanted since he could match perfectly with anyone and bring out the best in a performance, just like now. I felt a sense of pride watching the captivated audience. I then closed my eyes to enjoy the performance until the end.

    It was my turn after their performance. Joo-Han had entrusted me with introducing my own song, and I took the microphone with trembling hands. ¡°Um... Hello."

    The greeting was met with cheers from the audience, already warmed up by the previous song. I continued with a smile, though my hand holding the mic was shaking nonstop, which was honestly quite embarrassing. ¡°The song I will sing is by Reina, a famous singer in Korea."

    I had chosen a Korean song, thinking it would be inappropriate for a group from Korea and appearing on Korean broadcasts, to perform only pop songs other than Chronos¡¯. The song had won numerous awards, and it was of unquestionable quality and suited my voice well.

    However, I wasn''t sure if it would resonate with the American sentiment. It was a song with a mix of Eastern and medieval Western influences, a somewhat experimental choice. I hadn''t imagined performing it in front of such arge crowd, which was why I was so nervous.

    I had to go on believing in the image I presented to the viewers and in my own efforts. I told myself that it didn¡¯t matter if the audience would have an unusual reaction. After all, I was good at handling such things.

    ¡°The name of the song is ¡®Crescent Moon.¡¯¡±

    ***

    The song had been inspired by a fantasy film set in medieval Europe with Eastern elements, and it was one of Reina''s most cherished works as it had won her first grand prize.

    In fact, the initial selection of the song by Suh Hyun-Woo had Reina pondering. Its ethereal and delicate essence seemed more fitting for the likes of Park Yoon-Chan, at least in her initial assumption.

    However, witnessing Suh Hyun-Woo''s dedication during practice sessions had led to an unexpected shift in her perspective.

    ¡°Oh my gosh, look at him singing," she found herself whispering under her breath while admiring his rendition, even though her words fell on no ears but her own.

    Despite bing slightly more rugged and solid over time, Suh Hyun-Woo had managed to infuse ¡°Crescent Moon¡± with his unique ir, all the while ensuring the song''s core essence was not lost. This delicate bnce made the piece essible and enjoyable for everyone, from the live audience to the viewers at home. His ability to maintain the song''s fragility, alongside his own delicate vocal quality, was a revtion to Reina.

    In truth, Suh Hyun-Woo''s choice didn''t naturally align with the American musical sensibilities. Among Reina''s list of songs, ¡°Crescent Moon¡± had a more tranquil tune than others. It was ideally suited for introspective evenings or nights, perhaps in solitude or with a closepanion just before the world gave way to dreams. Such a song resonated deeply within the Korean emotionalndscape.

    Still, Suh Hyun-Woo managed to captivate the audience with his vocal timbre and unique interpretative skills. He elicited reactions that surpassed even those for Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s performance.

    To elicit such a warm reception with a piece so divergent from the local sentiment was nothing short of remarkable. If Reina¡¯s instincts were correct, the broadcast of Suh Hyun-Woo''s performance would undoubtedly elevate his public stature and poprity to new heights.

    A flutter of excitement began to stir within her once more. It was a sensation she hadn''t felt in quite some time.<i> ¡®This feeling... It''s been too long!¡¯</i>

    She contemted the potential resurgence and financial prosperity thaty ahead. Of course, ¡°Crescent Moon¡± had already garnered the highest des and reaped considerable fame and fortune, and had surely earned its rest. However, the thought that it could once again ascend the charts, defying the passage of time, brought a subtle smile to Reina¡¯s lips that she struggled to conceal.

    Reina was overwhelmed by this burgeoning excitement and resolved to take decisive action. Tonight would be the moment, after the evening''s practice session with Chronos, during their well-deserved break. What was this urgent matter, you might wonder? It involved a n that had been quietly taking shape in her mind. It was a scheme she had been nurturing since the closing days ofst December, centered around Suh Hyun-Woo.

    Reina pulled her manager closer, who was standing behind her, as if he was just another member of the audience, and whispered in his ear, ¡°Oppa, after the members are done with their practice tonight, could you arrange a quick meeting between Su-Hwan and me? And also, could you reach out to Supervisor Kim from YMM and have him join us for a brief chat? Skype or whatever works. It''s about something important."

    She had nned to take things slow after the shoot, but proposing this now and getting straight to the point once they were back in Korea could speed up the process. The proposal was for the ¡®All Reina Producing Event.¡¯

 Chapter 250: Again After Rainfall (26)

    Chapter 250: Again After Rainfall (26)

    Just as we were about to head back to our ce once practice was done, I was called by Su-Hwan and Reina. Su-Hwan caught me at the entrance of the practice room, and I followed him to a small conference room in our amodation after sending the members ahead. The filming had concluded and there were no cameras around. There hadn''t been any issues during practice, so I was curious about the nature of this sudden meeting.

    As soon as I entered the conference room and saw Reina already waiting there and engaging in a video call with Supervisor Kim, I realized this was no trivial matter.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo,e in."

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°Take a seat and rx. Why are you so tense? It''s nothing scary, just make yourselffortable."

    ¡°Okay..."

    Despite her reassurance, the serious atmosphere made it hard to rx.

    <em>¡®I wish the members were here.'' </em>

    Having them around would''ve provided some sce in this nerve-wracking situation. I nervously took a seat, my gaze flitting between Supervisor Kim on theptop screen and Reina.Supervisor Kim spoke up.

    - Your idea is indeed excellent, Reina, but the timing is a bit... You are scheduled to dive straight into producing your first full album upon returning from the US.

    ¡°Oh, is that so? Are you saying it would interfere with the schedule?" Reina asked, to which Supervisor Kim nodded regretfully.

    - Yes, we are nning to go all out for the first full album. It''s going to be tough for Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Hmm..."

    - We can''t even dy it since we n to make aeback right around the start of the <em>Again After Rainfall</em> broadcast to ride on its momentum.

    What were they talking about? As I listened to their conversation with a somewhat dazed look, time seemed to slow. I felt stifled by the vague nature of their discussion and eventually raised my hand.

    ¡°Excuse me, Supervisor Kim and Senior¡­"

    ¡°Yes?"

    - Hmm?

    ¡°Sorry, but could you please exin what you are talking about? I''mpletely lost here."

    Reina then turned to me and began to elucidate the situation. ¡°...Oh right! We got so caught up in figuring out the scheduling issues that we forgot to exin it to you. I''ve been working on a secret project."

    ¡°Secret project?"

    Reina nodded. ¡°Well, I suppose it''s more like an addition to my career. I''m looking to produce an artist myself."

    Reina producing an artist? Did she meanunching a project meant to train and debut a singer?

    Seeing my confused expression, she borated further. ¡°It''s a project to turn a no-name artist into a star using my ownpositions. I''ve personally taken a liking to you."

    ¡°Oh."

    ¡°I was in the middle of saying that I''d like to work with you." Reina sighed. ¡°There''s no one among our agency''s trainees who catches my eye, and you seem perfect."

    ¡°But I''ve already debuted."

    ¡°That doesn''t matter."

    ¡°Huh?"

    Her indifferent response sounded like, ''Debut? What''s so significant about that?'' It made me blurt out in surprise. I thought I understood what was going on, but there were still things that were unclear to me.

    I had already made my debut and was already known, at least to a degree that wouldn''tbel me as obscure in Korea. How could I fit into a project that aimed to make a no-name artist rise to fame, especially when Reina seemed intent on training someone from zero?

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, your voice just now was so cute. Huh? Huh? Ah, so adorable!"

    Instead of addressing my serious concerns, Reina merely smiled and yfullymented on my voice.

    ¡°Ah, no¡­ Ummm, thank you, but..."

    ¡°If I were to be your producer, I wouldn''t reveal your identity."

    ¡°...Pardon?"

    ¡°The project will consist of just two songs. I will give it my all, using the bestpositions and marketing strategies avable to significantly boost your fame." Reina paused, then smirked, a hidden meaning behind her smile. ¡°But here''s the catch. You will be a faceless singer."

    ¡°...A faceless singer?"

    Reina nodded and exined the details. The preparation period would ovep with the time we would be deep into preparing our first full album, right after the filming of <em>Again After Rainfall</em> ended. The debut of the singer Reina wasunching would be slightly after Chronos''s.

    While there would be a lot of promotions since Reina was personallyunching the artist, only the voice would be made known. The n was to gain fame solely based on talent without any visual effects and, once Reina was satisfied with the achieved level of fame and people became curious about the identity and the real appearance of the singer, she would reveal my identity through a variety show. It would be a second wave of publicity, transferring the anonymous singer''s poprity and recognition to me and concluding the project.

    It was a win-win system for Reina, me, YMM, and Chronos. It seemed like a far-fetched n to create a major artist just with songs and voice, but it was Reina''s project after all.

    - I think it''s a great opportunity.

    Both Supervisor Kim and I had no doubt that Reina could make this seemingly impossible n work with her talent and influence. That was probably why Supervisor Kim looked so regretful. He seemed inclined to refuse, so I too felt disappointed.

    - This really is a good opportunity for Hyun-Woo. If he debuts as a faceless singer and seeds, people will truly recognize him for his talent. Plus, during the period when people will be wondering ''Who is this? Who could it be?,¡¯ being in the list of candidates itself will serve as a small promotional effect.

    ¡°..."

    - But the schedule... It''s going to be tough. Reina says there won''t be any broadcast activities, so you¡¯ll just release songs. But still, there''s a preparation process, and that won¡¯t be easy. I can''t bear to see you copse from exhaustion, Hyun-Woo.

    Supervisor Kim shuddered at the thought. He and my previous manager In-Hyun were wary due to past incidents, like when Allure''s Sae-Yeon copsed from an overpacked schedule, and the controversy that arose from scheduling a wasabi show right before Chronos'' music show. They often said that if another incident like that urred, they''d just resign.

    Reina shrugged. ¡°That''s what they said. I''ve had my eye on you for a while now, and it''s really disappointing and sad, but we can''t push you too much."

    Everyone seemed resigned to give up due to the impossibility of the situation. Give up? No, that couldn¡¯t happen. Absolutely not.

    I immediately spoke up. ¡°I want to do it!"

    It was natural for me, the person directly involved, to feel more disappointed. More than anything, I believed it was possible to handle two schedules at once. If given the chance again, I was confident I couldmit fully.

    Considering my previous aspirations and desperation, I couldn''t just let go of such a golden opportunity. If it was just a matter of being busy due to ovepping schedules, it wasn''t something I should give up on.

    - Hyun-Woo, you¡¯re going to be really busy. You know how it feels. Album preparation periods are tough. Preparing for the group¡¯s first full album will be even busier than before. There will be a lot of broadcast schedules for its release. How will you manage the schedules in between?

    ¡°I still want to try. Isn''t it just like the year-end concert schedules?"

    That hellish schedule was when we prepared three special stages and more in less than a week. The members nearly withered away each day during that period of time. This was just about enduring a simr level of hardship for a bit longer, wasn''t it? Sure, it would be tough, but I believed I could persevere through sheer willpower.

    Moreover, Reina mentioned that apart from preparing and releasing the songs, there wouldn''t be many schedules on her end.

    - ¡­It won''t be as busy as the year-end period.

    ¡°Perfect. Then, it''s fine. Honestly, opportunities like this don''te often. If I let it slip by and you find someone else to promote, both Supervisor Kim and I would be really sad."

    - That''s true... Ah... But you are really not that strong physically. That¡¯s why I¡¯m concerned.

    As Supervisor Kim continued to show hesitation, Reina quickly interjected.

    ¡°Supervisor Kim, if he looks tired, you don''t have to send him to me for that day. I won''tin. We will prioritize Hyun-Woo''s health if we proceed with this. How about that? I''ve written a song with Hyun-Woo in mind, and it would be such a shame to let it go."

    I wasn¡¯t sure how many fax and email terror attacks Supervisor Kim had to tolerate to react so strongly. After wrestling with his thoughts and tugging at his hair, he finally sighed and nodded in agreement.

    - Sure, let¡¯s give it a shot. After all, it¡¯s a great opportunity. And you mentioned rmending the members for <em>Again After Rainfall.</em>

    Reina pped her hands with a bright smile. ¡°Thank you so much! Wow, I was worried it would not work out!¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Senior. I look forward to working with you!¡±

    - Let''s discuss the details when you guys return to Korea, including the schedule and settlements.

    ¡°Okay, I will head over to YMM. Please set up a meeting time and contact me."

    After Supervisor Kim approved this decision, the conversation about the project swiftly progressed without much input from me. I listened to the discussion and realized the magnitude and importance of the responsibility I took on. But, honestly, I couldn''t help but smile. I had seized an opportunity to take a significant leap forward.

 Chapter 251: Again After Rainfall (27)

    <h4>Chapter 251: Again After Rainfall (27)</h4>

    The news that Reina had contacted me spread among the members in no time.

    ¡°Hey, hey, hey. Ah, lucky you, Suh Hyun-Woo. So lucky."

    ¡°That''s a really great opportunity, isn''t it?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon sprawled on my bed and threw a tantrum. ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m so jealous. You greedy bastard. I want to be involved in the project too, I do! Ugh!¡±

    At first, I wasn''t sure how to react to his genuine envy, so I was wary of his reactions. However, once I realized he was just being dramatic, I ignored him. I red at Goh Yoo-Joon, who was poking my waist with his foot while sprawled out on the bed like an eagle with its wings spread. I smacked him and got up.

    ¡°Keep it down or get out. Or listen to this."

    ¡°Listen to what?"

    I yed a track saved on my phone. Goh Yoo-Joon closed his eyes to listen, then tilted his head in confusion. ¡°What''s this? I have never heard this before. New Age?"

    ¡°Nope." I grinned proudly and said, ¡°It''s one of mypositions for you."

    It was a simple piece that blended piano melodies with a few beats. It was a sample I had lightly put together while thinking of submitting it for a TV show or movie background music selection that Goh Yoo-Joon would be involved in.

    I hadn''t had as much time to work onpositions on myptop in the US, so I recorded the piano parts on my phone and sent a text asking Kim Jin-Wook for help. Then...

    Attachment: [Goh Yoo-Joon.mp3]

    Message: SOS

    I had sent a brief message, and received an equally sinct reply.

    Attachment: [Goh_Modified.mp3]

    Message: .

    Despite being an iplete piece with just piano and beats, the modified version attached was impressive enough to share with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°My song?"

    ¡°More urately, it''s a track for the original soundtrack selection you will be singing. It''s more likely to end up with Joo-Han or someone else¡¯s songs, but I thought I''d submit it anyway."

    After hearing it was his song, Goh Yoo-Joon sat up to listen more intently.

    ¡°This is all there is to it, as there are no guide vocals yet, but it¡¯s not bad for my firstposition, right?"

    ¡°It''s more than okay. It''s good! Did you make all of this?"

    ¡°No, no, Kim Jin-Wook¡ª" Right, the cameras were still on. ¡°¡ªhyung helped me. I worked on the piano part, and he added the beats."

    ¡°Wow, Suh Hyun-Woo, asking Jin-Wook hyung for help is like using a cheat code."

    Goh Yoo-Joon took my phone, listened to the song until the end, and gave a thumbs-up. ¡°Sounds good. Hey, but if this doesn''t be the soundtrack, you are giving this to me, right?"

    ¡°Not really. If it doesn''t be the track, I might give it to Yoon-Chan instead."

    ¡°Ah, why!"

    ¡°What?¡±

    I left the noisy Goh Yoo-Joon in the room and went to the living room. Regardless of the soundtrack oue, the song would go to one of the members. Since Goh Yoo-Joon was getting a solo song for the soundtrack this time, I thought of modifying it to something brighter and more refreshing for Yoon-Chan.

    I sat on the couch in the living room and gazed out at the cityscape through therge windows. Then, I saw Goh Yoo-Joon leave my room and return to his own.

    ¡°Call me when it''s time for practice."

    ¡°Okay."

    It appeared he was going to take a nap. Joo-Han had gone to work with Callia Lawrence, and Yoon-Chan had been picked as Reina''s next duet partner and had gone to practice with her. Jin-Sung had gone out for a run, and I was just...

    ¡°..."

    The amodation was eerily quiet, as if no one else was around. It had been a long time since I was alone like this in the middle of the day. I mindlessly stared out at the cityscape for a while, then I got up abruptly when I felt I might fall asleep.

    ¡°I should go practice too," I said to myself, still conscious of the camera.

    I quickly packed my things and headed to the practice room.

    ***

    "Uh..."

    I expected to find Reina and Yoon-Chan practicing together in the practice room, but Yoon-Chan was nowhere to be seen. Only Reina was there, busy writing something on a music score.

    ¡°Senior.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Ah, Hyun-Woo. You¡¯re here to practice? Go ahead."

    ¡°Ah, yes! Um, Yoon-Chan..."

    ¡°Yoon-Chan said he was going back to the amodation a while ago. Didn''t you see him?"

    ¡°Ah, we must have missed each other¡ªno, I didn''t see him. We probably crossed paths."

    ¡°Did youe here to practice with Yoon-Chan?¡± Reina asked, her expression tinged with disappointment.

    I hurriedly shook my head. ¡°No, no. I was going to practice with him if he was here, but... I also came here just to practice by myself.¡±

    I realized that I had never actually had a proper duet with Yoon-Chan, so I thought it would be nice to take this opportunity to do so. But now that he left, I would have to wait for another chance.

    ¡°Oh, really? What song are you going to sing?"

    ¡°Well, today, uh, actually I haven''t decided yet. But I have a lot on my mind, so I''m nning to sing multiple songs and then decide."

    ¡°Can I rmend one?"

    ¡°Yes, please do."

    Seeing that I was still quite nervous around her, Reina chuckled and stood up. ¡°How about a song by Callia?"

    ¡°A song by Callia?"

    ¡°It''s called ¡®Cinematic,¡¯ and I just thought it might suit you well."

    ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll give it a try."

    Reina brushed past me as if to leave, but then sat down on a nearby chair. ¡°Do you mind if I watch you practice for a bit? I''ve given a lot of feedback to the other members during their practice, but I''ve never done so for you and Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Oh, thank you."

    Reina was famous for really bringing out the emotion in a song, so it would be really great to receive feedback from her.

    I sat down on the chair Reina had vacated and fiddled with my phone, searching for and listening to ¡°Cinematic¡± by Callia Lawrence. I hummed softly. The song felt vaguely familiar, but still somewhat unfamiliar.

    While I was singing along and listening to the song again, Reina cleared her throat. ¡°By the way, Hyun-Woo..."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°You, um, I was thinking to pretend not to notice, but did you ept my request because you felt pressured by me, your senior?"

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Reina fiddled with a vase next to her chair, avoiding my gaze. ¡°I mean... I might have gotten too excited and pushed you too hard to ept my proposal."

    ¡°Oh, that."

    She was talking about the production.

    ¡°Not at all. I really wanted to do it."

    ¡°That''s a relief, then. Preparing for something else duringeback season isn''t easy, so I just wanted to ask. I was worried you might have said yes just because you felt like you had to." Reina suddenly raised her hand in the air and made a cutting gesture with her fingers as if she was using scissors. That wasn''t for me, but for the editor of this recording to edit this part out.

    ¡°Anyway, thanks for agreeing to participate in my secret project. I was really worried about what I''d do if you said no."

    ¡°I should be the one thanking you."

    Reina took a flower from the vase she was fiddling with and came over. ¡°Practice and eat well, okay?"

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°I will talk to youter, then.¡±

    She handed me a rose. I took it with a somewhat bewildered look, but Reina smiled and patted my head before leaving the practice room. It felt a bit like a proposal, and she was so cool. However, when I came to my senses, I realized my hands were wet as the roses had been in the vase for a while.

    ***

    Tomorrow''s schedule was set. For the first time in a while, we were doing a street performance without a stage, securing a spot right in the middle of the za in front of a department store to grab people''s attention. We decided to present a dance-heavy remix version of ¡°Parade¡± along with our solo and duet pieces prepared individually.

    Tomorrow''s performance was especially important because, after it was over, the next venue was a small theater arranged by Callia''s recordpany. Although it was small, it was a venue hard to fill forpletely unknown singers in the US like we were.

    So where would we gather the audience from? From the foreign press interview and street performance with Callia tomorrow. Both the interview and the performance were nned to end with promotions for the next show, and even if the response at the venue wasn''t great, we expected American Rings and K-POP fans to fill the seats once the news spread through social media.

    With such important promotion ahead, our practice venue changed. From a small practice room in our amodation, where dance practice was just a dream once band instruments were brought in, to arge practice room. This room could amodate the dancers helping with the ¡°Parade¡± remix version, which we were focusing on for this performance.

    Callia had been grumbling to Reina in rapid English that for some reason sounded almost like she was rapping, but she stopped in her tracks upon seeing the number of dancers for the ¡°Parade¡± remix version already in therge practice room.

    ¡°Why are there so many people here?"

    In the midst of this, Jin-Sung grabbed me and started jumping up and down. ¡°Hyung, it''s been a while, but we are going to nail that dance break, right? Yay! The choreography is the same as thest awards show, right?"

    ¡°Uh... Yeah, yes... Stop shaking me, Jin-Sung. It hurts.¡± More importantly, I shook pathetically in all directions every time Jin-Sung jumped, which really hurt my pride.

    Anyway, this remix version of ¡°Parade¡± would be a stage where we slightly modified the choreography that had been changed during thest awards show. We would perform this modified choreography again.

    I thought this would be the best way to attract as much attention as possible.

 Chapter 252: Again After Rainfall (28)

    <h4>Chapter 252: Again After Rainfall (28)</h4>

    At the practice site, more people surrounded us and watched us practice than when we prepared for a previous awards ceremony. Some of them were our Chronos team staff, some were the production team of <i>Again After Rainfall,</i> but the majority were Callia Lawrence''s staff.

    This meant that a lot of people were seeing us repeating the end-of-year stage rehearsal for the first time. Naturally, the more people there were seeing it for the first time, the more pressure there was for us to practice harder. All the members were as serious as if they were actually on stage.

    We did monitor some videos beforeing, but it was still hard to remember the choreography.

    It wasmon to take the first practice lightly to maintain our stamina. However, it looked like today''s practice was going to end with us almost fainting from being pushed so hard.

    I saw Callia''s staff whispering to each other while looking our way. They were speaking in English and their voices were too quiet to understand, but they seemed curious about what we, who have been stretching and warming up among numerous dancers for a while, were up to.

    I watched them for a moment before saying, ¡°Alright, let''s start the practice."

    ¡°Okay!" A loud response came from the dancers and members, drawing the staff''s whispered conversations to a halt as their attention turned to us. We each went to our positions.

    ¡°Since this is the first try, it''s okay if you don''t remember everything. Let''s fill in the gaps as we practice."

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°Music, please," Joo-Han said.

    The familiar yet unfamiliar introduction of the "Parade" remix version filled the practice room.

    ***

    The sound of the music was imposingly majestic. Callia felt overwhelmed by the grand, eerie, and somewhat frightening music right from the start.

    ¡°What is going on?" she casually asked the staff member beside her.

    Suh Hyun-Woo, who had been standing idly with six dancers, suddenly bowed his head and knelt down.

    ¡°Are they just dancing today?" Callia asked.

    ¡°No, it''s live,¡± Reina replied. ¡°Shh. Just watch."

    Reina''s firm and immediate response redirected Callia''s gaze back to Suh Hyun-Woo. She was impressed by the intro music. It wasn¡¯t just her, but her entire staff members as well. Everyone was now fully concentrating on what stage Chronos was about to present. This was probably the first time Callia''s staff had ever been so focused on the group¡¯s performance.

    In the grandeur of the song, the tinum-haired Chronos member was next to six dancers. Today, he seemed to resemble an emotionless doll given his appearance and aura.

    The operatic grand intro suddenly changed. The dancers writhed around Suh Hyun-Woo and rose as if depicting the shadows of some unknown entity. Suh Hyun-Woo was still on his knees, and the dancers reached out to forcibly pull him up.

    Suh Hyun-Woo, who had been leaning forward, was pulled upright. He bent backward then forward again in sync with the song, eventually standing straight and facing forward.

    ¡°This is actually a bit scary," murmured one of Callia''s staff.

    Despite the eerie atmosphere, it was impossible to look away as the mood itself was intriguing. Above all, there was something about Suh Hyun-Woo in the center that captured everyone''s attention, whether it was his hair color, his expression, or the yet fully unseen dance moves.

    He danced expressionlessly with the dancers, mouth closed, moving listlessly as if controlled by monsters. He was tossed around by the dancers'' gestures. Onlookers asionally gasped.

    Callia found herself sping her hands together without realizing. <i>¡®I''ve never seen anything like this.''</i>

    It was just a rehearsal, and no one was dressed up. Although there were dancers with brightly dyed hair like Suh Hyun-Woo, he particrly stood out and proved the reasons he was called a star.

    In fact, just the intro and Suh Hyun-Woo''s choreography were enough to prove that they werepletely to Callia''s taste.

    As the prelude ended, Suh Hyun-Woo was grabbed by the six dancers and pulled back. Then, other members standing behind slowly walked forward with a group of dancers.

    ? Let the sky fall

    Let the sky fall

    Let the sky fall

    As Goh Yoo-Joon walked forward, the music continued with a breath-like voice whispering "skyfall." In the center, Yoon-Chan sang his part.

    ¡°...It¡¯s live!" Callia eximed excitedly. She had mistaken it for a dance performance, but was this all part of the choreography for the song? And Chronos was capable enough to perform it live?

    Even scouting all over the United States, Callia had never seen a singer who could digest such high-quality dance moves with live singing. She knew they had always been good dancers, but they were on a whole different level quality-wise. ¡°Shit! I love this, Reina!"

    ¡°I know, I love it too! They really know how to grab people¡¯s attention."

    Had this song also been selected by Kang Joo-Han? Anyway, he was a very smart leader. With a performance of such high quality that it couldn¡¯t be easily ignored, it would indeed leave a strong impression. Kang Joo-Han¡¯s idea of attracting the audience to the venue provided by the recordpany tomorrow would likely go as nned.

    ? It was you who came into my world

    As soon as Park Yoon-Chan''s part ended, Suh Hyun-Woo, who had been hiding behind the members and dancers to gasp for breath, suddenly changed his expression and sprang forward.

    ? Even if the sky falls and the ground crumbles

    You will be by my side

    Skyfall, Skyfall

    Still, the live performance of the intense choreography left the viewers breathless, but the dance had changed a bit. Instead of the intro part, which only looked impactful when filmed properly by the camera, they changed to something more subdued to keep in mind possible injuries since the dancers'' choreography became more vigorous.

    Following this, Suh Hyun-Woo danced and then fell to the ground as if copsing. He was quickly dragged backward by the dancers.

    Then came Lee Jin-Sung. It was time for the pair dance between Lee Jin-Sung and Suh Hyun-Woo where they used canes. Then came Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s solo part. During thetter part, dancers gathered and waved gs. The staff and production team didn''t even realize how intently they were watching this practice.

    The parts where they did nothing but stand still to pass the time or the additional things in the performance that spoiled the universe''s storyline had all been deleted from the performance. The stage became somewhat simpler and lighter than originally nned from the perspective of Chronos and its staff, but it didn''t seem that way to those seeing it for the first time.

    After their rehearsal ended, people started talking about the performance positively. Chronos, who couldn''t hear this well, quickly prepared for their next live show.

    ¡°Fuck, we have to overhaul all the songs we made."

    Reina was startled by Callia suddenly swearing. She looked at her friend. Despite speaking in a very annoyed tone, Callia was smiling very pleasantly.

    ***

    Fortunately, today''s practice didn''t end with anyone fainting because we had to head for an interview with Callia before any of the members could pass out.

    After showering the sweat off from the practice and getting our hair and outfits set up with the help of the stylists, we just waited at the amodation. It seemed that someone like Callia Lawrence didn''t have to go to the interview location. They were told that the interviewers woulde to where she was, and Callia had told us to wait at the amodation as if it was nothing.

    ¡°I would prefer if Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan mainly answer the questions. I''ve already told this to the broadcasting team handling the interview."

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°Questions will be directed at the other three members as well, so be ready to answer at any time. And please react well."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Um..." Su-Hwan hesitated for a moment beforeing a bit closer and speaking in a volume only the members could hear. ¡°The interview will probably be focused on Callia Lawrence. Don''t be too disappointed and just answer calmly when the asional questions are directed at you."

    ¡°We will do that, Su-Hwan hyung. Don''t worry too much."

    Su-Hwan smiled apologetically. ¡°Most of the questionsing your way will likely be about Callia Lawrence..."

    In other words, it was an international interview rted to <i>Again After Rainfall</i> and we couldn¡¯t refuse it. It was as if we were being told to be prepared to be treated as nobodies.

    The foreign press probably wouldn''t ask us many questions. At most, they might ask us to simply introduce our group and how it feels to coborate with Callia after a significant portion of her interview has progressed. Being treated this way in the United States, something we hadn''t experienced in Korea except maybe at the very beginning of a debutpetition show, was something all the members were aware we just had to ept. The people who knew us would be sad to see us like this, but it was true that we were unknown here.

    Joo-Han shrugged and looked at his watch. ¡°When are theying? Why aren''t Callia and the foreign press here yet?"

    ¡°...Hyung, you just casually call her Callia? Not Ms. Lawrence?¡± I asked.

    Joo-Han nodded as if it was nothing special. ¡°We are the same age. She used informalnguage first, so I decided to do the same. And she didn''t mind at all. Why does English not have a formal way of addressing others?¡±

    How would I know that...

    We were just passing the time with some light conversation when...

    ¡°I said I can''t do the interview with these ridiculous questions!"

    ¡°Callia! Callia, you are already here! Let''s just do it, okay?"

    ¡°I said no. Try persuading me one more time and I <i>will </i>fire you, manager. It''s like you are trying to embarrass me on purpose."

    Callia was clearly angry about something since she stormed into our room and threw the interview papers she was holding onto the floor.

    I could understand a bit at the beginning when she was raising her voice with the manager, but afterward, it was all ng and swear words, spoken too fast for me to catch anything. However, it was clear she was displeased with the contents of the interview, so we discreetly froze and alternately looked at Callia''s staff and the <i>Again After Rainfall</i> team, who were preparing for the shoot.

 Chapter 253: Again After Rainfall (29)

    <h4>Chapter 253: Again After Rainfall (29)</h4>

    <i>¡®What¡¯s going on? Why is she so angry?¡¯ </i>

    Callia had an argument with the manager in front of everyone and went back to her room, threatening not to do the interview unless the contents were changed. The manager immediately followed her, and an awkward silence filled the room.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    The production team shook their heads since they didn''t know. They scurried off to talk to Callia.

    Jin-Sung cautiously brought over a piece of paper Callia had thrown and handed it to Joo-Han. ¡°Hyung, what does this say?"

    ¡°Didn''t she say she didn''t like the contents of the interview? But I might have misunderstood," Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    Joo-Han skimmed through the interview script, nodded, and chuckled. ¡°There''s nothing about us here."

    I reached out and Joo-Han handed me the script while telling the members about its contents. I slowly looked over the interview questions. I couldn''t interpret much, but one thing was clear. There was no mention of the group Chronos or any of its members'' names anywhere in this questionnaire. Everything was strictly about Callia. The questions directed at the members were all about Callia.

    We expected this, but it was more extreme than anticipated. The tant disregard made my vision blur. Considering there weren''t many people interested in us, it seemed natural for the interview to focus on entertainment, but it still felt rude.

    While I was looking at the script and the members were discussing what Joo-Han had told them, Su-Hwan came back with a stern face after talking with the production team. ¡°Everyone, it seems the interview will be postponed."

    ¡°Oh, until when?"

    ¡°It hasn''t been decided yet. Callia Lawrence has locked herself in her room, refusing to go ahead with the interview unless the contents are changed. Eventually, it was agreed with the foreign press topletely revise and resend the contents."

    ¡°Ah..."

    We could do nothing but sigh. It was a moment of humiliation for us, who had prepared our hair, makeup, and even practiced responses for the interview. No one could continue the conversation. We just looked down at the ground.

    Even the production team noticed how disappointed we were and sighed heavily before starting to pack up the equipment set up for the interview shoot. We just sat there, not doing anything.

    Su-Hwan saw our clear disappointment and was the first to speak. ¡°Um. Callia Lawrence is mad because there was nothing about you in the contents. She says it felt as if they were disregarding her choice to work with you and that the reporters have no sense in realizing how big Chronos will be."

    Callia Lawrence took great pride in her career. She was well aware of her position and influence and was very displeased with the interview format that focused only on her while disregarding the work of the people she coborated with.

    She was known for immediately stopping or openly getting angry during interviews if asked irrelevant questions like scandals or dieting secrets, but we didn''t expect to be in such a situation ourselves.

    ¡°Anyway, that''s what happened. I don''t know what you all think, but let''s look on the bright side. Today''s interview was canceled, but this means Chronos will get more coverage in the next one."

    ¡°Right, that''s good. We understand."

    ¡°Since you have to perform in a bit, don''t remove your makeup just yet. Just rest for now."

    ¡°Yes, thank you for your hard work!"

    After consoling us, Su-Hwan left the room with the Chronos team staff. Only us, the members, remained. Without microphones and with all the cameras turned off, there was nothing to alleviate the oppressive gloom.

    Goh Yoo-Joon frowned and started fidgeting with his fingernails. ¡°I feel weird. Why is this happening?"

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung said it''s a good thing that the next interview will focus more on us. So don''t feel bad, everyone. Let¡¯s just rest."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s firm voice contradicted Joo-Han, drawing my attention quickly. ¡°Hyung, that''s just an oue. The process of getting more focus during this interview is pretty awful. Is it good enough to get more attention this way? Aren''t you upset, hyung? What do you mean we shouldn¡¯t feel bad? How manyst-minute cancetions have there been until now-"

    ¡°Hey, who are youshing out at?" I interrupted Goh Yoo-Joon. He red at me before sighing and standing up.

    ¡°Sorry for getting mad at you guys. I will cool down for a bit."

    ¡°Hyung...¡± Jin-Sung followed him into the room. It was to be expected. Despite his pleasant nature, the unteral cancetion by Callia Lawrence and today''s incident had taken a toll on Chronos'' pride several times. They didn''t show it, but Goh Yoo-Joon and the other members were still young. They were surely tired of the continuous unexpected cancetions, especially since we were in a foreign country. However, it wasn''t right to take it out on Joo-Han, who was innocent.

    I nced at Joo-Han. He was blinking and staring at the door Goh Yoo-Joon had disappeared behind. ¡°Hyung, he was in a bad mood today. He wille out and apologize soon. He always does that."

    Even though they had hardly fought in the past and the trivial matters from their trainee days were somewhat fuzzy, Goh Yoo-Joon always apologized first, no matter who was at fault.

    ¡°Hyung?" Yoon-Chan called out.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung, are you okay?" I asked.

    After staring at the door for a while, Joo-Han suddenly stood up. Without giving Yoon-Chan or me a chance to stop him, he flung open the door to the room where Goh Yoo-Joon was. It was the most aggressive, powerful, and swift movement I had ever seen from him. ¡°Calm down? You bastard. Come here! Why are you speaking this way to me, your hyung?"

    ¡°Hyung?¡± Yoo-Joon said.

    As soon as Joo-Han entered the room, he pushed Jin-Sung aside, grabbed Goh Yoo-Joon by the cor, and kicked him in the buttocks as he was unable to contain his anger.

    ¡°This¡ªthis is sponsored! Ahhh! Ouch! It''s sponsored! I''m sorry! Ah!"

    At the mention of sponsored clothing, Joo-Han released his grip on the cor. Yoo-Joon, who had been hit repeatedly on the butt, quickly blocked Joo-Han''s hand with a taekwondo move and hid behind me.

    ¡°Hyung, I''m really sorry. Truly. I shouldn''t have said that. Oh my, I shouldn''t have! I¡¯m so rude! So rude."

    As Goh Yoo-Joon pped his own mouth, Joo-Han frowned.

    ¡°Take your hands off your mouth. You will ruin your makeup, you brat."

    ¡°Yes, hyung."

    ¡°Stay away from my brother, Hyun-Woo. I will kill you, for real."

    ¡°No, hyung, I understand. Yes, hyung, I had no right to treat you that way." Goh Yoo-Joon slowly withdrew his hand from my shoulder. He pretended to sob as he moved away from me.

    I remembered the reason Goh Yoo-Joon always apologized first during our trainee days no matter whose fault it was. Back then, his tone was sharper, and Joo-Han couldn''t stand bad manners from anyone, always calming the younger trainees with a firm grip. Jin-Sung had been the most frequent victim, followed by Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Anyway, the minor dispute sparked by the interview cancetion was somewhat quelled by Joo-Han''s firm intervention, as always.

    ***

    The interview was postponed to a nearby date. We had to continue with our performances and shootings as usual despite feeling down or upset.

    We were at the square at 8 PM. The area was brightly lit by shops and street lights, creating a morous scene not visible during the day. More people gathered to see this, and we were about to perform here soon.

    This would be our first nighttime performance. Perhaps due to the excitement and anticipation unique to a nighttime outdoor performance, I wasn''t as nervous as usual. It was said to be difficult to rent this ce except at night, so the performance had been scheduled for this time. But looking at the scenery, it felt like a fortunate arrangement.

    ¡°Shall we go in now?"

    ¡°Yes!" Reina signaled.

    We headed to the center of the bustling street, where the instruments and microphones had been set up. People''s attention focused on us, so we started the performance without dy.

    ***

    One notable difference from before was that instead of recording with their phones, people were focusing on our songs with pleasant expressions on their faces. After each song, they gave us a lot of apuse and positive feedback. Perhaps it was because they hade to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the streets at night? Many people stayed until the end to watch our performance.

    Of course, among them were our fans, who had gathered in greater numbers than this morning. Joo-Han represented us by greeting the audience, and then the next stage was introduced.

    Initially, the audience had been calmly listening to the exnations, but they erupted into cheers or gasped in amazement as numerous dancers burst forth from all directions. Some of them noticed the change in atmosphere and picked up their cameras.

    It was debatable whether it was good timing, but just as ¡°Parade¡± was about to begin, several of the lights illuminating the square went out. The area became a bit darker, but considering the eerie feel of this performance, I thought it was rather fitting. We knelt down and lowered our heads, then waited for a moment before the chilling prelude of the song began.

 Chapter 254: Again After Rainfall (30)

    <h4>Chapter 254: Again After Rainfall (30)</h4>

    The atmosphere of the song, Chronos'' choreography, and their vocal abilities were perfect. Had there been a stage during their performances in the United States that attracted so many eyes before? The reenactment of Chronos'' performance, which was called the greatest legendary end-of-year performance, made its reputation clear regardless of when, where, and under what conditions it was held. Even if it was a street performance.

    Many people continued to record the stage to preserve the memory of it, and it quickly spread across various social media tforms, making the performance location trend on American portal sites instead of the group''s name. It was the first time Chronos had made it to the rankings of American social media searches with their performances.

    Chronos members were unaware of this since they were in the middle of performing, so they didn''t realize why the audience was growing. They just simply continued to enjoy performing. The members learned what had happened only after they wrapped up a sessful stage and were informed about the small venue performance scheduled for the next day.

    ***

    ¡°I heard from Callia''s manager that the press decided to change the interview contents again," Reina said.

    ¡°Didn''t they already change them once?" Jin-Sung asked.

    Reina nodded while scrolling through her phone. ¡°They changed it once, but Callia¡¯s staff requested to revise it again. They are probably thinking of significantly increasing Chronos'' involvement. They wouldn''t have known it would reflect the trends so soon. But, more importantly, have you guys seen this?"

    Reina showed the members her phone screen. It seemed that today''s performance had made it to the trends on an American portal site, and was extensively covered in Korean entertainment news. It wasn''t Chronos'' name that trended, but the name of the location where the performance took ce and ''K-POP'' for a brief moment. It was enough to create a significant buzz and the event was exaggeratedly reported in the articles.

    It was somewhat embarrassing, but it still felt good. Even Goh Yoo-Joon, who had seemed upset before the performance, appearedpletely cheered up by this news.

    Reina turned off her phone screen and tossed it far away ¡°Anyway, congrattions. I''m so proud and impressed by you guys. Speaking of performances, you know we only have two left, right?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    The next performance would be in a small venue prepared by Callia Lawrence''s recordpany, followed by a major festival invitation performance that Reina had personally secured. ¡°The festival performance will be live-streamed on the inte, and will include your stage. Also, some parts of tomorrow''s small venue performance will be uploaded to the foreign press''s <i>UTube</i> channel along with the interview."

    ¡°Alright..."

    In other words, the scale of the uing performances would be several timesrger than the street performances we had been doing.

    ¡°You must have realized by performing here that people''s eyes are not very different from those of Koreans. Don''t be too nervous or worried. It''s okay to make mistakes, so let''s enjoy our time here and do our best."

    ¡°Yes! We will do our best!"

    After encouraging us, Reina left the practice room. She seemed to be off to another meeting with the producer team and camera crew, brimming with a level of enthusiasm that was almost scary in anticipation of what big news she could bring back today.

    ¡°Shall we start practicing?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°The next performance is going to be a bit longer. We can increase the number of group songs. Are you guys up for going a bit harder? Can your stamina handle it?"

    ¡°Of course it can~"

    ¡°Me too! Totally can."

    ¡°Yes, I''m fine with it, hyung."

    ¡°Yeah, sure. What¡¯s the n?"

    With the sess of consecutive performances, the pressure and fear of overseas performances had greatly diminished for everyone. Therefore, we proceeded with the practice calmly, even with the increased number of songs.

    Having donerge-scale performances for end-of-year stages before, I was certain that we would be able to sessfully do our best up until thest festival. I thought we would be able to wrap up the shooting and performance smoothly.

    However, we didn''t expect that things we usually overcame without much trouble would suddenly cause problems.

    ***

    ¡°Who are the ones in positions number five and six at that time?"

    At the production team''s question, Jin-Sung and I raised our hands. ¡°Us."

    ¡°There will be continuous fireworks at that time. It can get pretty hot. You could get really hurt, so you need to stand a bit farther back than usual. I will send a signal on the screen when the fireworks are scheduled to go off."

    ¡°Okay!"

    Gosh, fireworks. They were usually reserved for first-ce contenders due to the cost, so it was rare to see them otherwise. It suddenly hit how much the broadcasting station was investing in <i>Again After Rainfall</i> at such a venue. Having dodged fireworks several times as first-ce contenders, avoiding them without any issue was easy as long as I paid attention to the signals.

    Since the performance was longer than usual, we rehearsed multiple times and made sure to eat well. We weren''t particrly nervous, so we had fun chatting and messing around in front of the behind-the-scenes camera.

    ¡°Do you know about that time Yoo-Joon made a video call telling viewers ''babe?¡¯"

    ¡°Yeah, I saw it on <i>UTube</i>."

    ¡°The Rings want each member to do that. You should try it too, Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Ah... um..."

    Joo-Han nced over while drying his hair. ¡°Hyun-Woo will soon regreting up with that idea. Shooting such stuff bes a dark memory by next year. Or maybe you will wake up cringing under your nket by tomorrow."

    ¡°Ah, why not? Let''s all do it. The fans want it, don''t they? Hyung, hyung? Mr. Kang Joo-Han?"

    As Joo-Han was unwilling to be the sole creator of an embarrassing legacy, Yoo-Joon, having been disregarded by Joo-Han even after addressing him with a variety of names, began teasing Jin-Sung instead.

    ¡°Sung, you stopped halfway throughst time. Do you want me to film it for you?"

    ¡°Ah, no thanks. I don''t feel like doing it now."

    ¡°Don''t drag our youngest into your mischief like, okay?"

    ¡°...So everyone except me is your younger sibling, Joo-Han hyung? That''s so mean. Kang Joo-Han, that''s mean of you."

    ¡°Ah, what are you talking about? You''d be quite lovable if you just didn''t goof around so much... Don''t you guys think he''s a bit annoying?" Joo-Han addressed the behind-the-scenes camera.

    Whether bothered by that or not, Goh Yoo-Joon justughed it off beforeing over to me and extending his hand. ¡°Give me your phone. I will film you before Yoon-Chan as you¡ª"

    ¡°Ah, why? I will ask Yoon-Chan to do it."

    Why hadn''t I asked Goh Yoo-Joon? Probably because I was sure he''d y pranks and make it embarrassing while filming.

    ¡°So, is it okay if Yoon-Chan films you while I watch?"

    ¡°No."

    ¡°You¡¯re annoying."

    After being turned down by all members, Goh Yoo-Joon finally settled down. He sat quietly and hummed as he began to practice his singing. I was also sitting quietly and memorizing lyrics after Yoon-Chan refused to film.

    Su-Hwan entered the waiting room and made an announcement.

    ¡°Everyone, the seats are filled up."

    ¡°Really?"

    ¡°They are? Wow!"

    It was a firste, first-serve performance with no prior reservation for entry. The only promotion had been Callia Lawrence hinting at it during yesterday''s performance, frustrated with the state of her interview questions.

    Even though it had been a big issue on social media, we hadn''t expected a full house since this performance was held by unknown artists singing in a foreignnguage. We would have been happy to perform earnestly for even a few attendees, no matter if all the seats were filled or not.

    ¡°Let''s not disappoint our fans or all these people who came to enjoy your performance. Let''s do our best."

    ¡°Yes!"

    Soon, the production team informed us it was time to start, and we were guided backstage by the staff. Wow, it had been a while since we performed in a venue. After arriving in the US, we had only performed outdoors, on the streets. Thus, the noisy and bustling indoor venue was a weing change.

    After putting in our in-ears and receiving our microphones, we waited for our turn. First up was Joo-Han¡¯s solo. His first performance was apanied by a piano.

    As Joo-Han went out alone with the band, the cheers sounded a bit different from those in Korea. Among them, those who correctly called out Joo-Han''s name were surely our Rings. Joo-Han introduced himself in English with ease, then talked about the uing performance and the song he was about to sing.

    When Joo-Han sat at the piano, small gasps of admiration were heard from the audience. The lighting changed to match the mood. Performing in a venue really did enhance the immersion. Just the slight change in lighting set up the atmosphere, and the audience quieted down in response.

    Soon, Joo-Han''s song started with the sound of his piano ying. His unique clear and calm voice wasn¡¯t everyone''s cup of tea, but his vibration and falsetto handling were so clean. It really showcased his talent and great vocal skills.

    The first verse was solely with piano apaniment, and the second verse was with the band.

    It was a pity that Joo-Han, who had such great skills, usually ended up singing trot or songs like ¡°Woof Woof Meow Meow¡± whenever he got the chance to showcase his talent.

    Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to share the same thought. He proudly smiled and attentively watched the performance. ¡°He is finally showing off his real skills."

    After finishing his own performance, Joo-Han thoughtfully exined Goh Yoo-Joon''s stage in English before making his exit. This allowed Goh Yoo-Joon to transition directly into his song after a brief greeting and mention of the title.

    The prelude of his chosen song resonated throughout the venue. As the song began, exmations of admiration burst out from all around. It was the most popr yet challenging song on today''s setlist, a song Goh Yoo-Joon had mastered so well since he had frequently performed it even during his trainee days.

    Was there really anything else to say? I simply stopped myself from habitually analyzing the songs and closed my eyes. I was content to just savor that stable, beautiful voice of his.

 Chapter 255: Again After Rainfall (31)

    Chapter 255: Again After Rainfall (31)

    The audience focused intently on Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice, which was universally appealing. He captivated the listeners with his charisma and maintained that energy right until the end. It was only after the director, who was filming me, gave some feedback during an interview that I realized how focused all the members had been on this performance.

    ¡°Wow, I''m in such good form today. I sang really well, didn''t I? Right?"

    ¡°Yeah.¡± I vigorously nodded and gave a thumbs-up. ¡°You sang really well. Did you see the audience¡¯s reaction?"

    ¡°No, I was too nervous to look."

    ¡°Both the audience and we were so engrossed that we couldn''t utter a single word. We just watched you perform. Good job, man. Truly well done."

    Goh Yoo-Joon had been tooting his own horn so far, but he bashfully disappeared into the dressing room as he started to feel a bit embarrassed.

    Next up was the duet stage of Yoon-Chan and Reina. Initially, there were doubts about how well their voices would blend, given that Reina''s delicate voice was no less unique than Yoon-Chan''s.

    However, those worries vanished the moment we saw their rehearsal. Yoon-Chan had excitedly shared how much he had learned from practicing with Reina the day before. It seemed he had swiftly applied what he had learned because he showcased vocal techniques and styles we usually didn''t get to hear from him. The vocal timbres of Reina and Yoon-Chan were remarkably simr, and refining their vocal techniques only made their duet even more harmonious.

    Today, every member was truly showing off their best performances on stage. ¡°Hyun-Woo, please get ready for your turn."

    ¡°Yes." I took a deep breath as if shaking off the nerves and put in my in-ears. I felt prepared despite having chosen a challenging song for my first performance in an American venue. I had sung well during practice and rehearsals and, fortunately, I was in good condition today.

    Reina and Yoon-Chan engaged in a brief exchange in fluent English, thanking the audience before introducing me and the song I would perform next. As the two descended from the opposite side of the stage, I ascended at the staff''s cue.

    I was greeted with weing cheers as I took the stage, with my fans clearly identifiable among them as they loudly called out my name.

    ¡°Hi." I offered a shy smile in response to the warm wee and heard affirmative replies to my greeting. ¡°The song I''m going to sing is called ¡®To.¡¯"

    It was a somewhat obscure song, known to those who cherished it as a proposal piece wishing for marriage with a long-time lover, and was defined by its immense sweetness. It was not a song that demanded high notes orplex techniques, but it required a calm voice to narrate a tender love story. This made emotion management much more challenging.

    The song elicited a response from those familiar with it. As I sat on the provided chair, I listened to the intro and tuned my emotions for the performance.

    ? I think the frequent quarrels were meaningful

    It''s about our rtionship

    It was a process to get to know each other

    I aimed to keep my delivery as calm as possible. I tried to sing as if tenderly whispering promises of a shared future to a partner who had supported me for a long time. Expressing gentleness, affection, and calmness through my voice was difficult, but the sounding through my in-ears was satisfactorily smooth.

    ? Trembling mind and ring hidden in your pocket

    Asking you

    Will you be with me forever?

    When I finally rxed enough to look at the audience, a couple embracing each other in a back hug caught my eye. They werepletely immersed in the song. They were swaying and seemed like whispering sweet words into each other''s ears.

    I smiled pleasantly and made eye contact with them as I continued to sing. There was something special prepared to match the song, but unfortunately, I couldn''t execute it and ended up shouting "Darling, marry me" during the brief high note. Then, I concluded my performance sessfully.

    Next was Jin-Sung''s turn. Although my English wasn''t the best, Jin-Sung was even less proficient. Therefore, just as Joo-Han, Reina, and Yoon-Chan had done, I took it upon myself to introduce Jin-Sung before descending from the stage.

    ¡°Gosh, it was really hot under those lights, but still fun," I murmured to the camera as I left the stage. Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han approached me, giggling and rummaging through my pockets.

    ¡°Hey, stop it. Don''t touch me, both of you."

    Despite my attempts to dodge their hands, the ring case hidden in my inner pocket ended up in Goh Yoo-Joon''s grasp. Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon seemed intent on teasing me.

    ¡°Why didn''t you use this? Were you embarrassed?"

    ¡°Come on. If you decided to do it, you should have gone through with it. I was looking forward to it."

    ¡°I''m disappointed, Hyun-Woo," Goh Yoo-Joon said, pointing at Joo-Han. ¡°He even had the camera ready."

    ¡°That''s exactly why I didn''t do it."

    Those rascals. It was just one of the small acts prepared to add a bit of sweetness to the performance without being too in. I had nned to add a small gesture, like taking out a ring as if I was proposing to the audience at the end.

    But the membersughed so hard during my rehearsal that my face turned red. Everyone, including Su-Hwan, teased me so much that I couldn''t bring myself to do it during the actual performance. I didn''t want to ruin the mood while a couple was enjoying my song and getting into the vibe by pulling out a ring and putting on a show.

    ¡°Ah, forget it! Give me the ring. I need to return it to noona." I had even borrowed a ring from my stylist, who had recently gotten married, all for nothing. Despite not wanting to, my face heated up from the members'' teasing.

    As the amusing situation continued, the director of <em>Again After Rainfall</em> seemed to sense it and started filming us. Realizing what was happening, Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon got even more excited, teased me and talked about the ring to the camera.

    ¡°Ah, stop it! Give it back. It''s not mine. It''s the stylist¡¯s. She will be mad."

    ¡°Noona won''t get mad at me. She likes me too much," Joo-Han confidently said. He urged me to reenact the ring show I had done during rehearsal for the camera. ¡°If you do it for the camera, I will give it back."

    I red at Joo-Han with a smirk and finally knelt down in front of the camera under the pressure of time. ¡°Darling, will you marry me?¡±

    Then, I opened the ring case and presented it to the camera. Even though my face wasn''t visible, I could tell it was flushed. I quickly got up and ran off to the dressing room.

    ¡°Why would they do this to their band member..." I murmured as I ran, hearing Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon''sughter behind me.

    ***

    After Jin-Sung''s performance, there was a brief intermission. While Reina and Callia Lawrence''s stage was underway, we changed outfits and waited for our next performance.

    ¡°As you all know from the rehearsal, the stage is narrowerpared to the ces we''ve performed on the streets. Even though it''s low, a bad fall can cause serious injury, so please be very careful."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°And as I mentioned earlier, please pay close attention to the signal for the continuous fireworks. They are hot, so you need to step back a bit. If Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung are too close to them, we won''t set them off, so don''t worry about that."

    ¡°Thank you!"

    ¡°If there''s anything that makes you ufortable during the performance or if there are any changes from the rehearsal, please let us know."

    Thest part involved consecutive Chronos dance songs, meaning we would be on stage for a long time. Thus, the staff''s tension was at its peak.

    I raised my hand to the staff member who was checking on us.

    ¡°Yes, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°The lights are really hot. Is there any way to adjust them? They are usually farther away, but it''s getting quite hot because they are closer now."

    ¡°Oh, right. It''s really hot, seriously," Jin-Sung strongly agreed.

    Joo-Han chimed in. ¡°Oh, really? I didn''t notice it. Probably because I performed early."

    Being in a small venue, the lights were older and not as sophisticated as those used in music broadcasts. Their low height made the heat they emitted feel all the more intense. Yoon-Chan was somewhat insensitive to temperature, and Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han seemed unaffected by the heat as they performed earlier than us.

    However, Jin-Sung and I felt as though we were under the scorching summer sun. Already sensitive to lighting, I asionally worried about the equipment overheating and malfunctioning. No one had noticed during rehearsal because there had been breaks to let the lights cool down.

    Upon hearing Jin-Sung¡¯s and my concerns, the staff member looked momentarily flustered. Shemunicated via walkie-talkie and nodded. ¡°Alright, we will cool it down a bit after Callia''s performance ends. But we can''t wait long, so the heat won''t decrease much."

    ¡°Okay."

    ¡°I''ve informed the stage management about the lights and told them to be careful with the fireworks. Also¡ª"

    Reina, having just finished her performance, approached us and frowned while touching her scalp. She was sweaty even though she had been singing while seated, just like me.

    ¡°Ah! It''s too hot! It wasn''t this bad during rehearsal. This is serious. We might need to cool down for a bit. I thought my scalp was going to burn."

    The staff got surprised and quickly brought over a towel. Shemunicated once again over the walkie-talkie.

    ¡°We will take a short break."

    About fifteen minutes passed, and we resumed the performance while the stage was still not fully cooled down.[1]

    1. I get this weird vibe going on, like something''s about to go down with Chronos. Can''t shake off the feeling that there''s trouble brewing ahead for them. This reminds me a bit of when KPOP idols run into mishaps because the stage setup wasn''t double-checked. There was this time when Wendy from Red Velvet, a famous KPOP girl group, had a fall during rehearsal and ended up with a broken pelvis and arm. It doesn¡¯t happen all the time, but this shows how somepanies can be prettyx about their stars'' safety and just treat them asmodities. ?

 Chapter 256: Again After Rainfall (32)

    The heat from the lights hadn''t fully dissipated yet. However, the members seemed to be adapting to the situation, so I too had to quickly get used to the warmth.

    ¡°It''s time to go up on stage!"

    ¡°Okay!"

    We responded energetically to the staff''s call and headed up to the stage one by one.

    <em>¡®It''s still hot.''</em> It didn¡¯t matter that we briefly tried to cool down the lights. The temperature would increase again once the performance started. To be honest, I was feeling quite anxious. I forced myself to look away from the lights and smiled at the audience. Despite my worries, I reminded myself that I was standing in front of people right now.

    ¡°We had a short break to check the stage equipment. Thank you all for waiting."

    Joo-Han''s statement was met with understanding responses from the audience. He quickly expressed his gratitude and hurried to introduce our performance. Due to the unexpected break, we had to proceed a bit hastily.

    The first stage was ¡°Chronos.¡± After Joo-Han''s introduction, the members left me behind and moved to the back of the stage.

    Jin-Sung patted my shoulder as he passed by. ¡°Good luck," he told me. I nodded and took my position.

    ¡°..."

    I stood in silence and faced the audience, who were unaware of my situation and simply cheered in anticipation of the performance. I quietly battled with the rising heat from the lights and the pressure of facing the audience alone. I closed my eyes and focused hard on the performance.

    Soon, the intro to ¡°Chronos¡± began and, as I moved along with the music, cheers erupted for every movement I made. Strangely, as soon as the song started and I began to move, my irritation and anxiety about the heat were quickly overshadowed.

    I diligently carried on with my part.

    ***

    ¡°...Hmm.¡±

    The atmosphere backstage was eerily silent. While Suh Hyun-Woo performed on stage, the previously lively members quietly turned away from the camera and watched him. It all started when Kang Joo-Han came in and silently stared at the stage with a serious expression. The members noticed Kang Joo-Han''s displeased look and discreetly monitored Hyun-Woo''s performance together. They soon realized he seemed much tenser than usual.

    ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo. He''s sweating a lot."

    ¡°Does he look unwell because it''s too hot?"

    ¡°The heat really did spike to an ufortable level. It''s incredibly hot."

    ¡°But is Hyun-Woo really okay? Is he just tense because of the heat...?"

    He looked unusually pale, as if he was sick. Of course, not many would notice Suh Hyun-Woo''s oddity, but at least the dedicated Rings watching the broadcast could quickly pick up on his unusual demeanor. He seemed to be trying to manage his facial expression...

    Usually, Suh Hyun-Woo was the best among the members at controlling his facial expressions and emotions on stage. It was unlikely he''d look this anxious just because of the heat.

    <em>¡®What could be the problem?'' </em>As the members continued to specte, they all turned their gaze back to Suh Hyun-Woo, each of them lost in thought. Despite their concerns, Suh Hyun-Woo, who was performing his solo, soon returned to normal. His typical facial expressions were back, and he regained the fluidity in the dance moves that had momentarily stiffened.

    <em>¡®Ah, maybe he has finally adjusted to the heat,¡¯ </em>the members thought. They were somewhat relieved. However, their worry didn''t diminish.

    ¡°...It''s time to go. Get ready."

    ¡°Okay."

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo was nearing its end. Following Kang Joo-Han''s instructions, the members joined Hyun-Woo on stage one by one. Thus, the performances of ¡°Chronos¡± and ¡°Blue Room Party" concluded without any significant issues. The trouble urred during the final stage, ¡°Parade."

    ***

    Immediately following the ¡°Blue Room Party" performance, the production staff checked the stage temperature and suggested another break before the final stage. It was regrettable for the audience, but it was a necessary decision to ensure the performers'' safety.

    ¡°What the fuck is with these lights? Why is the equipment so crappy here? Even a live cafe wouldn''t be this bad."

    ¡°Exactly. Not like we expected Callia''s side to provide a good stage anyway."

    The main writer of <em>Again After Rainfall</em> sighed deeply. The director also sighed heavily. ¡°At least it''s not too noticeable on screen..."

    In person, it was tantly obvious that the performers were increasingly drained by the heat.

    ¡°What if we reduced the number of lights?"

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. They are all controlled together."

    ¡°But the members are already struggling with the choreography. Now they also have this heat to worry about. What if someone copses?"

    ¡°What can I say to that¡­ There is not much I can do."

    The two exchanged nces as they watched the members, who were drenched in sweat. They were frantically seeking water during the brief break.

    Everyone''s face had turned red. They were trying to cool down, but Suh Hyun-Woo looked particrly unwell. If someone were to copse due to the heat from the lights, there was no doubt it would be Suh Hyun-Woo, given his paleplexion.

    The director stopped a crew member who was providing water to the Chronos members and asked, ¡°How are the members doing? Is Hyun-Woo okay?"

    ¡°Uh... They seem fine to me. Maybe they¡¯re just quiet because of the heat?"

    The director frowned in dissatisfaction at the youngest crew member''s opinion. It was clear Suh Hyun-Woo wasn''t okay, so why say he was so nonchntly?

    ¡°He doesn''t look fine to me. Why are you so irresponsible? Go check on the cast''s condition thoroughly and report back. If even one person copses during the Chronos performance, I¡¯ll make sure you will be disciplined."

    ¡°¡­Okay!"

    The director disdainfully watched the youngest crew member btedly ask about the members'' conditions.

    ¡°How are we supposed to train him when he¡¯s so clueless? Whatever. How much time do we have left for this break?"

    ¡°About three minutes. We should start getting ready."

    ¡°Get ready and stand by. This is thest performance, so it should go well somehow."

    The director had faith in Chronos. Having monitored many of their performances since their debut, they had never disappointed. Even though thest performance was a recreation of the end-of-year stage, it was expected to go smoothly.

    ***

    Now, there was only one performance left. Wait, was it really just one? It felt like my brain was melting from the heat.

    Goh Yoo-Joon approached me. ¡°Wow, it''s still so hot. Still, it''s better than before. It felt like an outdoor performance in midsummer during ¡®Blue Room Party.¡¯¡±

    ¡°It seems the staff opened the doors for a bit,¡± Joo-Han said. ¡°But it''s still too hot."

    Goh Yoo-Joon put his hand on my back. It seemed like a gesture meant to ask if I was okay, but I wasn''t in the mood to respond.

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, pull yourself together. Muster a little more strength."

    ¡°¡­Yeah."

    I thought I was hiding it well, but I definitely looked really unwell. The way Goh Yoo-Joon handed me the water bottle and spoke to me was surprisingly mature and reassuring.

    I took a sip of water and got up.

    ¡°Let''s go."

    ¡°Okay."

    Following the staff''s instructions, we headed back to the stage. Having already performed once in the heat, we didn''t stiffen on stage like during the ¡°Chronos¡± performance earlier. Except for asionally looking up at the lights unknowingly, ourst performance was a decent disy of our skills.

    I hoped that my strange behavior wouldn''t be noticed on video, so I slowly adapted to the stage again and led the members. We were performing thetter part of ¡°Parade.¡± Afterpleting the pair dance with Jin-Sung and our individual dance breaks, we stood side by side for the next part. I exchanged nces with Jin-Sung and signaled him.

    [The fireworks are about to go off.]

    We discreetly stepped back at the right timing, and soon the word ''fireworks'' appeared on the disy in front of the stage. While I was busy dancing and preparing mentally for the fireworks to go off, that was when something happened.

    <em>Sizzling-</em>

    I heard something burning, and an acrid stench reached my nostrils. It was the smell of the lights burning, which I asionally sensed during long shoots.

    I was startled and looked up at the ceiling. It wasn''t the first time I smelled something like this, but today felt different. The lights and the temperature had been unusually hot for a while. A wave of extreme anxiety washed over me.

    <em>Beep¡ª!</em>

    <em>¡®What if it falls? If it falls¡­¡¯</em>

    If it falls here¡­

    I shivered in fear and forgot that I was at the front of the stage. I kept looking up at the ceiling.

    <em>Boom!!!!</em>

    <em>¡®Uh¡­¡¯</em>

    A loud explosion and a bright light erupted not from the ceiling, but from a spot a little in front of me, plunging everything into darkness[1].

    <em>Beep¡ª!</em>

    1. I knew something like this would happen ugh. Poor Hyun-Woo is suffering from his trauma again. Aaah. ?

 Chapter 257: Again After Rainfall (33)

    <h4>Chapter 257: Again After Rainfall (33)</h4>

    <i>Boom!</i>

    As the fireworks went off in session, the audience''s cheers reached their peak. It was the end of the performance, and the atmosphere was electric while the Chronos members continued their dance. The audience members were visibly excited as well.

    Kang Joo-Han noticed that Lee Jin-Sung, who was in front of him, suddenly stopped moving. Even from the back, his difort and bewilderment were palpable. Shortly after, Kang Joo-Han realized that Suh Hyun-Woo, who had been standing next to Lee Jin-Sung, had disappeared.

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo?¡± The name slipped out unconsciously from Kang Joo-Han¡¯s lips, and the audience''s cheers soon turned into screams.

    <i>¡®What¡¯s happening?¡¯ </i>

    Kang Joo-Han found himself frozen too. The music kept ying, but no one was singing along. All the members were just staring at Lee Jin-Sung, who had sat down, until Goh Yoo-Joon quickly rushed to kneel beside him. Someone hidden from view was suddenly lying on the stage. It was then that Kang Joo-Han fully understood what was going on. Suh Hyun-Woo had copsed.

    The music finally stopped, and the staff carried Suh Hyun-Woo offstage. Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung followed the staff, while Kang Joo-Han remained behind, looking in the direction Suh Hyun-Woo had been taken to for a long time.

    Finally, heposed himself with the help of Park Yoon-Chan¡¯sforting hand on his back, apologized to the audience, and left the stage. Among the audience, there were Rings crying over Suh Hyun-Woo fainting.

    ¡°Hyung... Joo-Han hyung, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°...Uh, no. I need to see for myself.¡±

    ¡°Okay... He shouldn¡¯t be severely hurt. He will be okay.¡±

    Kang Joo-Han was still unsettled. Park Yoon-Chan tried to soothe him while hastening his pace. Since all the members who had spent much more time with Suh Hyun-Woo were in a state of panic, Park Yoon-Chan was trying to keep a clear head despite also being very worried. Because the incident urred right after the fireworks, there was a possibility that Suh Hyun-Woo had been severely injured.

    ¡°Joo-Han.¡±

    When Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan returned to the waiting room, Suh Hyun-Woo had already been taken to the hospital. After dealing with the aftermath, Lee Su-Hwan led the members out of the venue with a stern expression.

    ¡°I was worried he might have been hurt by the fireworks, but they said that wasn¡¯t the case. There were no external injuries, and the cause of his fainting is still unknown. Let¡¯s go see him.¡±

    Nobody replied. Everyone was just staring out the window with serious expressions. The road manager had gone with Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon. Park Yoon-Chan was secretly sobbing, Lee Jin-Sung was openly crying, and Kang Joo-Han was silent...

    The fear that gripped their hearts wouldn¡¯t subside until Suh Hyun-Woo woke up.

    ***

    When I closed my eyes, my past self appeared like a silhouette in the dark. I used to wake up trembling with shock, but today, I just let the tears flow through my closed eyes instead of waking up. I reached out to touch my face and was relieved to not feel any burn marks. Only then did I let out a sigh of relief.

    ¡°...¡±

    <i>¡®When will this stop haunting me? Will you let me go after tormenting me?¡¯</i>

    Even though I tried to start anew, the now supposedly non-existent past clung to me relentlessly. It had been a while since I regained consciousness. However, I didn¡¯t open my eyes as I feared the sight of the hospital ceiling would be too much to bear. My past was the reason I ruined the performance and had to leave the stage disgracefully. Despite all my efforts, I was the one who messed it all up.

    ¡°Ah... This is so frustrating... Really frustrating.¡±

    I voiced my irritation several times through tears and eventuallyy down to cry. Why couldn¡¯t I bear what had happened? I wish that version of me wouldpletely disappear from my mind.

    I despised my past self so much. Despite not wanting to leave even a trace of the fierce battles I had fought, I ultimately hadn¡¯t changed at all. The feeling of emptiness from continually being ensnared by the past regardless of my efforts to move forward... The sense of self-loathing from the realization that I might never be able to shake it off made my heart constrict over and over again.

    ***

    ¡°It sounds like he¡¯s crying,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said. ¡°What should we do? I don¡¯t think we should go in, hyung.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Kang Joo-Han remained silent. He simply turned on his phone while sitting outside the hospital room.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just sit and wait. Don¡¯t keep walking in and out of his room.¡±

    Finally, Goh Yoo-Joon slumped down next to Kang Joo-Han with a sigh. ¡°When have I ever done that?¡±

    Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung had been emotionally overwhelmed by Suh Hyun-Woo''s continuous crying, so they had returned to the amodation with Lee Su-Hwan. This left only the road manager, Kang Joo-Han, and Goh Yoo-Joon at the hospital. The road manager frequently stepped out to handle the influx of calls, effectively leaving Kang Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon as the constant guardians of the hospital room.

    ¡°Ah... the articles are already out," Kang Joo-Han said weakly as he scrolled through his phone. He knew that articles about <i>Again After Rainfall</i> and Chronos would emerge, given their poprity in Korea. However, he hadn''t expected them to appear so quickly.

    The reports spected about the incident being a fireworks ident. They mentioned that, despite warnings not to film, fancams of the incident were circting. When the members and the agency learned about the circting fancams, they were furious and questioned why anyone would upload them. Thepany even released follow-up articles in response.

    ¡°It wasn''t a fireworks ident, though."

    ¡°But it did look like one. I saw the footage Su-Hwan hyung was monitoring. Right after the fireworks went off, the video shook drastically and then went dark. But since he copsed in convulsions immediately after the fireworks, it probably looked like a fireworks ident, whether seen through a fancam or in person."

    What was slightly unsettling was that just before copsing, Suh Hyun-Woo had stopped moving for a brief moment and looked up at the ceiling lights. After the fireworks went off, he was shaking and covering his ears.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, did Hyun-Woo always hate spending time in hot temperatures?"

    ¡°No, not really. He never liked summer, though... Hmm." Goh Yoo-Joon paused to think, then continued. ¡°It seemed like he didn''t like being directly under the lights. I didn''t think it was anything serious, but anyway..."

    ¡°Directly under the lights?"

    ¡°Yeah, he was like that during album jacket photo shoots or music video shoots. I''ve seen himin to the staff that the lights made the stage too hot. But it just went into the behind-the-scenes footage like he was making a big deal out of nothing."

    It was something Suh Hyun-Woo tried not to show, so it was unlikely the members had noticed. However, once something was noticed, looking back at past actions could reveal new insights. While Kang Joo-Han was searching for the video on his phone, Goh Yoo-Joon looked anxiously between the hospital room door and his fellow band member before standing up.

    ¡°I''m going to get in and see Suh Hyun-Woo first."

    ¡°Okay."

    After Goh Yoo-Joon entered the room, Kang Joo-Han spent a long time rewinding and watching the behind-the-scenes footage from the "Parade" music video shoot.

    <i>''If only we could understand what the problem is.''</i>

    Suh Hyun-Woo didn''t need to talk about it if he didn''t want to. But as a member and a colleague, Kang Joo-Han felt it was necessary to know what was troubling him.

    ***

    ¡°Hey, you should have said something when you woke up.¡±

    ¡°You knew I was up, didn''t you? You came in as if you were waiting."

    ¡°Dude, waiting until you stopped crying was tough."

    Goh Yoo-Joon didn''t particrly show that he was worried about me. He joked around andughed as usual, but without his usual energy.

    ¡°How did the stage go? Was itpletely ruined? Or did you finish it after I was taken away?"

    ¡°It wrapped up somehow. There were some articles, though. I didn''t realize we were that famous."

    Of course there would be articles. When I turned on my phone and searched for Chronos on a portal site, countless articles popped up. They were all about how I had an ident with fireworks during the shooting, and some even included screenshots from a fancam uploaded rudely by someone.

    I was disgusted, so I closed the browser page and opened <i>BlueBird </i>only to find that the entire real-time trend was stered with keywords rted to me.

    [Fireworks ident]

    [Fainting]

    [Shaman Idol]

    [#How_Many_Dots_Can_You_Hold_Your_Breath_For]

    [Seizure Copse]

    [Looking at the Lights]

    [Miraculous Idol]

    ¡°What''s with ''Shaman Idol?¡¯"

    There were some keywords I didn¡¯t understand. I got curious and clicked on one of them. There was a strange spection circting about how I was standing still before the ident in the fancam and looking at the lights, as if I had some sixth sense and knew something I wasn¡¯t supposed to know. A little bit of searching showed that the story had spread far and wide, making Rings worry and causing amotion.

    Iughed it off as these were nonsense, but Goh Yoo-Joon looked at me expressionlessly and sighed deeply. ¡°This didn¡¯t happen because you got hurt by the fireworks, right? You aren¡¯t afraid of hearing loud bangs or anything, are you?"

    ¡°I don''t think so. I was shocked, but it wasn''t like that during the music shows."

    ¡°Why did you copse? Because of the heat from the lights?"

    I nodded. ¡°It was already hot and chaotic, and then the fireworks went off. I guess I just lost it then. It''s nothing serious.¡±

    That was really the case. Even though fireworks were often set off during music shows when we were candidates for first ce, I was fine back then. I believed the lights were the biggest issue.

    ¡°I didn''t realize, but I might be a bit sensitive to the heat from the lights."

    ¡°I remembered something while talking with Joo-Han hyung earlier. Weren¡¯t you like that before? Oh, right. And your parents called your phone earlier¡ª"

    ¡°Then you should have mentioned it beforehand."

    As I tried to pass the incident off lightly, Joo-Han and Su-Hwan entered the room with the same very serious expressions. This made the atmosphere feel more oppressive.

    ¡°You should have mentioned it earlier, huh?¡±

    ¡°Ouch!¡±

    It seemed Joo-Han didn¡¯t mind hitting a sick patient. His firm palm struck my back.

    ¡°If you had told us in advance, we could have done exactly that. Hyun-Woo, trying to endure this by yourself could have ended badly. Why don''t you take care of yourself? You have always been like this! Huh? Huh? Huh?!"

    ¡°Aaagh! I''m sorry..."

    Su-Hwan''s tone had be quite harsh. ¡°I told you that you can''t do this job for too long if you abuse your body like this. Didn''t I say that when you hurt your back?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon was the only sane person trying to stop them by saying they shouldn''t hit a patient. ¡°Ah, hyung! Enough, Su-Hwan hyung, that''s enough. He''s a patient!"

    ¡°It''s okay. I saw a young patient with a cast on one leg getting hit by their mom for causing trouble on my way here."

    ¡°Why are people like this?"

    ¡°I didn''t know this would happen to me, okay?" I tried to defend myself by saying I didn''t know I would be affected by the lights like that. However, the guilt for making them worry me was weighing down on me. For the next hour, I had to listen to Joo-Han and Su-Hwan''s constant nagging.

 Chapter 258: Again After Rainfall (34)

    <h4>Chapter 258: Again After Rainfall (34)</h4>

    Kang Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon returned to the amodationte at night. Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung greeted them with their faces swollen from crying.

    ¡°Hyung, how is Hyun-Woo hyung?"

    Kang Joo-Han immediately started nagging them after shaking his head

    ¡°...Wow, you guys are still crying? Very impressive. How are you going to perform tomorrow? Did you practice?"

    ¡°Ah, no...".

    ¡°Are we... Are we performing tomorrow?" Jin-Sung asked.

    ¡°Of course, we are. Why wouldn¡¯t we be?"

    ¡°What about Hyun-Woo hyung?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon pointed toward the door and indicated that no one wasing in from behind him. ¡°He''s spending the night at the hospital today. He copsed suddenly, so we left him there just in case his condition aggravates."

    ¡°He''s not seriously hurt, is he? The articles were going crazy, and I was worried even after hearing from Su-Hwan hyung..."

    ¡°There are no major issues. He wasn''t injured, and we saw him awake. But, well, uh..." Goh Yoo-Joon frowned, seemingly frustrated. ¡°It seems he''s more upset about messing up the stage than about his own physical condition."

    ¡°Why did he suddenly copse? Does he have a reason?"

    ¡°We don''t know the exact reason. But he mentioned it was hot because of the lights that day. The whole thing was very chaotic with the fireworks going off. That''s all he said. He mentioned he''s sensitive to direct lighting."

    As Kang Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon ryed the conversation they¡¯d had with Suh Hyun-Woo to the other members, Lee Jin-Sung suddenly became solemn.

    ¡°Direct lighting..." Jin-Sung murmured to himself.

    ¡°Anyway, I think there might be a reason he fainted, so let''s monitor the videos from Hyun-Woo''s shoots for now."

    ¡°Ah."

    ¡°Honestly, I''m not even sure if the lights are the real reason. Hyun-Woo always evades the topic when it¡¯s brought up. Whether it''s the lights or the sound of the fireworks, or maybe just not feeling well¡ª"

    Some time passed. Lee Jin-Sung had stopped crying and was lost in thought with his eyelids cast down. ¡°Um. Hyung, um..."

    ¡°What''s up, Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°I''m wondering if maybe both the lights and the fireworks are the issue... Just my thoughts, but, uh..." Lee Jin-Sung''s face grew even more somber, seemingly filled with concern, and perhaps even guilt. ¡°You know, there was an ident with the lights before our debut."

    The trigger for guilt could not be easily forgotten. At least, that was the case for Lee Jin-Sung.

    ¡°When we were taking profile photos, Hyun-Woo hyung got hurt trying to save me."

    It was a harrowing incident that had left a scar on Suh Hyun-Woo''s leg, but since he hadn¡¯t seemed bothered and the incident was resolved well, everyone had moved on.

    However, it was an event that waspletely buried in everyone''s memories, except for Lee Jin-Sung, who remembered. Suh Hyun-Woo had saved him, and that ident could have been very serious since Suh Hyun-Woo got injured and bled from his leg. This ident had involved both him and Lee Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Could it be because of that? It was a close call back then. The lights exploded. The sound of the fireworks and the lights bursting might have sounded simr to him."

    ¡°...Hyun-Woo hyung might have been really shocked back then, even if he acted calm. Thinking back on it, this kind of thing never happened before that incident."

    ¡°Right. We used to perform on stage for our monthly evaluations and all. He has never struggled with the lights like this, has he?" Jin-Sung asked.

    The lights were always hot, but Suh Hyun-Woo enjoyed the sweat from the heat of the lights as far as the members could tell. Lee Jin-Sung clearly remembered that incident. He hadn¡¯t been hurt at all, and he hadn¡¯t seen the lights explode due to Hyun-Woo pulling him away, but he vividly remembered feeling intense heat briefly from the sparks behind him. He got over it in a few days since he didn''t see what had urred with his own eyes, but maybe Suh Hyun-Woo hadn¡¯t.

    Kang Joo-Han nodded. ¡°Jin-Sung, you might be right." He paused and was about to get lost in thought again, but he stopped and looked at Lee Jin-Sung with concern. ¡°Are you okay? How are you feeling? No pain or shock?"

    ¡°Hyung... are you worried about me? I''m totally fine," Jin-Sung replied.

    ¡°Phew, that''s good then. At least you are healthy, geez."

    Relieved by Lee Jin-Sung''s response, Kang Joo-Han drifted back into his thoughts. Suh Hyun-Woo''s unusual symptoms had only started showing up recently, so he had been going through their memories since debut.

    Yes, there had been such an incident. He wondered why he hadn''t thought of the ident that had even made the members'' hearts drop from afar. If these symptoms had started from that ident, it meant Suh Hyun-Woo had been enduring all of this pain by himself during every broadcast and shooting until now.

    <i>''So that''s why he didn''t say anything.'' </i>It wouldn''t solve anything. It would only add to the members'' worries.

    ¡°Ah, this is serious." There would be many more such instances in the future. Kang Joo-Han picked up his phone and stood up. ¡°I will go talk to Su-Hwan hyung. Since they said Hyun-Woo is fine, you guys practice the formation without him for now. I will be there soon."

    ¡°Okay."

    He didn''t have a clear idea of how to resolve the situation, but one thing was certain. This wasn''t something Suh Hyun-Woo should deal with alone.

    <i>''I will give a heads-up to the counselor first.''</i> Kang Joo-Han couldn''t let Suh Hyun-Woo carry this burden alone throughout his career. Whether it was fireworks or lights exploding repeatedly, the members could step in to block his view and cover his ears, offering at least that much help.

    Just then, messages arrived on Kang Joo-Han''s phone. They were from Suh Hyun-Woo.

    - Am I not going to be on stage tomorrow?

    - Goh Yoo-Joon said we are going ahead with tomorrow''s stage.

    - I''m not hurt, so I want to be a part of it.

    Kang Joo-Han sighed automatically. ¡°Ah, this guy."

    Did he know how many fireworks go off at an outdoor festival? Without replying, Kang Joo-Han continued walking.

    ***

    Joo-Han hyung had a soft spot for his younger members'' tears. When Goh Yoo-Joon lost his voice from over-practicing as a trainee and messed up his end-of-month evaluation, which he ended up inst ce, he cried as if he would be cut from the program. Joo-Han had sighed deeply at the sight and then went to persuade Supervisor Kim.

    Jin-Sung often got off the hook for being scolded just because he started whimpering. Also, when Yoon-Chan was struggling with his diet, Joo-Han had insisted that starving wasn''t the way to lose weight. He had secretly fed him chicken even though he was going against thepany''s orders.

    Thus, he would do what I want if I kept my stance while being considered sick.

    - No. We''ve already finished practicing without you.

    Joo-Han''s serious reply, which even ended with a period, prompted me to call him immediately. As soon as he picked up, I started sobbing.

    ¡°Hyung, please, just this once. Can''t you persuade Su-Hwan hyung?"

    - Hey.

    ¡°I''m really okay... It''s thest stage, you know. I think I will be too miserable if I end it like this. I know I''m being a burden, but..."

    - This isn¡¯t about you being a burden.

    I was ashamed of myself for almost fainting over something as trivial as fireworks or lights. I didn''t want to leave things like this because thest stage had ended on such an unsatisfactory note. I felt that only by oveing the fear of fireworks and lights and by finishing a performance I could relieve even a bit of the upset.

    Therefore, I insisted. I was honest about my feelings and used all kinds of persuasion as I wanted to show the fans who might have been worried that I was okay.

    As expected, Joo-Han sighed repeatedly after hearing me cry and said that he would talk to Su-Hwan before hanging up.

    Later, I received a reply from Joo-Han that he had gotten permission for me to participate in just one stage. Due to the nature of the festival, I couldn''t perform a solo stage, and with various lights and fireworks abound, it was decided I would only participate in ¡°Parade" to prepare for any possible situation.

    ¡°That''s good enough for me..." I was relieved to be allowed to stand on stage in any way. The thought of having messed up the performance made me so frustrated that I couldn''t stop shaking. I feltpelled to finish one performance properly as soon as possible to find some peace.

    ¡°Alright."

    I spent a long time in the dark, lightless hospital room, looking out the window before picking up my phone. I browsed through the articles about me and the additional updates from YMM about my condition, then buried my face in my hands.

    It was such a painfully familiar night. As I felt gloomy, I whimsically sang my part in ¡°Parade" andy down. It was strange.<i> ¡®Why do tearse just by lying down?¡¯</i> I eventually drifted off to sleep with my swollen eyes tightly shut.

    ***

    That night, I had another nightmare.

    <i>Bang!</i>

    The falling lights filled my vision, and the pain on my face was excruciating.

    <i>''If you want this life to be yours...''</i>

    Bandages were wrapped all over my face and upper body. I kept drifting in and out of consciousness. I woke up to scream, then fainted again. No matter how much I cried out, my lost face didn''t return. Each time I returned to consciousness, my family was crying, and the members looked at me with hollow eyes as if they had grown gaunt in the meantime.

    I wasn''t dead yet, but their gazes made me feel like I was being seen as a dead person. I hated and suffered from this so much. Even though I was in pain, I was still alive, albeit ambiguously so.

    When everyone had leftte at night, waking up meant shivering in the horrendous pain and loneliness of the dark hospital room, only to lose consciousness again. That was me in my horrific memories.

    <i>''If you want this life to be yours.''</i>

    The whispering voice erased all the miserable scenes after showing me the painful past, and instead clearly told me what I needed to do.

    [The second condition: Ovee.]

 Chapter 259: Again After Rainfall (35)

    <h4>Chapter 259: Again After Rainfall (35)</h4>

    ¡°I''m sorry."

    ¡°What are you sorry for? No, no. We should have taken better care of you. We are the ones who should apologize."

    ¡°Are you okay, though?"

    As soon as I returned to the amodation, I kept bowing to the production staff there. Not only the members, but also the <i>Again After Rainfall </i>team and the agency had faced controversy over negligence of artist management due to my copse. They were saying it was okay and worrying about me instead, but I knew it couldn''t have been easy for them. An official statement saying I was okay had already been posted with my consent, but it seemed that I would have to post something on my personal social media ount to reassure everyone.

    Very concerned, Reina asked, ¡°Did the doctor say that you are okay? Was it really just the heat?"

    ¡°Yes. It wasn''t because of any illness or fatigue. I''m sorry for worrying you all."

    It wasn''t exactly a pleasant feeling to be the center of so much worry. Goh Yoo-Joon noticed my difort and patted me on the back as he moved to his spot.

    ¡°Is everyone ready?" asked Reina.

    ¡°Yes!" the Chronos members responded loudly.

    After yesterday''s incident, the members had thankfully pulled themselves together and continued with their practice.

    We only needed to practice "Parade," which included me. Although the choreography hadn''t changed much from the original, the festival''s stage was so wide that our formation had to be extended. We decided to utilize the stage''s lighting and therge screens to deliver a performance of the same quality as our year-end stage, despite the different venue.

    After practicing "Parade" thoroughly from morning till noon, we headed to the festival site after a quick meal.

    ***

    ¡°Let¡¯s have a team dinner tonight."

    ¡°Yay!"

    During the car ride, the members were surprisingly chatty. The atmosphere would usually turn grim if a member was hurt or if something happened, but it seemed like they were purposely being more lively to avoid making me feel guilty.

    ¡°Right. Hyun-Woo, how''s the original soundtrack preparation going?" Joo-Han asked.

    ¡°Oh? Uh." I was caught off guard by his question and fiddled with my phone out of reflex. ¡°I''m working on it, but it''s not finished yet. I was nning toplete it after returning, but umm, I think I might run out of time."

    It was my first real attempt atposing, and even with Kim Jin-Wook''s intermittent help, progress was slow. I nned to properly work on the song once I got back to Korea, but I doubted this track would make it as a soundtrack. You couldn''t expect to hit the mark on your first try, but since I was making it, I wanted to create a proper track without rushing. However, the soundtrack submission deadline was tight.

    ¡°I''m trying not to rush it. I will give it to Yoon-Chan if it doesn¡¯t get selected for the project.¡±

    When I jokingly said that, Yoon-Chan widened his alreadyrge eyes and looked at me. ¡°...You¡¯ll give it to me?"

    I grinned and nodded.

    ¡°Hey, I thought you were giving your first track to me,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon intervened. ¡°I feel betrayed."

    ¡°Ah, well, we already talked about this."

    ¡°There they go again, starting up,¡± Joo-Han muttered disapprovingly as if we were pathetic. ¡°Just watch, they¡¯re about to start a fight."

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I ended our brief argument after being scolded by Su-Hwan.

    Jin-Sung pointed to the camera in the car and said, ¡°Guys, they stopped only because there are cameras around us. You should see them at the dorm, it''s like they are filming a wrestling match."

    He was saying nonsense because we had already had a near-wrestling physical altercation in front of the camera. Fighting was part of our daily routine, but the camera director seemed to enjoy it. He said it would make for good footage and even encouraged us to fight more.

    Joo-Han was sitting in the passenger seat, ncing at me through the rearview mirror. ¡°I''ve already sent in apleted track. I will help you with yours. Send the track over to me."

    ¡°Thanks, hyung. Will do."

    ¡°We''re here."

    The usual banter and fun vibe continued until the car pulled into the festival''s parking lot. A special parking area had been arranged to the side for the performers.

    ¡°Wow, what''s all this..."

    When we walked in, the sheer scale of the festival had all the members letting out exmations of amazement. It was a massive outdoor festival unlike any we''d seen before. The stage preparations hadn''t even started yet, but with various booths being set up and the staff bustling about, the atmosphere was already lively.

    We arrived early, so there was plenty of time left until the rehearsal. Following Su-Hwan''s lead, we greeted the rehearsal site staff and then used our spare time to either go buy coffee with the Chronos team staff or start practicing the choreography.

    Su-Hwan hyung called Goh Yoo-Joon and me aside after a break was announced before the rehearsal. All the cameras and mics attached to our clothes were removed.

    A cool breeze was blowing. It smelled slightly of damp earth, possibly indicating impending rain. However, the sensation was quite pleasant. Multiple booths were being set up all around us, and the performance staff were bustling about with preparations.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I were waiting for Su-Hwan, who had gone to look after Jin-Sung for a moment. We were sitting side by side in the audience seats to take in the view.

    ¡°Hey, have you contacted your parents?"

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Why haven''t you? Your sister sent a text saying she couldn''t reach you again."

    ¡°No calls came through."

    ¡°Liar. They said they called, didn''t they?"

    I shook my head and simply showed my phone''s call log. I hadn''t answered the call from mom, and there was no call from my sister. Mom had probably been worried because I wasn''t answering, and had sent a message to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    After checking my call log, Goh Yoo-Joon sighed and handed the phone back to me. ¡°Why haven''t you called your mom? How worried must she have been? You really shouldn''t do this."

    ¡°I was going to. Just didn''t get a chance to do it because things have been hectic."

    ¡°What a terrible excuse. Don''t do that to your mom. I already told her you were discharged and would be performing. She was relieved. She even cried, dude."

    ¡°Thanks. I will call herter right after the show. I promise."

    I had indeed nned to reach out, even without Goh Yoo-Joon saying anything. I just hadn''t managed to do that because I had to relive the past through nightmares the night before.

    ¡°...Man, take good care of your parents while they are around. You will regret it otherwise."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I''m speaking from experience. You know that too."

    I silently nodded, and Goh Yoo-Joon didn''t say any more on the subject. He seemed particrly sensitive about things rted to parents, perhaps even more so than me. This probably made my behavior all the more displeasing to him.

    ¡°Let''s have a drink when we get back to Korea. I have something to ask."

    ¡°Man, why do you always have so much to ask me? Give it a rest."

    I chuckled, and Goh Yoo-Joon smirked. He then sighed dramatically and joked, ¡°Ha! What can I do? I''m the only friend you have, so I have to look after you. Oh, boy."

    ¡°I have other friends too, like Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, Cheol-Min."

    ¡°Oh, those guys are closer to me than you."

    Su-Hwan had finally returned after taking care of Jin-Sung. ¡°Are you guys fighting again? Try to limit it to twenty times a day, will you?" He calmly silenced Goh Yoo-Joon and me before adding, ¡°Supervisor Kim called. Hyun-Woo, you have a license, right?"

    ¡°Yes, I do."

    ¡°Have you driven before?"

    I nodded. Goh Yoo-Joon and I started taking driving lessons as soon as we turned eighteen and had plenty of road experience since we drove a lot after we got our license. Of course, I was good at driving not because of those lessons, but because I had driven my trainees around in my past life and was quite ustomed to driving myself. I even had to stop myself from driving with one hand out of habit once.

    Goh Yoo-Joon readily acknowledged as well. ¡°This guy is really good at driving, hyung."

    Su-Hwan nodded and said, ¡°You two have a schedule lined up. There''s still some time, but this will be for filming a video for Chronos'' individual <i>UTube</i> channel."

    ¡°What kind of video is it?"

    ¡°On the day Yoo-Joon records his soundtrack, Hyun-Woo will be acting as a day manager for a content shoot."

    I sighed. ¡°Ah."

    Goh Yoo-Joon burst into uncontrobleughter upon hearing about the contents of the shoot. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo being my manager, hahahaha!"

    Su-Hwan continued exining regardless of Goh Yoo-Joon''sughter. ¡°The content team suggested we start focusing on Chronos'' personal channel content, so we agreed. You will have to drive and take care of manager duties just like the real deal. It''s going to be <i>that </i>kind of shoot. Since it''s Yoo-Joon''s first individual schedule, we are treating it like an event.¡±

    So that was why he asked if I had a license.

    ¡°Of course, even though you are a good driver, you are still a novice. Therefore, we will only have you drive in safe ces. So don''t worry about that, and just be aware that such a schedule has been arranged."

    ¡°Okay..."

    Goh Yoo-Joon still couldn''t stopughing uproariously. Content-wise, it seemed like it could be fun, but Goh Yoo-Joon''s uncontrobleughter was somewhat disconcerting.

    <i>Thump!</i>

    ¡°Ow! Why!"

    I kicked Goh Yoo-Joon in the butt to get him to stopughing and returned to the rehearsal site with Su-Hwan. With about ten minutes left until the rehearsal, the once gentle sky began to darken gradually. By the end of the rehearsal, the sunset would have passed, and there would be a dark sky for the stage performance.

    Before the rehearsal started, we listened to the staff exin the performance. ording to the interpreter, the fireworks set for this event would dwarf those of the previous day''s venue, withrge fireworks nned to fly from the stage toward the end of the performance to adorn the sky.<i> </i>

    <i>''It''ll be okay.'' </i>

    Unlike yesterday, the cool weather of this outdoor performance meant the heat from the lights wouldn''t be as intense, so the likelihood of being startled by the fireworks should be minimal.

    As I was steadying my heartbeat, Yoon-Chan ced a hand on my shoulder and looked at me reassuringly. ¡°Hyung, it''s okay."

    ¡°Huh? Yeah, I''m okay. Don''t worry. I¡¯ll be fine."

    ¡°No, I mean, it''s okay because we are all here together." There was aforting power in Yoon-Chan''s gentle smile. ¡°Since you are the core of Chronos, just focus on the stage without any worries."

    Strangely enough, his words slowed down my pounding heartbeat.

    Ovee.

    Ovee together.

 Chapter 260: Again After Rainfall (36)

    Chapter 260: Again After Rainfall (36)

    The festival schedule was very tight, and many international artists were set to perform on stage besides us. We weren''t considered main stage-level artists and were slotted for a special performance. Thus, our rehearsal time was extremely short.

    It was indeed very brief. Unlike the end-of-year stage, where we could spend half a day rehearsing, here we had to finish our one and only rehearsal ande down as if being chased. Whether we made mistakes or not was no one¡¯s concern.

    I wasn¡¯t sure how this would be portrayed on the broadcast, but one thing was for sure. As we were descending, a famous pop singer covered in tattoos scoffed and sneered at us.

    The incident with Callia canceling our schedule just ended up being a miserable moment for us. However, having that singer, whom we had seen hundreds of times on <em>UTube</em>, music sites, and the Billboard charts, treating us like nobodies andughing at us was beyond miserable. It was definitely humiliating.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind him,¡± I said. ¡°We have nothing to do with that guy anyway."

    Jin-Sung¡¯s face was flushed with anger, and he was fiercely whining in my direction. ¡°I know¡­ But still! Ugh! It was him who started it!"

    I tousled his hair with a sympathetic look. ¡°You¡¯re an adult, are you not?"

    ¡°Hyung¡­ I''m really pissed, though."

    It was understandable to be angry, especially since that jerk and his dancer openly mocked us as we passed by. If Jin-Sung, who barely understood English, could feel humiliated and angry, that said a lot. It was too much to bear, so much that the director couldn''t stand it. He shouted ¡°Fuck it!" and lowered the camera. Callia went off to confront that singer with aggression, temporarily halting the shooting.

    Joo-Han lost hisposure because of the stress which he had been suppressing since our first day in the US. ¡°Haha, hahaha! Oh my, haha, this is ridiculous, pfft, I''m going crazy!"

    Seeing Joo-Han react this way, it made me think that the filming being paused was a blessing.

    For the first time ever, I decided to act like a proper sub-leader. I took care of Joo-Han, who was not thinking straight, and Jin-Sung, who kept repeating "But, it was him who started it!" and handed them over to the stylists. I then gathered Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan to start monitoring the rehearsal.

    ¡°Look, look. The gap between you two is too wide. Everyone is scattered all over the ce from the center. Keep checking the formation using the monitors in front of the stage and adjust as needed."

    ¡°Okay, but about the in-ears. Are all of our MRs properly aligned? It feels like I''m the only one out of sync."

    ¡°Mine was fine. How about you, Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Mine was okay too. But given the state of our rehearsal, even if the in-ears aren''t properly synced, they might not check for us. Let''s ask Su-Hwan hyung to talk to them, and if they still don''t match during the performance, there''s nothing we can do. Yoon-Chan, you will have to adjust ording to the other members."

    ¡°Okay, I will try."

    After hearing Yoon-Chan''s response, I pondered for a moment and then spoke again. ¡°Yoon-Chan, let''s swap them. I will sync with the members. It will probably make you feel a bit more at ease, right?"

    Yoon-Chan usually struggled with timing during choreography, so he could make a mistake on stage if the MR timing was also off.

    ¡°Since I''m only performing ¡®Parade,¡¯ use mine. Let''s go with that."

    Yoon-Chan hesitated for a bit since he was unsure of what to do, but he eventually nodded. ¡°I am sorry, hyung."

    It seemed he decided it was much better to feel sorry toward me than to make a mistake on stage.

    I finished monitoring with the members and spoke to Su-Hwan about the MR. Then, I went to check on Joo-Han and Jin-Sung''s condition. Jin-Sung had finally calmed down thanks to the stylists soothing him and was monitoring by himself, while Joo-Han was still angry but seemed to have somewhat regained hisposure.

    ¡°Ha¡­"

    Good things were usually followed by bad ones, but filming in the U.S. was particrly eventful. I could already imagine the rest of the members watching the broadcast of this program and crying over how tough it had been for them.

    When Callia returned, the director immediately resumed the shooting. The atmosphere had finally be peaceful. We even had a four-hour gap until our performance after our rehearsal had ended.

    Even though we had rushed through the rehearsal, the main stage artists were given ample time to rehearse, so what could the unknown band Chronos do in the meantime? Eat, y, monitor, and practice while waiting.

    But honestly, it wasn''t much different from waiting during music broadcasts in Korea, so this level of waiting wasn''t particrly surprising.

    I followed Su-Hwan to a coffee shop and finally got some time to myself.

    ¡°...Time to make a call." I sat in a corner sipping coffee and picked up my phone.

    [Mom]

    Why was making this call so difficult? It was all because of that damn nightmare, or rather, the real past revisited through the nightmare. Icked the courage to hear the worry in her voice.

    I hovered my finger over the call button on the screen for a long while and eventually pressed it while biting my lip. It wasn''t like I had to delve into deep conversations on camera, so just saying sorry and that I was okay was all that was needed.

    After a long ring, the call connected.

    - Hi, Hyun-Woo.

    As soon as I heard Mom''s voice, a surge of tension made me momentarily speechless before I finally managed to respond.

    ¡°Hi, Mom."

    - ¡­Are you okay?

    ¡°Ah, I''m totally, really, totally fine¡­"

    - Why are you stammering as if you¡¯re lying? You weren''t answering, so I asked Yoo-Joon if you were okay.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡­ I should have called sooner, but I was busy. Or just¡­ I was just... Sorry. I''m okay."

    - Still, you should have called me. You know I was worried. There were a bunch of articles circting the inte, but I had zero calls from you.

    ¡°Sorry. I''m fine, though. Right after being discharged from the hospital, I went right back to practicing. That¡¯s why I couldn''t call. I was too concerned about the stage."

    - Alright, as long as you are okay, everything is fine. Your dad was worried too, and so was your sister. Come have dinner with us when you are back in Korea. Bring Yoo-Joon, too. I miss you.

    ¡°Okay¡­"

    - Thanks for calling even though you¡¯re busy.

    ¡°I''m sorry. I love you."

    - I love you too.

    The call ended. I put down the phone and inadvertently bit my protruding lip. The tension I didn''t want to prolong melted away as soon as the call ended. This situation was profoundly saddening. Why did I have to hesitate and feel so nervous even when talking to the person I loved the most?

    As I stared at the ground while being lost in thought, I heard someone rapidly approaching me. Soon, someone flopped down beside me on the couch and leaned against my back.

    ¡°Hey, Hyun-Woo, get ready."

    ¡°For what?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon covered both of my ears with his palms.

    ¡°What the¡ª"

    <em>Don''t mess with me. </em>I reflexively frowned and was about to push Goh Yoo-Joon''s hands away¡­

    <em>Boom-!</em>

    My ears were muffled, but I could faintly hear something exploding.

    <em>Boom! Bang!</em>

    It was the sound of fireworks going off one after another. My ears were covered, so I wasn''t startled. However, the noise would have startled me greatly if I had heard it unprepared.

    As I looked up at the sky, Goh Yoo-Joon removed his hands that were covering my ears. He wiped his hands on my clothes in disgust.

    ¡°What if I got grease on my hands from touching you?"

    Ridiculous.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung sent me,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon added. ¡°The staff here gave a heads-up that they were going to test the fireworks, and he thought you''d be startled again, so he told me to hurry over."

    ¡°¡­I''m fine with fireworks. It was just the heat yesterday that messed me up."

    ¡°Ah, yes, yes. I¡¯m just taking care of my fellow member, okay? Well, see ya."

    I watched Goh Yoo-Joon leave with an incredulous look and took another sip of my coffee. Although I was slightly annoyed, I was very grateful for what he did. I could tell the members were subtly taking care of me in various ways since yesterday, and I was pretty sure I would have been startled just now.

    After I finished my coffee, I got up and gathered the members. There were two hours left. I wanted to ensure a wless performance for thisst show.

    After one more round of feedback and monitoring with the members, we practiced non-stop for the remaining time, enough not to tire us out. We aimed to make sure our performance showed our undeniable talent even to those who mocked and ignored us. And then, the festival began.

    ***

    After waiting for a long time, even after the festival began, it was finally our turn to perform.

    ¡°You guys are amazing!¡± Callia said with a fierce look in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re really cool! Don''t let a scumbag¡¯s insults sway you. Show them your best performance!"

    Watching her ring at that singer and engaging in a staring contest, I thought a diss battle[1]might unfold in Hollywood after we returned to Korea.

    We responded loudly to Callia''s encouragement and we chanted our own slogan among ourselves after receiving further encouragement from Reina.

    ¡°Let¡¯s¡ª"

    ¡°Let''s do our best!"

    Soon, Chronos was introduced with a video without anyments from the host. The audience at the heated venue was not aware who we were, but they were ready to wee us with great enthusiasm.

    The first stage was ¡°Chronos.¡±

    ¡°You got this, guys! I''m sorry that I can¡¯t join you. I will keep cheering for you from here!¡±

    ¡°Yeah!"

    ¡°Okay!"

    The tension was palpable among the members. I felt guilty for not being able to join them on stage, so I absentmindedly massaged Jin-Sung''s arm next to me. Finally, the stage went dark after the introduction clip ended.

    1. A diss battle is a confrontation where individuals or groups exchange insults, often in the form of rap or spoken word, aiming to outdo each other in wit and creativity. Even Korean rappers often have this during thepetition show or in actual life through their songs/raps. ?

 Chapter 261: Again After Rainfall (37)

    Stepping onto the stage and hearing the first cheers was always exhrating for me. The anticipation and excitement embedded in those cheers and the audience¡¯s curiosity about who was performing, what they were wearing, and the performance they would deliver, infused me with a delightful tension. Watching a stage that I was unable to join became an increasingly bitter and regretful experience for me.

    ¡°It''s starting. Wow, I''m getting nervous too... What should I do? What should I do, hyung?"

    I longed to be up there. I was physically able to go up. I was not injured, and it would feel right to be on stage.

    ¡°This feels really odd."

    Watching from the sidelines was not enough, so I exaggerated my reactions for the camera. Despite my spirited attempts to disguise my disappointment by waving my hands at Su-Hwan excessively and talking a lot, I couldn¡¯t hide my true feelings. Even Reina, Callia Lawrence, and the director offered me consoling words.

    ¡°It would have been great to be there with them, Hyun-Woo."

    It was then that I managed to show a truly somber expression on camera. ¡°Yes... I really wanted to join them. I feel incredibly sorry for the members."

    Reina approached yfully and draped her arm around my shoulder. ¡°You will be up there soon. Let''s watch the members perform. Hyun-Woo, do you want something to drink?" she asked, handing me a yogurt drink.

    ¡°...Thank you. Oh, it¡¯s from Korea." ¡°I brought it because I like it, but I forgot to give it to you guys. Go ahead and drink up. It¡¯s really good."

    Sipping the yogurt and beingforted by those around me made me feel momentarily like a child.

    The members¡¯ performance unfolded smoothly. My solo part was entirely taken over by Jin-Sung, who performed brilliantly in his own style as the main dancer despite his initial anxiety backstage. His nervousness disappeared once he was on stage.

    ¡°Wow, Jin-Sung is doing well. To think he''s this good after just one day of practice?"

    ¡°He¡¯s truly talented. I am always impressed by his talent."

    While the intense choreography slightly diminished the initial desperate vibe of ¡°Chronos,¡± Jin-Sung''s charisma enhanced the performance and elicited a better audience response than mere replication would have.

    From the start, the performance was captivating and sessfully captured the audience''s attention early on. Unfortunately, the most iconic part of the ¡°Chronos¡± choreography where I was pulled backward had to be omitted. Apparently, no one else could replicate it properly.

    Afterward, the members took turns handling my parts across two stages and performed them admirably.

    ¡°They did really well," Imented as I gestured toward the members while facing the camera. ¡°Wasn¡¯t their performance fantastic?"

    - Yes, they did well.

    ¡°This is Chronos. Ladies and gentlemen, these are our members," I announced with pride and prepped with the production team to join the stage.

    I warmed up my throat while listening to the members. A renewed wave of regret washed over me, prompting me to nervously bite my lip. I thought to myself that I could have performed today. The stage lights were bright and the breeze was cooling. There wouldn¡¯t have been an incident like yesterday¡¯s.

    Of course, after yesterday¡¯s turmoil and my copse, being kept off the stage was inevitable due to everyone¡¯s concerns. But still¡­

    Joo-Han pointed toward the backstage area and called out my name as the introduction of additional members concluded.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s time for you to go on stage."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    As I made my way to the stage, I looked at the members with a wistful expression. They simply smiled joyously to wee me. The audience, who was satisfied with the earlier performances, greeted me with tremendous enthusiasm. On that dark night that was illuminated only by the stage lights, I could see the audience holding drinks and merchandise while enjoying the electrified atmosphere.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, how does it feel to stand on stage and see this?"

    ¡°Wow, honestly, I¡¯ve been wanting to get up here. To see it from this perspective... Everyone, it¡¯s an incredible experience."

    My attempts at English were met with cheers. Phones were capturing every single angle of us from all directions, and Rings cheered us on. The atmosphere was liberally spirited. As the audience marveled at us, I took a moment during Joo-Han¡¯s song introduction to really look at them.

    People holding colorful stic cups started entering the front row of the audience seat while having lively conversations. Goh Yoo-Joon informed me by whispering, ¡°Look, those are Alectroz¡¯s people."

    Alectroz and his dancers were the ones who had shed in a cypher diss battle with Callia Lawrence during the rehearsal. They seemed to havee not specifically for our performance, but perhaps because they remembered the confrontation from earlier. I was certain they hadn¡¯te for our stage because Alectroz was still scoffing at us with his dancers.

    I couldn¡¯t hear what they were saying, but I was sure it wasn¡¯t anything nice because of the way they pointed at us with their cups and giggled exactly how Alectroz had mocked someone in a documentary I had seen before.

    I leaned toward Goh Yoo-Joon and whispered in a way no one would notice, ¡°Are they here to see how good we are?"

    All the artists from America were mean. I thought I heard Callia Lawrence''s almost scream-like swearing from behind, but I decided that was just my imagination.

    ¡°Then, let''s start with ¡®Parade.¡¯"

    After the introduction of the song, we adjusted our formation. The lights went out.

    ¡°Woah!!!" The gasps of the audience here sounded different from those of the stages in Korea.

    Soon, the prepared video started ying from the screen behind us.

    One of the biggest differences between street performances andrge concert venues like this were the immersion factors, such as video and lighting effects that enhanced the stage experience. Even though it was just a montage of end-of-year performance clips, it was enough to make the audience curious about the unique atmosphere of ¡°Parade.¡±

    The screen showed a pastel-colored flower garden with someone standing in the middle. Lee Jin-Sung looked like he could be the ringmaster of a fantasy circus from a movie. He stared emotionlessly at the screen.

    Throughout the video, a faint beeping noise gradually became louder until it abruptly cut off before it could be painful to the ears. The scene switched to show an abandoned workshop. The audience, who had been freely chatting and enjoying themselves, had now quieted down to watch the video on the screen.

    The visual quality of the video had always been highly praised in Korea, and this was no different abroad. People everywhere appreciated beautiful and impressive sights. The time allotted for our performance was so short that the production team had to omit or edit most of the holiday stage footage. Except for Jin-Sung, only locations were shown instead of other members.

    The mysterious yet somewhat eerie video ended with a leather bracelet falling from someone''s wrist. It turned into a gold-framed pocket watch and shattered before gradually fading to ck.

    ***

    ¡°What''s their name again?¡±

    ¡°Chronos, Chronos! How many times do you need to be told?¡±

    ¡°...Do I need to remember that? It¡¯s enough just to watch them once anyway.¡±

    The director in charge of this festival''s filming grumbled. Was Chronos so unknown that they came this prepared for such a stage? This was a production one might see at an awards ceremony, or rather, a rather rare one for this festival.

    Unsure whether it was scorn or admiration, the camera director gestured to a staff member behind him. ¡°Go ask the head director if they really intend to edit them out."

    Famous artists weren¡¯t invited to this festival just to rake in money. They also consistently delivered high viewership ratings on television each year. It was for this reason that the broadcast was pre-recorded¡ªto prevent any mishaps¡ªand, naturally, the Korean boy group Chronos was not listed among the televised artists.

    <em>¡®This production might just attract attention,¡¯ </em>the camera director thought. Chronos¡¯ performance was far better than performers who just drank and sang carelessly on stage, soliciting apuse before hastily exiting. Even the previous two performances, which the members had hastily tried to cover up the fact that they were missing a member, had been decent enough.

    However, the staff member returned shaking his head. ¡°They said it will be edited out. They were annoyed by the question, saying it had an obvious answer."

    ¡°Ah, okay. Thanks for asking," the camera director said. He returned his focus to the stage. The recently shown video had perfectly matched his taste, so that had prompted him to ask again. He thought it could stir some interest.

    <em>¡®After all, we haven''t even seen their final stage yet.¡¯</em>

    The previous two performances had not been carried out with full members, so he had no intention of broadcasting them even if there was a chance for that to happen. Despite a well-made video, the uing performance could still turn out to be a mess. Therefore, he med himself for not being more cautious.

    The stage was dark, the audience was quiet, and the footsteps of several people on stage could be heard distinctly. A spotlight fell on the other side. There were six dancers and a tinum-haired guy kneeling at the center with his head lowered. What they were about to do was unclear, but the initial engagement was top-notch.

    With the full ensemble including thest member, it remained to be seen what kind of performance the group would deliver and the capabilities of thest member.

    The director, staff, and audience all focused intently on Suh Hyun-Woo. They waited for him to move. Momentster, the audience fully recognized the aura of the tinum-haired protagonist. The other dancers began to stir and rise like ck smoke, matching the rhythm of the song.

 Chapter 262: Again After Rainfall (38)

    Chapter 262: Again After Rainfall (38)

    The man with tinum blonde hair had been hanging his head like a wind-up doll running out of spring. He was soon lifted up by dark shadows, dancers dressed in ck. Unfortunately, the camera broadcasting this through the screen failed to fully capture his face as his head snapped back and then forward again.

    However, at least the audience present in the concert hall were fully immersed and drawn into Suh Hyun-Woo''s performance as if they were captivated by an illusion. He was still rtively new to most of the audience, but his expressive acting and borately handsome features, reminiscent of a character from a fantasy film, made them forget the previous performances that had just ended without him.

    ¡°What?"

    Curious voices emerged here and there. It was safe to say that there had not been a performance in this festival thatmanded such silent, intense focus. This was less like watching a singer''s performance and more like the audience viewing a musical, an opera, or a piece of art. Although they hardly matched the typical opera or musical atmosphere because they were holding drinks and snacks in their hands, the audience''s engagement with the performance suggested otherwise.

    ¡°Fuck! This is awesome¡­¡­."

    American-style mockery about makeup or attire was typically reserved for when the performer seemed more ordinary. Suh Hyun-Woo, who was merely standing and looking out, created an ambiance that turned him into nothing less than a top-tier artist at the moment.

    And yet, Suh Hyun-Woo had already managed to captivate so many gazes without having done anything significant. He began to show his choreography with the dancers.

    ¡°Whoaaaaa!¡±

    The diehard Rings scattered among the audience went wild. They had been worried that Suh Hyun-Woo would not appear today due to injuries from yesterday''s incident. But here he was, healthy and dancing.¡®<em>He is standing on two legs. He is fucking standing by himself without any help!¡¯</em>

    Their gratitude and happiness for his perfect return to the stage and a wless start to the performance were immense. Suh Hyun-Woo danced as if being swayed by masked dancers to a modified song that resembled a year-end stage performance.

    He was dragged into the midst of the dancers as the intro ended. Then, the cheering of the audience, which had momentarily paused, resumed. The spotlight that had been on Suh Hyun-Woo turned off, and lights moved to the center.

    Goh Yoo-Joon started performing his part, stepping forward in sync with the members and dancers.

    ***

    Callia Lawrence''s gaze lingered on Suh Hyun-Woo for a long time. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off him. Even as other members continued with their respective parts, the group dance started, and Suh Hyun-Woo was obscured by the dancers. It felt like watching the historic debut of someone who wouldter be a top star on a reality audition program.

    Each member of Chronos had their strengths in their voices, vocal capabilities, and dance skills, but Suh Hyun-Woo''s potential to be a star was undeniablypelling.

    <em>¡®But.¡¯</em>

    Callia''s brow furrowed. Even though the audience was now favorably inclined toward Chronos, even Callia, who was tough to impress, couldn''t help but marvel at the performance. Even so, there was still someone foolishly mocking them.

    <em>¡®Alectroz.¡¯</em>

    Callia had had a big fight with him before the Chronos incident, and he was notorious among famous singers for his terrible personality. He was the kind of person who lived by his own stupid rules, including using drugs excessively.

    ¡°That fucking toad-looking asshole."

    ¡°...Callia! Stop swearing! We are on camera."

    ¡°Reina, who here doesn''t know my personality? Everyone knows how I behave. They will either cut it or air it. But I don''t care, they can air it."

    After all, everyone knew Alectroz had bad manners, just as they knew Callia had a brash personality. Therefore, she nned to do as she pleased today since she always enjoyed petty fights.

    ¡°Manager, my phone."

    ¡°What? Oh."

    The manager handed Callia¡¯s shy phone to her.

    Alectroz and his dancers upied the front row, tantly mocking Chronos. While the rest of the audience was captivated by the performance, Alectroz and his group had no intention of genuinely watching Chronos perform. Instead, they made racially insensitive gestures by mimicking Asian eyes with both hands and were disturbingly loud. On top of that, they were doing this right in front of the stage, where Chronos could clearly see.

    This sort of outrageous behavior wasmon in the American entertainment industry, a realm where entricities often prevailed. Even Callia, who was known for her own quirks, found Alectroz''s attitude baffling.

    Callia raised her phone.

    ¡°What are you doing?"

    ¡°Shhh."

    <em>Click!</em>

    She snapped a photo of Alectroz mocking Chronos and captured his racially insensitive gesture perfectly. She swiftly uploaded the image to her social media with the caption:

    [What a piece of shit! Somebody get rid of this imbecile, please.]

    (Alectroz nting his eyes with both hands.jpg)]

    ¡°Hey!"

    Her manager quickly grabbed the phone from her, shocked by her boldness. Callia remained unfazed. Such confrontations were not new to her. Her assertive nature wasn''t going to be subdued by this incident.

    ¡°...Why is there never a quiet day in this program shoot? It''s so exhausting," sighed Reina, rubbing her forehead and apologizing on behalf of the distressed production team. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, everyone. Just ignore her. This is Callia''s issue. They will handle it on their side. Let¡¯s not worry about it ourselves."

    ¡°Okay... well."

    Despite the drama, Callia often brought both challenges and significant opportunities to the <em>Again After Rainfall</em> team. She didn¡¯t just stop there. She continued to record more videos of Chronos and Alectroz, who was still openly mocking them. She eventually paused to watch Chronos''s performance before moving on with the production team.

    ***

    Meanwhile, the festival''s filming director was visibly fatigued and habitually smacking his lips. He was so engrossed in Chronos''s performance that he asionally made mistakes. Having been responsible for stage filming for over twenty years, he had never before encountered a performance so dazzling and dynamic. Chronos¡¯ performance perfectly matched his tastes.

    ? The fleeting splendor will vanish with nightfall

    Join me

    You will want to see me entrapped in an illusion once more

    You need me

    He didn''t understand the lyrics, but that did not matter. He was fully immersed in the atmosphere of the performance and had a profound realization of the meaning of the song from their voices and expressions, which were filled with emotion.

    Powerful yet mncholic piano sounds surged as the main dancer, Lee Jin-Sung, led the choreography like a conductor. Then, the tinum blonde member joined him, and together they began a pair dance using a cane. They were evidently the main dancers of the group.

    As the mechanical sounds faded and the piano melody intertwined with violin y and ambient noise, the director felt goosebumps on his muscr arms and brushed his skin. These were unknown singers, hastily brought in to fill the gap while the big artists were preparing. They had barely rehearsed at all. Therefore, his impression of the performance was a deeply profound one, especially since this was the first time he witnessed Chronos delivering their most powerful performance in America.

    ¡°They¡¯re good.¡±

    ¡°The audience response is great too. There is no cheering or apuse, but that seems to be because they are seriously engaged in watching, just like you," a staff member noted, earning a nod from the director.

    ¡°It would be a real pity for them if this performance isn''t broadcast. It''s a stage that could capture many people¡¯s attention."

    The director pointed at Lee Jin-Sung and said, ¡°I like that man''s dancing. He is very talented. Must be a professional."

    ¡°Really?"

    Yet, his preference shifted to Suh Hyun-Woo''s solo performance as the performance continued. ¡°Never mind, I prefer that man. His expressiveness was better right from the start."

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s unique and elegant dance moves, along with his seemingly effortless expressiveness, were perceived by the director as incredibly unique and mystical. In fact, the dancing and singing preferences of the director, who was a veteran with twenty years of experience in staging performances, continued to change with each part of the song.

    A staff member burst outughing as he was amused by the director''s light-hearted banter. ¡°What a wonderful night, right?"

    Their conversation was suddenly interrupted.

    ¡°...What the¡­"

    ¡®<em>Why is Callia Lawrence here?¡¯</em>

    The notorious American troublemaker and celebrity Callia Lawrence had unexpectedly shown up at this sweaty ce.

    ¡°I came to say hello."

    It was bizarre for her to say that considering she had no real reason toe say hi to them, but the director managed a forced a smile and weed her. ¡°I heard you were here. You are filming something with those unknown artists, right? I read about it in the articles."

    ¡°Unknown artists?" Callia scoffed and shook her head dismissively. ¡°You don¡¯t know how popr they are in Korea? I wouldn¡¯t bother working withpletely unknown artists."

    That was a bluff. At first, Callia hadpletely disregarded Chronos, considering them nobodies until she recognized their talent. She had begrudgingly made time for them only due to her connection with Reina.

    ¡°Ah, is that so? I see."

    The director responded nonchntly, merely going along with the conversation. He had no interest in Callia''s motives for coborating with Chronos since the boy band waspletely irrelevant to him.

    ¡®<em>Why did shee here?¡¯ </em>He just wished she would leave. Her unexpected visit was nothing but a disruption to the staff.

    Callia caught the director¡¯s vibe and quickly presented a broadcast artist''s set list to the director. ¡°I heard Chronos'' performance won¡¯t be broadcast."

    ¡°That¡¯s right. They have no recognition in America."

    ¡°Won¡¯t you guys regret it?¡±

    ¡°Regret what?¡±

    What was she trying to say? Frustration was mixed into the director''s question as if telling her to back off. He wasn''t particrly close to Callia Lawrence and didn''t care much about an artist known for causing trouble. Honestly, he wished she would just leave as soon as possible.

    However, Callia was aware of his disinterest and nonchntly continued her point. ¡°They are on a sure path to sess. Not broadcasting this on TV? You are missing the chance to be the first to showcase them on American television."

    ¡°What are you talking about?"

    <em>¡®What am I talking about? It means you should absolutely broadcast this insane performance on TV.¡¯</em>

    This wasn¡¯t for the sake of Chronos. It was for her own, since she nned to release a song with them and produce it. Therefore, building up Chronos'' public recognition beforehand would boost the poprity of the coboration for the song.

    However, Callia hid her true intentions for the moment and said, ¡°I like these guys. I''m going to give them a song and make sure they get noticed. You know that the artists I''ve given songs to skyrocketed, right?"

    Whether unknown or promising rookies, those chosen by Callia to receive her songs often climbed to the top of the charts or even hit number one.

    ¡°I think just coborating with me should be enough reason to broadcast them. They are putting on such a great show."

    ¡°Of course, I can''t deny that this is one of the best performances today, but it has already been decided¡ª"

    ¡°Is it better to broadcast a drug-addicted toad who nts his eyes at Asians while drunkenly stumbling around on stage, or these guys?"

    ¡°What are you talking about?"

    Callia showed a picture of Alectroz that she had uploaded to her social media. ¡°Let''s rece this guy with Chronos. He is about to be embroiled in a major racism controversy."

    ¡°...¡±

    Callia grinned smugly. ¡°You are thinking of broadcasting a racist toad¡¯s performance? Come on. Are you sure about that?"

    ¡°Fuck!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s broadcast Chronos instead."

    <em>¡®Ah, god damn it. Fucking hell. What a mess. Whether it¡¯s Callia or Alectroz, why do these guys have toe here and cause trouble?¡¯</em>

    The director red at Callia as she casually suggested changing the lineup as if it was as easy as swapping out a dish on the menu. He picked up his radio. ¡°Director, I need to speak with you for a moment."

 Chapter 263: Again After Rainfall (39)

    Chapter 263: Again After Rainfall (39)

    Joo-Han, Yoon-Chan, and Goh Yoo-Joon had just finished their dance part. Jin-Sung and I were waiting behind them and stepped forward again as the final dance break continued. In past year-end performances, dancers would bring outrge gs to wave around this time but, unfortunately, that wasn¡¯t the case this time.

    ? No matter where you are

    I will be there

    You don''t need to be afraid

    Your time has stopped

    The time for our hearts to deepen is forever-

    As soon as Joo-Han''s part ended, the dancers'' hands clung all over me. Joo-Han was pulled back and disappeared as the lights dimmed.

    A spotlight shone down on me alone. Bothrge screens on the sides fully disyed my face and focused on my movements. I felt the gaze of the people as I trudged toward the center of the stage. The walk felt quite long, during which the audience''s screams suddenly erupted and didn¡¯t stop.

    I reached the center of the stage and slowly knelt down. A narrator murmured in my stead.? Forever.

    I lowered my head. As the lights that were illuminating me went out, I caught my breath on the floor amidst the cheers. Exmations and voices came from all around. I listened to them for a while before the proceedings for the next performance began, and then I quickly waved my hands to everyone and hurried off the stage in the ckout.

    Running around such arge stage after the incident with the lights was exhausting. If I was this tired after just one song, the other members certainly werepletely drained. I headed back to the dressing room with the staff who came to fetch me and, as expected, the members were there already, sprawled out. They were utterly spent, each holding a hairdryer.

    ¡°Hey, wee.¡±

    ¡°Hey. You guys were awesome even from the back."

    ¡°Nah. You have no idea how much we struggled without you."

    ¡°I realized just how important you are, hyung."

    ¡°The center of the stage waspletely empty."

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    The members mored and asked why I was apologizing. I got overwhelmed by their loud voices, sat down as the stylist instructed, and quietly dried my hair.

    After our performance, we had to wait for a long time. I heard that some artists had already left, but there were still those waiting for a group greeting scheduled toward the end of the festival. Alectroz, who had stayed to mock us and mimic nted eyes even after his performance, was surely one of them.

    During the wait, the team from <em>Again After Rainfall </em>had no specific ns for us. It was an awkward time to schedule anything, so we just walked around the festival with cameras and enjoyed food and games at various booths.

    The festival organizers called us at around 2 AM, well past midnight, to wrap up. At the end of the lively festival, people and artists danced leisurely to a DJ''s mixing. The artists who stayed to be called up all went on stage. It seemed that everyone else knew each other. They mingled and enjoyed themselves, excluding us. It wasn''t that they were excluding us since we were the ones excluding them.

    Well, we also enjoyed ourselves. Songs that one would typically hear in a club flowed from the speakers all around.

    As everyone danced and enjoyed themselves energetically as if they had more energy to spend, I found everything a bit too noisy and was about to cover my ears when Yoon-Chan blocked my view and smiled.

    ¡°Just focus on the beautiful things."

    ¡°What?"

    With that cryptic remark, he slipped behind like Goh Yoo-Joon had done during rehearsal and carefully covered my ears with his palms. Just then, a soft ''boom!'' sound of a firecracker was heard.

    I flinched at the small sound, startled, and quietly looked up at the sky. The lights shot up high and spread across the night sky.

    One, two¡­ another one, so that made it three.

    I watched the spectacr fireworks burst one after another, unable to look away. It was a quiet fireworks disy without any noise from the bursting sounds or people''s voices.

    ¡°¡­Thank you, Yoon-Chan."

    Had I ever seen anything like this before?

    It was so beautiful, and I was so grateful for my member''s thoughtfulness that it moved me deeply. The fireworks marked the end of the long festival, and <em>Again After Rainfall </em>was left only with the after-party.

    ***

    On the day of the festival, we arrived at our amodationste at night. All the members were so exhausted that we immediately fell asleep. That afternoon, we woke up one by one and conducted interviews to conclude the <em>Again After Rainfall</em> project.

    I couldn''t wake up for a while, but I was awakened by Goh Yoo-Joon''s footsteps as always, barely managing to get ready before heading to the interview venue. Fortunately, my mind cleared up just before the interview began.

    <em>- Again After Rainfall</em> shooting has wrapped up. What was the experience like for you?

    ¡°Um, it was really..."

    It had been tough, not just tough, but every single day had been really hard.

    ¡°It was fun. Performing in ces I usually don¡¯t and interacting with the audience was great. And being in unfamiliar ces somehow made it more enjoyable. I also met artists I''ve always admired."

    Although they all had quite unpleasant personalities, surprisingly.

    - You really enjoyed it then.

    ¡°Yes, above all, I was able to take on many challenges and adventures, like performing songs I often sing on broadcasts or songs I would never think to perform in my life."

    - Did any performance stand out to you?

    ¡°For me, the first street performance we did is the most memorable. Thest festival was great too, but there was something about enjoying the performance together with the audience. Having fun dancing and singing was great."

    Following that, questions like ''If you could join <em>Again After Rainfall</em> again, what would you like to try?'' ''Can we expect to hear the track with Callia Lawrence soon?'' ''What segments would you like the viewers to pay special attention to?'' continued. All of them were fairly easy to answer.

    The interview wrapped up smoothly, and just as I was about to leave for the after-party venue, I was quickly caught by the production crew again.

    - Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Yes?"

    - We''ve surprised each of the members we interviewed by telling them this.

    ¡°What is it?"

    - The festival segment from yesterday, specifically thest part where you went on stage, will be broadcast on TV.

    ¡°¡­Oh."

    <em>¡°Really? Why so suddenly? What''s going on?¡¯</em>

    I couldn''t react properly since I was so surprised. I just stared dumbly at the camera and asked, "Really?" one more time. The festival had been a mess, from the rehearsal to the treatment we had received. Thus, I had no expectation of our performance being broadcast on TV at all.

    I just kept wondering,<em> ''Why so out of the blue?¡¯</em>

    The production crew shrugged andughed awkwardly.

    - I can''t tell you the details, but anyway, your stage was so good that it was deemed worth broadcasting. Congrattions.

    ¡°Thank... you..." I numbly expressed my appreciation to the production crew and left the interview venue. It was good news, but it didn¡¯t feel real.

    Usually, things with even a slight possibility happened in reality. An unexpected good thing had happened, but I just couldn''t understand why and absentmindedly returned to the amodation.

    It was only when the members, who had already heard the news from the interviews, came up to me smiling broadly and we all started dancing in a circle that I finally truly embraced the joy I felt. When all the interviews of the cast were finished, avish after-party was prepared at the amodation where Reina was staying. We went to the after-party happily, thinking that the shooting was finallying to an end.

    ***

    Apart from Joo-Han, who was over twenty, the rest of us were still under twenty in the US, so we had our cups filled with fizzy cider. Goh Yoo-Joon and I exchanged looks charged with secret meanings. I was not sure about Goh Yoo-Joon, but at least for today, I really wanted to celebrate with a drink to mark the end of this problematic and eventful shoot!

    We simultaneously turned our gaze away, grabbed food and munched down on it. We let out a bittersweet sigh. It seemed like Goh Yoo-Joon was thinking along the same lines. Neither of us handled alcohol well, though.

    The youngest members, who had never even tasted alcohol, appeared to be having fun eating their favorite dishes. Meanwhile, the adults, including Reina and Callia, had long since started their drinking session.

    I worried about Joo-Han getting drunk and nagging us, but he was surprisingly well-behaved in front of the adults even after drinking. It seemed he could adjust his behavior depending on the people he was around. Ah, hyung¡­

    The adults drank among themselves, and we among ourselves let off steam again.

    ¡°We worked hard.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s visit the US again, just us.¡±

    Although we couldn¡¯t have a rxed conversation this time due to many watchful eyes, we had fun.

    ¡°Ah! Everyone! I have a new song for you! Do you want to listen?¡±

    Our conversation had been quietly ongoing so as not to disturb the adults, but we immediately turned our heads toward Callia. Today, Callia had publicly targeted Alectroz and was the topic of a special news segment as one of America''s most famous celebrities. She now stood in front of us, drunkenly raising her phone high.

    <em>¡®It¡¯s truly an honor-¡¯</em>

    ¡°Kang Joo-Han and I fought every chance we got while making this song!¡±

    ¡°Don''t say it like that! Just call it a musical difference of opinions, okay?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Joo-Han, always nagging!¡±

    Callia made a face as if she was tired of hearing Joo-Han and mimicked digging at her ears. After having worked on the song together for a while, it appeared Callia had also endured plenty of Joo-Han¡¯s lectures.

    ¡°Anyway, listen to this!¡±

    Before Callia could y the music, a somewhat tipsy Joo-Han chimed in. ¡°Just so you know! This is not our title track!¡±

    ¡°SHIT! Shut up, Joo-Han! Just listen to this, guys!¡±

    <em>¡®How did they even manage to work on the song together when they act like this?¡¯</em>

    Nevertheless, Callia yed the song on her phone. Everyone briefly paused their conversations to listen to the song she and Joo-Han had worked on together. This part would probably be edited out or oveid with different music when broadcast.

    It was indeed a song by Callia and Joo-Han. Callia had nearly finished the song, and Joo-Han had added his touches to it. I thought it couldn''t possibly be bad, and I was indeed impressed by how perfectly it captured thetest trends and emotions from the very beginning.

    At first, I was so enamored that I just kept listening with admiration. My second thought was, ¡®They must have made a lot ofpromises with each other during the creative process.¡¯

    How could their individual musical styles be so evenly mixed? Even though they fought so much, it seemed their musical tastes actually matched well.

    ¡°But we are not releasing this as the title track? Can there be anything better than this?¡±

    ¡°I know, right? This is so good! It would be such a shame if it¡¯s not the title.¡±

    When I said this, Joo-Han shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s going to be released as a digital single featuring Callia Lawrence. We can¡¯t just bury it, but it¡¯s not suitable as the title track for our first full album. Don¡¯t you want just our members'' voices in that?¡±

    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said. ¡°Are you saying that this song could still get plenty of attention as a digital single?¡±

    Joo-Han nodded and continued, ¡°Maybe it will even get a music video. The title has already been set with a concept in mind for a long time, so it doesn¡¯t match with this song.¡±

    We ended the conversation there before it could go into any more detail.

    Joo-Han casually looked at Callia and asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you had something to tell us, Callia?¡±

    Callia had been happily chatting with Reina, but she paused with her face slightly dropping and slowly stood up.

    ¡°Reina and unnies, I will be back. I just need to talk to the boys for a bit.¡±

    ¡°Eh? Go ahead.¡±

    Reina graciously let Callia go. Callia sat in front of us, her face very red.

    ¡°Uh... Umm¡­ Hi...?" Jin-Sung greeted her, flustered.

    ¡°Do you want a drink?" An even more flustered Callia offered alcohol to the minors.

    ¡°No, no, no, no..."

    We were shocked and simultaneously waved our hands. Callia btedly realized her foolish action. She put down the bottle.

    ¡°What did you want to say?" I asked Joo-Han while ncing at him.

    Joo-Han spoke to Callia in a gentle voice, ¡°Callia, you can take your time to say what you promised me."

    ¡°That''s okay! Guys, I''m sorry."

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°I arrivedte and misunderstood things when we first met, and was very rude overall back then. I''m sorry."

    ¡°Ah, we..."

    Of course, we had been quite upset back then, but Callia was too high-profile. Therefore, we were happy being only half-resigned about what had happened. I didn¡¯t expect her to actually apologize to us.

    ¡°I didn''t realize how rude my behavior was until Joo-Han pointed it out during our song coboration. Our rtionship shouldn¡¯t be unbnced because I didn¡¯t show you the same amount of respect you showed me. I''m really sorry."

    Ah, so Callia had also been subjected to Joo-Han''s etiquette training.

    ¡°Ah... Joo-Han hyung..."

    Jin-Sung immediately picked up on Joo-Han¡¯s lectures and sighed without realizing. We somewhat relieved our dissatisfaction and epted Callia''s sincere apology.

    With the atmosphere slightly eased, we listened to Callia and Joo-Han discuss how working together had been like for them. Jin-Sung asked me and Yoon-Chan to trante because he couldn''t understand half of what was being said. Then, we continued to share stories among ourselves as the after-party wound down.

    ¡°We will now conclude the shooting of <em>Again After Rainfall!"</em>

    ¡°Yaaaaay!!!"

    Toward the end of the after-party, the director¡¯s booming and refreshing voice rang out along with the pperboard signaling the end of shooting for<em> Again After Rainfall</em>. It was now time for an after-party with all the production staff involved.

    Everyone talked until dawn by sharing how much they had struggled.

    The next day, we were still groggy, but boarded the bus to the airport to catch our flight back to Korea.

 Chapter 264: Again After Rainfall (40)

    Chapter 264: Again After Rainfall (40)

    Because the after-partysted untilte at night, I was extremely tired. All the members slept on the way to the airport. Considering my state during the transfer to the US-bound flight, being asleep was rather fortunate from my perspective.

    However, contrary to my n to remain exhausted, anxiety and fear prevailed over my sleepiness as we got closer to the airport. My mind became muddled. I couldn¡¯t hide my difort, and breathing became difficult. If I didn¡¯t deliberately inhale deeply, I felt as if I would suffocate and die. Thus, I kept taking deep breaths.

    Jin-Sung noticed my unnatural breathing. He closed the window curtain and handed me a bottle of water with a concerned look. ¡°Hyung, you seem ufortable. Should I get you some water? It might help."

    I shook my head to indicate I was okay and pushed the bottle away. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can drink it. I will try a bitter... I just need to hold on until I can take my medicine and fall asleep..." I muttered in a voice only Jin-Sung could hear.

    He pursed his lips, nodded, and continued to rub my back to soothe me until we reached the airport.

    <em>¡°Sigh¡­¡± </em>

    <em>¡®What¡¯s making me so anxious? I''ve done this before. Nothing happened. It was over quickly when I slept through it. So, why?¡¯</em>

    My thoughts always returned to that day. I could vividly remember thest moments before going back in time, that booming sound ending everything abruptly.

    Joo-Han noticed the state I was in and looked at me through the rearview mirror. ¡°Hyun-Woo, we are almost there. Just hang on a bit longer."All the members looked at me.

    ¡°It¡¯s serious. Hyung, he¡¯s having a hard time breathing," Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    Su-Hwan passed him something. ¡°I thought this might help," he said.

    It was a portable oxygen can often used during concerts or long performances. It was passed hand to hand among the members and ended up in Jin-Sung¡¯s palms, who then showed it to me.

    ¡°Hyung, do you want to use this?"

    ¡°¡­I really am a burden. I am so sorry..."

    ¡°Ah,e on, hyung! You¡¯re not a burden. We¡¯re family."

    Jin-Sung didn¡¯t want to hear me apologize over and over again, so he forcibly covered my mouth and nose with the oxygen mask.

    Maybe that calmed my breathing a bit. However, I still felt anxious because of my racing heart, so I tried to find some relief from the small oxygen can and the members looking out for me. Shortly after, we arrived at the airport. Yoon-Chan naturally came to my side.

    Actually, all the members and staff gathered around me. It was indeed fortunate that there were fewer onlookers waiting at the American airport. Though I had a fear of flying, the fear of the people I had faced before was absent today.

    Still, the fear of flying was so intense that my mind started to malfunction even while waiting for our check-in. The trembling was so severe that I just grabbed the shirt of a member or staff in front of me and shook it slightly.

    My anxiety peaked, and my voice trembled as I asked, ¡°Can I just take my medicine now?"

    <em>¡®What if I get on the ne and the medicine administration is dyed, and it takes off before I fall asleep?¡¯ </em>

    Goh Yoo-Joon reassured me and held my shoulder. ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, you don¡¯t need to take your medicine now. You will fall asleep before the ne takes off. It¡¯s okay."

    Yoon-Chan spoke up. ¡°Hyung, maybe you should rest somewhere quiet for a bit. Su-Hwan hyung, Hyun-Woo''s turning pale like that time. He is having a panic attack¡ª"

    ¡°Hyung, you are sweating."

    ¡°How much time do we have until the flight?"

    ¡°You should wait for now. It¡¯s okay to take the medicine. There are two of them, one for when the symptoms start¡ª"

    ¡°I will take care of it."

    ¡°After checking in the luggage¡ª"

    I was led by perhaps a member, and I found myself sitting in a chair with something along with water in my hand. But I couldn¡¯t tell what it was. I grabbed someone nearby and asked. ¡°Hyung, how long do I have to wait? Can I take the medicine?"

    I didn''t want to board the ne.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you listening to me properly? You have the medicine in your hand."

    ¡°He was like this when we came from Korea, too. His symptoms are worse now. He probably has difficulty recognizing us right now. Are you okay, Suh Hyun-Woo? Let¡¯s just give him what he¡¯s asking for, Joo-Han hyung."

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, lower your voice. Hyun-Woo, you have the medicine in your hand."

    ¡°Oh? In my hand¡ª"

    Ah, I had the pill in my hand. I had been warned not to rely too much on medication, but the mere fact that I had the medicine in my hand instantly washed over me with a sense of relief.

    ¡°I''m sorry."

    ¡°As long as you feel even a little better, that''s good enough."

    After taking the pill and being surrounded and cared for by the members and staff, I was finally able to get a sleeping pill only after boarding the ne.

    Yoon-Chan was sitting next to me and worriedly asking me various questions. ¡°Hyung, aren''t you hungry?"

    ¡°No, I''m okay. Eating now would just make me ufortable."

    ¡°Is it easier for you to breathe now?"

    ¡°Yes."

    After assuring him that I was okay, I closed my eyes that were already heavy with sleepiness.

    ¡°Hyung, see you in a bit. Sleep well," Yoon-Chan told me.

    I remembered thinking how kind he was even in those moments. When I woke up, the ne had alreadynded in Korea.

    ***

    Unlike in the US, a lot of Rings were waiting for us in Korea. The area was as heated as the concert venue. Both I and the other members were quite shocked and overwhelmed.

    However, I was still half-asleep at that point, and someer I found out it was Goh Yoo-Joon¡ªhanded me earphones, which I plugged into my phone and listened to music as a first line of defense.

    Someone else handed me an oversized hoodie with a deep hood, which was Jin-Sung¡¯s. I pulled the hood low over my head and bowed deeply as I was almost dragged by the members out. It had been the same when we first arrived in the US. Apparently, being asleep somewhat diminished the fear.

    On the ride back to our dorm, I messaged my parents that I had returned to Korea safely and then fell asleep again. During the first day back in Korea, the members and I spent the entire day asleep, and we were given a break to recover the next day as well.

    ***

    Daytime at the dormitory was unusually quiet. The other members, who usually spent their days leisurely at home during free time, had taken the opportunity to visit their homes and were not nning to return until evening.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I were left to our own devices, aimlessly roaming the dorm. During our trainee days, such moments would typically find us heading to my home. However, today was not suitable for such a visit. My own circumstances aside, it was a particrly busy day for my parents, so it was impossible for me to drop by even though I wished to.

    So¡­

    ¡°Did you know there¡¯s a new water balloon game for mobile phones?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked as he handed me my phone, which I had left on the couch.

    ¡°No, I had no idea it was avable on mobile now."

    ¡°Download it. Let¡¯s y."

    Without much else to do to upy the time, I installed the game and we began ying side by side on the couch.

    "The UI[1] feels a bit clunky.¡±

    ¡°I know, right? It moves on its own when you try to navigate through the game.¡±

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Ah, Suh Hyun-Woo, you said it¡¯s ufortable. Try not to tryhard too much," Goh Yoo-Joon teased.

    Following Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯sstment, we yed in silence for a while. After several rounds, Goh Yoo-Joon, who typically did not get upset even when losing continuously, spoke up in a calm voice. ¡°Umm, the day you copsed in the US¡­"

    ¡°Yeah, what about it?¡±

    ¡°Was it because of that lighting ident from before?"

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you going to ask that over a drinkter?"

    ¡°Ah," he paused, surprised. His in-game character halted momentarily before he resumed the chase as I pressed on. ¡°I didn¡¯t need a drink for that. I just wanted to ask when it was just us."

    I realized then why he had been so quiet¡ªhe had been waiting to bring this up. Despite being more socially adept than me, Goh Yoo-Joon often showed his concerns in unexpected ways.

    ¡°Yeah. I''m not entirely sure, though."

    I turned away from him to change the subject. His character stopped again, so I naturally leaned back against him to show I wasn¡¯t upset. It was a familiar gesture from our days as close-knit trainees.

    Lately, I noticed that, like the other members, I had been subjected to Goh Yoo-Joon''s concerns quite frequently. I spent the day under his watchful and concerned gaze and asionally wondered what he used to think of me before we went back in time. I had avoided exploring these thoughts as I feared they would only bring guilt.

    ¡°Hey."

    ¡°What? Don¡¯t say that I suck at this. I am slowly trying to improve."

    ¡°No, not that. I was wondering, what would you feel if I suddenly got hurt or died?" I deliberately asked in a casual tone to make it seem like it was nothing important.

    ¡°What are you talking about? I wouldn¡¯t be able to live without you, dude.¡±

    Damn. My casual approach prompted an equally light response.

    ¡°No, seriously, think about it."

    ¡°I <em>am </em>serious. I can¡¯t live without you. That¡¯s what I said."

    ¡°Are you really my friend? Be serious¡ª"

    ¡°Why on earth would you ask that?" Goh Yoo-Joon snatched the phone from my hand, frustrated. My head, which had been resting on his shoulder, slid off.

    ¡°Why did you take my phone away?"

    ¡°I answered seriously. How am I supposed to keep on going if you suddenly aren¡¯t around anymore? I was serious, but you aren¡¯t listening. You were just focusing on the game."

    ¡°¡­Oh, really?"

    His face flushed with either anger or shock. He questioned why I would bring up such a topic.

    ¡°Ah, I was just asking."

    ¡°If you ask Joo-Han hyung, he will react the same way, you bastard. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan would have cried if you asked them this."

    It seemed my approach hadn''t been serious enough. Given the recent events and our visible mental and physical strain, my casual remarks had evidently struck a chord with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Just so you know, I have no ns of dying. That¡¯s not what I meant."

    ¡°Ah,e on."

    ¡°I mean it."

    ¡°Fuck¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you cursing now?"

    ¡°No, if you are going through something, you should tell me. I¡¯m your friend, and I¡¯m the only friend you have here."

    What the heck? What is the point of bringing up the fact that I don¡¯t have that many friends?

    I stood up, bewildered. Goh Yoo-Joon was smirking. I patted him on the shoulder ¡°I understand, I know how you feel."

    I had juste to realize the real feelings of both this timeline¡¯s Goh Yoo-Joon and that of his past self. Despite everything, I had never been entirely alone, neither now nor then. Bringing up this topic revealed how deeply he had cared about me and suffered in the previous timeline.

    <em>¡®¡­I''m sorry about that.¡¯</em>

    "Thank you. Sorry for bringing up something weird. If anything is up, I will definitely tell you. I¡¯m going to work now.¡±

    Before the atmosphere could be more ufortable, I ended the conversation and headed to Joo-Han¡¯s room to work on the soundtrack.

    1. User Interface is the design andyout of the screens and controls that a yer interacts with while ying the game. ?

 Chapter 265: First Full Album (1)

    Chapter 265: First Full Album (1)

    In the YMM Entertainment conference room, our fatigue from a prolonged business trip to the US lingered despite one day of rest. However, work awaited us. Preparation for the first full album of a rapidly rising group had been methodically progressing. Now it was time to experience the final product with my own ears and eyes.

    ¡°The title track is called ¡®Phantom Spirit.¡¯ It¡¯s a serene and darkposition. Let''s give it a listen first," said Supervisor Kim. He signaled to Hye-Ri, who then yed the song.

    <em>¡®...¡¯</em>

    As soon as the song started, I could tell this wasn¡¯t a pop hit like ¡°Joy.¡± Instead, it was a concept track likely to appeal to those who were either fans of idols or had some interest in KPOP. It was a niche song akin to ¡°Chronos¡± or ¡°Parade,¡± rather than ¡°Blue Room Party¡± or ¡°Joy.¡±

    However, it was more to my taste than any song we had worked on before, and I loved it.

    ¡°Is this the final choice?"

    ¡°Yes. We decided while you were away. I¡¯m sorry."

    ¡°Oh, no, it''s okay."

    I realized that, since Joo-Han''spositions were not listed as candidates as usual, this album wouldrgely be shaped by thepany¡¯s decisions rather than ours. After all, the first full album of Chronos was not only crucial for us. It was also a significant release for YMM.¡°Here¡¯s the dance part... Hyun-Woo, you will hit the high notes in this part."

    ¡°Wow."

    Supervisor Kim continued to describe key points of the song as it yed.

    ¡°We''re nearly done with the choreography concept. We are just waiting to finalize the parts."

    ¡°But, Supervisor, does this track also fit into the Chronos universe?" Jin-Sung asked.

    Supervisor Kim paused, smiled broadly, and nodded. ¡°Yes, it''s a highlight of your first saga."

    ¡°...So there¡¯s multiple universes?"

    ¡°Jin-Sung, if we stick to one narrative, we can''t experiment with various concepts. This title is the highlight, and the following songs will serve as an epilogue."

    ¡°Oh, I had no idea we were working with such a well-defined concept."

    ¡°Speaking of which, could you exin the story to us?"

    ¡°The story? Oh, you mean for the music video?"

    Our writer, whom we affectionately call the Assistant, shared the overarching narrative of the album. ¡°Throughout several iterations, the protagonist has changed. It was Joo-Han in ¡®Joy,¡¯ and Jin-Sung in ¡®Parade.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Oh, <em>I</em> was the protagonist in ¡®Joy?¡¯" Joo-Han asked.

    Supervisor Kim chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m sure I told you."

    Goh Yoo-Joon couldn¡¯t help but interject incredulously. ¡°You probably didn¡¯t even realize how much screen time you had in the music video, right? Isn¡¯t that right, Mr. Joo-Han?...Ouch!"

    Joo-Han yfully smacked Goh Yoo-Joon on the back and told him to quiet down. ¡°You¡¯re annoying."

    ¡°Anyway, the protagonist of the first full album¡¯s title song is Hyun-Woo."

    Jin-Sung wiggled excitedly in his chair. ¡°Oooh, are we finally going to uncover Hyun-Woo''s secrets?"

    <em>¡®I¡¯m the main character?¡¯ </em>Considering the number of hints about Goh Yoo-Joon in thest music video, I had thought he would be the next lead. It seemed the story was advancing to highlight me sooner than anticipated.

    The writer provided detailed exnations about the storyline. "Hyun-Woo''s secrets will be revealed. While previous albums focused more on the members in the fantasy realm, this time the narrative will revolve around those set in the modern world."

    We didn''t know much about the story until now and could only guess it would be something like this from the music video storyboard. Thus, everyone was surprised, listening with wide-eyed astonishment while the writer described the details and twists of the story.

    ¡°Just keep one thing in mind," Supervisor Kim said as the discussion wrapped up. ¡°The music video''s plot is also being nned based on this story, and the choreography will be designed to match it. However, it won''t be too tightly aligned with the world of the story. It will be prepared with choreography that you all will like, so don''t worry."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°How much of the choreography is done?" I asked.

    Supervisor Kim shook his head since he was unsure. ¡°Apart from therge formation, it''s sporadic, and it can only bepleted once the individual parts have been decided on. You guys, ah, right, the parts. Before we start recording, we will decide on the parts after consulting with Producer Do."

    Jin-Sung hesitantly raised his hand. ¡°Umm, supervisor?"

    ¡°Yeah, Jin-Sung, go ahead."

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking for a bit... Could I just rap on this track?"

    ¡°Just rap?"

    ¡°Yes."

    Jin-Sung hesitantly proposed his idea, but his desire to focus solely on rapping seemed firmly nted.

    ¡°Why now? Joo-Han, has he always had a passion for rap?"

    ¡°Oh,tely Jin-Sung has been into Kim Jin-Wook."

    ¡°Ah."

    ¡°Ah, hyung!"

    Joo-Hanughed. Recently, Jin-Sung''s love for Kim Jin-Wook had been growing. It started with ¡°Once Again,¡± when he admired Kim Jin-Wook''s rapping and even got his phone number. Now, it seemed he wanted to switch to being a rapper like Kim Jin-Wook.

    Jin-Sung was teased by Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Supervisor Kim. He pouted and looked at me. You are so lucky to be best friends with Jin-Wook hyung.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­¡±

    ¡®<em>Best friends? That¡¯s ridiculous. How can we be best friends when we don¡¯t actually interact?¡¯ </em>

    Right now, the only best friend I had in this situation was Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Jin-Sung, do you want to take over as Jin-Wook hyung''s best friend?"

    ¡°Really? Nah¡­ But what if it''s too much for him?" Jin-Sung replied, clearly overwhelmed. I couldn''t help but chuckle at his fan-struck expression before I turned away.

    Supervisor Kimughed heartily and flipped through his notebook before shifting the conversation. ¡°Let''s wrap up the concept discussion here and talk about the direction of your schedule. We focused quite a bit on individual activities during ourst song promotion.¡±

    ¡°Yes," we agreed.

    ¡°But the seeds we nted then didn''t wither. They''ve borne fruit, Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, I¡¯ve secured an audition for a drama role for you."

    ¡°¡­Really?"

    ¡°You wanted to act, right? Didn¡¯t you tell that to Su-Hwan?"

    ¡°Well, I do, but¡­ I''m focusing on team activities right now..." Yoon-Chan spoke quietly, ncing at the other members.

    Supervisor Kim nodded, understandingly smiling. ¡°It¡¯s good to focus on team activities, but the other members are already gaining poprity with their individual ventures, you know? Yoo-Joon is also about to release a soundtrack. I think it''s time for you to do something too, so I grabbed this opportunity for you."

    Refusal wasn¡¯t an option. The schedule was already set, and Yoon-Chan had toply, albeit passively.

    It was actually better to schedule Yoon-Chan''s actingmitments this way. He wouldn¡¯t bring up wanting to act unless we truly became big enough to hit the Billboard charts with Joo-Han''s songs.

    ¡°It turned out well for Yoon-Chan."

    When I brought it up, the other members also stepped in to encourage Yoon-Chan.

    Yoon-Chan finally smiled and murmured quietly to Su-Hwan, ¡°Hyung, thank you."

    ¡°No problem!¡±

    ¡°Oh~ how heartwarming~" Supervisor Kim mimicked a speech style older than his age, then he flipped another page in his notebook. ¡°And how are the songs going, Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°I''ve already finished mine,¡± Joo-Han replied. ¡°I will send it when I return to the dorm today."

    ¡°And Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m still..."

    I hadn¡¯t finished yet. Until yesterday, I had been frequently visiting Joo-Han¡¯s room and Producer Do¡¯s studio, working hard since it was my first time doing something like this. That was why things were going slower than expected.

    ¡°I¡¯m not done yet. Please give me about an extra week."

    ¡°Can you do it? Should I ask Producer Do to help you out?"

    ¡°Ah, no. It''s almost done. I will try to speed things up."

    ¡°I will help you. It will take about three days." Joo-Han put his hand on my shoulder and spoke.

    ¡°Okay. With Joo-Han and Producer Do around, it will be a great song."

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to make you wait."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, since this is your first time, don¡¯t rush and take it easy."

    ¡°Yes, Supervisor."

    Supervisor Kim¡¯s notebook finally closed after he kept flipping through it non-stop. ¡°Shall we wrap up here? Let¡¯s finish distributing the parts quickly and ensure the schedule is not dyed. Su-Hwan, can you talk to the broadcast station about the schedule and see if we can book a group variety show?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°Oh, please do. Then, let¡¯s call it a day!"

    The first meeting for the first full album had concluded.

    ***

    After the meeting ended, the members immediately returned to the dorm and copsed on their beds. The fatigue hadn¡¯t worn off yet, and they were still groggy from being dragged to the meeting room, so they were quite sleepy.

    I, who usually slept the most, was ironically kept awake by worries about my song being dyed, so I started working in Joo-Han¡¯s room after asking for his understanding. I frantically locked myself in the room for over five hours, but I realized that I wouldn¡¯t be able to finish today given that I couldn¡¯t focus properly, and eventually closed the program.

    I sent three songs that resulted from my work to Joo-Han and Kim Jin-Wook.

    Attached files:

    Hyung.mp

    Which_Version_Do_You_Like.mp

    Anything_You_Want_To_Eat.mp

    Joo-Han could be in a meeting with Producer Do, and Kim Jin-Wook tended to work at dawn, so he could be asleep.

    <em>Ding!</em>

    ¡­¡­The reply arrived immediately.

    Attached file:

    [Anything_You_Want_To_Eat.mp4]

    Content: Coffee

    It seemed thest file was the best, ording to Kim Jin-Wook.

    - Thank you.

    (Coffee shop gift card.jpg)

    I sent the reply and left Joo-Han¡¯s room for my bed.

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡­ ah¡­¡­¡±

    A groan naturally escaped my lips. I was so sleepy by that point that I almost crawled into bed andy face down. I was about to fall asleep when¡­

    ¡°...Huh?¡±

    I sniffed, my face buried in the pillow.

    <em>¡®What is this?¡¯</em>

    A strange scent came from the pillow. It wasn¡¯t that of fabric softener, but unmistakably that of a perfume. However, it was different from any fragrance our members used as it was distinctly feminine.

    I suddenly felt uneasy, so I inspected the pillow more closely. I ran my hand over its in surface and nced around the head of the bed. That was when I spotted something startling.

    ¡°Hair..."

    But it was long, very long, and brown in color. How long did it take me to realize what happened?

    In an instant, I got goosebumps, rendering me speechless from shock. Such hair couldn¡¯t possibly belong to any of the members. It was long, seemingly a woman¡¯s hair, clinging to my pillow. This indicated that someone had stealthily entered our house, this room, my bed, during our absence.[1]

    1. OH MY GOSH!!!!! Obsessive fans are on a different level in Korea. They invade the privacy of celebrities, often going to extreme lengths to follow, watch, or interact with their idols, sometimes engaging in behavior that is considered stalking or even harassment. I used to be a big fan of EXO (a KPOP boy group), and they were suffering so much from such people. ?

 Chapter 266: First Full Album (2)

    Chapter 266: First Full Album (2)

    I remained frozen for quite some time, holding a strand of unidentifiable hair. Eventually, I got up, ced the hair on the nightstand, and walked toward the bed where Goh Yoo-Joon was sleeping.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, just a moment."

    ¡°...Uh..."

    ¡°Just move your head a bit."

    When I pulled the end of Yoo-Joon''s pillow and smelled it, it indeed had the same faint perfume scent as the one on my own pillow.

    ¡°Huh?"

    From that moment, I began to thoroughly search every corner of the room. Having been an outsider rather than an idol for a long time beforeing back in time, I was able to view the situation objectively.

    <em>''It¡¯s not gonna happen to us.''</em> turned into<em> ''It could happen to us too.'' </em>I realized that we could also have stalkers attempt to break into our house.

    Compared to idols living in high-security luxury apartments, our ce was just a nearbypany-provided housing. It was merely a bitrger than our first amodation and bathed in sunlight very often. Security was extremelyx.Thepany had promised to move us to a better ce soon, but anyone could potentially break in for now. While rummaging through every drawer and the gifts from fans, I searched for any sign of the stalker.

    ¡°...What is this?"

    The original stuff inside my drawer was gone¡ªit appeared to have been stolen¡ªand inside were two photographs and a sticky note.

    ¡°...¡±

    This was scary. I felt like I was in a thriller film.

    The first photo was an altered Proid of me and an unknown woman posing affectionately as if we were a couple. The blending of light and dark made it clear it was edited, but it was a photo that could easily be mistaken for being real.

    And the second photo was¡­

    ¡°Insane."

    The second was a photo of me and Goh Yoo-Joon, also edited, but this one was explicit enough to cause an outburst. Among fans, this would be called ''real people fiction''[1]

    ¡°I didn''t even look for this, but here I am seeing it with my own two eyes."

    I knew which members were often paired up in fans¡¯ eyes, but I had been tantly ignoring that.

    The sticky note read:

    [Oppa, who do you like more between me and Yoo-Joon hyung? I like you and love YooHyun[2] ?????]

    <em>¡°...Sigh."</em>

    I felt my blood pressure rise rapidly. I put these items along with the hair on the bed and searched the room again, just in case there was a camera installed in the room. But, considering how small cameras were these days, it was hard to detect if there were any with the naked eye.

    The more I searched, the more I sighed. After thoroughly inspecting our dorm, I contacted Su-Hwan and woke up the members.

    ***

    Our seniors Allure had been troubled by stalkers before. I heard that, even recently, there were persistent stalkers bothering them during their tour.

    It was definitely serious when their hit song first exploded in poprity and their fame skyrocketed. Not only did stalkers visit their ce, but they also sneaked into bathrooms to film, bought ne tickets to sit next to them, and sent texts and calls to their personal phones. Sae-Yeon had fainted from overwork during that time and had seriously considered quitting.

    Thus, the YMM Chronos team staff panicked and rushed to our dorm when I said, "It seems someone broke into our ce," having once been harshly affected by a simr situation.

    ¡°What''s going on..."

    Supervisor Kim called apany to search the entire dorm for hidden cameras and checked the members'' phones and belongings. Thepany found a hidden camera in each room, and even signs that someone had tampered with Joo-Han''sputer and stolen Yoon-Chan''s belongings.

    As the unexpected situation unfolded, the half-asleep members grew increasingly pale at the sight of cameras and traces that someone else had been here.

    ¡°I don''t want to stay here anymore..." Jin-Sung anxiously said. He was clinging to Yoon-Chan''s shoulder.

    While Supervisor Kim and the staff stepped out to discuss with thepany, Su-Hwan and the members gathered in the living room and discussed with worry in their voices.

    ¡°I''m really pissed. What is this?" Goh Yoo-Joon frowned bitterly while looking at the edited photos of him and covered them up. It was too unpleasant to look at them for more than a second.

    ¡°Ah, now that I think about it," Yoon-Chan said, prompting everyone to look in his direction, ¡°I did a live Q&A with Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Yeah, we did," Jin-Sung added.

    After we finished shooting <em>Again After Rainfall</em>, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung had conducted a live broadcast as representatives of Chronos shortly after returning to Korea. The rest of us had been too busy working to watch it.

    ¡°After the live ended, I checked my phone and saw that I had several missed calls."

    ¡°Did you tell Su-Hwan hyung about that?"

    ¡°No, I thought it was just a scam... But now that I think about it, it might be rted to this."

    Spending time as a third party, not as an idol, allowed me to have quicker objective judgment than normal. The multiple calls received during the live were probably to confirm whether the number the stalkers had obtained was indeed Yoon-Chan''s.

    Luckily, Yoon-Chan had left his phone elsewhere. If his phone had rung during the live or if he had looked at his phone even once, he would have kept receiving calls or messages. Yoon-Chan''s phone number would have been traded among stalkers.

    Unlike me, who knew the pain the Allure had gone through and how much their past apprentices struggled with stalkers, this was Yoon-Chan''s first time facing something like this. Therefore, he might have dismissed the possibility that something was off about receiving phone calls from unknown numbers.

    Su-Hwan said, ¡°Yoon-Chan, if you still have that number, please let me know. I will look into it."

    ¡°Ah! Yes, it should still be in my call history." Yoon-Chan hurriedly went to his room to retrieve his phone.

    ¡°Hmm... Suh Hyun-Woo, don''t these characters look awkward?"

    ¡°Hmm?"

    ¡°The shape of the characters and the fact that only this part is written in English."

    ¡°...That''s true."

    [Oppa, who do you like more between me and Yoo-Joon hyung? I like you and love YooHyun ?????]

    The characters seemed more drawn than written. The name YooHyun was in English, for some reason. The sentence structure seemed awkward.

    ¡°Did a foreigner write this?"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, could you show me that sticky note for a moment?"

    As Su-Hwan heard our conversation, he took the sticky note, rolled his eyes, and left the dorm with a serious expression.

    ¡°What? Why is he surprised?¡±

    ¡°Gosh... Guys, look at this." Jin-Sung handed me his phone. There was an anonymous post on <em>BlueBird.</em>

    Transaction @jdbdnixe94dscv635 ¡¤ 1 day ago

    Selling information

    No exchange, sale /o/qjawhlek

    Chronos new dorm+interior photos

    Chronos Goh Yoo-Joon num(75)+qqt

    Chronos Suh Hyun-Woo qqt

    Chronos Kang Joo-Han num(28)+qqt

    Chronos Lee Jin-Sung qqt

    Chronos Park Yoon-Chan qqt

    Chronos Suh Hyun-Woo''s sister <em>Stargram</em>

    High Tension Woo Ji-Hyuk num+qqt

    Allure Kim Da-Win current girlfriend <em>Stargram</em>

    #stalker #infoforsale #chronos #hightension #allure

    *num=phone number, qqt=<em>PapaoTalk</em>

    75 =st digits of Goh Yoo-Joon''s number

    28 =st digits of Kang Joo-Han''s number

    ¡°..."

    Everyone fell silent. The so-called information sales post was just one of many recent posts, but they were selling not only our information, but also private information of many groups we were connected with.

    ¡°What the heck is this? Num, qqt? What are these?"

    ¡°I don''t know. They¡¯re their own terms, so who knows. But 75 looks like thest digits of your number."

    My throat became dry. My information was one thing, but why was my sister¡¯s social media information there? Since my sister was actually on <em>Stagram</em>, I couldn¡¯t ignore this.

    ¡°What are you guys talking about?"

    At that moment, Joo-Han returned with our staff after discussing with Su-Hwan. We stopped talking and looked at them anxiously.

    Joo-Han spoke with an unusually serious expression. ¡°It seems thepany already has some idea about the identity of the person who broke in."

    ¡°Already?" I asked.

    Joo-Han shook his head. ¡°Not just based on the evidence left behind at the dorm, but there have been issues rted to stalkers among the Rings while we were in the US filming. There was someone who openly said they''de to our ce."

    But why didn''t YMM tell us? Typical YMM, always very slow to act. They probably dismissed it as a rumor or didn''t tell us considering our activities with the US filming andeback preparations.

    We just nodded without answering.

    Su-Hwan added, ¡°We believe the perpetrator is an overseas stalker. Supervisor Kim said that ''from their actions, we can even tell which country they are from,'' so we should be able to find them soon. We will need to discuss further how to handle this, but we will need to hold another meeting to decide how to handle this. I¡¯m sorry. Could you please wait a bit?¡±

    ¡°...Alright. We trust you, hyung.¡±

    We didn''t trust YMM, but we did trust that Su-Hwan wouldn''t handle it poorly like otherpanies or YMM. He would definitely take proper action.

    Jin-Sung handed over his phone. ¡°But, Su-Hwan hyung, is the stalker the same person who wrote this post?"

    Jin-Sung¡¯s phone screen seemed to disy the information from the trading post he had shown us earlier.

    ¡°Huh?" After examining Jin-Sung¡¯s screen, Su-Hwan frowned and soon became serious again. ¡°¡­No. This doesn''t seem to be the same person."

    The Korean seemed too fluent for an overseas stalker who made an effort to keep their ount from being found easily, and the open chat room was targeted at Korean stalkers.

    Su-Hwan looked at the ount and scrolled through it. ¡°The dorm address was first traded yesterday, and Joo-Han''s number has been up here for a while, before this became an issue¡­ It almost coincides with the first time we issued him a phone."

    Joo-Han tilted his head. ¡°I''ve never answered calls from anyone but people I know. How did they find out what my phone number is?"

    It was the same for us. Not just Joo-Han, but none of us answered calls or texts from anyone other thanpany employees, family, acquaintances, and fellow members. Yet, information was being confidently sold.

    The 75 that seemed to denote Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s number really were thest digits of his number, and 28 were indeed thest digits of Joo-Han¡¯s number. My sister was indeed using <em>Stagram</em>. Therefore, the seller couldn''t just be dismissed as a fraud.

    While listening to the members'' conversation and looking at the trading post, doubts began to creep in.

    ¡°Maybe¡­" Su-Hwan and the members'' intense gazes focused on me. ¡°If Joo-Han hyung¡¯s phone number has been circting since right after its activation, shouldn''t we also suspect the people from our staff?"

    ¡°¡­Ah, hyung. That''s¡­" Jin-Sung tried to speak but stopped at Joo-Han hyung¡¯s gesture.

    I continued. ¡°The dorm address was known right after we moved. We shouldn''t avoid suspecting everyone. The Chronos team staff has increased recently."

    Why try to suspect people on our side? I didn''t want to investigate them either, but I''ve seen the personal information of many idols leaked by some of the staff quite often during my days as a trainer.

    1. This is a genre of fan fiction where actual people, rather than fictional characters, are depicted in fictional scenarios. In the world of fandom, it particrly applies to fan-created stories or artwork that involve celebrities or public figures, often in highly imaginative or spective situations. It is often referred as ¡®RPF.¡¯ ?

    2. Must be the ship name of Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo. ?

 Chapter 267: First Full Album (3)

    Chapter 267: First Full Album (3)

    ¡°I''m sorry if I¡¯m being unnecessarily suspicious, but please check it anyway. I''ve heard that these cases are surprisinglymon."

    ¡°Yeah, Hyun-Woo is right. There has been an increase in staff for the Chronos team recently, and I can''t be certain that everyone is innocent."

    In the otherwise quiet living room, Su-Hwan put a strand of hair, photos, and the sticky note into an envelope and stood up.

    ¡°All the cameras have been removed now, so you can rest easy. Thepany we called today is trustworthy enough to be called on every single tour for Allure."

    ¡°But how can we rest easy..."

    Since cameras had also been found in the room of the youngest members, Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung seemed very anxious and would not let go of Su-Hwan.

    ¡°Can we just sleep in our practice room?"

    ¡°We will move you to a better ce soon. That ce will have good security," Su-Hwan said resolutely. He seemed troubled.

    ¡°But, for now..."¡°I¡¯m sorry. We know you are concerned because we didn''t handle this situation well, but please, believe me, the amodation you live in right now is really safe. For the time being, the staff will take turns staying here even if you leave the amodation."

    ¡°Right, okay,¡± Joo-Han said, patting Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan on their backs. ¡°I checked all over the ce earlier. Even under the toilet seat. There are no cameras now, it''s really okay." He signaled to Su-Hwan. ¡°You can go now, hyung. Hyun-Woo and I will take care of the other members. You are busy, so don¡¯t worry too much about us."

    ¡°Ah, okay. Please take care of them. Call me if anythinges up."

    Joo-Han nodded. Su-Hwan left the amodation, looking worried.

    ***

    ¡°If you guys are that scared, shall we all sleep in the living room together tonight?"

    ¡°All together? Oh!"

    ¡°I wonder if all five of us can fit?"

    ¡°Oh, yeah,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said. ¡°We used to sleep like this all the time when we were trainees. It will be fine."

    The two trembling ''rabbits'' had not yet entered the room. Yoo-Joon was reassuring Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung.

    Surprisingly, I had already calmed down, but Joo-Han lent me his work equipment to focus on something else since I was the first one who noticed the issue.

    Thanks to him lending me his room, I was able to focus on work all day. Should I call it working to vent out my frustration? It seemed like I worked well when I was angry. The part that I had been stuck on during thest work session suddenly cleared up, and Ipleted the song quickly. It even turned out quite well.

    Of course, I hadn¡¯t worked on it alone, but I couldn''t help but be pleased that a song that listed my name as theposer turned out this well.

    I was listening to it on repeat because I liked it so much when someone knocked on the door.

    ¡°Hyung.¡± Yoon-Chan peeked through the door gap and rolled his eyes before gauging my reaction.

    I gestured for him toe in and pulled a chair over from the back. ¡°Hey, Yoon-Chan. What''s up?"

    ¡°There''s nothing urgent. It¡¯s just..."

    After Yoon-Chan entered the room, I sensed a strong coffee aroma. He casually ced a cup of coffee for me on the desk and sat down.

    ¡°They were out of the soda you like."

    ¡°Did you bring this for me to drink? Thanks. I will enjoy it."

    As I spoke, Yoon-Chan looked embarrassed and chuckled shyly. ¡°No, I do this every day for Joo-Han hyung..."

    Ah, now that I thought about it, I remembered seeing in a profile that Yoon-Chan made coffee every morning whenever Joo-Han or the other members were workingte on the songs.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Yes?"

    ¡°You are really kind. Thank you so much."

    Even though he was trembling with fear from the stalker incident earlier, he still thought about making me a cup of coffee...

    Yoon-Chan turned as red as a beet and waved his hand. ¡°Um... So, how''s the song going... Is it going well?"

    ¡°Song? Ah, it just needs some finishing touches. Want to listen?"

    ¡°Can I?"

    Instead of answering, I handed him the headset.

    <em>¡®It might end up being your song, so listen carefully.¡¯</em>

    The song yed. I pretended to look at the program on the monitor, but I was actually watching Yoon-Chan''s expression. As he listened carefully to the song, Yoon-Chan gradually smiled more and more as the song progressed. Soon his eyes sparkled as he looked at me.

    ¡°Hyung¡­ Hyung! This is a real gem! The song is so nice, but Ick the words to express how good it is... It''s super good!"

    Though Yoon-Chan couldn¡¯t express himself properly, his rich facial expressions clearly showed how much he liked the song.

    I couldn''t hide my smile as I patted him on the back. ¡°Thank you. Do you think it''s ready to be sent to thepany?"

    ¡°Yes! Really. Truly." Yoon-Chan feared he might not express his good feelings enough, so he exined by gesturing with his whole body how much he liked the song.

    "..."

    This cutiepie. Should I just give the song to Yoon-Chan? I was tempted to change it a bit and make it a tropical song and gift it to him, but then he might feel bad. It also wouldn''t be right to do so because of the many people who had helped me so far, so I managed to suppress the impulse to do anything rash.

    "Thank you."

    Yoon-Chan left so as to not disturb me further and returned to Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung. I finished the song and sent it to Producer Do,pleting my task.

    ***

    [Chronos Promises Strong Response, No Leniency for Unauthorized Fan Intrusion into Residence]

    It was not a fan, but a stalker. YMM quietly began a prosecutor''s investigation into the break-in of a stalker into our residence and soon obtained some information about them, including their nationality. Clearly, this stalker was from abroad, and our options to respond were significantly limited. It would be faster and simpler to protect us rather than to punish that individual.

    YMM issued a strong warning and made it a big issue but, strangely, there was an explosive increase in ''caller ID blocked'' calls to all of us. It seemed that thest article had actually led to sales of our personal information.

    Medium-sized agencies like YMM, and evenrge agencies like YU, often had to give up on some efforts to protect their artists due to the overwhelming number of information-selling stalkers. The stalkers knew this, so crimes continued endlessly.

    We keptining to thepany about the residence we lived in. Fortunately, since thest Allure stalker incident, YMM had been fiercely motivated, and at least they were actively working to catch domestic information-selling stalkers. It seemed High Tension had almost given up, but it was ironic and truly grateful that ourpany was doing what even the big ones had given up on.

    We didn''t know when this would be resolved. For now, as Su-Hwan hyung said, we decided to trust YMM and focus solely on oureback for a while.

    Theeback preparations officially began.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, about your song."

    It was not selected as the soundtrack, and the decision was made not even after a few seconds of hesitation. Producer Do continued speaking without caring that I was pouting.

    ¡°Instead of the soundtrack, let''s put it on the album. What do you think?"

    ¡°Ah... Ughhh!" I whined and slid off the chair, sprawling on the floor.

    It was exactly what Jin-Sung did when he threw a tantrum, and I felt like throwing one now.

    I knew it. They had sent Joo-Han''s song to the broadcasting stations right away, but whenever I asked about my song, the response was always ''not yet, not yet.''

    ¡°Producer..."

    ¡°Hahaha, Hyun-Woo, why are you upset? You make me feel bad."

    ¡°You told me to give it a try... You told me to try..."

    ¡°Yes, Hyun-Woo. You are good at writing songs, better than I expected. I was trying to give both Joo-Han''s and your songs a chance to shine."

    I had worked so hard to meet the deadline! Despite his apology, Producer Do did not look sorry at all. He just chuckled as if watching a young child throw a tantrum. ¡°Honestly, it was Joo-Han who fit the soundtrack well. Your song is good too, but if we put it where it''s sure to fall through, we''d have to wait for it to be evaluated and we would not be able to use it in the meantime.¡±

    ¡°I still wanted to try submitting my song, Producer.¡±

    I understood what he was saying. It if came down to choosing between Joo-Han¡¯s song and mine, during the evaluation period, my song would be rejected. Therefore, rather than waiting for the evaluation period, he was telling me to include it on the album. Having it on one of our setlists was great, but¡­

    ¡°But you could still submit it for evaluation¡­¡±

    I was disappointed, especially in Producer Do. I felt somehow betrayed. I knew he was decisive and calcted, but still¡­

    ¡°Okay, I''m sorry. Instead, I will help you with its arrangement. I heard from Joo-Han that if it gets rejected, you were going to change it to a tropical style and give it to Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Ahhh! That''s only if it gets rejected."

    ¡°Get up. Let''s talk, little guy." The producer tried to lift me up from the floor, then gave up and sat down, letting out an awkwardugh. ¡°I''m too big to be lifting you easily, man. Get up, quickly. The floor''s dirty, kid."

    ¡°...I know."

    ¡°Since when have you be so familiar with me? You used to hardly talk. Get up,e on."

    I felt closer to him since the fun times we had promoting ¡°Joy.¡± I reluctantly got up while mumbling in my mind. The producer sighed deeply and opened the program with my song.

    ¡°Instead, I will help you make this a number-one hit. Okay? You will see the royalty payments Joo-Han always talks about. I will help make sure it hits number one on the charts as Yoon-Chan''s solo song."

    Producer Do, a pir of YMM and consistently among the top five in royalty earnings in South Korea for ten years, finally surrendered to my tantrum and offered to help arrange the song for free.

    ¡°You are producing Yoon-Chan''s first solo song, man. Know that this is an honor. Why would you dislike it when it''s apliment that it¡¯s too good to be only a soundtrack?"

    Ultimately, my song fell into YMM''s scheming and became Yoon-Chan''s solo song instead of a drama soundtrack.

 Chapter 268: First Full Album (4)

    Chapter 268: First Full Album (4)

    The preparation period for aeback always flew by quickly. I heard that the first broadcast of <em>Again After Rainfall </em>would start soon, but we were so busy that we even forgot the news that the broadcast was about to begin while we were on the move.

    We decided on the parts, recorded, and practiced the choreography. The concept photo and music video shoots were approaching, and we had a lot of meetings about them. In the midst of it all, I prepared a solo track with Producer Do and Yoon-Chan.

    On particrly busy days, I was so stressed that I would sometimespletely forget what I had done that day. Then, as I was putting everything in my career, the day when Goh Yoo-Joon would record his soundtrack and I would be his day manager as part of a video that would be posted on the Chronos <em>UTube</em> channel content.

    ¡°Is this really okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I drive really well. You don¡¯t need to worry too much.¡±

    ¡°I''ve never seen you drive.¡±

    Before we started shooting, the production team wanted to direct and edit the footage to only have me drive where there were no cars. However, I suggested showing them there was no need for that by offering to drive.

    Honestly, I was very ustomed to driving. To Su-Hwan, I might have looked like a novice who just got his license at twenty, but I was a driver who had been ident-free for years, often driving trainees home and traveling long distances by car. I thought it would be better to just drive as well as I was trained to, handling the steering skillfully, rather than driving in a safe ce with all the directing and editing to make the content as natural and enjoyable as possible.

    After driving around the neighborhood, Su-Hwan silently nodded and let me drive alone from start to finish.¡°Should we start shooting soon?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    As we got out of the car, the youngest staff member of the filming team attached cameras inside the car.

    ¡°When Yoo-Joones down from the dorm, pick him up and take him to the recording site. Greet the director first especially. And make sure there¡¯s no inconvenience during the recording.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Your job ends after you take him back for a meal and return to the dorm.¡±

    ¡°I just have to do what Su-Hwan hyung usually does, right?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±

    I smiled reassuringly and headed to the front of the car. The filming team had already set everything up and was just waiting for me to get ready to start moving.

    ¡°Thank you for your patience. Let¡¯s start now.¡±

    ¡°Let''s start the shooting.¡±

    Our team staff signaled the start of filming. The shooting began as the camera¡¯s red light came on.

    First, I needed to start the video by greeting the viewers.

    ¡°Hello. I''m Hyun-Woo from Chronos.¡± I bowed my head in front of the camera and waved my hand. ¡°It seems like it¡¯s my first time hosting alone. I''m really nervous, but why am I alone?¡±

    I showed the staff card hanging around my neck to the camera. ¡°Today is the day Yoo-Joon records his first soundtrack, and I can''t just stand by as a friend. So, I will be his day manager.¡±

    - What is the first thing you will do as a manager?

    I grinned and answered the cameraman¡¯s question. ¡°First, I have to call Yoo-Joon and throw him in the car.¡±

    I immediately called him. His ringtone was set to ¡°Blue Room Party.¡± The dial tone rang for a long time.

    ¡°¡­Hmm, he¡¯s not answering.¡±

    The call was eventually disconnected without an answer and, after a few more attempts, I finally headed to his dorm. ¡°He is not picking up. I saw him up just a while ago. Hmm, that''s strange.¡±

    I justughed and muttered to myself.

    This was intentional. Goh Yoo-Joon was an extremely outgoing person by my standards. He usually picked up the phone as soon as it rang, even if he was asleep. It really didn''t make sense that he was not answering, given that he knew we were filming. He was probably just messing around.

    ¡°He should be on time, right?¡±

    As I grumbled and took the elevator up, the cameraman quietlyughed.

    - You¡¯re the one saying that?

    ¡°¡­Ah, hyung.¡±

    He was the Chronos team cameraman who knew my sleeping habits. I smiled awkwardly at him and quickly finished the conversation before calling Yoo-Joon again as I reached the dorm. I quickly entered the dorm and, as I walked into the living room, Jin-Sung and Joo-Han greeted me with giggles.

    ¡°So, you finally came up?¡±

    ¡°Where is Goh Yoo-Joon?¡±

    ¡°In there!¡±

    Both of them pointed to my room at the same time, and when I headed there, Goh Yoo-Joon was absurdly pretending to be asleep, sprawled out on my bed.

    ¡°Hey, what are you doing in my bed?"

    ¡°Zzzzzzzz..."

    ¡°We don''t have time for this, Yoo-Joon." I swept off the nket that Goh Yoo-Joon was sluggishly covered with and immediately smacked his visible behind. With a resounding <em>''p!</em>'', Goh Yoo-Joon sprang up.

    ¡°Ouch! Hey!"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, we are out of time. Who sleeps after getting all their makeup done? Hey, don''t wash your face. Come on."

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung, please change my manager. I can''t work with this guy! Or at least switch to Joo-Han hyung! Ah, it still hurts."

    This wasn''t just a setup or for show. We really were short on time. Because we spent time driving around earlier, we were even short on time to deal with Goh Yoo-Joon''s pranks.

    I dragged a grumbling Goh Yoo-Joon and hastily shoved him into the passenger seat of the car in the parking lot.

    ¡°Hey, you¡ªI mean, Mr. Manager¡ªyou have the authority, but please be considerate of the artist. I''m requesting a manager change."

    ¡°Okay, Yoo-Joon, please buckle up."

    ¡°Will do."

    Despite hisints, he obediently fastened his seatbelt. As I started the car and drove out of the parking lot, Goh Yoo-Joon began fixing his tousled hair in the mirror. ¡°Just lying down got my hair all messed up. I''m going to get scolded."

    I nced at Goh Yoo-Joon and said, ¡°No, it''s fine. You look just like you usually do."

    ¡°That isn¡¯t apliment, is it?"

    ¡°What are you talking about? Want some coffee?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    I pointed to the back, and Goh Yoo-Joon reached into the back seat to grab his cup and mine.

    ¡°The Americano is mine, right?"

    ¡°Yep."

    Goh Yoo-Joon untangled his fingers from his hair, started drinking his Americano, and opened up the lyric sheet.

    ¡°Are you going to practice signing? Do you want me to y the song?"

    ¡°...Yeah. Hey, it feels weird getting help from you. It''s kind of funny."

    ¡°Just for today. It''s your first schedule, so I should do this much." I yed the song I got from Joo-Han and focused back on driving.

    Joo-Han was indeed amazing. He had been proudly selected for the soundtrack among manypetitors. He was modest, saying that many people at thepany helped and that Goh Yoo-Joon singing it made it more popr but, in my opinion, he really was talented. I heard that even Producer Do''s song had been among the soundtrack candidates.

    Goh Yoo-Joon loosened his throat and continued practicing, alternating between singing softly and loudly. He sneaked a nce at me and sipped his coffee. ¡°But does my singing bother you while you are driving?"

    ¡°Not really. It''s fine. Keep at it." I used to drive while the trainee students talked or sang. It never really bothered or disturbed me.

    Goh Yoo-Joon cooed and pped. ¡°I thought about this when we were training together before, but you really drive well. You¡¯re amazing."

    ¡°Haha."

    ¡°You¡¯re a natural even at driving. It''s really amazing. We met in middle school, rode the bus to school, practiced, and now here we are, you driving me to schedules."

    Exactly. I never thought the day woulde when I''d be driving Goh Yoo-Joon in my car.

    I just smiled without saying anything, turned the steering wheel, and fumbled for my coffee to drink. I brought up the questions I had prepared to ask during the ride. ¡°Rings are curious why you and I call each other by full names instead of just our first names. They are wondering why we use surnames."

    ¡°¡­Eh? ¡­Ah!" Goh Yoo-Joonughed incredulously as if the question was funny and looked at me. ¡°Out of nowhere?¡±

    ¡°Ah, it''s just a question. Don¡¯t think too deeply about it. Rings are curious, so that¡¯s why I brought this up."

    ¡°Ah, um. Yeah. But isn''t this kind of like a brother thing?"

    ¡°Ah, right."

    We had be so used to it that we didn''t feel it was weird, but when the agency told us to call each other by first names on air, it was only then that Rings got curious. At that moment, we realized that how we called each other was unusual.

    ¡°In middle school, we weren''t exactly close at first."

    ¡°Right. We have very different personalities."

    ¡°I''m quite introverted and he likes going out and hanging with friends, so honestly, I didn''t like him much back then. We used full names to call each other in the past.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, even after we became close, it just became a habit to call each other this way and we kept it that way.¡±

    ¡°Should we try changing things around just this time? The Rings might want us to call each other in a more friendly manner. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±

    Maybe. After all, thepany told us to standardize our addresses to just first names among the members. But, after a moment of consideration, I shook my head. ¡°No, let''s not do it."

    ¡°Yeah. We can''t do it." Goh Yoo-Joon agreed right after proposing it as if he immediately realized it wasn''t a good idea.

    A bit of affection? Cringe? There would be none of that between us. Not unless there was a change in our rtionship, like in the past.

    ¡°Our conversations reallyck substance."

    ¡°We usually just talk nonsense when we¡¯re alone."

    ¡°I wonder if thepany regrets it or if they are wondering why they had to choose us for this schedule." Goh Yoo-Joon giggled. He stretched and fiddled with a decoration hanging from the rearview mirror. ¡°What''s this? An air freshener?"

    ¡°Huh? I don''t think so. It might be a talisman pouch."

    ¡°It''s not an air freshener?"

    I shook my head to indicate no. Our parents also hung something simr in their cars, so I knew exactly what it was. Inside the pouch, there was a talisman wishing for safe travels.

    ¡°Why?"

    We were almost at our destination. It was while I was half listening to Goh Yoo-Joon and searching for a parking spot that he said, ¡°Hm, there''s a scenting from somewhere."

    ¡°It¡¯s probably from you or me."

    ¡°No, it''s a faint scenting from the car. I''ve smelled it a lot somewhere before."

    ¡°Where?"

    - You have arrived at your destination. Navigation will now end.

    I was about to respond to Goh Yoo-Joon''sment when the GPS cut him off. I stopped talking and unbuckled my seatbelt.

    ¡°Let''s get out."

    ¡°Okay. Are you going to carry the luggage, manager?"

    ¡°Yes, go up ahead."

    ¡°I will hold the elevator." Goh Yoo-Joon got out of the car and headed to the building first.

    I casually ended the conversation and followed him by carrying his stuff.

 Chapter 269: First Full Album (5)

    Chapter 269: First Full Album (5)

    ¡°Manager Suh, can you give me some water? Warm, please."

    ¡°Okay, warm watering right up."

    ¡°Make it a seven to three ratio, please."

    ¡°Ah, Yoo-Joon, sorry, is the cold water seven?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon turned around and smirked. ¡°Isn''t that obvious? Our new manager is a bit dumb."

    ¡°I''m sorry. Alright, alright. Seven to three..."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was annoyingly ordering around. The producer and the recording director were giggling as they watched me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is the day manager today, and Yoo-Joon is making full use of him."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo will be tired after today. He is going to sleep well tonight."I was the butt of the jokes in this recording studio. Even between short meetings and preparing for recording, Goh Yoo-Joon kept giving me various orders.

    Ah, of course, taking care of the artist was my job, so I could handle getting coffee or water and carrying luggage.

    But then¡­

    ¡°Manager Suh."

    ¡°Yes! What is it, Yoo-Joon?"

    As I responded, Goh Yoo-Joon made a pained expression. ¡°Ah, what should I do? I think I might being down with something today."

    ¡°What? Are you feeling sick? You were fine earlier."

    Hadn¡¯t he been just fine during the car ride? Did he get motion sickness, or was the air suffocating here?

    I approached Goh Yoo-Joon, trying to figure out the cause of his sickness, and checked on his condition. ¡°Are you okay? Should I go buy some medicine? The recording is about to start¡ª"

    ¡°No, medicine won''t help." Goh Yoo-Joon said, dropping his pained expression. He giggled again.

    <em>¡®What''s with him? Is he crazy?¡¯</em>

    I looked at him weirdly without saying anything. Goh Yoo-Joon groaned again and patted my shoulder. ¡°Ow, ow, I feel stiff. Could you give me a massage, young Manager Suh?"

    ¡°A massage?"

    ¡°I''m sore from the long dance practice."

    ¡°..."

    I couldn''t help but snort in disbelief. I didn¡¯t know that Goh Yoo-Joon liked massages. How far would this guy go?

    He had not been the only one practicing the choreography. I had been there too. I raised my hand toward Su-Hwan, who was watching from behind the camera, and desperately cried out, ¡°¡­Hey! Can we switch managers, please? I wanna quit!"

    ¡°Hahahaha!"

    However, Su-Hwan seemed to be enjoying himself as he was taking pictures.

    <em>¡®Don''t use this asion to get yourself new wallpapers!¡¯</em>

    This wasn''t what managing an artist consisted of. It was as if I was Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s servant. He was such a dick.

    ¡°Poor rookie manager, huh? Heh."

    The director and the production team were also enjoying watching my predicament. No one was on my side.

    ¡°There is no such a thing as quitting here. Ah, quickly. I need to record soon. Su-Hwan, the newbie manager is cking off,¡± Goh Yoo-Joonined.

    ¡°Ah, whatever. I have to do it. Come on, boss. Sit up straight, you brat." I gentlyughed and maneuvered Goh Yoo-Joon''s back to make it easy to massage him.

    ¡°Ouch! You¡¯re way too violent!"

    ¡°Stop!"

    ¡°Aaaargh!"

    Your wish is mymand, customer. I started the massage the way Goh Yoo-Joon wanted by cing my hands on his shoulders and earnestly kneading the tense muscles until they rxed.

    Goh Yoo-Joon screamed, just as expected. ¡°Ow! It hurts! Enough, let go!"

    ¡°Oh,e on."

    Giving a massage to the elite idol Goh Yoo-Joon, who was an important artist of YMM Entertainment, seemed only right for a rookie manager. For world peace, I felt the sickness in my artist''s heart easing away from my fingertips.

    Just a bit more pressure on my fingers¡ª

    ¡°Ah! Hey, Suh Hyun-Woo, I''m not kidding. I¡¯m about to start cursing any moment now! Ow! I''m telling you, I might swear in front of the camera!"

    ¡°Go ahead."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s expression indicated he was quite satisfied.

    ¡°How about now?¡± I asked proudly. ¡°Do you feel a bit better?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon spaced out for a moment, then fiddled with his shoulder. ¡°Wow, did you injure me? I kind of can''t feel my shoulder."

    ¡°You were quite tense."

    ¡°Liar. You are pretending to care but just messing around."

    You¡¯re wee. I stepped back whileughing and rubbed my aching hand.

    ¡°Are you guys doing aedy sketch? Chronos really has something worth watching."

    ¡°Haha."

    ¡°Anyway, shall we start recording now?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    At the director''s cue, Goh Yoo-Joon got up and headed to the booth. Once the recording started, there wasn''t much for me to do. I just sat quietly, watched Goh Yoo-Joon, and spoke to the camera that was filming me. Rinse and repeat.

    ¡°His voice really is... My favorite voice. Rings, everyone, I really like it. He¡¯s really good at singing."

    I gave a thumbs-up to the camera. Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice was great, and so was the emotion he poured into it. It seemed thatst night''s detailed interpretation of the song and lyrics by Joo-Han helped him a lot.

    As I sat quietly on the couch watching Goh Yoo-Joon for a while, our eyes met, and I gestured to the camera to focus on him. As the camera zoomed in on Goh Yoo-Joon, he responded by waving his hand broadly. ¡°Hyun-Woo, I''ve filmed enough of my recording part, so you can rx now."

    ¡°Ah, thank you."

    The staff member holding the camera stopped filming and put the camera down. It seemed they judged that they had filmed enough of Goh Yoo-Joon recording and my reactions, so no more filming was necessary.

    I could finally rx and enjoy myself without having to talk to the cameras. I continued to watch Goh Yoo-Joon for a while, then shifted my gaze toward the window. Through the window, I could see the entrance of the building and the parking lot right in front of it, where my car was parked.

    ¡°¡­Hmm."

    Come to think of it, Goh Yoon-Joon did mention earlier that there was a scent in the car. I hadn''t noticed it much when driving with Su-Hwan.

    <em>¡®Does Su-Hwan hyung use perfume?¡¯</em>

    Lately, I had been sensitive to everything, so even the casual remarks Goh Yoo-Joon made couldn''t be taken lightly.

    ¡°Su-Hwan, what perfume do you use?" I asked him since he approached me.

    ¡°Perfume?" Su-Hwan took out a perfume bottle from his bag and handed it to me. ¡°I''ve been using this one. It¡¯s a gift from Yeong-Yee. I''ve never paid much attention to the name, so I''m not sure what it is."

    ¡°Can I try it?"

    ¡°Yes."

    I sprayed some of Su-Hwan''s perfume on my wrist and smelled it. Of course, the initial spray and the lingering scent could differ, but neither the scent from the pillow that day nor from the car was this kind of cool fragrance.

    ¡°Thanks, Su-Hwan hyung."

    ¡°Why the sudden interest in perfume?"

    ¡°No, Goh Yoo-Joon mentioned he smelled something in the car, so I thought maybe it was your perfume."

    ¡°Ah, was my perfume smell too strong?"

    I shook my head. ¡°It wasn''t your perfume smell."

    ¡°¡­Then..."

    Just then, I saw a group of people approaching our car in the parking lot and opening the door.

    ¡°Huh? Oh."

    They were our team staff. They weren''t entering the car but just leaning in, apparently checking the camera equipment. They weren''t particrly close to us, the Chronos members, so I still watched them suspiciously. One of them could be a stalker selling our private information.

    It seemed Su-Hwan had the same thought. ¡°The staff have started to investigate the employees one by one. It seems the prosecution is taking it lightly since there''s no evidence or anything."

    ¡°Ah."

    Su-Hwanughed lightly. ¡°I was investigated too. They suspected me the most."

    Iughed involuntarily. ¡°As trustworthy as you are... Ah."

    Su-Hwan showed me his phone''s wallpaper. Histest wallpaper was a funny-looking photo that Jin-Sung had taken in the US and uploaded to our group chat. With Su-Hwan''s low threshold forughter, his gallery had to be filled with photos and videos of us, so it might seem suspicious at first nce.

    ¡°If they suspect you as the culprit, the members will stand up for you. ''Our hyung isn''t like that! We gave him those photos!''"

    ¡°Thank you."

    Su-Hwan nodded slightly and left the recording studio to make a work call.

    I turned on my phone and logged onto <em>BlueBird</em>.

    <em>''Stalker.''</em>

    Due to YMM announcing that they will take harsh actions against stalking, the information-selling stalker, which had quieted down for a while, had recently begun to be active again. On <em>BlueBird,</em> searching ''stalker'' brought up a flood of posts from information sellers and those cursing the stalker.

    Recently, Jin-Sung identally answered a call from a restricted number while waiting for a friend''s call, and now his number had leaked on <em>Papao Talk</em> and was being sold. Of course, he changed his number immediately after.

    I also called my sister just in case, and while her follower count had increased by an insane amount, fortunately, no one hadmented or approached her yet.

    <em>¡®Is this something we have to live with?''</em>

    I wondered if a stalker was a burden that idols had to carry with them for life. Large agencies with extensive experience and data rted to stalkers provided well-secured amodations and the maximum security possible. However, stalkers still gathered and harassed artists. Often, some degree of surrender was necessary.

    ording to High Tension Ji-Hyuk, even moving to a well-guarded residence did not stop wealthy stalkers from moving in next door and ringing the doorbell.

    <em>¡°Sigh." </em>

    We didn¡¯t even dream of a well-guarded residence. It would be great if we could just find the person who leaked our info right away. I mindlessly scrolled through <em>BlueBird </em>and read posts. In the midst of this, a certain Ring''s post caught my eye.

    Hyun-Woo Builds Nation @woo_10 ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    You said you will take serious actions, motherfucker. What serious actions is YMM taking when such people are tantly following my baby around? Stop just talking, and do something¡­ You are basically showing how crappy yourpany is, ugh.

    (Screenshot of video.jpg)

    Reply RT 10 Likes 23

    ¡°What''s this, when was this taken..."

    It seemed to be a screenshot from a video taken with a smartphone. The person in the video was none other than me, dressed in the clothes and hairstyle I had just an hour ago while preparing for a shoot in the parking lot of our residence. It was a video of me talking to Su-Hwan in the parking lot, taken from a very close distance. Over the screenshot, there were words written by the stalker.

    [Dating with Hyun-Woo?

    He told me to wait until the shooting ends, so I am waiting for him right now~

    We will go eat something delicious after~~~????? Love you babe]

    The next screenshot was from a video where Goh Yoo-Joon and I were bickering.

    [Yoo-Joon smiles so beautifully??

    I wanted to see him frown so badly!

    How can I make him frown?]

    <em>¡®Wow, it''s really creepy.¡¯</em>

    I read the words over and over and shivered. I sent everything that I found to Su-Hwan. I thought about it again. This incident was incredibly creepy, but strangely, it kept making meugh. It was a half-madugh, the sound of derangement, flowing meaninglessly out of me.

    <em>¡®These videos were taken so close to us. Isn''t filming this close too transparently revealing their presence?¡¯</em>

    "Ah." I thought how foolishly the stalker was exposing themselves.

 Chapter 270: First Full Album (6)

    Chapter 270: First Full Album (6)

    ¡°Where is Hyuk-Soo?" I asked Su-Hwan as Goh Yoo-Joon''s recording session was nearing its end.

    Su-Hwan nced at his phone and sighed. ¡°It seems he''s gone to make a call."

    ¡°Why the sigh, hyung? Are you tired? Do you want to go grab some coffee together?"

    ¡°No, I''m not tired," Su-Hwan replied with a forced smile.

    As someone who picked up on social cues easily thanks to working as a trainer before, I roughly understood what that expression meant, so I ended upughing.

    ¡°It seems Hyuk-Soo is chatting wildly with his girlfriend."

    ¡°I just wish he''d moderate his calls a bit while at work..."

    Hyuk-Soo had been with ourpany for about half a year. He was a road manager and, so far, he had mostly been handling driving and managing the members. Thus, we weren¡¯t really close to him.

    Actually, Su-Hwan became friendly with us quickly. For us, who were shy, maintaining a distance from Hyuk-Soo was usual. It seemed like Hyuk-Soo wasn''t very interested in getting closer to us as he appeared to consider us mere co-workers. Even when working or driving, he would focus intensely on his job. Whenever there was a break, he would often spend his time talking on the phone with his girlfriend rather than chatting with us.¡°But why do you ask about Hyuk-Soo? Do you need something?"

    ¡°I was thinking of resting in the car for a bit. Hyuk-Soo has the car keys, doesn¡¯t he?"

    Su-Hwan looked puzzled, probably because I always praised Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice so highly, he must have thought I''d want to listen to the entire recording.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to listen to the rest of Yoo-Joon''s songs?"

    ¡°I would like to, but I¡¯m tired. Driving was stressful."

    ¡°Ah, Hyuk-Soo should be in the lounge right now. Shall I get the keys for you?"

    ¡°No, I will go there myself. And hyung, if it''s okay, please let me know if there are any updates about the staff who are being investigated."

    ¡°If there''s anything I can share, I will," Su-Hwan said.

    I nodded and left the recording studio.

    Where could Hyuk-Soo be? I looked around trying to locate him. Honestly, I wasn¡¯t that tired. It wasn¡¯t like I was that stressed from a bit of driving. While it was disappointing not to watch the end of Goh Yoo-Joon''s recording, there was something I needed to check in the car.

    ¡°Skyfall, Skyfall¡ª"

    As I approached the lounge, I heard an awkward impersonation of Jin-Sung¡¯s part in Parade. Clearly, this was Hyuk-Soo.

    I knocked on the lounge door and entered. Hyuk-Soo looked up at me and stood up.

    ¡°Ah, Hyun-Woo. Has Yoo-Joon finished recording?"

    ¡°Not yet. I just stepped out because I feel a bit tired."

    Hearing this, Hyuk-Soo seemed sympathetic and sighed. ¡°Should I buy you a drink?"

    ¡°No, I was just going to rest in the car for a bit. Do you have the car keys by any chance?"

    ¡°Ah!" Hyuk-Soo frantically searched his pockets before handing over the car keys, ¡°I should have just let you keep them since you¡¯re driving."

    ¡°It''s okay."

    Hyuk-Soo was still so considerate. I took the keys, thanked him, and left the lounge, heading straight for the car.

    ***

    Once in the car, I did as I told the managers and climbed into the backseat to rest. I reclined the seat and closed my eyes. Then I sniffed the air inside the car.

    <em>¡®Earlier, Goh Yoo-Joon said there was a peculiar scent here.''</em>

    A sweet scent still lingered in the air, possibly left by one of the staff who had entered the car during the recording. If the scent Goh Yoo-Joon noticed was the same as from my pillow, what then? For now, it didn''t seem to be the same perfume. It meant the stalker hadn¡¯t been in here.

    But why was I doing this? I hadn¡¯t expected to end up acting, too. I pretended to sleep, then casually fiddled with my phone.

    - Where are you? What kind of manager leaves their singer?

    I casually ignored Goh Yoo-Joon''s text, but I didn¡¯t sign into <em>BlueBird</em> this time. Instead, I sent a message to Su-Hwan.

    - Hyung, can you check <em>BlueBird </em>for any stalker activity? Let me know whates up.

    Since there was a video uploaded from nearby about an hour ago, it was likely they are still following me. I was curious how quickly information reached the person who filmed me when I moved locations unexpectedly.

    If Su-Hwan searched and found that the footage of me entering by car had already been uploaded, then the circle of potential leakers or stalkers would certainly be narrowed. If not, I was simply wasting my time.

    I was waiting for Su-Hwan''s reply when it happened.

    <em>Knock, knock, knock.</em>

    ¡°Whoa!" I was startled by the knocking on the window and jumped up. Before I could even rx, the doorknob rattled violently.

    ¡°What, what is it!"

    I was so shocked that I had heart palpitations. I frowned and looked out the window. Fortunately, the person looking at me from outside was not a stalker, but Goh Yoo-Joon. He was shaking the doorknob, urging me to open the door quickly. I let out a sigh of relief and unlocked the door I had previously locked.

    ¡°Why are you so startled? Don¡¯t make me feel awkward."

    ¡°Hey, sounds were louder than you think from inside. Are you done recording?"

    ¡°Yeah. Stay where I can see you, dude. What are you doing here alone as the manager? This is ridiculous."

    Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled and pointed behind him with his thumb.

    ¡°Come out. The director wants to talk. It seemed impolite to go to him without you."

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go."

    As I pushed Goh Yoo-Joon out of the car, I got out. Just then, as Goh Yoo-Joon was climbing out of the car smoothly, he suddenly stopped and stepped back.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why? Huh?"

    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s going on? Ah."

    As always, something unexpected happened. A person wearing masks, sunsses, and a huge cap was blocking Goh Yoo-Joon''s path, calling our names. ¡°Oppa, oppa!!! Yoo-Joon oppa, Hyun-Woo oppa!"

    The pronunciation was clearly not Korean. She was perhaps a foreigner. She was the one who had intruded into our dorm that day.

    Su-Hwan quickly ran over. Other staff members converged on the woman and scolded her. ¡°What the heck!¡±

    ¡°Hey!"

    However, the woman was unfazed. She continued to hold her phone up and film Goh Yoo-Joon and me.

    Goh Yoo-Joon couldn¡¯t bring himself to push the woman, but managed to push away the phone as he struggled to close the car door. ¡°Are you filming right now? Don¡¯t do that.¡±

    Su-Hwan finally got close enough to grab the woman by the shoulders. ¡°What are you doing? Move away!¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­ no, oppa! Oppa! Wait a moment!¡± The woman pushed away Su-Hwan¡¯s hand and continued to point her phone at us, but Su-Hwan¡¯s grip strengthened. She frowned and raised her hand high, pping Goh Yoo-Joon across the face.

    <em>p!</em>

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    Shit.

    Surprised by the woman¡¯s sudden action, both the staff who were pulling her away, as well as me and Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been pped, were momentarily speechless. All that could be heard was¡­

    <em>Click, click, click -.</em>

    The sound of the insane woman¡¯s phone taking pictures.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    This was not good. There were too many onlookers and, above all, she resumed filming.

    ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± I managed to suppress my anger as I checked Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s face. ¡°Let me look at your face.¡±

    This crazy fucker. His face was all swollen and red.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, really, I¡¯m okay.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon, who said he was fine, seemed very shocked. His face was stiff, and his voice was trembling.

    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re fine? Hey,e here.¡± I pushed past Goh Yoo-Joon and got out of the car.

    ¡°What are you doing? Who told you to film?¡± I asked the woman.

    ¡°Ah, are you angry? Are you angry?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m angry. Give me the phone. Hurry up.¡± I snatched her phone, deleted the video, and also deleted all other photos in her gallery.

    Meanwhile, Su-Hwan handed the woman over to the staff and called the police. I handed the phone to Su-Hwan before getting back into the car.

    ¡°Hey, can you hear me?¡± I asked Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Huh? Oh.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the hospital. It sounded like she hit you really badly.¡±

    <em>¡®Why would she hit him out of nowhere? What a bitch move.¡¯</em>

    I suddenly remembered the phrase I saw in the <em>BlueBird </em>screenshot earlier.

    [What should I do to make him frown?]

    The phrase the stalker had written over the video. Was she the same person?

    Su-Hwan climbed into the car looking pissed. ¡°We are going to the hospital. I¡¯ve left the meeting with the director to Hyuk-Soo, so don¡¯t worry.¡±

    During the ride to the hospital, the usually noisy Goh Yoo-Joon was shockingly silent. I started searching for stuff on my phone while biting my lip.

    <em>¡®What the fuck is this? What is this?¡¯</em>

    I was so furious that I couldn¡¯t contain myself. I could feel my eyes sharpening with anger.

    ¡°I will catch all of you and throw you in jail,¡± I muttered to myself while my fingers moved non-stop.

 Chapter 271: First Full Album (7)

    <h4>Chapter 271: First Full Album (7)</h4>

    ¡°Hyung, why are you apologizing? I should be the one saying sorry. I just ran out after telling you that I would go to the washroom," Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    His words were met with silence. Su-Hwan just shook his head. ¡°I''m sorry."

    In the quiet car, I managed to calm my rising anger once more and softly said, ¡°Both of us were careless."

    Indeed, I had intentionally set off to find the stalker since I thought, <i>''I bet they wille to film me if I''m there alone.'' </i>I thought that was going to happen if one of our staff was the one leaking information. That was why I ventured out alone, but I hadn¡¯t put much thought into it.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was pressing a coldpress to his swollen cheek. He mentioned that he had left without saying anything, intending to see me on his way back from the bathroom. ¡®Nothing would happen since I¡¯m not wandering off too much¡¯ was acent thought anyone would have had.

    ¡°I''m sorry."

    ¡°I apologize."

    We were sorry for wandering off by ourselves. We had been reckless. Su-Hwan felt sorry for not being more cautious. It was an endless stream of apologies, but we couldn¡¯t just let this go since Goh Yoo-Joon had been hit too hard.

    ¡°They are crossing the line. It feels suffocating."

    ¡°I''m okay, though," Goh Yoo-Joon said nonchntly.

    I furrowed my brow and shook my head in dismay. ¡°If the other members saw this, they''d be devastated. Look at your face." I couldn''t help but wonder if they felt the same when I was injured. Aplex mix of emotions was coursing through my chest right now.

    Goh Yoo-Joon tried to downy what had happened to him but, seeing him subdued like this, I couldn''t help but wish I took the blow instead. It was more than just distressing. It was downright disheartening.

    ¡°I''m sorry."

    Su-Hwan''s apology momentarily redirected my attention to my phone.

    ¡°Hyung, is Manager Hyuk-Soo currently at the police station?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°Please instruct him to check that woman''s <i>Stagram</i> ount and send me the ount details. I will share whatever information I uncover with thepany."

    No one could keep everything hidden forever, whether it was that woman or staff members lurking among us.

    Just then, I thought of one person in particr. They were the most suspicious figure. But to truly put an end to this, I needed to confirm their connection to the stalker.

    ***

    Since that day, meetings between Joo-Han, me, and the agency staff became frequent. Our new dorm was deemed insecure after the incident, and it prompted another move. As tensions escted, thepany finally decided to take proactive measures against stalkers.

    ¡°Let''s relocate next to High Tension."

    ¡°When?"

    ¡°You should be able to move before youreback."

    ¡°Are you serious? Next to High Tension would be way over budget." Joo-Han said.

    He had begun to doubt thepany''s assurances after the incident with Goh Yoo-Joon''s incident. While High Tension could afford such a ce with their resources, we couldn¡¯t. We had not even had a concert in Korea yet.

    Supervisor Kim firmly dered, ¡°You guys are moving for sure. The CEO secured a loan. We''ve been saying this a lottely, but yes, our previous precautions were inadequate."

    It felt more like a reaction to the onught of stalker harassment than genuine reflection on their inadequate security measures. It was a relief that the new ce was somewhat safer at least.

    Supervisor Kim sighed heavily. ¡°The foreigner who hit Yoo-Joon was indeed a minor. She is eighteen years old, and said she came to see you guys. If she is a minor and a foreigner, there''s not much we can do. But as Hyun-Woo pointed out, recent videos uploaded on the <i>Stagram</i> ount were indeed hers."

    ¡°Is she different from the person who entered our dorm?"

    Supervisor Kim nodded. ¡°They have different nationalities. I heard she obtained the information from someone."

    ¡°Male? Female?"

    ¡°Female. There''s an ount in their nativenguage selling information about not just you guys, but about other popr idols. I''ve secured it and requested an investigation."

    So it all boiled down to who sold that information. Information being peddled by someone who heard it from someone else.

    "...Have we finished investigating our staff?"

    ¡°For now, yes." Su-Hwan made a grim face and shook his head. ¡°I participated in the investigation, but it felt like we were too lenient... It felt more like questioning a witness than a suspect. The staff checked the suspicious people¡¯s phones, but they said they wouldn¡¯t force the suspects if they refused to show them."

    ¡°...Ah, great.¡± Joo-Han mmed his hand on the desk. ¡°How are we supposed to catch them at this rate? Other artists are giving up onbating stalkers because of this. You say you will take strong measures, but what are you doing?"

    It seemed Supervisor Kim, Su-Hwan, and Joo-Han were all suspicious of the staff for the rapid emergence of private videos and information leakage on <i>Stagram. </i>However, with the recent increase in the number of Chronos team staff, it was hard to grasp who exactly was involved.

    I looked at the screenshot of the stalker video once again on my phone and voiced my thoughts. ¡°What about Manager Hyuk-Soo?"

    ¡°...I haven''tpletely ruled out my suspicion on him, since... he always carries his phone around. However, he confidently submitted it for inspection when asked."

    "Hmm, people usually keep a separate phone for this kind of thing in such sensitive situations."

    ¡°Yes, but since he only submitted one phone, I''ve requested a re-investigation from the prosecutors. I know managers usually have at least two phones, one for work and one personal."

    ¡°He submitted only the work phone?"

    ¡°Yes. I will inform you once we have the results."

    I mentioned that the ongoing investigation was a fact only known among the staff to prevent unnecessary awkwardness with the members if Hyuk-Soo turned out to be innocent after the investigation. Perhaps that was why disciplinary action was taken toward Hyuk-Soo under the guise of negligence in artist management after I got my career-ending face injury in the past.

    I handed over the screenshot from my phone. ¡°I have shown this to Su-Hwan hyung before. Since it was taken from a close distance, I suspected it might have been taken by a staff member. That''s why I mentioned it."

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°But this is supposedly the <i>Stagram</i> ount of that girl." However, I doubted this video had been directly recorded by her. It was evident that it was taken without consent. Remembering how that stalker aggressively approached and pped Goh Yoo-Joon, it was unlikely she would hide and record like this.

    ¡°I think someone sold this video to her. Considering that a minor could afford toe all the way here to see us, it seems like they are well-off and, most importantly, the location of the video..."

    The video had been taken from right behind the camera, typically where managers kept an eye on us. It took several scrutinies to find evidence that could be exined not just by intuition, but by words.

    ¡°I think it''s Manager Hyuk-Soo. He must have been selling information to fans."

    ¡°Yeah, we kinda guessed that too. We also think Hyuk-Soo might be involved in this incident. But we are suspecting leaks, not selling information. The person who picked up the call about selling information was a woman. She couldn''t even speak foreignnguages."

    Supervisor Kim wiped his face with his hand. He seemed tired. ¡°The detective called, he said that a woman answered. She''s also a foreigner. So, it''s going to be difficult to catch her again. Goodness."

    ¡°Can we also investigate the conversation history between Manager Hyuk-Soo and his girlfriend?"

    I was so angry because of Goh Yoo-Joon''s incident that I didn¡¯t judge things appropriately. Hoping that my anger would subside at least a little before the stalker situation would be resolved, I decided to explore all possibilities.

    ¡°Do you think Hyuk-Soo''s girlfriend is also involved? That''s part of their private life. If they refuse to borate on that, we can''t investigate¡ª"

    ¡°We''ve also been intruded into our private lives. How do we know if she''s a girlfriend or a business partner?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, calm do¡ª"

    Su-Hwan interrupted Supervisor Kim''s attempt to calm me down. ¡°I will talk to him," he said.

    Judging by Su-Hwan''s expression, it seemed that hepletely agreed with me. ¡°I will talk to the prosecutors and personally look into the matter."

    As Su-Hwan tried to calm me down, Joo-Han tapped me on my back. ¡°Hyun-Woo, rx for a bit. Su-Hwan hyung will handle it. I know you are angry because of Yoo-Joon, but..."

    Joo-Han made me sit down. He firmly told Su-Hwan and Supervisor Kim, ¡°I want an answer to this situation within a week from either of you."

    ¡°Yes, understood."

    Joo-Han sighed and stood up. ¡°I believe thepany will take care of the rest. Now that we''ve discussed it to this extent, there shouldn''t be any more mistakes when ites to protecting us. We should head for practice now."

    Joo-Han''s tone was unusually cold, probably because he was also frustrated with thepany and Su-Hwan due to the incident with Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°We have the concept photos and music video shooting soon. At least until then, let¡¯s focus on our tasks without being stressed about this incident. Su-Hwan hyung, I trust you."

    Su-Hwan nodded grimly. Joo-Han held my hand with a sigh and left the conference room.

    <i>¡®What on earth is happening?¡¯</i> With less than a week left until the shooting for the concept photos and music video, both thepany and us were suffering too much when we were supposed to be focusing on theeback.

 Chapter 272: First Full Album (8)

    <h4>Chapter 272: First Full Album (8)</h4>

    Stalkers were stalkers, but work was work. Time passed regardless of the stress Joo-Han, I, and the agency experienced because of the stalkers, and oureback date was slowly approaching. No matter what incidents urred, we couldn''t neglect the work we had to do.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you already practicing your acting for the music video?"

    ¡°Huh? Oh... sorry-"

    ¡°No, no, don''t apologize. I''m fine with it. Please keep that vibe for the shoot."

    Even during the previous "Parade" shoot, the directoruded the idea of maintaining the same demeanor andplimented my look when I was pale as heck from the lighting incident. And today, he was doing the same thing.

    Today was the day for the first regr album, ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± concept photoshoot. I finally returned to the ck hair I had longed for. With the main color concept of Chronos now being ck, I felt it was time to embrace it. As the stylist said, it was time for my scalp to breathe.

    Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon, who had maintained ck hair until now, dyed his hair ash gray. Joo-Han opted for dark blue, while Yoon-Chan finally moved away from red to be a brte.

    ¡°I love how their images drastically change with each dye. This concept is so unique, perfect to achieve what we have in n.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. I''m curious about this concept too. In ¡°Parade,¡± they had more of a boyish vibe, but this time, they feel more mature."

    The visual director was pleased with the director''s praise. She went on a lengthy exnation about the details of the costumes and the meanings behind the essories while smiling proudly about the focus for this concept.

    This time, our costumes were all ck. Some members wore suits, while others, like me and Joo-Han, wore outfits with long trailingce or see-through elements. The costumes were certainly unique. I was the epitome of eeriness: ck hair, a ckce-adorned outfit, white scarf, red lips, and several jewels under my eyes.

    Thanks to this concept, Goh Yoo-Joon was able to wear a jewel-encrusted face chain that somewhat covered his still slightly swollen cheeks.

    ¡°This is really annoying," Goh Yoo-Joon said while fiddling with the dangling jewels of the face chain near his mouth.

    ¡°If noona likes the Rings¡¯ response to this, she''s going to make us wear them on stage too. How are we supposed to dance with these things?"

    ¡°It''s really bothersome. The jewels keep jingling and hitting my face."

    Having worn a face cover during a previous end-of-year stage, I roughly knew what it felt like. It might look good to others¡ªactually, I didn¡¯t find it pretty¡ªbut it was extremely ufortable for those wearing it and dancing.

    The behind-the-scenes Chronos camera was filming Joo-Han as he lost the rock paper scissors, so his turn to film got dyed. Then, the camera approached us. I waited for it toe closer and timed what I wanted to say ordingly.

    ¡°We are currently shooting the concept photo for our first regr album ¡®Fantasy¡ª¡¯¡±

    ¡°¡®Phantom Spirit.¡¯ Yes, we are at the shooting set for our first album. Right, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Ah, you..." I was about to say something more. Each time the behind-the-scenes camera approached, it only captured us zoning out or goofing around. At the very least, I was resolved to have made broadcast-worthyments during that time when I drove Yoo-Joon around as his manager.

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked at me smugly since I was unable to even get angry in front of the camera and just eye-signaled him. He burst into his distinctiveughter. He opened his mouth so widely tough that he nearly bit into the end of the face chain.

    I clicked my tongue and got up. Goh Yoo-Joon was being immature. ¡°Is this funny to you?" I asked.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, time to start shooting."

    ¡°Okay."

    Since we decided on the order in which we would shoot our pictures through rock-paper-scissors matches, I was the first one that day.

    ***

    ¡°Kneel over there, as if you¡¯re praying. Look somberly at the camera," the director instructed.

    I knelt and sped my hands as if praying.

    ¡°Chin up, have a humble posture, but with a not-so-humble expression. Act sexier!"

    I kept telling myself not tough while trying hard to follow the directions, but I couldn''t help it due to the constant emphasis on being sexier. I struggled to finish my shoot without continuously chuckling. Not just me, but every member burst intoughter at least once.

    Next we had shooting in groups of two or three. I heard that in the Chronos universe story of this album ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± I was not close to Jin-Sung, but to Goh Yoo-Joon. Therefore, I was paired with Goh Yoo-Joon for the shooting this time.

    Since we were still rookies, we couldn''t fool around during shooting. However, the problem was that we couldn''t stay serious either. Goh Yoo-Joon keptughing at how serious I looked, which caused a significant dy, one that was not originally nned.

    The concept mostly involved meaningful shots like me pushing Goh Yoo-Joon down or sitting on the opposite side of the camera angle and staring at Goh Yoo-Joon, who was looking straight ahead.

    ***

    It had turned to a dark night. After the first shooting session, we waited until nightfall, when we were split up to different shooting locations. I changed into another costume, which was the ruffled shirt I had worn during the ¡°Parade¡± and ¡°Joy¡± shoots.

    ¡°Your hair being dark now is the only w, but it¡¯s a music video,¡± the directormented regretfully while fiddling with my hair. ¡°Well, we can¡¯t do anything about that now."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you will have to say goodbye to that outfit after this shoot. You''ve worn it long enough, right?"

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I think the noonas might keep it forter use at concerts or fan meetings to revive memories," I told the director before starting the shoot.

    The reason I had worn this worn-out outfit again was to leave a significant spoiler for the concept photo for the uing music video. I was dressed in the ruffled shirt I had previously worn only on sets adorned with pastel lighting and beds, but I was on the set for ¡°Joy¡± this time. It was the school field.

    A fantasy world costume in a modern setting did not quite match, but that was the point. It felt as if I was signaling my return to reality after being trapped in a fantasy realm, right in the center of the sports field.

    ¡°Let''s begin shooting," the director announced.

    At his cue, I obediently let go of the objects I held, my face devoid of emotion.

    ¡°Once more," he directed.

    ¡°Okay." I picked the items up and then dropped them again as instructed.

    ¡°Ah, the name tags aren¡¯t showing as well as I expected. One more time, please."

    ¡°Alright," I repeated the action of dropping the items that cascaded from my grasp. The objects were none other than name tags. These weren''t just any name tags, as they belonged to the school uniforms of Goh Yoo-Joon, Yoon-Chan, and Jin-Sung. Only their tags were present, while mine and Joo-Han¡¯s were notably absent.

    I continued to drop them expressionlessly, revealing a critical spoiler for the "Phantom Spirit" storyline.

    ¡°Perfect! Hyun-Woo, your acting has really improved.¡±

    ¡°Haha. Thank you," I chuckled.

    ¡°That''s a wrap. You can rx until the others are done.¡±

    With the director''s consent, I approached Jin-Sung. He was shooting in a ssroom repurposed as our clubroom. My scene was outdoors, while Jin-Sung''s was within the heart of the school.

    ¡°Is Jin-Sung almost done?" I whispered to Su-Hwan, who was quietly waiting in the ssroom.

    Su-Hwan signaled for me to be quiet with a silent shake of his head and a finger to his lips. I nodded and watched Jin-Sung shoot.

    The room was quiet. All eyes were on him as he finally seemed to grasp the emotional depth required for the scene. He was d in his school uniform, holding a hat reminiscent of our fantasy adventures. His gaze was lost in the window''s reflection against the backlight.

    He was clearly grappling with difficult emotions. It was hard to tell whether they were of joy, bitterness, or relief.

    The director likened his expression to "that of a retired office worker," ament that might have thrown Jin-Sung off in capturing the right emotion.

    ¡°Are the other members still on set?"

    ¡°Yes, Supervisor Kim is looking after them. Joo-Han is upstairs.¡±

    ¡°Ah..."

    Supervisor Kim had given up on the manager role nearly two decades ago, but he had been deemed trustworthy enough to take up the position again.

    ¡°Must be tough for you.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. I''m learning a lot," he responded, though his expression suggested difort.

    ¡°And where is Joo-Han hyung actually?"

    ¡°He is shooting on the rooftop. Would you like to see what he¡¯s up to? He''s there with Hye-Ri.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    Su-Hwan led me to the rooftop where Joo-Han was filming. He had also donned his costume from our fantasy narrative. It was name tags for me, a hat for Jin-Sung, and a watch for Joo-Han. He was clutching a pocket watch that Yoon-Chan had handled during our previous shoot. Joo-Han¡¯s face was etched with sadness as he stared into the void. He was visibly distressed.

    The contrast was stark against the backdrop of ourst album''s theme. It seemed we had ventured into an entirely reversed narrative.

 Chapter 273: First Full Album (9)

    <h4>Chapter 273: First Full Album (9)</h4>

    To be perfectly clear, I had no fondness for YMM. The reason I decided to stay with thispany after going back in time was not out of affection for the agency itself. I simply wanted to be with the other members again.

    My expectations for the agency were at rock bottom. This might be nothing new to say now, but the reality struck me painfully today.

    I hated YMM. The reason was simple. They failed to properly support or protect their artists, focusing instead on safeguarding thepany¡¯s image. When I was unable to work due to the burns on my face, they discarded me as if I was just a burden.

    Even now, YMM was dragging its feet in response, fearing stories might surface about how they had allowed a personal information leaker to remain close to the artists due to poor management. It had been a week since I voiced my suspicions about Hyuk-Soo, and even though it had been confirmed he was the culprit, thepany had yet to act.

    Su-Hwan lowered his head as he concluded the discussion about the investigation into Hyuk-Soo. ¡°This is how things are. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Joo-Han simply shook his head, his expression unreadable. ¡°You don''t need to apologize. The apology shoulde from others," he said.

    Su-Hwan was the only one genuinely fighting on our behalf. Supervisor Kim seemed caught in the middle, unsure how to proceed, while thepany desired to downy the entire situation with Hyuk-Soo. They preferred to let the storm pass quietly, waiting for the furor over the leaked information and the sensitivity around the stalkers to diminish before they made a move.

    This approach infuriated me. ¡°YMM has always been like this."

    ¡°I am sorry."

    Su-Hwan¡¯s apology was not helping. He had always been the type to regret not being able to do more for us.

    I sighed deeply, shook my head in frustration, and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going to get ready."

    The silver lining, albeit small, was that despite the slow response, the move to the new amodation had been executed swiftly. The only true constion was the quality of our new home. It was well-secured and luxurious, as much as thepany had unted. This was the stark reality for those of us from a smaller, still-evolving agency.

    Today was the shooting day for the music video "Phantom Spirit" and, in just two days, <i>Again After Rainfall </i>would begin airing.

    ¡°I wanted to experience only good emotions about these uing events."

    Life was apanied by its share of troubles as always. However, I refused to just sit by and wait.

    ***

    "How''s everyone feeling today? You all look refreshed from staying in such a nice ce!" The director said. His voice was lively as he broached the topic of Chronos¡¯ new luxurious amodations recently highlighted in an article.

    ¡°Ah, it''s wonderful. They even changed the beds, and the CEO unexpectedly sprung for brand-name mattresses. It¡¯s really something," Goh Yoo-Joon responded with a forced smile.

    ¡°With all the money Chronos brings in, they ought to provide at least that much, right? Must be nice. Does it have a view toward the Han River?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon maintained the conversation with his characteristic sociability. ¡°Unfortunately, no. We can only see apartments from our ce. High Tension have the Han River view, and I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s quite spectacr."

    Joo-Han and I were suffering from headaches as we received an update about Hyuk-Soo from Su-Hwan. Therefore, we were truly grateful that Goh Yoo-Joon was keeping the conversation going.

    ¡°Shall we get started then?"

    At the director¡¯smand, the staff and members moved with precision and efficiency. Some returned to the school and the origin of this universe sets, while others headed to sets that recreated a fantasy world.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, head to Set A."

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    My first filming location today was Set A. It was the pastel-toned flower bed where Jin-Sung had previously sat during ¡°Parade." Now, I was standing in his spot, leaning on the cane he had used, facing the camera directly in the middle of the flower bed, just like Jin-Sung had.

    If anything had changed in this set, it was the pastel backdrop that had turned into a dark night, and the once-vibrant pink and purple flowers now emitted a lonely and isted ambiance. They fluttered against the nocturnal setting.

    On top of that, my ck shirt and pants adorned with a mismatched light pink rose badge intensified the mood.

    ¡®<i>Hmmm, was Jin-Sung wearing this badge before?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, maintain a nk expression and just focus on the camera. We are starting the shoot! Cue!" the director called out.

    After his signal, the intro to "Phantom Spirit" began to y. I positioned one hand on the cane in front of me and ced the other behind my back. I stared intently at the camera and ensured I conveyed an eerie and suspicious atmosphere.

    After holding my pose without blinking for about a minute, the director gave me an okay sign.

    Despite being the protagonist, my shooting schedule today felt unexpectedly light. They told us that capturing the right atmosphere on set was nearly everything, and all I needed to do was make a brief stop at the school setter tonight.

    However, the real strain fell on Yoon-Chan and Goh Yoo-Joon, who belonged to the modern team. I heard that Yoon-Chan had to run all day, almost as if he was trapped in an endless chase scene.

    Regardless, Yoon-Chan approached the grueling day with a smile. His optimism in the face of such a demanding schedule was admirable.

    ¡°Thinking of it as a workout makes it seem more enjoyable, so it¡¯s totally fine!¡±

    Aside from the main filming session, I had the opportunity to explore other sets, too. I transitioned between the original set I was on, wandered through the piano set where Joo-Han was stationed, and shot scenes facing Jin-Sung.

    Each set was shrouded in darkness, unlike the previous set I was at before. They felt hauntingly fragile, as if devoid of any props they might crumble into oblivion.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo will take a short break! Jin-Sung will take over the shooting now!¡± The director announced casually.

    The director didn''t really expect any acting from us, so it didn''t feel like we were doing much work. The filming went by very quickly. After some of my scenes were done, Jin-Sung continued filming on the same set while I stepped outside for a bit of fresh air with Su-Hwan to head to another filming location at the school.

    The director said the pastel petals had to shine even more beautifully with the pitch ck background, so we brought in as many lights as we could. This made being on the set feel somewhat unpleasant.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon will being here soon, right?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Yes, he is filming intensively right now, but will join us on set after the sun sets.¡±

    It was intriguing how this music video pivoted around the distinction between day and night.

    Since Goh Yoo-Joon had transitioned into a fantasy realm in the finale of thest ¡°Parade¡± video, today''s shoot would only capture the reason for his crossover before he hurried back to the set. Nearlyst to wrap up with the modern team was Yoon-Chan. By now, he''d be drenched in sweat, sprinting through the school corridors.

    ¡°Hey, how are you?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon was filming in a ssroom used as a clubroom. I expected him to be in the middle of a take, but it turned out we had timed his break perfectly. Under the director''s instruction, he was scribbling something on the ckboard.

    [He betrayed us]

    Our music video director''s signature style involved adding profound English sentences.

    I was handing out coffee to the crew with Su-Hwan when I approached Goh Yoo-Joon. His handwriting strangely became smaller and more skewed to the left without any bnce.

    ¡°Are you the one writing this?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon wrote and erased repeatedly while tilting his head quizzically. ¡°Yeah, the director told me to write it. Is my handwriting bad? Wow, I really can''t write at all. ...Suh Hyun-Woo, could you write it for me?''"

    ¡°Me?¡±

    He offered me the chalk. However, just as I started to scribble in English beside him, the director insisted it had to be in Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s handwriting, so I had to step away, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then resumed his shoot. He feigned to write over the already scribbled letters, his face etched withplicated emotions.

    The warm sunlight streamed into the empty club room. This was a room that once echoed with theughter and chatter of five people, but now, Goh Yoo-Joon was the only one surveying the empty ssroom. He slowly peeked his face out of the window where we all once leaned out together and then stepped out of the club room.

    ¡°Cut! Put the chroma key[1] behind and shoot this one more time."

    ¡°Okay!"

    A green screen was ced behind the window, and Goh Yoo-Joon filmed the same scene again. It appeared that this scene was meant to transition him into a fantasy world, and the two takes would be seamlessly blended in the music video to create a mystical scene. I wanted to watch Yoon-Chan film too, but he had run all the way to the road and was out of sight.

    ¡°Cut! Okay! Great job! Yoo-Joon, you can move to the set now!"

    Havingpany made it far less boring than killing time alone, so I spent a considerable time watching Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoot.

    As it got dark, the school corridors began to dim and Goh Yoo-Joon''s filming came to an end. Everyone''s filming locations changed with nightfall. Joo-Han, Jin-Sung, and my scenes were at the school, Goh Yoo-Joon was at the set, and Yoon-Chan was said to be resting in the car before having to run again.

    As soon as Joo-Han and Jin-Sung arrived at the school, they naturally came over to me.

    ¡°It seems like Yoon-Chan is having a tough time. Shouldn''t we treat him to some barbeque once we¡¯re done here?" asked Joo-Han.

    ¡°I even asked Yoon-Chan hyung if he was okay, but he said he was having fun?" Jin-Sung said.

    I shook my head. ¡°Do you believe that? You''d be exhausted if you ran all day too. Let''s get him some BBQter... Of course, Joo-Han hyung is paying, right? Love you, hyung."

    I joked with an awareness of the behind-the-scenes camera around. This prompted Joo-Han to chuckle and shake his head. ¡°Su-Hwan hyung has thepany card, Hyun-Woo. Let''s use it as much as we want. Thepany''s been annoying us plenty anyway."

    It was funny because we were tantly criticizing thepany on camera, yet the cameraman, Su-Hwan, and our staff were allughing along. It seemed like they all agreed ourpany was terrible.

    ¡°Let''s restart filming!"

    The nighttime shoot began. After gathering briefly, we all dispersed to our respective filming locations. As Jin-Sung brushed past Joo-Han, Joo-Han ced his hand on Jin-Sung''s shoulder and mine and said, ¡°If there''s a repeat ofst time''s incident, let me know anytime."

    ¡°...Hyung."

    ¡°You must be really strong-willed.¡±

    ¡°No matter how many times I paid close attention, I couldn¡¯t see a single ghost. It¡¯s annoying.¡±

    Come to think of it, all sorts of strange phenomena happened in this school during thest shoot, almost like ghosts were behind them.

    Jin-Sung turned pale. "You are being nonsensical, hyung.¡±

    I smirked as I watched Joo-Han leave and reassured Jin-Sung. ¡°Jin-Sung, it''s okay. Ghosts can''t touch you. That''s how they work."

    Jin-Sung¡¯s hands were trembling. ¡°Hyung... That¡ªthat sounds like a haunted house story... It will be very troublesome if we find ourselves in a simr situation...¡±

    ¡°Ah... You are right."

    I also thought the experience would be as scary as a haunted house, so I didn''t have much else to say.

    ¡°Anyway, hang in there, man. You got this."

    Jin-Sung was strong, but weak in spirit. He tended to get scared more often than other members. But since I had not heard of any celebrities encountering ghosts messing with them during a shoot, maybe I should have taken it as a sign of a huge sess...

    ¡°Hyung, I hate you. I really hate you guys."

    ¡°Huh?"

    Jin-Sung looked upset as if he heard something he shouldn''t have and dragged Su-Hwan to his filming location. ¡°This isn''t me being weird. It''s you guys. How can you not be scared? It''s annoying."

    I watched Jin-Sung walk away, shrugged, and headed to Hye-Ri. Then, the filming resumed.

    1. Chroma key is a visual effects technique where a color from the original footage, usually a bright green or blue, is made transparent, allowing another image or video to be ced in the background. This process ismonly used in film and television to create various environments or visual effects, such as weather forecasts or fantastical scenes in movies. ?

 Chapter 274: First Full Album (10)

    <h4>Chapter 274: First Full Album (10)</h4>

    The night shooting began. My scene unfolded with me opening the door to a deserted clubroom.

    <i>Creak¡ª</i>

    The silence was broken only by the sound of the door creaking. I stepped into the ssroom, where a gentle breeze blew through the window left ajar by Goh Yoo-Joon. It brought a whisper of the outside world into the stagnant air. I paused in the doorway and surveyed the room before slowly taking a few more steps.

    ¡°...¡±

    The room felt hauntingly empty. The void was filled only by the mncholic sounds of the wind weaving through the window and the starless expanse of the Seoul sky.

    I, the once joyous Suh Hyun-Woo, lively in my school uniform amidst the mor of friends in "Joy," now stood alone in "Phantom Spirit." I was wearing a ck shirt adorned with a pink floral badge. My face was devoid of any smile. I solemnly swept the desk before copsing into a chair with a heavy sigh.

    ¡°Haah..."

    The director quietly prompted me, "Turn your head and look at the message on the chalkboard."

    I turned to face the chalkboard where the words still remained.

    [He betrayed us]

    The stark message Goh Yoo-Joon had left behind was a chilling reminder of the scene''s gravity.

    ¡°...¡±

    "Two, three. Perfect, you are doing a great job. Now, rise and approach the chalkboard slowly."

    I followed the director''s instructions, slowly got up, and headed toward the chalkboard with the phrase written on it. Fortunately, I didn''t have to open my mouth at all unlike in the ¡°Joy¡± video.

    Even without being prompted, the wind appropriately blew to create the right atmosphere, and the staff kept quiet to help me concentrate except for the director. Thanks to this, I was able to act without any awkwardness.

    I had aplex expression on my face while looking at the chalkboard. It was a look of sadness, emptiness, bitterness, or perhaps guilt as I gazed tenderly at the remnants of Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡ºIf I erase this too, all traces of Goh Yoo-Joon in this world will disappear..¡»

    I remembered the monologue the writer had prepared for me before shooting to immerse myself into the role. I hesitated, but I erased the phrase from the chalkboard with slow yet firm movements.

    ¡ºWith this, our radiant memories havepletely vanished. This is the end. This is it, this is it...¡»

    As I recalled another monologue, images from the ¡°Joy¡± music video appeared in my mind. They were scenes of pure happiness, but it turned out this was how we ended up in the story.

    I thought I was just following directions, but it seemed I got overly immersed while shooting the three music videos. Or maybe my actions reflected the real me, who had no choice but to discard memories rather than just the story.

    ¡°Ah."

    When a tear fell unexpectedly, I was at a loss for words and just stared at the eraser.

    ¡°Wonderful! Cut! Okay!"

    It appeared the director was very pleased even though I felt bad. He immediately gave the okay sign. ¡°I didn''t think you would cry. You''ve really improved, Hyun-Woo."

    As the director gave me a thumbs-up, Yoon-Chan, who hade to watch, nodded and smiled proudly. ¡°Hyung, you did really well!"

    ¡°Really? Th-thank you..." I pretended I had been acting by wiping my tears and headed over to Yoon-Chan''s side.

    Yoon-Chan looked a bit tired, as if he had just finished running.

    ¡°How much did you run today?"

    ¡°Uh, a lot. Almost all day, and I might have to run again... Ah, but it''s not too bad."

    ¡°You are really kind, Yoon-Chan. It''s okay to say it''s hard if it is."

    It was nonsense that he was fine after running the entire day. I patted Yoon-Chan''s head and then moved to the next filming location.

    The next shoot was at the sports field. It was the same ce we hade for concept photo shoots. Just likest time, I was standing there, holding the name tags of the members. A fire was burning in a drum can at one side of the field. Joo-Han was watching me from the rooftop as I was looking at the fire.

    The name tags read Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and Yoon-Chan. I burned them with a nk expression and looked at Joo-Han on the rooftop. In the world of the story, we brothers now had a secret to bury forever.

    ...And that was the end.

    ¡°Cut! That''s it for Hyun-Woo! See you at the group dance tomorrow!"

    ¡°Good job!"

    ¡°Great work!"

    That was the end of my shooting for today.

    ¡°Thank you so much!"

    Su-Hwan, who had been dragged along by Jin-Sung, appeared just in time as I was about to finish and handed me a drink.

    I smiled broadly, took the drink, and headed inside the school building. ¡°Hyung, you must be out of it today too, huh?"

    ¡°Yeah. It has been tough on me since there¡¯s no road manager..."

    It was cold as the sun had set, yet sweat beaded Su-Hwan''s forehead. After Supervisor Kim had been called back to thepany midway through the shoot, Su-Hwan was left to run around taking care of us alone. Thankfully, the staff helped Su-Hwan... Everyone was busy because they had to fill in Hyuk-Soo¡¯s tasks after he got fired, so we were short on manpower.

    ¡°Are we not getting a new road manager?"

    ¡°We are currently looking to hire... Ugh..."

    As much as it was frustrating for us, Su-Hwan must have been feeling it too. Even after we moved our dorm, Rings kept insisting that we should stay true to ourselves and continually demanded that YMM catch the stalkers.

    For idols, stalkers were an inseparable part of the job, but since we had been directly harmed by recent dorm invasions and close approaches, our demands would probably not stop until they were resolved. The Rings had even united to release a statement.

    However, ourpany remained silent, as expected... In my opinion, it seemed like our small to mid-sized agency was currently ying the me game.

    I kept turning my phone on and off as I thought this. ¡°The deal with manager Hyuk-Soo hasn¡¯t been sorted out yet, right?"

    ¡°He can''te to work, so it''s almost like he has been fired. But he hasn''t been officially dismissed yet."

    ¡°Are they going to publish an article about it?"

    ¡°Yes, it''s frustrating."

    ¡°Is YMM still receiving fax and email attacks?"

    ¡°Yes."

    Hyuk-Soo had been confirmed for termination. However, he had not yet been dismissed.

    Many people were concerned about whether there was an insider leaking personal information or giving them to stalkers, given the problems with them and personal information leakage. If a new manager was suddenly fired under these circumstances, it would be seen as negligent management, and it would pinpoint people to the source of information leakage. Then, thepany would be criticized even more.

    For this reason, Hyuk-Soo¡¯s firing continued to be postponed.

    ¡°Ugh... this is frustrating."

    It was too frustrating how thepany always thought about their safety first. I nkly opened my phone''s contact list and searched for High-Tension Ji-Hyuk.

    - Hyung, are you busy? I have something to ask. When are you avable to talk on the phone?

    A quick response came back almost immediately.

    - When should I contact you? Now? What''s up?

    <i>¡®How can such a busy guy reply so quickly?¡¯</i>

    - Ah, sorry, I''m in the middle of shooting, so I will call youter. I didn''t expect such a quick reply. I will contact you.

    - Is this about On-Sae?

    <i>¡®What''s with On-Sae all of a sudden?¡¯</i>

    - Hmm? No. It''s about something else. What''s with On-Sae? Tell meter.

    - Okay, what''s roughly the issue?

    I sent Ji-Hyuk a brief reply.

    If we left the situation as it was, we would just be frustrated and YMM would quietly wrap things up after a while. Things always ended with us being harmed and nothing significant happening.

    A prime example was that no one, except for Su-Hwan, was telling us exactly how things were progressing. But personal information had been leaked, and even Goh Yoo-Joon had been directly affected.

    There was a limit to bearing things because we were neers, especially at a time when all members should have been called for a briefing. So I decided to take a drastic step I wouldn''t normally consider.

    - It''s nothing major. I just wanted to know how much it would cost to cancel theeback.

    I was thinking of helping the higher-ups make a quick decision, considering they might be worried about the potential damage to thepany''s image if their hard work copsed.

    ***

    It had been quite some time since Chronos wrapped up the shooting for <i>Again After Rainfall. </i>Despite various issues during filming, including Suh Hyun-Woo''s fainting, it was undoubtedly one of South Korea''s top music variety shows.

    With detailed initial broadcast schedules, trailers, pre-release videos, eyewitness ounts, direct camera footage emerging from the shoot, and especially the scale of the final festival performance, expectations had risen not just among the core fans, but also among the general public. After a long wait, the first broadcast finally aired.

    The much-anticipated premiere began with footage of Reina and other cast members preparing for departure. They showed each item they packed. Their excitement for traveling was conveyed as everyone discussed what they were bringing and wearing. The experienced cast naturally managed to make even packing entertaining.

    However, the fans watching the broadcast gradually grew bored as Chronos did not appear while everyone else cheerfully prepared for their trip. The Rings were solely interested in Chronos. In fact, the public¡¯s interest was only focused on Chronos and Reina due to extensive coverage in articles, pre-release videos, and direct camera footage.

    Yet, only the manager team had appeared so far in the broadcast. The artist team hadn''t even been shown up once!

    ¡°When will Chronos appear?"

    Despite the show being an hour long, there was no content featuring Chronos for the first half, soints were erupting on various social media tforms. <i>Again After Rainfall, </i>which showed only the departure preparations, meetings, and the uing meeting with Callia for Reina''s team all day, finally showed Chronos forty minutes into the first episode.

    The first scene featuring Chronos, who appeared like protagonists at the end of the episode, was...

    - Getting a driver''s license was easy. I don''t know, but I got it quickly. You should get yours as soon as possible.

    - Why should I when you guys are such capable drivers? Hehe.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was casually bragging about obtaining his license, and Kang Joo-Han was having a TMI talk about leaving the driving to his younger brothers. This was followed by scenes showing Jin-Sung enviously wishing he had a license and Suh Hyun-Woo nervously dealing with his fear of heights.

    Despite the shooting atmosphere being quite negative at the time due to Suh Hyun-Woo''s sudden health decline, the broadcast managed to adorably package his nervousness with captions and edits.

 Chapter 275: First Full Album (11)

    <h4>Chapter 275: First Full Album (11)</h4>

    <i>¡®Will they finally focus on Chronos now?¡¯ </i>

    The Rings watched the lively conversation among the members attentively and smiled without realizing. It wasforting to see the members¡¯ rxed attitudes after a long time, and their affection was enhanced by cute background music and subtitles. The introduction scene really highlighted them.

    The smiles of the Rings reflected not only their pleasure to see the members, but also their anticipation.

    However, this segment was the only one that showed the Chronos members in Korea, unlike the other cast members who had ample screen time to show off their preparations.

    ¡°No! Seriously? Ugh!¡±

    Kim Go-Ri was so shocked and pissed off that she was speechless. After a brief conversation in the car and a scene at the airport in front of journalists, the video abruptly switched to show Reina''s arrival at the airport.

    Even then, only Goh Yoo-Joon, Kang Joo-Han, and Lee Jin-Sung were the only ones shown only because they were talking in the front seats. Suh Hyun-Woo and Park Yoon-Chan in the back seats were hardly visible.

    ¡°Gosh, this is so mean. What the freak!"

    ¡°Be quiet!"

    Despite her sister''s scolding, Kim Go-Ri gestured angrily at the screen and threw the cushion she was holding. ¡°They bombarded us with ads featuring Chronos, but what''s with theck of content? This is fucking crazy!"

    Kim Go-Ri fumed as she checked the time. ording to the schedule, she wouldn''t be able to see more than eight minutes of Chronos even if the video only showed them starting from this moment! This was maddening!

    Her sister was unable to hold back anymore and yelled even louder than her. ¡°Shut up, idiot!¡±

    ¡°No...! Ah, seriously!"

    ¡°Are you walking around without a brain? Did you not even look at the schedule properly? And you call yourself a true fan? It''s a back-to-back show, idiot."

    ¡°...Oh?"

    ¡°Typically, the first episode of <i>Again After Rainfall</i> is always like this. They show a lot of the manager team''s preparations first, then introduce the artists, and that''s it."

    Of course, the reason for the limited footage of Chronos in Korea wasrgely to cover up Suh Hyun-Woo''s poor condition, but the Rings couldn''t have known that. Fortunately, the Chronos members were the only ones shown at the end of the episode.

    [What does Chronos do during the long flight?]

    The members¡¯ dialogues on the airne were disyed with pink subtitles.

    Kim Go-Ri sighed. ¡°Hyun-Woo seems really tired... Oh dear."

    Suh Hyun-Woo fell asleep as soon as he boarded the ne. Park Yoon-Chan carefully covered him with a nket, true to his angelic reputation within Chronos, and quietly shushed Lee Jin-Sung since he was speaking loudly next to him.

    Kang Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon were talking in the front seats, but their conversation wasn''t captured. The editor expressed regret with a subtitle before moving on. Everyone was busy with their own things. The only member who interacted with the camera was Lee Jin-Sung, who was sitting next to Su-Hwan.

    The first episode of<i> Again After Rainfall</i> ended by showing all the members and then unnecessarily disying the sky outside the window, with a subtitle wondering, ''What will happen tomorrow?''

    ¡°Ugh, they only showed this much? Just five minutes of my babies sleeping, eating, and chatting on the ne? They are so rude."

    Kim Go-Ri resolved not to watch the episode again even if it became avable for rey.

    She had a lot toin about and had already vented on <i>BlueBird</i>, but she still needed to search because even in just ten minutes of footage, there was a lot to fangirl over. For example, Suh Hyun-Woo sleeping, Park Yoon-Chan taking care of him, and Lee Jin-Sung getting scolded were very cute moments.

    All theints and simple silly posts were all that were there for now, but soon the skilled fans would start posting GIFs of these little tidbits.

    Kim Go-Ri''s sister jabbed her in the arm with her elbow. ¡°Hey, it''s about to start."

    While Kim Go-Ri was frantically refreshing <i>BlueBird</i>, themercials had already ended, and it was time for the next episode to start. Kim Go-Ri immediately set her phone aside and picked up the cushion she had thrown with frustration to hug it.

    ¡°There should be more screen time for Chronos this time."

    ¡°I guarantee it''s gonna be almost like a Chronos special. Trust me."

    ¡°I¡¯ll believe that when I see it," said Kim Go-Ri.

    She was a Ring of Chronos, but her sister was a Perfume of Allure. Kim Hyang-Su[1] had years of fangirling experience and knew very well the editing styles and content distribution of various broadcasting stations. When two episodes were aired back-to-back, it usually meant that the impact of the first episode was expected to be weak.

    Given the insane marketing, sales, and anticipation generated by Chronos, both girls were convinced that they would be the main focus of the second episode.

    ¡°The broadcastingpany needs to make the most of their casting investment, so don''t worry about it."

    The second episode started. As Kim Hyang-Su predicted, Chronos made a grand entrance in America with the subtitle "Arrival in New York" after a recap of the previous story and a brief exnation of the situation.

    - Let''s greet the viewers. One, two, three!

    - Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to meet you all!

    Upon just arriving in the US, each member of Chronos had their unique reactions. One member was fascinated, curiously looking around at this foreignnd for the first time. Another seemed to be more ustomed to the ce, so he confidently navigated and discussed what was around while pulling their luggage.

    Then there was the member who was just overwhelmingly sleepy¡ªSuh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°He''s practically knocked out. He must have had a tough schedule during those days."

    Kim Go-Ri cooed over Suh Hyun-Woo''s groggy state and teared at a cushion adorably. ¡°That''s also true, but Hyun-Woo has always been a heavy sleeper. Remember during the filming of ¡®Graduating¡¯ how he was always thest one up and Yoo-Joon had to wake him up?"

    Who would think that Suh Hyun-Woo was like this because of the side effects of sleeping medication? The broadcasting station tried its best to edit the struggling Suh Hyun-Woo with the other members as adorably as possible, even ying a baby luby in the background as he nodded off in the car. He seemed out of it.

    [He is trying his best to listen to the members, but...]

    [His eyes close again.]

    [It''s okay...]

    [Just sleepfortably, Hyun-Woo...]

    [Even your sleeping face is enough to make the cut...¡ï]

    [Aww, he is sleepy again...!]

    Thus, the editors worked hard to erase the somber atmosphere of that time and managed to extract content from Suh Hyun-Woo sleeping. The luby yed, Suh Hyun-Woo nodded off, and Park Yoon-Chan adjusted Suh Hyun-Woo''s head against the window to make sure he would sleep morefortably.

    Kim Go-Ri was smiling again.

    ¡°Ah, this is ridiculous."

    ¡°Shut up, Kim Hyang-Su."

    ¡°What, do you want to die? Why are you having this attitude toward your esteemed sister, you jerk?"

    ¡°Ah, keep it down! Let¡¯s keep watching."

    To Kim Go-Ri, nothing else mattered, not even her sister. The high-quality editing by the public broadcaster made watching the members a great experience. After focusing on the members for a while, the screen shifted to show Reina''s team moving to their meeting ce while chatting closely with Callia Lawrence on the phone instead of heading straight to the hotel.

    Kang''s Kids @s102_ ¡¤ Just now

    What, the <i>Again After Rainfall</i> team is being silly LOL. Seeing them get pampered like this makes me wanna cry... ??

    Reply RT Like

    Dinda @Dinda_w ¡¤ Just now

    AHAHAHAHA, does the <i>Again After Rainfall</i> production team have a fan among them? Look at the subtitles lol. But more than that, Hyun-Woo''s sleepy nodding off is too cute ???? And I''m tearing up for our Yoon-Chan ?????? I wanna hear the conversation between Leader Kang and Joon too, producers pls... ??

    Reply RT Like

    Other Rings had simr thoughts and feelings as Kim Go-Ri. After checking the reactions of the fans for a while, Kim Go-Ri shifted her gaze back to the TV. Reina and other cast members unknown to Kim Go-Ri werete and unable to board the ne. Honestly, it was entertaining, but she wished Chronos would appear sooner. The screen then switched back to the Chronos members.

    - Should I? Actually... Should I carry him, hyung?

    - No. Wake him up... Just kidding.

    - Ah, why? Jin-Sung, carry Suh Hyun-Woo. Hahahaha!!! Ouch...

    [The members are having a serious discussion in the car]

    [What''s going on?]

    Upon arrival at the amodation, the members were huddled by the car door and endlessly debated whether to wake Suh Hyun-Woo or carry him up. Subtitles brimming with curiosity flowed across the screen. This piqued Kim Go-Ri¡¯s interest in the unfolding story. At the perfect moment, the camera switched to reveal what was going on inside the car.

    ¡°...Pfft! Is Hyun-Woo still sleeping? He is absolutely adorable!¡±

    ¡°Stopughing like that. You¡¯re annoying, ugh. Wow, your voice is really grating.¡±

    Suh Hyun-Woo continued to slumber deeply as he was cocooned in a nket even though they had arrived at their amodation. Throughout the broadcast, he was either dozing off or sleeping with lubies frequently yed in the background. This music was almost like his unofficial theme soundtrack.

    Despite attempts to rouse him with shakes and loud noises, Suh Hyun-Woo remained undisturbed. Neither the staff nor the other members showed any inclination to wake him forcefully.

    - Hyun-Woo hyung must be exhausted...

    - Ah, shall I carry him?

    As the members endlessly debated whether to wake Suh Hyun-Woo or carry him, he finally became aware of themotion and groggily opened his eyes. He nced around with a dazed expression. He sounded defeated when he spoke.

    - ...What¡¯s going on?

    - Ah, you¡¯re up, hyung.

    - Hyun-Woo, we¡¯ve arrived. Come on down.

    Lee Jin-Sung disyed a hint of disappointment while Kang Joo-Han beckoned with a weing smile for him toe out. Suh Hyun-Woo took a moment to understand where he was and slowly made his way out of the car.

    - Is this the ce?

    The scene transitioned with a flourish of jazzy music. The brief preview that followed highlighted the luxurious lodging, its stunning night view, and hinted at the enjoyable and rxing times the members were set to have.

    After the preview, the episode captured the members deciding on roommates, Reina arriving to greet them, and them having dinner in the garden restaurant.

    The members were visibly tense and keenly observing each other. Meanwhile, Reina skillfully weaved a rxing atmosphere. People had liked Reina interacting with the Chronos members since before their debut thanks to their long-standing rtionship. She and the members discussed how they would perform and raised a toast to do well before the broadcast concluded.

    A confused murmur escaped Kim Go-Ri. ¡°It¡¯s done? Already?"

    Chronos appeared throughout the entire episode, so time seemed to have flown inexplicably fast. How could a one-hour video seem so brief? Yet, that was the allure of engaging content.

    Indeed, the episode was captivating. The members fussing over assigning a solo room to Suh Hyun-Woo, who was a bit unwell, choosing roommates who wouldn''t disturb their sleep, and savoring exquisite meals at the upscale restaurant were all delightful highlights.

    But... It felt too brief.

    ¡°Ah darn, that was too short. They could have shown us more."

    The momentary disappointment was quickly overshadowed by excitement as the teaser yed. This made Kim Go-Ri smile again.

    The members woke up under the warm sunshine. Scenes of them chatting in the morning showing their stay at the lodging, spending their free time together, practicing, and performing were shown.

    - Hello, Rings!

    - We''ve arrived in New York!

    A behind-the-scenes from Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s video call was also in the episode. It revealed a previously unknown fact that, during the video call, Suh Hyun-Woo was rolling around in bed.

    ¡°It¡¯s ridiculous. Likest season, the teasers must be just baits for more viewers, so I shouldn¡¯t get my hopes up. I am pretty sure not even half of this will be shown on the next episode, ugh."

    ¡°Damn. Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. The teaser alone is satisfying enough."

    So many GIFs could be made from the teaser. This was the most rewarding teaser in Kim Go-Ri''s life.

    1. ¡®Perfume¡¯ in Korean is ??, and pronounced as ¡®Hyang-Su.¡¯ ?

 Chapter 276: First Full Album (12)

    Chapter 276: First Full Album (12)

    After the first two episodes of <em>Again After Rainfall,</em> fanmunities, including the one on <em>BlueBird, </em>were flooded with posts from the Rings. The first trending keyword on <em>BlueBird</em> was ¡®baby luby.¡¯ Regardless of the situation, scene, or background music, the focus of the episode would unexpectedly shift to Suh Hyun-Woo, who was sleeping while a luby yed. The Rings found this very cute.

    - LOL, our Hyun-Woo is so cute and funny even though all he does is sleep. He easily makes the cut. ??

    - What''s with the luby hashtag trending, ahahahaha?

    - My baby must''ve been really tired... He looks so cute sleeping. Let him rest. ??

    Moreover, news that the same-aged duo got their driving licenses and Jin-Sungmenting a failed piggyback ride took turns dominating the trends. This showed a very positive response to <em>Again After Rainfall.</em>

    - If Yoo-Joon boasted about his license in front of me, I''d roll around praising him, saying, "Well done, my baby! You even managed that tough task a. You will save the world next!¡± ??

    - It''s funny how Joon unts his license, but it''s even funnier that Leader Kang wants to make him a driver. ??

    - Did the same-age duo go get their licenses together? So they got Type 2 licenses? Going for Type 1[1] with ir? (I am obsessed over useless details)

    However, the general public''s response was still lukewarm.- LOL, they show nothing but them sleeping, ying, and traveling, not the performances.

    Expectations were high. People wanted to see more Korean-centric content this season through fan cams and articles on <em>UTube</em>pared to the previous season. However, viewers were disappointed to note that even basic preparation scenes were missing from episodes one and two.

    - You''d think it was a solo broadcast for Chronos. ??

    - It felt like the broadcast was too focused on pleasing Chronos fans. It was all just sleep and no performances, yikes.

    - The abovement is ridiculous. Chronos only had about ten minutes in episode one, idiot. You wouldn¡¯t haveined if this was another solo singer. People sure love yapping.

    - Why don''t youin about other cast members filling up the first episode? You all seem to have a lot ofints about idol participants.

    - Honestly, it''s a bit weird to not show even one scene of music performance practice in a music variety show. Was it like thisst season too?

    - Yes.

    While both fans and the general public expressed dissatisfaction with the members¡¯ screen time, their desires were at opposite extremes. Since the <em>Again After Rainfall </em>team recruited idols, it was true that they primarily targeted their fans. Therefore, the general public wished for the performances to be shown sooner.

    While many aspects were being discussed among fans with videos, GIFs, and screenshots, the general public found the show boring. However, neither the production team nor the cast was anxious. Serious practice and performances would be shown on episode three. Chronos and the production team were confident in the quality of the performances, and the negativements were not as numerous as they had expected.

    Once the performances started, the negative public opinion would naturally fade. In a few days, clips from episode three''s performance would be pre-released. Thus, the Chronos members simply enjoyed the fans'' reactions and well-edited screenshots, engaging with fans on the <em>Q-app </em>about the aired episodes.

    Meanwhile, Kang Joo-Han and Suh Hyun-Woo were in a serious meeting with YMM staff.

    ***

    <em>Ding!</em>

    A notification sound that a <em>Q-app </em>live session had started could be heard. Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and Yoon-Chan were probably sharing their bted impressions about the <em>Again After Rainfall </em>episodes with the Rings. Regardless of the public reaction, both we and the fans were very excited and enjoying this situation.

    In the midst of this, Joo-Han and I were sitting expressionlessly and facing thepany''s staff.

    ¡°Guys, reacting so strongly isn''t going to solve anything," Supervisor Kim irritably said.

    Joo-Han was firm in his stance. ¡°Sir, we can''t function in an unstable environment. How is Su-Hwan hyung supposed to handle our schedule by himself? During the music video shoot, you guys barely managed to care for us even with the help of the stylist noonas and Supervisor Kim.¡±

    ¡°I said we''d hire someone during theeback. This isn''t something you kids need to worry about."

    ¡°This is <em>definitely </em>something we need to worry about. It doesn''t seem like we are meddling in others'' affairs to me."

    ¡°Ugh, you guys."

    The director¡¯s frustrated sigh reminded me once again of our demands. ¡°We need to be protected. Strong measures are necessary."

    We requested terminations andwsuits from thepany. They were angry at our sudden demands, but they couldn''t yell or berate us because we were Chronos. We were the current hot group on YMM''s growth track. Thanks to the recent advertising effect and buzz from <em>Again After Rainfall, </em>we were the idol group receiving the most attention at the moment.

    This was the big difference between a major and a minor agency. Unlikerge agencies, once an idol group from a small agency made it big, they gained a significant amount of influence. For apany that even struggled with sales,unching an idol group required sheer luck and relied on the potential of each member. Once the group debuted, their treatment quickly improved. The CEO had even taken out a loan to move our amodations and appease the mistrust of the members and the pressure from the fans.

    ¡°Can''t you be patient?"

    We silently shook our heads. The director tried to say something else, but held back and sighed. Another characteristic of small agencies was that the treatment of each member varied in importance. This was something I felt from the changing treatment of the trainees and recognized as a fact after stepping into the industry as a trainer.

    Joo-Han and I were among the most well-treated members within Chronos. I was the sub-leader and the member with objectively the most poprity within Chronos, and Joo-Han oversaw the overall production of our songs. Therefore, we had the biggest influence on thepany. Our demands were rather bold.

    ¡°If you don''t take strong action, we will proceed with personalwsuits as mentioned."

    Supervisor Kim''s face turned pale. A personalwsuit felt different to the public than awsuit at thepany level. Apanywsuit might show that, although thepany had been negligent in staff management, it was still taking steps to protect the artist.

    However, an artist proceeding with a personalwsuit could suggest that thepany prioritized protecting a staff member who leaked personal information over the artist. This could lead to issues between thepany and the artist, automatically dying the uingeback.

    ording to Ji-Hyuk from High Tension, losses from dyingebacks were significant. Apany like YMM, which had been procrastinating in hopes that the buzz would die down as it looked out for its own well-being, might only be spurred into action by such measures.

    ¡°We are not saying we won''t respond. We are discussing how to respond with the least impact, which will also ensure no incidents for youreback."

    ¡°We need an immediate response. Some members even had their family members¡¯ phone numbers leaked."

    What was there to wait for when we had already suffered? Of course, we had no intention of dying oureback. Considering the amount of effort we had put in and how much the fans were anticipating oureback, we couldn¡¯t postpone it.

    However, we didn''t let that show. Even a clumsy act like this should prompt some action. If YMM still refused, we would truly proceed with personalwsuits.

    The decision was easy when thinking about which side would suffer more. The problem was, whatever decision was made, Supervisor Kim, Su-Hwan, and even the executives would be heavily criticized for neglecting the artists and how they managed their staff.

    ¡°¡­Alright. We were going to fire Hyuk-Soo and post an official notice anyway even if you hadn''t said anything."

    Liars. They had nned to covertly fire him, waiting until the fans would not suspect the dismissal of a staff member for leaking personal information.

    ¡°Let''s just wait one more day. We will find a way to respond without making things worse. Don''t mentionwsuits or anything, you guys. We will handle it."

    The executive couldn¡¯t do anything else if we actually went through with personalwsuits. Eventually, he gave in.

    We got up, somewhat incredulous but relieved. ¡°Please take care of it. We trust you. We will go back to practice."

    After we left, It took less than a day for the issue to be resolved.

    1. YMM Entertainment fired manager Hyuk-Soo in the evening.

    2. The road manager and his girlfriend were selling Chronos'' information both domestically and internationally.

    3. All twenty-one usernames used to sell the information on the website were disclosed.

    4. The recent dormitory break-in incident also urred because the perpetrator bought this information.

    5. Notices and apologies regarding the anticipatedwsuits were posted on thepany''s website and Chronos'' online fanmunity.

    The news circted quickly and became a hot topic, and many fans were outraged. This obviously resulted in a bacsh against YMM.

    However, everyone at thepany knew that this was the best course of action. It was bittersweet to see that such an issue, which had been dragged on ambiguously for weeks, could have been resolved in just half a day with the simple threat of personalwsuits.

    1. The different types of driver''s licenses refer to different sses of vehicle operation rights. Type 1 allows the holder to drive arger and more variety of vehicles like transmission trucks and buses. Type 2 is a more restricted licensepared to Type 1 and is moremon in Korea. It is limited to operating smaller vehicles, like regr cars that meet specific size and weight criteria. This does not allow the driver to operate transmission vehicles. ?

 Chapter 277: First Full Album (13)

    Chapter 277: First Full Album (13)

    There was just one week left until the music video would be released. This imminent deadline meant that oureback was drawing closer by the day. It seemed that YMM Entertainment, which was usually buzzing with activity, decided to push many issues aside for the time being and focus solely on theeback.

    After addressing the stalker issue with official notices and articles, they avoided furtherments and dedicated their efforts to taking care of Chronos.

    In the wake of Hyuk-Soo''s departure, the vacant road manager position was promptly filled by someone personally brought in by Su-Hwan¡ªhis junior Kim Tae-Seong. He was a tall and muscr man with a blunt demeanor. He had a background in security and was new to management.

    Nevertheless, Su-Hwan assured us he was fit to be a part of the team. Tae-Seong was even quieter and more stoic than Su-Hwan, but he was diligent.

    ¡°I¡¯ve known Tae-Seong since college, so I know what kind of person he is. You can trust him for sure," Su-Hwan had vouched when Tae-Seong joined as a manager.

    True to Su-Hwan¡¯s words, Tae-Seong quickly adapted and proved his worth in a short period of time. What earned him additional trust was his careful avoidance of his personal phone during work, which was a habit he adopted to prevent any potential unease among the members.

    ¡°He turns it off voluntarily to avoid making the members anxious.¡± Su-Hwanter exined, appreciating Tae-Seong¡¯s thoughtfulness amid our ongoing concerns about information leaks.

    As theeback neared, we were deep into grueling practices for "Phantom Command."

    ¡°Aaagh! It¡¯s too painful! Aaagh!" Goh Yoo-Joon screamed as he danced. His hesitance was evident, yet every beat seemed topel him to keep going. This embodied the reluctant but inevitable performance of a capitalist idol who worked for money. Goh Yoo-Joon appeared desperate for a break and sneaked nces at Lee Jin-Sung for any sign of reprieve. However, Jin-Sung, our dance leader, responded with even greater intensity. ¡°No wayyyyy! Keep going! From now on, it¡¯s a real mental fight!"

    What a crazy bastard. It was torturous, but Jin-Sung relished the challenge. I gritted my teeth and followed his lead by pushing through with the choreography.

    Behind me, Joo-Han called out desperately to Jin-Sung. ¡°Ah... Sung, I think I''m going to copse. Sung, Lee Jin-Sung!"

    Jin-Sung replied with the same intensity he had directed at Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°Don''t copse! Keep going! Don¡¯t stop!"

    The practice room felt more like a boot camp than a dance studio. Yoon-Chan also struggled with the intensity of the choreography right beside me, and he eventually copsed, probably because he lost the strength in his legs.

    Fortunately, Jin-Sung was able to distinguish between those who looked like they were about to faint and those who could still handle it. Yoon-Chan looked as if he was on the brink of death, but he continued the choreography without a word.

    The choreography for this title track was truly legendary, surpassing all previous ones in difficulty. While the acrobatics were reduced, theplexity and intensity of dance moves remained high.

    From the middle of the first verse, we were so out of breath that carrying out this performance live required immense mental fortitude. However, we eventually became able to perform the entire song live with multiple practice sessions. We were all gasping for breath and unable to sing after just one run-through of the intro choreography at first.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung! Your arms are losing strength! Yoon-Chan hyung, get up too! You took too many breaks!"

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Yoon-Chan struggled to his feet and resumed dancing. He looked as if he was on the verge of tears.

    ¡°Jin-Sung! I feel like I''m going to die!"

    ¡°Ah! Yoo-Joon hyung, you are still okay! Look at Hyun-Woo hyung! He¡¯s the weakest, but still hanging in there! Everyone, you can¡¯t copse before Hyun-Woo hyung does!"

    <em>¡°¡­Huff,</em> I¡ª" I wanted to p him so badly, but the choreography was so hard that I couldn''t even speak, damn it.

    In the midst of this, Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled painfully at Jin-Sung¡¯s criticalments directed at me, despite the strain. Throughout the next part of the choreography, Jin-Sung ignored Yoo-Joon¡¯s cries and moved on to his rap section.

    ? I open my eyes in this night

    I stagger and grope along the wall,

    Whispering love as I search for you,

    I love you, wake up

    While Jin-Sung rapped, Goh Yoo-Joon and I nked him and executed the choreography. Meanwhile, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan moved to the back to prepare for the next sequence and catch their breath.

    ? My heart races

    Is it fear, or is it love?

    When I whisper into closed ears,

    The you in this fantasy says

    It''s love

    As Jin-Sung fiercely contorted behind us, Goh Yoo-Joon stepped back in the middle, and I moved a step forward to face Jin-Sung directly. Dancers were not present at the moment, but if they were, they would flock to me to lead me right in front of Jin-Sung.

    Jin-Sung rapped and red at me fiercely. Then, he ced two fingers on my forehead like the barrel of a gun. I slowly dropped to my knees. Jin-Sung''s fingers almost touched my forehead, matching my height and descending slowly.

    ? I only need the you in this fantasy,

    I¡¯d kill the real you

    Then, as if Jin-Sung had fired the gun with his gesture, I jerked and fell backward. Amidst this, Yoon-Chan stepped forward to continue his part as the beat shifted abruptly to a deep, chilling, or perhaps mournful piano sound. During his part, the rest of us crouched and moved back to prepare for the next choreography.

    ? The moon shines like winter,

    Can I still see you even in the darkness?

    Even if you are from another world,

    I can love you without any problems

    The fast and rough progression of the song up to Jin-Sung''s rap part dramatically calmed down with Yoon-Chan''s delicate voice. It was a section that only Yoon-Chan could enhance with his voice, a section that needed his unique touch.

    I clutched at my racing heart in the back of the practice room and stood up. Next up was my part. I was tasked with lifting the gentle section of the song back up.

    ? I will protect my you

    Until the morninges,

    From this spot,

    I will whisper love forever

    Phantom spirit

    And then the dance break leading to the highlight of the song began.

    ***

    ¡°Let''s take a break," Jin-Sung suggested.

    ¡°¡­Phew, thank you," Joo-Han said, grateful that Teacher Jin-Sung was kind enough to let us rest.

    The other members were exhausted. We all copsed on the floor in unison.

    ¡°Ah¡­ I''m going to die¡­"

    I had neither the strength to go grab a water bottle nor the energy to speak. I justy there, gasping for air while staring at the ceiling.

    ¡°¡­Ah."

    I was soaked in sweat, I was mentally exhausted, and I just wished I could close my eyes and take a short nap right there while ignoring the difort. Even Jin-Sung, who was usually overflowing with energy, now seemed like he wanted to take a proper rest.

    Jin-Sungy down beside me and asked, ¡°Hyung, whew, was it really tough?"

    As I silently nodded, he turned his head to look at all the members and then back at the ceiling. There was a long pause before he spoke. ¡°Let''s resume after lunch."

    Damn, the sun hadn¡¯t even set yet. It was 4 PM, so it was a veryte lunch. I threw one leg over Jin-Sung as I was moved by a surge of emotion.

    The practice room door opened, and Manager Tae-Seong entered with sports drinks. ¡°Sorry to interrupt the practice."

    ¡°Wow, you are a lifesaver," Goh Yoo-Joon said, out of breath.

    Given that everyone was too weak to even walk to the water dispenser, the sports drinks Tae-Seong brought seemed like a salvation. He handed out the drinks to each member before looking at me.

    It seemed like he had something to say, so I spoke first. ¡°¡­What is it, manager?"

    This prompted Tae-Seong toe over and extend his hand toward me.

    ¡°Can you get up?"

    ¡°Yes? Ouch!"

    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s crazy.¡± Jin-Sung eximed in amazement.

    Without even realizing it, I grabbed his hand and was swiftly pulled up to my feet. He was indeed strong, well, he did have a background in security...

    ¡°Can you walk?"

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Oh, yes, I can walk." I quickly answered as I feared he might even carry me if I said I couldn''t walk. I asked him why he was acting this way.

    Tae-Seong replied with an expressionless face, ¡°Reina is here. I don''t know the exact reason, but Senior Su-Hwan has asked for you toe."

    ¡°Ah." I remembered hearing that Reina was supposed toe by this afternoon.

    As soon as Tae-Seong finished speaking, the members struggled to their feet and staggered past me as if on cue.

    "Go ahead. We will go eat."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, take the chance to sneak in some rest. Replenish your energy!"

    ¡°Gosh, Joo-Han hyung. That¡¯s not right! You tell me not to use tricks but to practice!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, go ahead. Enjoy your meal.¡± Everyone said their goodbyes to me as they headed out to eat.

    Tae-Seong nced at me briefly. ¡°Is it difficult for you to walk? I will carry¡ª"

    ¡°No, I can go by myself." I quickly wiped off my sweat with a towel. ¡°I will change clothes and head there myself, so please enjoy your meal, manager."

    Tae-Seong looked at me intently before nodding and turning toward the other members.

    "Phew." After the practice room door closed, I casually shook my head and changed clothes.

    Finally, the meeting with Reina, which kept getting postponed due to the stalking incident, was going to happen. As theeback date approached, it was also time to start preparing for the coboration with her.

 Chapter 278: First Full Album (14)

    <h4>Chapter 278: First Full Album (14)</h4>

    Reina frowned deeply. ¡°How have you been? I heard you haven''t eaten yet? Oh dear, this is bad." She shot a stern look at Supervisor Kim. ¡°Supervisor, it''s your job to ensure the members eat before their practice sessions, isn¡¯t it?"

    ¡°We do feed them! <i>They </i>are the ones who choose to practice instead of eating. It''s not my fault."

    ¡°Supervisor, those times are long gone. Even if they say they aren''t hungry, you should persuade them to eat."

    It was clear from their interaction that Reina and Supervisor Kim shared afortable rapport.

    Supervisor Kim muttered under his breath, "That''s really something for the managers to handle," and quickly changed the subject.

    I awkwardly tousled my still-damp hair while Su-Hwan shed me an apologetic nce. It was true that we had chosen to skip meals for practice, so Supervisor Kim really had nothing to apologize for.

    Reina said, ¡°Let''s grab some food after the meeting. It will be my treat. I didn¡¯t realize Hyun-Woo hadn¡¯t eaten till now." She didn''t dwell on small talk and swiftly shifted to business matters. ¡°We haven¡¯t had our meeting yet, but I¡¯ve been keeping the project moving. I am in charge of the marketing strategies and song production anyway."

    ¡°Ah, yes."

    ¡°If you feel neglected for not being included until now, I¡¯m sorry. I really wanted to minimize your stress."

    ¡°No, I appreciate it, truly." I wasn''t upset at all. Given the tighteback schedule and the unforeseen incidents, coupled with the song I wrote for Yoon-Chan, managing this project too might have been overwhelming. If this project had been added to my schedule, it might have pushed me over the edge mentally.

    Although I was the main character receiving most of the limelight in this cooperation, I was ironically the most dispensable. As merely Reina¡¯s muse, honestly, receiving the finished product after all the preparations were done was quite convenient for me.

    ¡°We just need to record. When would be a good time? What is Chronos'' exacteback schedule?"

    Supervisor Kim checked his phone and was surprised. ¡°Wow, time really flies. There¡¯s less than two weeks left."

    ¡°Hmm." Reina frowned and twirled a pen in her hand. She seemed to be recalling the modified schedule due to recent events. After contemting for a moment, she proposed, ¡°Since there¡¯s no rush, why don''t we proceed with recording after theeback?"

    ¡°Oh, Reina, that would be great. Thank you."

    ¡°However, I''d appreciate it if Su-Hwan could clear up the schedule by then."

    ¡°Yes, I will get in touch soon."

    Reina was one of our country¡¯s top singers. She had rearranged her schedule multiple times just for me. Considering she was as busy as we were with her own career, I wouldn¡¯t have med her if she canceled this project due to the repeated dys. The only reason she had been so amodating was simple.

    ¡°Please, just make sure my artist is well taken care of mentally and physically. If he is unwell, no music wille out. You understand, right, supervisor?"

    Given the instability I¡¯d shown during our time together in the US, where I had even fainted, her concern was understandable.

    ¡°The track is alreadyplete, so have a listen. This isn¡¯t for feedback, I just want you to hear it."

    Reina had taken on all the production and work herself. Her confidence was evident in every word she spoke.

    She yed the track. ¡°The title is still undecided, but it will be typical of what I usually create. It¡¯s definitely going to scream that I produced it."

    Whenever she released her songs, Reina''s tracks often dominated the charts and stood strong even against top-tier idols in sales. The song that was given to me maintained the high quality emblematic of Reina''s work, but it was clearly tailored to have a unique approach. It was different from her own singing pieces.

    ¡°I tailored it to fit your voice and the vibe you exude. Just being around you all day in the US inspired me.¡±

    It was a simpler song, but more poignant and sorrowful. This must have been the vibe Reina perceived from me.

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not that you strike me as such a sad character. It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve exaggerated the expressions you show on stage. It¡¯s your aesthetic that I love."

    ¡°Reina, I really love it. I can¡¯t wait to perform it."

    ¡°Right? I will send you the lyrics as soon as they are ready so you can start practicing."

    When my identity would be revealed, I would likely have to show my face. Until then, I needed to convey emotions through my voice since people wouldn¡¯t be able to perceive my facial expressions.

    Following this, Reina and our team''s staff continued their meeting, which was mostly about sharing schedules and discussing investments. From that point on, I became somewhat of an invisible presence as a neer, so I just listened intently and tried to understand everything being discussed.

    ¡°Shall we wrap it up here? You must be really hungry."

    The meeting had been extended. It was only at 5:30 PM that I was finally able to have lunch, which by then had turned into dinner.

    ¡°Hyung, you made it?"

    ¡°It seemed like it was gettingte, so I thought about ending today''s practice. But since Hyun-Woo''s here, shall we go one more round, Jin-Sung?"

    ¡°What? Joo-Han, do my ears deceive me? You¡¯re proposing to continue practicing? Sure."

    ¡°Aaaaah! If Jin-Sung decides to practice more, at least massage my poor legs first."

    After eating, I returned to the practice room where the members greeted me in various states. Joo-Han was busy on hisptop, and Jin-Sung was massaging Goh Yoo-Joon''s legs while sighing. I sat down beside Yoon-Chan, who was resting in a corner.

    ¡°It looks like the meeting took a long time. Have you eaten?"

    ¡°I just have."

    ¡°Did you get to hear the song?"

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s really good..."

    Reina had really prepared a lot. She had chosen me as the protagonist of the biggest project of her entertainment career, which brought a substantial amount of pressure and responsibility.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan, I am really going to do my best."

    ¡°...Me too." Yoon-Chan gripped his phone tightly. ¡°I will try my best too."

    He was holding onto his phone so tightly that he identally pressed the power button. The screen lit up showing that the track Iposed for him was ying. He had been listening to it.

    The track was originally a bad to which I''d added a tropical vibe and changed the lyrics to sound somewhat more hopeful. I had spent the entire day face-to-face with Producer Do, practically remaking the track from scratch for Yoon-Chan.

    Perhaps Yoon-Chan was feeling a simr heavy sense of responsibility as he received a song soden with a fellow team member''s hard work. I felt a sense of pride and stayed silently by his side until he listened to the entire track.

    Yoon-Chan hummed softly. His quiet practice continued until Jin-Sung called out to us to resume practicing.

    ***

    The preparations for theeback were progressing fairly well. True to his reputation as a master of sales, Supervisor Kim had secured spots on both terrestrial and cable broadcasters where we would perform two songs each for oureback. The choreography, which had been slightly off, was now perfected, and we could perform live while breathing properly.

    One week before the music video was released, the members gathered in the middle of the practice room facing the camera.

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos."

    ¡°Everyone, you''ve waited a long time, right? We are finally making oureback with ¡®Phantom Spirit.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Woah!!!"

    ¡°Today marks one week before the music video release. As a privilege for Chronos, we will take some time to preview it first before it goes public," Joo-Han said.

    The members cheered. The music video had been dyed by multiple edits and corrections and had only just been handed over to thepany a week before its release.

    Today, we had to film our reactions to the music video we had worked so hard on.

    ¡°This ¡®Phantom Spirit¡¯ marks the end of our first universe story."

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s really sad."

    ¡°What do you think, Yoo-Joon?"

    Joo-Han passed the question to Goh Yoo-Joon, who smiled awkwardly and replied, ¡°To be honest, I don''t really understand what¡¯s going on when I watch it."

    ¡°Right. Me neither. It''s fascinating when Rings interpret the story and post their exnations." Jin-Sung chimed in. The other members and I nodded in agreement.

    ¡°When we film, we have an idea of what each scene is supposed to convey and the general part of the story."

    ¡°Right, but still, we don¡¯t really understand the plot."

    ¡°The writer doesn¡¯t exin everything in detail, so when we read Rings¡¯ interpretations, we end up saying ¡®Ah, so that¡¯s what that symbolizes!¡¯"

    Sometimes, we only realized after shooting that a scene was meant to be a twist. Other times, we didn''t even know what a scene was about.

    Of course, since this "Phantom Spirit" was thest part of the story, all the members knew how it ended. However, the music video intricately concealed many aspects that only sharp-eyed fans could uncover.

    ¡°Shall we watch it now?"

    ¡°Wow, I''m really excited," Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    ¡°Shh, shh, hyung, be quiet." Jin-Sung dramatically put his finger to his lips to silence Goh Yoo-Joon, who responded right next to Jin-Sung''s ear with a mischievous expression, "Got it!"

    ¡°Shhh, time to shut your mouths. Let''s watch."

    Joo-Han yed the music video. Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung quieted down. All the members focused intently on the screen. The music video started without any music.

    <i>Drrr¡ª</i>

    It began with adult Goh Yoo-Joon, dressed in a suit. He opened the ssroom door and stood in the doorway, expressionlessly surveying thepletely empty room. Despite the bright sunlight flooding the silent, empty school, there was an eerie feeling of destion.

    With a deeply bitter expression, Goh Yoo-Joon sighed as he stepped into the ssroom.

    He then stood at the teacher''s desk and stared nkly for a while before turning around to pick up a piece of chalk.

    He wrote something down in an elegant script.

    [He betrayed us]

 Chapter 279: First Full Album (15)

    <h4>Chapter 279: First Full Album (15)</h4>

    ¡°I really put a lot of effort into writing that as beautiful as I could.¡±

    <i>¡°You</i> wrote that, hyung? But your handwriting is terrible.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but it turned out pretty good, didn¡¯t it? It looks like it was written by a sessful businessman.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon was admiring his own handwriting in the video andughed off Jin-Sung¡¯sment about his typically poor penmanship.

    In the video, Goh Yoo-Joon had just finished writing on the chalkboard and was now stepping back with a stern expression. His face was a mix ofplex emotions.

    The camera then focused solely on the chalkboard''s message and gradually faded to darkness. On the ck screen, the words ¡°Phantom Spirit (»ÃÏëì`)¡± appeared in white before slowly disappearing.

    The scene shifted to a pastel-colored dance set featuring a close-up of me. The background gradually darkened as the camera pulled back to include all the members.

    The music began ying. The choreography videomenced with us dancing, intermittently showing fleeting glimpses of someone running.

    ? Nightmares are rampant,

    I sink into this ce,

    The more you meet me,

    Therger my presence grows

    The alternating shots of the choreography and someone running fully transitioned to just the runner. The camera moved up from the runner¡¯s legs and revealed Yoon-Chan''s face stricken with terror as he ran.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan really looks scared, huh?"

    ¡°Ah, I look like that because... I was tired from running so much earlier..."

    Goh Yoo-Joonughed at Yoon-Chan¡¯s exnation. He said that whenever he saw that scene, he would only remember how exhausted Yoon-Chan had been during filming.

    ¡°This time, the mood is very grim. Isn''t the music video scary already, even though it barely started?"

    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying! Well, no one filmed anything scary, right?" Jin-Sung asked while half-hiding behind me.

    The other members justughed without replying to him.

    ¡°Why isn''t anyone answering? Did you film something scary?"

    No one did. But we didn¡¯t respond.

    Meanwhile, the music video scene shifted from Yoon-Chan to what could be considered the center of the narrative: a flower field.

    ¡°Wow! Who could that be?"

    ¡°Rings will probably guess right away!"

    Lee Jin-Sung was smiling at someone across from him in his fantasy world. The stranger was also looking at him. A ck shirt could be seen underneath the white cape that covered the stranger entirely, their face hidden underneath the hood of the cape.

    ¡°..."

    That was me. I pretended to focus on the music video while ignoring the members'' teasing and attempts at pretending they didn¡¯t know who that was.

    ¡°Who could it be? Who is that? That guy has a nice head shape from the back!"

    Jin-Sung and I shook hands. The camera slowly zoomed in on our sped hands. Between the palms of Jin-Sung and mine was a pocket watch that had appeared in every music video so far.

    ? In the darkness beyond the night,

    I wait for you to find me

    When you awaken,

    Let''s dance in the fantasy

    The camera showed Joo-Han ying the piano. He circled the piano slowly and pressed a key to test it. Then, he moved away from it, pacing broadly around the room.

    The pastel pink background had somehow turned murky. Joo-Han¡¯s expression was hard to read, as if he was hesitating about something.

    ¡°Wow, I really don''t get it. I try to understand what¡¯s going on, but I feel lost already,¡± I said.

    Yoon-Chan nodded in agreement. ¡°If it''s not your own scene, it¡¯s hard to know what it''s about."

    ¡°Right."

    ? In my world, you gradually

    Rise up

    The video continued to alternate between scenes of Yoon-Chan running until the first verse and chorus, Goh Yoo-Joon sitting destely in a club room chair, Lee Jin-Sung being with a stranger¡ªin this case, me¡ªand Joo-Han hesitating in the flower field.

    After the chorus ended, the music paused. The flower field was shown. The silence in the video was broken when the veiled person and Jin-Sung, who had been holding hands, grinned at each other. Jin-Sung then released the watch and my hand and stepped back, vanishing.

    An exmation involuntarily escaped Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°Waaah, what a mood. This is seriously no joke..."

    The atmosphere of the music video was profound, mysterious, and eerie. Despite the members usually makingments, no one was speaking anymore since we were all absorbed in the video.

    <i>Creak¡ª</i>

    A metallic noise followed by the repetitive sound of a music box could be heard. The camera focused on a watch barely hanging onto my wrist, swinging loosely.

    <i>Creak¡ª</i>

    Another metallic sound was heard. The screen briefly darkened before lighting up again, showing Jin-Sung, as if reenacting his presence in the middle of the flower field where he always stood.

    The sound of a music box was heard again. I finally pulled down the veil that was covering my face. The previously unknown man looked at the camera expressionlessly. As if a great secret was revealed, the person was, of course, me. A dramatic sound effect yed.

    ¡°Ooooh!!!"

    ¡°Whoa! Suh Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Yes, that man was me, haha." I awkwardly said as I was jostled around by Jin-Sung, who was gripping and vigorously shaking my shoulder.

    From that moment on, the color palette of the music video changed dramatically. The song started ying again. Night had fallen at the school where Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan were. The previously dim sky was strangely changing its color. Slowly but noticeably, it shifted to the pastel pink that had been representative of the fantasy world until now.

    In contrast, the background of the fantasy world itself crumbled and gradually darkened as if the world was copsing.

    ? The moon shines like winter,

    Can I still see you even in the darkness?

    Even if you are from another world,

    I can love you without any problems

    I was standing in the flower field and was holding the cane that Jin-Sung had used. I was wearing the badge he had worn. I was on the screen every time the screen transitioned.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was sitting in the empty clubroom, looking around regretfully as the sky changed.

    ¡°Something is changing in the world now. What could that be?" Joo-Han narrated as if he was the center of attention in that scene.

    Goh Yoo-Joon slowly stood up and opened the door of the clubroom. The corridor outside the clubroom through the window was also turning into pastel colors. He hesitated for a moment before calmly stepping out.

    The clubroom door closed. The camera showed the empty school hallway without any trace of Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Wow, it changed so much. That must have been tough to shoot."

    Jin-Sung gave a thumbs-up above his head. ¡°We filmed in apletely dark environment. I really respect the producers."

    Then, Yoon-Chan, who had been running all day in the video, suddenly stopped in front of the school. He was visibly confused about how he ended up there as he looked at the school with a defeated expression.

    The pastel-colored sky was reflected in Yoon-Chan¡¯s eyes. He was about to step back inplete terror, but hesitated when he heard someone¡¯s footsteps. Reluctantly, he stepped inside through the wide-open school gate.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan really ran all day that day."

    ¡°Even watching the music video makes you breathe hard. Good job, Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Yoon-Chan got sick after that day."

    ¡°No, it was manageable. It felt like I worked out for a long time."

    ¡°...You are too kind."

    I patted Yoon-Chan on the head and back. He had been sore for days from the muscle strain, yet he said it was okay. This truly was a testament to his kindness.

    Someone chasing Yoon-Chan was caught on camera. Yoon-Chan avoided the owner of the footsteps and went deeper into the dark school building. The music video then switched to show me standing in the copsing world of the flower field. I opened my eyes and looked at the camera before the scene changed again.

    ? I wait for this night

    Even as dawn breaks,

    I await your illusion,

    And whisper eternal love

    The song halted, and with it, so did the whirlwind of emotions it expressed.

    <i>Creak¡ª</i>

    Yoon-Chan gasped for air as he opened a door somewhere that led to a ssroom.

    ¡°Haah...<i> huff..." </i>His eyes wavered. This all-too-familiar ce was the clubroom.

    [He betrayed us]

    Yoon-Chan stared nkly at the phrase Goh Yoo-Joon had left behind. The person who had been following Yoon-Chan into the ssroom closed the door. Yoon-Chan got startled and turned around. The camera slowly moved up from the pursuer¡¯s feet to reveal their identity.

    It was Lee Jin-Sung, dressed just as he was in the fantasy world.

    [He is not a friend]

    White letters appeared on a ck screen. Again, the scene showed an empty school without any signs of Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan. The sports field was shown. I was dressed in a ck shirt and wore a badge, looking at the mes inside a burning drum under a darkened real-world sky. There were no emotions on my face as I watched the fire.

    I raised my hand to drop something into the mes before walking back into the school building. The burning items were the name tags of Goh Yoo-Joon, Lee Jin-Sung, and Park Yoon-Chan.

    Joo-Han was watching me from the rooftop in his fantasy world attire. The screen darkened once more, and white letters carved another message.

    [Guilt]

    [Longing for lost memories]

    [I will willingly live with it]

    [For my brother¡ª]

    I walked into the clubroom and erased the phrase ¡®He betrayed us¡¯ written on the chalkboard. The tears fell spontaneously from my eyes, but the director made them appear as if they were part of the production. With that, the music video concluded.

    ¡°...Yes, it¡¯s over.¡±

    As the ending credits rolled, Joo-Han stopped the video and began to rouse the members one by one. We were all lost in the afterglow of the clip.

    ¡°Alright, everyone. Let¡¯s share some thoughts. What did you think about it?¡±

 Chapter 280: First Full Album (16)

    <h4>Chapter 280: First Full Album (16)</h4>

    I heard that considerable effort had gone into the music video for the title track of our first full album. Given the exceptional response to our group''s universe and the substantial influx of interest it generated, it had been one of the few areas where thepany hadn''t held back on investment since our debut.

    This particr music video showcased an abundance of fantastical elements, resembling a condensed fantasy Hollywood movie. The realization that we were actually the characters in such an epic production was both astonishing and an honor. The production time had been understandably extended several times.

    ¡°The scenes showcasing the sky are seriously incredible, aren¡¯t they? Oh my gosh. I had no idea it could look this stunning.¡±

    ¡°The world falling apart? I was in awe when the background behind Hyun-Woo hyung copsed."

    ¡°Exactly. Me too. Jin-Sung, could you sit down? You are blocking Yoon-Chan from the camera."

    I tried to calm down an excited Jin-Sung while also agreeing with him. The other members¡¯ initial reactions mostly focused on the music video''s special effects.

    ¡°And what about the story? Do you guys get it?" Joo-Han asked. He tried to steer the conversation in a new direction, but the members who had been enthusiastically praising the visuals suddenly fell silent. We exchanged awkward smiles. It was a clear sign that most of us, myself included, hadn''t fully grasped the story.

    Joo-Han seemed to have some understanding of the plot, but chose not to borate. As the silence lingered, all the members burst intoughter.

    ¡°I trust our Rings will interpret the story well,¡± I said. ¡°They always understand these things better than we do."

    ¡°That''s right. We really do rely on you guys!"

    ¡°Yeah, it''s always surprising. How are you guys so smart? Every time we see your interpretations, we are like, ''Was that really what happened?'' It''s amazing."

    As Jin-Sung became excited again, I gently nudged him to sit down. It was almost a routine to manage his bursts of enthusiasm.

    Since each member took turns speaking, the room quickly filled with chatter. Joo-Han quieted everyone down and said, ¡°Let''s start wrapping up our thoughts on the music video for ¡®Phantom Spirit.¡¯ Just onement from everyone and we will finish."

    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I will start." Joo-Han volunteered, seemingly eager to set the tone. ¡°I really enjoyed the visuals. Yoon-Chan, you ran a lot. Thank you for that."

    ¡°...That¡¯s quite a personal remark, isn¡¯t it?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon teased with a soft chuckle.

    Joo-Han just shrugged nonchntly and pointed at Jin-Sung. ¡°Next up, our youngest. What did you think about the video?"

    ¡°Am I limited to just one sentence?"

    ¡°Yes."

    As Jin-Sung was getting ready to speak, hands formed into makeshift microphones were thrust in his face.

    Jin-Sung looked somewhat exasperated and red at Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han, and me. "I didn¡¯t expect it to turn out so cool and shocking,¡± he blurted out. ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung looks handsome. That¡¯s it. Okay! Back off!"

    "''Suh Hyun-Woo looks handsome'' is all you have to say?" Goh Yoo-Joonughed mockingly.

    I stood up, pushed Goh Yoo-Joon away yfully, and asked Jin-Sung, ¡°Do you want to borate a bit more?"

    ¡°You get flustered when praised but act like this?"

    ¡°No, honestly, didn¡¯t Hyun-Woo hyung look incredibly handsome this time? The flower field makes him look way more handsome than normal. Last time, I was the handsome one," Jin-Sung said as if reciting memorized lines before awkwardly trailing off.

    ¡°Right, he was so handsome that I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off him," Yoon-Chan added as he tried to capture somepliments.

    I ended up feeling ticklish all over from the praise. I covered Jin-Sung''s mouth to move the discussion along, but Joo-Han brushed my hand away and said in a serious tone, ¡°No, you are always handsome."

    Goh Yoo-Joon yfully snitched on Joo-Han with a faux hurt expression. ¡°...Hyung, you say Suh Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan are pretty no matter what they do. Rings! Joo-Han hyung has favorites for sure. His favorite is Suh Hyun-Woo, and his second favorite is Yoon-Chan!"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung look mature and handsome. I love them all equally. What favoritism are you talking about? How much pocket money have I given you, you rascal?" Joo-Han retorted.

    I, Yoon-Chan, and Goh Yoo-Joon each shared our thoughts in turn.

    ¡°Yes, we were all very satisfied watching the music video, but I wonder what our Rings will think about it."

    ¡°I hope it gets released soon. The music video, the song, and the choreography turned out so well. I can''t wait to enjoy them together with our fans."

    After I spoke, Joo-Han nodded in agreement before moving on to the closing remarks. ¡°Then, everyone, we hope you enjoyed all that we''ve prepared so far. See you on stage soon! Two, three!"

    ¡°We are Chronos! Thank you!"

    ¡°Bye!" Jin-Sung waved to the camera as he said his final farewell, ending the recording.

    ¡°...Shall we watch it one more time, Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Sure." I pressed the space bar on theptop, and the music video yed again.

    Even upon another viewing, the graphics and visual effects were stunning. We ended up reying it at least five more times before resuming practice. The music video would be released alongside oureback album in a week.

    ***

    With three days until theeback, our routine had be increasingly monotonous. Practice, dorm, practice, dorm, practice, dorm. Some days, we skipped the dorm altogether and crashed in the practice room to both sleep and live there due to the unprecedented difficulty of the dance routines.

    The choreography was not only physically demanding but also required precise coordination with the dancers and careful attention to every movement and limb angle, leaving us barely able to walk by the end of practice. It was exhausting. Yet, the thought of delivering such a high-quality performance kept us going.

    However, today, we broke from this repetitive routine to shoot a video for <i>UTube</i> to celebrate oureback.

    ¡°Are we all set? Can we start filming?"

    ¡°Yes!" came the energetic reply from the Chronos team staff.

    Free from their sweat-drenched practice clothes, the members were now dressed in suits and looked every bit the part of polished idols.

    ¡°Chronos, please walk on set! Find your seats marked with your names!"

    ¡°Yes!" The set resembled a corporate boardroom. We took our ces at the designated spots marked with our names.

    It was time for the second Chronos meeting. The sess of the first Chronos meeting, which had been filmed during thest founding ceremony and released on<i> UTube, </i>had been phenomenal. With individual variety show appearances in the pipeline and this build-up, the Chronos meetings were ted to be a regr content feature.

    Today''s session was again led by Joo-Han. Me, Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Yoon-Chan were all on different teams.

    ¡°Let''s start shooting! Three, two, cue!"

    Dramatic background music befitting a prime-time news broadcast could be heard in the studio.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, hello. Two, three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Thank you for having us!"

    ¡°Yes, today the much-anticipated second Chronos meeting is going to take ce."

    Joo-Han''s lead was met with enthusiastic responses from the members. He sped his hands over his heart and bowed from side to side, greeting everyone.

    ¡°First, let¡¯s review the issues from the first meeting. The biggest controversy was¡ª"

    ¡°Controversy, what controversy!" Jin-Sung suddenly stood up, interrupting Joo-Han with a loud objection.

    Joo-Han pointed at him with an unabashed expression. ¡°Jin-Sung''s guardian, please keep your kid quiet."

    ¡°Ah, yes, sorry. This child is acting up again... I will make sure he stays quiet. Please forgive him this time."

    ¡°What? What are you talking about!"

    ¡°We will forgive him this time. Please be careful he doesn¡¯t act up again."

    I quickly apologized and calmed Jin-Sung, making him sit back down. Across from us, Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan were biting their lips, trying to hold back theirughter.

    As if nothing happened, Joo-Han continued, ¡°Last meeting¡¯s big debate was ''For how long will Jin-Sung keep bulking up?¡¯ The majority decided to ban him from bulking up for a while. Has he been adhering to that?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon raised his hand. Joo-Han pointed at him with the baton, adding a touch of ir that nearly made him look like a wizard about to cast a spell.

    ¡°Yes, Goh Yoo-Joon. Yourment?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon lowered his hand and pointed directly at Yoon-Chan. ¡°Teacher, he has something to say."

    ¡°...I am not your teacher."

    ¡°Teaaacher!"

    ¡°...Sometimes I think Goh Yoo-Joon is crazy," I whispered to Jin-Sung, who nodded in agreement.

    Joo-Han sighed deeply and nodded. ¡°Yes, then. Park Yoon-Chan."

    Ah, he actually went along with it.

    ¡°Speak up. What do you have to say?"

    Yoon-Chan nced at Goh Yoo-Joon and me before addressing Joo-Han. ¡°I have something to report about my roommate, Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Yes, go ahead."

    ¡°Ah, hyung!" Jin-Sung banged on the desk and stood up again.

    I quickly stabilized the shaking desk and calmed him down. ¡°Jin-Sung, shh, shh. Let him talk, will you?"

    ¡°Ah, Hyun-Woo hyung, not you, too!"

    Yoon-Chan firmly stated, ¡°After Jin-Sung was banned from bulking up, he secretly did push-ups before bed. I¡¯ve seen him looking up dumbbells online."

    ¡°What, I can¡¯t even do push-ups now?"

    ¡°Jin-Sung,e on! How can you do push-ups in the dorm and look for dumbbells! How could you..."

    Goh Yoo-Joon feigned shock and pointed at me. ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo losing his cool. That¡¯s all from getting tossed around by Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Why are you like this?"

    Joo-Han, more stylishly this time, pointed the baton at me. ¡°Hyun-Woo, quickly! Feel Jin-Sung¡¯s shoulders and arms!"

    ¡°Why are you making me do this? This is weird!" I felt Jin-Sung¡¯s shoulders and arms and raised my hand. ¡°Judge, I mean, teacher! Jin-Sung¡¯s arms are very firm!"

    Joo-Han excitedly shouted and suddenly returned to a stone-face before lifting the gavel. ¡°Jin-Sung has not adhered to the bulking ban, so his penalty will be extended for the duration of this activity."

    <i>Bang, bang, bang!</i>

    Jin-Sung cried out in protest at the verdict while the other membersughed.

    Joo-Han managed to maintain the lighthearted atmosphere for a while before moving on to the next item on the agenda. ¡°Now, let¡¯s officially introduce the first topic of this second meeting.¡±

    He peeled off a sticker from the panel he was holding.

    [Goh Yoo-Joon''s ''Honey'' Situation: How Will He Take Responsibility?]

    - During the shoot of <i>Again After Rainfall,</i> Goh Yoo-Joon improvised endearments like ''honey'' during a video call with Suh Hyun-Woo that wasn''t scripted.

    - As a result, Rings began demanding that each member produce simr video call skits after this video was released on <i>UTube</i>.

    - Goh Yoo-Joon''s remarks have put the members in a position where they will need to perform cringe-worthy acting.

    - How will Goh Yoo-Joon take responsibility for this situation?

    ¡°Yes, this issue was anonymously suggested by someone from our Chronos team and staff regarding Goh Yoo-Joon''s ''honey'' incident," Joo-Han continued.

    Goh Yoo-Joon scoffed, looking incredulous. ¡°Is this really something I need to take responsibility for? I was just doing my job!"

    Jin-Sung dramatically stood up and mmed the table as if he was about to break it. He yelled, ¡°Are you saying Hyun-Woo hyung sucks at acting?"

    ¡°...Why am I being brought into this?" I couldn''t help but interject.

    Jin-Sung cracked a smirk as his momentary immersion broke. He chuckled. The meeting had plunged into chaos.

 Chapter 281: First Full Album (17)

    <h4>Chapter 281: First Full Album (17)</h4>

    ¡°Jin-Sung, stopughing during the meeting. Don''tugh, please, just sit down."

    ¡°I didn''t do anything wrong!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon imitated Jin-Sung by mming his hand on the desk as he stood. ¡°Who even decided to use this as a topic?"

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, sit down!" Joo-Han countered loudly as he swung his baton with even more intensity. At this point, the baton seemed more like a wizard''s staff than a conductor''s. He might cast spells with it at any moment.

    ¡°Why do I have to sit?"

    ¡°Raise your hand and shout ''objection,'' then you can talk!"

    ¡°Does that matter? I am already standing. Just let me talk!"

    ¡°This session has some strict rules that must be followed."

    At Joo-Han''s sternmand, Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled before quietly sitting down. He straightened his desk and even dusted off Yoon-Chan''s shoulder before raising his hand. ¡°Your Honor, I have something to say."

    ¡°Yes, Goh Yoo-Joon, go ahead."

    ¡°I don''t think this is my fault. I shouldn''t be responsible..." Goh Yoo-Joon pointed at me. ¡°Isn''t this Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s responsibility, though?"

    Joo-Han then stood up and banged the table dramatically. ¡°How is this Suh Hyun-Woo''s fault? Overruled!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon turned to the camera, gesturing dramatically. ¡°Look, Rings! The judge is clearly biased!"

    ¡°I am not biased. I am just conducting a fair trial."

    I watched the heated exchange between the two, slowly standing up and moving toward Joo-Han. I then dramatically threw myself into Joo-Han''s arms and made a petnt face at Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°See? It¡¯s not my fault, our big hyung said so!"

    Joo-Han closed his eyes and smiled as he patted my head.

    The meeting descended intoplete disarray. The atmosphere heated up until we finally strayed too far from the original topic. After a while, the production team intervened to mediate the situation.

    - Let''s all take a sip of water and return to the topic at hand.

    Everyone settled back into their ces, sipping water as instructed by the production team. The atmosphere became somewhat rxed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s calm down and listen to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s point of view again. Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    ¡°Yes, Your Honor."

    ¡°Why do you think this issue is Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s responsibility?"

    ¡°Well, if you watch that video carefully, it was Suh Hyun-Woo who came up with the idea. I didn¡¯t volunteer for it!"

    ¡°Ah, right. It was Hyun-Woo hyung who prompted it," Jin-Sung agreed in a casual tone. I patted his shoulder. Jin-Sung took a sharp breath, then changed his tone. ¡°What are you talking about! When did Hyun-Woo hyung ever prompt that? Your Honor, Goh Yoo-Joon hyung is lying right now!"

    ¡°Let''s keep it calm, everyone." Joo-Han pointed his baton at me. ¡°It¡¯s partly Suh Hyun-Woo''s responsibility¡ª"

    ¡°Not partly, entirely!"

    ¡°''Partly,'' as he said."

    ¡°Ah! Are you serious right now?"

    ¡°Let''s hear what Suh Hyun-Woo has to say."

    I nced at Goh Yoo-Joon, who seemed quite amused despite the shouting. After gathering my thoughts, I said, ¡°First of all, I did not instruct Goh Yoo-Joon to do that. I simply asked him to act as if he was on a video call with the Rings."

    ¡°So, the ''honey'' incident is not your fault?"

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not my fault. ''Honey'' was a term Goh Yoo-Joon came up with on his own, wasn¡¯t it?"

    Yoon-Chan, who had been watching quietly, raised his hand. ¡°I have something to say, judge."

    ¡°Yes, go ahead, Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°I think this issue can¡¯t be resolved by pinning it entirely on one person. Shouldn¡¯t the responsibility be shared fifty-fifty between Hyun-Woo hyung and Yoo-Joon hyung?"

    Joo-Han pped his hands in admiration. ¡°That¡¯s a good point. So shall we assign responsibility to both?"

    ¡°But is this really something to be held ountable for? I just affectionately used a nickname for the Rings. Do you know how many views that video gained?"

    Joo-Han pointed at me after Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s remark. ¡°Wasn''t Suh Hyun-Woo the mastermind behind that video?"

    This discussion seemed to be heading nowhere. Eventually, the production team had to step in again.

    - It looks like this won''t end anytime soon, guys.

    ¡°So what should we do? Should Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo wrestle?"

    Joo-Han''s absurd suggestion made the directorugh dismissively.

    - Heh, no. Let''s decide by voting yes or no on whether Yoo-Joon should take responsibility.

    "Alright. Those who think Goh Yoo-Joon should take responsibility for this situation, make a big circle above your head, and those who think he shouldn''t, make an X. One, two, three!"

    The members simultaneously made a circle or an X sign. As expected, all the members except Goh Yoo-Joon made a circle.

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked resentfully at Yoon-Chan more than anyone else. ¡°Yoon-Chan, I trusted you! It really hurts, brother! Hah!"

    ¡°Haha." Yoon-Chan gave a soullessugh and avoided Goh Yoo-Joon''s gaze.

    Once the result of the lengthy discussion was determined, the director said:

    - So, it has been decided that Goh Yoo-Joon should take responsibility for this issue.

    ¡°In what way should I be responsible?" Yoo-Joon asked. The director pointed to a panel next to Joo-Han.

    - Could you turn the page on that panel?

    ¡°Ah, there was another one."

    Joo-Han peeled off the sticker from the second panel.

    [Punishment: Act Responsible!]

    - Goh Yoo-Joon was deemed the culprit of the ''honey'' incident and sentenced to Act Responsible.

    - Until the end of the ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± promotion schedule, he must produce video calls acting out scenarios for all members, including himself.

    - If he fails, the duration of his punishment will be extended to the next activities, and he will have to shoot additional footage alone.

    <i>¡®What is this...?¡¯ </i>All the members sighed. Goh Yoo-Joon burst outughing heartily.

    - Yoo-Joon will be responsible for shooting everyone''s ''honey'' videos.

    Goh Yoo-Joon saluted energetically in front of the camera. ¡°Yes! Rings, I pledge allegiance! I will do a good job and upload the videos as soon as possible!"

    The members copsed inughter.

    After that, we debated topics like ''Is Suh Hyun-Woo considering Park Yoon-Chan as afort doll?'', ''Is Park Yoon-Chan secretly the power behind Chronos?'', ''There is a theory that Chronos is boring, is it true?'' and finished the shooting.

    We returned from the shoot and fell asleep right away since we were too exhausted to even practice the choreography. Why we felt so tired after merely sitting down and discussing was a mystery.[1]

    ***

    A bit more time passed. Even though oureback was right around the corner, there was no practice today. Instead, there was tension among the members wandering the dorm.

    Jin-Sung was usually boisterous, but he sat down quietly and obediently on the couch. Goh Yoo-Joon, who would usually make a joke as soon as he passed by, just sat beside me.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Ah."

    ¡°..."

    It was strange how quiet everyone could act when sharing the same space, but I had no intention to be the first to break the silence. All I could hear was my heart pounding. I also felt my lips drying out as if I wasn¡¯t overwhelmed enough because of the MV premiere.

    Joo-Han silently checked the time. ¡°...Three minutes left."

    ¡°...Ha."

    No matter how many deep breaths I took, it wasn¡¯t enough. In three minutes, our ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± music video would be released. It was exciting, nerve-wracking, and we were all awaiting it. I stared nkly at theptop screen for one, two, three minutes.

    ¡°Hyung! It''s time!" Jin-Sung shouted, and Joo-Han refreshed the page a couple of times. Finally, the music video appeared.

    [Chronos ¡°Phantom Spirit(»ÃÏëì`)¡± Official MV]

    Months of work would now be unveiled to the world. Joo-Han clicked on the video, and the music video began with the YMM logo.

    Although we had seen it repeatedly, watching it uploaded on the official channel felt different. We watched the video from start to finish without saying a word, then refreshed the page nervously. The video had been uploaded for a while now.

    How many views would it get initially? Thepany had expected about a hundred thousand to two hundred thousand views in the first hour due to <i>Again After Rainfall</i> and various live clips gaining significant international traffic.

    Everyone was tense as they waited for the slightly stuttering screen to reveal the initial views. The number that appeared showed three hundred forty thousand views. The video was thirteenth on the trending list.

    We refreshed again, and it was now at three hundred sixty thousand views. In less than an hour? For Chronos, which had only been popr domestically, these were unprecedented and unimaginable numbers.

    Was this a result of the live clip uploads from <i>Again After Rainfall</i>? Or had the overseas concert cam videos be a major topic among K-POP fans? Was it simply a surge in interest? How could this be?

    ¡°...How did we get so many views?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, but no one could answer. The results defied all of our expectations.

    1. lol probably from yelling at each other haha. ?

 Chapter 282.1: First Full Album (18)

    <h4>Chapter 282.1: First Full Album (18)</h4>

    <i>*The fan reactions are really extensive. Thus, I''ve increased the length of the main content (fan reactions are separate from the main content). If you still feel like not reading them, please skip to the main content.</i>

    The music video was released, and Chronos had delivered and defied expectations in both the song and concept as they always did. On top of that, the views on theirtest music video absolutely exploded, solidly marking the group''s rise in the K-POP scene.

    The Rings who always imed to know Chronos better than even YMM saw thising from a mile away. Even without shy marketing, Chronos had been steadily gaining international fans through their dance challenges, a totally unique universe setting, and killer performances.

    As people said, the more you spent, the more you gained. YMM''s generously funded music videos had always enjoyed a special marketing impact.

    Also, Chronos had toured across various locations in the US with Again After Rainfall. They especially gained a lot of interest during the festival on the final day of shooting. The explosive rise in views within just thirty minutes of theirtest music video upload was proof of this. Both domestic and international reactors took this opportunity to highlight Chronos''s music video, street performances, and previous stages, kicking off what had been dubbed a ''Chronos marathon.''

    This group had been frequently mentioned recently, and that alone was reason enough to pay attention to their videos. With twenty-three million views in twenty-four hours, the scale of attention from K-POP fans around the world was unprecedented.

    One thing was for sure. Chronos had turned out to be a blockbuster hit that defied anyone¡¯s expectations, imagination, or predictions.

    (Hibernation Done) Streaming Yoon-Ja @jaja ¡¤ 1 minute ago

    Ten seconds went by in a sh-

    (Ten seconds of Suh Hyun-Woo making eye contact in the music video.avi)

    Reply 1 RT 7 Likes 12

    Human Phytoncide Yoon-Chan @Ynca ¡¤ 10 minutes ago

    I am fangirling like crazy right now... not sure why but I feel like I gotta do something quick so I don¡¯t lose my mind... Is he even human... I actually screamed during my cram school session... Hyun-Woo...

    (Suh Hyun-Woo revealing his identity by pulling off his mask, edited version.gif)

    Reply RT 24 Likes 39

    Keep Streaming @dkanjgo ¡¤ 20 minutes ago

    I just realized I love the mask thing...

    (Suh Hyun-Woo revealing his identity by pulling off his mask, edited version2.gif)

    Reply RT 18 Likes 37

    No Life Cuz Phantom Spirit @doyou ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Everyone in this music video is perfect, but Hyun-Woo in the flower field edit is on an entirely other level... I just noticed your earrings, Hyun-Woo... Your appearance makes all jewelries on earth look shabby...

    (Earrings visible as Suh Hyun-Woo turns to face the camera.gif)

    Reply RT Likes

    Cute Pikachu @ppika ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    The moment Goh Yoo-Joon appeared, I created 2,381,668,865,553 drama scripts in my head... Damn, I love you so much, honey <3

    Reply RT Likes

    Raichu @lie_24 ¡¤ 3 minutes ago

    No way someone this well ys while wearing a suit at twenty... Yoo-Joon...

    Reply RT Likes 2

    Breathing Fire at Phantom Spirit @pa2ri ¡¤ 1 hour ago

    Same group, but pr opposite vibes among the same¨Caged duo

    (GIFbining Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon from Fantasy.gif)

    Reply RT 48 Likes 92

    Squirtle @rollin ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    Was I the only one holding my breath when Yoo-Joon appeared in a suit...? He looked so awe-striking...

    Reply RT Likes 7

    Butterfly @jesong ¡¤ 30 minutes ago

    Yes, Hyun-Woo. Juste straight toward me and marry me. I will be a good husband and treat you well.

    Reply 2 RT 8 Likes 6

    ©¸Butterfly @jesong ¡¤ 5 minutes ago

    Replying to @jesong

    I think you meant ¡®wife?¡¯ Did you say that on purpose or not? Only because he is so pretty? If you meant to say something else, at least tell us about it, ugh

    Reply RT Likes 2

    Chatter @yadoran ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    But why does Joo-Han have so little screen time...? Increase Joo-Han''s screen time before YMM goes bankrupt please aaaah It¡¯s always like this with the leader. It¡¯s so sad ??

    Reply RT 2 Likes 5

    The members felt it, and so did the Rings. As Jin-Sung said, Suh Hyun-Woo''s visuals were especially outstanding, and Goh Yoo-Joon captured the heavy atmosphere of the entire music video well.

    There were alsoints about the limited screen time given to Kang Joo-Han. Other Rings were breathless over Park Yoon-Chan''s running and found Jin-Sung''s acting to be refreshingly better than his usual performances. The consensus was unanimous satisfaction with the video''s aesthetics and visuals.

    Tetris @ddiddi ¡¤ 40 minutes ago

    Dang, I really hate YMM, but the song and the music video concept are honestly so killer it''s frustrating...

    Reply RT Like

    Have A Good Day @hahahihu ¡¤ 2 minutes ago

    Is Hyun-Woo a traitor? It seems certain that Hyun-Woo is a traitor... Ugh, I don¡¯t know. Someone will probably exin soon...

    Reply RT Like

    Stream Again and Again @hase_77 ¡¤ Just now

    I got too absorbed in the story... Oh no... I want to see the ending but I also don¡¯t... You know what I mean... YMM is such a mess. Give us the official interpretation, release a book...

    Reply RT Like

    Bulk Up Committee @js_ss ¡¤ Just now

    Please, everyone, keep this in mind! Like the music video, prove you streamed it and you could win a coffee shop gift card!!!

    (Streaming list and how to stream guide.jpg)

    Reply RT Like

    Many people awaited the interpretation of the music video. Since this music video featured many meaningful scenes, the enthusiasm was there. Multiple interpretation videos and articles were posted around three days after the video was released.

    [Chronos] Phantom Spirit Music Video Interpretation Guess

    20xx. 06. 42 | by OO

    Following ¡°Parade¡± and ¡°Joy,¡± I''ve also written down my interpretation of the ¡°Phantom Spirit" music video! It was honestly a bit confusing and difficult, so I thought about giving up at some point, but it seemed like everyone was waiting for my interpretation and I wanted to see it through with love.

    I''ve tried my best to interpret it... But remember, these are all just my personal spections and guesses! This is not official!

    Let''s start!

    Quotes so far:

    Hide and Seek

    He is not a friend

    I wille find you after graduation

    It''s toote when you realize it

    Ignore him

    In the previous interpretation of ¡°Joy," I mentioned that this might be derived from a Neapolitan urban legend. Pay attention to "Ignore him¡± and ¡°He is not a friend." If you look at thest concept photo of "Joy..."

    This one! I think this is a hint. We already know from the past music videos that Jin-Sung is not human. So the ¡®he¡¯ in those quotes refers to Jin-Sung. They are saying to ignore Jin-Sung, but the photo shows Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung together. Hyun-Woo did not ignore Jin-Sung. I think this is the start of the story.

    1. Hyun-Woo did not ignore Jin-Sung.

    2. So Jin-Sung intended to take Hyun-Woo after his graduation (= ¡°I wille find you after graduation.¡±).

    3. Hyun-Woo didn¡¯t know about this and introduced Jin-Sung to his club friends (his fellow members).

    4. Time passes and it''s the graduation ceremony for Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon.

    On the night of the graduation, Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon did not ignore Jin-Sung like Hyun-Woo, so Jin-Sung took Joo-Han away first.

    << Here ends the new story of "Joy"...

    After two years, the story moves to the first video of this series, "Parade." Yoo-Joon has be a proper working adult after graduation. In the beginning of ¡°Parade,¡± you see Hyun-Woo in a ce full of clocks working on something.

    (Suh Hyun-Woo in the clock workshop during ¡°Parade¡± music video.jpg)

    Hyun-Woo is researching to go to the world where Jin-Sung is to find his friend Joo-Han. (Yoon-Chan is in a school uniform but Hyun-Woo is not, perhaps he has dropped out of school...)

    He sessfullypletes his research and crosses over to that world, but he ends up being caught by Jin-Sung.

    From here!!! The stories of ¡°Parade¡± and ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± start to intertwine. In the ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± music video, there''s this scene.

    (Suh Hyun-Woo and Lee Jin-Sung holding hands with a veil.jpg)

    I think this is exactly the early scene in ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± where Yoo-Joon wrote on the ckboard ''He betrayed us''. Hyun-Woo was trying to save Joo-Han but got caught and, as seen in thest part of ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± decides to betray his friends to escape with Joo-Han. He holds hands with Jin-Sung and ns to leave his other two friends, Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan.

    In ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± we see the scene where Hyun-Woo takes Jin-Sung''s ce.

    (Hyun-Woo standing with a cane in a flower field.jpg)

    And this is where it all begins. Thenes Yoon-Chan''s graduation ceremony. (Nothing special about this, but since it was said ''I wille find you after graduation,¡¯ maybe Hyun-Woo can bring Jin-Sung only at graduation ceremonies? Haha... It¡¯s just my spection).

    In ¡°Parade,¡± Hyun-Woo sends a rescue signal to the two. Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan are caught in Hyun-Woo''s snare ande to the school at night. The first to be caught is Yoo-Joon, but he graduated two years ago. For reasons unknown, he realizes that this is a trap and it seems like he realized it toote.

    He notices that he has fallen into a trap because the sky is already pastel-colored. This school is now the domain of Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo.

    (Phantom Spirit music video capture of Goh Yoo-Joon.jpg)

    So he resigns himself and gives Yoon-Chan a hint (writing on the ckboard that ''He betrayed us'') before stepping into that world himself.

    (End of ¡°Parade,¡± the scene where Goh Yoo-Joon meets Lee Jin-Sung.jpg)

    Meanwhile, Yoon-Chan is also caught in Hyun-Woo''s snare, and he tries hard to escape.

    (¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± Park Yoon-Chan escaping.jpg)

    However, as Yoon-Chan¡¯s graduation approaches, Jin-Sung, who left the world to Hyun-Woo,es to capture him personally. Then, it ends with Yoon-Chan being caught.

    (End of ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± Lee Jin-Sung slowly closing the ssroom door and slowly approaching Park Yoon-Chan.gif)

    Hyun-Woo sessfullypletes his mission of making a new friend for Jin-Sung, betrays his old friends, and manages to escape with Joo-Han.

    (At night, Suh Hyun-Woo and Kang Joo-Han leaving school. Name tags falling into a steel container.jpg)

    The two return to reality while the rest disappear into another world.

    [Guilt]

    [Longing for lost memories]

    [I will dly bear it]

    [For my hyung-]

    Although Hyun-Woo feels guilty, he decides to bear all he has done for his hyung. They burn the others¡¯ name tags to bury this incident in their memories, and the music video ends.

    Phew... It''s finally over... This interpretation was particrly very hard... With this, the Neapolitan music video series must bepletely finished, I guess? It was fascinating and visually pleasing, so it''s a shame that we can¡¯t watch another music video like this one. But I have no doubt that the next concept will exceed our expectations!

    Once again, please consider that this is not official but my own spections and guesses! Now, I am off to stream! See youter ??

    (This post cannot bemented on.)

 Chapter 282.2: First Full Album (18)

    <h4>Chapter 282.2: First Full Album (18)</h4>

    The excitement of oureback was palpable, reverberating through the Rings, ourpany, and every member of our group. Our music video views skyrocketed to astronomical numbers. It felt almost surreal. The streams of our music followed suit.

    Thanks to the overwhelming support from our Rings, we were smashing records left and right every hour of the day. The whole experience felt like a pipe dream.

    <i>¡®What is going on? Are we really bing this sessful?¡¯</i>

    In a gesture of gratitude for their unwavering support, we decided to engage more intimately with our Rings. Each day leading up to oureback stage, a different member would host a live session on <i>Q-app. </i>

    Additionally, the edited footage of our recent Chronos meeting was scheduled for release soon. It coincided perfectly with the broadcast day for Again After Rainfall. This felt like a festival had sprung up, much to the delight of the Rings. Amidst this, the members'' schedules filled up with individualmitments.

    Yoon-Chan had dashed off to a drama audition that very morning, and Joo-Han, who hadposed the TV show soundtrack, had just attended the premiere of the show which Goh Yoo-Joon had recorded his tracks for.

    After my stint in Graduating, I had just secured another personal variety show. This new project was a solo gig without other members joining me. It was a gaming variety show, long-discussed and finally set to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the game One Hours.

    After the major update to the game, the original gamer teams rushed to challenge it, and the celebrity teams would alsopete to clear it. Honestly, it seemed like it might not be a very interesting variety show judging by the plot.

    ¡°I don''t even have aputer. Can I still participate in this show?"

    ¡°Don''t worry, I will send aputer to the dorm soon."

    Since Supervisor Kim made this bold promise, I looked at him doubtfully. ¡°An officeputer won''t be able to handle running this game. That game isn''t optimized for low-end PCs, so it requires a gamingputer, which could be expensive."

    Supervisor Kim turned toward me and shed a grin. ¡°If I say I will buy you one, I will do it for sure. Why don''t you trust me?"

    That was exactly it. I usually doubted what Supervisor Kim said.

    Since I didn''t respond, Supervisor Kim showed me his notebook where he had written ''gamingputer,'' as if to reassure me. ¡°I will definitely buy it, so for now, just try practicing with theputer at thepany."

    ¡°Yes, sir," I replied, though I suspected I''d be stuck with the inadequate office PCs until the show wrapped up. I could almost see this less-than-ideal future ying out.

    Once the meeting wrapped up, Supervisor Kim said, ¡°That''s all for now. Focus on practicing until we meet after theeback."

    ¡°Thank you." I exited the meeting room and walked past the practice area where my group members were diligently preparing. I then headed toward the building''s lobby. My phone had been buzzing non-stop during the meeting.

    ¡°...Ugh, noona," I muttered as I checked the numerous missed calls from her. I dialed her back with a wry smile, and she picked up instantly. Her voice was loud and urgent.

    - Hey!

    She nearly sted my eardrums. ¡°Yeah, I was in a meeting. What''s up?" I replied with a frown, trying to soothe my startled ears.

    - A meeting? Did I interrupt you?

    Her tone immediately softened as it gotden with concern. Our sibling rtionship was notably strong, despite the significant age gap. Well, since she was seven years older than me, I couldn¡¯t recklessly fight her. She sometimes scolded me, but we never fought each other.

    ¡°No, it just ended. But why all the calls?"

    - Why? Your music video is blowing up. There are articles everywhere, and here you are, not even calling home? When are youing to visit?

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    - Are you never going to see us again? I heard from Yoo-Joon that the other members took vacations. What about you? We didn¡¯t do anything wrong, did we? Don¡¯t you think mom and dad miss you?

    Her voice was filled with a mix of frustration and worry.

    I felt slightly cornered and sighed. I was getting scolded by my sister and sealed my lips shut. It wasn¡¯t that I wanted to remain silent, but rather that my sister was lecturing me in a very angry tone.

    - You muste visit no matter what. I won''t bother you before theeback, but you absolutely muste after it ends. You know you are also being disrespectful, right?

    Hearing the word "disrespectful" made my heart sink. It was onlyter that I realized I was nervously biting my lip and stopped. ¡°Alright. I will visit right after theeback stage."

    - Definitely. If you don''t, I wille find you.

    ¡°I will definitely visit."

    Yes, I couldn¡¯t keep avoiding this forever. Once I made my intentions clear, my sister''s voice softened.

    - Alright. I will let mom know. Have you eaten yet?

    ¡°Yeah, I did. Make sure you eat too."

    - I had lunch with my colleagues. Good luck with youreback. Let¡¯s see each other face-to-face soon, not just on TV.

    ¡°Okay."

    After ending the call with my sister, I was drenched in a cold sweat. I fiddled with my phone then turned and looked toward the practice room.

    <i>¡®Should I ask Goh Yoo-Joon toe with me?¡¯</i>

    Wouldn¡¯t it be morefortable if he joined me? Mom liked Yoo-Joon too. Just the thought of going there brought back memories of my parents¡¯ crestfallen faces, which had scared me off until now.

    But perhaps it might be easier to face them once I visit.

    Things were different nowpared to then. I collected my thoughts and was about to head back to the practice room when I locked eyes with a familiar figure approaching me.

    ¡°...Oh?"

    On-Sae came up to politely greet me. ¡°Hello, hyung."

    <i>¡®Why are you here?¡¯</i>

    I asked, ¡°On-Sae, why are you here?" My tone was mixed with surprise, disbelief, and a hint of pleasure. Seeing On-Sae¡¯s face, a foreboding thought crossed my mind. I hoped this wasn''t what I thought it was.

    On-Sae awkwardly smiled and softly said, ¡°Uh... I had a meeting.¡±

    He had dyed his hair and wore a mask, looking grown up, appropriate for a sixteen-year-old, and taller than thest time I saw him. He looked just like when I first met him.

    Why is this guy, who should be busy preparing for his debut at YU, here at my damn small agency? Why?

    ¡°You are not possibly...?" I trailed off since I didn¡¯t want to ask that question.

    Before I could even finish, On-Sae understood and replied, ¡°Ah, yes. I think I am going to transfer to this agency, hyung.¡±

    ¡°Uh..."

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to burden you with it. I was going to tell you after everything was finalized.¡±

    "Oh, I see."

    We didn¡¯t say anything for a while. I cautiously asked, ¡°Why?¡±

    I didn¡¯t want to show my agitation in front of On-Sae, who was much younger than me. However, I was genuinely curious. Why would he do something to put himself through such hardships?

    ¡°Huh? Oh, um.¡± On-Sae seemed taken aback by my question, pondered deeply, then shook his head. ¡°Just because. It seemed to be the right choice for me.¡±

    Hadn¡¯t On-Sae heard about that recent scandal from the news?

    <i>¡®No, not him too.¡¯</i>

    I grabbed On-Sae¡¯s hands earnestly, wanting to offer heartfelt advice to my precious former student, now a younger friend I had performed with.

    ¡°On-Sae."

    ¡°Yes, hyung?"

    ¡°Stop what you are nning."

    ¡°Excuse me?"

    ¡°There are betterpanies. Ourpany is..."

    Run away. Thispany had already ruined Chronos, a group that was once elevated. I couldn¡¯t let a talented young man like him waste away here.

    But On-Sae¡¯s eyes wavered. He shook his head and gently pulled his hands away. ¡°I¡¯ve thought it over and made my decision. I¡¯ve already signed the contract, hyung.¡±

    ¡°Ah...¡±

    This was truly disheartening. I sighed deeply.

    On-Sae looked somewhat bitter. ¡°You don¡¯t like me being here, do you...?¡±

    I quickly waved my hands and rified. ¡°Oh? No, I am fine with it. But you know, ourpany is small. Didn¡¯t you have a meeting with YU?¡±

    In a smallpany, too many unnecessary things could happen. I only realized how messed up everything was after I debuted. I didn¡¯t want to see him struggle in apany when I had seen him shine so brightly under a majorbel.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you disappointed you could have joined a betterpany?¡± I asked.

    On-Sae just smiled and shook his head. ¡°Not at all. Anyway, now that we are in the samepany, please take good care of me.¡±

    <i>¡°I saw you practicingst time, teacher. Please take good care of me.¡±</i>

    His hopeful eyes, his somewhat shy expression, and his hands neatly ced together reminded me of the old days. He was the very first trainee who had greeted me before my regression. He was exactly like the On-Sae I had met before.

    I felt a strange ovep with the future that had been changing ever since his debut. This was not good.

    ***

    That night, I called Ji-Hyuk to talk about On-Sae.

    ¡°So this is why you''ve been bringing up On-Sae?"

    - Yeah, exactly. I had no idea he¡¯d sign the contract without even telling you.

    The life of a young kid was now entrusted to YMM, but Ji-Hyuk¡¯s tone was so casual that he didn¡¯t really seem to mind it much.

    ¡°Why on earth did he sign a contract with ourpany? Honestly, YMM has a lot of issues."

    Even if we set aside what happened after debut, wasn¡¯t this the ce that crammed trainees into a small house and provided a practice room without even a working speaker? The more I thought about it, the sadder I got. I remembered the expectations and treatment On-Sae had received at YU before I came back in time.

    - Exactly. He said he¡¯d think about our offer and then went silent... But I think I know why."

    ¡°What is it?

    - Maybe On-Sae must have weighed his own conditions and benefits... I¡¯m talking about you, I mean.

    ¡°Me?"

    Ji-Hyuk chuckled softly.

    - On-Sae really likes you. No, not you personally, but your stage persona. He always tells me how amazing you are with your dancing, singing, and expressions, although he finds the regr you quite awkward.

    ¡°I''ve never heard him say that."

    - Of course not. On-Sae isn¡¯t the type to say those things directly to someone.

    Oh, On-Sae... I had a bitter taste in my mouth. From the first monthly evaluation when he arrived in ss F, then made it to ss A and into the debut team, I had taught him everything.

    Of course, On-Sae would shine anywhere, but he could have received better education and treatment in bigpanies. This was an unavoidable regret.

    I sighed and wrapped up the conversation. ¡°Thanks for listening, hyung. I''ve got to go¡ª"

    - Hey, why are you trying to hang up? Let¡¯s talk some more~ Aren''t you d to hear from me? I¡¯ve got nothing else to do if you hang up.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± I firmly responded while fiddling with Joo-Han¡¯sputer. ¡°I need to y a game now."

    - Out of nowhere?

    I nodded even though Ji-Hyuk couldn¡¯t see me. ¡°It¡¯s for a broadcast."

    Since I¡¯d been invited to a gaming variety show for being good at games, at the very least, I shouldn¡¯t embarrass myself by showing off poor skills. Right before calling Ji-Hyuk, I booted up the install program of the game One Hours and was now selecting a character.

    - ...

    ¡°...Hello?"

    Ji-Hyuk went silent. I wondered if I made a mistake and was about to speak again when he asked a question.

    - You are going on that game show SES is hosting soon?

    ¡°Oh? Hyung, you know about it?"

    - Yeah, I heard about it. Our team was also invited, but we declined. They said it wasn¡¯t really beneficial for the team.

    It was a typical decision of YU. Even though High Tension had some downtime and they had plenty of free time, they declined since they prioritized the members'' rest before the second international tour over a fixed show with uncertain ratings.

    <i>¡®That¡¯s why YU is better. I wish On-Sae had gone to YU,¡¯</i> I thought as my mind wandered back to On-Sae.

    - Ah, really? My baby Hyun-Woo is gonna be on that show?

    ¡°Why do you sound so cheesy?"

    Ji-Hyukughed in a teasing yet intrigued and meaningful way.

 Chapter 283: First Full Album (19)

    <h4>Chapter 283: First Full Album (19)</h4>

    I stared at the ended call screen.

    ¡°..."

    There was something that Ji-Hyuk knew. Before hanging up, hisughter sounded suspiciously sly. I recalled how casually he had asked his question.

    - I heard a member of the idol group has been confirmed to appear, and that''s you? Maybe I should join too?

    He even shared some trivial information¡ªthat the head of YU was drinking buddies with the director of SES entertainment, so Ji-Hyuk could appear anytime if he wanted. He kept pushing me for an answer. Of course, I refused and insisted on not overloading his schedule and taking proper rest if needed.

    <i>¡°Sigh..."</i>

    Somehow, I had this feeling that I might run into him at the cast meeting. Even though Ji-Hyuk rarely ventured into variety shows and imed to dislike them, he often made appearances on Team D members¡¯ regr shows to show his face as a new celebrity extrovert.

    I saw Kim Jin-Wook once reluctantly offering his thanks after being dragged along for a joint appearance, witnessed through Team D¡¯s group messenger.

    ¡°..." I chuckled at the darkened screen and set down my phone.

    <i>''Well, if we end up appearing together, then so be it.''</i>

    Actually, it would actually be a relief if he joined since I was too shy in front of strangers.

    I gathered my thoughts and looked back at myputer screen, which had been flickering all this time. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s changed a lot..."

    The MMORPG[1] was celebrating its tenth anniversary. I had wondered if it might look a bit outdated now, but it really didn¡¯t.

    Sure, you could tell it was from a previous era by the graphics and avatars, but the character selection screen had changed a lot since Ist yed ten years ago, or rather four to five years ago because of my situation. While it couldn''tpete with other games that might be released in the future, the skills avable for career trials had be quite shy, and the UI[2] had been conveniently updated.

    ¡°It¡¯s like an entirely new game."

    It had changed so much that it almost felt like I couldn¡¯t even im I had yed <i>One Hours</i> before.

    I anxiously chose a Swordsman character, a melee damage dealer. I let my heart guide my choice. The only thing that remained the same was that the characters avable were still fixed by career types. I will skip exining the game¡¯s storyline now since it will slowly unfold during the broadcast.

    After finishing a simple tutorial and looking through the cash shop, patch notes, the event window for check-ins popped up.

    ¡°Updates every week..."

    Updates happened weekly, and while the cash shop items that once tantly squeezed money from yers, prompting widespread resentment, had mostly disappeared, a few things still made me chuckle. It was clear that the developers still had affection for the game.

    <i>¡®Is this game still being worked on?¡¯</i>

    While I was alone swinging a sword with my basic gear, a user named ''Duplicated Nickname Or Something'' apparently took pity on a newbie like me and performed a drive-by gifting (where an older yer gifts items to a newbie and runs away).

    - Enjoy One Hours~

    The user, who exuded the aura of a veteran yer, rode off on a dragon after saying that. They were Level 120.

    ¡°...Huh?"

    <i>¡®Come to think of it, the max level when Ist yed was 75.¡¯</i>

    I heard that the number of skills (special moves) had also greatly increased. Therefore, I was practically a newbie again in essence.

    <i>Knock knock.</i>

    "Hyun-Woo, time to stop and go to bed. We have to be up at 6 AM tomorrow," Joo-Han told me.

    ¡°Ah, okay."

    I nkly stared at the not yet fully unlocked skills window.

    ¡°You darn kid." Joo-Han smacked my back and gestured for me to hurry out. He seemed really displeased that I was using my sleeping time to game with only two days left until oureback.

    To be honest, I was anxious because it was my first time doing a variety show alone.

    I nodded obediently and headed back to my room, thinking I should probably ask the producers to remove the ¡®only max-level experienced member among the cast¡¯ title they nned to give me.

    Tme passed by in a sh, and the day of the showcase for our first full album ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± arrived before we realized.

    ***

    Every day, the faces of the employees brightened with each new record we set. Chronos made a dazzlingeback and was achieving fiery interest, reactions, and results like never before. It was to the point that upon hearing we were candidates for the number one spot on UNET <i>Countdown</i> this week, I was certain we''d take it.

    However, no one felt relief at this sessful start, especially not the members of Chronos. Our mindset was resolute, separate from the album sales and the sessfuleback.

    This stage held more meaning to us than any previousebacks.

    ¡°Chronos! Get ready!"

    ¡°Okay!"

    After responding to the staff''s call, we gathered in front of the curtain.

    ¡°The day has finallye, hasn''t it?" Joo-Han said as he sped his hands together.

    Yoon-Chan already looked like he was about to cry. Since the end of ourst activities with ¡°Joy,¡± so much had happened leading up to today. It had been a lengthy and exhausting process.

    Although we were tired, the Rings, who had to keep up with us through articles, news, and announcements, must have been even more worn out. This stage was meant to show those fans, who had supported us through their worries, that we were okay now.

    I believed this showcase had that much significance, which was why it felt so solemn.

    ¡°We all worked really hard."

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°There have been many challenges, but let''s forget all of them now and focus solely on the stage. We can create a perfect performance with our efforts, right?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    Joo-Han looked around at us with a pleased smile. It was rare to see such a deeply emotional expression on his usually reserved face. Naturally, this instilled a sense of discipline in us younger members.

    ¡°Everyone!"

    ¡°Let''s nail it!"

    ¡°Yeah!!!"

    As we shouted our chant loudly, the staff and dancers around us apuded. They were the ones who had closely watched all our preparations for thiseback.

    The announcer Jeong Gyu-Chan jovially introduced us.

    - It''s about time for you to make your entrance. Chronos, wow, you guys shouted your chant so energetically that we could hear it all the way over here. I am really looking forward to this. Shall we have Chronos make their entrance now? They are making a splendideback with their first full album ¡°Phantom Spirit.¡± Please wee them with apuse.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to walk on stage!" Following Jeong Gyu-Chan¡¯s cue, the staff gently pushed each of us toward the stage. We bowed lightly and proceeded to the center of the stage.

    Instead of apuse, the audience was filled with the sound of camera shutters and shes.

    - Yes, the members of Chronos have arrived in very stylish outfits. Could we have you greet everyone first?

    We stood in front of our chairs and picked up the microphones.

    ¡°One, two, three."

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos. Nice to see you again!"

    - Ah, wonderful. Please take your seats.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan continued talking without a pause to ensure we weren¡¯t left feeling awkward in the silent audience filled only with the sound of shutters.

    The members all took their seats, and the interview portion of the showcase began.

    - How have you guys been? We¡¯ve seen you continuously on shows like <i>Again After Rainfall</i>, but it seems like it¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve seen you in album activities.

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right."

    - Could you share with us how you¡¯ve beentely?

    Joo-Han answered the question. ¡°As you know, we just finished filming <i>Again After Rainfall</i> in the United States. Since then, we''ve been focusing on the album. It hasn''t really been that long, about four months?"

    Joo-Han rolled his eyes toward the ceiling and chuckled slightly. ¡°But it felt much longer because of so many things that happened."

    The other members nodded silently. Everyone probably had a lot to say, but they couldn¡¯t, so they just smiled and nodded. It must have been painful for everyone.

    During our first schedule in the US filled with neglect and discrimination, I copsed and my condition worsened. Amidst the tight schedule dedicated to oureback, incidents of stalking and personal information leakage urred. We also had to move out.

    Honestly, it had been physically, mentally, and emotionally very tough, almost as if each day felt like a year.

    Joo-Han subtly expressed this with a calm smile, apologizing to the Rings who were worried.

    - A lot of Rings and the public have been eagerly waiting for youreback. First off, we should congratte you.

    Jeong Gyu-Chanplimented us on our music video views, album performance, and everything praiseworthy before continuing with the questions.

    Joo-Han and I answered questions about the album and uing schedules, while the other members took turns answering everything else. Having gone through three showcases, we were now skilled enough to handle unexpected questions adeptly.

    - And there¡¯s another thing we need to focus on.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan nced at his cue card and then at me. I instinctively brought the microphone to my mouth, ready to answer.

    - This is about the solo track ¡°Forest¡± by Yoon-Chan, included in this "Phantom Spirit" album.

    Yoon-Chan, the main focus of the question asked by Jeong Gyu-Chan, also picked up the microphone and quietly responded, "Yes."

    - I heard Yoon-Chan''s solo track ¡°Forest¡± wasposed and written by Hyun-Woo. Is that true?

    ¡°Yes, that''s right."

    Yoon-Chan set down the microphone, apparently passing the question back to me.

    - I''ve listened to it as well, and it was a very refreshing and mystical track. I personally thought it would be great to see it performed on stage with choreography.

    ¡°Ah, thank you." I smiled lightly and bowed slightly.

    - What inspired you to create this song?

    ¡°Uh... ¡®Forest¡¯ was initiallyposed with a member''s solo in mind. It started as a very calm and tranquil song," I replied smoothly.

    Of course, I never mentioned that the song had originally been intended for TV show soundtrack consideration and that it had been meant for Goh Yoo-Joon, not Yoon-Chan. That would have surely changed the atmosphere and response from the host.

    ¡°It has a very soothing vibe, so I wanted to give it to our representative soothing member, Yoon-Chan."

    I looked at Yoon-Chan warmly as I spoke. Yoon-Chan seemed deeply moved as if he just found this out.

    I felt a bit guilty and awkward but pretended not to notice. ¡°After hearing that Yoon-Chan¡¯s track would be included in the album with the help of many people, it transformed into the refreshing and bright song as it is now. I would also like to see it performed on stage with choreography someday, just as you have mentioned. Yes."

    I thought I answered quite calmly and well.

    Jeong Gyu-Chan then briefly asked Yoon-Chan for his thoughts, and Yoon-Chanbined praise, humility, and emotion in his response with teary eyes. He basically praised me throughout the process. I simply smiled wearily and subtly patted Yoon-Chan on the back, signaling him to stop praising me.

    Also, the recent news articles about a coboration with Callia Lawrence, notable points about this activity, costumes, concepts, music videos, and choreography led to longer and more detailed questions and answers than in previous showcases.

    After concluding the interview, Jeong Gyu-Chan sounded very excited.

    - Well, then let''s take a look at the stage performance that Chronos has been diligently preparing.

    ¡°Yes!" We put on solemn expressions and stood up. It was finally time to showcase the title track ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± and another included track known as "mma".

    1. Massively Multiyer Online Role-ying Gamesbines elements of role-ying video games with the ability to interact with a vast number of yers online in a persistent virtual world. These games often require a subscription or are free-to-y and are avable on various tforms including PCs, consoles, and mobile devices, and continue to evolve even when the yer is offline. ?

    2. User Interface refers to all the visual elements and tools that allow yers to interact with the game, such as menus, icons, and informational disys like health bars and maps, which are crucial for enhancing usability and essibility. ?

 Chapter 284: First Full Album (20)

    <h4>Chapter 284: First Full Album (20)</h4>

    My outfit was meticulously coordinated in shades of ck and featured sections designed to resemble a sheer, see-through texture, revealing glimpses of skin beneath. It was the same costume I had worn during a previous music video shoot, and it wasden with embellishments that made dancing a cumbersome endeavor despite its striking appearance.

    In the enveloping darkness backstage, I made slight adjustments to my attire and ensured everything was in ce before reassessing my pose. Soon, the haunting prelude of our title track, ¡°Phantom Spirit" resonated from the speakers.

    The lighting was deliberately subdued and cast a focused spotlight solely on Jin-Sung. The ethereal sound of a solitary xylophone could be heard and marked a serene beginning without any apaniment. Jin-Sung was stationed at center stage, kneeling with his head down. He slowly raised his head and started to dance with a dramatic ir. His hands moved with precision and grace.

    ***

    <i>¡®Oh.¡¯</i>

    A reporter who had been focused on the camera screen with a tired expression quietly admired the performance. The gloomy xylophone melody and the solo dance performed by the main dancer Lee Jin-Sung with the members of Chronos in the background impressed him.

    This time, the choreography uniquely featured kneeling movements and had the performers ce their hands and the floor. Surprisingly, the rapid actions were perfectly synchronized with the slow beats of the xylophone. Although the choreography wasplex, Lee Jin-Sung''s unique strength and vibe made it look incredibly cool.

    Chronos had alwayse up with unique and challenging choreographies. As this was their first full album, it seemed they had thoroughly sharpened their skills. Although this was just the beginning of the song, Lee Jin-Sungpletely overwhelmed the audience from the first impression.

    The xylophone sound, which was the introduction of "Phantom Spirit," suddenly changed to a pluck sound. Then, one instrument after anotheryered over this sound.

    Just as the emotions in the music were about to heighten, the song intensified and began resembling an orchestra. The choreography that started with Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s part soon flowed through the others. In the end, it became a group dance that seamlessly led into the first part of the song.

    ? Nightmares are rampant,

    I sink into this ce,

    The more you meet me,

    Therger my presence grows

    Suh Hyun-Woo started singing and the members began to dance. Lee Jin-Sung was in front of Suh Hyun-Woo, but he slid on his knees to the back of the dance formation. Suh Hyun-Woo used only the strength in his legs to slowly rise from his kneeling position and walk toward the center.

    It was hard to rise without using one¡¯s hands from a kneeling position. Because of this move, Suh Hyun-Woo had to live with muscle pain for practicing this.

    As soon as Suh Hyun-Woo reached the center of the stage, he finished his part and immediately stepped back. Goh Yoo-Joon slowly walked out singing in a low, somewhat sticky and cheeky voice. He fully utilized his fearsome expression and sang with a serious expression, his eyes squinting.

    ? When I speak of love

    You say you are suffocating

    When I want to be by your side

    You creak

    ? (Smile)

    (Hurry up and smile)

    Could the breathy whispering heard in the background of the title track also be Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s? Meanwhile, dancers entered the stage behind them, and the members adjusted their formation.

    ? In the darkness beyond the night,

    I wait for you to find me

    The dancers moved their arms as if they were blooming flowers by lowering their stance. Kang Joo-Han emerged from the center and danced under the spotlight.

    ? When you awaken,

    Let''s dance in the fantasy

    This was Kang Joo-Han''s first-ever solo dance part. Although hecked the technique to lead the dance part with the backup dancerspared to Lee Jin-Sung or Suh Hyun-Woo, he meticulously executed each move without missing a beat, even in the throes of excitement. His intense expression was particrly impressive.

    Once Kang Joo-Han''s part ended, Suh Hyun-Woo suddenly burst from behind the dancers, who were mixed in the choreography. He moved together with the dancers toward the center of the stage as if he was taking away the spotlight from Kang Joo-Han.

    ? In my world, you gradually

    Rise up

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s unique expressiveness and acting shone on the stage again. His gaze looked down as if sizing the viewer up, a cheeky smile lightly forming on his lips, and his look that wasplete with a ck shirt and jewels around his eyes perfectly suited "Phantom Spirit.¡±

    ? Now, it¡¯s our world

    Phantom Spirit

    Before the chorus, Suh Hyun-Woo and the dancers engaged in a dance break.

    ? The moon shines like winter,

    Can I still see you even in the darkness?

    Even if you are from another world,

    I can love you without any problems

    Again, the orchestra and ordion resumed. The dancers moved behind Suh Hyun-Woo''s movements, and as Suh Hyun-Woo sped his ringden hands in the air and spread them out, the dancers also dispersed around him by lowering their stances. As Suh Hyun-Woo clutched his head with his hands bent down, the dancers gathered around him as if to tear him apart.

    He sang in a seemingly maddened voice. Everything looked like a well-coordinated musical or performance.

    ¡°Ah.¡± The reporter from UNET, who seemed to be enjoying their performance differently from others, breathed out softly.

    <i>¡®When did they improve so much?¡¯</i>

    This reporter, who had covered their stages since their <i>Pick We Up</i> days, was just amazed at the impressive growth of Chronos.

    <i>¡®Look at those expressions, observe the stage manners, and see how stable their vocals are during live performances. Who would think of them as first-year idols?¡¯</i>

    YMM, that makeshiftpany, had always had an incredibly good pool of talents rtive to its investment.

    Suh Hyun-Woo, who unusually had a long part, finished his verse from his individual parts to the chorus, and exited to the side with the dancers. Lee Jin-Sung''s rap immediately followed.

    ? I open my eyes in this night

    I stagger and grope along the wall,

    Whispering love as I search for you,

    I love you, wake up

    Lee Jin-Sung was another talented member of Chronos. He was often mentioned as one of the top dancers, not only in his group, but across the industry.

    However, his singing wasn¡¯t good, and he was self-conscious about his limited parts and live performances to the point it was noticeable. The reporter heard he hadpletely switched to rap this time, and that choice seemed to have been very wise.

    ? My heart races

    Is it fear, or is it love?

    When I whisper into closed ears,

    The you in this fantasy says

    It''s love

    Lee Jin-Sung had been telling everyone that he admired and was a fan of Kim Jin-Wook. Although Kim Jin-Wook was a junior singer, being from the same <i>Pick We Up</i> batch, Lee Jin-Sung had no hesitation in talking about his admiration and being a fan. It was highly likely that Kim Jin-Wook had influenced his switch to rap.

    Was that why? Lee Jin-Sung''s rap eerily resembled Kim Jin-Wook''s style. And it sounded quite pleasing. Rather than being in an ambiguous position between singing and rapping, it seemed not bad to outright dere, ¡®I¡¯m a rapper now.¡¯

    Behind Lee Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo supported him as dancers. Theplexity of the choreography performed by the two members behind Jin-Sung was extraordinary. Suh Hyun-Woo had always held such a position, but it was quite surprising that Goh Yoo-Joon, who was usually seen as an average dancer, joined this part.

    The UNET reporter analyzed the stage and members as if he were now a Chronos analyst. Goh Yoo-Joon joining this dance part was likely because the dancing abilities of the remaining members, Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan, were even worse, but even so, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s dancing had improved significantly. Probably because the group had two top-level dancers.

    As Lee Jin-Sung''s part was about to end, Goh Yoo-Joon stepped back. Then, Suh Hyun-Woo was pulled out by the dancers to Lee Jin-Sung''s side.

    As Lee Jin-Sung sang his part with a voice filled with fervor, he turned to lock eyes with Suh Hyun-Woo, who reciprocated the intense gaze. Amid the swirling music, their stares grew fierce and brimmed with theatrical hostility.

    In a dramatic flourish, Lee Jin-Sung lifted his hand and pressed it against Suh Hyun-Woo''s forehead as if aiming an imaginary gun with the precision of an actor. Suh Hyun-Woo yed along perfectly and gradually sunk to the ground, his knees touching the floor in surrender. Suh Hyun-Woo red at Lee Jin-Sung, but eventually lowered his eyelids and cast his gaze downward.

    ? I only need the you in this fantasy,

    I¡¯d kill the real you

    <i>Bang!</i>

    With the sudden, sharp sound of a gunshot echoing from the background music, Lee Jin-Sung mimicked firing the gun. Suh Hyun-Woo reacted instantly, recoiling and tumbling backward in a choreographed fall. As he hit the floor, Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s rich voice took over and propelled the performance into itspelling second verse.

    <i>¡®Park Yoon-Chan''s vocals are powerful and emotive, and his performance is even better.¡¯ </i>

    The reporter was captivated and marveled at the exceptional quality of the performance despite his outwardly weary and tired look. This stage offered a feast for the eyes and ears, surpassing anything Chronos had showcased before. It had definitely been meticulously prepared and plenty of skill had been put into the performance.

    The reporter, though watching with a critical eye, couldn''t help but get carried away by the spectacle. If he had been merely a spectator rather than a journalist, he might have been awestruck and watching with his jaw on the floor without even realizing it.

    The other journalists had beenrgely indifferent, but they couldn''t help but offer some apuse as the performance wrapped up.

    <i>¡°Huff... huff...</i> Thank you!" the Chronos members gasped, barely catching their breath as they quickly acknowledged the audience before hurrying offstage. There was still one more stage to go.

    - Alright, that was the title track ¡®Phantom Spirit¡¯ from Chronos'' first full album ¡®Phantom Spirit''[1]. It was an unexpectedly breathtaking performance. We will shortly continue with ¡°mma," another track from the album. Please stay with us.

    The change between the two performances was stark, so a costume change was necessary due to the differing moods of "Phantom Spirit" and "mma." During this brief interlude, Jeong Gyu-Chan helped to seamlessly bridge the transition and gave Chronos a moment to prepare.

    Backstage, the air was thick with urgency. The members were changing their clothes and putting on essories without even having time to catch their breath.

    ¡°Ugh...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon was visibly struggling for breath while managing to assist his fellow member Park Yoon-Chan. He handed him a bottle of water with a supportive nod. ¡°Here you go, Yoon-Chan.¡±

    ¡°Th... Thank you." Park Yoon-Chan shook off the weariness by drinking some water.

    Meanwhile, Suh Hyun-Woo had exerted himself with more dance sequences than usual during ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± so he was dead tired.

    Observing him, Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t help but chuckle as he tossed a towel to him. ¡°You look dead on your feet. Are we sure this choreography isn¡¯t too much for you?"

    They had just finished one song.

    ¡°Man, this is going to wear me out... Su-Hwan hyung, I think I''m going to die. It''s really draining my life essence," Kang Joo-Han said in a hoarse voice as he clutched thepel of Lee Su-Hwan''s clothes.

    Lee Su-Hwan sat next to Kang Joo-Han, soothingly rubbed his back, and handed him a bottle of water. ¡°You are not going to die. It''s not that bad. Just one more song to go."

    ¡°Eh, when did Joo-Han hyung and Su-Hwan hyung get so close?"

    In the midst of this, an energetic Lee Jin-Sung seemed curious about when Kang Joo-Han and Lee Su-Hwan had gotten so close. Kang Joo-Han gestured for him not to make him talk, and gulped down the water.

    The break was very brief. As soon as their outfits were changed, the members had to rush back on stage immediately.

    - The members are now ready. Here is "mma" from Chronos''s first full album, ¡°Phantom Spirit!"

    1. Their title track has the same name as their album. ?

 Chapter 285: First Full Album (21)

    <h4>Chapter 285: First Full Album (21)</h4>

    The attire of the members had taken on a lighter, more vibrant tone. They were predominantly in various shades of brown. I sported a rxed brown shirt, paired with a robe, dangling earrings, and an array of bracelets and rings. My outfit exuded aid-back vibepared to the previous "Phantom Spirit" performance.

    Other members had opted for intricately patterned, lightweight shirts or draped scarves around their necks and waists, adding an exotic touch to their appearance. Jin-Sung''s endearing headband was particrly eye-catching.

    The stage screens ignited with mes in harmony with the new track "mma.¡±

    ¡°Chronos, let''s go!"

    ¡°Let¡¯s!"

    There was no dramatic ckout. Instead, we entered gracefully while sping our hands, as the shes and shutter sounds resumed in a continuous flurry. Though the shes were blinding, I maintained a poised smile and concealed any difort.

    Soon, the prelude of "mma"menced. A melodic guitar pluck followed by a cascade of trendy chords. I positioned myself at the center and swayedfortably to the rhythm while embodying the essence of the song''s rxed, carefree vibe.

    The gentle sway of my robe hinted at the impending choreography, which seamlessly unfolded as the Afro rhythm[1] intertwined with the guitar pluck. This signaled the start of our dance. Despite being a group choreography, we executed it with effortless fluidity while prioritizing the emotive essence over technical intricacies.

    During rehearsals, it had be apparent that the essence of this songy in its emotional resonance rather thanplex dance routines. While Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and I had swiftly grasped its essence, Jin-Sung had struggled to fully embody its spirit.

    The lyrics echoed with poignant imagery, capturing the bittersweet emotions of longing and resignation:

    ? Laughter spills between my lips,

    A small me ignites beneath my voice

    Yes, I know. I only see your back right now

    You have so much, and I have nothing to lose

    Although masking itself as Latino-inspired, the song was inherently rooted in the pop genre, infused with Afro rhythms. The Afro rhythm drums faded out and left only the intermittent guitar plucks in the introduction.

    The bass wasyered with synthesizer tones subtle enough for listeners not to clearly discern. The vocals punctuated rhythm points in sync with the guitar and expressed a subdued anger in lyrics implying eventual vindication despite current disregard. Then, the reemergence of the muted Afro rhythm followed, subtly altering the continuous guitar chords to crescendo the song. The drums gradually increased in volume as the song transitioned into the chorus.

    ? Creaking stairs,

    I ascend with ease under everyone¡¯s gaze

    It was really good that I became the protagonist

    The chorus transitioned seamlessly into a synchronized choreography. As we moved with fluidity and precision, we embodied the song''s essence with each graceful movement.

    ? I prepared for myself quietly and secretly

    No moreughter now,

    I can no longer see you

    The mood oscited between mncholy and tension, yet there was an underlying sense of liberation. This song was favored among the members over ¡°Phantom Spirit," and it resonated universally as it transcended cultural boundaries to captivate both domestic and international fans alike.

    ? We are no longer together

    You keep walking slowly,

    Try to scheme

    I rise up quickly

    Karma, Blue mma.

    As the song reached its crescendo, I took center stage along with Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Yoon-Chan. Then, I seamlessly passed the torch to Jin-Sung. He poured all his pent-up frustration into a powerful final performance, despite having no lines in the rap sections or an individual dance part.

    He was so energetic that the bulky strings tied around his forehead snapped and flew off somewhere while dancing. It seemed almost as if I could hear the stylist gasping in horror from behind.

    The string hit Goh Yoo-Joon in the stomach as he danced behind me, and I quickly averted my gaze to maintain my expression in line with the song as I saw this first-hand. Goh Yoo-Joon nced at his stomach,ughed lightly, and then refocused on the performance. Finally, the stage ended.

    I was curious about the reactions our song and performance would receive upon release since it was different from our usual tracks. It was hard to tell if the journalists liked it or not from their facial expressions, but the sporadic cheers while snapping photos seemed to suggest the reactions weren¡¯t bad.

    ¡°Thank you!"

    After the stages we had prepared ended and we moved to snapping photos ording to the schedule, the months of hard work seemed to disappear in an instant as the showcase came to an end. It felt like the first day of oureback had passed all too quickly.

    ¡°Waaaaaah!!!"

    Aftering off stage, we greeted the staff and entered the dressing room, where we were met with apuse from Team Chronos and shared a cake. It had been a sessful stage, so we definitely had sessful results.

    In the excited atmosphere, Su-Hwan shared some more dramatic news. ¡°Yoon-Chan, you passed the audition."

    He was talking about Yoon-Chan''s sessful audition for the TV show he had mentioned recently.

    ¡°What? Really?"

    ¡°Wow, Yoon-Chan passed! Congrats, Yoon-Chan~."

    ¡°Uh, oh wow..." Yoon-Chan stared at Su-Hwan with wide, trembling eyes as if tears might fall at any moment.

    The members all grabbed Yoon-Chan by his shoulders and congratted him. He trembled, tears in his eyes.

    ¡°Is Yoon-Chan crying?"

    ¡°Crying?"

    ¡°Ah... no, no."

    ¡°Don''t cry, my baby! Hahaha!!!" Goh Yoo-Joon hugged Yoon-Chan tightly and imitated Joo-Han.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hug Yoon-Chan, guys." Joo-Han did, and then Jin-Sung. The members all piled up in a round of hugs in front of the cameras.

    I grimaced, but Joo-Han¡¯s brainwashing and habits were frightening. I unconsciously followed Joo-Han''s words and found myself hugging Yoon-Chan too.

    Theeback celebration cake had now turned into a cake celebrating Yoon-Chan''s audition sess. It had been an unusually worry-free and joyfuleback day.

    ***

    After finishing theeback showcase, everyone dispersed to their respective tasks after showering at the dorm. Joo-Han slept in for the first time in a while, and Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung went to eat with Su-Hwan.

    Meanwhile, I went with Goh Yoo-Joon to check out the gamingputer at thepany and then got back into the car.

    ¡°Man, I really think YMM is mean."

    Iughed while soothing an irritated Goh Yoo-Joon. Supervisor Kim did buy the gamingputer as promised, but instead of bringing it to Chronos''s dorm, it was left as a YMMmunal PC. He ced the gamingputer in thepany so that anyone who needed it coulde and use it, as if it belonged to an inte cafe.

    I felt a bit bitter thinking that they were so reluctant to spend money on us, but I quickly realized it was foolish of me to expect anything different from them. After all, they had recently taken out a loan to move our dorm, so perhaps it was too much to expect them to also give us a gamingputer. When we get paid one day, it might be faster for me and Goh Yoo-Joon to just buy our ownputers rather than trying to get one from YMM.

    However, this topic was quickly put aside. We had more pressing matters to attend to today.

    ¡°Are you ready?"

    <i>¡°...Sigh." </i>

    <i>Beep, beep beep. Click.</i>

    As I sighed reflexively, Goh Yoo-Joon frowned while pulling the car out of the parking lot. ¡°What''s the problem on such a good day? Talk to me, man."

    I shook my head. ¡°I''m fine. Why? What''s up?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon also sighed as he backed up the car and drove forward. His driving skills had improved. I hadn''t been in a car driven by him since he was learning to drive, but it seemed he had been practicing with friends since then.

    Goh Yoo-Joon familiarly set up the GPS. The destination was my parents'' house. Yes, today was the day we had nned to visit them. Seeing the familiar address, I almost sighed again, but held it in as I noticed Goh Yoo-Joon ncing at me.

    ¡°Did you have a fight with your mom? Or your sister? Why did both of them call me to ask about you?"

    ¡°That''s not it. I don''t know. Why would they call you?"

    ¡°Man, answer their calls. Your parents are worried. Be extra nice when we get home today, okay?"

    ¡°Yeah, sorry."

    I had mentally prepared myself since I didn''t want to go alone and face the scrutiny of my whole family. I had asked Goh Yoo-Joon toe with me, and he had readily agreed.

    ¡°I wanted to see them anyway, so I was wondering when you''d go. Be ready to get scolded. Your sister was really gearing up for it."

    ¡°I got scolded over the phone recently. She said she''de find me if I didn''t show up. I really messed up."

    ¡°Exactly, Suh Hyun-Woo. We live so close to your home."

    There was no postponing it any longer. I had always made promises to visit, but I kept dying. If not today, the busy schedule of theeback and uing variety shows would leave no opportunity for a visit.

    I was thankful that Goh Yoo-Joon was with me. ¡°...Yoon-Joon, I will buy dinner on the way back. Thanks."

    ¡°Woah, I got goosebumps, dude. What''s up with you? Seriously, stop it with the cheesy stuff."

    People said that by your mid-twenties, you be able to express more to those who deserve it.

    I just chuckled and looked straight ahead. The first building in the distant apartmentplex that came into view was my home. As I saw the house I hadn''t seen in about seven years, a sense of nostalgia and warmth slowly welled up within me.

    1. Afro rhythm, also known as Afrobeat, is a genre originating from West Africa in thete 1960s, blending traditional African music with jazz, funk, and highlife, characterized byplex percussion rhythms and addressing social and political issues. ?

 Chapter 286: First Full Album (22)

    <h4>Chapter 286: First Full Album (22)</h4>

    <i>¡®He''s acting a bit strange.¡¯</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon nced at Suh Hyun-Woo, who was looking out the window, and frowned. They were almost at Hyun-Woo''s house and would reach the destination in less than five minutes after crossing thest signal and entering theplex.

    However, the problem was, why did Suh Hyun-Woo look so worried? It wasn¡¯t because he had fought with his family or because there was discord at home. Suh Hyun-Woo''s parents and sister were so warm and affectionate that even Goh Yoo-Joon was treated like family whenever he visited them once in a while. So why? Why did he look so concerned?

    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re here. Get your stuff and call your mom to tell her we¡¯ve arrived."

    ¡°Okay."

    Goh Yoo-Joon turned the steering wheel into the parking lot and dismissed his suspicions. <i>¡®I will keep it to myself.¡¯</i>

    He decided to just bury all the questions he had about Suh Hyun-Woo since his friend had been very unstabletely. Joo-Han had said that it wouldn''t help Suh Hyun-Woo at all to question everything and probe for details.

    <i>¡®He will talk about it when he''s ready. He will ovee it.¡¯ </i>Thinking this, Goh Yoo-Joon forcibly got rid of his curiosity and concerns for today.

    ¡°...Mom, yes, we just arrived. We areing up now. I came with Goh Yoo-Joon."

    Due to either the guilt of not having visited for a long time after his debut or for some other reason, Suh Hyun-Woo sounded very awkward and ufortable while on the phone with his mom. Goh Yoo-Joon unconsciously frowned and then chuckled as he got out of the car to check his phone.

    - Sent you some pocket money ¨C Joo-Han

    Joo-Han had sent some money for Suh Hyun-Woo, who hadn¡¯t received any payments yet, and for Goh Yoo-Joon, whose royalty earnings were minimal. It was probably pocket money meant for them to buy something nice for Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s parents since they were visiting.

    - Thank you, hyung. We will spend it on good stuff <3 Just my face in the proof shot after eating, right? LOL

    - If you are grateful, don¡¯t send me photos. Just bring some iced Americano on your way back to the dorm.

    - Okie

    Goh Yoo-Joon casually replied and started to gather his things. He looked expressionlessly at Suh Hyun-Woo, who left with his luggage.

    ¡®<i>Ah, whatever.¡¯ </i>He didn''t understand Suh Hyun-Woo''s behavior, but he decided to stand by him today. At least now, he knew more about Suh Hyun-Woo''s situation than his family did. He guessed that Suh Hyun-Woo was acting this way because he felt sorry for having worried them. That was what he chose to believe.

    ***

    I swallowed another sigh. It wasn¡¯t easy to casually walk in and greet my family without showing any disturbance or hesitation.

    <i>¡®It¡¯s okay. I am here now, more stable and better than ever.¡¯ </i>

    I wasn¡¯t sick or in pain. But after not properly facing my family for six years, I had no clue how to look at them. What conversations did we used to have? What did I use to do with them before?

    ¡°What are you doing?"

    As I stood at the front door pondering these things, Goh Yoo-Joon abruptly asked me before pressing the doorbell.

    ¡°Uh... right." I got startled and stepped back but then stood still. I had no reason to back away now.

    - Oh my gosh, long time no see, my sons~

    ¡°Mom~." Goh Yoo-Joon pushed me to the side and leaned into the doorbell. I naturally moved back, and so the first person my mom saw when she opened the door was not me, but him.

    ¡°Oh~ our Chronos member is here?"

    ¡°How have you been?" Instead of me, Goh Yoo-Joon engaged in a pleasant conversation with my mom. She weed him warmly and simply shed me a quick nce. Thanks to his continuous chatter, the focus was on him.

    I awkwardly stood there and nodded briefly to my mom.

    ¡°How did you find time toe here with such a busy schedule?"

    ¡°Eh, I had toe. I haven''t been here since my debut."

    ¡°I made some delicious food. Come in, quickly. Hyun-Woo, you too." My mom took Goh Yoo-Joon by the hand and led him inside. I didn¡¯t know if he did all of this on purpose to make things easier for me, but leading the way made the first greeting effortless.

    I closed the door and entered the house. The smell of food filled the house since my family knew we wereing. The interior was just as I remembered it, and my room was visible through the open door.

    A smile formed on my lips, though it was a bit forced and tinged with bitterness. I went into my room and sat on the neatly made bed. Had they cleaned my room because they knew I wasing?

    The floor and desk were spotlessly clean. The evening breeze came in through the window they had left open for venttion. I calmed the emotions that were welling up inside me. I had missed this ce so much.

    ¡°Are you staying over tonight?"

    ¡°Can I stay over? If so, I will stay tonight and buy you something delicious tomorrow. Joo-Han hyung gave me some money to treat you to a meal."

    ¡°Do you guys have the time to sit around?"

    ¡°Oh, of course. Heh, Mom, are these braised short ribs?"

    Lively conversation could be heard from the kitchen.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, you¡¯re so funny."

    Ever since we were trainees, he had acted more like a son around my mom and stuck close to her by chatting affectionately. Because of this, my mom had wanted to see him more than me.

    I chuckled andy down on the bed. If my sister had seen me, she would have scolded me for lying on the bed in my outdoor clothes. But she wasn''t here, so I didn''t care.

    ¡°Where did Hyun-Woo go? Is he in his room?"

    ¡°Should I go get him?"

    ¡°No, I¡¯ll go. Yoo-Joon, just rx. Should I get you some yogurt? Oh, but you don''t like sweet stuff, right?"

    ¡°Uh, wow, yogurt? I will get it myself~" He was pretending to like it even though he didn¡¯t. Even now, Goh Yoo-Joon still tried to say only positive things.

    I sighed heavily as I looked at the ceiling and got up from the bed. My mom was about to enter the room. Now that I thought about it, I had not really looked at anyone''s face properly since I arrived home.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, oh, hey! Did you climb in bed with your outdoor clothes?"

    ¡°Oh, Mom. No......"

    As soon as my mom entered the room, she saw me sitting on the bed and rushed over to lift me up. She was as sensitive about bed cleanliness as my sister. I was forcibly lifted and found myself looking down into my mom''s clear eyes.

    <i>Badump.</i>

    How long had it been since I''d seen her face this close? My heart sank and I suddenly felt cold. But my lips reflexively curled into a smile. I tried hard to appear nonchnt.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry......"

    Just as I averted my gaze and was about to step back...

    ¡°My baby. You''ve worked hard. Whatever you have done, I support you."

    My mom hugged me. She had a smaller frame than me. She spoke in an endlessly affectionate voice, as ifforting a baby. The warmth of her hand patting my back was so unfamiliar because it had been so long since I''d felt it.

    My emotions surged as I was unable to remainposed. She didn¡¯t say anything depressing or looked devastated like in the past. She truly acknowledged the hardships I had gone through and my efforts of the past ten years.

    I freed my arms trapped between our bodies and embraced my mom. I never thought I''d see the day when she would be proud of her son.

    ¡°Mom, I''ve missed you."

    This was a scene I had longed to see but hadn''t been able to.

    ***

    Soon, my dad and sister came home from work. My sister immediately ran up to me and kicked me while my dad just stared at me and silently brought out some alcohol.

    Goh Yoo-Joon watched me getting knocked around and then sat down on the couch, chuckling before he fought with me.

    ¡°You are still the same, huh?¡± my sister asked. ¡°Can''t you guys stop fighting?"

    Despite my sister''s shouts, Goh Yoo-Joon''s armlock didn''t loosen, so I ended up biting his hand again today.

    ¡°Why don''t you two take it to your room if you are going to make such a mess?"

    ¡°Are you grown-ups still ying like you did in middle school? Have a drink each. I always wished I could share a drink with you once you were grown."

    ¡°Alright, enough, sit down. You learn how to drink from adults..." My sister shook her head and turned on her phone to show something to my mom. ¡°Ah, Mom, Dad, they''ve already been drinking. Have you seen the video of them drunk on <i>BlueBird?</i>"

    ¡°Ahh! Suh Hyun-Woo, don¡¯t hit me, I¡¯m bleeding!"

    ¡°Rx your grip before I kick you!"

    ¡°Oh my gosh, how can they post something so rowdy? Don''t post your drunk moments~"

    As my family continued their lively conversation, they watched the drunk video of Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han, and me on the phone. I eventually kicked Goh Yoo-Joon''s buttocks and managed to escape to sit down.

    Dad then poured me a drink and filled Goh Yoo-Joon''s ss as well. ¡°Now, both of you, sit down and have a drink."

    Everyone raised their sses, following Dad. ¡°Our proud sons¡ª"

    ¡°Ah, Dad. Are you so excited because your son was on TV?"

    ¡°Hyun-Ji, that''s how you make a toast."

    ¡°...Our proud sons, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon." Despite my sister''s teasing, Dad continued with his toast. ¡°Though it''s a bitte, congrattions on your debut. Now that you''ve achieved your goal, the most important thing is to be healthy."

    Healthy... Dad looked at me intently, and I nodded awkwardly with a forced smile. After all, they must have read about my poor condition, back injury, fainting, and other issues in the news.

    ¡°You must take care of your health. Go to the hospital without fail if you are sick. Now that you''ve debuted, I hope you will continue to grow and strive to be the best. You''ve both worked so hard. Yoo-Joon for four years and Hyun-Woo for ten years. Cheers!"

    We clinked our sses together. Everyone took a hearty shot and then put some food into their mouths.

    While the warm conversation continued, Mom exchanged a look with Dad. They suddenly coughed and nudged my sister, giving her a hint.

    <i>''What''s going on?''</i>

    Just as I was about to speak out of curiosity...

    ¡°Hey, how are you feeling? Do you feel better now?" my sister asked abruptly.

 Chapter 287: First Full Album (23)

    <h4>Chapter 287: First Full Album (23)</h4>

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Everything is okay," I assured them.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I mean it. If you are ever sick, go straight to the hospital. I¡¯m serious."

    Despite my words, both my parents and my sister looked at me with skepticism, their eyes clouded with doubt. But their doubts wouldn¡¯t change the situation. If I feigned ignorance, they would have no choice but to drop the subject.

    ¡°Is that really true? Yoo-Joon, does yourpany genuinely take good care of your health?"

    ¡°Huh? Well...um..." Goh Yoo-Joon stuttered.

    ¡°Yes, they do. Our manager really looks out for us," I quickly added after seeing Goh Yoo-Joon struggling to respond.

    ¡°Absolutely. Especially the manager hyung, he is exceptionally attentive."

    Truth be told, there had been numerous asions of illness and injuries, and frankly, the mental exhaustion and hardships were more frequent than not.

    Yet, what could be gained from sharing these burdens with our families? It would only cause them unnecessary worry. It seemed better to handle this amongst ourselves, between members.

    I wasn''t fond of where this conversation was heading and quickly drained my ss, hoping to steer the discussion elsewhere. However, instead of diverting their attention, my mom quietly started wiping tears from her eyes. ¡°Every time I hear about one of you being hurt or copsing, my heart sinks. And I can¡¯t even reach you on the phone," she murmured.

    Mom was visibly upset. Her tears were a testament to her concerns.

    I lifted my head involuntarily and caught her gaze. A mix of infinite disappointment and worry were obvious in her eyes.

    ¡°Do you even know how worried I have been?" she asked.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, this isn¡¯t right. You might not realize because she doesn¡¯t tell you, but she¡¯s been crying a lot over her worries for you," Dad chimed in.

    ¡°...I understand that you¡¯ve been really worried. I am sorry."

    Dad then refilled the empty sses, perhaps hinting that it was time to ease the mood. I reflected on the moment and realized this was the first time my dad had ever poured drinks for me.

    I absentmindedly gulped down the drink he served as I was now aware of my family¡¯s concerns. I had avoided such painful acknowledgments until now.

    Even though I had braced myself for today''s situation, the reality of it made me want to escape. The atmosphere was suffocating and far from wee.

    So, I just...

    ¡°Yeah..."

    Pretended to be drunk.

    ¡°Eh? Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°Yeah..."

    ¡°Noona, Suh Hyun-Woo is drunk," Goh Yoo-Joon announced.

    ¡°Eh? Oh, really? Just from that?"

    ¡®<i>Thanks for helping, Goh Yoo-Joon.¡¯</i>

    Honestly, the situation was enough to sober anyone, and though I wasn''t really drunk, this small amount would usually blur my consciousness.

    <i>¡®Let¡¯s just go with that.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Is he drunk? He looks perfectly fine," my sister expressed her disbelief, questioning Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°He usually doesn¡¯t show it. When he¡¯s drunk, it¡¯s hard to tell unless you are drunk alongside him. Jin-Sung said that Suh Hyun-Woo doesn¡¯t even get flushed when he¡¯s drunk."

    ¡°Ha! Kid! If you can¡¯t handle your liquor, just say so!"

    ¡°Lies, how can he be drunk after just three drinks? It¡¯s absurd. Hey, Hyun-Woo, get up now."

    Perhaps my sister was the family¡¯s champion drinker. She was unable to trust my tolerance and physically pressed down on me with her foot. I yed along by tilting because of her pressure and pretending to copse.

    Just then, my mom stopped crying and remarked, "That¡¯s not the right way to behave in front of your parents."

    Goh Yoo-Joon quickly helped me to my feet. ¡°I will take him to his room."

    ¡°He¡¯s being ridiculous. Just toss him on the floor. He will manage to crawl into bed on his own."

    ¡°Sure, noona."

    Goh Yoo-Joon escorted me to my room. Part of me wondered if he would actually follow through with tossing me on the floor. How would I mitigate the impact of copsing on the floor if he did?

    After a brief moment of consideration, he gentlyid me on the bed. Thanks, gosh.

    ¡°Wow, how can you be drunk after just three shots? What a lightweight," he teased, even though I was supposedly asleep. After all, he himself would be inebriated after just four drinks.

    Once he left and closed the door, I opened my eyes. In the darkened room, I could hear my family and Goh Yoo-Joon continuing their discussion outside. Goh Yoo-Joon yelled, "Dad, mom, noona, I love you!" followed by the sound of my sister kicking him. My mom voiced her concerns again, and my dad admonished her, all of which I absorbed while staring at the ceiling.

    I used to fall asleep the moment my head hit the pillow, but tonight was different. Despite the exhaustion from a full day of rehearsals, a showcase, and even a few drinks, my mind was strangely alert.

    Maybe it wasn¡¯t just wakefulness keeping me from sleep, but a desire to linger in theforting murmur of family conversations. I closed my eyes and let the familiar sounds wash over me.

    Suddenly, the door swung open, and my family yfully tossed Goh Yoo-Joon into the room. ¡°Geez, you two are alcohol trash," theyughed.

    ¡°What does ''alcohol trash'' mean?" I heard him ask.

    "It''s ng. ''Alcohol trash'' is what they call lightweights.¡±

    A weightnded heavily on me. It was the unmistakable drunken heap of Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Are you asleep, Suh Hyun-woo? Are you really asleep? Coming all this way to your parents'' ce just to sleep?"

    ¡°The other members must have been suffering because of these two lightweights,¡± my sister muttered under her breath. ¡°I should remind Joo-Han to keep these two from drinking too much."

    ¡°Since you are asleep, here''s something I wanted to tell you, Hyun-Woo," Goh Yoo-Joon slurred, clearly ready to confess some drunken affection. ¡°I fucking love you, man. I love all of the members. Ah, Mom, Dad, noona, what am I going to do?"

    ¡°Yes, of course, we know that. No need to tell us.¡±

    ¡°I really do! I can give all my heart to you guys.¡±

    It seemed they were tired of his derations of love as he kept saying the same thing from the living room. With a hint of annoyance, my sister ushered our parents out and left us to the quiet of my room. As the door clicked shut, I stopped feigning sleep and shoved Goh Yoo-Joon off me.

    <i>Thud!!!</i>

    He tumbled, sprawled across the floor, and immediately sumbed to sleep. ¡°Geez, you are such a bastard."

    I had intended to offer him the bed as a thank-you for joining me, but he was already fast asleep on the floor. I sighed, fetched a nket and a pillow from the closet, and covered him before reiming my spot on the bed. The sounds from the first family gathering of the night seemed to be winding down, and the house fell quiet.

    Sleep finally began to beckon me. It had been ages since Goh Yoo-Joon hade over to hang out and ended up crashing like this. I hadn¡¯t expected to relive these moments from our past. It felt like a poignant throwback.

    <i>Creak-</i>

    Just as sleep was about to take me, the door opened again. This time, someone entered quietly. I kept my eyes shut, pretending to sleep, and wondered who it could be. It wasn¡¯t Mom or my sister...

    The person sat at the end of my bed and let out a weary sigh. It was Dad. He seemed very concerned.

    ¡°...¡±

    Without needing to see, I felt his gaze heavy on me. His hand was rough and gentle, and it brushed back my hair and rested on my head. His touch wasden with unspoken worries.

    ¡°You should¡¯ve told me that you were sick..."

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°How did you endure all of this by yourself...¡± His voice was barely a whisper, maybe afraid of waking me. Such a stern and solemn man worried about me in such a pained voice. Why? Perhaps because the words he spoke seemed to resonate with both the me from that day and the me from the present.

    After a long time of stroking my head, Dad left the room. Only then could I cry. I let go of the tension I had been holding all day, crying so hard that my shoulders shook. I had missed them so much. The smiling faces of my parents, the worry they had for me just because I was their son, and even the trivial moments with my teammates who had shone on stage with me for so long...

    I could only fulfill my wish after achieving an impossible miracle.

    ***

    The next afternoon was light and carefree. We enjoyed a meal with the family which was fueled by the allowance Joo-Han had given us before preparing to head back to our lodgings.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan loves snacks, so I packed some along with your side dishes and Joo-Han¡¯s favorite coffee beans I roasted," Mom proudly exined.

    ¡°Did you really roast these yourself?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked as he was surprised.

    ¡°Of course. I even remember that Joo-Han only likes coffee shop coffee.¡±

    Her attention to detail was a testament to how closely she followed our lives.

    Mom had carefully selected treats for each member and showed her love in her own special way.

    Dad handed us some money. ¡°Here, spend it wisely."

    ¡°Ah, you didn¡¯t have to," Goh Yoo-Joon said, pocketing the money with a mischievous grin.

    Dad smiled broadly, the same way he did when he talked about his new car.

    ¡°Pay it back with filial piety someday," my sister chimed in. We nodded, packed our mountain of belongings into the car, and prepared to leave.

    ¡°Visit us anytime you want, and let us know when you have concerts!¡±

    ¡°Okay, I will call youter.¡±

    ¡°See you soon!¡±

    I started the engine and waved my hands at everyone once more before leaving the parking lot. The overnight stay at home had been more pleasant than expected, but it was time to return my focus to my career.

    Upon returning to the dorm, I quickly dropped off my luggage and headed to the broadcast station with Su-Hwan.

 Chapter 288: First Full Album (24)

    <h4>Chapter 288: First Full Album (24)</h4>

    In the conference room of SES Broadcasting Station, the atmosphere was professional yet anticipatory.

    ¡°We are looking forward to working together. Your role is pivotal," the scriptwriter said earnestly while setting the tone.

    Su-Hwan responded confidently. ¡°Don''t worry. He is shy, but he excels in broadcasts."

    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m not worried about that. We''ve specifically selected Hyun-Woo after closely following his previous broadcasts. I believe he will manage just fine on his own.¡±

    The casting meeting for SES''s new variety show <i>Newbie Crew</i>, in coboration with the game <i>One Hours</i>, was drawing to a close. Ji-Hyuk was part of the cast as expected. The production team had entrusted me with a significant role as the ''Chief Engineer.'' The responsibility was immense, and they had made this decision without seeking my consent.

    Though I felt a bit overwhelmed considering the rest of the cast included several seasoned entertainment veterans with extensive reality show experience, I knew declining wasn''t an option.

    ¡°I will do my best.¡±

    As the conversation flowed around me, I found an opportunity to interject a personal concern to the director. ¡°Umm, by the way, Director," I began, gaining the attention of all the people in the room. ¡°Could I possibly use the yable character I previously had for the broadcast?" I asked cautiously.

    The production team paused since they were a bit surprised by my request. "Ah?"

    ¡°I''ve yed before some time ago, and I thought it might be better to use a familiar character," I exined. If it was still avable and hadn''t been removed from <i>One Hours</i>, it should still retain its levels and abilities.

    The production team''s faces lit up with approval, and they nodded enthusiastically. ¡°You still have your old yable character? Then, by all means, use it! That''s perfect for us."

    ¡°Really? Thank you so much.¡±

    "If you need any power-ups or assistance, just let us know. We nned to provide those to the cast anyway," they offered, further amodating my needs.

    The enthusiasm in their response was palpable. It was a relief for them, too, because having something distinctive like a familiar yable character could enrich the content, especially when idols were involved, who might need extra elements to stand out.

    Seeing this as an opportunity to both utilize a dormant character and enhance my presence on the show, I felt more at ease. In a setting surrounded by naturally entertaining personalities, leveraging my genuine passion and proficiency in <i>One Hours</i> seemed a strategically sound approach to ensure I could contribute with meaningful content without merely blending into the background.

    ¡°All right, that concludes our meeting. We will begin with individual sessions to get acquainted with the game. Group filming will start next month," the director said, detailing the uing schedule.

    ¡°Okay, sounds good."

    ¡°Having Ji-Hyuk will definitely make things smoother. We will also set up a group meeting before filming starts, so you can all get to know each other better.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!"

    After we left the meeting and headed back in the car, Su-Hwan said in a low voice, ¡°...Just wait a few more days."

    He seemed to hint at something important.

    ¡°For what?"

    ¡°We are getting aputer for the dorm," he revealed, which was surprising since I thought it was meant for thepany.

    ¡°...¡±

    I paused, trying to make sense of what he said before eximing, ¡°Hyung, did you actually buy aputer? With your own money? For real?"

    Su-Hwan simply smiled, neither confirming nor denying it directly. ¡°Joo-Han pitched in, too."

    ¡°Hyung, you didn¡¯t have to go to such lengths..."

    ¡°You guys should be able to buy what you want once the settlementse through. They should be issued soon given your good performance," Su-Hwan mentioned, hinting at the financial sesses we were anticipating.

    It seemed Su-Hwan felt too embarrassed about the previousputer situation at YMM to let this opportunity pass without correction. ¡°Sorry, thepany is..." he began apologetically.

    ¡°Ah well, if we continue to improve, so will their treatment toward us."

    ¡°...¡±

    I wondered why Su-Hwan had yet to start his ownpany. Typically, managers at the director level like Su-Hwan would leverage their extensiveworks tounch their enterprises. Amidst these thoughts, time slipped by unnoticed as I gazed out the window, and we soon arrived at the practice studio.

    ***

    In the backstage waiting room of UNET, the air buzzed with a mix of anxiety and anticipation right before our first music broadcast recording.

    ¡°Don''t worry. You guys are guaranteed to take first ce," dered Supervisor Kim with an unwavering confidence that left no room for doubt.

    However, his bold promation only served to wrinkle Su-Hwan''s brow in concern. ¡°Supervisor, perhaps it would be wise to keep your voice down..." he ventured cautiously.

    In response, Supervisor Kim''s annoyance red. ¡°No one can hear us," he retorted sharply.

    Su-Hwan observed the tension, exhaled deeply and gave a discreet nod to Manager Tae-Seong, who grasped the cue immediately and gently guided Supervisor Kim out of the room with a firm hand. ¡°Let''s step out for a cigarette, Supervisor."

    ¡°Oh, Tae-Seong, do you smoke too? I''ve never seen you smoking," Supervisor asked, surprised.

    ¡°I don''t," Tae-Seong replied curtly.

    ¡°Then why the offer?"

    ¡°There''s something I need to discuss with you. It''s a new challenge for me," Tae-Seong exined with his voice devoid of emotion yet somehow conveying urgency.

    Supervisor Kim was perhaps ttered by the request for advice. He allowed a small, pleased smile to bloom on his face as they left the room together.

    ¡°...Impressive," Joo-Han murmured under his breath. A light chuckle escaped his lips as he observed the two men. The newly appointed Manager Tae-Seong seemed to have rapidly built a strong rapport with Su-Hwan as their actions seamlessly coordinated.

    Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joonughed heartily across the room and gave a thumbs-up to the manager.

    ¡°You are done, Hyun-Woo. Take care so you won¡¯t ruin your hair."

    ¡°Okay. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Wait, I need to take a picture of your makeup.¡±

    Despite the still noisy atmosphere of the waiting room, the makeup artist who was diligently applying makeup took a quick picture of my face and then headed toward Jin-Sung, who was dozing off.

    ¡°Someonee and fix Jin-Sung''s makeup, please."

    I looked at myself in the mirror and turned my head back and forth. Only my outfit had changed. The makeup wasplete with the jewels under my eyes. It looked exactly like when I was shooting the music video.

    I received a lot of borate essories and makeuppared to other members, so my face felt incredibly heavy today. For example, there were sparkles attached strand by strand to my ck hair, jewels under my eyes, and earrings so heavy they felt like they could kill my ears.

    Yes, ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± was particrly challenging.

    Iined about the extra makeup being distracting while dancing, but the stylist firmly told me to endure it. Since this was the first broadcast, the intensity of the essories was understandable. Moreover, I was not the only one ufortable with today''s outfit.

    ¡°Does it keep getting into your mouth when you dance? I kept having to spit it out."

    ¡°Yeah. I almost died trying to hold back myughter hearing you spit through the in-ear monitors."

    ¡°Pfft." I burst into unintentionalughter at the conversation between Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung in front of the behind-the-scenes camera.

    Goh Yoo-Joon wore a face chain made of thread today. During rehearsal, it kept getting into his mouth as he danced with it on, making us clench our jaws to suppress ourughter as the sound of ''ptui!'' repeatedly came through the in-ear monitors.

    <i>Knock knock.</i>

    ¡°Chronos, time to move!"

    ¡°Okay!"

    The members, who had been sittingfortably in their seats, abruptly stood up. Since this wasn¡¯t a live broadcast, everyone was less nervous. Instead of tension, our faces still radiated smiles.

    Rather than feeling unease about the first music show, we seemed excited about meeting the Rings. Upon receiving microphones and listening to brief instructions backstage, we could hear the murmurs of the waiting Rings.

    Soon, we would present our first proper performance in front of the Rings.

    ¡°Everyone, gather around." Joo-Han gathered all the members together. ¡°We are not letting our guard down just because we''ve done a rehearsal in front of the Rings, are we?"

    Jin-Sung had rxed a bit too much after the rehearsal, so he stealthily tensed up upon hearing Joo-Han''s words.

    ¡°The performance we are about to do will be broadcast. It''s the first proper stage for the Rings to see. Let''s do it like usual without any mistakes."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, be careful so your face chain does not get into your mouth. Hyun-Woo, be mindful of his outfit and essories. And Jin-Sung, you felt your timing was off in the intro, so I trust you will adjust to it properly. Yoon-Chan, make sure you don''t look too strained, okay?"

    Joo-Han pointed out specific precautions to each member, then ced his hand over Yoon-Chan''s.

    ¡°Let¡¯s¡ª!"

    ¡°¡ªnail this!¡±

    Our voices seemed to reach outside the stage to the Rings as cheers were already sounding. The production staff opened the ckout curtains.

    ¡°Chronos is entering!"

    We went up on stage one by one while waving our hands.

    ¡°Everyone, have you been waiting long?"

    ¡°Good morning!"

    ¡°We''ve changed our outfits, Rings!"

    As the members spoke, the audience responded with cheers. Indeed, it had still been early morning just until the rehearsal, but now it had turned into morning. The fans who hade at dawn to watch the rehearsal had to be tired, but they still showed the same energy as if they just got here. I couldn''t be more grateful than I was.

    ¡°Aren''t you tired? You woke up very early today." Joo-Han asked.

    Shouts of ''No!!!!'' were heard. I smiled broadly at the near-cheering response and spun around in ce with my arms spread wide. Perhaps it was the outfit or the jewels stered on my face, but I felt many eyes on me.

    I spun around once more for the fans to see the outfit.

    ¡°Look at Suh Hyun-Woo being yful. Oh, wow." Goh Yoo-Joon grimaced and spun around just like I did, then spat out the silver thread chain that had gotten into his mouth.

    Afterughing and engaging in conversations for a while, the director''s very tired and listless voice came through the speakers.

    ¡°Chronos, we are starting the recording."

    We exchanged nces with the Rings and positioned ourselves. The cheers quickly subsided once again. The sudden silence made me nervous.

    Soon, the intro of ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± yed.

 Chapter 289: First Full Album (25)

    <h4>Chapter 289: First Full Album (25)</h4>

    The groups who participated in<i> Pick We Up</i>, namely High Tension, Street Center, and Chronos, had often been touted as UNET¡¯s nurtured talents. Thus, UNET had always shown particr diligence in managing these three groups''ebacks.

    High Tension and Street Center managed to secure exclusiveeback shows, which suggested we were somewhat sidelined in the scheduling. However, if our nexteback didn''t sh with these heavyweights from major agencies, it might finally be our chance to shine.

    Previously, our schedules had ovepped with High Tension, and now with Street Center. This had caused us to miss out on aeback show.

    Despite this setback, UNET dedicated substantial effort to oureback debut stage. The production was top-notch for both performances, although YMM footed the bill for the set costs. The team crafted an engaging narrative that included interviews, dramatic stage intros, and even pre-show trailers crafted from teasers and music videos. These definitely enhanced the anticipation and excitement.

    Such meticulous stagecraft required immense dedication and time, leaving us with barely a moment to breathe.

    Before the show''s premiere, we were busy filming the intro that would precede our ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± performance. On the day of oureback, we endured hours of rehearsals and the live recording of the song with no breaks before diving into makeup, hair, and outfit changes for ¡°mma.¡±

    After wrapping up, we reviewed theeback story videos and ran through interviews and simple hosting practices with the Director and show hosts. Despite the exhaustion, we managed to grab a quick meal and refresh ourselves before switching looks to reprise our roles in ¡°Phantom Spirits.¡±

    Although it was only 3 PM, the exhaustion made it feel as if it was time to crawl into bed. Having washed, eaten, and worked hard, sleep seemed like the next logical step. As expected, sleepiness crept in just as we were gearing up for the live broadcast. This prompted me to stand up and stretch my legs.

    That was when Goh Yoo-Joon sauntered over, slung an arm around my shoulders, and whisked me away from the waiting room.

    ¡°What? Where are we going?"

    ¡°Off to snag some drinks from the vending machine. My treat.¡±

    ¡°And where is Manager Tae-Seong?"

    ¡°He is out grabbing coffee with Joo-Han hyung. Su-Hwan hyung is with Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung, trying to rouse them from their sleep," Goh Yoo-Joon replied in a yful whine, making it clear I was his onlypanion option.

    Goh Yoo-Joon, ever the social butterfly, admitted that he didn¡¯t want to venture to the vending machine alone. While his reluctance seemed slightly absurd, his offer to pay coaxed me into following him without a word.

    It was only after I began walking toward the vending machine that he finally released his friendly grip from my shoulder. ¡°I just overheard Su-Hwan hyung.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Talking about what?"

    He gestured subtly toward the waiting room. ¡°It sounds like they are nning on a video for Yoon-Chan¡¯s solo track."

    The news piqued my interest. ¡°Really?"

    ¡°Yep," he nodded.

    He was talking about Yoon-Chan¡¯s solo track ¡°Forest.¡± Recently, it had not only secured a spot on the music charts, but also climbed alongside other hits to amendable position. The track was also featured on streaming ylists, which was a testament to Yoon-Chan¡¯s effective promotion that had yielded significant results.

    Given the track''s sess, YMM appeared to be gearing up to capitalize on it further.

    ¡°Does video production mean we are shooting a music video?"

    ¡°It''s probably not that. I couldn''t quite catch it, but maybe it''s a special clip like the one Senior Sae-Yeon filmed before."

    ¡°Ah, right. I see."

    There had once been a video that made waves. It had been uploaded to the official <i>UTube </i>channel when Sae-Yeon from Allure first released his solo song under thepany''s banner. It was a special performance captured with high-quality cameras and ster directing.

    Though not live, it was fully equipped with borate costumes and choreography, garnering a fantastic response. Now, it seemed like Yoon-Chan might be nning something simr.

    This was a thrilling opportunity to showcase our work for both Yoon-Chan and myself, the creator of the song, especially since there were no fan meetings or concerts currently nned.

    ¡°Hyung, could you grab a Two Percent[1] for me?"

    ¡°...Wow, just listen to you, talking so unenthusiastically. Try to sound more sincere."

    Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled as he himself pressed the Two Percent button on the vending machine.

    I shrugged as I took out the Two Percent can. Goh Yoo-Joon opted for canned coffee.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung started working on a solo track for Jin-Sungtely."

    ¡°Already?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded in confirmation.

    Since I had taken up producing Yoon-Chan''s solo track, it seemed Joo-Han had immediately dived into producing Jin-Sung¡¯s. Joo-Han had recently taken a hobby inposing and had been incessantly crafting something new. Jin-Sung had been eager for his solo and had nudged Joo-Han to start soon.

    I was prepared to brush off the news lightly, but then Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s lips suddenly twisted into a mischievous grin.

    ¡°What''s up? Why the smile?" I instinctively scowled. That grin was a clear sign he was up to something nefarious.

    ¡°Hey,e over here for a sec." He grabbed my arm as I turned to head back to the waiting room and pulled me down into a chair beside the vending machine.

    ¡°What''s the matter?"

    ¡°You know how topose, and I can write lyrics, right?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°Joo-Han hasn''t made his own solo track yet, has he?"

    I had a hunch where this was heading. Even without my reply, Goh Yoo-Joon confidently continued, ¡°Don¡¯t you think it''s unlikely that Joo-Han will ever make his own solo track?"

    ¡°Yeah, probably not.¡±

    Indeed, it seemed Joo-Han preferred distributing songs as gifts to members while cherishing royalties over personal projects.

    <i>¡®Why listen to my solo when you can listen to Yoo-Joon''s or yours?¡¯ </i>That was what he would say since he was fully aware of his average vocal skills and was unwilling to waste time on a solo that wouldn¡¯t sell.

    Our leader was perceptive of everyone else''s feelings yet often blind to their affection for him.

    Seeing that I agreed, Goh Yoo-Joon grinned wider, his mood visibly elevated. ¡°Let¡¯s create one for Joo-Han hyung as a gift. What do you think?"

    ¡°Really? Are you serious?"

    As I pressed if he truly intended to proceed, Goh Yoo-Joon animatedly nodded, his eyebrows wiggling. ¡°Yes, indeed. My heart. Very nice. To Joo-Han hyung," he said in broken English.

    Returning from America and using poor English to show his sincerity made me trust the twenty-year-old Goh Yoo-Joon even less. He noticed my skeptical look and his grin became wider.

    ¡°I mean it. I¡¯ve been thinking about it for a while. All five of us should release one track each. Even if they don''t make it to the album. Even if they end up as just digital releases, like yours."

    ¡°Hmm."

    ¡°I¡¯ve even thought of a title already."

    ...He might actually be serious.

    My curiosity piqued. I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon as he maintained his characteristic smile.

    ¡°It will be called ¡®Kang Joo-Han.¡¯"

    It was ridiculous,pletely ludicrous. I turned away and signaled that I was not joking, but Goh Yoo-Joon quickly retorted, ¡°No, for real. Joo-Han hyung likes cute and funny things. Remember how I busted a toilet by dancing excitedly to his trot song?"

    This was so absurd. ¡°...You want to make a trot song?"

    ¡°Not exactly, but something with aic twist. Look, Suh Hyun-Woo. You focus on creating serious music. I will handle the lyrics."

    It seemed he wanted to create a solo for each of the five members as a heartfelt prank.

    Ultimately, Goh Yoo-Joon simply wished to indulge in a bit of talent-wasting fun under the guise of gifting. Well, the idea seemed frustratingly amusing.

    When the song "Kang Joo-Han" would be released, I thought it would be fun to see the Rings'' reactions wherever it would be shared. Even if it likely wouldn¡¯t be officially released but rather shared exclusively on the fan website due to its quality.

    The contrast between the serious music and the less serious lyrics seemed like an entertaining idea.

    ¡°I''ve already thought of the lyrics. ''You are always smiling gently, amidst your fresh smile, you¡¯re so cool, it¡¯s hard to match you. Yes, the reason you speak to me is just business, I love money.''"

    ¡°..."

    ¡°Muahaha, I am the future copyright king, willing to wear animal pajamas for a step toward fame..." Goh Yoo-Joon hummed these lyrics to a melody he had casuallyposed. The lyrics seemed absurd despite the intense bad.

    ¡°Huh."

    There was no way this could ever be released. Definitely not. But it seemed like a fun prank to release on the fan website.

    As I was unable to resist the temptation, I eventually nodded. ¡°Let''s make it tonight."

    We could start off with lyrics or whatever... Given the situation, it seemed like something that could be done in just thirty minutes tonight.

    We wrapped up our light-hearted ns and headed to the waiting room. After a few hours of waiting, the <i>Countdown</i> broadcast started.

    ***

    Since debut, or even before, I had been running with all my might. I experienced the bitterness of being in a small agency and achieved unexpected sess and rapid growth amidst that.

    Until ¡°Joy,¡± we had been merely called a first-tier group by fans andmunities with thebel "super rookie" stuck in front of our group name. Compared to our domestic poprity, the international fame was veryckluster. Our name barely got out there through a dance challenge as we relied mostly on word of mouth to slowly gain a response.

    We were not exactly a group that had made a significant mark in the music industry. Of course, it was impressive that High Tension, only in their first year and technically their second, was already touring internationally... But..

    - They are finally back! The new center of K-POP! The trend of K-POP!

    - Comeback! Ch! Ro! Nos!

    - Waaaaah!

    The two MCs waved our lightsticks and introduced oureback.

    - Chronos has enchanted many fans both domestically and internationally. They are back with their first full album ¡°Phantom Spirit!¡±

    - It''s truly an honor to showcase Chronos'' spectacr stage for the first time here on <i>Countdown</i>! My heart is bouncing! Bouncing~

    - Stay tuned as Chronos'' performance will be up shortly! Now, who''s up next?

    The MCs smoothly teased oureback and introduced the next performers.

    Yes, we had been just a well-known idol group until ¡°Joy,¡± but we started being called the center of K-POP trends after a trip to the US. The group''s image had changed in an instant.

    It had been just a shoot for <i>Again After Rainfall</i>, but it made headlines because of our meeting with Callia Lawrence. Her frequent words of praise about us on her social media were another topic for a headline, and the fact that we would coborate with her was a hot topic in the industry.

    Foreign media began focusing on Chronos due to the coboration with Callia Lawrence, and there was one concentrated media coverage about it (this was better than nothing).

    The reporters kept writing articles about us because our fan cam video and a festival video from fan cams went viral, because our music video views broke records, and so on...

    One thing led to another, and articles about us exploded. YMM was incredibly efficient in steering us to lead the KPOP wave. We had never even done an overseas tour before.

    Supervisor Kim was especially very happy that our market value had risen. I guess this was what happened when good news flowed in. It could feel a bit empty, but empty spaces filled up quickly and exaggerations became reality. Thus, this situation wasn''t too bad.

    ¡°Chronos, please go on stage!"

    Iughed at another Chronoseback teaser on TV and headed to the stage.

    1. A famous peach drink in Korea that you can easily grab from convenience or grocery stores. It¡¯s not too sweet, but I like it :) ?

 Chapter 290: First Full Album (26)

    <h4>Chapter 290: First Full Album (26)</h4>

    At the "Countdown"eback stage, Chronos naturally secured first ce. The Rings screamed in joy as confetti exploded all around. The members were surprised yet beamed, and they celebrated their first ce. Yoon-Chan Park and Lee Jin-Sung teared up with emotion.

    - Congrattions, Chronos! Please share your thoughts on winning first ce!

    Kang Joo-Han took the microphone at the MC¡¯s cue. He was usually fluent in expressing his thoughts, but today, he hesitated before speaking. He wore an apologetic expression as he faced the Rings.

    ¡°Uh, thank you so much for first ce. There are so many people to thank, and I''m sorry I can''t mention everyone. The members worked really hard, and most of all, our Rings..."

    ¡°Kyaaaah!!!"

    ¡°You''ve all worked so hard. Waiting to watch us must have been exhausting and difficult, and all the members are well aware of it. We will do even better going forward. Thank you so much. We love you!"

    - Alright! Thank you for yourments! Chronos, please prepare for the encore. As always, we will be back next time with <i>Countdown</i> alongside more music! Thank you!

    With the MC''s closing remarks, the encore began. Getting first ce was incredibly special and moving for both Chronos and the Rings. This marked their first major achievement. Since they had gone through numerous challenges and incidents, including their trip to the US, it was more special than anything else for both the members and Rings.

    ***

    [Chronos][HOT] Countdown Pre-Recording Standing Review ¨C Unforgettable Moments

    I can barely contain my excitement as I share this. Our beloved Chronos has made a breathtakingeback!!! And they snatched the first ce right away, aah. Congrattions are in order!!! While many of you might have seen the broadcast, I wanted to capture the magic of that day in words.

    On the day of the pre-recording, I was up before dawn since I was buzzing with anticipation. I caught a taxi to the broadcasting station. It was my first time at <i>Countdown</i> and, to my surprise, the stage was much closer andrger than I expected. It felt like stepping into another world. (I took a picture of my ticket number.jpg) I was on row 110ish.

    Behind our beloved Chronos, there was a recording for Street Center. So, the Rings and Street Center fans were in front and behind me. The atmosphere was charged, though a bit chaotic as fans from both sides weren''t really maintaining order (please, let''s maintain order next time... ??).

    Once everything was organized a bit, the wait felt endless. But then, my boys ascended the stage with shy waves and literally stole my breath away. It felt surreal, like a scene ripped from a drama.

    I stood frozen, mouth agape while clutching my Gori stick. How do people even begin to scream immediately? The members¡¯ visuals were just otherworldly, even more mesmerizing in person than on TV.

    They had transformed a lot. The cute and fresh vibe was gone, reced by a mature, sexy allure that captivated everyone. They were divine, seductive, a bit extravagant yet marked by a touch of asceticism.

    Conclusion: This performance had the best hair, make up and outfit!

    Around that time, the whispers of awe from fans around me melded into a chorus of admiration. All I could hear were things like "Wow... I can¡¯t believe the visuals I am looking at right now... Just... Wow..."

    Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon stood out with their borate adornments. Yoo-Joon wore a fancy face chain, and Hyun-Woo had jewels under his eyes like in the music video. Joo-Han sported ck nail polish, though it wasn''t very visible on the broadcast.

    Despite being a rehearsal, the members were dressed to impress, though some were in lighter attire or without some essories. They went through the rehearsal twice. It seemed there were some kinks to iron out between Jin-Sung and Yoo-Joon, prompting ongoing discussions with the production team.

    Still, whenever they caught the gaze of the Rings, the atmosphere lightened instantly. Their smiles and waves were genuinely heartwarming, and I waspletely swept away by their charm.

    The other members interacted with fans by checking if they had eaten or were tired. Our shy duo, Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan, lightly blushed at the overwhelming affection pouring out from the Rings, hahahaha.

    Everyone was in high spirits throughout the rehearsals. At one point, all the members¡ªincluding the usually reserved Hyun-Woo¡ªburst intoughter. The reason? Yoo-Joon''s face chain kept slipping into his mouth during the performance and sent hrious and slightly embarrassing noises through everyone''s in-ears.

    Hyun-Woo was like, ¡°Ahahahahahaha, Goh Yoo-Joon keeps spitting it out.¡±

    LMAO I''ve never seen Hyun-Woough like that. It was definitely a delight to witness. Theughter and camaraderie amongst the members were infectious, and it added ayer of intimacy to the event.

    Anyway, the second rehearsal wrapped up. The broadcast seemed to be focusing on the members¡¯ faces, so I can¡¯t wait to watch their full cams on <i>UTube. </i>

    ¡°Phantom Spirit" is truly epic, not just when ites to vocals but also its choreography. They are both beautiful and thrilling. Compared to ¡°Joy,¡± itcks acrobatics, but the group choreography seems even more challenging than ¡°Parade.¡±

    When the members came back on stage for the main recording, they looked even more morous... Those who hadn''t worn jackets before put them on, and essories that hadn¡¯t been worn earlier were added. I was absolutely floored by how stunning they looked. I almost got a heart attack because they were so... GORGEOUS...

    Hyun-Woo (my favorite), was literally in full bloom. Not that he isn''t always, but therge, ornate earrings, jewel rings, and gems under his eyes were just wless. He usually carries the mor in Chronos, but he was so beautiful that I heard everyone around me praise his looks.

    Hyun-Woo seemed to notice the fans'' reactions and smiled knowingly before twirling around with his arms out, showing that he knew exactly what we wanted to see. It was incredibly adorable AWWWW so freaking cute ?? You are not usually so yful!

    As I nearly cried out loud, Yoo-Joonughed and said, "Look at him acting cute haha," and did the same spin himself. Those same-aged boys were just too cute, hahaha.

    Meanwhile, Joo-Han watched them interact with Rings like a proud grandfather. He smiled warmly and pped for the two of them, lol.

    Anyway, they finished magnificently after two more recordings and descended from the stage with heartfelt greetings. It always feels like Chronos is determined to give their best performance, but this time it seemed that they had prepared more than usual... It was an overwhelmingly moving stage for me. It was the best performance and broadcast ever.

    Congrattions on the well-deserved first ce, boys <3 Rings will always be here, streaming and cheering for every goal you achieve... (Posted group photo of Chronos after Countdown.jpg) (Photo of Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo after Countdown.jpg)

    Likes 8,780 Dislikes 542 Comments 10,866

    The fanmunity of Chronos became a vibrant hub of activity as fans¡¯ recordings and broadcast reviews were being posted on the forums one after another. The group''s first full album had visually stunning and high-quality tracks that naturally generated intense reactions.

    The Rings'' fervor ignited immediately after the broadcast, buzzing with an energy that stered real-time trends with everything rted to Chronos and resulting in a flood of articles. This reaction underscored the overwhelmingly positive reception of Chronos''s album ¡°Phantom Spirit."

    Following their triumphanteback performance, an intriguing new post appeared on the Chronos fan website in the early hours of the next morning. The title was "Composed and Written by: Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, Song by: Joo-Han." It sparked curiosity¡ªwhat could this be?

    Rings clicked on the link since they were curious. To their surprise, an audio file began ying unexpectedly.

    - Ah, ah. Mic check. Can you hear this... haha, ah! Don''tugh, Suh Hyun-Woo.

    - I wasn''tughing.

    ...What on earth was this?

    - Eh hem. Please, noughing. I¡¯m serious. Turn around.

    - I told you I wasn''tughing, and it wasn''t funny. You are the one who isughing, gosh.

    Those were the unmistakable voices of Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo.

    - Hello everyone, This is Goh Yoo-Joon.

    - And I¡¯m Suh Hyun-Woo.

    - We are excited to present a song we just finished literally ten minutes ago.

    - Indeed, we did.

    - It took us just thirty minutes to make the song! This is our special gift for Joo-Han hyung, who usually crafts solo songs for the members.

    Goh Yoo-Joon teased yfully, his voice gaining a lower tone. He was apanied by Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s soft chuckles.

    - We created it in thirty minutes, convinced Joo-Han hyung for just five seconds, and recorded it in ten minutes. Let¡¯s give it a listen!

    - Yes, let¡¯s share it.

    - Composed and written by Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, and performed by Kang Joo-Han. The song title is "Kang Joo-Han."

    <i>¡®...?¡¯</i>

    Though Rings were still confused about what was happening, the duo¡¯s amusing banter kept them engaged. As a gentle and beautiful instrumental began, the initial bewilderment turned to anticipation. The song named "Kang Joo-Han" was sung by Kang Joo-Han himself, and it turned out to be unexpectedly serene and poignant.

    What an unusual blend!

    Joo-Han sang:

    ? Woo- I am Kaaaang Joo-Han

    <i>''...?''</i>

    ? I am foolishly searching for you

    Myposition file that just flew away, woah-

    What was this? Despite the bizarre lyrics, theposition was surprisingly good for something crafted in just thirty minutes. The beauty of the song and the quality of the vocals made the quirky lyrics sound almost endearing.

    ? Wow woah, I~ I am

    The future copyright KING

    But my file just flew away¡ü (off-key)

    As the other four members tried to stifle theirughter, their quick breaths were audible.

    - Is he actually singing this seriously?

    Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s bewildered muttering was a testament to the spontaneity of their creation.

    Rings often found Chronos¡¯ antics baffling yet endearing.

    ? My! File!!! Ahh!

    Kang Joo-Han''s voice echoed as if he was trulymenting a lost file, and the room soon erupted with Jin-Sung''s heartyughter. How chaotic.

    Yet there was no exnation for why this was suddenly uploaded without any provided backstory. Rings spected that perhaps Chronos would reveal more during their next appearance on <i>Reina¡¯s Hot Evening Radio</i> or propose discussing it at the uing third Chronos Meeting. That way, the song¡¯s backstory would be uncovered.

    ***

    ¡°Kang Joo-Han," created on a whim the previous night and became an unexpected hit among the Rings. Though it was an absurd song that had popped out of nowhere, the fans embraced it with amusement and took it as just another instance of the band''s yful camaraderie.

    Last night, Goh Yoo-Joon and I meticulouslyposed and wrote "Kang Joo-Han," following our n. However, Joo-Han''s file vanished unexpectedly amidst our creative fervor.

    ¡°..."

    Silence enveloped the room for a few moments. Joo-Han quietly left Producer Do¡¯s studio with a resigned air. He found thepany''s practice room for trainees and geared up to rehearse some trot music, which was his coping mechanism. Goh Yoo-Joon cleverly intervened and convinced Joo-Han to swap his trot practice for our new song. His strategy was brilliantly sessful.

    Joo-Han was slightly bewildered but spirited and performed "Kang Joo-Han" passionately in front of the members. He spontaneously infused the performance with impromptu ad-libs like "My! File!!! Ahh!" enhancing the humor and charm of the recording session. We captured this unique moment in an audio recording.

    We yed the quirky track for Manager Tae-Seong. He listened intently with his expression unchanging, but he gave a subtle nod of approval. He then quietly shared the recording with Su-Hwan, who found it so amusing that he immediately set it as his ringtone.

    When we uploaded the recording to the fan website, it was met with a storm ofughter. It was evidenced by endless rows of ''hahaha'' filling up thements section. Although we were slightly embarrassed by the attention, the humor of the situation left us feeling delighted.

    This evening brought a new adventure. After wlessly wrapping up our second music broadcast of the day, we didn¡¯t pause to rest but headed directly to the recording studio. Today marked a significant session, which was an official recording of a track sent over by Callia Lawrence. This was just another day in the life of Chronos, but there was an air of anticipation about what was to unfold.

    - What brought you here?

    ¡°Oh, here? It''s supposed to be a secret for now, but it might get disclosed around the time it¡¯s broadcast... We are here to record a track that will soon be unveiled," I exined and hinted at the special nature of our visit.

    We were there not just for any recording, but for an episode of the game variety show <i>Newbie Crew,</i> specifically for a segment titled ¡°With the Camera.¡± The setup was intimate as the camera was focused solely on me, capturing every one of my nuances with close shots.

 Chapter 291: First Full Album (27)

    <h4>Chapter 291: First Full Album (27)</h4>

    Shooting for <i>Newbie Crew </i>was in full swing. Throughout the recording session, the production team prompted me with various questions and encouraged me to speak my mind. I did my best to manage both recording and filming seamlessly, asionally pulling in the members who were avable to be in the camera''s view.

    The camera aimed to capture everything from the recording sessions to our practice. Because of this, I couldn¡¯t have a chance to listen to the song we received for Reina¡¯s project. It seemed I would only get to hear itte into the night.

    Juggling three tasks simultaneously was indeed chaotic, but I was still managing to keep things under control. After a long night of recording and rehearsal, I left the practice room feeling weary and headed toward the YMM building.

    The <i>Newbie Crew</i>''s camera followed closely and documented my every step. It would probably showcase just a glimpse of a popr idol''s relentless schedule on the episode.

    - It''s already 1 AM. Aren''t you tired?

    I couldn¡¯t very well admit, "Honestly, I feel like I could copse from exhaustion." So instead, I responded with augh that masked my fatigue. ¡°I''ve gotten used to it. Aren¡¯t you tired, Director?"

    It seemed unfair to pretend I wasn''t exhausted. The cameraman was visibly fatigued but maintained a warm tone as he responded.

    - We are fine. You¡¯ve had a long night.

    ¡°Oh, it''s nothing," I replied awkwardly and turned my gaze away.

    Me being inherently shy had been noted across all variety shows I had appeared on. Therefore, the production team assured me there was no need to force conversation.

    The ce I arrived at was a secluded nook within thepany. It had been designed to look like a private study room. This small space at YMM was intended for employees who needed solitude to focus. Supervisor Kim had temporarily ced a gamingputer here.

    - What is this ce?

    The production team looked puzzled given the makeshift setup. A gaming PC tower was paired with standard office monitors, a mouse, and a keyboard.

    I heard the cameraman shot clips at Ji-Hyuk¡¯s High Tension dorm the day before. Despite being in the same apartmentplex, it was well-decoratedpared to our starkly empty dorm. They had a separateputer room that rivaled a luxury inte cafe, contrasting sharply with our modest setup in apany corner.

    When asked by the production team, I yed it cool by pretending I was unfamiliar with such luxurious living.

    ¡°Thisputer was arranged by our CEO for the gaming show. Isn¡¯t it pretty?¡± I boasted a bit. ¡°It even has purple lighting on the tower. Wow, you¡¯d usually find something like this in an inte cafe.¡±

    It was a subtle nudge to reveal that we were usually treated quite poorly. Not gonna lie, it was a bit sad.

    I settled into the chair, faking a sense of pride. The game ¡°One Hours¡± was already installed on theputer. I signed in with an old username. I found my dormant character, revived it, and began exploring various features.

    ¡°It seems like the settings might have changed..."

    The keybindings were all mixed up, likely due to the new PC setup. I sorted them out based onmunity site rmendations and ventured alone into a low-level dungeon to test my abilities.

    As updates had continually altered the mechanics and effects of skills, there was a bit of a learning curve. However, since I was familiar with the controls, I adapted quickly.

    As a returning yer, I collected all the items sent to my inbox and soon ventured into more difficult dungeons and top-tier raids I had known. I quickly got level-up effects.

    <i>¡®This is quite doable.¡¯</i>

    The once-dreaded top-tier raid boss Bellergus, which had made a number of yers cry, had be almost trivial. Now, even a freshly returned yer like me could easily clear it, and the chat was full of offers for Bellergus raid carries (users who received in-game currency to join a raid and help defeat the boss).

    - Bellergus raid, no auction participation 3500, whisper pls

    - Doing Bellergus raid 3700 (2/4)

    - There are so many fucking carriers lol

    - Why would you pay for the carries? Just do them by yourselves.

    - Bellergus 3700, one more then go

    - lol Why y this game if you are just going to ask to carry Bellergus? Nonsense.

    It appeared that even though the content was old, it still held a level of challenge that was essible to someone like me and potentially daunting for newbies. It might be a fun idea to try jumping (paying to nearly max out a character''s level) with the cast and then warming up with Bellergus.

    After equipping items farmed from Bellergus, I familiarized myself withmunity strategies and dove into higher-tier raids. As long as you knew the patterns, the difficulty was manageable.

    - ...You are quite skilled.

    ¡°It¡¯s fun diving back into the game after so long. This one is not the top-tier yet, so it¡¯s not too challenging.¡±

    The real charm of "One Hours"y in its raids.

    To be honest, when I first started from scratch and created a character to roam around, I thought the old game was still just an old game and somewhat mundane. However, despite the game''s age, the thrill of the raids was truly the heart of the game as it remained undiminished. Before I knew it, I found myself genuinely enjoying strategizing and mastering the raid patterns.

    - It seems like a great scene would ur if Ji-Hyuk, who is theplete opposite, were here.

    The directorughed as I left the party after a sessful raid. When I looked at him, he shed a knowing grin.

    ¡°Ji-Hyuk hyung? Ji-Hyuk hyung, ah," I said. I immediately understood the implication of his expression. After all, wasn¡¯t Ji-Hyuk known for having little interest in games?

    While I didn¡¯t know him too well, the Ji-Hyuk I knew spent his days glued to his phone managing group activities or hanging out with friends instead of ying games.

    ¡°How is Ji-Hyuk hyung?¡±

    - Well~

    It was clear that he was struggling. But then again, he had decided to appear on the spur of the moment to see me, not really concerned about showcasing his gaming skills. The production team also seemed to be more interested in his entertainment value than his prowess in gaming.

    A pang of anxiety that I might have a challenging time because of Ji-Hyuk¡¯sck of skills loomed, but I decided not to fret until the situation arose. Why worry when my schedule was already packed?

    I smiled lightly and turned my attention back to the screen. My farming luck was excellent, and my equipment had significantly improvedpared to the beginning. Though these items would soon be discarded after my character leveled up, the return support equipment made it feasible to tackle raids of simr difficulty.

    <i>¡®New skills have been unlocked too.''</i>

    While browsing amunity site to scope out the next raid, the door suddenly swung open and someoneughed warmly.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Hyun-Woo." An arm reached out from behind and embraced me tightly. ¡°How have you been?"

    I felt a gentle breath on the top of my head. When I slightly tilted my head up, Da-Win was looking down at me with a smile.

    ¡°Hyung. Senior."

    ¡°Hyung and Senior at the same time? Just pick one, kid," he chuckled.

    I naturally leaned my head against Da-Win and clicked the mouse.

    ¡°What game is this? What show is this for?" Da-Win finally asked while ncing between the camera and the screen.

    ¡°I am appearing on a variety show called <i>Newbie Crew</i>."

    ¡°That¡¯s a unique name. Is it rted to gaming?"

    ¡°Yes."

    The cameraman chimed in during our conversation.

    - Are you good at games, Da-Win?

    ¡°No,¡± Da-Win replied as he let go of me from his arm. ¡°I haven¡¯t really yed a lottely."

    - It¡¯d be great if you coulde on the show and y together with others sometime!

    ¡°Oh, are you recruiting me now? Haha, I¡¯d love to. It would be fun to visit an inte cafe with Hyun-Woo after such a long time."

    The cameraman''s eyes twinkled, apparently considering a genuine invitation.

    My moment of freedom was brief as I was pulled back into Da-Win¡¯s embrace again. "Anyway, I was just passing by and saw the camera, so I figured it was one of my Chronos juniors. I won¡¯t disturb you any longer."

    ¡°Did youe here straight from a schedule?"

    ¡°Yes. Ugh, I¡¯m exhausted. Well, I¡¯m heading out now."

    The inconsistency in how I addressed him¡ªboth ¡®senior¡¯ and ¡®hyung¡¯ at the same time¡ªwas amusingly chaotic. Da-Win tousled my hair and then disappeared. After his surprising visit, my focus finally returned, and I becamepletely absorbed in the game.

    Time had flown by, and suddenly it was 3 AM. It was about time to head back.

    ¡°Shall we go?" I gathered my things and headed to the dorm with Tae-Seong. ¡°Director, are you really going to cast Da-Win?"

    - Having him as a special guest would be a great honor.

    - Just like Da-Win said, stopping by an inte cafe with you could be fun.

    The writer next to usughed sincerely after affirming the idea. I nodded with the same earnest smile and turned my gaze out the window. The camera continued filming until we returned to the dorm.

    ¡°Great work today!"

    ¡°Good job. See you at the next shoot!"

    As soon as I entered the dorm, I showered and listened to Reina¡¯s song before immediately lying down in bed. Tomorrow promised to be an epic day filled with not only music broadcasts, but also a long-awaited group variety show recording. Plus, there would be a recording session with Reina in the evening.

    ¡°Just push through this crazy week of promotions, and next week will be calmer."

    I became resolute with determination and fell asleep.

 Chapter 292: First Full Album (28)

    ¡°Thank you so much. We promise to keep giving our all as Chronos!"

    ¡°Thank you!"

    On the night of our third music broadcast, Chronos triumphed once again and secured first ce.

    <em>Again After Rainfall</em> had turned into a massive hit for us. The more episodes were broadcasted and the more performance videos were uploaded to the <em>Again After Rainfall UTube </em>channel, the more the sales of ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± album soared dramatically.

    Since our debut, I couldn''t recall a time when we had been so talked about as the heart of the Korean Wave. The constant epithets of fame seemed to affirm that we indeed have made our mark both nationally and internationally.

    ¡°Alright! Time for the first-ce promise! Joo-Han!"

    All members eagerly pushed their microphones toward Joo-Han. The pledge of the day involved Joo-Han, who had recently made waves with his solo debut ¡°Kang Joo-Han,¡± performing a trot version of ¡°Phantom Spirit.¡±

    ¡°Am I performing alone? Was that the n?" Joo-Han was clearly flustered because he thought the performance was meant to be a group effort. He reluctantly pushed the microphone away.

    Yoon-Chan began singing with a bashful smile.? Nightmares are¡­ rampant¡­

    ¡°Pfft!¡±

    With a tone that was neither suited for trot nor sung properly, Yoon-Chan awkwardly tried his hand at singing trot. He seemed to be trying hard, but it sounded more like a speech than a song.

    As Yoon-Chan sang, Joo-Han was moved by the performance. He grabbed a total of four microphones, including mine, Goh Yoo-Joon''s, and Jin-Sung''s, and started singing the trot version of "Phantom Spirit."

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I sat andughed until Jin-Sung was prompted to stand up.

    ¡°Hyung! We are dancers, you know."

    ¡°Jin-Sung? Just hold on a minute."

    Goh Yoo-Joonughed uproariously. ¡°Wow~ This outfit is going to stretch."

    We were dragged along by Jin-Sung like clothes hung on a rack. We had to keep headbanging until the end of the song as we were encouraged by the enthusiastic cheers of the Rings. The headbanging was as intense as when Goh Yoo-Joon had cracked a toilet.

    My headband flew off while shaking my head, and though I didn''t know where itnded, I decided not to worry about it. It wasn''t sponsored or anything.

    ¡°Thank you, everyone!"

    ¡°See you tomorrow!!!"

    ¡°Yes!!!"

    ¡°Great work today! Get home safe, and get lots of rest!"

    We exchanged nces while saying bye to the Rings.

    <em>¡®Are theying?''</em> Everyone wasmunicating with their eyes. The years spent together as trainees meant we could still understand each other with just a look.

    <em>¡®Are theying now?'' </em>

    <em>¡®I don''t know either.'' </em>

    As our farewells wrapped up and we were about to head backstage, suddenly amotion arose from behind the stage.

    ¡°Hahaha! Hello, everyone!¡±

    ¡°Uh? What? Huuuh?¡±

    Famous celebrities and cameras began swarming onto the stage. The audience was initially startled but soon weed them with loud cheers as the celebrities greeted the spectators and waved cheerily at us too.

    ¡°Oh, Chronos! Nice to meet you! I guess it¡¯s the first time seeing you in person."

    Even though we expected them toe up, us huddling in the corner might have been natural.

    ¡°Why is Chronos huddled over there?"

    ¡°Are you guys penguins? Hahaha!"

    ¡°Ah, that''s not funny, hyung."

    Because their presence was quite assertive, we were all quite shy.

    ¡°Hi, Rings! Excuse us for a moment!"

    ¡°Sorry, but we need to take Chronos with us!"

    Only after the attention of the cast shifted from the Rings to us did we timidly step forward to offer a sheepish smile and greeting.

    ¡°Hello."

    ¡°Hello, Seniors."

    ¡°Ah, Chronos members, it looks like we scared you. It''s okay. We won''t bite. Come here,e here."

    ¡°Wow, they are so nice to a popr idol?"

    The main MC Ji Byeok-San approached us and led Joo-Han by the hand. We followed the seniors.

    ¡°Now, time to say goodbye to the Rings. Chronos, say your final farewell to your fans."

    ¡°Waaaahhh!!!"

    The Rings sensed that this was our entertainment show appearance, so they brightly waved their light sticks to send us off despite the sudden situation.

    ¡°We will do our best, everyone!"

    ¡°We will be back!"

    The cast members made sure to hold each one of us as if we might run away and led us to the filming location. It was the cast of KEW''s long-running variety show<em> Every Day Different Entertainment! cker Number One</em>."

    Ji Byeok-San, Gun-Seok, Joo So-Dam, Kim Do-Rim, On Jeong-Woo, and different guests were invited each time. With a motto of doing something fun each time because they were toozy to n a fixed variety format, the content and genre changed every week or fortnight and offered new entertainment.

    After a recent member revamp, <em>cker Number One</em> had reached its peak. It seemed like our music show schedule was followed by filming this variety show.

    ¡°Wow, Chronos. You are <em>the </em>trend in South Korea~"

    ¡°No, not really."

    ¡°I enjoyed watching your headbanging earlier, you guys."

    ¡°Who was it? Joo-Han? Is Joo-Han the leader? He was earnestly singing trot."

    ¡°You guys are all too shy for having headbanged earlier! Haha."

    ¡°So cute~ You guys are like prey while we are predators!"

    The cast briefly discussed our first ce encore performance and interviewed us.

    ¡°Shall we formally greet the viewers?" Ji Byeok-San suggested.

    Yes!¡± Joo-Han answered energetically. ¡°Let''s greet them! One, two, three!"

    ¡°Hello! We are Chronos!"

    ¡°Yeah! Great!"

    ¡°But doesn''t Chronos have something like a greeting gesture idols usually have?"

    ¡°How about this? Hello! Uuuaaah! We will control time! We are the gods of time, Chronos!"

    ¡°Ew, what was that? We are not in the 90s. That¡¯s too outdated, ugh. Gun-Seok should keep his mouth shut!¡±

    As expected from the seasoned veterans of the variety show circuit, every word prompted an avnche of lively banter. There was no doubt that this was the secret sauce for ensuring ample screen time. Having experienced this during<em> Flying Man</em>, I now fully grasped why the cast used to joke about the opening partsting an hour.

    Our response was subtle but telling. With smiles that didn''t quite reach our eyes, we gravitated toward one another. It was a cluster of nerves disguised as camaraderie. It wasn''t an intentional gathering. Rather, it seemed driven by a primal difort that brought the younger members closer together.

    Our little huddle didn''t go unnoticed. Joo So-Dam chuckled heartily at our formation. ¡°Look at Chronos. They are huddled together like a flock of penguins again. We aren''t that intimidating, are we?"

    ¡°No, not at all, Senior," we chorused while vigorously shaking our heads and waving our hands in denial.

    Ji Byeok-San pointed at us and shared his amusement with a boomingugh. ¡°It¡¯s my first time meeting Chronos in person, though I''ve seen you on broadcasts. You guys are the type who seem calm now but will turn the game on its head once it starts."

    His observation was spot on. That much was evident from our earlier headbanging antics.

    The show''s opening continued and, thankfully, the hosts adeptly filled any gaps to ensure our transition from neers to featured participants was seamless.

    ¡°So, what''s on the variety agenda today?"

    The moment the signature line from <em>cker Number One</em> was recited, the production team eagerly presented two mysterious paper envelopes.

    - Today, Ji Byeok-San and Joo So-Dam will lead the teams...

    ¡°Huh? I get that Byeok-San oppa is the leader, but why have me as a leader too?"

    - Yes, today you two are the captains. Please choose your envelopes.

    Despite the cast¡¯s yful urging to just pick randomly, both leaders engaged in a yful standoff. They eventually settled the matter with a spirited game of rock-paper-scissors.

    - Alright, now that everyone has made their selections, it''s time to form the teams. To expedite the process, our team leaders can determine their teams by engaging in a quick game of rock-paper-scissors.

    ¡°Here we go. Rock, paper, scissors!"

    The two leadersunched into the game with theatrical gestures and picked team members one by one. First, they chose the standout ''cker'' members, those who had previously shone as aces, followed by the Chronos members. And finally, those ranked lowest among the ''ckers.''

    I found myself teamed up with Ji Byeok-San and Joo-Han. Ji Byeok-San seemed genuinely delighted, possibly because he regrly followed our variety shows as he had chosen mostly entertainment-focused members. Neither Joo-Han nor I had previously showcased ouredic talents on air, and the opposing team had snagged our group¡¯s renowned entertainers, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung.

    Ji Byeok-San¡¯sment felt like mere courtesy under the circumstances.

    ¡°But really, what¡¯s the use of choosing the team? We don¡¯t even know what we are up against. How can we strategize without information?"

    ¡°Exactly. What are we supposed to do with these distinguished guests today?"

    The cast¡¯s question was met with an announcement from the production team.

    - Today¡¯s variety challenge involves winning a prize through voting! It''s dubbed ¡®Pick Mew Up.¡¯

    ¡°Seriously? What even is that?"

    A wave of cold scoffs echoed among the cast members. It was a clear indication that the title seemed all too derivative of <em>Pick We Up</em>, likely crafted intentionally since we were alumni of the original show.

    As a unified wave of critique washed over, Joo So-Dam proposed pragmatically that we might as well begin nning.

    ¡°What does ''mew'' stand for in ''Pick Mew Up?"

    - Oh, right. ''Mew'' stands for music video.

    ¡°Eh? A music video?"

    - Indeed, you will coborate with the Chronos members to produce your own music videos.

    ¡°And how are we expected to produce a music video in just one day?"

    - Of course, crafting a wless music video in such a brief window is unfeasible. But I trust you will figure it out.

    The director''s response had a tinge of smugness. It sparked a fresh wave ofints from the cast.

    ¡°That is such an irresponsiblement!¡±

    ¡°Wow, after a decade in this business, he¡¯s truly be a seasoned ''cker.¡¯¡±

    - Oh, haha, remember, there''s always the option to shoot everything in one take.

    ¡°And what about this envelope? Does it contain the songs?" Kim Do-Rim from our team asked, prompting a nod from the director.

    - Yes, the envelopes selected by each leader contain songs rting to the Chronos members. You are to shoot a music video based on the selected song. The final pieces will be unveiled live to viewers shortly thereafter, and we will all participate in tallying the results.

    ¡°What the¡­ You are so mean. A one-take music video?"

    The director ignored Ji Byeok-San¡¯s exasperation and pressed on.

    - Please reveal the songs contained in the envelopes.

    When the mission songs were revealed¡­

    ¡°...What on earth is this?"

    A natural sigh escaped my lips as the rest of the cast erupted in a frenzy. ¡°Oh, no¡­."

    With everyone in disarray, the Director smirked malevolently. The chosen songs were our notorious blunder ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡± and the recently released ¡°Kang Joo-Han.¡±

 Chapter 293: First Full Album (29)

    <h4>Chapter 293: First Full Album (29)</h4>

    ¡°Is there such a song among Chronos'' tracks?" someone asked, breaking the silence of the room.

    ¡°I only know ¡®Fantasy Spirit,¡¯" one of the other cast members replied with a shrug.

    ¡°Do you know ¡®Red Riding Hood Cha Cha?¡¯ Isn''t it referred to as ¡®Cha Cha¡¯ for short? But what about ¡®Kang Joo-Han?¡¯ Does Joo-Han have a special mission or something?" another voice chimed in, turning toward the production team with a puzzled look.

    ¡°Ah, ¡®Kang Joo-Han¡¯ is actually a song too," I rified, feeling the eyes of the room on me.

    Ji Byeok-San caught my uneasy expression, chuckled silently, and yfully teased, ¡°Hyun-Woo, you seem troubled. Hahaha! What¡¯s so daunting about this song?"

    ¡°Given that the opposing team¡¯s song is ¡®Cha Cha,¡¯ it suggests our track is no less remarkable. Isn¡¯t that so, Joo-Han?" Kim Do-Rim questioned.

    Joo-Han responded with a broad, confident smile and an affirmative nod. ¡°It¡¯s certainly not ordinary."

    ¡°But why do you seem to enjoy this so much, Joo-Han?"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, can you hum it a little in my ear please?" On Jeong-Woo proposed and leaned in closer. His request was cut short by the production team who stepped in to settle everyone down.

    - These tracks are not part of Chronos'' official albums. They are just some fun ones they¡¯ve sung before.

    ¡°Ah! I knew it! I couldn¡¯t possibly be unaware of a Chronos track! I am quite a fan, you see," Gun-Seok eximed, throwing a heart shape with his hand at the camera.

    ¡°What? Don¡¯t lie! Do you even know the members'' names?"

    The challenge was thrown back with a smirk. ¡°Of course, I do. Obviously!" he retorted confidently.

    ¡°What are they then!"

    ¡°...First up, Yoo-Joon. And this here is Jin-Sung."

    ¡°If you start with ''first up,'' it means you don''t really know their names.¡±

    ¡°What about the rest?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan... uh, and... Over there is Hyun-Woo!" Suddenly, the cast members were thrust into a rapid-fire naming of members. Though the director¡¯s initial briefing had been briefly interrupted, the exchange seemed to have provided ample entertainment for the cameras.

    Entertainers who specialized in variety shows indeed possessed remarkable verbal agility. The game of naming members was precariously navigated by Gun-Seok, who managed to name all members with hints from Joo-Han.

    - To briefly borate on the songs, ¡®Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡¯ is a track Chronos performed on apetition show before their official debut.

    The backstory added ayer of nostalgia to the conversation.

    ¡°I recognize this one. The show was quite popr, right? It even trended on <i>UTube</i> for a while."

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. It became quite the topic," I confirmed, proud of our collective achievements.

    - And ¡®Kang Joo-Han¡¯ is a brand-new song, freshly released three days ago.

    ¡°Really? A song that''s only three days old?"

    - It¡¯s a song exclusively released to their fan club, but it has received such positive feedback that we think everyone is eagerly anticipating the music video.

    The director exined with a sly grin, evidently pleased with the choice. Knowing the true essence of ¡°Kang Joo-Han,¡± the members struggled to contain theirughter since they were aware of the inside joke.

    - ¡®Kang Joo-Han¡¯ wasposed by Chronos'' very own Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon. It was dedicated to the leader Joo-Han.

    ¡°Wow, a song crafted for him? Then it must be truly special. Even the title is brimming with love.¡±

    ¡°Ah, what? Let us also perform ¡®Kang Joo-Han!¡¯¡±

    The cast yfully bickered as they were caught in the moment, evidently coveting the new track.

    I tried to maintain a serious demeanor to align with the director¡¯s narrative. I locked eyes with Goh Yoo-Joon, who was standing across from me, and failed to suppress our chuckles.

    ¡°Pff, haha!"

    ¡°...Hah."

    Goh Yoo-Joon burst outughing first, and I, too, sumbed by lowering my head to hide my widening grin.

    ¡°What? Why are you bowing your head, Hyun-Woo? Why are you trembling? He keeps shaking over here. Hey, can you raise your head?¡±

    ¡°Yoo-Joon also burst outughing? What''s going on here? Why are you behaving like this?"

    The perplexity in the air thickened as the cast members finally began to notice the charged expressions among the Chronos members.

    The unmistakably loudughter of Goh Yoo-Joon echoed through the studio. I lowered my head as I felt everyone¡¯s curious eyes on us. We were swayed and pressured to divulge the secrets behind the song''s lyrics, but we resiliently just shook our heads and did not yield to the pressure.

    Seeing the situation getting out of hand, the director stepped in. His voice cut through the chatter with authority.

    - Before we proceed to shoot the music video, shouldn''t we first get a clear listen to these two songs?

    ¡°That''s right, that''s absolutely necessary.¡±

    - Members of Chronos, please step forward and present each song.

    The director instructed and gave a subtle cue with his eyes. All members moved to center stage with a mix of anticipation and amusement in their movements.

    Though we were aware of the n because of preliminary discussions, the reality of performing felt absurdlyical. It wasn''t just the challenge of performing two of Chronos''s notorious ugh mines'' back-to-back but doing so right aftering off stage. The requirement was to don the "Fantasy Spirit" costumes and break into the ¡°Cha Cha¡± dance.

    ¡°Oh my, what are we going to do? I know this routine, but I never thought I¡¯d actually watch this performance in person," Joo So-Dam said. His voice was followed swiftly by the whimsical prelude of ¡°Cha Cha.¡±

    ¡°Did you actually use this song for an audition? Really? That''s incredibly bold for you, Chronos!"

    ¡°Cha Cha¡± was a soundtrack for a children''s animation, but it involved a dance routine that was surprisinglyplex. We couldn''t perform the song in its entirety, so only crucial segments were edited for the performance.

    The stage began with an innocent and refreshing vibe as we danced in "Fantasy Spirit" costumes, adding a whimsical touch to the routine.

    Performing this live added to the humor, which was a tactic we willingly embraced to inject fun into the performance. Every member likely recalled the self-promises made during their audition days and reinforced their on-stage personas.

    <i>¡®I am charming and adorable. I wield a beautiful magic wand as Cha Cha,¡¯ </i>each of us probably

    reaffirmed internally.

    As expected, Joo-Han was the most exhrated, while Park Yoon-Chan dedicated himself fully to the routine despite the embarrassment. Goh Yoo-Joon managed a dance filled with a mix of embarrassment and hrity, while Jin-Sungmitted wholeheartedly.

    To be honest, since our team¡¯s essence was inherently yful, I danced without overthinking. I just fully embraced my role as Cha Cha.

    The cast members¡¯ praises rang out and further lifted the spirits in the room.

    ¡°Hahahaha! Excellent performance, you are doing great!¡±

    ¡°Chronos really knows how to put on a show!¡±

    As Jin-Sung moved to take center stage, the atmosphere shifted palpably.

    ¡°Uh oh? What¡¯sing up next? What now?¡± the crowd murmured in anticipation.

    ¡°Yeah! That¡¯s the Chronos spirit! Let¡¯s see something spectacr!¡±

    Jin-Sung bent deeply. His movements were fluid like the swinging of a pendulum and led into a dance break that showcased all the refined dance techniques he had perfected over time.

    In a setting like this, where the dance was meant to be serious, elicitingughter rather than mere awe was challenging.

    As the audience continued tomend the coolness of the performance, I took center stage. My expression was more intense than ever, and I dered with the biggest energy I could muster, ¡°The most powerful, magical pen- dan- tttttt-!¡±

    Indeed, it was the renowned Magic Pendant. The crowd erupted intoughter, and I retreated, filled with a gratifying sense of having been entertained thoroughly.

    <i>¡®I made themugh!¡¯</i> I was overwhelmed with joy from the humorous impact.

    ¡°Performingedy in that costume is no easy feat,¡± Ji Byeok-San remarked as the "Cha Cha" stage came to an end.

    ¡°You guys...¡±

    ¡°Wait, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    The participants naturally spotlighted me, because I had delivered the final, impactful moment.

    ¡°You sang the ¡®Magic Pendant¡¯ part with such aposed face? Wow... Wow, I didn¡¯t realize Chronos could be this entertaining.¡±

    They were genuinely surprised.

    ¡°Ah, thank you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me forughing! Hyun-Woo! You, you are a real idol!¡±

    ¡°Ah, haha. I¡¯m not sure why, but it feels fantastic when things get funny."

    In ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha,¡± the arty in shameless humor. Therefore, theughter usually centered around me, Joo-Han, and Goh Yoo-Joon, who typically didn''t seem the type to crack a smile.

    Jin-Sung brought up the dance break while Yoon-Chan glossed over his part without a word. However, Yoo-Joon, ever the instigator, yfully brought up an episode involving an old adult Cha Cha costume with the line ''Is Cha Cha a joke?'' to ensure the spotlight remained on us.

    ¡°Wow, I haven''tughed this hard in a long time."

    ¡°I find it irresistible when handsome guys engage in such antics. It''s hriously overwhelming."

    Next up, the stage was set for the eagerly awaited ¡°Kang Joo-Han.¡±

    ¡°This song baffles me. I can''t quite grasp it. What could it be?"

    The production crew passed the hand mics to me, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Joo-Han. Then, they prompted us to step forward once more.

    ¡°What''s with Joo-Han¡¯s face? Why the gloomy look?" Kim Do-Rim asked.

    I gently sped Joo-Han¡¯s shoulders and said, ¡°He needs to capture the right emotions."

    ¡°It¡¯s quite a mncholic tune," Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in.

    ¡°It¡¯s a sad song? That''s surprising. I was expecting anotheredic hit."

    ¡°If it''s a sad song, crafting a music video should be straightforward."

    Ji Byeok-San and Kim Do-Rim seemed pleased at the prospect of an easier task. Although, whether it would turn out as they expected remained to be seen. They should have looked at the director¡¯s sinister grin.

    - Shall we begin?

    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s start." Goh Yoo-Joon said, shedding his somber demeanor to slip into his character.

    <i>Ah, can you hear me? ...Ah! Don¡¯tugh, Suh Hyun-Woo.</i>

    <i>I didn¡¯tugh.</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon pushed me, and I stumbled back only to return the favor with double the force.

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°Why?"

    The cast voiced their confusion. It was probably unknown to them and perhaps even to the director, Yoon-Chan, and Jin-Sung that ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± had been designed to start with a narration. We ignored their bewildered reactions and carried on with our lines in all seriousness.

    <i>Hey, don¡¯t even think about making it funny. Just face away.</i>

    <i>I didn¡¯tugh, and it wasn¡¯t meant to be funny, okay? Youughed by yourself and then med me.</i>

    "Wow, Hyun-Woo hyung has really improved his acting."

    ¡°Dang...¡±

    The youngest members echoed the cast''s astonishment. Joo So-Dam couldn''t help but burst intoughter and teased, ¡°You didn¡¯t know that¡¯s how the song started? This is so funny.¡±

    <i>Hello everyone. We are Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo.</i>

    <i>Today, we are excited to share a selfposed song that we released just three days ago.</i>

    <i>Yes, that''s right.</i>

    ¡°How on earth are we supposed to make a music video out of this!"

    ¡°But it¡¯s undeniably funny."

    ¡°Was it supposed to be a song or a stand-upedy routine?"

    <i>¡®Ah, you don¡¯t hear anything, Hyun-Woo. You must notugh. There is nothing for you tough about, nothing.¡¯</i>

    I maintained a deadpan expression as I continued with the script.

    <i>We created the piece in just thirty minutes! Think of it as our little present to Joo-Han hyung, who''s always crafting solo tracks for the members.</i>

    Yoo-Joon had long since let go of his solemn facade and was beaming.

    <i>We created it in thirty minutes, convinced Joo-Han hyung in five seconds, and recorded it in ten minutes! Let''s listen!</i>

    <i>Composed and performed by Yoo-Joon, Hyun-Woo, and of course, Joo-Han. The title is ¡°Kang Joo-Han.¡±</i>

    Just then, Joo-Han diligently captured the emotion up to now, seized the mic, leapt forward, and unleashed the song with fervor.

    <i>? </i>Hah! ......WOO- I AMMMMM KAANG Joo-Han!

    ¡°...What?"

    ¡°Hahahaha! Hahaha! Hahahahaha!!!!"

    As Joo-Han belted out the tune, the cast couldn''t contain themselves and erupted intoughter. The set devolved into joyful chaos.

 Chapter 294: First Full Album (30)

    Chapter 294: First Full Album (30)

    ? I am foolishly searching for you

    Myposition file that just flew away, woah-

    It was a more desperate and poignant expression of emotion than the version we posted on the fan website. It was inevitable because Joo-Han hadn''t been able to recover the files that he had lost back then.

    Just as he pressed the save button, an error urred and the files were lost. This led him to even develop a mistrust of the save button.

    ? Wow woah, I~ I am

    The future copyright KING

    But my file just flew away¡ü Aaaargh!

    It was actually a sad song, but the cast wasughing while rolling on the floor and shedding tears. Their faces immediately turned red withughter. Among them were Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon, the lyricist of the song.

    Yoon-Chan wore an indecisive expression, unable to eitherugh or cry. He was cautiously observing me and Joo-Han.I mouthed quietly, ¡°If you want tough, justugh."

    Yoon-Chan finally lowered his head and chuckled. I couldn''tugh that hard. As with thest time I recorded a voice clip for the fan website, I was not naturally very reactive. Thus, I decided to empathize with Joo-Han''s feelings instead of bursting intoughter.

    Doing nothing at all wasn''t an option, so I raised my hands high and waved them from side to side. Ji Byeok-San looked at me with tears streaming down his face. ¡°Ahah! Hah! What is Hyun-Woo doing, haha!"

    At least I, theposer of this song and a teammate, had to be moved by this performance. But...

    ? My! File!!! Ahh!

    Every time Joo-Han hit a high note, the cast members could barely contain theirughter. I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon with a stern nce, and he quicklyposed himself, came over to my side, and together we shook hands in solidarity. It created a wonderfully light-hearted atmosphere.

    ¡°Seriously, it''s just too funny... So this is how talented musicians y around,¡± On Jeong-Woo remarked between chuckles, dabbing away tears ofughter.

    ¡°Despite everything, Hyun-Woo and Joo-Han''s earnestness just makes the song even more hrious.¡±

    ¡°But Yoo-Joon, you are one of theposers of this piece, aren''t you?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon responded with an embarrassed smile and nodded. ¡°Me? Oh, haha!"

    Ji Byeok-San chuckled as he remembered how Goh Yoo-Joon had been rolling around inughter right next to him. ¡°You were really giving your all whileughing at this.¡±

    ¡°Exactly," I interjected by putting on an exaggerated frown to stir up some yful trouble. ¡°And to think of it, he wrote the lyrics himself."

    ¡°What? You mean heughed that hard at his own lyrics?"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon''s antics are something else when you watch him up close," Gun-Seokmented while gesturing toward God Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°I''ve kept an eye on him because I wanted our team to bond. You wouldn''t believe how much he teases the other members."

    Joo-Han added, ¡°Yoo-Joon really enjoys ying around."

    This prompted a surprised murmur from the group.

    ¡°He might look cool. He must be hearing that quite often, right?¡±

    Yoo-Joon pointed his finger at me. ¡°I heard from Hyun-woo that his first impression of Yoo-Joon wasn¡¯t exactly a good one. He says that a lot.¡±

    The attention I was receiving increased. I responded with a casual shrug. ¡°We didn¡¯t get along at first. After countless heated arguments, we ended up bing close friends."

    ¡°Now, we are best friends," Goh Yoo-Joon added with a mischievous grin.

    The cast took turns showcasing the Chronos team members and securing our screetime. Yoo-Joon and I shared a segment, Joo-Han¡¯s nonchnce and the saga of his lost file were highlighted, Yoon-Chan¡¯s eruptiveughter was captured, and Jin-Sung¡¯s uncontroble giggling resulting in him identally squishing Kim Do-Rim added to theic relief.

    As the actualpetitionmenced, the directorid out the next challenge.

    - Based on the vibes you''ve just shown, you are free to shoot the music video as you see fit.

    ¡°Where should we film? Do we need to stay within this studio?"

    - No, the location is entirely up to you. You can go anywhere that inspires your creativity. Let¡¯s start!

    The teams huddled together to brainstorm.

    ¡°What should we do? Where should we film?¡±

    ¡°How about a rainy street? The song is quite mncholic, and since ¡®Kang Joo-Han¡¯ is the title, it makes sense for Joo-Han to be our protagonist.¡±

    I mulled over the possibilities considering the spontaneous nature of the song and its unpolished quality. Striving for high production values might miss the mark of the song. Instead, matching the B-grade emotional tone of the song with equally raw visuals could work better. Since the song was based on a storyline, I believed it would have been easier for us to create a plot for the video.

    The lyrics were gloomy, so contrasting them with the typically bright concept of ¡°Cha Cha¡± would be effective. Maybe giving it a ck-and-white life vibe would work.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, do you have any ideas?" someone asked me just then.

    I cautiously told everyone about my idea. ¡°How about a documentary-style concept? Something with a B-grade feel."

    ¡°A documentary?"

    ¡°Like <em>Human Theater</em>[1]<em>,</em> it focuses on Joo-Han hyung''s sorrow and frustration from the lostposition files... Something along those lines."

    Ji Byeok-San thought for a moment before pping. ¡°That sounds great! It¡¯s much better than walking down a rainy street."

    ¡°Yeah? That sounds good. I like the documentary vibe."

    ¡°And I have another idea..."

    Ji Byeok-San leaned in ufortably close. ¡°What is it? Let¡¯s hear it."

    I stepped back slightly and said, ¡°The lyrics of the song "Kang Joo-Han" are funny enough when you just listen to them without thinking much, but they are even more hrious when you read them."

    Initially, the lyrics themselves had been crafted by Yoo-Joon with the intention of making meugh, so the text was inherently humorous.

    ? Wow woah, I~ I am

    The future copyright KING

    But my file just flew away¡ü Aaaargh!

    ? Woo- I am Kaaaang Joo-Han

    The lyrics were transcribed so meticulously that I wondered if they were drawn directly from an aliennguage or ancient texts at first nce.

    ¡°We could use those texts as subtitles, kind of like karaoke, where the words light up as they are sung.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­"

    My idea might not have been brilliant, but given that the others had no suggestions and considering I was a guest, they decided to adopt it.

    ¡°So, where should we shoot? Any good ces?"

    ¡°What about ourpany?" Joo-Han suggested.

    ¡°Yourpany?"

    Joo-Han nodded affirmatively. ¡°We have a studio there, and there seem to be many suitable spots for filming. It¡¯s also where the file got lost, so it¡¯s perfect for emotional immersion."

    Kim Do-Rim looked toward the production team and Su-Hwan for approval. ¡°Can we shoot at the YMM office?" he asked, his tone was slightly hesitant.

    Su-Hwan immediately nodded and stepped outside with his phone, presumably to confirm with thepany. It seemed more of a formality than a necessity. YMM would surely agree since they had nothing scheduled and would be willing to facilitate a broadcast for their artists.

    ¡°Shall we head out then?"

    Because the filming was green-lighted quickly, everyone''s spirits lifted. We promptly boarded the van arranged by our team and headed toward YMM.

    ***

    It turned out that the Cha Cha team had opted for a luxurious "Red Riding Hood Cha Cha" theme, starkly different from ours. Joo-Han had pried this information out of Jin-Sung while Ji Byeok-San had coaxed it from Gun-Seok. They had managed to book an entire opera house for their shoot.

    The thought of an opera house hosting Cha Cha made us chuckle. ¡°There¡¯s that dialogue in the beginning between Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon."

    ¡°Just to rify, Hyun-Woo, that''s actually part of the song, right?" Kim Do-Rim casually asked, resting his hand on my shoulder before we boarded the van.

    I nodded. ¡°Yes, it''s part of it. It wasn¡¯t originally scripted, though. It was just casual conversation that somehow became part of the song."

    The dialogue had been spontaneously included during a pre-shoot meeting.

    <em>¡®If it¡¯s going to be funny, might as well go all out¡­'' </em>Yoon-Chan had surprisingly suggested it back then.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize Chronos had such a humorous side. Ah, Iughed so hard earlier, I¡¯m still feeling it," Ji Byeok-Sanplimented us.

    I could only smile shyly and nod. ¡°Thank you."

    ¡°But how will we handle the narration? Yoo-Joon isn¡¯t on our team," On Jeong-Woo pointed out nonchntly.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you do it?" Ji Byeok San said.

    ¡°Me? Really?"

    ¡°Who else? You brought it up, so you handle it."

    ¡°Ah, hyung. How can I take on Yoo-Joon¡¯s role? I will get criticized."

    I couldn¡¯t see On Jeong-Woo¡¯s face from my seat next to Ji Byeok-San at the driver''s side.

    ¡°Oh,e on. You are saying that you can¡¯t when you¡¯re smiling so confidently. Just be honest. What do you think?"

    ¡°Ah, nah~"

    ¡°You like the idea, don¡¯t you?¡± Kim Do-Rim continued to yfully tease On Jeong-Woo, who seemed to be enjoying the banter.

    ¡°If I really do it, I will be criticized. Rings are scary."

    As I turned around, I saw On Jeong-Woo rubbing his shiny bald head and looking slightly embarrassed. He was well-known as the representative bald actor in the entertainment industry.

    Ji Byeok-San chuckled. ¡°Wear a wig. Let¡¯s sync up with Hyun-Woo in a bit."

    ¡°Thank you, senior," I responded.

    On Jeong-Woo awkwardly nodded. ¡°Just call me hyung, Hyun-Woo."

    The conversation continued warmly, and soon the YMM building loomed into view. Ji Byeok-San casually mentioned something intriguing. ¡°You never know what to expect. I¡¯m looking forward to something specific at this YMM shoot."

    ¡°What are you looking forward to?"

    ¡°YMM. Isn¡¯t Allure their artist as well?"

    ¡°Oh, right. Are Chronos members and Allure close?" On Jeong-Woo asked.

    Joo-Han replied, ¡°Yes, we are super close. Hyun-Woo and I especially spent a long time as trainees with the Allure seniors."

    ¡°Really? You were trainees together? That¡¯s interesting, considering the difference in your debut times. Didn¡¯t your debut happen way after theirs?"

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s even better if you guys are close."

    What was he implying? As I pondered Ji Byeok-San''s words, he grinned broadly. ¡°I talked to Da-Win recently, and they are just hanging out now that their activities are over."

    ¡°Really, hyung?"

    ¡°If we are lucky, maybe we can get Allure for a cameo. There¡¯s also Producer Do at YMM.¡±

    ¡°Producer Do is under YMM?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Producer Do often appeared on variety shows and was fairly well-known as a semi-celebrity to the public. At this point, I had a rough idea of the grand scheme that Ji Byeok-San was nning.

    The ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡± team could reliably deliverughs with their luxurious sets, confident cosy, and certainedic ir. However, turning the sad bad of "Kang Joo-Han" intoedy was honestly a gamble despite its humorous lyrics, and I wasn''t entirely sure it would work.

    But we had Ji Byeok-San. If the other team was armed with guaranteedughs and opulent sets, our team had Ji Byeok-San''s formidablework.

    ¡°Our music video is kind of about Chronos'' growth. Since there are only two members here, Yoo-Joon will be yed by Jeong-Woo and Yoon-Chan by a member of Allure. Ah, that sounds great."

    Ji Byeok-San was dreaming big to ensure we''d win thepetition.

    1. ???? (Human Theater) is a South Korean documentary series focuses on the everyday lives of ordinary people. It showcases their personal stories and challenges in a narrative format. ?

 Chapter 295: First Full Album (31)

    <h4>Chapter 295: First Full Album (31)</h4>

    Ji Byeok-San appeared to be scheming to feature his beloved connections in the uing music video. Although YMM had a scant roster of active artists, Ji Byeok-San had a certain connection with all of them except Chronos as this was our first encounter.

    Allure, Yeong-Yee, Kun-Ho, and even Producer Do were likely to get along well with him as they had all been indebted to him through his programs at least once.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see who¡¯s around at thepany right now."

    I decided to lend my active support since Ji Byeok-San seemed to have no intent to create a music video solely with the Chronos members and team cker. ¡°Maybe we should reach out to Allure?"

    Imagining the rival team¡¯s grumblings¡ª "Ah, they even brought Allure! Had we known, we would have called someone too!" ¡ªand our actors¡¯ witty responses brought a smirk to my face. It promised to be an entertaining scenario.

    Ji Byeok-San nodded approvingly at the idea of making a call, and his voice carried a note of firm resolve. ¡°But remember, no matter who we bring in, the main stars are Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo. Let¡¯s keep that in mind."

    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s ensure their faces are prominently featured for two-thirds of the music video. It¡¯s like in those dramas. Chronos are the protagonists while ckers and the YMM family make impactful cameos. Wow..."

    I had learned that it was crucial to wholly embrace the insights of seasoned professionals in the world of variety shows. Those adept at generatingughter were worth their weight in gold and guided us halfway to sess. Joo-Han seemed to agree as he listened intently to Ji Byeok-San''s strategies.

    I took out my phone in the presence of everyone, dialed Da-Win, switched to speaker mode, and ced it near the microphone. Da-Win answered quickly. His voice was thick with sleep.

    - Uh, Hyun-Woo. What''s up?

    His drowsy tone made me chuckle.

    ¡°Oops, it looks like we woke you up," Ji Byeok-San expressed his apologies with a look of regret.

    I nodded empathetically and asked, ¡°Senior, were you asleep?"

    - ...Hmm?

    Da-Win was caught off guard by the sudden formal address and became momentarily speechless, but he quickly grasped that this was for a broadcast and adjusted his tone. His voice became clearer.

    - Are you filming right now?

    ¡°Yes... We are shooting <i>cker Number One.</i>"

    - ...Oh.

    As soon as I revealed that we were filming, the reactions around me became awkward. That was when I realized my mistake. Why did I admit so quickly that we were filming? It was obvious that I reallycked a sense for variety shows.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, could I have a word with him?"

    ¡°Ah, yes."

    Ji Byeok-San gestured to me, and I quickly handed him the phone.

    ¡°Hello, Da-Win~"

    - Ah, who is it? Ah, Ji Byeok-San hyung?

    ¡°Hey, Da-Win. Sorry for the sudden call, but what are you up to?"

    Given the level of familiarity between them as evidenced by their recent phone conversation, their dialogue flowed effortlessly.

    ¡°We are at YMM right now, can youe out for a bit?"

    - Why are you at ourpany? Well, if you call, then I must answer. Sae-Yeon might be there too.

    ¡°Oh? Is Sae-Yeon here too? It would be great if he could also join us."

    - I will ask Sae-Yeon. He might be working, but I wille right now.

    Da-Win immediately adjusted his voice to match the tension of the shoot and agreed to the sudden request. Ji Byeok-San hung up the call and smiled brightly, ¡°See? Da-Win and the guys from Allure are so nice toe here to help us."

    ¡°Hyung, is it really okay to just call top stars like this? Oh, gosh."

    - Hey! I''m a top star too!

    The cast continued their lively banter. Soon after, a somewhat tired-looking Sae-Yeon and a neatly dressed Da-Win arrived at the location.

    ***

    As Allure made their entrance, the conversation naturally pivoted to their recent endeavors. The cast arranged for Da-Win and Sae-Yeon to sit in the middle of the couch, probing them about how they had been and their decisions to appear on the show while also touching briefly on the details of the shoot.

    ¡°So, how are Allure and Chronos getting along these days?" Ji Byeok-San steered the conversation, allowing the cast members to interject with spontaneous questions here and there.

    Kim Do-Rim¡¯s question prompted Da-Win to nod affirmatively. ¡°We get along really well. Our paths as trainees even ovepped with these two members in particr."

    ¡°Ah, I recall Joo-Han mentioning that earlier. Then, how long were Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo trainees for?" On Jeong-Woo interjected.

    Joo-Han gestured toward me. "Hyun-Woo was a trainee for ten years, and I for eight years.¡±

    ¡°Heck, that¡¯s a long time... How did you manage ten years?"

    ¡°We might have spent the longest training since we started when we were really little."

    Da-Win lowered his hands below his knees and described how small Joo-Han and I were back then. Despite his exaggeration, I wondered if any nine-year-old could indeed be shorter than a human knee.

    Sure enough, Kim Do-Rim chuckled skeptically. ¡°Ah, Da-Win. You do exaggerate quite a bit."

    ¡°Well, Da-Win''s storytelling may be exaggerated, but we really were quite small,¡± Sae-Yeon said. ¡°Hyun-Woo and Joo-Han were just elementary students back then."

    ¡°Wow, you were trainees from elementary school?"

    The Allure members naturally shifted the conversation''s focus to Joo-Han and me.

    I nodded and chimed in. ¡°Being the youngest and an elementary schooler, I received a lot of affection from the older trainees."

    ¡°We picked Hyun-Woo up after school until he graduated elementary school because he had trouble finding his way."

    ¡°It¡¯s almost like Allure raised him, to that extent."

    ¡°Joo-Han insisted not to be treated like a child, so we didn''t do quite the same with him, but we''ve watched over him from a young age with pride."

    ¡°We practically raised them," Sae-Yeon confidently stated.

    For the record, Sae-Yeon had joined after I graduated from elementary school, so he didn¡¯t really have a hand in raising me. I was even the one who taught him some basic moves when he joined. However, it wasn¡¯t necessary to correct him openly, so I just nodded.

    As the chatting session wrapped up, the discussion about the music video concept began. Most ideas came from Ji Byeok-San. The MV had to be entertaining, even more entertaining than it already was! Any mediocre fun ideas from the cast were immediately rejected. The only ideas that made it through were my suggestion of a B-grade aesthetic and the karaoke-style subtitles.

    Kim Do-Rim, who had been struggling to make a significant impact, eagerly pitched in. ¡°I will write the script! Let¡¯s write it together, Byeok-San hyung."

    ¡°Okay! Of course! Just wait a bit, everyone. We wille up with a brilliant script."

    This was ultimately what Ji Byeok-San had been leading us toward.

    ¡°Would I ever get another chance to direct a music video with these popr idols as I please?"

    It seemed he wanted to make the most of having Allure and Chronos at his disposal to create a music video that maximized our variety appeal through concept, setting, and script he controlled.

    ¡°Ah, I''m looking forward to it, Senior." Joo-Han and I promptly nodded in agreement and let him proceed. Since we¡¯d agreed to appear on the variety show, we were determined to make it as entertaining as possible. Responding to aedy script written by aedian-turned-host was as fun as it could be.

    ***

    The music video started not with a narration but with a scenario.

    ¡°Cue!" Ji Byeok-San had taken on the role of director, and gave the cue. Today¡¯s protagonist, Joo-Han, clutched his head.

    We had rented Producer Do¡¯s music studio for a few hours.

    ¡°Ah... No way." Joo-Han ruffled his hair in distress. ¡°I have put so much effort into these pieces... Argh..."

    - Joo-Hanmenting the loss of the song''s file, gripping his hair in anguish.

    Joo-Han was dutifully acting ording to the spontaneous script Ji Byeok-San had created.

    Hmm, but was it acting?

    While other cast members and the Allure members praised Joo-Han''s acting, it seemed more like he was genuinely annoyed by the memory rather than acting.

    Anyway...

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, get ready."

    ¡°Yes, Senior," I whispered back to Ji Byeok-San and prepared to enter the frame. The production team handed me a te of fruit.

    My task was simple. It was to attempt to deliver this te to Joo-Han, witness his anguish, and react with sympathy.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, go! Go!"

    Directed by Ji Byeok-San, I walked toward the studio.

    ¡°Ugh... I lost all of them... I can''t recover from this..."

    I stood at the door and watched Joo-Han suffer with concern. Then, I hid behind the wall and made sure Joo-Han didn¡¯t notice me.

    ¡°...How. To. Comfort. Joo-Han," I muttered softly.

    ¡°Ahaha, Cut! Wait, wait a moment."

    ¡°Yes?"

    Ji Byeok-San raised his arms to form an ''X'' and urgently halted the filming. I was surprised and looked around at the cast.

    ¡°...¡±

    Everyone seemed bewildered, which made me feel quite embarrassed.

    ¡°...Um. Ahem." Da-Win covered his mouth with the back of his hand andughed. Sae-Yeon turned away with his hands on his hips. It was evident that he was trying to suppress hisughter.

    ¡°Why..."

    As Ji Byeok-San approached me with a smile full ofughter and grabbed my shoulder, I realized something.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, I don¡¯t usually say this, but..."

    Right now, I didn''t have Yoon-Chan tofort me.

    ¡°You suck at acting, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    At Ji Byeok-San¡¯s candid question, everyone¡ªstaff and cast alike¡ªburst into heartyughter. I smiled as nonchntly as possible. ¡°...Yes.¡±

    No matter how much I tried to appear unaffected, I couldn¡¯t stop my eyes from trembling. Without Yoon-Chan, no one could cover for my acting. All I could do was dance and sing.

    Without Yoon-Chan, this was the limit of my acting ability.

    ¡°Ah, I didn''t know. Chronos are human after all! Look how adorable! Everything is perfect except for the acting! Ah, this also adds a touch of humanity, right?" Ji Byeok-San yfully teased me and promptedughter from the cast. He then kindly said, ¡°Just take it easy, rx."

    ¡°Okay. I will try my best."

    In truth, I had already been trying hard. <i>¡®Is there any way tofort Joo-Han? How tofort Joo-Han...''</i>

    I silently rehearsed the lines while looking around. Da-Win and Sae-Yeon were doneughing, and they were recording me with their phones like adults watching a school y.

    Far away, On Jeong-Woo, who was ying the role of Goh Yoo-Joon, was wearing a wig on his bald head. After looking at him, I thought, ¡®<i>My poor acting doesn''t really matter.¡¯</i>

    The reshoot started, and I recited my lines with the cue sign.

    ¡°How... to...fort... Joo-Han..."

    Shortly after the cut sign, the set erupted inughter.

    ¡®<i>Whatever.¡¯</i>

    The clip would probably circte on <i>UTube </i>or on the personal channels of Rings for a while. Since my variety show image had been ruined since the Cha Cha days, I decided to give up and focus on performing well on stageter.

 Chapter 296: First Full Album (32)

    Chapter 296: First Full Album (32)

    ¡°Hyun-Wooooo~"

    The person sitting across from me called me as if he was cooing like a baby. His voice tinged with a yful nasality that beckoned my attention.

    ¡°..."

    I averted his gaze and directed my eyes toward the void. A barely suppressibleughter bubbled under my skin and threatened to break free. My facial muscles, especially around my lips and cheeks, twitched uncontrobly. I reminded myself sternly that I was not supposed tough at a senior, yet he smirked mischievously and cupped my face to gently force me to meet his eyes.

    ¡°Hm."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo~ Why can''t you look at me? Why do you avoid me so~?"

    ¡°No, no... It''s not like that."

    The situation was almost unbearable. Facing him was a challenge. The closeness, his expressive face, and those piercing eyes were too much for me. Moreover, the obvious attempts to drawughter from me made it incredibly difficult to maintain myposure.

    ¡°Hyun-Woooo~ Why are you so formal to me? Can we get a bit closer?"¡°...Pardon?¡±

    ¡°Just call me tenderly by my name as you usually do, say ''Yoo-Joon~¡¯"

    I couldn''t hold back any longer and erupted intoughter. Goh Yoo-Joon would never use such a tone or say something like that.

    On Jeong-Woo was wearing a wig that resembled Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s hairstyle only slightly. He was imitating my band mate based on the misunderstanding that Goh Yoo-Joon and I were close friends. Unfortunately, his act misinterpreted the real dynamics of our rtionship.

    As a result, Joo-Han, who knew the true nature of my rtionship with Goh Yoo-Joon, as well as the Allure members found themselves unable to contain theirughter at every action taken by On Jeong-Woo.

    ¡°Aw, Hyun-Woo~ We are friends, right~?"

    He body-mmed me with unbearable charm. His strength befit his status as a top-tier actor in the entertainment industry, and he sent me tumbling back onto the couch each time.

    Still, I could not stopughing. I was lying sprawled across the couch, chuckling and wiping away tears. The cause of myughter was unclear, but the stickerbeled ''Goh Yoo-Joon'' on On Jeong-Woo¡¯s belly was absurdly funny.

    ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo''s face. It turned red fromughter. He¡¯s even shedding tears. Oh my, he must be truly moved by Jeong-Woo''s makeup skills!"

    The production crew joined in tough and contributed to a lively and cheerful atmosphere until Ji Byeok-San, having wrapped up a brief discussion about the music video production with the director, entered the scene to restore order.

    ¡°Alright, now that we''ve brought our forty-year-old Yoo-Joon on set, shall we start filming again?"

    Ji Byeok-San helped me up from the couch, and I found myself once again facing On Jeong-Woo, now dubbed the forty-year-old Yoo-Joon.

    I bit my lip again as I tried to stifle theughter.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo~ don¡¯t bite your lip~ You will hurt your beautiful lips~."

    ¡°...Okay." The absurdity of the situation was overwhelmingly high.

    The next scene we were about to shoot involved me seeing Joo-Han in distress and discussing with Goh Yoo-Joon how we couldfort him. Ji Byeok-San seeked realism in this scene, so he asked how Goh Yoo-Joon would typically react in such a situation.

    As I struggled to endure On Jeong-Woo¡¯s yful affection, Joo-Han replied, ¡°Yoo-Joon usually doesn''t give serious responses unless the matter is grave. Despite his somber appearance, he is surprisingly yful."

    ¡°That¡¯s quite unexpected, really. From the outside, he seems like the most solemn and quiet guy. Right, Yoo-Joon?" Ji Byeok-San gave a cue to On Jeong-Woo. ¡°Deliver the line in a yful tone, Jeong-Woo."

    ¡°Yes, sir."

    Although On Jeong-Wooplied, his expression betrayed how confused he was. He had not quite grasped the yful yet profound nature of Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s character.

    Goh Yoo-Joon wasplex, not easily described as simply kind or yful. One couldn''t truly understand him without first-hand experience.

    ¡°If Yoo-Joon were here..."

    Noticing I was about to assist, On Jeong-Woo¡¯s eyes sparkled with gratitude. I voiced precisely what Yoo-Joon might have said. ¡°He¡¯d probablyugh and say, ''I have a good idea.'' That¡¯s what he might say, Senior."

    ¡°¡®I have a good idea?¡¯ Is that what he¡¯d say?"

    ¡°Yes, he would act as if he got a brilliant idea. But all he would do is whisper to me that we should order fried chicken.¡±

    ¡°Huh, fried chicken?"

    Although the remark seemed out of the blue, it was an undeniable truth. I had personally experienced this several times.

    On Jeong-Woo was initially uncertain, but he gradually nodded after seeing my earnest nod. ¡°Then I will whisper that to you. So Hyun-Woo, please react genuinely," he proposed with a conspiratorial wink.

    ¡®¡°...Genuinely?" I echoed, slightly puzzled.

    ¡°Yes, good thing that you brought that up, Jeong-Woo,¡± Ji Byeok-San said. ¡°Don''t be intimidated just because you are conversing with an entertainment senior. Respond as naturally as you would with Yoo-Joon. It''s a favor I''m asking.¡±

    Being too genuine might prove exaggerated.

    ¡°Yes, I understand!" I replied with a mix of apprehension and determination.

    A whirlwind of thoughts about how to appropriately react spun through my mind. Just as there was a typical response from Goh Yoo-Joon in such scenarios, there was also a typical way I''d react to him. Normally, I''d grab him by the cor in situations like this.

    Since it was impractical to grab a senior''s cor, I pondered over some alternatives.

    <em>¡®Should I say such things: Do you want to die? You are ridiculous. What the heck are you talking about? Weirdo.¡¯</em>

    But that would be too formic, and more than anything, they were cliche lines. Resorting to mere cliche lines would rob the act of authenticity.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s really okay," On Jeong-Woo reassured me after noticing my hesitation. He chuckled and broke the tension with his light-hearted suggestion. ¡°You can jokingly grab my cor. Just take it easy, rx. Haha."

    ¡°Yes, it''s okay, Hyun-Woo. Just befortable," Ji Byeok-San reassured me once more. His voice was warm and encouraging.

    ¡°Ah..."

    ¡°Comedy is all about being funny. I''ve even been hit with a rubber band by people younger than you, Hyun-Woo. It''s okay," On Jeong-Woo added, his eyes twinkling with humor.

    Ji Byeok-San and On Jeong-Woo were making concerted efforts to put me at ease. Appreciating their thoughtfulness, I cautiously responded. ¡°Thank you. Then, Senior, as I would typically do with Yoo-Joon..."

    ¡°Do it, do it," On Jeong-Woo urged, nodding encouragingly.

    It seemed best to proceed with a yful grab and a mock headlock as I would with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    The scene ended with me yfully grabbing the cor of On Jeong-Woo, who was wlessly imitating Goh Yoo-Joon, and him responding with a headlock in what appeared to be a familiar quarrel to our fans. Contrary to my initial worries, the scene concluded in a lighthearted and entertaining manner.

    In fact, seeing Ji Byeok-San''s enthusiastic response, it might have been better to recreate the situation with even more authenticity like the act of me biting my hand out of frustration.

    Anyway, the shooting proceeded smoothly. Even during the filming with the Allure members, everyone enjoyed the light-hearted atmosphere while I had to endure their yful antics.

    ¡°Hyung~ Lift me up~ My joints hurt now that I''m getting older, hyung~"

    ¡°Ah, Senior."

    ¡°Hyung~ Lift your baby brother Jin-Sung up~"

    Throughout the shooting, the Allure members prominently disyed the name tags of Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung and kept calling me ''hyung,'' throwing in all kinds of ad-libs.

    Sae-Yeon pretended to be Jin-Sung and imed he would have carried someone instead of being carried. Thus, he jovially carried me around, while Da-Win wanted to entertain the other members and filmed our antics with his camera for all to see.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, look here~ Wow, this is something Tucan would love. Wave your hand~" Da-Win called out and captured the moment on camera.

    ¡°Uh..." I muttered, overwhelmed by the unexpected attention.

    I had never imagined that at my age I would once again find myself being carried by them. The overwhelming embarrassment made me wish to escape. This situation turned into something more than just pretending to be Yoon-Chan or Jin-Sung. This was just Da-Win and Sae-Yeon of Allure in their true colors.

    The direction of this music video was bing increasingly unclear. The final scene featured Joo-Han singing passionately.

    In the brief interim, Ji Byeok-San had researched a few anecdotes about us that only insiders would know and cleverly woven them into the final scene. It was said that since this was a live streaming vote, the service would be targeted not only at existing viewers, but also at new fans who might be drawn in.

    For example, when Joo-Han passionately performed "Kang Joo-Han," the two Allure members who took the role of Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung sat side by side on the couch, eagerly reacting.

    ¡°Our Joo-Han is doing great!"

    ¡°He is so cool!"

    ¡°Once he finishes singing, the missing files wille back!"

    <em>Click, click.</em>

    Them capturing Joo-Han with their phone cameras made them look like parents watching their child at a talent show.

    Forty-year-old Goh Yoo-Joon (yed by On Jeong-Woo) looked on fondly as Joo-Han sang the song I had written. Overwhelmed by the surroundings, Su-Hwan made a cameo and filmed Joo-Han with his phone and then discreetly exited the frame. His phone had once been voted for the item that Rings wanted the most.

    And then there was me.

    <em>¡°Sigh.¡±</em>

    In front of me was a toilet. A famous anecdote from the first Chronos meeting involved Joo-Han identally deleting a file and then bursting into a trot song. Joo-Han had sung, Yoo-Joon had danced, and a toilet had been smashed.

    Ji Byeok-San wanted to recreate this incident following a confrontation between me and Goh Yoo-Joon. Now, with Goh Yoo-Joon absent, the task of performing the infamous toilet dance fell to me.

    What path was this music video taking? How far into absurdity would the storyline drift?

    While the cast worried, Ji Byeok-San was quite pleased. This made me dread the final product. Since I got embarrassed from the Allure piggyback incident, I couldn''t bear the shame and decided to just let go. After all, life wasn''t easy. Now, I was the entertainer Suh Hyun-Woo.

    <em>¡®I am Goh Yoo-Joon. I am Goh Yoo-Joon,¡¯</em> I brainwashed myself.

    ¡°Music cue!"

    I let go and surrendered to the music.

    <em>Ding dong.</em>

    ¡°Gosh, he is so cute."

    Along with his teasing voice, I heard Da-Win filming the video.

    ***

    The news of the live streaming for <em>cker Number One </em>had been announced days earlier on the official <em>UTube </em>channelmunity. Although not much effort had been put into promoting this streaming for the variety show shooting, the mere appearance of Chronos was enough promotion.

    As the live broadcast was about to start, numerous viewers flocked to the broadcast link posted along with the waiting screen fifteen minutes prior.

    - When does it start?

    - Hurry up...????

    - LOL, never seen the chat move this fast haha

    - Please appreciate Chronos'' first regr album ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± everyone~

    - Wow, it feels like my heart is going to burst¡­ hurry up!!! ??

    - Only ten minutes left!!!

    As only the broadcast time had been announced, everything else remained a secret. This filled the people in the chat with anticipation, excitement, bewilderment, and curiosity.

    Soon, the promised time arrived. The waiting screen gradually disappeared, and the screen showed the members of Chronos and the <em>cker</em> family sitting closely together on set. They were all looking tense and directly at the camera.

 Chapter 297: First Full Album (33)

    ¡°Hello, everyone! It''s been quite some time since we''ve had the pleasure of meeting you live like this, hasn''t it?" Ji Byeok-San began. His voice was infused with warmth as he greeted the viewers. ¡°For today''s session, we''ve nned an exciting opportunity to engage with all of you, alongside the sensational Chronos members."

    The cast marveled at the rapid flow of messages.

    ¡°Wow, just look at the speed of the chat."

    ¡°Chronos'' poprity truly is remarkable."

    As soon as the live broadcast kicked off, the chat became a blur of rapid messages and signaled the fervor and anticipation of the fans. The live stream of <em>cker Number One</em> was always well-received, but with Chronos'' powerful allure, the impact was unparalleled.

    The cast members themselves couldn''t help but let out exmations of amazement as Ji Byeok-San chuckled lightly and effortlessly continued steering the show. ¡°The reason we''ve joined you live today revolves around our special topic, right, director?"

    He smoothly passed the baton to the production director, who promptly borated on the rules of today''s engaging game.

    ¡°Yes. Starting now, you, our dear viewers, will have the chance to view music videos produced and edited by each team. We invite you to vote for the video that you like the most by following the link below."

    ¡°Shall we first reveal what each team''s theme is?" Ji Byeok-San suggested, his tone teasing a surprise.¡°On the count of three, let''s unveil them."

    There was a brief moment of tension among the <em>cker</em> family, but they quickly regained theirposure and seamlessly supported Ji Byeok-San in the proceedings.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan, please step forward and share the themes.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes!" Park Yoon-Chan was visibly the most tense, and Suh Hyun-Woo appeared more at ease yet still somewhat shy with the audience. They took steps forward to the camera while holding papers that concealed the awaited themes.

    - LMAO look at how shy they are!

    - I can feel their awkwardness through the screen lol

    - hahaha both are so adorable aww

    - Where is the link?

    The audience''s warm chatter continued, offering words of encouragement to alleviate the palpable tension. However, these messages flew by too swiftly for the nervous pair, who were focused intently on their task.

    ¡°Shall we reveal the themes now?" Ji Byeok-San prompted.

    ¡°One, two, three!" The entire cast joined in the countdown, and the two revealed each team''s theme at its climax. [Kang Joo-Han] and [Red Riding Hood Cha Cha].

    The chat exploded with reactions.

    - ?

    - ???

    - LOL, what am I even watching right now? CHA CHA? ??

    - Cha Cha is insane LOL!

    - AHAHAHAHAHAHA

    - What the heck

    - ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± out of nowhere...?

    ¡°Yes, we''ve selected songs that rte to our guests, Chronos, for this challenge.¡±

    - But those are¡­ lol

    - They only chose the ones that Chronos members are embarrassed with the most haha

    - What the heck is ¡°Kang Joo-Han?¡±

    - He is Chronos¡¯ leader, but it¡¯s the title of the song too LMAO

    - Cha Cha ??????

    The audience responded with a flurry of LOLs and confusion, and their rapid-fire ofughing emojis filled the chat. The themes were meant to be humorous, yet the overwhelming favorite for its unexpected hrity was ¡°Cha Cha.¡±

    This track, unlike ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± which had limited exposure, was infamous due to its aggressive promotions and iconic thumbnails on UNET. This made it a well-known piece of Chronos'' colorful history. It was called both a dark past of Chronos and a legendary turnaround song that first made Chronos known to the public. Of course, the description wasrgely intended as a yful tease.

    - ??Kang Joo-Han AHAHHA

    - Never expected I would hear that song here lol

    - Joo-Han ??????

    - Cha Cha and Kang Joo-Han? Ahahaha what abination

    Those who weremonly known as muggles(non-fans)[1]ughed at ¡°Cha Cha¡± while the Ringsughed at ¡°Kang Joo-Han.¡± Either way, viewers could deduce from the Rings¡¯ reactions that ¡°Kang Joo-Han" was just asically entertaining as ¡°Cha Cha.¡±

    As theughter subsided, Ji Byeok-San remarked. ¡°You see? The reactions are fantastic. I knew they were famous for a reason."

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect people would like them this much.¡±

    With the initial amusement giving way to excitement, Suh Hyun-Woo and Park Yoon-Chan returned to their seats. Ji Byeok-San was also slowly wrapping up the conversation. ¡°Shall we move on to watching the music video we filmed?¡±

    ¡°Isn''t the team that presents first at a slight advantage?"

    ¡°Does the voting start now? If it starts after both videos have been shown, wouldn''t the second music video be in a more advantageous position?"

    The cast engaged in a spirited debate over the strategic timing of their presentations, only to be settled by the director''s rification that voting wouldmence after all videos had been shown. This prompted them to engage in a yful round of rock-paper-scissors to decide the order.

    Throughout this lively exchange, all eyes of Rings remained riveted on Chronos. Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung, who were bing the popr extroverts of the idol world, rolled up their sleeves and participated in a rock-paper-scissorspetition.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you throw a rock, Senior?" Kang Joo-Han pondered aloud.

    ¡°Do you want to take the lead, Joo-Han? The audience would definitely prefer seeing you in action."

    Kang Joo-Han was nowfortably close to the much-respected senior On Jeong-Woo, and he beamed a bright, infectious smile. ¡°Then, shall I do it?" he asked, his voiceced with hopeful anticipation.

    It seemed he was about to seize the opportunity. However, Suh Hyun-Woo, ever observant, quickly stepped in to interject. "Hyung..." Suh Hyun-Woo''s previously shy and awkward demeanor vanished, reced by a sheepish grin. ¡°May I try instead?" he suggested. His eyes gleamed with a yful challenge.

    Kang Joo-Han hesitated before replying, ¡°...You want to do it?"

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s warm and genuineughter seemed to sweep Kang Joo-Han off his feet, leading him to gracefully step aside and offer the spotlight to his beloved friend. ¡°Go ahead, then.¡±

    The Rings burst into enthusiastic apuse and cheers at this exchange. Suh Hyun-Woo, typically reserved and less expressive, had shown a rare side of his personality much to everyone''s surprise and delight.

    Was this endearing side of him only revealed in the presence of the original team members? It seemed likely, especially since his charming, gentle smile was destined to be a popr gif on social mediater.

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s transformation was notable as he wasn''t usually one to stand out with bold expressions or many words when cameras rolled. His persona was built around a calm, affectionate maturity with asional glimpses of yful sincerity. It was a trait that made one think of him as Goh Yoo-Joon''s close confidante.

    As the cheerful and grinning duo of Kang Joo-Han and Suh Hyun-Woo continued their yful banter, the Rings couldn''t help but reflect on the unexpected dynamics unfolding before them.

    <em>¡°Who is the member with the most aegyo</em>[2]<em>? It''s definitely Hyun-Woo</em>."

    Kang Joo-Han had once remarked this offhandedly during a live stream on <em>Q-app</em>. His statement, though seemingly casual, might have carried more truth than usual. This reflected a genuine appreciation for Suh Hyun-Woo''s endearing qualities.

    Meanwhile, Suh Hyun-Woo breathed a sigh of relief, a quiet chuckle escaping him. He then leaned closer to On Jeong-Woo, who looked puzzled by the ongoing antics, and whispered, ¡°Joo-Han... hyung is surprisingly bad at rock-paper-scissors."

    Kang Joo-Han was often forgetful of his own gaming weaknesses, and he would asionally be reminded of that during crucial moments.

    <em>¡®I can''t let Joo-Han hyung lead in such a crucial moment.''</em> Suh Hyun-Woo thought to himself, his concern not just for the game but for maintaining their team''s strategy. After all, the game''s prize was one million won[3].

    ¡°Is Team ¡®Kang Joo-Han¡¯ ready?"

    ¡°Yes!" came the enthusiastic reply.

    Joo So-Dam represented the opposing team and stepped forward confidently. The game of rock-paper-scissors concluded swiftly, with Suh Hyun-Woo securing a surprising and easy victory.

    ¡°Wow, it''s rare to see So-Dam lose at rock-paper-scissors!" Gun-Seok eximed as he was visibly impressed.

    ¡°Our member who''s the best at rock-paper-scissors is definitely Suh Hyun-Woo," Goh Yoo-Joon affirmed with pride evident in his voice.

    ¡°We will take the second turn," Suh Hyun-Woo said while setting the stage for what was toe.

    "Our ¡®Red RIding Hood Cha Cha¡¯ might have been expected to be very funny, but this time we tried producing it with a luxurious concept," Joo So-Dam exined.

    Can ¡°Cha Cha¡± be luxurious? The viewers listening to Joo So-Dam''s exnation could only think of ''the magic pendant'' in their heads. It was Chronos'' representative B-grade concept song, and the original was a children''s animation soundtrack, quite cute and bubbly like a nursery rhyme. How luxurious could it get?

    ¡°Ah, ¡®Red Riding Hood Cha Cha?¡¯ That''s too forced a concept~"

    Kim Do-Rim and other cast members dismissed it as nonsense.

    Joo So-Dam grinned and showed her palm to the camera. ¡°Just watch."

    - Luxurious Cha Cha is too much LOL

    - I am confused haha

    - Might be good though?

    - Oh, it¡¯s starting now!

    - Dang¡­ Cha Cha will devour not onlyedy and power but luxury too;;

    After Joo So-Dam spoke, the screen gradually darkened and soon her team''s music video began to y. The sound of heels was the first thing they heard.

    - ???

    - What¡¯s the vibe?

    - ??????

    - They said they just filmed this... Why is the quality so good? What the?

    - The color is insane.

    On the brightly lit stage, a woman with high wheels confidently walked in.

    - Is this fit for Cha Cha?

    Like the person in the chat mentioned, ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡± was nowhere to be found in the seriousness and refined visuals. The woman in high heels stopped in the middle of the stage. The camera moved slightly away from her feet and then slowly moved up to reveal her face. As everyone expected, it was Joo So-Dam.

    - Wow, unnie¡­

    - Oh my, look at that beauty... She is a goddess

    - Wow

    - Make sure to post the music video after the broadcast ends, or I will take legal action!!!

    - ?? So unnecessarily serious in the chat... She really is pretty, though.

    Joo So-Dam was in blush suit trousers and jacket, a white shirt, and her hair was tied in a single ponytail. She unted an image of luxury reminiscent of a lead character in a Korean drama.

    - So-Dam unnie¡­ Please do your main job asionally[4] I can''t just see this beauty in variety shows¡­

    Joo So-Dam was under the lights of the opera house and nced toward the empty audience seats. She raised the violin she was holding and was ready to y. Although ying the violin was always highlighted as her specialty, she had limited pieces she could perform and they were used more as aedic element in variety shows.

    As much as the viewers were in awe, the reaction of the cast behind the scenes became a source of curiosity. The cast''s reaction would only be visible in the actual broadcast. Joo So-Dam''s performance began. It was the same piece that the <em>cker</em> family members teased her about.

    - ?? she made a grand entrance, but the piece she¡¯s ying is Canon

    - So-Dam is ying Canon again lol

    Despite being a good piece, it had be a punchline among the <em>cker</em> viewers, and the chat room quickly filled withughter. Alongside the luxury, Joo So-Dam certainly secured theughs. Then, another set of heels was heard. This time the footsteps were heavier. Joo So-Dam''s ying stopped, and the screen shifted to show a man''s feet.

    <em>Tap, tap-</em>

    The camera quietly moved up from the stage to the legs of a man walking out. He was dressed in a stylish suit. It was Goh Yoo-Joon.

    - Holy fucking cow. He is so freaking handsome!!!

    - My internal bond with Yoo-Joon just shattered¡­ He is just too good-looking even for my delusions¡­

    - My goodness¡­

    - The Chronos member is so good-looking^^ What¡¯s his name?

    - Our second Cha Cha, Goh Yoo-Joon!

    - You crossed the line with that suit, Yoo-Joon¡­ Can we even look at this with the naked eye? It¡¯s too dazzling ??

    - Then wear sunsses

    Joo So-Dam, who had directed the entire music video, captured Goh Yoo-Joon''s appearance very well. Goh Yoo-Joon looked at Joo So-Dam as he approached without a hint of a smile, and then frowned, averting his gaze. Then, he casually walked to the piano positioned in the back, plopped down on the chair, andid his hands on the keys.

    - Is this really Cha Cha???

    - Doesn¡¯t feel like Cha Cha at all¡­

    - Feels more like a well-made music video or movie

    - I didn¡¯t know Yoo-Joon could y the piano WHOA

    As everyone marveled at the unique visuals and the luxurious appearance of the two, their duet began. Piano and violin. The melody that resulted from their fingertips was, of course, ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha.¡± The viewers¡¯ immersion was instantly broken.

    1. Korean K-pop fans use the term "??" (muggle) to describe non-fans, humorously likening them to ordinary people without magical powers, simr to the term''s use in the Harry Potter series. ?

    2. ?? (aegyo) is all about showing off cute, sometimes childlike behaviors to charm and endear yourself to others. ?

    3. Korean currency. ?

    4. Actress. ?

 Chapter 298: First Full Album (34)

    <h4>Chapter 298: First Full Album (34)</h4>

    The ssical melody of ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha" gracefully resonated throughout the venue. The duo performance of Joo So-dam and Goh Yoo-Joon was visually captivating, but it was somewhat challenging to articte the peculiar charm it exuded.

    - What in the world is this ????

    - Try watching this without the sound, everyone!

    Would the piece not have drawnughter if the audience weren¡¯t aware of it as the Cha Cha soundtrack? Nope. The tune itself that whimsically pranced along with "<i>Dung dirong dirong~ derong~</i>" seemed ill-suited for the dignified atmosphere.

    Furthermore, seeing Joo So-dam and Goh Yoo-Joon in elegant suits performing this melody added an ironicyer ofedy. They yed "<i>Dung dirong dirong~ derong~</i>" in their formal outfit, which was a contrast so stark it was humorous.

    - The video quality is absolutely smashing, though

    - Joo So-dam has really expanded her repertoire lol

    - What on earth is this ahahha

    - I am here to enjoy Yoo-Joon''s piano skills, but I can''t seem to focus ??

    - Why so serious lmao

    The viewers¡¯ initial immersion was abruptly shattered. However, if the intention was to make peopleugh with a twist, it was a sess. Viewers enjoyed the unlikelybination of video and music, and the chatroom was abuzz with activity.

    Then, silhouettes appeared on a vintage duet stage. The focus blurred and revealed elegant colors and red shoes climbing onto the stage. The viewers could see calves and white knee socks above the red shoes.

    - The description of ¡®Perfection.¡¯

    - It''s obviously Cha Cha hahahaha

    - Cosy is amazing lol

    - Gun-Seok¡¯s calf muscles are not fitting the vibe at all AHAHHA

    It was clearly a Cha Cha cosy. The cosyers entered the frame magnificently, and the chatroom was going incredibly fast. Park Yoon-Chan, who had previously yed adult Cha Cha, and Lee Jin-Sung, who had cosyed as Cha Cha''s colleague before, were also wearing red capes today.

    - Are you really making the top idols in Korea do this? ??

    The Cha Chas took center stage. Among the three Cha Chas, Park Yoon-Chan was at the center, looking serious yet on the verge of tears.

    - Wow-

    - Yoon-Chan ??

    - I''m getting tired of this serious Cha Cha stuff... Chronos should stop with this

    - So cute a

    - If you don¡¯t like it, just don''t watch. Whyin?

    - We aren¡¯t here to look at Chronos doing this nonsense. Wee to see the <i>cker </i>family DUH

    Ignoring the nitpickyints in the chat, the Rings¡¯ focus was truly on the determined-looking Yoon-Chan. His position suggested that he would be the center for the dance break for the first time.

    <i>Bum-digi bum-digi bum bum di-gi-gi-gi-gi-gi cha-cha...</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice whispered a low "bum-di-gi." As the Rings expected, Park Yoon-Chan was in charge of the dance break. The dance was dramatically challenging as it had been chosen for its dramatic effect during the audition back then. Park Yoon-Chan had improved a year and a halfter. While he seemed a bit stiff and not so flexible, unlike before when he had been called out for his dancing skills, he was now hitting the beats properly.

    As the difficulty of Chronos'' choreographies increasedpared to Cha Cha, so did Yoon-Chan''s familiarity with them. Now he was a member of Chronos. Even though he was criticized as a bad dancer within the grouppared to the other members, he danced much better than Gun-Seok next to him.

    Gun-Seok was theic relief during the dance break. He learned the fast-paced choreography in just five minutes and it was particrly noticeable that his arms, legs, waist, and head movements were stiff and awkward and that he had practically given up and forged his own unique choreography in the end.

    Add to that Lee Jin-Sung excitedly pping his wig and skirt continuously while Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo So-Dam still yed music with content expressions in the background.

    What an imbnce!

    - ??????????

    - The colors of the video are so pretty, it''s infuriating, ahaha

    - Will this video be uploadedter?

    - The kill point is Goh Yoo-Joon looking at them as a grandfather would at his grandchildren lol

    - Why are the instrumentalists so pleasing to listen to ??

    - Piano: Goh Yoo-Joon, Prince Center: Park Yoon-Chan, Skirt Flipped: Lee Jin-Sung, please show them lots of love!!!!

    Joo So-Dam had put a lot of effort into the music video. However, many scenes couldn''t be included due to theck of time.

    Nheless, the song was ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha," the concept was orchestra or opera, the protagonists were the three Cha Chas, and the atmosphere was as heartwarming as a family movie. It provided a characteristicughter simr to watching a spoof dubbing.

    After the music video ended, the screen went dark, showing the cast on set.

    ¡°Yes! You''ve watched the ¡®Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡¯ music video. How was it?"

    ¡°Ah! It was less funny than I expected, which was disappointing," Joo So-Dam shouted and mmed the floor inughter.

    The on-set vibe was much funnier, especially with Gun-Seok''s antics and Lee Jin-Sung''s skirt and wig mishaps. But the editing team focused more on Park Yoon-Chan than anticipated, leading to a less entertaining oue than Joo So-Dam had hoped.

    Still, the response was quite positive. As the <i>cker </i>cast continued their chat, Suh Hyun-Woo was looking at Park Yoon-Chan. Yoon-Chan, who had led a dance break for the first time, was nervously watching the chat. When their eyes met, Suh Hyun-Woo mouthed, "Well done."

    Meanwhile, Joo-Han had been rolling on the floorughing from the moment Yoon-Chan started dancing.

    ¡°Wow, Yoo-Joon looks really handsome. I always knew you were good-looking, you in that suit you were just something else.¡±

    Joo-Han couldn''t help butugh, prompting a yful rebuke. ¡°Aren''t youughing a bit too much?"

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, did you know how to y the piano beforehand?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon replied with a modest nod. ¡°Ah, I learned a bit a long time ago. Just tinkered with the piano in the practice room a little."

    Ji Byeok-San skillfully bnced his attention among the cast members by throwing questions and engaging them in lively discussions. He also turned to the viewers as he was curious about their reception of the show.

    And finally, the moment arrived to unveil the ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± team''s music video.

    ¡°So, next up is our team with a music video for the song titled ¡®Kang Joo-Han.¡¯ What do you think about the song?" Ji Byeok-San asked, looking expectantly at the <i>cker</i> cast.

    Kim Do-Rim responded with enthusiasm. ¡°The lyrics are incredibly fun and dramatic."

    Joo-Han nodded in agreement and added, ¡°This song was exclusively released to our fan club, so many of you might not be familiar with it, but I hope you will find it enjoyable nheless.¡±

    Suh Hyun-Woo was then asked to give a brief introduction of the music video. He clutched a penguin doll in his arm and affectionately stroked its head as he spoke, ¡°We tried something a bit different this time, so we created the ¡®Kang Joo-Han¡¯ music video in a musical drama format."

    - I am listening to ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± to grasp an idea, but it¡¯s hrious ??

    - Musical drama? I can¡¯t wait!!!

    - Hyun-Woo hugging a penguin doll is so adorable ??

    - Are they going to post this on <i>UTube </iter?

    - Kang Joo-Han singing ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± ??

    - lmao I can still hear Joo-Hanughing in the back

    Amid the behind-the-scenes chatter, Joo-Han''s infectiousughter continued to echo. It was a testament to the hrity of the members'' performances. The anticipation among the Rings was palpable.

    The Rings had been able to see Goh Yoo-Joon elegantly ying the piano in a suit and Park Yoon-Chan masterfully dancing at the center in the ¡°Cha Cha¡± music video. Since they discovered that Yoo-Joon could indeed y the piano, today had been a day of delightful revtions.

    They wondered about the charm and appeal of ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± and were eager for what woulde next.

    ¡°Why don''t we take a look now? Here¡¯s Ji Byeok-San''s team with ¡®Kang Joo-Han.¡¯"

    The screen went dark once more. When it lit up again, it portrayed a scene from a studio where Joo-Han was depicted in distress. He was clutching his head.

    - Oh no... They¡¯re gone again... Ah...

    The screen now artfully switched to ck and white. It carried a poignant and deeply humane vibe, contrasting sharply with the rich and colorful ambiance of the ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha.¡± It was like watching the heartfelt closing scene of a documentary.

    - What exactly is this concept? lol

    - I did not see thising ??

    - Is Joo-Han a member''s name?

    - Yes, it''s a member''s name and also the title of the song.

    - Joo-Han AHAHAHAHA

    - What song is ¡°Kang Joo-Han?¡±

    - Just watch and see, gosh

    While Cha Cha had enjoyed widespread poprity, Joo-Han was less known. Therefore, fewer people were familiar with the song. The Rings who knew the lyrics already found the video amusing, but those new to ¡°Kang Joo-Han¡± showed mixed reactions. The sight of a usuallyposed idol in a state ofic distress was funny, yet some viewers struggled with the context.

    The camera then gently zoomed out from a close-up of Joo-Han''s back and revealed Suh Hyun-Woo standing behind a door in the studio, watching Joo-Han with a look of sympathy.

    - Hyung...

    He sighed deeply, and the concern was evident on his face as he held a bowl of fruit. He seemed unsure of how to alleviate Joo-Han''s difort.

    - ...How. To. Comfort. Joo-Han..., he muttered softly to himself.

    On top of Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s handsome features, serious demeanor, and tender voiceplementing his exceptional footwork, his expressions were spot on while performing. However, when it came to acting, the viewers were left speechless at hiscking skills.

 Chapter 299: First Full Album (35)

    <h4>Chapter 299: First Full Album (35)</h4>

    - Oh my... this is too funny! ??

    - Wow, it''s amazing how one line can expose such poor acting ability.

    - Ah, this definitely crosses the line ??

    - Hyun-Woo''s acting has really improved. He deserves some praise!

    - I can see the spacing in lines on the script lmao

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s notoriously poor acting skills were already a well-known fact among the Rings thanks to various behind-the-scenes clips from music videos. However, even casual viewers who had little interest in him or Chronos were taken aback by his consistently dismal acting abilities.

    - Ah, his expressions had me fooled lol

    - Every time he moves his eyebrows with each line, I get goosebumps yeeeek it''s so annoying lmao

    - And yet, how is his facial acting so spot on? It''s unexpectedly cute ??

    - Look at our Hyun-Woo, looking so pretty, aww. Remember, he can only act on stage, haha

    Suh Hyun-Woo was usually recognized as a genius on stage, but he had be the subject of mockery in an instant.

    In the corners of the screen, the small figures of the cast reacting were visible. Although their voices weren''t audible, Suh Hyun-Woo blushed andughed awkwardly after Ji Byeok-San said something. He started hitting Goh Yoo-Joon, who was on the ground clutching his stomach andughing, as if to vent his frustration. It was clear everyone was teasing him.

    The cast was also reading the chatroom, and Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s eyes trembled with unease as he looked slightly downward from the camera.

    Meanwhile, the music video carried on. Suh Hyun-Woo, who had left a strong impact with his awkward lines, contemted with a serious face before heading toward the other members.

    - LMAO if there weren¡¯t any lines, the viewers¡¯ immersion would have been top-notch ??

    - Hey Rings! I''mte to the party. Who is on Hyun-Woo¡¯s team again???

    - !! Ji Byeok-San''s team includes Kim Do-Rim, On Jeong-Woo, Joo-Han, and Suh Hyun-Woo. They have the song ¡°Kang Joo-Han.¡± Joo So-dam''s team has Gun-Seok, Goh Yoo-Joon, Park Yoon-Chan, and Lee Jin-Sung. They have the song ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha!!"

    - I¡¯m curious about how sessful hyung Byeok-San will be lol

    - Aren''t the cker guys supposed to be dancing on Chronos¡¯ songs???

    The Chronos members appeared to have been masterminded by Ji Byeok-San and they made everyoneugh with their perfect timing in the music video. Kang Joo-Han¡¯s melodramatic hysterics and Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s awkward acting definitely entertained the viewers. It was evident that the Chronos members were the main characters, but how would the other members, the so-called ckers, fit into this?

    - ??????

    - This is like a public execution lol

    - He really keeps crossing the line.

    - Isn¡¯t this too much for On Jeong-Woo? ??

    - Shouldn''t you be apologizing to Chronos instead of On Jeong-Woo? lmao

    The chat filled up withughs as it scrolled rapidly. In the video, On Jeong-Woo sported a wig and arge name tagbeled ''Goh Yoo-Joon.'' He was giving difficult-to-watch winks to Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡®Hyun-Woo~¡¯

    Though drowned out by the music, it appeared he was flirtatiously calling out Suh Hyun-Woo''s name by his lip movements. Despite theedic potential provided by a senior entertainer¡¯s antics, Suh Hyun-Woo remained stoic as a master of expressive acting.

    Instead, he offered a powerless smile, typically reserved for real team members, as he sat beside On Jeong-Woo.

    ¡®Hyun-Woo~~¡¯

    After Suh Hyun-Woo settled on the couch, On Jeong-Woo winked again and then abruptly clung to him with a force resembling a headbutt. Suh Hyun-Woo received On Jeong-Woo¡¯s mock assault with an unchanging expression, but it seemed like his eyes were bloodshot just from the strain.

    - He must be really feeling it now! ??

    - He¡¯s supposed to be Goh Yoo-Joon! But he is not even close to him, oof

    - This is hriously funny ?? On Jeong-Woo AHAHAHA

    - I say his eyes are bloodshot from alternating betweenughing and crying during the shoot, I bet three hundred won[1] on that.

    Even as the chat filled withughs, Suh Hyun-Woo maintained a serious expression in the music video as he discussed something with the self-proimed ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon.¡± Suddenly, the music stopped and a close-up of Suh Hyun-Woo was shown.

    ¡°Joo-Han is... having... a... hard... time... What... to... do...¡±

    - Stop it!!!!! ??

    - Stop this embarrassment!!!!"

    - But why is he so cute? hahaha

    - Everyone, he''s really trying so hard. Stopughing.

    ¡°Can... I... find... the... strength... Yoo-Joon... is... too... much...¡±

    - Wow, his lines are so long lol

    - He is terrible but tries so hard, it''s hriously funny ?? Whoever he is, I support him.

    - Ah! That''s Suh Hyun-Woo from Chronos!

    - I know that.

    - LOL, theyy down music and just let this guy''s lines y out fully, for real? ??

    ¡°I need... an idea... I don''t have one... Do you?¡±

    ¡°Ah~ I don¡¯t know this stuff~ Hyun-Woo~ Buddy~.¡±

    Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s acting was distressing, but the following lines from On Jeong-Woo were just as outrageous, whether scripted or ad-libbed.

    Suh Hyun-Woo was caught up in On Jeong-Woo''s ad-lib, flustered. He kept repeating, ¡°No, an idea, anything¡ª¡± He stood up abruptly to shake On Jeong-Woo by the cor. As this happened, the sorrowful apaniment of the song yed, making Suh Hyun-Woo''s cor-grabbing even moreically dramatic.

    On Jeong-Woo was stillughing even as his junior Suh Hyun-Woo grabbed his cor. The cast appeared at the bottom of the music video again, this time with audio.

    ¡°How does it feel to have your cor grabbed by Chronos, Jeong-Woo?¡± Joo So-dam asked.

    On Jeong-Woo chuckled lightly and responded, ¡°There was no such thing in the script, but Hyun-Woo grabbed me by the cor, saying that¡¯s what Yoo-Joon and he usually do.¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s how they always are. The dorm is never quiet because those two are always fighting,¡± added Lee Jin-Sung.

    Park Yoon-Chan nodded in agreement as the camera caught a sheepish Suh Hyun-Woo and a broadly smiling Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°He hesitated for a loooooooong time. Just when he decided, he grabbed my cor and shook it. Oh, we thought that the viewers would find it funny too. I enjoyed it a lot.¡±

    ¡°Snap out of it, man! Have you forgotten you¡¯re an actor?¡± Gun-Seok''sughter-filledment faded as the screen with the cast disappeared.

    After themotion with On Jeong-Woo, Suh Hyun-Woo shook his head as if to indicate something was wrong and then left. The remaining cast was Kim Do-Rim and Ji Byeok-San.

    Since On Jeong-Woo yed Goh Yoo-Joon, would Kim Do-Rim and Ji Byeok-San also appear as the remaining two members? Both the Rings and viewers were making simr predictions when Da-Win and Sae-Yeon from Allure unexpectedly appeared on screen.

    - Huh? Allure out of nowhere???

    - Wow

    - This is crazy wtf such distinguished guests in such a humble ce...

    - That''s definitely Ji Byeok-San¡¯s doing ?? Making Allure wear junior name tags, for real? Lmao. Hriously funny HAHAHA

    - ??????Oh, they are family... aww so cute

    ¡°What!!! This is so not fair!!! Getting Allure on the video is too unfair!!!¡±

    ¡°What! Do you think we didn¡¯t get other celebrities because we couldn¡¯t? If we knew you guys were gonna do this, we would have gotten famous celebrities too!¡±

    ¡°Wow, I never thought Ji Byeok-San hyung could be so petty!¡±

    The cast naturally started freaking out at this unexpected cameo. Everyone briefly paused the music video to jump around and shout, iming it was like cheating.

    ¡°Putting name tags on Allure is so mean!¡±

    ¡°Allure... seniors...¡±

    However, Ji Byeok-San shrugged nonchntly and responded, ¡°Oh, I told them it was okay not toe. But our Allure friends love their juniors so much that they kept insisting oning to support us. Right, Joo-Han?¡±

    Kang Joo-Han smiled brightly and nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct!¡±

    ¡°So, what else could we have done? Should we have turned away Allure, who had made the effort toe help us? Was I supposed to tell them that we needed to ensure a fair game, so unfortunately, they weren¡¯t allowed to participate?¡±

    ¡°Ah, hyung."

    ¡°Everyone, please quiet down and just watch for now."

    With a discrete signal from Ji Byeok-San, the set quieted down. The cast members redirected their attention back to the music video.

    Alongside On Jeong-Woo, the members of Allure were wearing name tagsbeled ''Park Yoon-Chan'' and ''Lee Jin-Sung''. Against a softly ying background track that sounded gentle, they delivered their lines with a practiced ease.

    ¡°Hyung~ is there really any need to worry?"

    ¡°Indeed. Hyung, it seems the answer has already been decided."

    Da-Win and Sae-Yeon pointed simultaneously at Suh Hyun-Woo, implicating him.

    ¡°Me? Why?"

    ¡°Perhaps the greatest gift for Joo-Han hyung could be you, don¡¯t you think?"

    Listening to Da-Win and Sae-Yeon, Goh Yoo-Joon nodded. ¡°Joo-Han hyung loves Suh Hyun-Woo the most.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that true?"

    ¡°Yes, Joo-Han hyung is quite open about his preference for Hyun-Woo," Lee Jin-Sung chimed in with a pout.

    ¡°Ha, that¡¯s not true. Favoritism? Hardly." Kang Joo-Han dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand, looking at Goh Yoo-Joon in a way that trivialized thement.

    In the music video, Suh Hyun-Woo had overheard the conversation, promptly approached Joo-Han, and tried to dazzle him with his antics. However, the deep sadness of his efforts vanishing could not simply be erased by the yful acts of a fellow group member.

    The song had reached its emotional climax. Suh Hyun-Woo, who had been reflecting behind a backdrop, made a decision and began to prepare for what woulde next.

    - So, what in the world is this MV¡¯s story actually about? lol

    - It seems the plot has taken a wild turn, hasn¡¯t it? ??

    Suh Hyun-Woo looked disappointed and guided Kang Joo-Han to the living room. There, Da-Win, Sae-Yeon, and On Jeong-Woo greeted them while holding sparkly outfits and a microphone prepared for Kang Joo-Han.

    ¡°Guys, guys..."

    Though his words were not audible, his lips seemed to form these gentle requests. Kang Joo-Han was visibly moved. He approached them and epted the shimmering clothes and microphone with shaking hands.

    - Hahaha, this episode feels strangely familiar

    - So, what exactly is going on here? ??

    - Isn¡¯t this just like that incident with the broken toilet? lol

    - Hmm? Why would they break a toilet, though?

    - And where have Ji Byeok-San and Kim Do-Rim disappeared to?

    As the storyline unfolded, many viewers in the audience finally pieced together the narrative. Kang Joo-Han began to sing passionately, the cameo performers joining in. Their expressions turned to delight as they swayed their arms and danced.

    Kim Da-Win was more ted than anyone in Chronos and carried Suh Hyun-Woo in his back, who seemed puzzled. Suh Hyun-Woo appeared to be unsure of what to do next until he tapped Da-Win¡¯s shoulder toe down. Then, he walked off to somewhere unknown with a resolute expression.

    ¡°Where is he going?" Gun-Seok asked.

    Ji Byeok-San gestured to stay quiet. This urged him to just watch the clip.

    Suh Hyun-Woo paused and looked down at something unexpected. It was a toilet.

    1. 30 cents lol ?

 Chapter 300: First Full Album (36)

    <h4>Chapter 300: First Full Album (36)</h4>

    Funnily enough, seeing Suh Hyun-Woo dancing with absent-mindedness was surprisingly familiar to the general audience. This familiarity extended especially to<i> UTube</i> users. Various clips, such as his absent-minded dance in front of his seniors during the behind-the-scenes of the "Red Riding Hood Cha Cha" year-end stage, had gone viral.

    Many viewers, particrly those interested in the entertainment industry, recognized Suh Hyun-Woo as "that guy who navigates social situations well" even if they weren''t familiar with his name.

    Thus, it was only natural for the chat to be flooded withments like "Is that the guy?" when they saw Suh Hyun-Woo dancing while clutching a toilet.

    - It¡¯s hrious how he doesn¡¯t seem to think that much while dancing LMAO

    - Look at his eyes ??There¡¯s no soul behind them lol

    - Is he that guy?? The one who was headbanging in front of other idols? I don¡¯t remember where I watched that, though

    - Yes! Surprisingly, he is also the Red Riding Hood Cha Cha!

    It was quite the spectacle to see a member, usually known for his quiet and dignified demeanor and for carefully maintaining his public image, wildly dancing while gripping a toilet with a bewildered expression.

    This was Suh Hyun-Woo, who had alreadypromised his reputation earlier in the day with some less-than-ster acting. His oundish behavior naturally promptedughter from the audience as they found the absurdity refreshinglyical.

    And it wasn¡¯t just Suh Hyun-Woo who brought humor to the scene. Kang Joo-Han was also contributing his share of antics. During the live broadcast, the normallyposed Kang Joo-Han, who typically offered warm and reassuring smiles during chat sessions, was now d in sparkling attire and singing energetically. The viewers were unaware that Kang Joo-Han was designated theic relief of Chronos.

    - AHAHAHA does their agency lock them up and force them to only work by any chance? ??

    - It¡¯s like they''ve never had an opportunity to party before the broadcast lol

    - Fact: The scenarios in the music video are actual anecdotes from Chronos.

    - LOL, that¡¯s insane!

    Meanwhile, as Da-Win and Sae-Yeon from Allure watched Suh Hyun-Woo make his way to the toilet to dance, they decided to join the fun by lifting Kang Joo-Han onto their backs and frolicking around.

    In addition, Ji Byeok-San and Kim Do-Rim, who had yet to make an appearance and had no specific roles assigned, suddenly emerged and began rhythmically ying the tambourine in sync with the music dedicated to ¡°Kang Joo-Han."

    Lee Su-Hwan made a special appearance with his title grandly presented in traditional calligraphy as a subtitle on screen. He captured the entire chaotic and amusing scene on his smartphone camera with a serious expression, documenting this unusual yet entertaining spectacle.

    - Is that the manager...?

    - Why is the manager appearing in a music video hahahaha

    - So what is the story of this clip? Lol I forgot what happened at the beginning ??

    - Exnation: The manager who appeared as a special cameo likes to take funny pictures of Chronos members and set them as his phone wallpaper. He said he copes with stress by looking at their pictures.

    - LMAO Even the manager is weird. Is this agency okay? ??????

    Everything was chaotic.

    <i>ng!</i>

    The sound of something breaking echoed all around. In the music video, a bewildered Suh Hyun-Woo stared at a broken toilet. Although it had been clearly smashed with a hammer for theatrical effect, the scene implied that it was Suh Hyun-Woo who had identally broken it while dancing.

    On Jeong-Woo was shocked by the sight, and hurried to pull Suh Hyun-Woo out of the bathroom. Kang Joo-Han was satisfied and beamed a refreshing smile as the music video came to a close.

    - The struggle to earn money is real, guys. I will live my life as diligently as possible. I didn¡¯t expect I would learn a life lesson from a music video ??

    This music video was filled with the trials and tribtions of entertainers who must always entertain, whether they were idols, actors, oredians. It ended up being hriously entertaining.

    After both music videos concluded, the cast appeared on the screen.

    ***

    ¡°So! How did you find the music videos?" Ji Byeok-San was already boasting, as if we had won by challenging the opposing team.

    Joo So-Damughed dismissively and remarked, ¡°Well, the results aren''t in yet."

    ¡°Allure did everything. Aren¡¯t you relying too much on Allure and Chronos, hyung?" Gun-Seok asked.

    Ji Byeok-San wrapped his arm around my shoulder andughed boisterously. ¡°Of course! We must rely on what we have! Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo really put themselves out there and performed exceptionally."

    ¡°Thank you."

    The opposing team was certainly entertaining and performed well, but the chat atmosphere was overwhelmingly in our team¡¯s favor. This made Ji Byeok-San buoyantly excited to the point of being almost annoying.

    Jin-Sung raised his hand with a sulky expression. ¡°But wait!"

    ¡°Speak up, our youngest Jin-Sung! Those hyungs are super mean, right? Right, Jin-Sung?"

    Gun-Seok hugged Jin-Sung tightly and looked at us as if he had endured all the world''s hardships.

    Jin-Sung pouted and clung to Gun-Seok while protesting, ¡°Isn''t it really unfair to bring in even Su-Hwan hyung too?"

    ¡°Exactly! If we''d known, we would''ve asked Tae-Seong hyung as well. Su-Hwan hyung!!!" Goh Yoo-Joon shouted while looking at Su-Hwan. Jin-Sung looked genuinely aggrieved, while Goh Yoo-Joon had been rolling on the floorughing moments before, simply adding a quip to match the lively atmosphere.

    ¡°By the way, I saw our viewers in the chat saying that the story in Ji Byeok-San hyung¡¯s team music video is true. Is that so?"

    ¡°Oh, really?" Joo So-Dam asked.

    Both Joo-Han and I nodded simultaneously.

    ¡°Yes, it''s true."

    ¡°It actually happened at our dorm."

    ¡°So, did Hyun-Woo really break the toilet?"

    I shook my head and pointed at Goh Yoo-Joon with my palm. ¡°This guy broke the toilet.¡±

    ¡°...Ah, yes. I was the one who did that..." Goh Yoo-Joon blushed and shyly rubbed his neck with a sheepish smile. It might seem strange to find such an act embarrassing.

    Gun-Seok alternated his gaze between me and Yoo-Joon with a puzzled look, and his brow furrowed in confusion. He asked, ¡°I''mpletely out of the loop here. Could you exin step-by-step how the toilet incident happened? What on earth is going on in your dorm?"

    ¡°Well," I said while still pointing at Goh Yoo-Joon, but I soon changed the direction of my index finger and pointed toward Joo-Han. ¡°Joo-Han identally deleted a track he was working on."

    Joo-Han pointed at Yoon-Chan. ¡°And while I was feeling quite down, Yoon-Chan suggested to me that singing a trot song might help soothe my spirits."

    ¡°Out of nowhere? A trot song? Just like that?"

    ¡°Yes."

    Joo So-Dam quickly intervened by covering Gun-Seok¡¯s mouth. ¡°Oppa, hold on and calm down. Let''s hear them out. So what happened next?"

    Yoon-Chan, cautiously pointed back at Joo-Han. ¡°Joo-Han hyung was so distressed, so I thought maybe a lively song might lift his mood..."

    ¡°And so he sang, and Yoo-Joon, who happened to be in the bathroom, heard it. He climbed onto the toilet to dance."

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded affirmatively, ¡°And that¡¯s when it broke."

    ¡°You all seem to have a very lively dorm life. It must be quite the challenge for your managers.¡±

    ¡°No, at that time, Su-Hwan hyung took photos just like in a music video. He liked it so much he even asked for an encore."

    The incident of the broken toilet used to be a private story among us, but it became known to even the <i>cker </i>viewers. Judging by the chat reactions, it appeared the viewers found it quite entertaining, and the sudden interest of the producer in seeking out Su-Hwan suggested they were looking for clips or possibly photos and videos from that moment.

    ¡°Alright, then."

    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen Ji Byeok-San hyung so cheerful."

    ¡°Oh, I''m thrilled. It seems like we captured some excellent footage today. I hadn¡¯t realized how entertaining Chronos could be."

    ¡°Haha, thank you."

    Ji Byeok-San summarized the situation and noted that it was nearly time to conclude the live broadcast. Goh Yoo-Joon seized the moment and swiftly wrote ''I love Rings'' on a piece of paper and smartly showed it on camera along with younger members.

    Seeing this, Joo-Han hurriedly scribbled something and handed it to me. It read, ''I miss you, Rings?.¡¯ I nodded and quickly lifted the paper toward the camera. Although I hadn''t written it myself, I mouthed ''see youter'' to share the sentiment.

    ¡°As we draw close to ending our live broadcast, dear viewers and Rings who have joined us for Chronos¡¯ appearance, I hope you found it as enjoyable as we did."

    ¡°We had a st, didn¡¯t we?"

    ¡°We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Now, we will conclude the broadcast. You can participate directly via a link shared on our official <i>cker Number One </i>homepage."

    ¡°There''s also a link at the bottom of the <i>UTube</i> page, so please join us inrge numbers! Thank you!"

    ¡°Thank you! Goodbye!"

    With those final words, the live broadcast momentarily halted.

    ¡°Great work, everyone!"

    ¡°We will take a thirty-minute break now!"

    ¡°That was really exhausting."

    As soon as the word ''break'' was mentioned, several cast members copsed on the floor since they werepletely drained. They hadn''t been the main focus during the live segment but were utterly spent from giving their all through their reactions for the regr broadcast.

    I felt just as drained as well. Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been rolling all over the floor during the broadcast, immediately began crawling in search of water as soon as we went off-air.

    Ji Byeok-San nced at the only camera still running and turned to Goh Yoo-Joon,

    ¡°It''s a rare asion for Chronos to join us, and right away you''ve experienced everything from shooting a music video to a live broadcast. You''ve really put in the effort. Great job."

    ¡°Thank you, Senior. It''s been tremendously fun."

    ¡°You''ve made this episode enjoyable because you''ve worked so hard. Just hang in there a little longer, and you will find that out on the broadcast."

    ¡°We are about to resume shooting! Everyone, please take your seats!"

    After a brief pause, the final shootmenced.

    - Alright, the voting concluded while you were resting.

 Chapter 301: First Full Album (37)

    <h4>Chapter 301: First Full Album (37)</h4>

    - And the final champion of this season''s <i>Pick Mew Up</i> is...

    ¡°Wow, why is this so nerve-wracking?" Gun-Seokmented, his voice trembling with palpable tension.

    I sneaked a nce at my teammates. Joo-Han appeared disinterested since his attention was not really captured since there was no prize at stake. However, he managed to feign a mild curiosity while the rest of the members were utterly engrossed.

    I mirrored the general anxiety and adopted a tense expression as I turned to face the director. Excluding Joo-Han, everyone¡¯s gaze was intensely fixed on the director as he excitedly made the announcement.

    - Team Kang Joo-Han!

    ¡°Yeeeeesssss!!!"

    ¡°Woooooahhhhh!!!!"

    Ji Byeok-San, Kim Do-Rim, and On Jung-Woo erupted in cheers. They quickly lifted me and Joo-Han up and enveloped us in a joyous group embrace. They bounced around jubntly while sharing their victory in spirited leaps. Team Red Riding Hood Cha Cha was frustrated by their loss, angrily tossing their props aside.

    ¡°Ah, I knew it! How could we possibly win against that?"

    ¡°How can anyone beat Allure, exaggerated acting, and even a shattered toilet? It''s absurd!"

    - Today''s cker is Team Kang Joo-Han. This means that in the next shoot, Team Kang Joo-Han will enjoy beneficial advantages and some delightful snacks.

    ¡°Yay!!! But, Director, our Chronos friends also worked hard. Do you have something for them?"

    Ji Byeok-San''s question sparked a gleam in Joo-Han''s eyes.

    - Usually, we don¡¯t let people leave empty-handed. We¡¯ve prepared gifts for our Chronos friends as well, though just for the two members of Team Cha Cha.

    ¡°Ah! It would be so much better if everyone received the same rewards, considering we all put in the same effort."

    ¡°You are so cruel, terribly cruel." Joo So-Dam and Gun-Seokined with a hint of sorrow in their eyes, but the director merely grinned and yfully dismissed their pleas.

    - Byeok-San, could you give us the closing remarks?

    ¡°Yes! With that, today''s cker title proudly goes to our Team ¡°Kang Joo-Han!¡± We promise to bring even more thrillingpetitions to you next week at our first cker branch! Until next week, then. Goodbye everyone!¡±

    ¡°Great job everyone!"

    ¡°Hard work pays off!"

    And with that, the filming for <i>cker Number One</i> came to a close. Despite the members having rolled around inughter during the shoot, the exhaustion was evident as they instantly fell asleep the moment they boarded the car after today¡¯s relentless schedule of back-to-back shoots for songs and variety shows.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, try to get some rest too," Tae-Seong gently suggested.

    I let sleep take over after a slight nod,forted by the rhythm of the moving car.

    ***

    ¡°Great job!"

    ¡°Congrattions on taking the number one spot!"

    In the immediate aftermath of the music broadcast¡¯s thrilling announcement that dered we got first ce, a wave of exuberant celebrations washed over everyone. Amidst the celebration, Yoon-Chan stood apart, his face clouded and expression somber.

    ¡°The blue sea, the ring sun obscured by trees, and you... amidst the shadows..."

    These were the lyrics from Yoon-Chan''s solo song ¡°Forest¡± which I had penned for him. He murmured them under his breath. His movements were hesitant as he practiced the choreography he had hastily memorized just hours before.

    Moments earlier, he had seemedpletely immersed in his performance of ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± on the broadcast, but now, his anxiety about the uing performances was palpable as the studio lights dimmed.

    His face was a transparent disy of worry. This was typical for Yoon-Chan, especially today, with the looming pressure of his first solo performance recording.

    ¡°It''s alright, man! Why are you so worried when you are already nailing it? You were wless during thest rehearsal," Goh Yoo-Joon boomed, his voice echoing off the studio walls as he wrapped his arms around Yoon-Chan in aforting bear hug. He was trying to shake off his nerves.

    ¡°Ha ha..." Yoon-Chan''sughter barely masked his lingering unease. He scanned the room nervously before his gaze settled on me. After a moment''s hesitation, his voice broke the silence, tinted with desperation. ¡°Hyung... Hyun-Woo hyung, if you are not too busy... Could you... perhapse with me today?"

    ¡°Of course I¡¯ll be there. You know I wouldn¡¯t miss it," I reassured him. My words seemed to ease some of his tension. After all, having theposer of his song by his side was a smallfort he cherished.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Tae-Seong, please take the members back to the dorm. Yoon-Chan, you will head to the shooting location with me and Hyun-Woo," Su-Hwan directed.

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    On our way to the location, Yoon-Chan rested his hand on my shoulder while continuously humming his song.

    ¡°You are doing great. That''s right, just like that." I encouraged him, though he hadn¡¯t explicitly asked for feedback. His closeness and the soft hum of his voice seemed to be his way of seeking assurance, and I was more than willing to provide it.

    ***

    Yoon-Chan''s song was progressing remarkably well so far. Set against a backdrop that conjured images of a breezy jungle with the ocean nearby, he brought the tropical Latin-inspired song to life with increasing confidence.

    He had been a bundle of nerves by fumbling through the first few takes at first, but his confidence grew with each repetition, and soon he was not just singing, but also emoting with a professional ease.

    ¡°We n to finalize and upload the performance within two weeks," I mentioned to Su-Hwan, who was nodding appreciatively beside me.

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty fast," he replied just as someone sidled up next to us, humming contentedly.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you came too? Out of concern for the younger one?" Supervisor Kim asked. His tone was light but curious.

    ¡°Ah, Supervisor." I turned to face him, a bit startled.

    ¡°Oh, wait, this was yourposition, right? I''ve been so distracted that I nearly forgot."

    Supervisor Kim had a whirlwind of responsibilities and we rarely saw him after the initial broadcast of ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± and subsequent meetings. His presence here was a testament to his interest in Yoon-Chan''s solo venture.

    ¡°Wow. He is improving day by day," Supervisor Kim said as he watched Yoon-Chan perform on the monitor. His voice carried a mixture of pride and surprise. ¡°When he first debuted, I wasn¡¯t sure he was ready for it."

    ¡°Indeed. He¡¯s been incredibly diligent ever since ¡®Pick We Up,¡¯" I agreed, watching the young artist bring his vision to life on the screen.

    ¡°And look at his visuals! Isn¡¯t he the perfect idol? I raised him. Well, you did too, Hyun-Woo."

    Ah, yes. I gave a nomittal nod while focusing intently on Yoon-Chan''s performance.

    ¡°Hey, look at you." Supervisor Kim suddenly eximed and gave a light, yful kick to my foot. ¡°You should do this too." There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

    ¡°Excuse me?" I was taken aback, my attention now divided.

    ¡°You should release a solo song. Not just ¡®Once Again,¡¯ but something that¡¯s fit for the stage. We will include it in the album this time.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s... so sudden?¡± I was determined to only focus on Yoon-Chan¡¯s stage no matter what Supervisor Kim said. However, my attention wavered instantly with the mention of my solo song, which prompted me to look at him. He smiled slyly and patted my shoulder. ¡°You will need to perform your solo track on stage soon.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡±

    What the heck was he talking about? As I frowned in confusion, Supervisor Kim merelyughed mysteriously.

    ¡°I will gather all the members and exin in detailter. Anyway, the main point is that I''ve secured a new solo song for you, Hyun-Woo. So ask your manager for more details."

    Supervisor Kim gestured that he was going out for a smoke and then disappeared. I watched him retreating in a daze before turning to look at Su-Hwan next to me. He seemed annoyed as he watched Supervisor Kim, but changed his expression when he noticed me.

    ¡°Umm... About the solo song..." Su-Hwan hyung pulled some documents from his bag to show me. ¡°The concept is set, and I was going to tell you once we finalized more details. Just have a quick look for now."

    [Suh Hyun-Woo Solo Track Proposal

    Details: Request forposition of a solo song for Suh Hyun-Woo, a member of Chronos under YMM Entertainment.

    Title: TBD

    Concept: Sirens[1]

    - Keywords: Mystical, Dreamy, Beautiful, Fantasy

    I''d like to meet in person to discuss the details. Please reply to the email sent and use ''Reply All.'' If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

    Kind regards, Kim Seong-Woo]

    ¡°Sirens...?¡±

    What was this? The name hadn¡¯t been decided yet, but the concept was clearly marked as ''Sirens.¡¯

    ***

    The next day, a self-cam shoot for the game variety show <i>Newbie Crew</i> took ce. Perhaps due to the show¡¯s low ratings and tight budget, all members had to film themselves up until they met on the actual set, and today''s filming location was an inte cafe.

    Today was the day for a meet-up in the virtual world of <i>One Hours</i>, not in reality. Some of the cast, who were close, had decided to film together. Ji-Hyuk and I were among them.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Hey, Ji-Hyuk hyung. Long time no see."

    As soon as Ji-Hyuk arrived at the inte cafe, he made a ruckus and darted around before finally settling at the counter and calling out to me.

    ¡°Man, it¡¯s my first time at an inte cafe. Do they really sell ramen and fried rice here? Wow, they really have a reception desk over there!¡±

    Our nobleman seemed fascinated by everything. I nodded nonchntly and took a seat.

    ¡°What do you want to eat, Hyun-Woo? It¡¯s on me today. Fried rice? Ramen? Sausage? Fried rice with cheese? Eggs too?"

    ¡°I will have ramen..."

    ¡°With cheese? Or eggs?"

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine with anything, but hyung, more importantly¡ª"

    ¡°I will have the ramen with extra cheese and eggs, please~ And for me¡ª"

    ¡°..."

    It seemed like Ji-Hyuk waspletely preupied with food, so I decided to start up theputer and check if <i>One Hours</i> was installed.

    After powering up Ji-Hyuk¡¯s PCs and seeing that the game was indeed installed, I sat down and stared intensely at Ji-Hyuk as he continued to obsess over the food menu.

    ¡°Uh... Hyung..."

    ¡°Should I get some sausage too?"

    ¡°No, wait, stop that ande here, hyung."

    It looked like he would need to create his character first. But more importantly, does he even know how to y?

    ¡°Just a moment, Hyun-Woo. Let me just order this. They have butter egg rice! Wow, that¡¯s no joke."

    ¡°No, hyung..." I wondered whether he hade here to eat or to shoot. ¡°...I will also have egg rice."

    I gave up and justunched <i>One Hours</i> on bothputers.

    ¡°Ji-Hyuk, do you like magic wands?"

    ¡°Huh? Like Cha Cha?"

    ¡°No, magic wands..." I nned to start by finding a ss that might interest him.

    1. In Korean mythology, "???" (Sirens) are often depicted as mystical and alluring creatures, simr to the Western concept of sirens in Greek mythology. These beings are known for their enchanting voices and beauty, which they use to lure sailors to their doom with their irresistible songs. ?

 Chapter 302: First Full Album (38)

    The broadcast staff were waiting out of sight and there were hidden cameras, but the only thing visible to me was the self-cam I was holding. It was a lone testament to the casual vibe of the shoot.

    Perhaps thisid-back feeling was akin to the filming of <em>Graduating</em>, where one could easily forget they were on a set at all. Could it be because Ji-Hyuk naturally embodied a free-spirited persona whenever he was on air?

    <em>¡®I remember that he was once nicknamed ''the free spirit.'' </em>

    Anyway, Ji-Hyuk was intently waiting at the reception desk for our food. This made me forcefully drag him to our designated spots once it was ready. I hadn''t noticed during our time on thepetition program, but it seemed he had transformed into a leader who was often on the receiving end of the members'' yful scolding after his debut.

    ¡°They will notify us or bring out the food once it''s ready. Let''s dive into the game for now."

    ¡°Got it. So this is <em>One Hours,</em>" Ji-Hyuk muttered. His fingers tapped haphazardly at the game''s start screen before he stumbled into the character selection menu.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, have you yed this before?"

    ¡°Yes, it''s been a while since Ist yed though. Do you have a preference for a ss? You can choose from here."

    ¡°But I thought I already had a character. Why isn''t it showing?" ¡°Oh, really?"

    ssic Ji-Hyuk. He seemed to care about nothing else and had probably had a trial run with the game already. I was initially worried he might not grasp the gamey fully, but thankfully, that wasn''t the case.

    I took control of the mouse at Ji-Hyuk''sputer and began searching for the alleged pre-made character by toggling through different servers.

    ¡°It''s probably on a different server. What ss did you pick before? We could just continue with that."

    ¡°Ah, um... Hyun-Woo..."

    ¡°Yes?"

    Ji-Hyuk, who until then had been all smiles, suddenly had a look of consternation on his face. He appeared genuinely troubled, as if my suggestion was less than wee. When I paused my search and turned to face him fully, he shook his head resolutely. ¡°I am not going to continue with that ss."

    ¡°Oh? It doesn¡¯t really matter, though. Wouldn¡¯t sticking with what you¡¯re familiar with make things easier, especially if we are tackling tough raids?"

    ¡°No, I feel like I am just terrible at that ss." Ji-Hyuk pouted and mimed tears in a disy so dramatic it seemed fit for the stage. I always thought he''d excel in theater or musicals. ¡°But I tried it because our youngest insisted I should... and then..."

    ¡°And then?"

    ¡°I got kicked out after a torrent of harsh words... I am not sure what I did wrong, but the insults were quite severe. They were directed squarely at me."

    Swearing? <em>One Hours</em> was reputed to be newbie-friendly, which was a stark contrast to its earlier days of yer attrition. When I had signed back in after a long hiatus, themunity¡¯s warmth was palpable. I was immediately drive-by gifted(an initiation where older yers gift items to a newbie before disappearing).

    Newbies, even those who jumped levels via purchases, were clearly marked with ''newbie'' next to their nickname. Therefore, it was umon for them to face harsh treatment.

    ¡°What happened, ah..."

    The answer became clear the moment I essed Ji-Hyuk''s character setup. His character was pre-leveled to nearly max with perfectly suitable equipment, and shouldn''t have had any issues. Jumping users were basically provided with max-level equipment, and it seemed that the members of High Tension had helped set up the gear.

    The problem was his choice of character¡¯s ss.

    ¡°Ji-Hyuk hyung, did you actually enter a dungeon or raid?"

    ¡°Yeah, I tried out a raid in preparation, you know?"

    ¡°What did you do there?"

    ¡°I did what you are supposed to do. Attack and dodge, right? I even studied strategies beforehand because of what our youngest said."

    ¡°..."

    The thought alone sent a chill through me. Even a newbie healer who neglected to heal and focused solely on attacking in a max-level raid was bound to face criticism.

    Fortunately, this incident hadn''t escted to a public forum post since he was a newbie.

    ¡°This ss is a bit challenging. It requires managing not just your own health but also that of other yers. It involves a lot of movement. Do you like using magic wands?"

    ¡°I do like magic wands."

    ¡°Ji-Hyuk, do you prefer moving around a lot, or would you rather stay more stationary?"

    ¡°I''d rather not move much."

    At least this opportunity let me gauge Ji-Hyuk''s understanding of the game to some extent, which was somewhat reassuring. Ji-Hyuk was smart, and he would get better at the game with experience.

    ¡°How about trying this?" I rmended the magician role to Ji-Hyuk and then returned to my spot.

    [Please let me know your chosen ss and nickname, and I will send you the jump ticket and equipment.]

    Since Ji-Hyuk chose the role of a ranged dealer, I selected the swordsman, a melee damage dealer. Then, I replied to the director''s message. Soon after, I applied the jump tickets and used equipment that arrived via mail to my newly created character and headed with Ji-Hyuk to the gathering spot in the game designated for the cast.

    ***

    We arrived in front of the Teleport Fountain at Kelustine, known as the meeting za within the <em>One Hours</em> game.

    - Hello~

    - Good day, nice to meet you!

    - Hi hi~

    - Thanks in advance for having me^^

    - Hello, nice to meet you all~

    As soon as I met the others, it was clear from the chat alone how the cast''s ages were distributed. At least two members, whom I guessed to be in their forties, had chosen the ssic roles of tanks. They were equipped with greatswords and shields. Another had opted for the healer role, and the rest, including us, were damage dealers.

    I quickly noted the imbnce in our group''sposition of tanks, healers, and damage dealers. This prompted a suggestion from a seasoned yer among us.

    - We should probably add another healer if we are heading into a raid.

    - It looks like we are short on healers...

    - Why don''t we start with two tanks, two healers, and four damage dealers?

    I surveyed the cast''s characters with interest. While I couldn''t yet match faces to their avatars, the two tanks were clearly indispensable. Excluding Ji-Hyuk from the damage dealers, one member seemed adamant about not changing roles as evidenced by their persistent jumping in ce. The rest were silent, possibly contemting the proposed change.

    What could I do? If no one else wanted to switch, it seemed that I, likely the youngest of the group, would have to step in.

    - Ah, I will take on the healer role! hehe

    - Nice, good choice!

    - Wow, thanks!

    - ??

    - I will just switch my ss ande right back.

    After sending a "/greet" emote, I signed off and quickly re-rolled a new character. Although I had previously dabbled in healing as my secondary ss, I had never fullymitted to it. I was nervous. After all, I was venturing into somewhat unfamiliar territory. But the reason for my decision was that I¡¯d likely perform better than those who had never tried healing before.

    I applied for the jump ticket and new equipment, then returned to the meeting point at the fountain. Everyone thanked me with ''/bow'' emotes for stepping up.

    - lol

    - Now that we are all here¡­

    With our roles rebnced and introductionsplete, the director''s character guided the conversation forward in the chat.

    - As this is our raid team''s first assembly, let''s run a raid to better understand our roles.

    - We won''t head to our main target just yet.

    - Today, we are tackling the Dark Citadel raid, a must-clear for any seasoned<em> One Hours </em>yer.

    The Dark Citadel used to be a notorious raid five years ago perceived as end-game content, infamous for its punishing mechanics that drove many yers to despair. However, thanks to general equipment and skill level improvements, as well as nerfs[1] to the raid difficulty over the years, it had be a moderately challenging introductory raid for new yers.

    - Let''s give it a go and see how we do.

    - That sounds great!

    - This will be fun^^

    - I am not the best, but I will give it my all!

    - Shall we head there right away?

    Everyone agreed to dive in immediately. I hurriedly assembled the party and hovered the mouse over the raid start button.

    - Is everyone ready?

    - Yesss!!!

    - Yep

    - Go go go go go!

    - Then let''s get started!

    I clicked the raid entry button and cast a quick nce at Ji-Hyuk. Despite his efforts to appear rxed, his tension was palpable. It was likely a hangover from his previous nerve-wracking experience as a healer in a raid.

    ¡°Hyung, it¡¯s okay to die. Just rx and do your best."

    ¡°Yeah, I know, I know. But I will try my hardest anyway."

    Although he feigned nonchnce, I wondered if we''d manage to see the raid through, given that it was still simr to the ones back five years. Ji-Hyuk was among the least experienced of us, and although some in the group were in their forties, one reportedly still enjoyed MMORPGs and had spoken during a pre-interview about investing heavily in the game. They might have more gaming acumen than I did.

    ...But, as usual, reality often strayed from expectations.

    - Uh oh, I¡¯m dead, oof

    - Why did you die, hyung?

    - Sorry, my bad.

    - I don¡¯t know why I died.

    - Why did you die?

    - lol, everyone but the tank and healer died.

    The dragon''s four consecutive breaths in Phase One had been devastating. Despite clear markers for safe zones, the dragon''s fiery breath had sequentially knocked down the ranged damage dealers.

    I looked around and realized it was just the tank and I left standing.

    - Should we restart?

    The tank responded:

    - No, no. You, the healer, is still alive. We should be fine, I think.

    - Let''s keep going^^

    1. Certain aspects of the game have been made less challenging, either by decreasing the strength of enemies, simplifying mechanics, or making other adjustments to make the game more essible and less demanding for yers. ?

 Chapter 303: First Full Album (39)

    <h4>Chapter 303: First Full Album (39)</h4>

    <i>¡°You are still alive. We should be fine then.¡±</i>

    This message struck a chord within me. Truth be told, since all but one tank and I had fallen in the first phase, it probably would have been wiser to simply start over. But they insisted on pressing forward, and who was I to argue?

    Moreover, I must confess that I found a certain thrill in these precarious moments that urred in chaotic raids.

    - Okie

    I responded sinctly and my fingers danced across the keyboard. My eyes darted faster than my fingers moved as they scanned the battlefield. The dragon¡¯s relentless assaults were brutal, but there was no room forfort there. I could potentially resurrect a handful of fallenrades with a well-timed burst of my healer¡¯s spells.

    ¡°Wow, this yer is just as good as our Hyun-Woo~"

    Ji-Hyuk was now liberated from the fear of death. He cheered us on with vigor, his spirit undimmed by his spectral status.

    The notorious tank for his extravagant investments in MMORPGs was indeed as formidable as rumored. He adeptly maneuvered through the boss''s unfamiliar attack patterns. Although the tank was the sole focus of the onught and deftly avoided blows, his health was still plummeting.

    Thanks to his awakening skill, the dragon¡¯s health was rapidly draining as well.

    <i>¡®It seems manageable.¡¯</i>

    It appeared that the dragon was the only challenge of Phase One. It seemed possible for us to conquer it with apparent ease. First and foremost, our gear was up to the task since it was robust and reliable.

    After what seemed like an eternity, the dragon fell in a dramatic cutscene and marked the end of Phase One.

    - Wow... this is actually possible.

    - Both of you are doing incredibly well aww

    - Watching this felt like a descent into hell. Is this really a raid for beginners?

    - It¡¯s quite doable, perhaps because the healer¡¯s skill kept me from losing too much health??

    The tank generously credited me with the sess of clearing Phase One and began sprinting toward the next challenge. A deep trust abruptly formed. With this person at our side, advancing to the mid-section seemed within reach even if our novice raid group couldn¡¯t achieve the final goal.

    However, this newfound confidence quickly crumbled as we entered the next area.

    Ji-Hyuk marveled at the tank¡¯s fluctuating health bar with a mix of awe and mischief. ¡°Wow, it feels like watching sound waves ripple. Incredible."

    Why does the health bar ripple, you ask? Because I was feverishly replenishing it as it drained.

    I gritted my teeth and started a frenzied assault on my keyboard. The tank excelled in gamey, yet his tanking skills seemedcking.

    During the mob pulling section in the passage to the next phase(a harrowing stretch where mobs burst forth to block our progression), the tank brimmed with overconfidence and surged ahead while neglecting the growing distance between us.

    This misjudgment meant that all the mobs'' aggression was directed at him. If only he had maintained a moderate pace and allowed me to keep up and heal... But his hastiness made my task nearly impossible. The sheer number of mobs and the relentless attack tested the limits of my healing abilities.

    His health oscited wildly and he was inching closer to death with each passing moment. My mana was now scraping rock bottom.

    - Tank, could you please slow down a bit? ??

    - Or maybe pull just a few mobs at a time?

    As I was unable to stand his decision, I sent a message in the chat. But my intervention inadvertently backfired.

    - Ah, okay

    - Sorry

    - I apologize

    - ;d

    The tank¡¯s attempt to respond in the chat led him to absorb every iing attack. Damn, it would have been simpler to let the tank fall and meet my own demise. Why did I invest so much in this?

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, isn¡¯t your health also dangerously low?"

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m aware."

    I immediately used an instant DoT heal[1] on myself and downed a mana and health potion to the tank. There was no time or mana left to heal myself otherwise.

    - LMAO the healer¡¯s potion ahahahhaha

    - ????????

    - You seem to be in pain, healer lol

    - Trying to save this? Gosh, the determination of a true Korean ??

    At that point, I couldn''t even see the chat anymore.

    First, I just needed to keep the tank alive and replenish his health and mana before moving on to Phase Two. Given the tank''s style, it seemed that the boss phase would actually be easier and more rxedpared to the mob section.

    ¡°Look at Hyun-Woo''s face, everyone. He is so serious."

    I could feel Ji-Hyuk aiming the camera at my face. I just focused on the monitor and smiled.

    <i>¡°Huff... Huff..."</i>

    All I did was pound on the keyboard, but my breathing became rough. It had been a while since I experienced this.

    But in the end, I did it. I managed to keep the tank safe through the mob section.

    - Great job, healer.

    - Haha, nah. It was nothing.

    After catching my breath for a moment, I pushed myself up and dashed back to where the chaos of Phase One had unfolded.

    ¡°Ah, I need to resurrect you now. Once we are in the next phase, it might be toote."

    I couldn''t say for sure how much screen time my actual face would get, but it felt like I was the protagonist of the game.

    - I''d like to say something before we confront the next boss.

    All the previously fallen members had been revived, and right before entering Phase Two, the steadfast tank who had apanied me all this time initiated a new chat message.

    - I think everyone might already know this, but when you see a colored mark on the ground, it indicates an iing attack.

    - Please make sure to avoid it.

    - If not, it will really strain the healer.

    - Ah, got it!

    - Okay ??

    The tank offered a few more cautionary guidelines before leading us into Phase Two. The second boss was named the Unfortunate Detective. It was a figure whose very name suggested a penchant for irritating tricks.

    The boss stood still, swinging his cane to attack the team members or removing his hat to trap some of them with his techniques.

    Fortunately, it turned out that the total wipeout during Phase One was just a fluke due to a series of unexpected attacks, as most people handled this fight quite well and there were no casualties until the midpoint.

    - Does Phase Two seem easier or is it just me?

    - Am I imagining things?

    Someone pondered aloud, and I found myself agreeing. So far, we had been smoothly chipping away at the boss''s health with little difficulty. Thanks to everyone¡¯s solid performance, I had the luxury of alternatingfortably between healing andunching attacks while keeping a watchful eye on the boss¡¯s skill animations.

    Then, the boss began casting a skill ominously titled ¡®Culprit Punishment¡¯ above its health bar.

    <i>¡®Casting?¡¯</i>

    A skill being cast by the boss signaled a need for yers to brace for impact. Yet, there were no visual cues on the ground indicating where the attack wouldnd.

    <i>¡®What¡¯s going on here?¡¯</i>

    My puzzlement was brief. Almost immediately, the Unfortunate Detective pointed at one of our team members.

    - ?

    - ??

    - What the heck is this?

    - Looks like some mind control technique.

    - Guys, why are you hitting me ??

    As soon as the detective finished pointing, some of my teammates¡¯ characters began autonomously attacking the targeted team member.

    - OMG, it says I''m the culprit!

    Above the targeted team member''s head, the word Culprit appeared prominently. It seemed that everyone was too engrossed in their own skills to notice the detective¡¯s pointing, and without any clear understanding, they got confused. They furiously typed in the chat.

    - Gosh, I''m really going to die here...

    - Is there any way to solve this?

    - Aah I''m dying, guys... ??

    - Seriously, what now?

    Eventually, the yer marked as the Culprit sumbed to the onught from his teammates and died. It was only after the Culprit perished that freedom returned to everyone else¡¯s characters, allowing them to resume attacking the boss.

    ¡°What the heck? Why did that guy have to die?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    It was not entirely clear yet, but ¡®Culprit Punishment¡¯ seemed to be a one-shot single-targeted skill. Typically, such skillse with a counter strategy, and yers were expected to prepare while the boss was casting.

    - I noticed something after ''Culprit Punishment'' was cast. The boss pointed at No_More_Nicknames_Left.

    - It seems like whoever gets pointed at is then attacked.

    - Ugh, so that''s why I died ??

    I shared all I knew in the chat and refocused on the raid. After Culprit Punishment, our party was hit with two painful area attacks. I swiftly administered healing and maneuvered through increasingly damaging basic attacks until the boss began casting the second Culprit Punishment.

    - Culprit Punishment skill casting right now!

    With no visual cues during the casting, what basic avoidance could we consider?

    ¡°...Ah.¡±

    I paused to think and just before the casting concluded, I turned my character away from the boss as I hoped not to see who the culprit was. Perhaps not witnessing who gets pointed at might just work.

    It was a very well-known evasion technique, and if you didn''t see who the culprit was from the skill name or gesture, you wouldn''t attack them. Soon, someone in the party was marked as the Culprit.

    - omg, I''m the Culprit.

    - bye, guys... ??

    The party members started attacking the targeted yer except for me. My character remained free even after my teammate was designated as the Culprit, so I quickly revived the dead party member and smacked the boss, who was just waiting there.

    - Hey, healer, how did you do that?

    - Wow, as expected from the ace!

    - How did you manage that?

    - It seems like if you turn your back to the boss just before the casting ends, you don¡¯t get affected by the debuff that makes you attack the Culprit.

    - Wow, that¡¯s really cool. You¡¯re so smart.

    - The healer really knows how to y the game.

    ¡°Wow, our Hyun-Woo is so smart. Hyung got a bit excited there."

    ¡°Nah... It''s amon evasion technique in this game."

    But even a cat may look at a king[2].

    I was happy. I thought of my doe-eyed younger members waiting at home, the fox-like Joo-Han, and the most benevolent Goh Yoo-Joon.

    <i>''Joo-Han hyung would love this, wouldn¡¯t he?''</i>

    I was delighted since I was sure I would get a lot of screen time as the main character.

    1. Stands for ¡®Damage Over Time.¡¯ The user can instantly start a process where their character begins to regain health gradually over a certain duration. This is particrly useful inbat scenarios where ongoing healing is needed to counteract sustained damage, and where quick activation of skills can make a critical difference in survival. ?

    2. This idiom highlights how praise or a kind word can motivate or uplift anyone, regardless of their stature or usual behavior, simr to how even the most unlikely creature might respond positively to something as simple as praise. ?

 Chapter 304: First Full Album (40)

    <h4>Chapter 304: First Full Album (40)</h4>

    This raid had once ensnared many veteran yers in a mire of torment. Even if it had been toned down, it remained formidable. Despite their high-spec equipment, the neers who had never before navigated theplex world of <i>One Hours</i> stood little chance. They were unfamiliar with even the basic mechanics, and their hope of a first-time clear was slim.

    ...But still, this situation seemed excessively dire.

    - I am so sorry... ??

    - I think I am better off just lying down

    I let out a deep sigh of frustration and dragged the resurrection skill out of my skill window.

    If revival only led them to getting one-shot again, then they were no longer teammates but merely a draining, mana-wasting pitfall. Perhaps it would be best to just watch them stay as corpses?

    - Healer, a little help here...

    - Sorry, I am out of mana ??

    Because of the incessant dying, I was left without enough mana to heal or resurrect the team members who truly needed it. Maybe the silver lining was that with each death, the surviving members were rapidly improving as their skills and techniques honed more.

    I sent onest message to the deadrades and redirected all my focus to the raid.

    - Guys, I''ve removed the resurrection skill.

    A flurry of messages from the dead followed.

    - LMAO

    - Looks like the healer has turned to the dark side

    - Aaah I am sorry ?? Please forgive me... Just revive me one more time... Please...

    - It was because of the cooldown of the skill...

    ¡®<i>I can¡¯t see them. I see nothing in the chat.¡¯ </i>I tried to brainwash myself to ignore the chat. I focused on ignoring their pleas and concentrated on assaulting the boss.

    - Oh, now everyone''s getting the hang of it.

    Only three of us, including myself, had survived. We had be adept at handling the boss¡¯s tactics as we deftly dodged with practiced ease.

    As our teamwork began to sync up and we raced toward the raid''s climax, the ground rumbled ominously.

    [Hehehehe~ There is only one truth. The culprit is me.]

    The Unfortunate Detective revealed his secret,ughed devilishly, and made the earth shake by unleashing a barrage of attacks.

    - ?

    - ?? What''s happening?

    - Hm? I can''t move

    The remaining yers were thrown into disarray and dodged an onught of unmarked attacks. Meanwhile, the dead could only spam question marks in the chat.

    <i>''What is this?''</i>

    I was caught off guard by a pattern never seen before, and I was also frozen. I watched my health bar wildly fluctuate.

    The mes poured forth as if they were the boss¡¯s signature move, and they soon engulfed my entire screen by obscuring my vision. I realized that this was happening because wecked damage (insufficient damage dealt to the enemy), triggering the boss''s one-shot ability(a special attack in the game that kills an opponent instantly).

    But by the time I realized this, it was toote. We were clueless about how to counter this. Though the tank seemed to have attempted to activate a barrier skill at thest moment, we were unfortunately all dead before it could take effect. When we came to our senses, we found ourselves back at the start.

    The feeling of hopelessness swept over us because all the time spent meticulously nning and ying seemed utterly wasted. The tank, who had endured until thest moment with me, and the remaining damage dealer were silent for a while.

    - Should we call it quits?

    - I wille back better prepared next time, I am so sorry...

    - I will definitely review my strategy...

    Though no one pointed fingers, the spectating teammates expressed their apologies and promised toe back better prepared. I made my character jump as if to say it was all okay.

    - Let''s all leave now.

    - Well done, everyone.

    The tank was the first to escape the raid with a ''/wave'' emoji, followed by the others exiting in session.

    ¡°I am tired...¡±

    As I sighed unwittingly, Ji-Hyuk approached with a look of apology like our other teammates and massaged my shoulders. ¡°You did great, Hyun-Woo. I will practice some more too."

    ¡°Yeah, I bet you would do much better with some practice. You are good at everything, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Ji-Hyuk got overly moved and covered his mouth before nodding. He seemed overwhelmed.

    - Everyone did their best. Nice try!

    As we exited the raid location, we found ourselves back in the bustling Meeting Square of Kelustine, the Teleport Fountain. There, a character controlled by the director awaited us, ready to greet our weary group fresh from the raid''s challenges.

    - Haha, it looks like the raid took its toll on everyone.

    - How did you find the raid in the Dark Citadel?

    The director¡¯s question was met with a brief silence. Then, the team members began to share their thoughts through the chat one by one.

    - It¡¯s tough ??

    - I spent most of the time knocked down, so I am not quite sure ??

    - Seems like we need more practice

    - In terms of difficulty, what would you rate this?

    - Difficulty level?

    - I¡¯d say it''s somewhat above average?

    I pondered while observing their exchange. Despite ack of practice or experience, it was telling that half of them had been defeated again as soon as they revived.

    How feasible was it really, to assemble a raid team with these members and tackle the most difficult type of content? Was it even a realistic expectation?

    To me, the idea seemed nearly impossible unless they were to dedicate their days solely to gaming, akin to professional gamers, without anymitments apart from ying <i>One Hours</i>. A rapidpletion of the raid seemed far out of reach.

    - Next time, you will all be challenging the most difficult endgame content currently in <i>One Hours</i>, the me of Belief raid.

    - Of course, it will be conducted not online like today, but in person. You will meet up at the same location for efficientmunication.

    Yet, even if the raid wasn¡¯t cleared, the journey must have still delivered an element of entertainment. Inspiration was needed. It was essential to make the viewers feel inspired.

    The process had to show the cast genuinelying together, unified in purpose and effort during the raid. The journey had been defined by hard work, yet it ended in failure. It was supposed to bring out tears of frustration and sorrow, along with a healthy dose of emotional conflicts and reconciliations.

    ¡°Well done, well done. All things considered, you¡¯ve done well.¡±

    Thisforting approach, with cast members supporting and cheering each other, felt incredibly real and effective. Could this approach work? From the perspective of prospective gamers of <i>One Hours, </i>wouldn''t they have a greater will to take on challenges with this than content that inexperienced game newbies could beat after just a few weeks of effort?

    - The raid leader will be our healer.^^

    - I love you, healer~

    - You seem the most familiar with the game, after all.

    As I strategized, a formal vote for the raid leader was conducted and, as expected, I was appointed as leader. The role of raid leader carried significant responsibility, but it also offered a powerful position from which to influence the team¡¯s roles.

    - Thank you so much?? I will do my best!

    As I executed the ¡®/salute¡¯ emote, the team members responded with the ¡®/apuse¡¯ emote and celebrated my appointment as raid leader. The director joined in, pping to enhance the ambiance, then jumped to draw everyone''s attention.

    - Now that we¡¯ve settled on a raid leader, shall we take a moment to reveal our real names?

    - Ohh!

    - You¡¯ve all been raiding together without knowing each other...

    - We initiated the raid without disclosing names to ensure the fairness of the raid leader election and to gauge everyone¡¯s abilities without bias.

    - Before we reveal who we are, how about we head to our hideout first?

    The director then introduced us to a private estate purchased by the production team, a space designed for yers tomunicate morefortably. It was here that we revealed our true identities.

    - Hello! I am Woo Ji-Hyuk, the leader of High Tension.

    - This was my first time gaming, so I might have seemed a bit awkward today, but I promise to get better!

    As each cast member was introduced, they were met with apuse from the others. The cast revealed so far included Ji-Hyuk, On Jeong-Woo¡ªwith whom I had recently filmed <i>cker Number One </i>with¡ªalong with twoedians and one actor.

    - Hello, I am Suh Hyun-Woo from Chronos.

    - Nice to meet you all.

    - Wow, Hyun-Woo, so d to see you again. Remember ourst shoot?^^

    - The healer was so good, and indeed, you are a youthful spirit!

    - Ah, hyung. Suchments make you sound old in this day and age ??

    During this time, I had remained mostly silent while observing from the sidelines. My attention was particrly captured by the tank, who had spent much of the raid lying down. I was intensely curious about this individual.

    From their manner of speaking, they seemed older and had clearly poured a significant amount of money into the game, enough to easily surpass hundreds of millions of won. This marked them as a veteran MMORPG yer.

    They were overwhelmed to the point of wanting to die when mobbed by lesser monsters, but they had skillfully taken down the boss. Having felt a sense of camaraderie during the raid, I was extremely curious about the real person hidden behind the character.

    - Alright. Next up is our warrior, Tank.

    At the director''s prompt, the tank jumped. A beatter, they talked in the chat.

    - Hello

    - Nice to meet you.

    - I am Lee Mi-Hyang, the CEO of Tinta Wings, the developer of <i>One Hours</i>.

    An unexpected participant had popped up. I had thought she was quite skillful and had good instincts, but I never imagined she was the CEO of the developmentpany.

    - I might not have been the best for a CEO, but I will get better.^^ I look forward to this

    Come to think of it, wasn''t the CEO also the inaugural director of <i>One Hours</i>? I had heard that despite the game running at a loss, she was still pouring significant funds into its entertainment production out of deep affection for it.

    The cast quickly started to suck up and curry favor, and the director fostered a warm atmosphere as we wrapped up today''s meeting.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you can look forward to next week,¡± Ji-Hyuk told me. ¡°I am a genius, so I will do a lot better with a bit of practice."

    ¡°Ah, okay."

    ¡°Next week, I will be the one to survive till the end with you."

    I patted Ji-Hyuk on the back, who was zealously promoting himself, and then headed back to the amodation with my manager.

    ***

    When we had a lot of schedules, being tired was the norm. Therefore, falling asleep madly in the car had be routine for me.

    ¡°Ah, I''m so tired~ Joo-Han hyung, how about lending your nket to your cute little brother~"

    ¡°No."

    ¡°How about Jin-Sung lending his nket to his cute big brother~."

    ¡°Who are you, again?"

    ¡°How about Yoon-Chan lending his nket to his handsome big brother-."

    ¡°Yoon-Chan is sleeping."

    ¡°Yo, Joo-Han hyung."

    Goh Yoo-Joon teased the members all around, and eventually fell asleep. The activities of ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± had brought not only an increase in event schedules but also individual variety showmitments for everyone. Thus, you can imagine how tired we must have been.

    Amid such a grueling schedule, there was one member who was particrly exhausted. It was Yoon-Chan.

 Chapter 305: Break (1)

    <h4>Chapter 305: Break (1)</h4>

    ¡°I will drop everyone off at the practice room except Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Okay."

    Under normal circumstances, Su-Hwan would have insisted on a few hours of practice even if we were tired, but today, he seemed particrly keen to send Yoon-Chan back to the dormitory first.

    It was an unavoidable decision. Although everyone was juggling busy schedules, Yoon-Chan¡¯s was exceptionally cramped. His recent sess in a drama audition had added numerousmitments to his calendar. Drama schedules, particrly informal ones, far outnumbered the official ones.

    Yoon-Chan yed the son of the lead couple, so he wasn¡¯t in a central role, but was ted to appear in each episode. He had to participate in all the meetings and rehearsals. The ovep of drama schedules, script memorization, and album promotions naturally left him utterly exhausted and frequently nodding off.

    Su-Hwan was conscientiously reducing Yoon-Chan¡¯s extra activities, such as practice and music show rehearsals, to help manage his well-being. Despite these efforts, the strain on Yoon-Chan was palpable, and his frequent absences from rehearsals led to an uptick in mistakes.

    ¡°We''re here. Ensure you are thoroughly warmed up before starting, and I will take Yoon-Chan back once you¡¯re done."

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°...Okay."

    While most of the group members understood and amodated Yoon-Chan¡¯s situation as much as possible, his repeated absences and errors were starting to impact the album activities. This simmered a mild discontent among the members.

    ¡°So, when does Yoon-Chan practice? Early in the morning? I coulde out briefly at dawn to help him." Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice carried a hint of frustration. His usually calm demeanor slightly cracked.

    Su-Hwan watched him with an unreadable look, nodding after a moment. ¡°He¡¯s been practicing alone early in the morning. You are wee to join him then."

    ¡°Okay. I will head to the practice room with Yoon-Chan at dawn."

    Goh Yoo-Joon quickly excused himself with a nod and vanished toward the practice room. This left a palpable tension hanging in the air. His inability to mask his difort made the atmosphere among the members and Su-Hwan inevitably more charged.

    Joo-Han watched Goh Yoo-Joon disappear and gently pushed Su-Hwan toward the car. ¡°Ah, that kid is always so emotional. I will take care of him, so please take Yoon-Chan to the dorm. He has a recording soon, and he¡¯s like this because of that."

    ¡°...I understand. I appreciate it, Joo-Han."

    Joo-Han swiftly cut through the tension by directing the group back toward the practice room. ¡°Come on, everyone. Let¡¯s head back."

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s agitation wasn¡¯t lost on anyone. Known for his light-hearted demeanor and role as the group¡¯s mood maker, he had a history of excelling during trainee evaluations. His perfectionist streak, especially regarding stage performances, was well-recognized.

    While supportive of Yoon-Chan¡¯s acting pursuits, the continuous mistakes during album activities were hard to overlook. Still, the absence from practices and rehearsals continued. It wasn¡¯t that he was adept at his performances. He was visibly struggling with an important recording looming. Therefore, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s stress was understandable.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung isn¡¯t really mad, is he?"

    ¡°No, he is just stressed because of the uing session with Callia Lawrence." Goh Yoo-Joon was particrly meticulous about his vocals, and was reasonably tense. The eagerly awaited recording session with Callia Lawrence was on the horizon, after all.

    The group¡¯s understanding of Yoon-Chan¡¯s rehearsal absences mirrored their understanding of Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s pre-recording tension.

    ¡°By the way, what¡¯s with Jin-Sung today?"

    ¡°What¡¯s with me?"

    Joo-Han pped a hand on Jin-Sung¡¯s shoulder with a yful spark in his eyes. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be the first to lose your cool, not him."

    ¡°Ah, nonsense. I¡¯m not one to lose my temper easily, unlike Yoo-Joon hyung."

    ¡°Right, that¡¯s our mature Jin-Sung."

    I passed Jin-Sung, who was visibly irked, with a teasing remark. I had also secretly believed Jin-Sung would be the first to get angry. While Goh Yoo-Joon was sensitive about our vocals, Jin-Sung was particrly picky about the quality of the entire performance. Objectively, Jin-Sung had less patience, which I suspected would lead to swift frustration given Yoon-Chan¡¯s recurring mistakes on stage.

    Jin-Sung scowled at me and Joo-Han, then shook his head. ¡°How could I be angry at Yoon-Chan hyung? I see howpletely exhausted he is every day when we return to our room."

    ¡°...You have really matured, huh? I¡¯m touched. Let¡¯s practice now.¡± Joo-Han yfully teased Jin-Sung by pretending to be overly sentimental.

    Indeed, Jin-Sung shared a room with Yoon-Chan and was close to him, so he probably knew how exhausting Yoon-Chan''s life was.

    ¡°Plus, Yoon-Chan hyung really does practice early in the morning."

    ¡°Really?"

    ¡°Yeah, he practices when everyone''s asleep. He is always in the pitch-dark room, practicing dance moves and singing softly. At first, I thought it was a ghost... Ah, no, never mind. It''s nothing. Ghosts don¡¯t exist."

    "No, that''s not true. Ghosts do indeed exist," Joo-Han asserted, his voice firm with conviction.

    Upon hearing this, Jin-Sung bolted away. His steps echoed down the hallway. Joo-Han let out a chuckle, hisughter a blend of amusement and disbelief, before he sighed deeply and patted me reassuringly on the back. He then turned around and disappeared into the dimly lit practice room.

    The looming recording session with Callia Lawrence filled me with a sense of dread. It had be clear why Yoon-Chan''s condition was deteriorating despite Su-Hwan''s efforts to ensure he had enough rest.

    Jin-Sung had revealed that Yoon-Chan had been sneaking out to practice at night. This rehearsal was taking a toll on his vocals, leading to frequent mistakes. Even with this knowledge, finding a remedy seemed beyond our grasp.

    Although I intended to convince Yoon-Chan to cease these strenuous vocal exercises once we returned to the dorm, turning around his nowpromised condition in time for the recording session with Callia Lawrence seemed a herculean task. This predicament stemmed from Yoon-Chan''s nonstop dedication and unfortunate innocence.

    ***

    The day to record the songposed and written by Callia Lawrence had arrived. Of course, it was impractical for Callia to fly to Korea just to record a track for Chronos. Our entire recording process was facilitated through emails and Skype calls. The parts of the song featuring Callia Lawrence had already beenid down, and now it was up to us to add our contributions.

    Joo-Han was tasked with distributing the parts among the members, except for those explicitly requested by Callia Lawrence herself. Although there might be a reassignment of parts after Callia had a chance to review the recording, currently, Yoon-Chan''s deteriorating vocals made this initial distribution somewhat of a relief.

    Joo-Han had received the first draft of the track from Callia. He had already allocated the parts and secured approval from our agency.

    ¡°Let''s proceed with the parts as I''ve initially distributed them... but be prepared for potential changes," Joo-Han instructed, his voice carrying a mix of authority and anticipation.

    "Understood."

    ¡°Let¡¯s start the recording."

    Joo-Han assumed the role of producer in Callia Lawrence''s absence, and members stepped into the soundproof recording booth one by one. Goh Yoo-Joon was the first to enter. As I observed his session, a crinkling sound of paper being crumpled caught my attention from the corner of the room.

    ¡°...Yoon-Chan?" I called out softly as I spotted him wrestling with a piece of paper. His movements were fraught with frustration.

    Yoon-Chan looked up, his face etched with exhaustion and despair, much like during his days as a trainee when he was constantly pressured by the agency staff to maintain a strict diet.

    ¡°Are you okay?" I asked, my concern palpable in the silence that followed.

    ¡°No... I am really not okay... I¡¯m sorry. I feel like I am just a burden." Yoon-Chan¡¯s voice broke slightly as he struggled to maintain hisposure.

    ¡°What are you talking about? That¡¯s absolutely not true. Managing your condition isn''t always possible, even when you desperately want to." I reassured him and tried to alleviate some of his self-imposed guilt.

    However, Yoon-Chan¡¯s mood was deeply troubling,den with an aura of impending doom. Sensing a crisis brewing, I instinctively reached out tofort him by cing my hand on his shoulder. However, Yoon-Chan abruptly stood up before I could offer words offort.

    ¡°Thank you for trying tofort me, hyung. But perhaps... I should never have auditioned in the first ce." His voice was a whisper of despair as he sank under the weight of overwhelming pressure and self-loathing. His self-esteem had plummeted, leaving him feeling utterly worthless.

    No one was to me here. The best efforts of Su-Hwan and Tae-Seong had been indeed provided to Yoon-Chan. However, understanding the hidden depths of someone¡¯s feelings, especially during a hectic schedule, was nearly impossible. Everyone was expected to manage their own mental and physical well-being during such a demanding period.

    Yoon-Chan seemed trapped in his belief that he was a burden to everyone.

    ¡°Why would you say that? Everything is okay, really. Why wouldn¡¯t it be?" I tried to reassure him, but his response was to shake his head before turning toward Joo-Han.

    ¡°Umm... Joo-Han hyung...¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Joo-Han turned his chair, still distracted by Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Umm... Could you possibly reduce my parts a bit? I really don''t think I can handle it." He pleaded, and his voice was thick with emotion. Even from behind, his posture suggested he was on the verge of tears.

    However, asking to suddenly reduce his parts appeared to be a tricky request. As I frowned and stood up, Joo-Han¡¯s gaze shifted to Yoon-Chan and grew cold. ¡°Are you serious?¡±

    ¡°My throat is just too...¡±

    ¡°Okay. Go sit down then.¡± Joo-Han cut off Yoon-Chan, spun his chair back around, and angrily drew red lines over the lyrics sheet with a pen. It seemed he had erased Yoon-Chan''s part.

    ¡°...Hyung." Jin-Sung looked back and forth between Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan with a shocked expression.

    There was something I had overlooked: it wasn''t just Yoon-Chan and Goh Yoo-Joon who were sensitive.

    There was one member who was caught between members who frequently made mistakes on stage due to a grueling schedule and those who openly disyed their sensitivity. He was diligently working to prevent any emotional conflicts along with managers. In the midst of this, he was also handling Jin-Sung''s solo song by coordinating meetings with Callia Lawrence, and managing the distribution of parts among the members. It was Joo-Han.

    The other members might not have noticed, but I was aware of this as the sub-leader. At this moment, the sensitive final boss of our group was Kang Joo-Han.

    ¡°Ah... I''ve never seen Joo-Han hyung get angry at Yoon-Chan before..."

    Me neither. This was a first for me, too.

    I nodded reassuringly at Jin-Sung and led both Joo-Han and Su-Hwan out of the recording studio. It seemed like everyone really needed a break after this song¡¯s promotion schedule.

 Chapter 306: Break (2)

    <h4>Chapter 306: Break (2)</h4>

    Joo-Han''s voice carried a mix of irritation and fatigue as he sighed heavily. His eyes briefly met mine with a flicker of annoyance. ¡°What? We are recording now, Hyun-Woo. If you have something to say, wait a bit. Not now."

    He brushed past my outstretched hand with a dismissive wave. His footsteps echoed as he walked back into the soundproof recording studio. His demeanor left no room for doubt that he was in no mood to calm down the storm of emotions brewing within him.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung, Yoon-Chan seems a bit unstable. I will try to handle any conflicts at the dorm, but could you please adjust the schedule?"

    The words felt heavy in my mouth. As a rookie, I knew I was not supposed to request such changes.

    Moreover, Su-Hwan was already flexing his discretion with the schedule, which had led to missed rehearsals and mistakes. Asking for more rest felt almost shameful, but we desperately needed a break.

    Different from our days as trainees when we would gather nightly to share feedback and air grievances after grueling practice sessions, our lives were now a relentless loop of schedules and sleep. This left no room for the kind of conversations that could soothe tensed nerves and mend fences.

    ¡°We can''t keep going like this. We need time to gather and talk."

    The urgency was clear in my voice. We for sure needed time for a quality conversation without a time limit. To my relief, Su-Hwan nodded without hesitation. It was a silent acknowledgment that he had already been contemting such an option.

    ¡°I''ve cleared the schedule for two weeks after the end of Phantom Spirit promotion activities, except for your <i>Newbie Crew </i>and Yoon-Chan''s drama shooting."

    I was surprised yet profoundly relieved. ¡°...For two weeks?"

    ¡°There was a minor argument with Supervisor Kim about giving rookies days off, but I won," Su-Hwan added with a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He hadn''t mentioned this until now, perhaps to avoid giving us false hope. ¡°After those two weeks, there will be about three months with no official schedule. Theeback preparations will start afterward."

    Listening to Su-Hwan, my immediate thought was, <i>¡®Why exactly?¡¯</i> Chronos had always prepared for the nexteback immediately after ending their previous promotion schedules. For smaller agencies with less marketing, continuously showing their idols¡¯ faces was a key business strategy. But how could thepany agree to clear the schedule for as long as three months?

    The argument with Supervisor Kim now made sense since this was a significant gap. If we rested this long, it might actually make us more anxious. Why did Su-Hwan make such a decision?

    I was at a loss for words. Su-Hwan grasped my thoughts before nodding. He brought his fingers to his lips in a silencing gesture. ¡°Don''t tell Joo-Han, just keep this to yourself. I haven''t mentioned this on purpose because I worried it might burden Joo-Han since he has a tendency to overthink."

    ¡°What is it?"

    ¡°We are nning to hold Chronos'' first concert soon."

    What?

    ¡°...What the..."

    ¡°It''s about time, given your poprity. We are concluding one chapter of the Chronos universe and are nning the concert around that theme."

    So, the three-month break wasn¡¯t just a break. It was also a time scheduled for concert preparations.

    ¡°I argued that no agency would let their artists prepare for aeback and a concert simultaneously without the fans getting upset, so Supervisor Kim immediately went to get approval from the CEO."

    I could vividly imagine Supervisor Kim''s face, perhaps pale at the thought of being bombarded with faxes and emails from Rings. It seemed Su-Hwan had been giving a lot of thought to how tired and emotionally drained all the members were.

    ¡°So please hang in there until next week."

    ¡°...Alright. If it¡¯s a three-month break to prepare for the concert, that¡¯s fine."

    It was a relief to know that the break wasn¡¯t aimless. A purposeless break might have made the members more sensitive on other fronts.

    ¡°Thank you so much, hyung." I expressed my heartfelt thanks to Su-Hwan, who had been caught between thepany and the members, struggling to adjust the schedule.

    As I was about to head back to the recording studio, Su-Hwan spoke up. ¡°I will bring up the details about the concert during the meeting after next week¡¯s end of the promotion schedule. Please keep it a secret from Joo-Han until then."

    ¡°Of course."

    As I turned toward the recording studio, I looked back at Su-Hwan. ¡°But you will keep working with us, right?"

    It suddenly urred to me that there hadn''t been any official announcement about Su-Hwan bing our manager permanently, nor did I know if he was still managing Yeong-Yee.

    Was it all falling through? Would we have to part ways with Su-Hwan as soon as Tae-Seong¡¯s training wasplete? Who else would go as far as to argue with a key figure like Supervisor Kim of YMM to get us a break?

    I asked this question with a hint of anxiety. Su-Hwan looked surprised for a moment before offering a small, serene smile. ¡°I will let you know that next week as well." His smile was free from apologies or bitterness.

    I grinned and nodded in agreement, then returned to the recording studio. The atmosphere there was palpably chaotic. Jin-Sung was still casting nervous nces around while Yoon-Chan was deeply engrossed in his lyrics with his posture slumped in frustration. Joo-Han waspletely absorbed in Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice with a heavy look etched across his face, as if trying to find sce in the rity of each note.

    Meanwhile, Producer Do was observing the tense scene from a distance while offering advice with detached precision. He acted as if the emotional undercurrents were beyond his concern.

    As I distanced myself slightly from the group while biting my lip in contemtion, Jin-Sung swiftly moved to sit beside me.

    ¡°All good, Yoo-Joon. You cane out now." Joo-Han broke the silence.

    ¡°Ah. Okay."

    Goh Yoo-Joon stepped out of the booth. He was wearing a look of satisfaction that quickly morphed into confusion as he encountered the frosty silence enveloping the room.

    <i>''What¡¯s going on?''</i>

    His eyes questioned the situation. This prompted me to gesture toward Joo-Han and mimic horns over my head with my fingers.<i> ¡®Joo-Han hyung is furious.''</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon hurriedly sat next to Jin-Sung with a shocked look and scanned the room until his gazended on Yoon-Chan.<i> ¡®Why is he like that?''</i>

    I pointed at Joo-Han and then at Yoon-Chan<i>. ¡®He''s in trouble.''</i>

    Understanding dawned on Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s face as he mouthed an <i>''Ah.''</i> His features softened into a resigned nod before he mped his mouth shut in silent acknowledgment.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo is up next. Jin-Sung, Hyun-Woo,e here for a second."

    ¡°Eh? Ah, yes!" Jin-Sung startled and scampered toward Joo-Han. I silently signaled Goh Yoo-Joon to approach Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°We''ve decided to switch things up. This part was initially Yoon-Chan¡¯s, but we will have Hyun-Woo take over it, and Jin-Sung will handle the next sequence. Start practicing it."

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    Joo-Han¡¯s fingers traced angry red lines across the sheet of paper. The new version had dramatically reduced Yoon-Chan''s parts to almost nothing. A mere part was simple to sing and easy for listeners to overlook.

    Neither Jin-Sung nor I ventured to question whether Yoon-Chan would be stripped of his parts as we knew too well that Joo-Han wasn''t one to offer second chances once they were squandered. Even if Yoon-Chan were to apologize now, Joo-Han might ept his regret but the recording would proceed without changes.

    ***

    The recording session ended in an uneasy silence, and the tension did not dissipate as we headed back to the dorm. Although exhaustion was evident, no one could find the peace required to sleep. Instead, each member was caught up in being conscious of Joo-Han¡¯s mood.

    ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, hyung.¡±

    ¡°Ah, Su-Hwan hyung, thank you so much."

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I attempted to inject some cheerfulness in our voices, but the mood stubbornly refused to lighten. Throughout the drive, Joo-Han had been immersed in his phone by discussing strategies with Callia Lawrence. He only offered a brief nod and a courteous "Hyung, thank you for your hard work" to Su-Hwan before quickly leaving the vehicle.

    However, his responsibility toward the group seemed to linger as he waited to ensure everyone got off from the car before apanying us upstairs. The dorm was unusually quiet for such an early return, echoing with unspoken tensions.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was still clueless about the details of what happened. He frowned and quietly asked, ¡°Hey, what''s going on here? I''m still out of the loop."

    As soon as we walked in, Joo-Han immediately went into his room. Yoon-Chan lingered hesitantly in front of Joo-Han''s door before eventually retreating to his own. Jin-Sung sat on the living room couch, biting his lips in anxiety.

    After guiding Goh Yoo-Joon to our room, I gave him a rundown of the events. He exhaled deeply, a look of incredulity crossing his face as he processed the information. ¡°Yoon-Chan really screwed up, huh?"

    ¡°Hey, it''s not as simple as him messing up. You know what Yoon-Chan is like. He is just overwhelmed by pressure."

    ¡°Well, I guess I have some me to share too. Yeah, I''ve yed a part in this mess." Goh Yoo-Joon''s tone lightened with a sigh, attempting to cut through the heavy air as he rose from the bed and opened the door. ¡°I will apologize,¡± he said with a serious look, heading toward Yoon-Chan¡¯s room.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    He was my friend, but he was almost like a saint at times... Even though he was emotionally hurt as well, he decided to alleviate the situation by apologizing first. He was probably going to smooth things over with Yoon-Chan, listen to him, and naturally share what was going on with Joo-Han to him as well.

    Goh Yoo-Joon had always been this way since our trainee days. He stepped up whenever there was conflict among the trainees.

    I headed to Joo-Han¡¯s room.

    <i>Knock, knock. </i>

    I carefully knocked and brought my mouth close to the door. ¡°Joo-Han hyung...¡±

    It seemed I was the one Joo-Han felt mostfortable opening up to.

 Chapter 307: Break (3)

    In the evening, Joo-Han''s anger hadn''t subsided at all, so Yoon-Chan wasn¡¯t able to patch things up with him. ording to Goh Yoo-Joon, Yoon-Chan had spent the time ming himself and crying. So even if they had met, reconciliation would have been unlikely.

    The next day arrived. Although we had the afternoon free until the evening event, the atmosphere remained sour. Given that this incident involved Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, there was no hopeful scenario like with Goh Yoo-Joon or myself where things would just be forgotten after a night''s sleep.

    ¡°Do you have a drama schedule today?" I asked Yoon-Chan.

    He was startled. ¡°No, not today," he replied, shaking his head.

    Why was he so nervous? Did he think I was siding with Joo-Han?

    ¡°That''s good. It means you can finally rx tonight."

    There were only two events scheduled for the evening. Despite my cheerful tone, Yoon-Chan''s expression grew even darker.

    <em>¡®Ah, maybe he thought I was hinting at something.'' </em>

    Yoon-Chan shook his head. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just been a while since I¡¯ve had some free time, so I was nning to head to the practice room."¡°Geez! Aren¡¯t you tired, hyung?¡± Jin-Sung asked. ¡°You haven''t been sleeping welltely."

    ¡°No, I need to practice. I don¡¯t want to make any mistakes."

    Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in. ¡°Oh really? Then I wille along. Jin-Sung will join us too."

    ¡°Yeah, why not?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon shattered the awkward silence by agreeing to join Yoon-Chan for the practice session. Fortunately, from the moment Goh Yoo-Joon emerged from his room, his chatter with Jin-Sung helped dissipate the unbearable silence. I was on the verge of running out of the dorm.

    After dinner, Goh Yoo-Joon whispered as he walked past me, ¡°Try to talk to Joo-Han hyung while we are at the practice room. He cares about Yoon-Chan a lot. He wouldn''t want things to stay like this forever."

    ¡°Alright, I will. Yoon-Chan¡¯s vocals have gotten worse, so take a look at that when you can."

    ¡°Of course. I will see youter."

    Goh Yoo-Joon clenched his fist in determination and disappeared.

    In the now quiet dorm, the only sound was the musicing out from Joo-Han''s earphones. ¡°Are youpletely isting yourself from us? Are you not going to talk to me either?"

    Joo-Han never listened to music with earphones when he was in the living room. It was clear he was using them as a means to shut out conversation. Yet, he would hear me as I was sitting right beside him. If not, he would at least see my lips moving.

    ¡°Hyung."

    I was persistent and continued calling out to Joo-Han until he sighed deeply and took off his earphones to look at me. ¡°You are going to tell me to talk to Yoon-Chan or something, right? Just wait until I¡¯m ready to talk to him."

    ¡°I know you are already over it. You just haven¡¯t been able to talk it out."

    Joo-Han showing up to eat with us meant he had cooled down and was checking on Yoon-Chan¡¯s condition. Joo-Han pondered for a long while. His eyelids lowered before finally speaking. ¡°Even if I reconcile with him now, it doesn¡¯t seem like Yoon-Chan¡¯s behavior will change."

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s true."

    ¡°I just want to have an open conversation, but it¡¯s hard with so many members around. Yoon-Chan isn¡¯t one to openly express his feelings."

    That was right. Yoon-Chan was always extremely conscious of others. When the members were previously known under the name ted instead of Chronos, Yoon-Chan had not ventured into acting during that period. He was afraid of being a burden on the group, so he kept his desire to act to himself and only pursued acting after the ted group disbanded. This led him to find sess at ater time.

    Yoon-Chan always held back on what he really wanted to do by suppressing his desires to align with the group''s needs. Thus, even if he had a private chat with Joo-Han right now, he wouldn¡¯t dare to reveal the true weight of his struggles.

    I sprawled backward on the couch, lost in thought. ¡°I don''t know. It''s something you guys need to sort out yourselves. Even if we push you to patch up, you two won''t budge."

    ¡°Right, so just leave us be."

    ¡°We can''t do that. Your tension is ruining the group''s mood," I insisted, concern and frustration mixed in my voice.

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I will try to make sure you and Yoon-Chan will be alone so you can at least talk. I can¡¯t stand seeing you like this.¡±

    I purposely ignored Joo-Han¡¯s piercing gaze and continued speaking. I grabbed one of the earphones he was holding.

    ¡°Callia Lawrence doesn¡¯t like the recording? Or why do you keep listening to it?"

    ¡°...She said there might be a betterbination," he muttered, more to himself than to me.

    ¡°Must be because of the sudden line distribution change. Why didn''t you tell me?"

    ¡°About what?" His confusion was evident.

    I responded with brazen confidence. ¡°What¡¯s the point of having a sub-leader? Right now, I''ve got nothing to do but help Yoon-Chan and you make up."

    If there was an issue like the line distribution change, it would have been good to discuss it together. That was the essence of my argument. Ultimately, Joo-Han''s anger at Yoon-Chan wasn''t solely Yoon-Chan''s fault. It was also a culmination of Joo-Han''s bottled-up stress reaching its peak.

    ¡°Let¡¯s think about the lines together. Tell me specifically what Callia Lawrence said."

    ¡°...Alright, I will."

    ¡°And hyung, about the part you gave me¡­ No matter how I listen to it, it seems like Yoon-Chan should be the one to sing it. It suits his falsetto. I am not saying this just to increase the number of Yoon-Chan¡¯s lines."

    ¡°I know. I reluctantly passed it to you because Yoon-Chan seemed unwilling," Joo-Han admitted, his voiceced with regret. I wondered how angry he must have been to act so impulsively. It was so unlike him.

    I smiled awkwardly and listened to the recording until the end. Most of the part distribution was done well, but there were a few spots where I thought it would have sounded better if different members had sung different vibes.

    The parts Joo-Han had distributed were tailored to his taste, but he mentioned that Callia''s preferences were slightly different. Thus, the song needed to be adjusted.

    Joo-Han looked at me wearily and chuckled. ¡°Thanks. It¡¯s a bit better with you around."

    ¡°I¡¯m d I could help. After all, I¡¯m confident in my listening skills. My opinions on line distribution might surprisingly be worth considering."

    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯ve been overwhelmed with too much work," Joo-Han candidly expressed his thoughts and leaned his head back, looking utterly exhausted. ¡°Ah, I feel dead. So, if you have any opinions on redistributing the lines, let me know. I will also show you the email Callia sent."

    ¡°Got it."

    I took out the earphone and was about to leave when Joo-Han asked me a question. ¡°But Hyun-Woo, what do you think?"

    I paused in the doorway. ¡°About what?"

    ¡°About Yoon-Chan''s issue."

    Ah, he was referring to the issue with Yoon-Chan''s performance mistakes.

    ¡°Why do you ask?" My eyebrows knitted in confusion. I hoped he was not suggesting we should all criticize Yoon-Chan together.

    Since I looked puzzled, Joo-Han blinked and expressionlessly said, ¡°I am just worried you might be holding something back."

    He was wondering if I could tolerate Yoon-Chan¡¯s misbehavior while Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han were bing more sensitive in response to the issue at hand and while Jin-Sung was simply careful about the situation.

    ¡°Ah, me? I¡¯m fine with that."

    There had been plenty of times when I¡¯d been pissed off. I didn¡¯t get easily upset over unavoidable circumstances.

    ¡°Although I was a bit disappointed with Yoon-Chan yesterday, it¡¯s not like I don¡¯t understand where he¡¯sing from. You feel the same, right?"

    I left the room, and my conversation with Joo-Han came to an end just like that.

    ***

    [Yoo-Joon: Is Yoon-Chan crying?]

    - Yes

    [Jin-Sung: I told you that Yoon-Chan hyung will cry as soon as he makes it in his room]

    [Yoo-Joon: I told him not to start with an apology as soon as he returns]

    [Jin-Sung: Then, what¡¯s left? All he can do right now is apologize]

    [Yoo-Joon: Ah, I want to eat an apple[1]]

    [Jin-Sung: Oh, do you want me to bring an apple to you, hyung?]

    - If you are going to talk nonsense, can I leave the group chat?

    [Yoo-Joon: No!!!!]

    [Yoo-Joon: Jin-Sung, no more nonsense]

    [Jin-Sung: What? You are the one who started with the nonsense, hyung]

    In the early hours after the event, Su-Hwan took us directly to the dorm without having to practice at all, just as I requested. After remaining silent for a while, Joo-Han quietly called out to Yoon-Chan, who immediately followed him, tears brimming in his eyes.

    What about the rest of us? We couldn¡¯t gather openly without drawing attention, so we each went back to our own rooms. From there, we received updates through Jin-Sung, whose room was closest to Joo-Han''s.

    This setup was informally known as the Chronos Make-Up Status Report Room. The reason for its unexciting and outdated name was that it had been coined by none other than our manager, Lee Su-Hwan.

    Things were not going smoothly, partly because this dorm had excellent soundproofing. We couldn''t hear their conversation clearly. Moreover, Goh Yoo-Joon kept blurting out nonsense whenever he had the chance.

    ¡°Ugh."

    Maybe it would have been better just to wait quietly and ask them about it after they finished talking. I shook my head as I watched the chat messages enthusiastically pop up.

    [Jin-Sung: Su-Hwan hyung]

    [Su-Hwan: Yes?]

    [Jin-Sung: Looks like they are wrapping up their talk]

    [Jin-Sung: They left the room]

    Just as I was about to get up after reading Jin-Sung''s update¡­

    ¡°Hey! Everyone,e out!" Joo-Han flung open the door and summoned all the members to the living room with a tearful Yoon-Chan by his side. ¡°We are going to y the Game of Truth[2]!"

    1. The word ¡®apology¡¯ and ¡®apple¡¯ are both ¡®??¡¯ in Korean. That¡¯s why an apple was mentioned all the sudden haha ?

    2. A social game where participants take turns asking each other questions, and the person questioned must answer truthfully. The focus of the game is solely to reveal truths or facts about oneself. This game differs from "Truth or Dare" since it does not involve the element of ''dare.'' ?

 Chapter 308: Break (4)

    ¡°Do it!"

    ¡°I can''t do it..."

    ¡°You have to do it!"

    ¡°I really can''t, hyung..."

    ¡°Why can''t you! Why can''t you just speak up! Why are you quivering like a puppy from the streets!"

    ¡°I really don¡¯t have any grievances I want to express..."

    Joo-Han was exasperated to the brink of despair. The younger members of Chronos were typically introverted as they were always acutely aware of others'' thoughts. Among them, Yoon-Chan was the most introverted.

    Being inherently timid and having had fewer interactions with other members during his trainee days, it was unrealistic to expect him to open uppletely even in a one-on-one setting.

    <em>''But this is too much!''</em>Driven by this thought, Joo-Han had urged Yoon-Chan to voice all his troubles andints umted over time. Yoon-Chan made a face as if he was about to crumble under the weight of his burdens.

    ¡°There is¡­ really nothing troubling me... Noints... Everyone is just too kind..."

    Joo-Han felt overwhelmed not knowing how to handle someone trembling with fear. He believed that dealing with a person like Goh Yoo-Joon, who never seemed to take anything seriously and always clowned around, would have been much better. Joo-Han had a soft spot for genuinely delicate souls without a hint of malice.

    <em>''Maybe I should just apologize.''</em>

    No, that day''s incident wasn¡¯t something to be casually apologized for. In Joo-Han¡¯s view, he hadn¡¯t done anything grievous enough to give an outright apology, and offering one superficially might actually backfire for Yoon-Chan.

    He suddenly missed the calming presence of Suh Hyun-Woo, who could effortlessly soothe his temper.

    ¡°..."

    Yoon-Chan sobbed.

    ¡°Enough! Ah, please." Joo-Han sat heavily on the bed and watched as Yoon-Chan struggled to stifle his tears. ¡°I didn¡¯t call you here to scold you. I wanted us to talk things out."

    ¡°..."

    ¡°I know this situation is tough.¡± Joo-Han gently wiped away Yoon-Chan¡¯s tears and kindly asked, ¡°It''s natural to cry, but if we only cry, when will we ever be honest with each other? Isn''t that right, Yoon-Chan?"

    The scene was typical of Yoon-Chan, who always cried and apologized, but Joo-Han was eager to delve deeper and discover the true feelings buried beneath Yoon-Chan¡¯s enduring patience.

    Yoon-Chan bowed his head even more. He knew that crying wasn¡¯t the solution. He hated the instinctual fear he felt in such situations.

    Even though he was genuinely grateful for his fellow members¡¯ attempts to share his burdens, Yoon-Chan found it immensely difficult to articte his own struggles. ¡°It¡¯s not just me who is having a hard time. Everyone has their own hardships andints they aren¡¯t showing. I don¡¯t want to be the only one whining."

    ¡°..."

    In that moment, a torrent of curses shed through Joo-Han¡¯s mind. <em>Can''t you just speak up, please?</em> What Joo-Han really wanted was to cry. All he desired as a leader was to know what his members were bothered by, but why was it so terribly difficult to find this out?

    ¡°Do I reallyck the qualities of a leader?" Joo-Han muttered in resignation. He suddenly stood up. ¡°Yoon-Chan,e with me."

    He grasped Yoon-Chan''s hand and flung the door open with force. ¡°Hey! Everyone,e out! Let''s y the Game of Truth!"

    If others were also withholding their difficulties, why shouldn''t they speak up? If they stop holding back, wouldn''t that solve their issues?

    ***

    A flicker of light danced in the dimly lit room. Joo-Han had purposely turned off the fluorescent lights to light a candle before speaking with a grave expression. ¡°I lit the candle. Everyone, while we have enjoyed unity tonight, let us pause our excited spirits for a moment and peer into our own true feelings."

    ¡°...Joo-Han hyung, what are you doing?"

    ¡°Shh, be quiet.¡± I nudged Goh Yoo-Joon to silence him. ¡°Joo-Han hyung is setting up the mood."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was perplexed but quietly followed Joo-Han¡¯s lead and lit his own candle from the me.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a year since we as Chronos members have sprinted breathlessly through our careers. We¡¯ve been through a lot. First ce in apetition, our debut, topping music charts, our first fan meeting, and filming in the US."

    ¡°That''s right, captain."

    Surprisingly, Jin-Sung adapted remarkably well to Joo-Han''s dramatic narration. He nodded in agreement with loyalty in his eyes, echoing Joo-Han¡¯s words supportively.

    ¡°As we climbed each step one by one and grew as a group, we somehow neglected to tend to each other¡¯s emotional needs."

    <em>¡®What kind of stress must one endure to reach such a state?¡¯</em>

    I watched Joo-Han¡¯s enlightened expression illuminated by the flickering candlelight and felt a surge ofpassion. It seemed the conversation with Yoon-Chan had been particrly difficult.

    ¡°Perhaps now is the time for us to delve into our deeper feelings as a big family and share them?"

    ¡°Ah, I would love to be friends with Kang Joo-Han. Ouch!" Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s cheeky remark was swiftly met with a smack on the back from Joo-Han. Although Goh Yoo-Joonined about the pain, Joo-Han was undeterred and continued with the unusual candlelit ceremony.

    ¡°Let''s reflect on our parents who tirelessly support us."

    ¡°Oh, mother..."

    ¡°My parents, who always hope for my well-being and worry whether I¡¯ve eaten properly or not! Always anxious and shedding tears for their child!"

    Jin-Sung was deeply immersed from the beginning. ¡°I miss them... It''s been a while since Ist called them."

    ¡°Our parents wish to see their sons living peacefully and harmoniously with his fellow Chronos team members, right?"

    ¡°...Ah, I see."

    Joo-Han took this opportunity to erase allints, misunderstandings, and frustrations among us.

    ¡°Ah, is this why we are ying the Game of Truth?" It seemed Goh Yoo-Joon and I realized the intention at the same time.

    Joo-Han nced briefly in our direction and nodded before continuing. ¡°With that in mind, let''s use this moment to openly express our thoughts and feelings. Share something you''ve desired from someone or challenges we''ve faced."

    ¡°Alright, everyone. Let¡¯s give a round of apuse."

    I quickly encouraged the members to apud, suppressing any dissentingints such as ¡®Why do we have to do this.¡¯ The aim was to encourage Yoon-Chan to open up, particrly because he was the most likely to resist.

    ¡°Wow, waaah."

    Joo-Han nodded as if he was satisfied with my reaction. ¡°Great. But before we start the game, there is something we need to do."

    ¡°What?"

    Joo-Han briskly stood up and headed to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and retrieved something. The dim candlelight made it difficult to see, but after squinting, I could see the silhouette of a bottle.

    ¡°Alcohol?"

    It was clearly a green bottle of soju. Why would he bring that out when he doesn''t drink...

    Joo-Han carefully collected the soju sses that Su-Hwan had specifically ced out of reach on the top shelf and brought them over.

    <em>Thud!</em>

    He set one down in front of me.

    ¡°Here, Hyun-Woo."

    I gestured at the soju and ss, then at myself. ¡°Me? Why? This?"

    ¡®Are you asking me to drink this?¡¯ I questioned with my eyes, and Joo-Han casually nodded.

    ¡°Just me?" I nced at Su-Hwan, who was standing a bit apart from the rest of us.

    He silently nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Why just me?"

    ¡°It¡¯s not just Yoon-Chan ying the game. We all are. But it seems you, Suh Hyun-Woo, tend to hide your struggles well."

    ¡°Since everyone else isn¡¯t suited for alcohol, we will allow only you to drink, as it might help in the truth game. Please, just one shot."

    ¡°I usually fall asleep when I drink, though," I said. Su-Hwan stared back at me intently.

    Why? What? I looked puzzled, but Su-Hwan appeared thoughtful and then shook his head.

    ¡°No, nothing.¡±

    He seemed to be dodging a deeper issue... Had I inadvertently revealed something during a past drunken episode? A shiver ran down my spine as past embarrassments briefly haunted me, but I feigned ignorance and looked away.

    Before I knew it, a ss filled with soju was in my hand.

    Joo-Han smiled encouragingly. ¡°Take a drink."

    Well, one shot surely wouldn¡¯t get me drunk. I swirled the ss in my hand and swallowed the drink in one gulp. I felt the sharp, fiery sting of the alcohol as I ced the ss down.

    Joo-Han then exined the rules of the game. It was quite simple.

    1. One person picks someone to talk to, and they have an honest conversation.

    2. After the talk, the person who was picked chooses another person to talk to.

    3. The same person cannot be picked twice, and the game does not end until each member has picked all other members except themselves.

    4. After everyone has spoken, each member takes a final turn to talk about themselves.

    After exining the rules, Joo-Han looked around at the members. ¡°Alright, let''s start the Game of Truth. I will go first.¡±

    He pointed at Goh Yoo-Joon.

 Chapter 309: Break (5)

    <h4>Chapter 309: Break (5)</h4>

    It seemed like Joo-Han¡¯s main purpose from the start was to rx the tense atmosphere. The moment he pointed at Goh Yoo-Joon, the air became easier to breathe, as if a weight had been lifted.

    <i>¡®He is probably going to tell Goh Yoo-Joon to shut up or to tone down the jokes.¡¯ </i>I also thought Goh Yoo-Joon would respond with a yful smirk and say, ¡°I don''t want to!"

    Joo-Han pointing at Yoo-Joon signaled he wasn''t about to get serious. Yoon-Chan and the rest of the members seemed to share this feeling as their expressions rxed in agreement. But what Joo-Han said next caught us all off guard.

    ¡°I am always thankful for Yoo-Joon. It''s not always fun and games for him, and I know he looks out for everyone with a smile."

    ¡°Well...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to have nned to joke back, but he was caught off-guard and shyly averted his gaze.

    ¡°Despite his light-hearted actions, he is incredibly mature, considerate, and thoughtful."

    ...What was up with him? I had known Joo-Han for nine years. He had always acted like an older brother to Goh Yoo-Joon, but this was the first time he openly showered him with genuine praise. This change was especially stark given that Goh Yoo-Joon had never seen Joo-Han in such a serious mode before, and Joo-Han had typically responded with irritation or physical restraint to him.

    ¡°Did you drink before this, hyung?" Jin-Sung whispered in a half-serious, half-joking way.

    I shrugged since I was not sure myself, but entertained by the possibility.

    ¡°Ah, I knew it. That exins the affection between them. If Joo-Han didn¡¯t drink, he wouldn¡¯t say those things."

    Jin-Sung was sure of this until Su-Hwan rified from behind us that Joo-Han hadn''t been drinking. This made Jin-Sung nce back at Joo-Han with a look of renewed shock.

    Joo-Han ignored the bewildered nces from around and paused his flow ofpliments. He addressed the slightly embarrassed Goh Yoo-Joon before continuing, ¡°But you know, despite all thesepliments you deserve..."

    ¡°Nah, I really haven''t done much¡ª"

    ¡°I wish you wouldn''t cut me off when I am speaking about work matters." Joo-Han''s voice carried a mix of annoyance and amusement.

    ¡°...Huh?¡±

    ¡°And I''ve got something else to say, Yoo-Joon. It¡¯s great that you have lots of friends, but I¡¯d really appreciate it if you could cut down on being on your phone during practice or when we are on schedule.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon was usually so unshakeable, but he rarely showed a flicker of embarrassment. Known for being the idol group''s social butterfly, Goh Yoo-Joon was always messaging hisrge circle of friends. Therefore, his phone use had definitely ramped up since the ban was lifted.

    It was totally fine for him to use the phone in his free time, but he even found it hard to put it away during meetings after rehearsals sometimes. People would lightly chide him, tell him to put the phone down, or they¡¯d just take it and set it aside themselves. But now, it was time to address it more directly.

    ¡°Oh, really? Was I doing that? Sorry, I will be more careful. I will keep my phone off during schedules.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon was slightly flustered, but he quickly epted the feedback and promised to change.

    ¡°It¡¯s great that you are good at making changes once things are pointed out. I¡¯m done now.¡±

    It was a straightforward but deeply appreciated piece of advice. ¡°Your turn, Yoo-Joon.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon scanned the room. It seemed like he would naturally pick Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°I will choose Yoon-Chan.¡±

    That was to be expected. Goh Yoo-Joon had been silently nursing some grievances against Yoon-Chan until now. Back then, he had noticed Yoon-Chan''s anxious look and chose to apologize and move on, even though it didn¡¯t fully settle his feelings. He probably just hated to see the group atmosphere deteriorate.

    But holding onto theseints could be dangerous. If everyone bottled up their issues by thinking they were being considerate, it could eventually lead to bigger problems, even disbandment.

    ¡°Yes, yes! Go ahead, hyung.¡± Yoon-Chan braced himself and looked determined as he faced Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon sighed deeply, then smiled. ¡°I know you work hard and try not to be a bother. But it¡¯s still tough, and I¡¯d really appreciate it if you could join in on the rehearsals more.¡±

    ¡°...Ah.¡± Yoon-Chan¡¯s face fell.

    ¡°How about cutting back on practicing alone at dawn and getting some more sleep?¡±

    ¡°About the rehearsals... Oh, sorry. Please keep going...¡±

    ¡°There were so many times you could have cut down on stage errors just by being at rehearsals.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon then turned to Su-Hwan. ¡°I am asking you too, Su-Hwan hyung. Watching Chronos mess up on stage is tough.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s blunt expression of his issues was unusual. The truth game we were ying probably helped us be more open than usual.

    Su-Hwan nodded immediately. ¡°I got it. I will make sure Yoon-Chan does not skip rehearsals.¡±

    ¡°I will also put in more effort not to make mistakes. I want to apologize to everyone while I have the chance.¡±

    ¡°Hey, no need to bow or anything. I can¡¯t stand seeing that.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon stopped Yoon-Chan from bowing in apology and gave a heartyugh. In a serious tone, he continued, ¡°My point is that you decided to act in a drama, and you must have known that it would make your schedule busier.¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course...¡±

    ¡°Then you should¡¯ve worked something out with Su-Hwan hyung, maybe adjusted your schedule to help the group. You are not just a trainee following orders anymore.¡±

    Jin-Sung nudged me. ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung is really serious today, huh?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°He is really cool and handsome when he is serious.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Lee Jin-Sung, I can hear everything.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly stood up and walked over to Lee Jin-Sung, locking him in a yful headlock.

    The two biggest guys next to me started wrestling, and I was stuck between them. Thanks to them, the buzz from my drink hit me much quicker.

    ¡°Ah, stay still, you guys, or I will move next to Yoon-Chan.¡±

    ¡°Ah! This is all Yoo-Joon hyung¡¯s fault. Look at Hyun-Woo hyung abandoning me.¡±

    I moved over to sit next to Yoon-Chan while Goh Yoo-Joon ended up sitting next to Jin-Sung.

    After themotion was over, Goh Yoo-Joon shrugged and grinned. ¡°I¡¯m done. I¡¯ve said my piece.¡±

    ¡°Then it¡¯s Yoon-Chan¡¯s turn.¡±

    ¡°I...¡± Yoon-Chan took a moment to choose his next target. He nced at Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Jin-Sung before hesitantly pointing at Jin-Sung, whom he felt the mostfortable out of the three. ¡°I will choose Jin-Sung...¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I knew it would be me. What is it?"

    Yoon-Chan thanked Jin-Sung for always lending a hand with dance practice and providingfort even though Jin-Sung had been quite frustrated about his situationtely. But Yoon-Chan mentioned that it would be nice if he could stop being overly whimsical with the staff¡ªlike constantly wanting to dye his hair.

    Jin-Sung seemed to feel betrayed. "You said I was cute, though!" he shouted, but soon reflected on bing more mature.

    Jin-Sung then pointed to Joo-Han, and Joo-Han to me, expressing his gratitude for always being there to rely on and meeting expectations. However, he hoped for more active participation during talks at events.

    As we went through several rounds, I started to face the alcohol intoxication head-on, and I soon began to feel sleepy.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo isn¡¯t drunk, is he?"

    ¡°I¡¯m not drunk."

    Jin-Sung looked at me intently and nodded seriously. ¡°It looks like Hyun-Woo hyung isn¡¯t drunk yet. When he is, all he says is ''Uh...uh...''"

    Joo-Han empathized with Jin-Sung and quietly refilled his drink. I emptied only half of my ss with a displeased expression and set it down again. ¡°Don¡¯t encourage me to drink more. I will really get drunk."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shook his head and put his hand on my shoulder. ¡°No, no. There is no way that he ispletely sober¡ª"

    ¡°I said I¡¯m not drunk. Let''s listen to what Yoon-Chan has to say, huh?"

    It was Yoon-Chan¡¯s turn.

    ¡°You keep interrupting Yoon-Chan, huh? Doesn¡¯t that prevent him from saying what he wants?"

    ¡°Ahh, both of you hyungs, shush! Now, Yoon-Chan hyung." Jin-Sung covered our mouths with his hand. Yoon-Chan hesitated but finally pointed at Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon hyung, I appreciate all the encouraging words you give me during our morning jogs."

    ¡°If you appreciate it, why don¡¯t you start speaking informally to us? Are you misunderstanding our friendship as just business-like? That really saddens me."

    At this point, I began to look for water. Honestly, I was starting to feel sleepy. And so, a few more rounds passed. This round was Jin-Sung''s. He pointed at me. I focused my droopy eyes and showed I was ready to listen attentively.

    ¡°You seem a bit drunk, Hyun-Woo hyung. Your face is all red."

    ¡°Yeah, but it''s fine. Go on."

    ¡°Um, you know." Jin-Sung''s lips wavered shyly from left to right several times before he blurted out. ¡°I really admire you."

    ¡°...You¡¯re saying this out of the blue?"

    ¡°When I was just a trainee, you were just another long-term trainee.. But now, I think you are quite cool."

    I nodded calmly and listened, but mentally I was genuinely taken aback by the unexpected cringe. It would have been better if he wasn¡¯t shy about it. How was I supposed to respond if he was embarrassed?

    Ah, and I was so tired.

    ¡°I¡¯m talking about the way you express yourself on stage and your physical skills. Honestly, I''ve tried to emte what you do, but it¡¯s just not my style... Anyway."

    ¡°Uh huh."

    What else can I say to someone who told me they admired me other than ''thank you?¡¯ I gave a typical response, and Goh Yoo-Joonmented on how shy that made me.

    ...But wait, did I actually manage to say ''thank you'' properly out loud?

    ¡°Also, also, uh... You''ve always been so supportive andforting whenever the members are having a tough time. I¡¯m really grateful for that."

    ...It was not exactly embarrassing, but being praised so much made it inevitably so.

    ¡°...Okay."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shivered as he stroked his arm. ¡°Why are you building up so much just to talk about his ws? It¡¯s making even the audience ufortable."

    Jin-Sung paused for a moment before asking sternly, ¡°But what about you, Hyun-Woo hyung? Is there something you are hiding from us?"

    At Jin-Sung¡¯s words, all eyes, including Su-Hwan''s, turned to me. ¡°I am really concerned and have been thinking a lot about asking you, hyung."

    ¡°...Yeah."

    ¡°What exactly are you hiding?"

    I sighed. This was a topic I really didn¡¯t want to address that suddenly came up. The sudden irritation made me gulp down the rest of my soju.

    ¡°Hey, hey! Are you crazy?" Goh Yoo-Joon hurriedly tried to grab the soju cup from my hand, but it was already empty. Every time I tried to speak, I realized how miserably I had to hide the truth. That was why I had been avoiding counseling until now.

    I sighed deeply and barely managed to open my mouth, which seemed frozen.

    ¡°...I am...¡±

    Second Condition [Ovee]

    Status: In Progress (50%->70% NEW!)

    - The contractor''s condition for regression has not been met yet. Integration will not beplete until the contractor''s adaptation process is finished.

    - This condition has a time limit (Remaining term: 150 days).

    - Special note: Memory loss

 Chapter 310: Break (6)

    ¡°If I had another chance to live¡­¡±

    In-ear monitors had been part of me for so long that I could instantly recognize the voice shouting in anger as my own. It hit me then that this was all a dream.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t live the same way again.¡±

    Where I was and who I was yelling at didn¡¯t really matter. My attention was locked on another version of myself, one still marked by burn scars.

    Seeing my past self appear like this usually meant one thing¡ªthat I was having a terrible nightmare. Even knowing it was just a dream, I felt trapped and was unable to move. It was like the dream wanted me to just watch in silence.

    ¡°It¡¯s so unfair. Why me? What did I do to deserve this?¡±

    I wondered who the sobbing, broken version of me was pleading with. My curiosity was tingling, but the dream-like fog dampened the urgency to know.

    Then, everything shifted. My past self¡¯s face was buried in my hands, and I suddenly looked up into the void before speaking again. ¡°Alright. I will make the deal.¡±

    A gust of wind swirled around and pulled me down into an endless abyss. In this void, a formless entity with arge,ughing mouth emerged.- Your misfortune and misery have been quite the spectacle.

    It sneered at me.

    ***

    ¡°Agh!¡± I jerked awake. Su-Hwan and Joo-Han were standing by my bed. They stared for a moment before cracking up.

    ¡°What was that? Were you falling in your dream?¡±

    ¡°...Ugh, I was falling nonstop. Am I going to grow taller or what?¡± [1]

    ¡°Grow even taller?¡± Joo-Hanughed as he and Su-Hwan headed for the door.

    ¡°We are here to wake you. Get up, wash your face, and join us.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got time before we start today. Come eat something.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    Once they left, I got out of bed. My heart was still pounding.

    ¡°Man, that was one bizarre nightmare.¡± I muttered while gazing into the mirror. I frowned, and my reflection looked haggard, as if I¡¯d spent the night crying. I touched my face as the memories from the night before slowly came back.

    <em>¡®I can¡¯t remember anything past a certain point.¡¯</em>

    Where had my consciousness cut off? After having a drink and feeling a slight buzz from ying the Game of Truth for a while, Joo-Han added about half a ss more. As the alcohol slowly took effect, I received a question I didn''t want to answer and ended up downing the rest of my ss.

    I think I wanted to deflect the question without really addressing it in such a setting, but I didn''t remember anything after that.

    <em>¡°Tsk.¡±</em>

    Had I passed out or just cked out? If I had blurted out something embarrassing, it would have been a nightmare. I always thought I could handle about three and a half sses of soju, but maybe the recent stress had lowered my tolerance.

    From the nonchnt looks on Su-Hwan and Joo-Han¡¯s faces earlier, perhaps I hadn¡¯t made a fool of myself. But still, I wasn¡¯t sure.

    Goh Yoo-Joon popped his head through the door while towel-drying his hair. ¡°Hey, are youing? Joo-Han hyung is asking for you.¡±

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon.¡± I quickly pulled him in and shut the door.

    ¡°What¡¯s up? I¡¯m starving, and Su-Hwan hyung brought stew.¡±

    ¡°How did I end up asleepst night?¡±

    ¡°You?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon paused and shrugged. ¡°You just crashed on the couch. Lucky for you, I moved you because Joo-Han hyung asked me to. Ugh, I don¡¯t wanna be your roommate anymore.¡±

    ording to him, I hadn¡¯t cked out. I¡¯d just drifted off without realizing it.

    ¡°Did I¡­¡± I wondered if asking about talking in my sleep would make me look suspicious, so I remained silent while contemting.

    During this pause, Goh Yoo-Joon stared intently at me and asked, ¡°What do you remember?¡±

    ¡°...I remember everything.¡±

    As I responded, Goh Yoo-Joonughed sarcastically and pointed at me. ¡°Look at your face. You obviously don¡¯t remember a thing. Wow, how could you ckout from just that little bit of alcohol? Never drink with anyone other than us, dude.¡±

    ¡°Did I say anything? I¡¯m pretty sure I didn¡¯t, but just out of curiosity. Not like I have anything to say."

    ¡°...If you have nothing to say, why do you look so anxious?"

    ¡°..."

    Goh Yoo-Joon wasn¡¯t joking anymore. Instead, he looked at me with a serious, almost interrogating gaze.

    <em>¡®Is this a joke? Maybe it''s just a joke. Isn¡¯t this usually when he would joke around?¡¯</em>

    At that moment, my mind felt chillingly empty, but I managed to keep myposure and retorted with augh. ¡°Not at all. I didn''t drink that much, so why worry?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon snorted and nodded. ¡°True, you didn¡¯t say much. But you only spoke off-topic stuff, so Joo-Han scolded you."

    ¡°Ah, but why are you so serious? It''s annoying."

    Seeing that he wasn¡¯tughing excessively, it seemed this wasn''t a joke after all. That was fine then. If I hadn¡¯t said much, there was nothing to be concerned about while drinking with the members. Maybe I should check with Jin-Sung or Yoon-Chanter just to be sure.

    ¡°Come out and eat. They said we should have a hangover cure. I mean, I only had two drinks, what cure do I need, hahahaha!" Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled, tossed his used wet towel over my shoulder and disappeared.

    ***

    Later, I seized the opportunity to ask Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan about what had happened. ording to them, it didn¡¯t seem like there had been any issues during the time period I couldn¡¯t remember.

    ¡°When you were supposed to pick someone, you kept repeating, ¡®I just wanted to be with you guys.¡¯"

    ¡°Did I?"

    ¡°Yeah, and when Joo-Han hyung got frustrated because we were already together, you just kept saying, ¡®I want to be with you too.¡¯"

    It seemed like a harmless mistake, but¡­ The moment those words spilled from Jin-Sung''s mouth, I felt a surge of cold sweat. Fortunately, it seemed no one else grasped the true meaning behind my words.

    ¡°After that, the Game of Truth kind of fizzled out. Joo-Han hyung told Yoon-Chan hyung and me to go to bed. The older members stayed up talking about adult stuff. That''s when I went to bed, and I don''t know anything that happened after that."

    To sum it up, I babbled some nonsense about wanting to be together after I cked out, got reprimanded by Joo-Han, and then Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung went to bed. There wasn¡¯t much else that happened until I crawled onto the couch to sleep.

    From what the members said, there seemed to be no need for concern. That was, of course, assuming the members were honest with me.

    After he finished his exnation, Jin-Sung hummed thoughtfully and added, ¡°Hyung, I will listen to you more from now on."

    ¡°What?"

    Although it was reassuring to hear him say he¡¯d listen more, his sudden pledge caught me off guard. I asked him again what he meant by that, but Jin-Sung appeared satisfied with his deration, merely smacked his lips, nodded, and gave my shoulder a couple of taps before disappearing.

    ...Hmm, was everything truly alright?

    To be honest, the intense scrutiny in Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s earlier gaze was still troubling. But since he insisted it was nothing, what more could I do? Even if the alcohol had loosened my tongue, the idea that I had spoken truths abouting back from the dead would be dismissed by nearly everyone as just drunken babble.

    ¡°They would consider it as the booze talking," I reassured myself.

    I hurriedlyced up my shoes. ¡°I will see youter.¡±

    It was time to head to work. Two bunny-like younger members and the fox-like Joo-Han, as well as the very benevolent Goh Yoo-Joon peeked out from the living room and looked at me. ¡°Come home with lots of money~."

    I casually waved off Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s remark and made brief eye contact with the members, noticing something particrly earnest in Yoon-Chan''s gaze. ¡°Yoon-Chan, what is it? Got something to say?"

    ¡°No, not really... Have a good day." Yoon-Chan shook his head. His face brimmed with unspoken words, but he managed a light smile.

    I nodded and left with Su-Hwan for the <em>Newbie Crew </em>filming site. As we drove toward the location, I broke the silence. ¡°Yoon-Chan has a shoot today, right?"

    ¡°Yoon-Chan will be leaving with Tae-Seong in a bit. There¡¯s still some time before his schedule."

    ¡°Ah." I pondered whether Yoon-Chan had patched things up with Joo-Han. Considering everyone¡¯s mood during breakfast, things seemed to have gone well between the two.

    ¡°...Oh, right. Didn¡¯t we talk about being more casual to each other yesterday, hyung?¡±

    ¡°I said I don¡¯t really mind. Feel free to speakfortably, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°Nah, you should drop the formalities first for me to feelfortable. Everyone knows I speak informally with Joo-Han hyung privately, why can''t you do the same with us¡ª"

    <em>Pop!</em>

    I stopped talking when I heard the messenger notification. It was from Yoon-Chan.

    - Hyun-Woo hyung, good luck today. I will do my best at the shoot too. I have practice early in the morning. Could you help me?

    - It''s okay if you are tired!

    - I will practice hard so I can deliver a wless performance in the future. I realized yesterday how much you value performances. Thanks for being patient.

    - I will really work hard.

    - Have a great day!

    ¡°..."

    - Let''s practice together

    I quickly replied before asking Su-Hwan, ¡°Was there really nothing unusual with me yesterday, hyung?"

    ¡°Not really."

    ¡°Really? Because I just got this message." I showed Su-Hwan the message from Yoon-Chan. ¡°Earlier, Jin-Sung suddenly said he¡¯d be more attentive, was there really nothing?"

    The members'' attitudes seemed very suspicious. Jin-Sung reflecting on himself? Yoon-Chan''s message filled with passion? And thinking about it, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s pranks and Joo-Han''s nagging were much less intense than usual today.

    Since I was probing with a suspicious tone, Su-Hwan scrunched his face and sighed deeply.

    ¡°There was something."

    I didn''t respond since I didn¡¯t want to interrupt him.

    Su-Hwan nced at me through the rearview mirror and said, ¡°You cried a lot and talked quite a bit while crying. But to me, it just sounded like mumbling."

    ¡°...Really?" No wonder I looked like a mess this morning.

    ¡°Yes, I will also try to be a better manager from now on. We got this," Su-Hwan said matter-of-factly before looking away.

    1. Koreans say that if you dream of falling from a tall building or the sky, you will grow taller. ?

 Chapter 311: Break (7)

    <h4>Chapter 311: Break (7)</h4>

    ¡°Good morning, everyone.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re looking forward to another shooting. Hyun-Woo,e this way."

    ¡°Got it!"

    The cast, having greeted each other in-game, gathered on the couch for a quick introduction before the cameras rolled for <i>Newbie Crew</i>. The n was to film each person entering the room in sequence after a signal. Amid the cast''s cordial yet slightly awkward greetings, Suh Hyun-Woo settled next to Woo Ji-Hyuk and tuned in to the director''s briefing.

    Su-Hwan observed him, his feeling a tangled mess.

    ¡°Was that all I did? Just cried?" Hyun-Woo''s voice had been tinged with uncertainty in the car while probing Su-Hwan.

    Su-Hwan had simply replied, ¡°Yes."

    Hyun-Woo''s expression had clouded with difort, but seeing that Su-Hwan''s lips were sealed, he pressed no further. Now, Hyun-Woo appeared entirely focused on the shoot as ifst night''s breakdown hadn''t happened.

    Su-Hwan couldn''t help but ovep the smiling Hyun-Woo of the morning with the tear-streaked one from the night before. Last night, Hyun-Woo had exploded in frustration at the members with tears streaming down his face as he implored them to stop their questioning, convinced they wouldn''t believe him anyway.

    This was uncharacteristic of Hyun-Woo, who was typically the most cid of the Chronos group and rarely lost his cool over minor issues. This wasn''t like his usual drunken vents. No, it was distinctly out of character.

    <i>¡°Hyung, what do you mean? What''s there not to trust? I can trust you..." </i>Jin-Sung had asked him, but Hyun-Woo had muttered something about disbelief until he passed out.

    In truth, Su-Hwan''s earlier im of not understanding Hyun-Woo''s mumblings had been a lie.

    <i>¡°I just want to act like I don''t know anything. I wanted to keep performing with you guys... Why does it always have to be me, why does this always happen to me?"</i>

    Being closest to him, Su-Hwan had caught every word distinctly. At first, he had thought it was the rant of someone on the brink of full-blown drunkenness, wondering if a bit more alcohol would shut him uppletely.

    Though Hyun-Woo''s rant and his time in the US had raised concerns, he was still performing onstage with the members as a part of Chronos. His iprehensible statement about wanting to be onstage didn''t add up, leaving Su-Hwan puzzled over whether it was just a drunken outburst or something Hyun-Woo had long wanted to say.

    <i>¡®But that''s because...¡¯</i>

    The sorrow in Hyun-Woo''s crying had been palpable. <i>¡°I just always watched you guys... I never went up there under the lights.¡± </i>

    The members had been taken aback by his breakdown and could only watch in stunned silence.

    Eventually, Kang Joo-Han stepped in. <i>¡°Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, time to head off to bed. Hyun-Woo''s really drunk. We will y the game another time."</i>

    Joo-Han had sent Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan off to their rooms and turned his attention back to the mumbling Hyun-Woo.<i> ¡°Hyun-Woo, we are together on every stage. What''s bothering you?"</i>

    His gentle question had been followed by Goh Yoo-Joon''s probing, <i>¡°What are the things you cannot talk about? I will believe you. Just tell me."</i>

    Why had all the members been wearing such serious expressions and trying to keep the conversation going during the drinking session? Like Su-Hwan, they had all been troubled by something significant from the past.

    <i>¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why the tears? What can we not trust about you?"</i>

    Despite Hyun-Woo¡¯s low tolerance for alcohol, could it be that he was this incoherent after just two drinks? Had he been exceptionally tiredtely, or was it that he typically stopped drinking before getting fully drunk, so his limit hadn''t been apparent?

    Last night felt off, and Su-Hwan mused silently on the unnaturalness of it all.

    <i>¡°I am so scared... of many things I can¡¯t even speak of..."</i>

    <i>¡°So, what are those things¡ª"</i>

    <i>¡°I¡¯m really sorry..." </i>Hyun-Woo had covered his face with his hands, and his voice broke. ¡°<i>I just want to enjoy the good times, but why does it always have to be me?"</i>

    <i>¡°...¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I am scared of people, airnes too..."</i>

    It was ridiculous that Su-Hwan, Joo-Han, and Yoo-Joon had been listening to his tearful drunken ramblings and seriously specting like this, but considering Hyun-Woo had been struggling even to breathe, this was enough to make them deeply concerned.

    As the three had given up in their efforts to console Hyun-Woo, they each became lost in their own concerns.

    In the midst of this quiet tension, Hyun-Woo suddenly groaned in pain. <i>¡°My face hurts...¡±</i>

    <i>¡°It hurts?¡±</i> Joo-Han had asked. Concern had flickered across his face as he leaned forward to examine Hyun-Woo. Hyun-Woo had clumsily shuffled to the couch while ignoring them, hidden his face with his hands, and fallen into a restless sleep.

    <i>¡°...¡±</i>

    <i>¡°...¡±</i>

    Silence had enveloped the living room. Joo-Han had exchanged nces with Su-Hwan and Yoo-Joon. The air had been heavy with unspoken worries.

    <i>¡°Putting it all together, he¡¯s scared of a lot of things but begs us not to dig deeper, right?¡±</i> Goh Yoo-Joon had ventured, breaking the silence.

    Joo-Han had given a nomittal shrug. <i>¡°He¡¯s spilled his guts in a drunken blur. We can¡¯t take it all at face value. But yeah, pressing him further probably won¡¯t help.¡± </i>

    Su-Hwan, who had been quietly listening, nodded in agreement. ¡°<i>Right. He has made it clear he¡¯s notfortable talking about it. Let¡¯s respect his wishes and hold off on any more questions until he is ready to open up. We all know what Hyun-Woo is sensitive about.¡±</i>

    It seemed Hyun-Woo had his reasons for avoiding counseling. The mere thought of discussing his issues, even in a professional setting, was too daunting for him.

    <i>¡°...It felt like everything was normal up until now,¡±</i> Goh Yoo-Joon had mused, though his voice betrayed his doubts.

    He had decided during theirst drinking session together to trust Hyun-Woo entirely and not to push him about these issues. <i>¡°Let¡¯s drop it. If he hates talking about it this much, there¡¯s no point in forcing exnations. I will remind everyone to steer clear of the topic.¡±</i>

    They spected that Hyun-Woo¡¯s fear of the spotlight might stem from a traumatic pre-debut incident, and his aversion to people was a symptom all toomon among celebrities. As for his fear of flying, it hadn¡¯t had a chance to manifest until recently.

    <i>¡°Let¡¯s just be there for Hyun-Woo when he is struggling. That¡¯s the best we can do,¡± </i>Joo-Han had suggested, and Yoo-Joon had lightened the mood with a chuckle.

    <i>¡°Yeah, knowing Hyun-Woo, he will probably kick off all his nkets tomorrow morning.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I will take him to his room,¡±</i> Yoo-Joon offered, already heading toward Hyun-Woo.

    <i>¡°I can help.¡±</i> Su-Hwan offered, but Yoo-Joon waved him off.

    <i>¡°Nah, all good. I¡¯ve got this.¡±</i>

    After ensuring Hyun-Woo wasfortable in his room, Joo-Han had pulled Su-Hwan aside. <i>¡°I think it might be best to halt the counseling sessions permanently. He¡¯s just not ready.¡±</i>

    Su-Hwan had agreed with a solemn nod. Joo-Han then proceeded to update Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan on their conversation, ensuring everyone was on the same page.

    This abrupt outpour of emotions was unusual for Hyun-Woo, yet the members had always been deeply concerned about his well-being. They agreed to act as if the night¡¯s events never happened and to give Hyun-Woo space until he was ready to talk. They would simply support him silently while waiting for him to share when he felt able to do so.

    They weed the next morning after aligning their stories.

    ¡°...¡± Su-Hwan checked his phone for a message from Joo-Han.

    [Has Hyun-Woo said anything?]

    - He keeps asking questions.

    Su-Hwan sent a reply to the worried Joo-Han before looking back at Hyun-Woo, who was currently filming. Despite his bright appearance, Su-Hwan wondered what pain the young man might be hiding.

    Recently, every member had shown signs of frustration and anger because they all dealt with packed schedules, but Hyun-Woo seemed to be managing his emotions better than anyone. Perhaps there was a reason for this. With just three days left until the end of their music broadcast activities, Su-Hwan hoped that the uing break would allow not only for physical rest, but also ease the members'' mental strain.

    ***

    The studio buzzed with anticipation as the next part of the show was set to begin.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s bring out our next guest now.¡±

    ¡°We all know who it is anyway, so why the dramatic introductions?¡±

    ¡°Come on, hyung. It¡¯s nice to give everyone their moment in the spotlight.¡±

    On Jeong-Woo, actor Sang-Hyun andedian Jeong-Hoon cheerfully continued their discussion by introducing me as the next guest. I took a deep breath, gripped the doorknob, and reminded myself to smile brightly to leave a good impression on the audience.

    ¡°Next up, please wee the next participant!"

    ¡°Hyun-Wooooo!"

    ¡°The Newbie Captain!"

    The cast, who had already spoiled my appearance, enthusiastically called out my name. I exhaled the breath I had been holding and swung the door open wide.

    ¡°Hello, everyone!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, it''s been a while!"

    As I greeted them with as much brightness as I could muster, Jeong-Woo, whom I had previously coborated with, stood up. He approached me, stepping back after a quick hug.

    ¡°Hey! Jeong-Woo, you are acting chummy again just because an idol showed up, huh? Don¡¯t pretend!"

    ¡°No, we really are close. Right, Hyun-Woo? We just saw each other recently." On Jeong-Woo threw an arm around my shoulder, his tone friendly.

    I awkwardly nodded in agreement by ying along with the casual vibe. ¡°Yes, that''s right, Senior."

    ¡°You don¡¯t look that close, though?" teased Sang-Hyun.

    ¡°Anyway, let''s give a warm wee to our captain. Please, take a seat here." The cast made room for me in the middle of the couch. After I sat down, casual chatting took off.

 Chapter 312: Break (8)

    <h4>Chapter 312: Break (8)</h4>

    In our cast, the variety show pro was just On Jeong-Woo. The rest were actors who solely focused on their career, oredians and idols who were dipping their toes into variety shows for the first time, not to forget our advertisers.

    Fortunately, we had all met during a previous game session, so our conversation flowed smoothly without any awkward hitches when filming kicked off. On Jeong-Woo didn''t even need to take the reins as everyone was chiming in naturally.

    ¡°Let''s get real for a second. Who here signed in and practiced the game after ourst shoot?¡± On Jeong-Woo called out. ¡°On three. One, two, three!¡±

    Hands shot up all around.

    Comedian Seong Jin was visibly shocked. ¡°...No way! You all actually went back and practiced?¡±

    ¡°It was pretty brutalst time. Didn¡¯t look like we¡¯d get anywhere close to clearing the raid, so yeah, I trained quite a bit.¡±

    ¡°Same here. I started from scratch with a new character. We can¡¯t just let our CEO and Hyun-Woo shoulder all the burden, right? Haha.¡±

    Laughter filled the room, though I remembered overhearing Seong Jin and Jeong-Hoon half-joking about their intense practice sessions just before shooting began. ¡°We practiced like mad. If we can''t manage even this, we are not getting any airtime, Senior!¡±

    ¡°That''s right. We are usually just the fillers in these shows, so we gotta shine somewhere, or we are just gonna get cut. I¡¯ve been hitting the inte cafes non-stop.¡±

    It was clear theirughter hid a real fear of fading into the background. Behind the diligent practice was the sorrow of unpopredians.

    Ji-Hyuk and I were the popr idols, On Jeong-Woo always knew how to work the camera, and the CEO got her screen time just by virtue of being the boss. We didn¡¯t have to worry about screen time.

    But what about the two newbie actors andedians with us? They were the brave souls who had signed up for the low-rated variety show <i>Newbie Crew </i>when others turned it down in fear of low viewership.

    The budget for appearance fees was tight, so the production team prioritized faces like On Jeong-Woo, Ji-Hyuk and me. This meant there wasn''t much left for others. The less-knownedians, who were still hustling through cable shows and minor roles, and rookie actors just beginning to make their mark were all the team could afford.

    ¡°We gotta show we are trying, at least. I don¡¯t want to be a burden,¡± actor Min-Jae remarked, hoping to make a positive impact and prove their mettle.

    Even those without immediate screen time concerns like the CEO and Ji-Hyuk were trying hard. Therefore, no one wanted to be seen as a cker.

    As we caught up on each other¡¯s lives, the director finally spoke up. He was pleased with our camaraderie.

    - I am d to see everyone¡¯s been doing well.

    ¡°Oh, yeah. We¡¯ve been doing fantastic.¡±

    - Heard you¡¯ve all been squeezing in practice sessions in your busy schedules.

    ¡°We had to. Absolutely had to.¡±

    ¡°I felt pretty underpreparedst time.¡±

    - Right. How about we put that practice to the test? Let¡¯s take another crack at the Dark Citadel raid that you couldn¡¯t clearst time.

    The response was electric since everyone buzzed with readiness. ¡°Bring it on! I¡¯ve been waiting for this!¡±

    ¡°I couldplete that raid in my sleep by now!¡±

    ¡°Really? Wow, sounds like you''ve been practicing a ton!"

    ¡°I feel just as confident as the CEO and Hyun-Woo now!"

    It was clear from their confident remarks that they had been grinding away in the Dark Citadel.

    Ji-Hyuk was smirking like he owned the ce. ¡°I''ve already cleared it once myself," Ji-Hyuk boasted.

    ¡°Seriously? You cleared it?" I blurted out louder than I intended. It was an unbelievable improvement.

    Because Ji-Hyuk had been mostly useless during the previous raid as he continuously died, he must have practiced a lot under the hard training of his members.

    ¡°Man, I was so bummed about my pride that day. I''ve been hitting practice hard with the team."

    ¡°Oh, Ji-Hyuk is brimming with confidence, huh?"

    Ji-Hyukughed proudly and casually draped his arm around my shoulders. ¡°I might not be as good as Hyun-Woo yet, but I am definitely better than you, old man!"

    On Jeong-Woo, whom Ji-Hyuk teasingly called an old man, pouted and made a face like a sulky ten-year-old. ¡°I''ve been practicing a lot too. I n to make it to the end of the raid."

    Ji-Hyuk, the CEO''s son of the major agency YU Entertainment, had been mingling with top-tier celebrities long before his official debut. Despite being a rookie, his ability to charm on any variety show stemmed from his image as the CEO¡¯s son and a rookie idol whom even veterans respect.

    "Hyun-Woo, just watch how well I perform." Ji-Hyuk had taken me under his wing and treated me like a brother. Thanks to him, I was soon blending in with the rest of the cast without any awkwardness.

    Next to the talk show set, there was another set outfitted with eight top-of-the-lineputers.

    ¡°Wow, this ce is just like a high-end inte cafe!" eximededian Jeong-Hoon. It indeed looked like they had transported an entire upscale inte cafe onto our set.

    Theputers were much fancier than anything ourpany had, and they gleamed under the studio lights. They were surrounded by plush executive chairs and shy keyboards and mice.

    ¡°I feel like I''ve turned pro. This setup is insane."

    We were all in awe of the luxurious setup, which was a stark contrast to our humble beginnings.

    - Please pick a seat you like and put on your headset. To help us focus, we willmunicate through mics even though we are close to each other.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo,e sit next to me. Let''s stick together."

    "Sure."

    Ji-Hyuk naturally took charge of choosing where I would sit. I ended up sitting between him and actor Sang-Hyun.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, I¡¯m really looking forward to working with you,¡± Sang-Hyun told me in a warm and friendly manner. He had entered the industry just a couple of months before Chronos, back when we were engrossed in filming <i>Pick We Up</i>.

    I heard he was the same age as me. Unlike On Ki-Hoon from <i>Graduating,</i> Sang-Hyun hadn''t yet had any major roles. So far, at least.

    He had spent a long time under the radar but would eventually shoot to fame afternding a supporting lead in a drama by a renowned writer, followed by several starring roles. I was not sure which drama, but I had heard his name often and recognized his slightly youthful face from TV.

    ¡°Yes, me too. I am looking forward to it as well."

    ¡°Since we are the same age, why don''t we drop the formalities?"

    He suggested we talk informally right after I introduced myself. This reflected his reputation for being incredibly personable and warm.

    I couldn¡¯t hide my awkwardness against such a friendly face, so I nodded with the biggest smile I could muster. ¡°Should we? Just call me Hyun-Woo, Sang-Hyun."

    ¡°Alright, Hyun-Woo. You really know your way around a game."

    We were just getting into a casual chat when Ji-Hyuk chimed in, resting his hand on my shoulder to join the conversation. ¡°What? You two are buddies already? Count me in too, Sang-Hyun."

    ¡°Ah, ah!" Sang-Hyun caught on a bitte, and looked back and forth between Ji-Hyuk and me. He suddenly realized something. ¡°I watched <i>Pick We Up!</i> Weren''t you guys on that show?"

    ¡°That''s right. That''s where we hit it off~"

    ¡°Wow, no wonder. I had just debuted in Ye-Ji''s music video back then and was glued to UNET!"

    UNET had a system that yed a continuous sequence of artists'' music videos during the gaps in the schedule, from early morning to morning and fromte afternoon to evening. It seemed that Sang-Hyun would watch all the music videos shown fromte afternoon to evening to catch his own appearance and had inadvertently ended up watching clips and rebroadcasts of <i>Pick We Up </i>that had been mixed in between the music videos.

    ¡°Ah, really?¡± I asked. ¡°I saw that music video too. Wasn''t Ye-Ji''s song called Shoes or something like that? There was this really handsome guy in it, and I kept wondering who he could be, thinking maybe he was a trainee."

    Ji-Hyuk grinned, showing off his typically slick social skills. Sang-Hyun smiled back, genuinely pleased. ¡°Ah, aren¡¯t you a hyung? Just call me Sang-Hyun casually, hyung."

    ¡°Should I? Great. Give me your numberter, Sang-Hyun."

    I nodded as if I had been part of their conversation. It seemed Sang-Hyun was just as sociable as Ji-Hyuk, although a bit milderpared to our house¡¯s top social butterflies, Goh Yoo-Joon and Ji-Hyuk.

    - Everyone, pleaseunch<i> One Hours. </i>Come straight to the hideout and prepare for the raid.

    The director''s instructions came through <i>Disiscord, </i>a voice chat program.

    Only then did Ji-Hyuk''s hande off my shoulder. I sat down andunched the game. My character was wrapped up in the gear provided by the gamepany. I logged into the server, and soon after, Ji-Hyuk¡¯s character was visible. Seeing my character, Ji-Hyuk immediately performed the ''/pray'' emote.

    - I will show you a new side of me~

    Unlike the rxed vibe of ourst shooting, which could remind one of a tour of an inte cafe, Ji-Hyuk''s resolve this time was different. And he wasn¡¯t the only one. Cast members who hadn¡¯t stood outst time, who had been more of a hindrance than a help, were now discussing strategies for conquering the Dark Citadel with a serious tone through <i>Disiscord.</i>

    I felt more at ease after seeing this. It looked like today we might just be able to conquer the Dark Citadel.

 Chapter 313: Break (9)

    The cast members lived up to their promises, nimbly dodging a sequence of four consecutive attacks that had nearly wiped them outst time. This time around, they could even use their own attacks.

    Although they still weren¡¯t as proficient as seasoned yers, they had made remarkable progresspared to their previous attempt. Ji-Hyuk stood out among them, especially since he had previously mentioned clearing the Dark Citadel before the shoot.

    ¡°Look, Hyun-Woo. Am I good or what? Come on, give me some props."

    ¡°Ah, you are doing great~ Wait, hyung. Watch out there...!"

    Before I could finish my warning, Ji-Hyuk hummed a tune and effortlessly dodged out of the way. It was a surprising revtion ying online games with someone who not only had talent, but had put in hard work. His character oozed confidence. Although his attacks were less frequent than that of others, his focus on evasive maneuvers made my job as a healer much easier.

    ¡°Hyung, you''ve really gotten better."

    ¡°Right? See? My members clung on to me and taught me so much. I even got chewed out by our youngest. This is all for you, Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Cool, very cool."

    After I responded casually to him recounting his trials, a genuine smile spread across my face. The effort everyone was putting into clearing the level was palpable through their characters and <em>Disiscord</em>ms. Unlikest time, when only two of us had been left standing, this time, we breezed through the first phase.¡°Yes! We did it!!! Look at that!" Comedian Seong Jin was unable to contain his excitement. He jumped up and pointed at his monitor. It seemed he had embellished his gaming experience during the pre-interview, likely out of eagerness to join the show.

    I nodded along with Seong Jin and advised, ¡°We should move quickly to the next area while the monsters swarm. Just handle the ones in front, and we can dash to the next location."

    ¡°We are not killing them all?"

    ¡°No, they can''t follow us into the next section. Let''s avoid them as much as we can. Tank, if you could keep attracting their attention, please.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sure."

    The CEO¡¯s calm voice came over the line, reinforcing the n. Now, everyone seemed to be demonstrating their true skills. Having voicemunication made our movements much more coordinated, unlike ourst session which had been limited to chat messages. It seemed we might actually pull this off.

    Then came the second phase, where we had previously dered defeat. We ventured into it after ensuring everyone was healed up.

    ¡°¡­Oh? Wow." I couldn''t help but let out an impressed murmur. Everyone was handling the challenges better than anticipated. They even seemed to outperform some veteran yers who typically passed the first phase without needing a strategy guide. It could be because their fingers got warmed up or they had diligently studied a strategy guide.

    ¡°Please use the awakening skill here, tank. Everyone, gather near the tank."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Ah, I am a bit far. I might not make it in time."

    ¡°Shaman, do you see the pink skill in your skill window? Click on the archer there and use that skill."

    ¡°Oh! It pulled me right over. I thought it was a teleport!"

    ¡°That¡¯s the Temptation skill. It instantly brings a designated target closer. Remember to use it in emergencies."

    ¡°Okay, captain."

    What was happening? Why was everyone ying so well all of a sudden? It was only our second attempt, and yet everyone performed as if they were seasoned raiders and sharpened their skills as though they had practiced countless times. Soon, I discovered why.

    ¡°The Criminal Punishment phase is right up next."

    ¡°Yes. Get ready for consecutive AOE attacks!"

    ¡°Consecutive, yes!"

    Everyone except On Jeong-Woo had thoroughly pre-studied the phase. Now, the second phase seemed like a breeze as we attacked and defended with gusto. It was as if I had entered a random raid match only to find it popted by experts. Our teamwork was impressively solid.

    Before we knew it, the second phase was done. The team had skillfully gotten their revenge.

    ¡°Good job, everyone."

    ¡°Wow, we actually cleared it with this team."

    ¡°We still have one phase left."

    This was impossible. It seemed unbelievable how well we were doing. Surely, someone besides Ji-Hyuk must have cleared it before during their practice, despite iming otherwise.

    I continued to heal, amazed and astounded. They had performed so well that, unlikest time when I was healing and reviving until my mana ran out, today I hardly needed to use the revive ability.

    However, the final phase of the Dark Citadel remained. Only Ji-Hyuk and the CEO had cleared it before, and we couldn¡¯t finish it in one go as expected. I fervently healed, but the party members fell to the intensifying attacks of the final boss one by one. It culminated in a total wipeout.

    - Nice try, everyone.

    ¡°Ah, it''s such a shame. A few more tries, maybe? What do you think, everyone?"

    ¡°Yeah, we were handling the final boss up until the middle at least. Maybe with a few more tries, we could actually do it."

    The strong sense of disappointment was palpable, but everyone seemed eager for another go. However, the director decisively instructed us to exit the Dark Citadel.

    - We sincerely appreciate your passion, but our aim is higher. Why not try the end-game content me of Conviction when you are mentally and physically ready?

    It seemed the director believed that focusing on clearing Dark Citadel would shift our goal from me of Belief to Dark Citadel.

    ¡°Sounds good!"

    ¡°Agreed!"

    ¡°It does feel like we are getting the hang of it. Maybe we can handle at least the first phase next time?"

    - Think of today as just getting a test. This is more about gaining experience than clearing.

    The director pragmatically tempered the party''s enthusiasm with a dose of reality. The gimmicks[1] in Dark Citadel, thoughplex, were familiar to those who had experienced previous raids. Even the most puzzling second phase, the Unfortunate Detective, could be roughly figured out easily if one thought about it. <em>¡®Ah, so that''s what needs to be done.¡¯</em>

    Of course, at the time of its release, the gimmicks had been moreplicated than they were now. However, this raid was said to be the toughest ever, and the members'' gear would only be considered basic in the me of Belief.

    ¡°Shall we enter now?¡± I calmed the party members down and moved the cursor over the raid entrance button. Everyone said it was challenging, but just how tough could it be?

    I nced at the CEO, who appeared equally tense. Considering how the CEO, who had been ying <em>One Hours </em>since its inception, was this nervous, it really had to be a formidable raid.

    ¡°Let''s go in then."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Let''s do this!"

    I clicked the [Enter] button with trembling hands.

    We had skipped every story, so the cutscene started with characters unknown to me. The protagonist, though once thwarted, did not let his conviction wane in the face of darkness. As the ck screen filled with a me symbolizing his conviction, the yer''s NPC[2]rades followed him with grave expressions. The cutscene ended, and we found ourselves in a brightly lit space.

    ¡°Let¡¯s start.¡±

    Once the CEO Lee Mi-Hyang spoke, the party members walked forward. The silence was thick, and it was broken only by asional awe-struck exmations at the grandeur of the raid environment. We reached the first phase.

    <em>Whoom¡ª</em>

    A sound like stepping on a mine preceded a grotesquely red monster swooping in.

    ¡°Uh, is that the boss?" I asked.

    <em>Boom!!!</em>

    ¡°What in the¡ª"

    ¡°What is this?"

    And just like that, it was over. When I regained my senses, everyone was down. A single attack from the red creature had wiped us out.

    After a moment, I pieced together the situation and muttered under my breath, ¡°C¡­ CEO... isn''t this a bit too strong of an attack...?"

    Getting wiped out as soon as we entered the phase seemed overly harsh.

    ¡°Ah..."

    The CEO was apparently as taken aback as the rest of us, and was at a loss for words. After a brief pause as I drew on our past experiences, I suggested, ¡°It looks like the only way is for the tanks to time their shields perfectly around everyone."

    At the moment of the wipeout attack, the tanks could deploy a protective skill around all party members, and another healer and I could perform a mass heal.

    But reality was often less forgiving than nning ahead. Befitting a final content raid, synchronizing the skills of tanks and healers to perfection was extremely difficult. In the end, we had to wrap up the shoot without even getting another look at the first phase boss.

    1. In gaming, a "gimmick" refers to a unique or special game mechanic, feature, or trick that distinguishes a particr level, puzzle, or challenge. These can include specific behaviors, patterns, or puzzles that yers need to understand and manipte to progress or seed in a game. ?

    2. Non-yer Character. They are the characters controlled by the game''s software rather than by a yer, often used to provide quests, information, or other interactions within the game world. ?

 Chapter 314: Break (10)

    <h4>Chapter 314: Break (10)</h4>

    Entering the raid to an immediate total wipeout was a massive shock to me, a seasoned RPG gamer. Even after we wrapped up the shoot, I couldn''t shake off the disbelief. It was to the point that I went straight back to our dorm and dove right back into me of Belief with Ji-Hyuk and Goh Yoo-Joon using our original usernames and characters.

    It had been ages since I got so hooked on a game that I didn¡¯t stop until Joo-Han smacked me on the back to snap me out of it.

    But as engrossing as gaming was, I couldn''t let it overshadow my main job. The end of our promotional activities for ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± was rapidly approaching. Today was the final day for ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± on the music show.

    ¡°Today¡¯s ending fairy[1] is Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Ah..."

    I had stepped out briefly to grab a drink, and when I returned, the atmosphere in the dressing room had shifted. It turned out I had been chosen for today''s ending close-up. Since we''d been taking turns with this responsibility, I had half-expected it might be my turn anyway.

    I showed a mixed reaction, neither thrilled nor displeased, and then sat down and cracked open my drink. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we all do this together since it¡¯s thest one?"

    ¡°All of us?"

    ¡°Let¡¯s n something. It¡¯s ourst chance, after all."

    Every time I was up for the ending fairy, I wondered why this trend even started. It wasn¡¯t just about me dealing with awkward close-ups. All members, even all performers on the music broadcast, had to share this load.

    But the fans seemed to love it. They even madeptions of the ending fairy moments from each music broadcast. So, no matter how burdensome, it was an event we couldn¡¯t just gloss over.

    <i>¡®What should we do?¡¯</i>

    Fortunately, even if I was the ending fairy, I could involve the other members since today was the final broadcast. The members naturally gathered around me.

    Jin-Sung had handled the ending for yesterday¡¯s music broadcast, and he quickly bowed out. ¡°I¡¯ve tried every idea I can think of, so I am out of suggestions. Yesterday¡¯s ending was my limit."

    Joo-Han raised his hand as if he had been waiting for his cue. ¡°As Hyun-Woo said, it would be good to do something together to express our gratitude to the fans who have been with us throughout all the promotions. It¡¯s ourst shoot, so the timing is perfect."

    His proposal was neatly put together as if he had been gearing up to suggest this today.

    Joo-Han shed a professionally bright smile and added, ¡°I¡¯ve got it all nned out. It¡¯s nothing major, though."

    ***

    ¡°Do they look prettier because this is theirst performance for thiseback?"

    ¡°Don¡¯t read too much into their looks. They don¡¯t need a reason to be pretty. They are just always beautiful."

    Two fans were watching Chronos¡¯ performance on TV with enlightened expressions.

    <i>¡®I thought I¡¯d get to see them this time...¡¯</i>

    However, seeing them in person during this promotion period had remained just a dream. It was impossible. The two lived in Daegu[2], and Chronos had activities only in Seoul.

    The two fans couldn¡¯t just travel to Seoul to attend a music broadcast because of their jobs. They bought twenty albums hoping to win a spot at a fan signing event, but didn¡¯t get lucky. Those insane bourgeois-types usually bought two to three hundred albums.

    ¡°Such a fan pit. This damn fan pit." [3]

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I meet them when I love them just as much?"

    Ah, time flew by so fast. It felt like just yesterday they were thrilled about Chronos starting promotions for ¡°Phantom Spirit, and now, the promotion period was already ending.

    On top of that, there would be no group schedules for a while so that the members wouldn¡¯t overwork themselves. This made it more disappointing. Even though Chronos bitterly mentioned that they struggled just to dance at the start of ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± in the music video behind-the-scenes, the members had now mastered the stage.

    All members were exhausted, and frequent stage mistakes¡ªsomeone on <i>UTube</i> had even targeted Park Yoon-Chan with aption of these mistakes¡ªhad caused stress for both the members and fans. Just as they started enjoying the stage more, the end was suddenly upon them.

    No matter the song, it was always like this. That was why the ending was filled with so much longing.

    The Rings suppressed their words to match the cheers, and Chronos gave more nces to the camera and smiled more than usual since this was thest performance for thiseback. This was how ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± schedules concluded with a wless stage.

    After the song was over, Rings unleashed their pent-up cheers as the melody faded. At that moment, the screen switched to a close-up of Suh Hyun-Woo. The endingsted for fifteen seconds.

    ¡°Whew! Why is he so gorgeous today? Is Hyun-Woo the fairy today?"

    ¡°He''s unreal, seriously. My baby, aw. Is he even a human?¡±

    Bitterness stayed bitter, loneliness stayed lonely, and beauty stayed beautiful. Amidst the mncholy of their final schedules, the seamless interaction between Chronos and their fanbase flowed effortlessly like an ingrained habit.

    Suh Hyun-Woo was gasping for breath and staring fixedly at the camera. In an instant, his grave expression dissolved, and he nced around yfully.

    <i>¡®Ah, you are up to something!'' </i>

    The two Rings leaned forward toward the TV as if drawn by an invisible force. Suh Hyun-Woo caught the camera''s gaze again after looking around. He shed a small post-it note with a sly grin.

    [TO. RINGS

    I really love you]

    ¡°...¡±

    Words failed them, not forck of something to say, but because they were overwhelmed with emotion. It wasn¡¯t that they felt like crying. It was rather the kind of tearful reaction you have when you encounter something profoundly touching.

    Suddenly, more faces popped into view. Soon enough, all five members of Chronos were squeezing into the narrow frame. Their faces were brimming with joy as they each held up their post-its alongside Suh Hyun-Woo.

    [Hang in there. We will meet again soon.]

    [We will work even harder. Thank you.]

    [Rings have worked hard too. See you in a bit!]

    [Missing you always. Love and thank you so much <3 Start snapping pictures now :)]

    This wasn''t just any message. It was a heartfelt note from Chronos to their fans, rolled out during the live stream. But that wasn¡¯t all. As the stream neared its end, Chronos managed to sneak onest fun moment with Goh Yoo-Joon holding a phone in his hand.

    ''One, two, three,'' Joo-Han counted silently, and everyone in Chronos beamed and shed peace signs on cue. It was a scene reminiscent of a group selfie. Chronos had perfectly orchestrated the moment for Rings to capture.

    ¡°Ah, this is unbelievable.¡±

    It was such bliss.

    The two Rings were unable to contain their excitement and erupted in cheers. Thus concluded the promotional cycle for ¡°Phantom Spirit.¡± But it wasn¡¯tpletely over. There was always a mini fan meeting after thest music show, and tales from that gathering would start popping up online soon.

    ***

    Maybe this was what it felt like to retire. Ever since theeback kicked off, constant fatigue and sleepiness were my shadows. However, now that it was all ending, a cocktail of bitterness, regret, and invigoration surged through me.

    ¡°Wow, what should I do now? Should I sleep first or dive into some gaming?¡±

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, aren''t you going out to meet friends?¡±

    ¡°You said to cut back on hanging out, hyung. I tly refused when my friends suggested drinks after the wrap-up. That was a good decision, right?¡±

    ¡°Shouldn''t we celebrate with a team dinner? Su-Hwan hyung, aren¡¯t we up for some BBQ tonight?¡±

    ¡°...If you want to go, we can. But, aren¡¯t you tired?¡±

    The rest of the members were all visibly relieved. We left the broadcasting station and naturally gravitated toward a secluded bench. A shrill beep cut through the air.

    <i>Beep! Beeeeeep!</i>

    ¡°Oops, sorry.¡±

    The noise ring from Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s megaphone abruptly ceased as we approached the bench, and the nearby crowd began cheering us on. The click of cameras served as a backdrop.

    At the mini fan meeting with our fans...

    ¡°Yaaaah!!!¡±

    Jin-Sung burst out in excitement and dashed toward the Rings. Yoon-Chan was hesitant andgging behind, and Goh Yoo-Joon had a casual hand on Yoon-Chan''s shoulder.

    ¡°...Let''s just take it slow.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. My joints aren''t what they used to be,¡± I said.

    Joo-Han and I decided to simply wave and walk over at our own pace. As we strolled, someone with a serious expression suddenly popped up from behind me.

    ¡°Ah, you scared me...¡±

    It was Tae-Seong. ¡°Are your joints bothering you?¡±

    I smiled awkwardly and shook my head. ¡°No. It¡¯s just because of the dance routines. They are not really hurting.¡±

    Tae-Seong was a fitness enthusiast who paid extra attention to our hip joints and muscle aches. He seemed skeptical of my quick denial since he probably thought I wanted to avoid another hospital trip likest time. He scrutinized my face with a stoic look, then quietly nodded and backed off.

    Given his nature, I¡¯d probably find myself in a hospital within a week anyway.

    When Joo-Han and I arrived at the scene of the fan meeting, Goh Yoo-Joon started things off with his usual banter.

    ¡°Rings, we¡¯re so sorry. Have you been waiting long?¡±

    ¡°Yes... No!!! Not really!¡±

    ¡°Hey, someone just said ''yes!¡¯ You''ve all been so patient.¡±

    The fan meeting today was held in a rxed manner, but there were a few announcements that naturally needed to be made during the event. These included news about our uing long vacation and a special live broadcast tonight on <i>Q-app</i> tomemorate the final episode. Lastly, there were teasers about Yoon-Chan''s solo track "Forest," which would be released tomorrow with a special live video.

    ¡°How did you like the performance today?"

    ¡°It was great!!!"

    Joo-Han smoothly started the discussion with a story about the ending scene. ¡°You might have missed this at the end of the show because the camera didn¡¯t fully capture the message. Here''s the rolling paper we wrote for our fans."

    Despite the fan meeting not being meticulously nned like thest time, all the membersfortably assisted Joo-Han and interacted with the Rings. The meeting proceeded smoothly and, as usual, it ended with a Q&A session.

    ¡°Uh, I choose you! The person at the very back!" Jin-Sung pointed to one of the fans who had raised their hand to ask a question.

    The fan was blushing deeply. She stood up and said, ¡°I''m curious about the most memorable thing that happened to Chronos recently!"

    ¡°Ah!" Jin-Sung eximed, looking around at the other members. The question immediately brought to mind a night soaked in alcohol and tears¡ªthe Game of Truth they''d yed.

    From their expressions, it was clear that all the members were thinking of the same event.

    ¡°...Hmm, there is something, but should I really talk about it?" Goh Yoo-Joon was already hinting at a willingness to spill the beans with his suggestive tone and a yful expression.

    1. The "Ending Fairy" in K-Pop describes a performer who captures attention with a memorable pose or expression during the final shot of a live performance, leaving asting impression on the audience. This role varies by performance and is seen as a coveted spot for idols to showcase their charisma and connect emotionally with fans, often leading to memorable moments that resonate with their audience. ?

    2. Daegu is 1.5 to 2 hours away from Seoul by high-speed train, and around 4 hours by car. ?

    3. Referring to the inability of the fan to reach their idols/connect with them in person. ?

 Chapter 315: Break (11)

    ¡°We recently got together and yed the Game of Truth. And let me tell you, it got intense," Goh Yoo-Joon shared while ncing my way.

    I nodded in agreement and recalled the evening. ¡°Yeah, Joo-Han hyung really went all out by setting the mood with candles and everything."

    ¡°I honestly thought I had wandered into an elementary school camp!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung is typically reserved, but he needed a bit of alcohol to open up. But after two shots, he was a goner." Jin-Sungughed and pointed at me yfully. It was a reminder of just how poorly I handled my liquor, something I was aware of but had drastically underestimated.

    The members buzzed with excitement as they recounted the night, each anecdote more animated than thest. ¡°We were almost through when Suh Hyun-Woo just crashed. It was game over right there."

    I was just relieved they skipped the part after I cked out. As the tales wound down, Joo-Han decided to take some questions from the audience. ¡°How about the person in the middle, with the white T-shirt?" he called out.

    ¡°Waaaaah!¡± The chosen fan stood up with a shout that rivaled our loudest concerts, making everyone, members and fans alike, burst intoughter.

    Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. ¡°My question is! Is there any chance Hyun-Woo might go back to tinum blonde? And are any other members considering going lighter?"

    A collective "ah" echoed from all around as all eyes turned to me. I knew the Rings had mixed feelings about my hair color. They seemed to appreciate whatever style I chose, but I thought they appreciated my tinum blonde more than my current ck hair color.¡°To be honest, my scalp pays the price every time I bleach my hair, so I''m not the biggest fan of dyeing it," I admitted.

    ¡°That¡¯s true. Every time Hyun-Woo hyung dyes his hair, he winces in pain.¡±

    ¡°But you guys seem to really dig it when I change up my hair color," I added while noting the nods and murmurs of agreement from the crowd.

    At first, I swore off any extreme coloring after going back to ck. Buttely, I had been reconsidering. Lighter hair did look striking in fan cams, and I had noticed it caught the light rather well.

    ¡°I like my natural hair color, but I''ve been thinking about dyeing my hair again. Rings really loved tinum blonde, and it did look amazing in those fan cams," I confessed, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. It was the color that the Rings had shown the most positive response.

    I finished what I had to say and let the other members take the floor. ¡°So, what about you guys? Jin-Sung was very eager to dye his hair, right? He went with blue this time, and it was his first time changing hair color. How does it feel? Thinking of going for another round?"

    Jin-Sung grimaced. ¡°Ah, actually, I would, but I¡¯d rather not go full tinum like you did. Maybe something closer to what Joo-Han hyung has. What¡¯s that color, dark blue? I¡¯m a bit worried about hair loss from dyeing the roots too often," hemented while twirling a strand of Joo-Han¡¯s hair.

    Joo-Han chuckled and teased him. ¡°Jin-Sung, didn¡¯t you say one round of blue was enough to kill your scalp?"

    ¡°Hey, stop it! I¡¯m still in my energetic teen years. I can handle it."

    Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in while fiddling with his own hair. ¡°I¡¯m all for keeping my hair ck. I never knew the struggle until I bleached it. Maintenance is a nightmare."

    Besides hair color, the conversation bounced around. There was talk about a recent spar between Goh Yoo-Joon and me, discussions on game shows, Yoon-Chan¡¯s drama, and whether Jin-Sung would post his dance cover video.

    Forty minutes had passed from the start of the fan meeting, and with Joo-Han steering the event, Su-Hwan nodded in my direction. It was time to wrap things up.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take onest question!" I said by pumping up the energy and raising my hand. It prompted others with lingering questions to do the same.

    I spotted someone eye-catching in the crowd and picked her. She stood up. ¡°I¡¯m just wondering¡­ Is there any chance of a Chronos concerting up?"

    ¡°Concert, huh?" I turned to Joo-Han.

    He shook his head. ¡°Nothing nned yet, sadly. But we will let you know if anythinges up."

    ¡°Ah¡­¡±

    A wave of disappointment washed through the crowd, apanied by a low buzz. Though I wasn''t well-informed, it seemed posts had circted online suggesting a Chronos concert was imminent, sparking widespread spection.

    Su-Hwan had let me in on the fact that a concert was indeed in the works, but it wasn¡¯t my ce to spill the beans. Thus, I yed dumb. ¡°Don¡¯t be too down about us saying goodbye here. We will be back tonight."

    ¡°To those who couldn''t make it, we are nning another fun session at 9 PM on <em>Q-app</em>. Just hang tight!"

    ¡°Oh, and one more thing," I added, capturing everyone''s attention again. ¡°Yoon-Chan and I have a surprise gift for you."

    Excited whispers filled the room.

    <em>''What, a gift?'' </em>

    <em>''Wow, awesome!'' </em>

    Goh Yoo-Joon boosted the excitement by slinging an arm around my shoulder. ¡°Yep, it¡¯s something pretty spectacr."

    I grinned and nced at Yoon-Chan. Figuring out what the gift was, Yoon-Chan looked a bit tense.

    I turned away and put my finger to my lips. ¡°I can¡¯t reveal it just yet, but I think you are really going to love it. Stay tuned for tomorrow."

    Today, the Ring¡¯s social media circles would probably be buzzing with spections about what Yoon-Chan and I had up our sleeves. The Rings were sharp, so no matter how hard we tried to keep things under wraps, they usually caught on pretty quickly. I hoped they would get excited and make some guesses this time around.

    After a postponement, the final version of Yoon-Chan''s solo live video, which I had also watched in awe, was finally done. It was an impable piece of work. The editing had been meticulous, and the adjustments made to Yoon-Chan¡¯s microphone levels ensured it was clear he was performing live. It was a stark contrast to just oveying music on a video.

    YMM had likely been monitoring the ongoing debates about Yoon-Chan''s abilities since his debut, and they seemed determined to showcase his skills with this video this time. They had gone all out with the visuals and choreography by guaranteeing a response that would exceed expectations.

    I announced this confidently and stirred more curiosity among the crowd. Joo-Han concluded the fan meeting with a sly smile.

    And with that, the curtain closed on the ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± activities. In the evening, we had a barbeque feast led by Jin-Sung. Since we drank a little, we listened to Joo-Han¡¯s nagging on our way back to the dorm. The official three-month vacation for Chronos had begun.

    ***

    Next evening at 5:58 PM, all the members gathered around aputer in the YMM conference room. Members, the managers, and the Chronos team staff continued their excited conversation around the single monitor.

    ¡°The final version is truly a masterpiece. Watching it made me wonder if he''s really one of ours," Supervisor Kim said. He rarely gushed like this.

    ¡°Even kids from big agencies aren¡¯t often this good on camera. Yoon-Chan really nails the facial expressions, huh?"

    ¡°Supervisor, Yoon-Chan just got into that drama, too. Talented actors can make expressionse alive even on camera."

    ¡°Did Hyun-Woo see him first hand at the site?" the supervisor asked.

    I nodded. ¡°Yes. I made some minor adjustments to his camera focus and gestures."

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung also taught me how to emphasize my vocals and look good on camera." Right, I did mention those. Yoon-Chan subtly shifted the praise toward me and gave me all the credit.

    Jin-Sung immediately caught on and eximed, ¡°Wow! How does Hyun-Woo hyung know all this stuff? Does ite to you naturally or do you practice daily in front of a mirror?"

    ¡°That''s what I mean. Sometimes it feels like Hyun-Woo hyung has been in the industry for five years. He always getspliments on how well he handles his stage presence."

    I simply nodded in agreement. My experience from watching and providing feedback to the newly debuted artists at YU had been a big help after my own debut.

    Each member of Chronos was not only talented, but clearly had something they wanted to express in front of the camera. That was why I had been reluctant to give premature feedback, but seeing Yoon-Chan so down about the criticism of his skills recently, I got annoyed and decided to really focus and provide him some solid feedback after a long time.

    ¡°It¡¯s almost six o¡¯clock," I said.

    The chatter stopped abruptly, and everyone¡¯s attention turned to the monitor.

    ¡°It must have been uploaded by now," Hye-Ri hummed and hit refresh. A new video appeared on the screen.

    #YmmArtist #Yoon-Chan #Chronos

    [Special Clip] Yoon-Chan - Forest (4K)

    Yoon-Chan''s live solo song video had been released.

 Chapter 316: Break (12)

    <h4>Chapter 316: Break (12)</h4>

    ¡°Wooooah!!!"

    ¡°Yeeeeah!!! Park Yoon-Chan!!!!"

    ¡°...Wow, the thumbnail turned out really good."

    ¡°Thanks... Thank you so much."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was buzzing with excitement by shaking Yoon-Chan, while Jin-Sung had his game face on and fully focused from the moment the video popped up. I gave Yoon-Chan a reassuring pat and clicked on the thumbnail.

    Everyone knew that if YMM Entertainment did anything right, it was their serious attitude toward performances. They might skimp on the budget, but they always pulled out all the stops with the resources they had.

    Even if they started with a B-grade song, their in-houseposers poured their souls into it and upgraded it to A-list material. The Rings, even those who routinely criticized thepany, trusted thempletely when it came to stage quality, album concepts, and music videos.

    Therefore, they naturally poured their hearts into Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s solo live stage, a project that might not attract much general interest. If anyone was to watch it, it would have been because of the <i>UTube </i>algorithm.

    ¡°What? Where is this? Outside?"

    ¡°Yes... It was filmed both outdoors and on set."

    ¡°Really? There is such a ce in Korea?"

    People were wowed by the stunning quality of the backdrop. In a sweeping green field, Yoon-Chan stood with dancers while shimmering in the sunlight. The pale screen lit up with the rich makeup and colorful threads in Yoon-Chan¡¯s hair that the stylists had been raving about in the group chat. The vibrant outfits harmonized beautifully with the green fields and evoked the essence of a cool summer in the blink of an eye.

    ¡°Wow, he doesn¡¯t even look like Yoon-Chan hyung."

    ¡°The quality is no joke, right? You wouldn¡¯t believe how much the visual team struggled."

    ¡°No, Supervisor. It¡¯s all with love for Yoon-Chan! ...Haha."

    It was like seeing the top student at school, who was always quiet and well-behaved, throw off his sses and start dressing up right after graduation. The cool sky and the rustling wind made up the background, and the title ¡°Forest¡± appeared in white letters across the screen before slowly fading away.

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m so nervous..." Yoon-Chan muttered under his breath.

    I turned to look at him. He was nervously biting his lip and fidgeting with his fingers as he took deep breaths. Considering the recent controversy over his abilities, anyone could tell he was incredibly anxious about this live video going public.

    After the title disappeared, the camera, which had been showcasing the scenic view, slowly zoomed in on Yoon-Chan and the dancers. Then, the scene abruptly switched to a close-up of his face.

    Someone nearby couldn''t help but let out an exmation of awe. ¡°Wow."

    I was brimming with pride. That was our Chronos¡¯ visual right there. Only a few could look that good from up close.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anyone handle a zoom like that without it feeling forced. He looks like something out of a graphic novel."

    The camera panned out again, capturing Yoon-Chan and all the dancers from above. The breezy intro of the song ¡°Forest¡± started. If Yoon-Chan had been the only one feeling the pressure earlier, now even my lips felt dry.

    It was a song I hadposed and written. As the tropical guitar sounds began ying, the choreography kicked in. It was clearly a dance track, but no one at the agency could deny that Yoon-Chan''s dance skills were still not quite ready for a solo spotlight.

    Perhaps that was why the camera soon started focusing more on Yoon-Chan¡¯s expressive face than the dance moves. But that was a trick only those of us in the industry, like the director and me, who had been present at the shoot, were aware of. To an untrained eye, the editing was so subtle, it felt seamless.

    Moreover, the Yoon-Chan in the video was so visually stunning that he was likely to win over many fans. The key dance moves and choreography he was good at were disyed well enough that nobody could doubt his dancing skills.

    ¡°Great focus~ This is really well filmed. Feels like I¡¯m watching a music video," Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    Supervisor Kimughed heartily and ced his hand on Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°If this gets a good response, we will think about also producing your solo song like this."

    ¡°Really? Are you talking about ¡®Hide Room?¡¯"

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the one. Oh, that¡¯s another track Hyun-Woo made, right?" Supervisor Kim asked.

    Behind him, the visual director and the head of the marketing nning team exchanged frustrated nces and sharply turned their eyes back to the video. Their looks said it all: ''Why are you taking the credit when we did all the hard work?''

    ? A fresh thrill sweeps in with a cool breeze,

    Leaves dance and sing with the wind,

    Urging us forward, just you and me,

    I will be your unforgettable first love,

    Sunshine in my forest

    Yoon-Chan sang with a bright, joyful expression while weing the cool breeze across the open field. It was a refreshing change to see him so animated, given his usual reserved demeanor. The Rings were sure to love this side of him.

    His voice was soft yet clear, and it slightly overpowered the background music with its melodious sound. Although a few parts seemed polished in post-production, you could still catch the authenticity of a live performance through his breaths and slight movements from the choreography.

    <i>¡®He sings so well, but why do people fuss over his abilities?¡¯</i> It seemed like critics only focused on his rare bad days.

    Later in the video, the scene shifted to a live set performance. The raw, unpolished feel of his voice seemed almost harsh. However, he nailed the performance and showcased the effort he had put in. This video might not change everything overnight, but I hoped it would calm the controversies around Yoon-Chan and bolster the Rings'' faith in our abilities.

    [Forest]

    The screen disyed the title in bold ck letters after the song concluded, and the video ended with a close-up of Yoon-Chan. It definitely highlighted his striking visuals again. Apuse erupted spontaneously, which was a silent tribute to the hard-working staff and Yoon-Chan himself.

    ¡°You''ve really worked hard, Yoon-Chan. You did incredibly well," Joo-Han said gently between ps.

    Yoon-Chan lowered his head. ¡°Thank... you..." His trembling shoulders and tearful voice clearly showed he was moved to tears.

    Goh Yoo-Joon began to console him, perhaps a bit too dramatically. ¡°Hey! Why are you crying? Who upset you?"

    ¡°Ah, hyung... really, hyung..."

    Suddenly, Jin-Sung started crying even more than Yoon-Chan. It made sense for Yoon-Chan to break down after the emotional rollercoaster he''d been through, but why was Jin-Sung sobbing even harder? And why did Joo-Han look so bitter, why were his ears flushed, and why did Goh Yoo-Joon seem on the verge of tears himself? They were all kind-hearted, so their reactions weren''t entirely surprising.

    ¡°...Excuse me."

    Why did Su-Hwan suddenly turn away, not showing his face, and leave the room? No, it made sense. Su-Hwan cared for us as if he were the sixth member of Chronos. I felt deeply moved too, and those close to us would surely understand.

    ¡°Why are you guys overreacting?"

    I understood why others teared up, but why was Supervisor Kim crying? ¡°Don¡¯t cry, you guys!"

    ¡°..."

    Despite the somber mood, the viewing session for Yoon-Chan''s solo live video concluded sessfully.

    ***

    ¡°Are you up?"

    ¡°...Yeah."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice was groggy as he entered the living room and nudged my legs off the couch to sit down.

    ¡°Wow, that was some serious sleep. I feel so refreshed, wow." Despite his puffy and grumpy face, Goh Yoo-Joon looked surprisingly cheerful. ¡°Killer sleep. Absolutely insane." It seemed he¡¯d had a great night''s sleep for the first time in a while.

    I chuckled and rearranged my awkwardly ced legs by putting them over Goh Yoo-Joonp.

    With the conclusion of ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± activities, we were officially on break. Though Yoon-Chan and I were still busy with individualmitments, the end-of-album promotions had definitely lightened our schedules.

    ¡°It feels like the first day of vacation. Should I sleep some more? I might end up with a headache if I do, right?"

    ¡°If you want to sleep, just sleep," I responded casually and turned on <i>UTube</i>. ¡°Did you see the views on Yoon-Chan¡¯s video?"

    ¡°No, why? Is it doing well?"

    I handed him my phone. Even half-asleep, Goh Yoo-Joon was impressed by Yoon-Chan''s thumbnail and was shocked by the view count. ¡°What the... Why did the views skyrocket overnight?"

    ¡°Because it exploded. Caught the algorithm."

    Who wouldn''t click on that thumbnail? You didn''t need to be a fan of idols or even Chronos to be drawn to such visuals. Those who identally clicked on videos criticizing Yoon-Chan¡¯s abilities would have this video rmended to them. The painstakingly crafted thumbnail was impossible to ignore.

    Many viewers had been drawn in this way, leading to shares and discussions on social media, and a surge in views from fans and curious people alike. The video''s quality kept peopleing back and racked up views on repeat ys. This exposure was a boon, not just for the Rings, but for introducing Yoon-Chan''s striking looks to a wider audience.

 Chapter 317: Break (13)

    <h4>Chapter 317: Break (13)</h4>

    - I realized again that I''m a sucker for visuals.

    ©¸ Seriously, that thumbnail totally drew me in.

    - 1:37

    - He''s so talented, why do people keep saying hecks skill?

    - Yoon-Chan AWWWW Your facial expressions, dance moves, and singing are all top-notch ?? Your styling, the concept, your looks... Everything''s just perfect... ??

    - Facial expressions by: Hyun-Woo, Dance by: Jin-Sung, Singing techniques taught by: Yoo-Joon lol Each member''s touch is so noticeable hahaha

    ©¸ That''s true, but let''s not forget Yoon-Chan was always a star~

    ©¸ Yeah, I''m aware.

    - 00:08 That outfit, those expressions, and that backdrop are overwhelmingly stunning?? Totally love it...

    - Seems like they''ve gone all out at YMM... Can you imagine how frustrated he must have felt to crank up the mic and upload a raw live video just to silence those baseless rumors about his skills... If only the haters would vanish...

    The buzz was incredible. Chances were, if Yoon-Chan''s video popped up thanks to the algorithm, the viewers were already fans of the entertainment world. People who had an interest in Chronos or clicked because Yoon-Chan¡¯s thumbnail caught their eye started increasing the views,menting, and sharing the video across various tforms.

    The video was wless and unquestionably didn¡¯t have anything to do with any controversy.

    - When you watch his usual live performances, he seems a bit shaky, but it looks like they''ve tweaked his voice for this upload.

    - If you don''t know that for sure, please shut up. The controversies were all staged. I am dead serious. The clip of his performance without edits is out there, and yet there are still suchments, smh

    - But doesn''t it seem like they did tweak the voice? It''s evident at 00:31. He gets up from a lying position doing that dance without a single wobble?

    Regardless of the unbelievable clip, there were always those looking to stir up drama.

    ¡®<i>Ah, we¡¯re used to this.¡¯</i>

    I sighed and put down my phone. I looked at Yoon-Chan, who was deeply engrossed in ying ¡°Rasputin¡± with Jin-Sung for the first time in ages. Yoon-Chan hadn¡¯t checked the reactions since he uploaded his solo live video. Considering his tendency to take everyment to heart, staying away from feedback was probably for the best.

    The other members were already filtering the positive feedback to Yoon-Chan. ¡°Yoon-Chan, your live video is trending at number two. Reactions are amazing."

    ¡°Ah, really? That''s a relief... Hyun-Woo hyungposed the song and helped so much. I was worried about how the viewers would react... Phew, I was really stressed."

    ¡°...How could the reactions possibly be bad?"

    He was the type who could effortlessly chat while dancing to ¡°Rasputin¡± if he was just a bit more physically and mentally rxed like that. Yoon-Chan¡¯s ¡°Rasputin¡± game was improving day by day.

    ¡°Excuse me, would it be okay if I filmed a video of you two?"

    ¡°Uh? Yes, sure."

    <i>Beep¡ª Rrrring¡ª.</i>

    Tae-Seong approached Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung and suddenly began filming. Huh? I felt like I¡¯d seen this scene before.

    ¡°Why are you filming this?¡± I asked.

    Goh Yoo-Joon tapped away on his phone and casually replied, ¡°Su-Hwan asked for it. He said to capture any moment worth posting on <i>BlueBird</i>, whether it''s photos or videos."

    ¡°Ah, got it."

    I thought Su-Hwan was going to keep it for his personal collection, but it seemed he was trying to keep the Rings engaged during our lengthy break by increasing our presence on <i>BlueBird.</i>

    ¡°By the way, are you ying games with Ji-Hyuk hyung again today? Count me in if you are."

    ¡°No, not today."

    Our routine had been so disrupted by our schedules that any of us could nod off at any moment, as if we had narcolepsy[1]. I was debating whether to catch some more sleep.

    Even though we were officially on a break, Yoon-Chan and I still had drama shoots and variety show appearances, not to mention I still had that ongoing coboration with Reina. Thepany made this period more rxed to work rather than aplete downtime. On days like today when we had nothing scheduled, sleep was precious.

    Just then, I heard the front door open.

    Joo-Han had returned from his family home, his armsden with containers of side dishes which he set on the table.

    ¡°I¡¯m back. ...¡¯Rasputin¡¯ again? Mom packed some side dishes, so shall we eat now?"

    He immediately turned off ¡®Rasputin,¡¯ which had been on repeat for the fifth time.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with that reaction? Hey, you are going to lose to Yoon-Chan no matter how many times you try. Just eat. Mom even packed us rice.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really? Wow, there is seaweed soup too!¡±

    ¡°Mom thought she¡¯d faint watching us make seaweed soup on <i>Q-app. </i>So, no more making seaweed soup from now on.¡±

    While Joo-Han had been at home, it seemed he had thought of a lot of things he wanted to tell us, so he unleashed a barrage of nagging.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, were you trying to sleep again? Stop sleeping so much.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°You are not just sleeping out of tiredness. It''s narcolepsy, I swear. Oh, and Yoo-Joon. I love that you are active on <i>BlueBird,</i> but you should mix in some of your own photos, not just ones of the other members."

    ¡°Ah, okay, hyung. I will upload one right away."

    ¡°Let¡¯s skip Jin-Sung for now. Did you see Yoon-Chan¡¯s video? It shot up to second ce on the trending charts! You really nailed it."

    Ah, it was just Goh Yoo-Joon and I who got an earful. We quietly nodded in agreement and went about unpacking the side dishes and cing them into the refrigerator in an orderly fashion.

    ¡°Why don''t you say anything to me? Is there really nothing you want to tell me? Is this actually happening?" Jin-Sung was unfazed by the scolding and clung to Joo-Han. When Jin-Sung''s prohibition on bulking up was lifted, he celebrated by yfully headbutting Joo-Han, who momentarily pretended to be knocked away before happily returning to the scene.

    Joo-Han offhandedlyplimented Jin-Sung as he warmed up some seaweed soup. ¡°That''s right, you have been doing wonderfully. Have you guys seen him dance to ¡®Rasputin?¡¯ He¡¯s got some moves."

    Su-Hwan, who returned with Joo-Han, observed the interaction and chimed in with a note of formality that contrasted with the rxed atmosphere. ¡°Enjoy the meal. There¡¯s something I need to discuss with you afterward."

    ¡°..."

    We didn¡¯t mean to embarrass Su-Hwan, but his serious tone and stern expression were so out of ce that no one responded right away.

    ¡°Please, give me a moment of your time."

    ¡°Yeah, sure." Joo-Han quickly replied, his face betraying how he really felt. Then, unbeknownst to Su-Hwan and Joo-Han, all eyes stealthily turned to me.

    <i>¡®What, why?''</i> I mouthed, puzzled. Their eyebrows twitched in response, and their gazes wereden with a silent question. <i>''Do you know what this is all about?'' </i>

    They seemed to think that I was aware of the situation since I was the sub-leader. I just shrugged nonchntly.

    I wasn¡¯t entirely sure, but of course, I had a hunch about what Su-Hwan wanted to discuss. It was likely about the uing concert or whether he would continue as our manager. Given that Manager Tae-Seong¡¯s workload had been increasing, rumors had been circting that Su-Hwan might soonplete the handover process and leave.

    ¡°Everyone, bring your tes."

    The once lively members grew quiet, and the silence was almost palpable. It was hard to believe these were the same people who had been animatedly discussing Joo-Han''s return and their performance of "Rasputin" just moments earlier.

    Now, only sporadic praises like ''It¡¯s delicious'' broke the silence, and no topics strayed from the meals Joo-Han''s mother had prepared. Everyone seemed unsure and anxious about what was happening, but it was clear they all suspected Su-Hwan was about to broach a serious topic.

    As the meal ended under the pretense of peace and the table was cleared, Su-Hwan finally broke the silence. ¡°I''ve been reflecting on a recent incident among the members, and as your manager, I feel like I should take responsibility for it." He was referring to a recent conflict that had heightened tensions within the group.

    ¡°Ah, hyung. You shouldn¡¯t feel responsible for that!"

    ¡°Right, it was all my fault..."

    The youngest members seemed nervous almost as if they had already heard rumors of Su-Hwan''s departure. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan were already crafting expressions of concern as they defensively discussed Su-Hwan''s responsibilities.

    ¡°...Su-Hwan hyung, you are not quitting, are you?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, his face tense with worry, yet striving to maintain a calm demeanor.

    Only Joo-Han, Tae-Seong, and I remained silent, watching the situation unfold.

    Su-Hwan heard everyone out and then responded. ¡°...I will discuss that matterter. First, I want to address my responsibilities."

    ¡°Responsibilities! What responsibilities..." Jin-Sung clung to Su-Hwan, his hands gripping Su-Hwan''s as if hanging on every word.

    Su-Hwan ignored Jin-Sung¡¯s dramatic plea and continued, ¡°In a few days, Hyun-Woo has a scheduled recording session with Reina, but after that, how about we all go on a three-day retreat to a remote area?"

    ¡°...Huh." This unexpected suggestion caught everyone off guard. A retreat? Just us? Out of the blue?

    Because the room fell silent, Su-Hwan added, ¡°I remember from ¡®Chronos History¡¯ that you guys went to a lodge. Everyone seemed to have their moments of honesty. Let''s take this chance to unwind and go together, all of us, managers included."

    ¡°Ohhhh... sure! Absolutely! Let¡¯s go!"

    ¡°When we are at the lodge, you should speak casually like Joo-Han hyung, too."

    The members exaggerated their agreement a bit more than usual. They were not only looking forward to the trip but also relieved to hear something far more wee than the rumor of Su-Hwan quitting.

    Su-Hwan nonchntly nodded and continued, ¡°And I will continue to be Chronos'' manager moving forward."

    ¡°...Wow."

    ¡°Yes!!!! Yes!!!! Yes!!!!" Goh Yoo-Joon jumped up while clenching his fists in the air to express his joy. The youngest members almost hung from Su-Hwan¡¯s shoulders, whining yfully.

    ¡°You should have told us earlier! We were so worried...."

    ¡°What would we do if you really left, worrying together with Yoon-Chan hyung and...."

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t possible. Anyway." Su-Hwan was slightly embarrassed by the members'' excessive reactions, and continued as if nothing was amiss. However, his ears turned red. ¡°After we return, there will be a meeting about Chronos¡¯ next schedule. There is a big announcementing. To give you a heads-up, it''s about your concert."

    This was the most crucial piece of information.

    1. A chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. ?

 Chapter 318: Break (14)

    <h4>Chapter 318: Break (14)</h4>

    Jin-Sung suddenly sprang up from his embrace with Su-Hwan. ¡°Are we really gonna have a concert?"

    ¡°Yes, you are. There is still plenty of time left, but it will take considerable time and effort to prepare."

    ¡°What? Did Joo-Han hyung and Suh Hyun-Woo know about this?" Goh Yoo-Joon nudged my arm.

    ¡°They did indeed know."

    <i>Thump.</i>

    Joo-Han emphasized his point by mming his palm on the table. ¡°That''s exactly why this vacation isn''t just any break. It''s a chance for us to recharge and also start gearing up for the concert. We are calling it a vacation, but it¡¯s really a prep session for the uing show."

    I nced around at the members because I was curious about their reactions to Joo-Han''s revtion. Would they be excited, or disappointed that our supposed break wasn¡¯t actually a break? I was genuinely curious about their spontaneous reactions.

    ¡°Ah, you should have told us earlier~"

    To my surprise, the members seemed more amused than anything.

    ¡°We are having a concert? Ha! Is this for real?"

    ¡°Are we going on an international tour too? Oh, seriously. Did only the managers and leaders know?"

    ¡°No, it''s a domestic concert," Su-Hwan rified with a calm and definitive tone, promptly crushing Jin-Sung''s dreams of an international tour before summarizing the uncertain concert dates.

    Goh Yoo-Joon stood up. ¡°I am all for it. A week of real vacationbined with some concert prep sounds perfect to me. Above all¡ª" With a cheeky wink and a nod toward Su-Hwan, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s grin spread across his face. ¡°¡ªnow, Su-Hwan hyung is officially ours to keep, right? Yay!"

    He spoke with an exaggerated cheerfulness and strolled off toward the bathroom while humming a tune.

    ¡°...Shall we get back to work?"

    ¡°Yes."

    Everyone dismissed Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s antics and stood up from the table to start their individual tasks. Goh Yoo-Joon was probably in the bathroom dancing around.

    Back in my room, I popped in my earbuds and listened to a song sent over by Reina. As I hummed along, I reflected on the tasks ahead. ¡°Phantom Spirit¡± schedules had been wrapped up, the recording with Callia Lawrence wasplete, and now the only things left before the concert were the dreaded <i>Newbie Crew </i>and coboration with Reina. Both of them posed a significant challenge.

    Reina had sent over a track typical of her style, a medieval fantasy vibe, and had specified exactly how she wanted me to sing it. She wanted the same vocal tone I¡¯d used in the opening of ¡°Once Again¡± or during my performance of ¡°Moon Sea¡± at the <i>Pick We Up</i>petition.

    Whether it was ¡°Once Again¡± or ¡°Moon Sea,¡± recreating the specific tone wasn¡¯t the hard part since I was familiar with both pieces. The challenge was maintaining the strength of my voice while also capturing the unique emotional essence Reina¡¯s song demanded.

    No matter if I had been a trainer or not, mastering this was definitely tough. Reina had far more experience and skill than I could have had as a trainer.

    I remember what Reina told me. <i>¡°I will give you a separate lesson. Juste to the studio rxed. If we have to sing all day to get it right, so be it.¡± </i>Her calmness had been slightly intimidating, but also reassured me that this was what professionalism looked like.

    ¡°This is tough, really tough."

    ¡°What''s tough?"

    I jumped. ¡°Whoa! Oh my¡ª"

    Goh Yoo-Joon had suddenly appeared, pushing his face into mine. ¡°Hmm? Were you about to swear?¡±

    Startled by his unexpected appearance, I chuckled nervously as he rummaged through my wardrobe.

    He said, ¡°I definitely made a noise. You just didn''t hear it."

    ¡°...My heart''s racing now. Wow..."

    ¡°I am borrowing your zip-up. What¡¯s so difficult, anyway? The song?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon slung my zip-up hoodie over one shoulder and plopped down beside me.

    ¡°It''s not that it¡¯s particrly hard, but I need to nail the emotions and really pour my soul into it. So I expect the recording session to drag on. Ah."

    I was about to hand him the zip-up and send him on his way when I reconsidered. Goh Yoo-Joon wasn''t just our group''s top vocalist. He was known for his profound depth and expressiveness. If I was praised for my acting during performances and facial expressions, Goh Yoo-Joon wasuded for his vocal prowess.

    His songs were immensely popr especially abroad. In our currently airing series <i>Again After Rainfall</i>, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s solo songs consistently pulled in higher views while my performances and fan-cams had higher views than his.

    Given that, I was eager to tap into his expertise.

    ¡°How do you manage to evoke emotions when you sing?"

    ¡°Emotions? Well... um..." Goh Yoo-Joon furrowed his brow and looked as if he was diving deep into thoughts he hadn''t explored before. There was a mix of natural talent and hard-earned skills shaped by experience in his method.

    ¡°Are you struggling with how to convey emotions?¡± I asked. ¡°You always seem to nail it."

    ¡°Well..."

    ¡°It seems like Reina wants something different than usual. She wants the listener to feel not just sad, but devastatingly lonely."

    ¡°When the song starts, I just immerse myself fully into the lyrics and melody. What else is there to do?"

    ¡°Ah, you are more of a genius than I give you credit for,¡± I teased him. ¡°You¡¯re actually kind of annoying."

    Goh Yoo-Joon let out a chuckle before he got serious again. ¡°Before I start singing, I read through the lyrics and set up a scenario in my mind."

    ¡°A scenario?"

    ¡°Yeah, like imagining getting dumped by a first love that never existed, or being cheated on by a fictional lover. Or, when ites to pop songs, picturing myself hanging out in some fancy club bar with friends helps. Like ces I will probably never visit. That¡¯s how I prepare myself."

    ¡°...That sounds like a smart approach."

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded. ¡°Relying solely on the lyrics and melody to bring out emotions has its limits, you know."

    ¡°Yeah, I can see that." I was about to thank him for his insights, but I didn''t get the chance as his lips twitched into a yful grin again.

    ¡°I just thought of something. I have this secret weapon I use when I can''t quite grasp the feeling of the song. No kidding, it actually works wonders, and I find myself using it every now and then."

    He always had a ir for lightening the mood.

    ¡°Ugh... what is it?"

    ¡°It¡¯s all in the facial expression. Like this." Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s eyebrows twisted into a perfect °Ë shape. His eyebrows archedically and lips twitched in amusement.

    Wow.

    ¡°You can''t be serious right now. You look ridiculous."

    ¡°No, really, I¡¯ve sung like this before. It sounds funny, but it''s true. Remember ¡®Passed By?¡¯ I sang it with that face, and it¡¯s the song that won me first ce during our trainee monthly evaluations."

    ¡°Passed By¡± was a song that he had sung back when we were trainees. He had clinched first ce for the first time in our monthly evaluations with this song. The idea that such a storyy behind that performance was astounding...

    ¡°...Got it. Thanks for the tip."

    ¡°Alright. I am taking the zip-up. I am off to meet a friend from our high school days. Pick up if I call."

    ¡°Sure."

    Goh Yoo-Joon exited the room and left me to ponder his advice. Iy down again with my earbuds plugged in.

    ¡®<i>I should start off bying up with a scenario.¡¯</i>

    ***

    ¡°Umm, perfect. Your voice is just wonderful, Hyun-Woo. Let''s try that again."

    Praise followed swiftly by themand for another take.

    My morale dipped slightly. Two hours had passed since I started recording with Reina, and it had been a constant loop of ''again, again, again.'' I had lost count of the number of takes.

    ¡°You can maybe get a bit sadder? Try singing it more like a chant. You are still too cheerful."

    ¡°Oh, still too cheerful?"

    Despite repeated efforts, all I kept hearing was that my voice was too soft or too cheerful, suggesting I needed to pour even more intensity into my performance.

    ¡°Let the emotions pour out. So sad it makes you want to swear. Like, ''Damn it! It¡¯s so fucking sad! I feel like dying! It''s all because of you!'' Really push it to that level."

    Reina''s directive made Kun-Ho, who was nearby, jitter and sneak a nce at her.

    ¡°So, imagine going berserk, throwing things around the room, and then realizing it¡¯s already night when you look out the window. The house is a mess, you are a mess. Climb into bed, lie still for a while until your breathing eases, then stare out the window and think, ''But I still want to see you.¡¯"

    ¡°Okay..."

    ¡°Like you¡¯ve given up. Recite it in a weary, powerless voice."

    Reina was so detailed in her exnation, even swearing. But honestly, I still couldn¡¯t grasp the depth of the emotion she required. Could more emotion evene out from me? Was it possible to sing with such nuanced feelings?

    Even more unbelievable was that we were still only recording the beginning of the song. Her earlier remark about holding me all day wasn''t just a threat, but a stark reality.

    ¡°Let¡¯s... try one more time."

    ¡°Good. If this take doesn¡¯t work,e out and we will do some scenario making. I will help you."

    I took a deep breath as I was acutely aware of my limitations. In a field where only music could advocate for me, there was no room forpromising on skill. This had to work.

    <i>''I was dumped. And not just dumped, but utterly betrayed. I cried and raged, threw a fit. But I still miss you so much that I want to meet you just once more to talk it over.¡¯</i>

    ¡°I will start the song.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    As the song started ying again, I internalized all the theoretical emotions I had memorized and began singing with furrowed eyebrows.

    ? What dreams do you have?

    The darkness settles in so coldly

    When I open my eyes, it''s night

    When I close them, I see you

    My heart aches unbearably

    I tried my best to recreate the sadness.

 Chapter 319: Break (15)

    <h4>Chapter 319: Break (15)</h4>

    Achieving such a dramatic shift in emotions that would make me think <i>¡®What¡¯s with the sudden emotional impact in my performance?¡¯ </i>just by furrowing my eyebrows seemed imusible. Goh Yoo-Joon''s furrowed eyebrows technique, which he proudly dered as his own special trick, turned out to bepletely useless.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, what''s going on with you? It sounds like you are putting too much tension in your throat."

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry..."

    My efforts only resulted in criticism that the tension in my throat made my voice sound less like it was worn out from crying. It was clear. I should have known better when I saw Goh Yoo-Joon''s cheeky smirk that he was just messing around.

    I sighed quietly and made sure not to attract attention. We were still stuck on the first part of the song, and hours had passed because I couldn''t get the emotions right. This session was the pr opposite of recording a Chronos track. I felt a sense of disorientation envelop me.

    Eventually, Reina signaled for me to step out of the booth. ¡°Maybe we should take a short break?" she suggested, probably thinking that pushing any further would only backfire due to the strain in my voice.

    As I exited the booth, Reina was already on her phone. ¡°There¡¯s a cafe terrace on the first floor. Why don¡¯t you go down, have something to drink, and listen to some tracks I rmend? It might help you get into the right emotional state."

    ¡°Yes, Senior. I apologize for the trouble."

    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t have to apologize," Kun-Ho chimed in for Reina. ¡°Reina always takes this long when recording. She is very picky, but the results are always worth it." His whisper was just quiet enough so Reina couldn''t hear.

    Looking around, I noticed that despite the lengthy session, nobody seemed particrly worn out. In fact, everyone appeared quite unfazed. It seemed rathermon to repeat sections this many times in the studio.

    I felt slightly relieved knowing that I wasn''t the only one who might be the cause of such dys.

    Reina stopped me from leaving and said, ¡°Just a second. I will give you my card. Treat yourself to something nice."

    ¡°No, Senior! I will buy my drink with my own money. I feel bad enough as it is."

    ¡°Oh,e on. Don''t worry about it. Wait a sec~" Reina was insistent and pulled out her wallet. Fortunately, Su-Hwan intervened and handed me the YMM corporate card instead of letting me use her personal one.

    ¡°I will be back soon." I took the card and headed alone to the cafeteria. Su-Hwan made a move to apany me, but Reina stopped him, insisting that I needed some time alone to gather my thoughts and feelings.

    I sat alone on the cafe terrace with music in my ears all day. However, it didn''t seem to change much. After all, every scenario that could have been done had beenpleted both before and during my time in the studio.

    Despite my best efforts to engage with the song deeply and deliver an emotionally charged performance, I was repeatedly told it wasn¡¯t good enough.

    <i>¡®It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t grasp the emotions. Perhaps I simplyck the skill.''</i>

    This thought added ayer of sadness to my frustration.

    The Americano on the table might as well have been invisible at the moment. My focus was entirely absorbed by the music flowing through my earphones while pondering,<i> ¡®What''s missing? If it¡¯s not ack of skill, what should I do?¡¯</i>

    As these thoughts and worries swirled around in my mind, a jarringly loud ringtone shattered my peace.

    ¡°Argh!" I winced. Frowning deeply, I checked my phone to see who was responsible for the disruption and for almost destroying my eardrums.

    [Dude]

    It was Goh Yoo-Joon. He had mentioned a video call today and had managed to time it perfectly during my break.

    I looked around cautiously and then answered the call.

    - Hey! Is that really you, Hyun-Woo?

    - Yeah, it''s me. Are you outside? What¡¯s with the mask and hat?

    The friends Goh Yoo-Joon was talking about were the guys we met during <i>Graduating</i>. He didn¡¯t have actual high school friends who would warrant a video call like this. Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan were on the screen, waving enthusiastically. Behind them was Lee Cheol-Min, who was always grumpy, but he never missed out on these gatherings.

    ¡°How¡¯ve you been?¡±

    - Of course, we''ve been doing well. As for you guys, I hear about you every day, so no need to ask. Where are you?

    ¡°I¡¯m in the middle of recording.¡±

    -Ah, that''s too bad. If not for your schedule, we could have met up.

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s definitely catch up next time." I slightly lowered my mask to chat with them when Goh Yoo-Joon, ever the ringleader, dragged Lee Cheol-Min into the frame too. Soon, all four faces were squished into the camera''s view.

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up with your voice?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, his toneced with concern. But his face still wore its usual light, cheerful expression as if it wasn¡¯t a big deal.

    On my end, things were less upbeat. The recording session hadn¡¯t progressed, and I was deep into coaxing out as much genuine emotion as possible. So naturally, my face wasn''t exactly picture-perfect. I managed a strained smile, the best I could muster under the circumstances.

    ¡°It¡¯s just noting together," I admitted.

    Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly paused, nced around, and stepped away from his friends. The phone was still in hand.

    - I need a sec to talk to this guy. I will be right back.

    - Only the two of you? Okay, go on then.

    - We will start eating, okay?

    - Sure.

    Stepping out from what looked like a room set up inside a barbeque restaurant, Goh Yoo-Joon stepped outside, fully masked and capped.

    - What¡¯s not clicking? You should¡¯ve told me.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to nail the emotions required for the song, but they say it¡¯s still not good enough. It''s just myck of skill, nothing more to it."

    - What did Reina say?

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s serious attention was unexpected, especially since he''d been drinking and seemed to be having a good time with friends. I hadn''t nned for this call to dive into deep waters, so I found myself unexpectedly confiding the whole situation.

    Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled.

    - What? You are trying to reproduce the voice of someone heartbroken and exhausted? That¡¯s pretty specific.

    ¡°No, the image is clear in my head. It¡¯s just that I can¡¯t seem to bring it to life.¡± I exined.

    - Hmm.

    Goh Yoo-Joon murmured, sounding like he was seriously pondering this. I doubted he had ever needed to express such precise emotions himself. Unless he had experienced something simr...

    Neither of us had ever dealt with heartbreak or the exhaustion thates from crying after trashing our homes, right? Well, maybe Goh Yoo-Joon had some simr experiences...

    Just as it felt like we were getting somewhere, Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly gave up on thinking too deeply by saying, ¡°Aight.¡±

    - Anyway, isn¡¯t this about getting that exhausted-sounding voice?

    ¡°Yeah, basically."

    - Okay, where are you now?

    ¡°Why do you ask? I am at thepany''s cafe terrace."

    - When are you going back to record?¡±

    ¡°I need to settle into the right emotions first, so maybe in about thirty minutes?"

    - I will be there in fifteen minutes. Wait for me.

    ...What the heck? The call ended abruptly. I put down my phone, perplexed by Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s promise to be here in just fifteen minutes. I took a sip of my Americano for the first time since arriving at the cafe and wondered. <i>¡®Is he reallying? Was he nearby? Is heing alone or with the others? Why is he even doing this? What for? Seriously, why?¡¯</i>

    My mind was still swirling with thoughts.

    Fifteen minutester, Goh Yoo-Joon actually showed up, true to his words.

    ¡°Why on earth did youe here?"

    Thankfully, he didn¡¯t bring any other friends. I was still puzzled about why he''d left a fun gathering toe here.

    I let out augh of disbelief, and Goh Yoo-Joon just grinned as if he found the whole situation amusing. Sometimes, I found it hard toprehend his actions and thoughts.

    ¡°A friend¡¯s in trouble, so I had toe help."

    ¡°With what? Where are the others?"

    ¡°I told them I had an urgent schedule and slipped out. I feel bad for dragging them along. I will head back soon."

    So why leave the fun toe here? He wasn¡¯t nning to sing for me, nor did we have a clear solution to my problem. However, before I could even say anything, Goh Yoo-Joon was checking his watch and gesturing toward the cafe exit.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have much time, so let''s just go. Just in case, let Su-Hwan know."

    ¡°I can¡¯t just leave. Reina is waiting upstairs."

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s super close. Like two minutes away? We will be back in ten minutes."

    His suggestion to just go even though we were short on time was utterly baffling, but I found myself following Goh Yoo-Joon since that was my only option.

    asionally, Goh Yoo-Joon cane up with unexpectedly creative solutions despite his somewhat foolish antics. Maybe this was one of those times. I texted Su-Hwan.

    [Hyung, is it okay if I spend thirty more minutes by myself? I just want to listen to the songs Reina sent a bit more.]

    The reply arrived in less than a minute.

    - Reina will be back after her meal. Make sure you are back within an hour.

    The time I needed to return extended from fifteen minutes to an hour. I ryed this to Goh Yoo-Joon, and he led me toward our destination with a relieved expression.

    ***

    ¡°Sir, we will need thirty minutes."

    ¡°Alright, thirty minutes. Will it be for both of you?"

    ¡°No, just him." Goh Yoo-Joon pointed at me with his thumb. The shop owner then sized me up, informed me of the individual rate, and abruptly handed me a baseball bat.

    ¡°What''s this for?"

    <i>¡®What''s going on?¡¯</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon had brought me to a ce I''d never seen before. The rough interior and the baseball bat in my hand only added to my confusion.

    ¡°Room Two is avable."

    ¡°Okay, thank you."

    Unlike me, who felt out of ce, Goh Yoo-Joonpleted the payment with ease. He even chatted briefly with the owner, and then led me to Room Two.

    ¡°Tell me, what''s with the baseball bat?"

    ¡°You said you needed to sound exhausted, so... Ta-da!"

    ¡°...What?"

    I was clueless about where I was even inside the room. There were golf clubs and a hammer next to the wall. The danger wasn''t just in the baseball bat in my hand. The items around were odd as well.

    There were mannequins, tires, used monitors, TVs, tes, and pottery made of ster. It felt ominously like a danger zone.

    ¡°Here." Goh Yoo-Joon handed me a helmet and safety gloves.

    What was I supposed to do with these? Was this some kind of yground for cool kids?

    Goh Yoo-Joon finally exined after sensing my confusion. ¡°I saw this ce on <i>UTube</i>. It¡¯s called a Rage Room, a ce to let out stress." He pointed at me. ¡°Do you have to be heartbroken to smash things? Just think about all the things that have pissed you off or made you angry and smash them. Like stuff with Supervisor Kim or things that happened in the US... You¡¯ve got plenty."

    I was supposed to sound tired during the recording, but... ¡°You mean, really get exhausted?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon cheerfully replied, ¡°Yep."

 Chapter 320: Break (16)

    It sounded silly, but Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s idea about bing tired for no reason actually made a lot of sense at the moment.

    ¡°Think about the most frustrating moment in your life and smash it.¡± He turned to read the instructions posted in the room. ¡°You can break everything inside except for this table and chairs. I will be outside. I don''t want you to feel embarrassed~" he said yfully as he left me alone in this unfamiliar room.

    <em>¡®...Is this what trendy people do these days?¡¯</em>

    Even after Goh Yoo-Joon left, I didn¡¯t immediately adapt to the situation or start moving or smash things. I felt awkward and tapped the bat on the ground and looked around.

    Frustrating moments? There had been too many frustrating moments in my life, but just because I was in this ce, suddenly getting angry and acting out wasn¡¯t really my thing. I just spent a few minutes nkly looking at the props in the room.

    Smash things and be angry? How? It was too embarrassing and awkward to see myself acting like that just because I had a stage set. I had always been the type to internalize my rage rather than shout and break things.

    <em>¡®...But I should try anyway.¡¯</em>

    If I didn¡¯t try something like this, I felt like I wouldn¡¯t be able to satisfy Reina¡¯s demands no matter what I did.

    I sighed, standing up by using the bat as support. I put my earbuds in and stood in front of a ster bowl.? The endlessly falling snow is only white,

    Just sad without you in it

    Now the distance with you is too far,

    Even your voice doesn''t reach

    Kun-Ho¡¯s famous breakup song ¡°Goodbye Snow" was ying in my earbuds.

    <em>¡®Once I start, it will be easier from there.¡¯</em>

    It was time for me to get into it. Didn¡¯t I do the same during music broadcast sessions and during Cha Cha and the filming of <em>cker Number One</em>¡¯s music video? The first time was always the hardest, but it got easier after that. Well, this was a bit different, but I could have the same mindset.

    Listening to the breakup song, I turned off the lights in the room and tried my best to remember the times I was really angry. The lighting ident, being fired, being belittled, and falling behind came to my mind.

    Wow. The real anger started to well up more genuinely than when I tried brainwashing myself that I had been dumped by my imaginary girlfriend.

    I lifted the bat high into the air. ¡°I loved you!¡± Oh, non-existent love!

    And then I smashed the item with all my might.

    <em>Crash!</em>

    The ster bowl shattered into pieces with a satisfying crash. I was startled by the louder-than-expected sound that pierced through my earbuds for a moment, but soon I felt a surge of emotions creeping up.

    <em>¡®What is this?¡¯</em>

    Just one smash left me a little breathless, my head was clearer, and I felt a rush of energy.

    ¡°What the¡­¡± I felt much more relieved than I expected. No, I felt really good.

    <em>Crash! Boom! Thud!</em>

    Every time I broke something, the satisfaction of seeing it shatter clearly made me feel thrilled. I smashed everything from mannequins to TVs to ster vases and threw the water balloons prepared in one corner madly against the wall.

    <em>Smash! Boom!</em>

    Honestly, I didn¡¯t really know what I was angry about. But multiple things had mixed together, and there was definitely enough anger within me to break all the props in this small room. Rather than the pain of a breakup I had never experienced, I was breaking things out of rage caused by many things I had gone through in life. After all, this was a ce meant for breaking things, so there was no need to hold back.

    After smashing things for a long time, I was out of breath. My arms and body ached from all the swinging.

    <em>¡®Is this backfiring on me?¡¯</em>

    Or was this right?

    <em>¡°Huff... Huff...</em> Wow....¡± I felt like I was going to die from exhaustion. My tired voice would nowe out very well, but the room was a mess.

    What I needed was to showcase being sad, teary-eyed, exhausted from anger, but now I had smashed all my emotions and felt relieved. Listening to breakup songs through my earbuds? It was no use.

    ¡°Phew, I shoulde here from time to time.¡±

    I felt unbelievably great. I put down the baseball bat I was holding without hesitation. When I checked my phone, Goh Yoo-Joon had already returned to his friends.

    However, my worries regarding my ability to recapture the heartbroken feeling for Reina¡¯s song due to my current vivid emotions of joy faded quickly. By the time I arrived at thepany, I found myself once again in awe of Goh Yoo-Joon''s idea.

    <em>¡®I¡¯m sleepy.¡¯</em>

    Once the adrenaline that had boiled under my skin started to drop rapidly, I became exhausted. Unlike Jin-Sung, Yoon-Chan, and Goh Yoo-Joon, I didn¡¯t enjoy working out, so the fatigue felt even more intense.

    I tried to recapture the necessary emotions by listening to breakup songs continuously on the way to thepany, but it made my already weary body feel even more sluggish. I was just exhausted. I forced my half-closed eyelids to open out of habit and pushed the door to the recording studio.

    In the studio, Reina, Kun-Ho, and Su-Hwan, were eating lunch boxes along with staff.

    ¡°You¡¯re here? You returned earlier than I expected.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah. You¡¯re eating?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, do you want some?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± I refused the lunchbox Reina offered and sat in a corner, listening to music so as not to disturb their meal.

    Reina called my name loudly. ¡°Hyun-Woo!¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    When I took off my earbuds and looked at Reina, she stared at me intently and then nodded with a satisfied exmation of <em>¡®Mhm!¡¯</em>

    ¡°It looks like you returned with the right emotions.¡±

    ¡°Ah, haha.¡±

    There seemed to be a bit of a misunderstanding, but I couldn¡¯t exactly tell her I had just been smashing things in a rage room, so I just nodded. After everyone finished eating, the recording session resumed.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, don¡¯t be too tense. Let¡¯s try to sing with your voice rxed.¡±

    I took a sip of water and a deep breath, trying to capture the right emotions as I began to sing.

    ? What dreams do you have?

    The darkness settles in so coldly

    When I open my eyes, it''s night

    When I close them, I see you

    My heart aches unbearably

    <em>¡®Oh.¡¯</em> As I sang, I realized something. The voice of someone singing while lying down in bed and staring at a window aftering home from a breakup and making a mess wasn¡¯t all that different from a voice of someone tired after smashing things in a rage room.

    <em>¡®Oh, why is this working?¡¯</em> As I sang with the same emotions I usually did, Reina¡¯s satisfied voice came through the inte.

    ¡°Great. That was really good. Do you want to listen to it?¡±

    ¡°Keep it up, okay?¡±

    Seriously, how did this happen? Is Goh Yoo-Joon a genius or what? My voice naturally rxed, and as I listened to the backing track, all the scenario-making from the past helped me quickly recapture the required emotions. The issue wasn¡¯t my feelings or vocal skills. It was my tense vocal cords.

    Reina was unaware of the truth, and she gave me a thumbs up. ¡°The beginning is really important. This song isn¡¯t about building up emotions since it¡¯s about capturing the feelings right from the start. Hyun-Woo, you¡¯ve been working hard, huh?¡±

    The recording continued. There were some parts that took longer, but we finished smoothly overall.

    ¡°Where were you? You weren¡¯t at the coffee shop terrace,¡± Su-Hwan asked when Reina was giving instructions to the director.

    I told him about my time with Goh Yoo-Joon, and he shook his head as if he had heard something he shouldn¡¯t have.

    ¡°Keep this a secret and reveal it on the radio five yearster.¡±

    ¡°All done! Let¡¯s wrap it up for today. Su-Hwan, I¡¯ll be in touch soon,¡± Reina said.

    And with that, the recording session ended.

    ***

    Though there were some brief schedules, having enough time to rest was a blessing. After finishing the recording session with Reina, I took a few days off and packed lightly.

    ¡°Is there shampoo there? Should I bring some?¡±

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t pack too much. You can buy some if you need it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah. Should I pack a toothbrush?¡±

    Our dorm was chaotic and noisy. We were going on a week-long trip to a lodge, so everyone was packing clothes and gadgets.

    ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t have space for myptop. Is there room in your suitcase?¡±

    ¡°Give it to me.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, can you pack the cables for theposing machine too?¡±

    We packedptops,posing machines, and the younger members even brought game consoles. It felt like we might as well move the whole house. Su-Hwan and Tae-Seong were sitting on the couch, watching us with expressions that said, ¡®Do whatever you want.¡¯

    asionally, Jin-Sung or Goh Yoo-Joon would try to pack too many clothes, and they¡¯d remind them there was a washing machine at the lodge.

    ¡°But why is Supervisor Kim letting us go so easily?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Su-Hwan looked at me while checking his phone.

    ¡°Usually, they send us on vacation, but they make sure we have cameras with us.¡±

    Supervisor Kim was known for saying, ¡®Rookies can¡¯t afford to rest!¡¯ or ¡®If you don¡¯t show your face even for a day, people will quickly forget you!¡¯ Therefore, I expected behind-the-scenes cameras to apany us on the trip. But this time, there were no staff other than our managers. It was a genuine vacation.

    Su-Hwan casually nced back at his phone. ¡°I have power as a manager, too. You might not know, but my position in thepany is pretty high. I don¡¯t have to follow everything Supervisor Kim says.¡±

    Of course, Supervisor Kim had more influence between departments, but if Su-Hwan decided to push back, Supervisor Kim couldn¡¯t always have his way.

    ¡°You will only have exposure if you want to upload something on social media. No forced filming.¡±

    ¡°Wow, Director Lee~¡± Goh Yoo-Joon jokingly swayed over to Su-Hwan by calling him Director Lee yfully.

    Su-Hwan shook his head in disgust and stood up. ¡°Come down when you¡¯re ready.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    After Su-Hwan left, the members gathered their suitcases and headed to the entrance one by one.

    ¡°Can we have live sessions on <em>Q-app</em> then?¡± Jin-Sung asked.

    ¡°I will upload the pictures we take at the lodge in the group chat every night. Let me know if there are any you don¡¯t want posted,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    ¡°If you are filming, be mindful. Don¡¯t do anything that shouldn¡¯t be caught on camera,¡± Joo-Han added.

    I was grateful that Su-Hwan stood up to Supervisor Kim to let us rest without filming, but the Rings would probably still receive real-time updates from our vacation.

 Chapter 321: Break (17)

    "Seriously, <em>Newbie Crew</em> sucks. They don¡¯t know how to edit the show."

    If they cast a popr idol, the least they could do was give him some decent airtime. Kim Go-Ri was obviously annoyed and furiously mashed the ¡ú button to skip through the in-game footage. Every ten seconds, the screen jumped forward and blurred past the uninteresting parts.

    She suddenly stopped as Suh Hyun-Woo''s face appeared briefly in the corner of the game screen. She hit the ¡û button with a heavy sigh and reyed the parts featuring Hyun-Woo over and over.

    ¡°Ah, damn it. This is frustrating. His screen time is barely three minutes in total. If only On Jeong-Woo had less screen time, it wouldn''t feel so unjust."

    It seemed like all the hard work was on Hyun-Woo''s shoulders, though.

    <em>Newbie Crew </em>had just started their promotions. The news had been a beacon of excitement for the Rings, especially with the announcement that Suh Hyun-Woo would be appearing right before the final episode of<em> Again After Rainfall</em>.

    With Chronos on a lengthy hiatus and <em>Again After Rainfall </eming to an end, Rings wouldn''t have many more chances to see their favorite idols outside of their official <em>BlueBird </em>social media posts.

    The news of Park Yoon-Chan¡¯s drama appearance had been reported, but it seemed that it would take a while until it aired. Thus, the Rings thought they¡¯d have to spend three months rewatching videos they had already seen.

    In such a situation, the timely release of <em>Newbie Crew </em>featured crazy promotions announcing the participation of Suh Hyun-Woo from Chronos and Woo Ji-Hyuk from High Tension.[Hey, Engineer! Just a little longer! D-31!]

    Besides On Jeong-Woo, Suh Hyun-Woo, and Woo Ji-Hyuk, the rest of the cast didn''t really have much poprity or recognition, yet the production team had leveraged the solid fanbases of Chronos and High Tension to even craft the nickname Engineer for the show¡¯s viewers.

    The Rings were only interested in Suh Hyun-Woo and High Tension¡¯s fans in Woo Ji-Hyuk, and they had little interest in the other participants. However, the production team was already busy selling merchandise. It was irksome to see the broadcasters chugging along with their wishful thinking, but what was there to be done? The fans bought merchandise featuring their idols'' symbols while freely cursing the production team.

    ¡°Just try to at least have half the editing quality of<em> Again After Rainfall.</em> Ugh."

    This program''s approach was a stark contrast to the considerate handling of Chronos throughout <em>Again After Rainfall,</em> making everything all the more frustrating.

    Anyway, time passed and, with a month left until the premiere, the official <em>UTube</em> channel for <em>Newbie Crew </em>unexpectedly released a video.

    [Newbie Crew''s First In-Game Meetup! <em>One Hours</em> First y Edited Version Released!]

    For a pre-release, the video was unusually lengthy since it was about thirty minutes long. The Rings had high hopes since Suh Hyun-Woo had been heavily promoted. Therefore, their disappointment was immediate.

    <em>''Why are they hiding the younger cast members¡¯ faces?''</em>

    Maybe it was just because Kim Go-Ri was solely focused on spotting Suh Hyun-Woo, but in a thirty-minute video, Suh Hyun-Woo''s screen time was frustratingly brief. The bulk of the footage featured On Jeong-Woo and hisedian juniors, and even Woo Ji-Hyuk was awkwardly managing to get screen time by fumbling through his performances.

    <em>''And what about my baby?''</em>

    Suh Hyun-Woo was too earnest, sitting diligently and ying the game. His problem was that he was too focused, leading his team and carrying them single-handedly. His earnestness resulted in minimal reactions, and this left little footage suitable for the broadcast.

    On the other hand, he had the most screen time while in game, so it was a slight relief that his name popped up the most in the subtitles.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo... Ah."

    It was frustrating that the production team didn¡¯t realize that just showing his face would be entertaining enough, instead of simply exploiting Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s name to boost their ratings. Kim Go-Ri dreaded the thought of having three months with nothing much to watch.

    She scrolled down, and thements section was filled with criticism about the distribution of screen time and the poor editing skills.

    ¡°Exactly. They are all correct. These damn producers. No matter how much I think about it..."

    <em>Ding!</em>

    As irritation with<em> Newbie Crew </em>grew, a surprising notification sound diverted Kim Go-Ri''s attention. <em>¡°BlueBird?"</em>

    She only followed the Chronos ount on the <em>BlueBird</em> tform, so it had to be something uploaded by the official Chronos ount. But Kim Go-Ri wasn¡¯t hopeful.

    <em>''It¡¯s probably just about Newbie Crew¡¯s updates.''</em>

    What else could it be during their vacation? They were probably all resting at their dorms or homes.

    ¡°...Huh?" A sound of surprise involuntarily escaped Kim Go-Ri¡¯s lips as she experienced a sudden rush of emotion. She instinctively tapped on the newly uploaded photo.

    And there it was. A beautiful silhouette of five members plus a well-known figure in the background was filling the screen. Chronos had posted a group selfie taken by Goh Yoo-Joon outdoors in the sun.

    The colors seemed particrly vivid, and the members looked exceptionally cheerful. Was it the subtle glow of the sunset that made the difference?

    Kang Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon were both wearing sunsses, and they were clearly enjoying the moment. Goh Yoo-Joon was holding up the camera with his trademark wide grin, ready to capture the view. Just behind him, Suh Hyun-Woo, Park Yoon-Chan, and Lee Jin-Sung were posing with evident enthusiasm.

    Lurking in the background were several suitcases piled up, hinting that they were ready to leave. Among the luggage and members, the famously dubbed Manager Lee, Lee Su-Hwan, known to be often asked by fans to share pictures of the members from his phone gallery, was partially visible. This added a touch of behind-the-scenes reality to the shot.

    ¡°What''s this? Is this supposed to be their vacation trip?"

    Was this yet another work trip disguised as a holiday?

    Kim Go-Ri flipped through the photos and found herself caught between joy and skepticism. Her expression softened into a smile as she read the caption that came into view. It seemed to capture the light-hearted spirit of their outing, adding a personal touch that resonated with fans and followers alike.

    [We are heading out on a Chronos group trip to celebrate the vacation~ It¡¯s not a work trip, so don¡¯t worry~ We will post more soon! -YJ]

    ¡°Waaaah!" Kim Go-Ri let out an involuntary shriek. Goh Yoo-Joon indeed knew exactly how to keep Rings on their toes, just like Kang Joo-Han. Following that, the Rings were bombarded with a flurry of posts from both Goh Yoo-Joon and Kang Joo-Han, the number so high that they had to pull an all-nighter to look at every single picture carefully.

    ***

    ¡°All posts are up. It seems like the Rings were really waiting for us to post. Reactions are flooding in!"

    ¡°Well then, let''s get going."

    Everyone piled into the car. Thanks to Tae-Seong, who had turned on the air conditioning beforehand, the members collectively sighed in relief as they settled into the cool interior.

    ¡°Man, we should have gotten in here sooner! I thought I was going to melt out there!"

    ¡°That¡¯s because Goh Yoo-Joon insisted on taking a picture in that spot right there.¡±

    ¡°It''s not stubbornness, it was just Yoo-Joon hyung being yful.¡±

    ¡°Damn you¡ª"

    ¡°Hey, watch yournguage!" Goh Yoo-Joon quickly cut off Joo-Han''s impending curse directed at him and connected his phone to the car¡¯s audio system. True to his role as the mood maker of Chronos, he chose a track that Jin-Sung could really get into. The song was Jin-Sung¡¯s karaoke favorite, and he began belting it out as expected while losing himself in the music.

    ¡°Dance at!!! End of the world!!!"

    ¡°¡®Dance at the end of the world?¡¯ When you think about it, the lyrics are really something. The world''s ending, and someone''s just lost a dance-off?" Joo-Hanmented, seemingly amused as he pictured the scenario in his mind. He was also suppressing hisughter.

    It had been a while since the car had been this loud. The vibe was reminiscent of our "Joy" days. A weird sense of nostalgia mixed with happiness defined the atmosphere, likely because there was no performance schedule the next day and everyone was in peak condition for a break.

    The journey to the lodge was a long one. Jin-Sung managed about seven songs before exhaustion overtook him, and the others drifted off to sleep one by one.

    ¡°Don''t worry about us, just go to sleep. But you guys are handling the barbecue at the lodge."

    It wasn¡¯t a scheduled trip, so staying awake seemed unnecessary. However, Joo-Han and I stayed up even though Su-Hwan told us to just rest.

    ¡°I¡¯m not really sleepy," Joo-Han said. He started listening to a song he was working on. I waited a bit longer before taking over the driving at a rest stop.

    ***

    Again, this wasn¡¯t a trip for work, and there was no reason the managers always had to be the ones driving. Therefore, having driven as routinely as eating in the past, I took over the wheel.

    Su-Hwan had seen me drive before and trusted me enough to hand it over. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but just start filming."

    ¡°Sure."

    ¡°But, hey, the middle seat belt feels a bit loose."

    ¡°Nah, you¡¯re just imagining it."

    But as ridiculous as it was, the members who had been sound asleep suddenly perked up and focused on me the moment I took the wheel.

    Even Yoon-Chan seemed a bit anxious. ¡°Wow, it''s so weird seeing you drive."

    Though I was quite confident in my driving skills, it seemed like no one really trusted me. This was a bit saddening. Even Tae-Seong seemed poised to swap ces with me at any moment, judging by how he kept ncing at the steering wheel.

    With everyone''s nervous eyes on me, I heard a barrage of taps and sound effects as they took photos and videos.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you look cool. Doing great, man. Can I upload this to <em>BlueBird</em>?"

    ¡°¡­Sure!"

    ¡°Done, uploaded it."

    I answered grumpily, but drove so safely to the destination that any worries were unnecessary.

    ¡°Wow, what¡¯s this? Are we using all of this? Not just one room?"

    ¡°Yes."

    Jin-Sung immediately got out and started frolicking around. I watched him for a moment before parking. I looked up at the lodge.

    ¡°Wow¡­"

    The ce we arrived at was more luxurious than expected. Su-Hwan casually surveyed the exterior andmented, ¡°It¡¯s nice. The owner is an acquaintance of the CEO. He said it''s a vi he''s put up."

    ¡°¡­It''s not a regr house?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s used as a lodge now. Apparently, it¡¯s popr among tycoons for private parties."

    It was essentially arge, private party venue. As I was chatting with Su-Hwan, Joo-Han caught up from behind and said with a look of awe, ¡°Feels like we¡¯re sessful now. This is insane. This is the most capitalistic ce I¡¯ve ever been to.¡±

 Chapter 322: Break (18)

    <h4>Chapter 322: Break (18)</h4>

    Joo-Han was visibly the most excited about having the huge lodge all to ourselves. He buzzed around and snapped photos everywhere. His eyes lit up as he admired every detail from statues to the shimmering pool. He couldn¡¯t help but emit a string of amazed exmations.

    "Wow, wow! This is why I adore you, hyung. You just get me. I feel like I''ve just be a billionaire."

    Joo-Han''s smile was wider than ever, though Su-Hwan''s response came without much fanfare.

    ¡°We didn¡¯te here just for you, Mr.Joo-Han."

    ¡°Hyung, why so formal all of a sudden? I feel distant from you. Calling me Mr.Joo-Han in my face? Hahaha."

    Happiness radiated from Joo-Han. He decided to leave Su-Hwan to his devices and followed the other members deeper into the lodge.

    Ahead of me, Tae-Seong and Jin-Sung carried an impressive amount of luggage on their shoulders.

    ¡°Is it true your house is like a gym?"

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not actually a gym, but it¡¯s set up like one."

    <i>''We could all help out with thatter, though...''</i>

    Despite the bulk, the two gym enthusiasts turned the simple act of carrying bags into a mini workout session by lifting them up and down. Their dedication to staying fit was something beyond myprehension.

    When we stepped inside, a living room as vast as a corporate lobby unfolded before us.

    ¡°It must be about a hundred square meters, right?"

    ¡°I might get lost in this house..."

    My tiny old studio apartment was probably smaller than this ce''s bathroom. I blurted this out without thinking, and Yoon-Chan approached with a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The hallways aren¡¯t asplicated as they seem, and it¡¯s easy to find your way to the living room, hyung. There¡¯s even an inte in the kitchen to help you orient yourself."

    ¡°...How do you know that?" I wondered. This was probably his first time here.

    Yoon-Chan paused mid-sentence when he realized he might have revealed too much.

    ¡°I know your family is wealthy," I said.

    It wasn¡¯t something to be secretive about. Yoon-Chan hesitantly replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been here once... for my father¡¯spany anniversary event." He seemed worried that admitting this mighte off as bragging, but everyone at ourpany knew Yoon-Chan came from a rich family.

    Just then, Joo-Han, who had just entered, pped Yoon-Chan on the shoulder. ¡°Yoon-Chan, we''ve always been close, but let''s get even closer." Joo-Han wasn¡¯t one to shy away from money, even if it wasn''ting from royalties.

    Su-Hwan sighed along with me before addressing the group, ¡°Let¡¯s drop our bags in our rooms and regroup here for a meal."

    The rooms were plentiful¡ªthree on the first floor and three more on the second. The members who had recently developed a snoring problem each imed a separate room, while the quieter Su-Hwan and Yoon-Chan shared a room.

    I picked a room on the second floor, set down my luggage, and surveyed the interior. It was a simple setup. Just a bed, a mood light, and blinds.

    Despite the minimalist decoration, the use of high-end materials and the beautiful view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows gave it a luxurious resort vibe.

    <i>''Jin-Sung will probably spend all day out there,'' </i>I said, looking out the window.

    I gazed out at therge swimming pool before heading back to the living room. Sure enough, Jin-Sung was energetically inting an airboat, clearly pumped for some pool time.

    ¡°Jin-Sung wants to have lunch by the pool,¡± Joo-Han said. ¡°What about you, Hyun-Woo?"

    ¡°That sounds great."

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s sort out the teams: those who can¡¯t help with cooking and those who can help a bit."

    Joo-Han promptly shooed me, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Jin-Sung outside.

    Thrown outside with an airboat and a tube, we just stood there, puzzled. We asked Joo-Han why he''d booted us out.

    ¡°Uh? What? Why so sudden?"

    ¡°Just keeping the non-cooks busy. Hyun-Woo, you are in charge of keeping an eye on these guys as a sub-leader. Make sure to capture their antics on video and photos. Okay?"

    ¡°O... okay...¡±

    ¡°Today¡¯s lunch is samgyetang[1]."

    Joo-Han quickly shut the door behind him after mentioning the menu. Suddenly tasked with guardianship, Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and I looked at each other with incredulous expressions before heading toward the pool.

    ¡°This is all because of Jin-Sung."

    ¡°Why is it my fault? It¡¯s because you always tease Joo-Han hyung until he snaps."

    ¡°Ah, I didn¡¯t want toe out here. It¡¯s much better under the air conditioner."

    ¡°Sure, you say that! Weren¡¯t you the one who took out the tube first?"

    The two guysrger than me were childishly fighting with an orange tube around their waists. I captured them on video as Joo-Han instructed and said, ¡°Joo-Han hyung kicked us out because we can''t cook, Rings. Look how childishly these two are fighting. This is a conversation between an eighteen-year-old and his seventeen-year-old bro."

    This private lodge was essible only through referrals and not open to the public. This ensured that even live streams to fans posed no risk of unwee visitors, so it was truly a well-chosen location.

    Suddenly, the two bickering young men turned sharply toward me.

    ¡°What did you say?"

    ¡°You called your hyung[2] childish?"

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, get ready. Give me the phone."

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung quickly approached and took my phone from my hands.

    ¡°Don''t act all grown-up by yourself, hyung." Jin-Sung scoffed and sshed me with pool water.

    I panicked and ran toward the lodge. Goh Yoo-Joonughed like a maniac and chased after me with the phone.

    ¡°Ahh!" I shrieked as Jin-Sung lifted me up and cold water sshed on my face, hands, and feet.

    ¡°Throw him in. I think he needs a plunge."

    They were having their fun, banging and drumming as they pleased.

    ¡°Rings, we love you. We will be back in a bit!" Goh Yoo-Joon shouted cheerily.

    ¡°Haha! Rings, isn''t this the first time you''ve seen Suh Hyun-Woo like this?"

    The phone was pushed into my face. I was already prepared to fall into the pool when Jin-Sung lifted me up. Hanging upside down, I shouted to the viewers with a resigned expression, ¡°I love you, Rings!"

    <i>Ssh!</i>

    I was instantly enveloped by the water''s cool embrace. It was shallow enough that I quickly stood up. I was not a fan of swimming since thest view I had before falling from the ne crash was the ocean. This made me feel even more unpleasant than I expected.

    ¡°Bahaha!"

    ¡°Rings, behold a drenched Suh Hyun-Woo! You still look great, man!"

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t he look more like soggy seaweed? Hahahaha."

    Hearing Jin-Sung''sughter, I strode over to the two and extended my hand. ¡°Hurry up and pull me out from here."

    ¡°...Hyung, are you mad?" Jin-Sung stoppedughing at my stern expression. Without saying anything, I shook my hand to urge them to grab it quickly.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was as perceptive as ever and ended the video. Both of them grabbed my hand simultaneously. I pulled their hands with a lot of force.

    <i>Ssh!</i>

    Brilliant droplets of water flew everywhere. After dunking my friends, I smirked lightly and emerged from the water. Yoon-Chan, who had shown up at some point, quickly handed me a towel.

    Joo-Han also came out with a sour expression while holding a pot. ¡°You guys are ying extra hardcore and we only just got here."

    The delicious smell of samgyetang wafted through the air.

    That evening, a photo was uploaded on <i>BlueBird. </i>It was a picture of Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and me soaking wet. We were wrapped in arge towel while shivering and eating samgyetang.

    ***

    Time flew by even though we didn''t do much. It felt like it passed even quicker because we were just ying around and doing nothing. Night had already fallen, and countless stars that could never be seen in Seoul filled the sky above the lodge.

    After eating samgyetang, the members and I went into our respective rooms without any intention ofing out. Despite us iming that we couldn''t live without each other, it was clear how much alone time we needed after being busy for so long, like Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    I dimmed the lights in my room andy on the bed. I stared nkly at the pool surrounded by lights. There was a knock on the door.

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°I¡¯ming in."

    It was Goh Yoo-Joon. I sat up in bed and looked at him. He was holding a GoPro camera.

    ¡°What''s that?"

    ¡°Punishment. Remember? We talked about this during the Chronos meeting because of the video call."

    I couldn''t help but frown. ¡°Oh."

    We had all agreed to a punishment after falling for the production team''s trick during the second Chronos meeting. Goh Yoo-Joon had promised to make a video of all the members as part of the punishment for the "darling" incident.

    ¡°I am nning to film all the members while we¡¯re here. I also shot one of myself again."

    ¡°...You did that...alone?"

    ¡°Yeah, so what?"

    He shot that by himself again? As I looked at him in dismay, Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled and turned on the camera after patting me on the back. ¡°So, you do it too. After you, I will go to Joo-Han hyung. If I go alone, he will beat me up, so you areing with me to serve as a shield."

    He shoved the camera in my face. Alright, let''s just do it quickly and get it over with. We all had to do it anyway.

    ¡°Starting... Um..."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was eager to start filming, but he suddenly hesitated before putting the camera down. He seemed to be pondering on something.

    ¡°Hey, what''s wrong?" I asked.

    ¡°I thought about a scenario I could do in this location. But..."

    I looked around the room at his words. Evening, bed, mood lighting...

    ¡°It might get a bit sexual, so let''s do it outside. Haha!" Goh Yoo-Joon said in a voice full of mischief. His face made him look like the average teenager.

    My expression soured as usual.

    1. Samgyetang is a traditional Korean chicken soup, famous for its energizing properties, especially popr during the hottest days of summer. It features a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and simmered in a broth with ginseng, jujube fruits, and garlic, making it a hearty and health-boosting meal. ?

    2. Goh Yoo-Joon is just joking haha ?

 Chapter 323: Break (19)

    I left Goh Yoo-Joon in my room and walked out, hoping to get a moment of peace. But, of course, he followed me almost immediately and shoved the camera in my face.

    ¡°Do you want to start here? Or while going down the stairs? Should I hand over the camera for a video call vibe?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon seemed like aplete lunatic sometimes. I just wished he would give me the camera and leave me alone. How was I supposed to do this scenario with him right next to me?

    I ignored his incessant chatter and headed downstairs to the living room, where Joo-Han and Su-Hwan were watching TV. They red at us as we approached.

    ¡°Are you two this loud here, too? Ugh, even at eighteen, you still haven''t matured.¡±

    Because of Goh Yoo-Joon, even I, who mentally felt like I was in my mid-twenties, was being treated like an immature kid. I looked at Joo-Han in despair, but he just approached and snatched the camera from Goh Yoo-Joon''s hand.

    ¡°What are you guys doing?¡±

    ¡°Remember the punishment from thest Chronos meeting? We have to film individual video call scenarios. We are doing that.¡±

    ¡°Ah, got it.¡±¡°Do you want to go first, hyung?¡±

    Joo-Han thought for a moment before nodding. ¡°Okay. Let''s go.¡±

    ¡°...Where?¡±

    ¡°To my room. You guys will all do cute and romantic stuff, right?¡±

    We naturally followed him to his room. He fiddled with the camera before flopping onto the bed. ¡°So, I¡¯m thinking of going for a more sexy vibe.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Wow.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon gave a drypliment and shed a thumbs-up. Here he was, our group''s other lunatic, willing to do anything for money. He could sell his soul if it meant making money. He didn¡¯t care if the members were by his side or not. He¡¯d do anything.

    ¡°Haha.¡± I backed up whileughing with a sigh. I sat down on a chair.

    Ignoring uspletely, Joo-Han turned on the camera while lying on the bed and handed it back to Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°Make sure you get the right angle.¡±

    ¡°Yes, hyung. Should I shoot as if we are lying down together?¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°Got it. Haha.¡±

    They worked well together. People said group members start to resemble each other over time. Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon were a prime example. Despite having a personality opposite to Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han had be quite simr to him¡­

    ¡°Honey, did you sleep well? It''s still night. Go back to sleep. My Ring.¡±

    Oh, he went from calling them ¡®darling¡¯ to ¡®honey.¡¯ I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, so I shook my head and left the room. I would do this when it was my turn and do an average job.

    I went outside to the pool. I didn¡¯t intend to swim, I just wanted to sit down and zone out in the pleasant surroundings. I sat in a chair by the pool, watching the colorful lights reflecting off the water. It was the perfect ce to lose myself in thought. Had I ever had a chance to enjoy a peaceful moment alone like this? Feeling so rxed, Iy back in a chair.

    Just then, I heard the door behind me open and close. I didn¡¯t bother looking back. If someone came out just to get some air, they wouldn''t disturb me. If they came to see me, they woulde over.

    Sure enough, I heard footsteps, and someone sat in the chair next to mine.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo.¡± It was Su-Hwan.

    ¡°Are you here to zone out too?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered, but kept looking at me instead of the pool. When I met his gaze, he said in his usual deadpan voice, ¡°Airne.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Lighting.¡±

    ¡°...What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Is there anything else?¡±

    Su-Hwan sometimes dropped bombshells without warning. This was one of those times. But this was the perfect moment and setting. Talking about secrets in a quiet, dark atmosphere was ideal. I looked into his eyes, and they showed noplexity.

    He wasn¡¯t interested in the reasons behind my troubles. He didn¡¯t care about my backstory because he just wanted to know what to worry about. His coldly practical question made me feel relieved.

    ¡°I am scared of people. I think I have social anxiety.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Anything else?¡±

    ¡°I realized today that I don¡¯t like falling into the water. It felt awful.¡±

    ¡°Are you scared, or do you just dislike it?¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t scary. I¡¯m also afraid of heights. I almost fainted on a ride.¡±

    If it hadn¡¯t been for Yoon-Chan, I would have fainted for sure. Listening to the sounds of nature, Su-Hwan and I talked and listened to each other.

    ¡°Are fireworks scary to you?¡±

    ¡°Fireworks?¡±

    ¡°You seemed really startled in the US. I saw the members covering your ears for you."

    Come to think of it, Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan hade to cover my ears one after the other. When I thought about it, I''d received a lot of help from my members.

    An indescribable emotion welled up inside me. ¡°Yeah, I think so. Maybe it was because the sound was simr to fireworks. I''m not sure, though." I said as I tried to piece it together.

    ¡°Anything else?¡±

    I paused, searching my mind for other fears. Besides what I¡¯d mentioned, nothing immediate came to mind except the haunting image of Joo-Han obsessed with his work or Yoon-Chan crying his eyes out.

    When I shook my head, indicating there was nothing else, Su-Hwan nodded and moved on to another topic.

    ¡°Can I share this with the other members?¡±

    ¡°What? Oh.¡± I hesitated since I wondered if I was burdening them too much by asking them to keep an eye on me. Was that too selfish?

    Su-Hwan sensed my reluctance and spoke again in his characteristic dry and firm tone. ¡°It¡¯s not just about you, Hyun-Woo. I n to ask the other members too. For example, Joo-Han¡¯s work issues or Yoo-Joon¡¯s family problems.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    Su-Hwan was much more observant than I had given him credit for. I hadn¡¯t expected him to notice Yoo-Joon¡¯s family issues.

    He borated further as if reading my thoughts. ¡°Every time there¡¯s a short break, everyone goes home except Yoo-Joon. Last time, he even went to your ce, right?¡±

    ¡°...Yeah.¡±

    For someone so affectionate, it was strange that he never went home or called his parents. Anyone paying attention to him would have noticed this.

    ¡°Can I talk to the members about our conversation today?¡± Su-Hwan asked again.

    I nodded. ¡°Please do.¡±

    It was time to admit to myself that I wasn¡¯t alone anymore. I had so many people willing to stand by me.

    ***

    The first night of our vacation had passed. Byte morning, the members started trickling into the living room, looking a bit scruffy. The only one who still looked fresh was Yoon-Chan, who had even gone for a workout.

    ¡°Wow, seriously... Do they use Simmons mattresses here? These beds are sofy. Hyung, can we get new beds for our dorm too? Something high-end.¡±

    Su-Hwan firmly shut down Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s request. ¡°Sorry, there is no budget for that.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to have expected such a response, flopping onto the couch without another word.

    Joo-Han appeared with his hair disheveled and thick sses on and flopped right on top of Goh Yoo-Joon on the couch.

    ¡°Hyung, does Simmons make couches too? This one is superfy. Can we get one?¡± There wasn¡¯t much heart in his request either.

    ¡°What should we do today?¡±

    Aside from going home, none of us really knew how to spend a vacation doing nothing. Usually, we¡¯d lock ourselves in the practice room or work on projects. Without anything to do, we couldn¡¯t handle the boredom.

    ¡°Are we not swimming today?¡± Jin-Sung asked, bringing in a deted pool float.

    ¡°Maybeter...¡±

    ¡°Can I go swimming now?¡±

    ¡°No. Eat first and then go,¡± Joo-Han told him.

    Jin-Sung pouted and climbed on top of Joo-Han, who was already lying on Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Oof, ugh, ack.¡±

    While Joo-Han didn¡¯t seem bothered, Goh Yoo-Joon was now crushed under both of them and started groaning in pain.

    I ignored them and checked my phone. The photos and videos that Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han had diligently uploaded to our <em>BlueBird </em>ount yesterday were getting a lot of reactions. Our rxed and carefree appearances were well-received.

    Since the uploaded posts included some goofy moments of the members, they had already been captured and turned into memes and edited images among the Rings.

    As I scrolled through the fans'' reactions, happy to see us having fun together, one particr post caught my attention.

    [It¡¯s so nice to see the boys enjoying their vacation and posting stuff for us a. But asking for a <em>Q-app</em> live stream might be too much, right? ??I know it¡¯s too much to ask¡­ But I miss you guys¡­ I just really want to see you all¡­]

    It was more of a heartfelt wish than a request. Without much thought, I suggested it to the others. ¡°What about holding a<em> Q-app</em> live session if we have nothing else to do? The Rings want it.¡±

    ¡°Whoa!¡±

    At my suggestion, the human tower of Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han, and Jin-Sung copsed in a heap.

    ¡°Sure!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do it.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good.¡±

    Our love for our Rings was what defined Chronos. Even though a <em>Q-app</em> live streaming was technically work, no one hesitated. They quickly started fixing their messy appearances.

    Upon hearing our responses, Su-Hwan and Tae-Seong began to get things ready. We were about to surprise our fans with an impromptu <em>Q-app </em>session during our vacation.

 Chapter 324: Break (20)

    <h4>Chapter 324: Break (20)</h4>

    Just after waking up, the room was buzzing with activity as the disheveled members tidied up their outfits in a bit of a frenzy. They washed up one by one, slipped into fresh clothes, styled their hair, and pped on some skincare products.

    Back in their trainee days, it used to take just five minutes to jump out of bed and put on some shoes. But now, prepping could drag on for thirty to forty minutes as celebrities.

    Joo-Han and Jin-Sung, who had finished grooming earlier, were lounging on the couch while fiddling with their phones and muttering under their breath.

    ¡°That should be enough. Come over here, guys. How much more do you need to primp?"

    ¡°Others would think you guys are getting ready for a concert or something.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon was diligently applying sunscreen to his face. ¡°When you are about to face hundreds of thousands on the <i>Q-app</i>, you''ve got to look sharp."

    I took the tube from him and set down theb, thinking to myself how right he was. I knew Joo-Han hated waiting, but Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s point was valid. Any minor skin issue and the Rings would flood social media and post concerned messages like, ¡®Looks like Hyun-Woo is really worn out these days ??.¡¯

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, sorry to bother, but can I borrow some lotion?" Yoon-Chan asked as he came out from the bathroom, vigorously drying his hair with a towel.

    ¡°...Ha.¡± Just then, a deep sigh from Joo-Han cut through the chatter. He gave us a look of utter boredom before showing us the phone with the <i>Q-app </i>ready to go. ¡°You''ve got one minute."

    ¡°What? Seriously?" The room became filled with a mix of confusion and urgency.

    But Joo-Han was firm. ¡°Finish up and sit down. We are starting in a minute whether you are ready or not. Alright, go!"

    His suddenmand threw us off, but we snapped into motion. Though we were used to Joo-Han¡¯s ways, the rush still felt chaotic.

    ¡°Ten, nine¡ª" he began counting down, and the scramble intensified.

    ¡°Aaak! Just getting my shirt on!"

    ¡°Eight¡ª"

    Admittedly, forty minutes to get ready did seem excessive. I hurriedly thered on the rest of my sunscreen and buttoned up my jacket.

    ¡°Seven, six, five¡ª" The countdown continued, and I fumbled with my shirt buttons in panic.

    ¡°Hang on, just a sec. I can''t go on live looking like this!" I protested as I tried to smooth out my stretched-out t-shirt.

    ¡°Wait, hyung. Wait! I can¡¯t wear a t-shirt with holes on live streaming, right?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon was half-dressed and frantically shouting.

    ¡°You could''ve just dressed up instead of messing around with sunscreen indoors. One, zero!"

    And just like that, the <i>Q-app</i> live ruthlessly began with Joo-Han¡¯s final countdown.

    <i>Ding! Ding! </i>

    Alerts from the <i>Q-app</i> buzzed on every phone around, signaling the start of the live session.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was still half-buttoned, froze and stared incredulously at Joo-Han. ¡°Wow, did you really just start it?"

    Only Joo-Han and Jin-Sung were fully visible on the <i>Q-app</i>''s screen.

    ¡°Dude, seriously. What a leader, ugh. What a character." Goh Yoo-Joon muttered, finishing doing his buttons.

    Joo-Han shed a mischievous grin and waved at the camera.

    ¡°Good morning, everyone! Yes, wee!" Joo-Han greeted cheerfully.

    ¡°Hyung, it¡¯s more like lunchtime, isn¡¯t it?"

    ¡°We are still technically on vacation, but I turned this on because I saw so many messages from Rings saying they missed us. Oh, what about the other members?" Joo-Han read the chat and turned his attention back to us.

    The response was immediate and mixed, with some yful banter and genuine annoyance.

    ¡°Hyung is so mean. Not considerate at all," Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled as he walked to the couch and pressed down on Joo-Han''s shoulder. ¡°He started live streaming, saying that our preparations took ages. Rings, that''s our leader. This is a total dictatorship. Is this even fair?"

    ¡°Yeah, all we wanted was to look a bit nicer since it¡¯s been a while," I added with a yful tone, joining in the pressure on Joo-Han''s shoulder. Soon, Yoon-Chan rushed over and sat next to me.

    - ???????? Even during vacation, they are still under the Republic of Joo-Han

    - Republic of Joo-Han lol ????

    - I missed you so much ??

    - How¡¯s your vacation going?

    - ?? On vacation but still thinking of us? Thank you guys ??

    - Dang, I didn¡¯t even expect a live stream today...

    ¡°It''s fine to spend time getting ready. But why does it take forty minutes to prepare? I really don''t get it," Joo-Han said.

    ¡°Come on. It¡¯s much better than showing up looking like we just rolled out of bed. Don''t you all want to see us at our best after such a long time?" Goh Yoo-Joon countered.

    As Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon bickered, the chat window filled up rapidly. I turned on the <i>Q-app </i>on my phone to check the chat, and found a mix of messages saying any appearance was fine, along with various questions.

    I nced at the chat filled with Rings expressing confusion over the sudden live broadcast during our vacation, and gently nudged Joo-Han''s shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s stop arguing and start with some greetings."

    ¡°Ah, right. It''s been a while, so let''s greet everyone. On three! Two, three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos!"

    ¡°We didn''t turn on the<i> Q-app </i>because of work. Don¡¯t worry. We really just missed you all," Jin-Sung quickly said after receiving the phone from me.

    Since Chronos'' schedule was released, the amount of swearing about YMM among the Rings had be almost a meme these days. Because of that, even our vacation photos, which had been posted out of goodwill, were used of being orchestrated by thepany. I also saw somements being suspicious whether YMM had forced us to start this live session.

    Goh Yoo-Joon yfully reassured the Rings and dispelled their concerns. ¡°That¡¯s right. Just like you all missed us, we missed you and started this livestream. It wasn¡¯t thepany¡¯s doing, so don¡¯t worry!"

    Even though this <i>Q-app</i> session was sudden, there was a lot to talk about because it had been a while since westmunicated as a group. The atmosphere was rxed and casual with no special announcements to make. Since we were on vacation, the members were also at ease. This allowed the live session to proceed naturally.

    ¡°Who made the samgyetang?"

    ¡°It was manager hyung, Joo-Han hyung, and Yoon-Chan."

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung and Yoon-Chan seem to be getting better at cooking. It was really tasty."

    ¡°Most of the work was done by manager hyung, but ah, Yoon-Chan was in charge of the seasoning."

    ¡°Someone is asking why only the three of you are wet in the photo."

    It seemed there was a lot the Rings wanted to ask, just as much as we wanted to say. A lot of photos and videos had been uploaded to <i>BlueBird</i>. Since we were doing a live tomunicate and weren¡¯t pressed for time, we tried to integrate most visible questions into our conversation.

    Jin-Sung raised his hand when he saw a questione up. ¡°There¡¯s a question." All eyes turned to him, and he looked at me. ¡°Hyung, did you know that the preview video for <i>Newbie Crew</i> was released?"

    ¡°Oh, really? I had no idea." I looked at Su-Hwan. He seemed unaware but not particrly surprised, since the pre-release of videos must have been included in the contract.

    ¡°Ah, here it is. It¡¯s up. Whoa, a preview video that¡¯s thirty minutes long?" I reached out my hand and Goh Yoo-Joon handed me his phone. I just saw my face prominently disyed on the thumbnail of the thirty-minute video and asked the Rings. ¡°How was it, everyone? Did you enjoy it?"

    I asked without much thought, just out of curiosity because the edited version of the broadcast I appeared in had been released. I hadn¡¯t considered that there might be any issue with the editing. However, the Rings'' reactions were somewhat odd.

    - ??Hyun-Woo¡¯s screen time was so little

    - Just hang in there! I¡¯m going to smash the broadcast station ??

    - It was fun hehe

    - The screen time was a bit short, but it was good to see Hyun-Woo¡¯s face!

    ¡°Uh, what¡¯s wrong with it?" Goh Yoo-Joon was so flustered that he responded in a teasing manner to lighten up the mood. However, the Rings¡¯ reactions were still very negative.

    What was going on? I took the situation a bit more seriously. I had been bustling around in the game, and since only my face was in the thumbnail, I thought I had a decent amount of screentime. However, the truth was the exact opposite.

    ¡°If you all enjoyed it, that''s what matters. Ha ha!" I quicklyughed to diffuse the negative atmosphere and moved on.

    After a while, I decided to monitor the video alone slowly and analyze why everyone was so dissatisfied with my short screen time. And I had to figure out how to appear more often somehow.

    Afterward, the members deliberately skipped any topics or questions about <i>Newbie Crew</i> as the conversation continued. We spent nearly an hour and a half live, and Joo-Han eventually wrapped up our chat. ¡°We will visit often during our vacation so you don¡¯t feel bored or lonely. We will keep uploading photos and videos like now."

    ¡°Is there anything you want to see in our next live session, Rings?" I asked, and a surge of suggestions came in. I fixed the chat and slowly scrolled down to read the messages.

    - If there is a karaoke machine at the lodge, how about taking song requests? hehe

    - Just turning the livestream on and chatting would be good!

    - I want to see you guys cooking live again!

    - If you¡¯re in the countryside, how about a courage test like going to an abandoned building at night? I want to see Jin-Sung get scared ??

    I read out all the feasible suggestions among the visible messages. The members repeated ''Shall we? That sounds good,'' positively responding to each of the Rings'' suggestions.

    One suggestion caught Joo-Han¡¯s interest. ¡°A courage test sounds good. We couldbine it with a treasure hunt and do it live at night."

    Jin-Sung turned ghastly pale.

 Chapter 325: Break (21)

    <h4>Chapter 325: Break (21)</h4>

    ¡°Seriously? A courage test? I thought this was supposed to be a rxing vacation. I¡¯m totally against it!"

    Jin-Sung''s voice echoed loudly right after the <i>Q-app</i> session ended. Given his fear of ghosts, his reaction was totally expected.

    What was that earlier? The Republic of Joo-Han... It seemed like today was just another day when Joo-Han would sweet-talk Jin-Sung into doing something he didn¡¯t want to. But, surprisingly, Joo-Han just nodded, which was a simple gesture that threw everyone off.

    ¡°Then just stay here, Jin-Sung. You don¡¯t have to do anything you don''t want to."

    ¡°...So, you¡¯re just going to leave me out of the screen time?"

    ¡°You can get plenty of footage just chatting here."

    ¡°But if I am the only one sitting out, won¡¯t everyone think Ick enthusiasm?"

    Jin-Sung was bewildered that Joo-Han was actually taking his side for once. He started listing the reasons he feltpelled to participate.

    However, Joo-Han just gave him a look that mixed disbelief with pity and shook his head. ¡°We are in the middle of nowhere. What if something actually happens? What if forcing you to participate ends up badly? I¡¯d never forgive myself if something happened to you."

    ¡°...Huh."

    ¡°Why would I force you into something you hate during what¡¯s meant to be a refreshing trip? Making you do something you despise would just annoy the Rings even more. Do I really seem that cruel?"

    ¡°Man, Joo-Han hyung''s maniption skills are top-notch. He knows just how to pull the loyalty strings,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon murmured to me quietly.

    I couldn¡¯t help but nod in agreement as I watched Jin-Sung. His eyes welled up with tears, seemingly on the brink of breaking down.

    Why on earth had Joo-Han ever dreamt of bing a singer? If money was what he was after, politics might have suited him better.

    Jin-Sung pouted and clung to Joo-Han. ¡°But what if something really scary happens? You guys should stay back too. Okay? I¡¯m really worried."

    In the middle of this soap opera drama between Joo-Han and Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon chimed in.

    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t sweat it. I actually want to go."

    ¡°How are we going to handle the courage test? Let¡¯s make it fun like a treasure hunt. One team hides the treasure, and the other seeks it. It will save us time and it will be more enjoyable, right?"

    ¡°No..."

    In the end, it was decided by a show of hands, and everyone except Jin-Sung agreed to take part in the courage test scheduled for the next night. Jin-Sung was visibly shaken because of Joo-Han¡¯s warning that there might really be danger, and he couldn¡¯t hold back his tears even though he had decided not to join.

    ***

    All of us gathered in the living room to watch the pre-release video of <i>Newbie Crew. </i>Initially, I had nned to watch it alone, but it seemed everyone was equally anxious about the Rings'' reaction.

    After noticing from the Rings''ments that my screen time was significantly less than expected, Joo-Han suggested we watch it together and discuss why.

    <i>¡®How little could my screen time possibly be?''</i>

    Since I carried the game on my own so much, I should have had a decent amount of screen time by default. However, the preview from <i>Newbie Crew </i>made it clear that even solo efforts could be overshadowed.

    ¡°Wow, that''s really unfair. They''ve used Suh Hyun-Woo for all the promotions."

    ¡°And the thumbnail has Hyun-Woo hyung too... He barely appears in the video..."

    ¡°Even when it''s Hyun-Woo hyung carrying the game, shouldn¡¯t they at least show him in the frame? Why show the others from Hyun-Woo hyung''s point of view?"

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly my point..."

    It felt like there was a deliberate underying of my contributions. Meanwhile, my character received the most screen time in the game. It seemed as if my character had hijacked all my real-life footage. Was my face shown for just three minutes in a thirty-minute video? Sure, the actual broadcast could be different, but the preview alone looked grim.

    After watching for about twenty minutes, I realized why. I had been too quiet because I was intensely focused on the game. While my mind was a whirlwind of strategy and tactics, my voice was notably absent.

    ¡°Your character and game actions are prominent, but you barely spoke a word," Joo-Han pointed out.

    ¡°That¡¯s true... I hadn¡¯t noticed that at the time."

    Unlike others who had plenty of lively reactions and kept the party vibe alive, my contributions wentrgely unnoticed.

    ¡°...Was I wrong to try so hard?"

    ¡°No, you''ve got to keep pushing. Some folks are all about creating a stir just forughs. You need to keep at it. Gotta work hard and make your presence felt at the same time."

    Despite our efforts, I feared our uing live raid wouldn''tpensate for theck of visibility so far. It felt like all the effort might just be going unnoticed. I was feeling really down, so I sat there quietly watching the video until the end.

    Joo-Han, ever the optimist, patted my shoulder with a smile. ¡°Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°Yeah?"

    ¡°You kept the game alive but stayed too quiet. What should we do to fix that?"

    ¡°..."

    His smile sent a shiver down my spine. As I felt his hand gripping my shoulder a bit too firmly, Joo-Han leaned in and whispered softly, ¡°You should cry."

    He suggested I cry as if I was frustrated by a loss in the game. When I remained silent, he quickly added ¡°Just kidding,¡± though his tone was anything but joking. He patted my back and disappeared.

    ¡°Wow, that was like an affectionate version of a smackdown. Just a pat, but seriously creepy,"

    Goh Yoo-Joon mumbled to himself before heading back to his room.

    I was beginning to understand why Jin-Sung thought Joo-Han was intimidating.

    ¡°Hyung, do you want to go over the video once more with me?¡±

    After everyone else had left, Yoon-Chan stayed back to rewatch the pre-release video with me.

    The mental exhaustion from filming <i>Newbie Crew</i> was significant, and receiving so little screen time felt deeply unfair. Therefore, I resolved that if there wasn''t a good time to speak up, I''d at least try to express my frustration more visibly even if it meant shedding tears.

    ***

    Joo-Han greeted Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung with a smile as they returned from their swim.

    ¡°Did you go swimming this morning? I could hear you guys from all the way in my room."

    ¡°Whoa, did we wake you up?"

    ¡°No, I was about to get up anyway. As long as you guys had fun, that¡¯s what matters."

    I took another sip of my orange juice, watching Joo-Han looking noticeably rxed and content. It was a rare break from our usual hectic schedules, and it seemed like he was making the most of this downtime along with all the members.

    Though it appeared Joo-Han had been up at dawn fiddling with some music software, there was a different feel to doing something out of passion rather than under pressure.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, thepany said they¡¯ve sent over the coboration track with Reina. I will forward it to you, so listen to itter."

    ¡°Oh, it''s already here? Thanks."

    The final mix of the track I''d worked on with senior Reina had arrived. Although it wasplete, it still needed the official go-ahead.

    Su-Hwan promptly sent me the track file, but I set my phone aside without checking it. There was something else I needed to address first since it was already 8 PM.

    ¡°The sun¡¯s setting." Joo-Han''sment turned Jin-Sung pale. I gave him a yful tap on the back, stood up, and grabbed themunal phone for Chronos.

    ¡°Should we start the <i>Q-app</i>?"

    ¡°Yeah."

    ¡°What? Are you serious? Are we really doing the courage test?"

    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, for real." Goh Yoo-Joon covered Jin-Sung¡¯s mouth with his hand, shaking his head as he chuckled.

    The time for our promised courage test with the Rings was here. Joo-Han was casually holding a piece of paperbeled ''treasure.¡¯ He settled onto the couch.

    After mounting the phone on a tripod and getting everyone seated, Su-Hwan briefed us from behind the device. ¡°The site for our courage test is safe. There are no dangerous structures or ominous rumors. But just in case, I will be nearby, so make sure to bring your phones."

    ¡°Got it."

    ¡°Stick to the nned route. The woods are safe, but still warrant caution."

    ¡°Of course."

    Su-Hwan rattled off a list of precautions, waited for our acknowledgements, then turned on the <i>Q-app</i> live. Thanks to earlier announcements on <i>BlueBird, </i>viewers flooded in much quicker than usual.

    ¡°One, two, three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chronos!"

    The chat exploded with activity. Joo-Han wasted no time and dove right into this evening''s agenda. ¡°As we promised, we¡¯ve set up a courage test for tonight. But we figured you wouldn¡¯t enjoy it if we forced everyone to participate. So, Jin-Sung will opt out and, instead, he will take charge of tonight''s event."

    Jin-Sung nodded vigorously. Every time he nodded, his eyebrows dropped as if he was about to cry. ¡°I really can''t do this. I''m sorry, everyone. If I go there and hear even a bird chirp, I will just faint on the spot."

    I nodded in agreement and added, ¡°That¡¯s right. We can''t risk a broadcast ident by forcing Jin-Sung to go, so the four of us will form teams and proceed two by two."

    ¡°How will we form the teams?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon clung to my back. ¡°Me! I will go with Suh Hyun-Woo!"

    <i>¡®Why is he like this?¡¯</i> I squinted half my eyes open to look at him.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been into a haunted house with Suh Hyun-Woo during a shoot before,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon confessed. ¡°He was not scared at all."

    Well, I might be scared if I actually met a real ghost.

    ¡°I¡¯m honestly a bit worried! I want to go with someone who isn¡¯t scared."

    Joo-Han raised his hand. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of ghosts either."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shook his head. ¡°No, you are the type to call out to the ghosts to make our next album a huge sess. That''s even scarier."

    ¡°And you¡¯d kick Goh Yoo-Joon if he clings to you when he gets scared."

    ¡°...Then I will go with Yoon-Chan,¡± Joo-Han decided. ¡°If it¡¯s just me and Hyun-Woo, our team would be totally boring. No impact at all."

    Joo-Han readily teamed up with Yoon-Chan instead of arguing. He then exined the rules of the courage test to the viewers and switched the phone on the tripod to selfie video mode.

    ¡°Now that we¡¯ve formed teams, shall we start? Yoon-Chan and I will hide first, so Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon, you guys wille find us after."

    Thus began the first Chronos courage test.

 Chapter 326: Break (22)

    <h4>Chapter 326: Break (22)</h4>

    The first ones to brave the courage test were Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan. This wasn''t some highly-nned content by the agency. It just spontaneously happened while we were messing around. Therefore, we didn''t have much in terms of filming equipment.

    In fact, the only thing we had to record with was a phone, which meant we couldn''t broadcast both Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan''s adventure and our reactions simultaneously through the <i>Q-app. </i>So, we decided Joo-Han''s team would take the livestreaming phone with them, while we''d stay back and watch while reacting live.

    Su-Hwan was handling another phone to capture us as we watched, probably nning to edit this footageter for our official<i> UTube </i>channel.

    [Guys, there''s really nothing much out here. But I''ve heard this mountain has some mystical energy and attracted lots of shamans for prayer.]

    [...Is that really true?]

    [Apparently so. Oh, and Yoon-Chan, don''t go that way. The owner told me earlier that his family''s graveyard is over there, and we are not allowed there.]

    - Whoa... a graveyard... ??

    - Why are we even doing this, ah, I¡®m terrified, but can''t stop watching because it''s them...

    - It''s already so creepy with how dark the screen is...

    - What¡¯s that behind them?

    - lol Yoon-Chan looks genuinely scared, it¡¯s hrious hahaha

    - Joo-Han ?? Don¡¯t mention such things so casually hahaha

    - Is it just me, or does the faint light from the lodge make it even creepier...

    ¡°Look at him choosing the scariest things to say.¡±

    ¡°Seriously. I could never joke about such things if I were out there." Goh Yoo-Joon shivered at the thought.

    Meanwhile, Jin-Sung didn¡¯t dare to flee and stayed within the frame Su-Hwan was capturing. However, he waspletely wrapped up in a nket while shivering. Though the live broadcast was too dark to see much, the gloomy atmosphere made it look a lot scarier than it actually was.

    [Where should I hide this?]

    [Hold on, they are watching our live video right now. We can''t show where we¡¯re hiding it, so just wait here, Yoon-Chan.]

    [What? Are you going alone? Okay, then.]

    Despite the supposed terror of the courage test, both Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan were so nonchnt that it was almostughable. Just look at them.

    - Why is he going alone UGHHHH

    - They should stick together... Why are they splitting up ??

    - Joo-Han is one thing, but Yoon-Chan isn''t even bothered being alone...?

    - If Jin-Sung were here, he''d be in tears and making a scene lmao

    - ??? You are leaving me... hyung... sob... don¡¯t leave me... sob... here bow wow bow wow

    - LMAO ??????

    Both Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, one holding the camera and the other waiting alone in the shadows of the forest, seemed utterly unfazed. Since they weren¡¯t scared, the viewers felt less frightened too.

    Everyone but Jin-Sung seemed okay.

    ¡°Is the scary part over? Did the hyungse out yet? Is it still dark? ...Waah! It¡¯s still dark... Hyung....¡±

    ¡°But it really is quite dark. I¡¯m starting to feel a bit spooked now. What are we going to do?¡±

    While Goh Yoo-Joon wasn¡¯t freaking out like Jin-Sung, the dimly lit forest and the ambiguous lighting made him a bit uneasy. Perhaps if it were pitch ck, it might have been less scary since nothing would be visible. However, the dim glow from the sparse bulbs hanging in the forest only added to the creepy vibe.

    [Did you guys know that these bulbs have been flickering since we got here? They are running on a generator, so a weak voltage must be causing this.]

    Yoon-Chan, ever the optimist, casually threw out thatment and set off a frenzy in the chat room. This sent Jin-Sung over the edge.

    ¡°Aaaaah!!! I heard what Yoon-Chan hyung said... that flickering light, that¡¯s the pol... pol... what is it... what do you call that phenomenon?¡±

    ¡°Poltergeist phenomenon[1]?"

    ¡°Aaah! Don¡¯t even say it!"

    ¡°What am I supposed to do then?"

    ¡°I¡¯m so scared. I need a break. I am going to watch Pororo[2] for a bit."

    ¡°Right now?" Goh Yoo-Joon handed me the phone with the live broadcast on and took his own phone and Jin-Sung into the kitchen. I could faintly hear them singing the opening song of Pororo.

    ¡°I love to y the most..."

    Without realizing it, I hummed along to the song while I continued to watch the screen. Joo-Han had hidden the ''treasure'' paper and then came down and talked to Yoon-Chan.

    [Did I keep you waiting for long?]

    [No. But what should we do, hyung? I chatted with the viewers for a bit, and it looks like the viewer count has dropped... Maybe the talk wasn''t interesting enough.]

    [Oh, no, that''s not it. They probably just stepped out for a bit. They will be back, right, everyone?]

    The drop in viewers was probably because they couldn''t handle Yoon-Chan''s casual remarks about scary things and needed a breather, just like those guys watching Pororo over there.

    About five minutester, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung came back. Shortly after, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan returned as well. The phone was put back on the tripod, and there was a strange smell of natureing from Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan.

    ¡°How was it? Was it really scary to be there?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan both shook their heads.

    ¡°Not really, there were lights and nothing particrly scary."

    ¡°But it was a bit chilly since the ce is deep in the woods."

    ¡°When you two went up there, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung were so scared they went to watch Pororo."

    Goh Yoo-Joonughed heartily and grabbed onto Joo-Han, seemingly trying to shake off his fear more than anything. ¡°Pororo was pretty fun."

    After a bit of banter, the viewers who had stepped away starteding back, and the viewer count returned to normal.

    ¡°Alright, now it''s your turn, Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo."

    ¡°I didn¡¯t hide it too well on purpose, so it will be easy to find."

    ¡°Alright. Let''s go, Goh Yoo-Joon."

    I gestured for Goh Yoo-Joon toe with me as I picked up the phone fixed to the tripod.

    ¡°...Whoa, we¡¯re going already?¡± He hesitated to go and looked a bit frightened, but didn¡¯t waste too much time and followed me.

    ¡°Be careful, hyung!" Jin-Sung yelled as we stepped out the door.

    Goh Yoo-Joon tried to smile as he took the phone that was recording. ¡°As long as you guys are having fun, I can handle this kind of fear."

    I looked around and pointed toward the trail leading up the mountain. ¡°There, the path with the lights, that''s where we¡¯re heading."

    ¡°Wow, it looks even darker in person."

    ¡°I know, right? How did they even go up there?"

    The atmosphere was silent and the moist air made it seem like a ce you wouldn''t want to enter, scary or not.

    ¡°Guys, it lookspletely different in personpared to what you see on the screen. I¡¯m not sure how to describe this type of fear."

    ¡°It kind of feels like when you go to an amusement park and venture into a corner that''s not well-decorated, and suddenly it''s all quiet. It feels like that kind of silence." Goh Yoo-Joon''sparison was oddly specific but apt. The dim lighting and frequent flickering made it feel like a closed-down local amusement park.

    ¡°Should we give up? Haha!" Goh Yoo-Joon asked.

    ¡°Be quiet. Let''s go."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was clearly scared. I grabbed him by the wrist and headed toward the trail. Since Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan had hidden the treasure paper, we had to find it toplete our mission.

    As we entered the trail, the reluctance I felt before entering vanished. ¡°We''ve seen the path on video, so we should be able to find it quickly. Don''t be scared, everyone."

    ¡°Umm."

    Goh Yoo-Joon desperately tried to find reasons not to be scared bymunicating with the viewers. I pondered for a moment.

    <i>¡®Is this supposed to be like a horror special? But I feel like this is going to beme and boring.¡¯</i>

    I recalled how Joo-Han subtly steered us toward a spooky vibe. Historically, his decisions and intentions had never gone in a negative direction. Yoon-Chan might have decreased viewer numbers with his scary story, but Joo-Han probably thought that if we were going to do scary content, it should have at least one or two genuinely frightening elements. I could almost see Joo-Han disapproving of our live broadcast.

    I looked at Yoo-Joon babbling away and blurted out something. ¡°But you know, ghosts like this kind of talk."

    ¡°...Dude."

    ¡°They think we¡¯re talking about them ande over."

    ¡°Ah, great, now the viewers will leave because of you!"

    ¡°Oops, sorry. Come back, everyone."

    We continued our trek up the mountain while engaging in asionally scary banter. We soon reached the spot where Yoon-Chan had stood and talked to the viewers. A bit farther ahead, a container shed was visible.

    ¡°Why is there a storage box here?"

    ¡°It''s probably a ce to store tools for chopping wood or other equipment. I know this because my uncle has one," I said, reaching out a hand to Goh Yoo-Joon. ¡°If you¡¯re scared, you don''t have to go inside. Just give me the camera and I will go alone."

    But Goh Yoo-Joon recoiled in horror and shook his head. ¡°No, let''s go together. It''s dangerous to go alone. I will shine the light for you. You can do the searching."

    I wasn''t sure if he was worried about me or scared of being left alone, but either way, Goh Yoo-Joon clung to me.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m opening the door. Here we go, everyone."

    ¡°Yep," Goh Yoo-Joon answered on behalf of everyone.

    I hesitated no more and turned the doorknob.

    <i>Creeeak¡ª</i>

    The door swung open with an unpleasant noise. As I reached for the wall near the door, my hand found the switch and I turned on the light.

    ¡°There is light in the shed. It¡¯s less scary now. Let''s find the treasure paper."

    As I looked around to search for the paper, Goh Yoo-Joon joked from behind, ¡°No, wait. Haha... It''s still scary though, isn''t it, everyone?"

    <i>Ding ding ding! Drrring! Tick! Ding ding!</i>

    ¡°...What the heck?"

    The bright light inside the shed suddenly started flickering wildly.

    <i>¡®What''s going on here?¡¯</i> I turned around in confusion, and Goh Yoo-Joon, who had just been by my side, was nowhere to be seen.

    ¡°Hey, Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    Not only inside the shed, but even the bulbs hanging on the trees visible through the open door began flickering as if they might go out any second.

    <i>Bang!</i>

    ¡°Ah!"

    The shed door mmed shut with a loud noise.

    ¡°...¡±

    This couldn''t be someone''s prank, and Goh Yoo-Joon wasn''t the type to pull off something like this. Could this really be a poltergeist phenomenon...?

    I nervously chewed on my lip and headed for the door.

    ¡°Uh, who''s there...?"

    The person walking through the door was clearly an old man, but when the light flickered in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a man of my age. The odd part was his hair, which kept changing from pastel pink to blue and back again. Whatever this was, this guy, or creature, wasn''t human.

    He grinned and said, ¡°One hundred and thirty-two days left.[3]"

    ¡°What?"

    ¡°Your memory will return."

    What was that supposed to mean? As I faced this bizarre situation, I feltpelled to approach the man. The moment I took a step forward, everything was over.

    ¡°...Hey, when did you walk over there?"

    The man vanished. The light stopped flickering, and the door that had shut closed was open again. Goh Yoo-Joon was back in the shed, searching for the paper with his phone and casually striking up a conversation with me.

    1. A paranormal activity involving physical disturbances, such as unexined noises or objects moving on their own. These urrences are often attributed to ghosts or other supernatural entities, and are typically characterized by their sudden and inexplicable nature. ?

    2. All time kids¡¯ favorite show in Canada! It¡¯s a popr South Korean animated television series aimed at preschoolers, featuring a little penguin named Pororo and his animal friends as they embark on adventures. The show is well-loved for its entertaining and educational content, teaching children about friendship, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. This show was even more popr than Baby Shark back in the early 2010s! ?

    3. Oh my gosh, I never thought Hyun-Woo would have a time limit! :0 ?

 Chapter 327: Break (23)

    <h4>Chapter 327: Break (23)</h4>

    I had to keep it cool. I managed a shaky smile and turned to Goh Yoo-Joon, my voice tinged with uncertainty, ¡°...Did you also see that person who just came in, or was it just me seeing things?¡±

    ¡°...What?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s face was drained of color. He turned slowly toward me, his eyes wide with fear, and clung to me as he started to scream. ¡°What, what! What did you see?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just... Forget it.¡±

    Looking at his face, it was clear he hadn¡¯t seen anything. When I suddenly stopped speaking, he shook his head frantically as if he was frightened by my abrupt silence. He hurriedly tried to leave the storage room.

    ¡°This is insane. I think Suh Hyun-Woo just saw a ghost, everyone. Let''s get out of here, now!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re leaving?¡±

    That wasn¡¯t an option for me. I pried his grasping hands off me and grabbed the phone from him.

    ¡°If you¡¯re scared, wait outside for me.¡± I sent Goh Yoo-Joon stumbling out toward the lodge with a firm push while I turned back to our search. The air was thick with tension, but the mystery of the treasure beckoned.

    ¡°Hold on just a bit longer, please. I will find it quickly. Keep your eyes peeled too, everyone.¡±

    Was it really just a mere piece of paper marked with the word ¡®treasure?¡¯ We needed to find it to bring our day¡¯s ns to fruition, so I absolutely had to find it and make my way back.

    - Wow, this live stream is turning into a legend ??

    - Let''s just leave, Hyun-Woo. I¡¯m too scared...????

    - Isn¡¯t this dangerous? The light flickering earlier when Yoon-Chan was there was a bit weird

    - Did anyone else just hear something, or was it just me??

    - Hyun-Woo, why aren¡¯t you scared at all ????Let''s just go, please...

    - Huh, was I the only one who heard that? I definitely heard a man¡¯s voice just now.

    ¡°No, Rings. I was mistaken. There¡¯s no ghost here, for real.¡±

    My clumsy attempt to backtrack had the chat urging us to leave even faster. When I couldn¡¯t push my agenda to search alone any longer, I finally spotted the treasure paper atop a drawer and snatched it.

    The chat was previously aze with activity, but it quieted down only after I emerged from the shed.

    ¡°I¡¯m out, everyone. I¡¯vee out, so rx. You all worried a lot, huh? Sorry about that.¡±

    ¡°Are you actually not scared? Wow, my palms are sweating.¡±

    As soon as I stepped outside, I yfully kicked Goh Yoo-Joon in the butt and we quickly made our way down the hill. During our descent, I kept up the dialogue with the viewers, some of whom mentioned they had heard a voice too.

    Those who heard the voice described it as a quick, fleeting mumble from a young man, but I couldn¡¯t say whether it matched the person or ghost I saw.

    ¡°There was a reason I had to retrieve this. Sorry for the scare.¡±

    ¡°Look. Because of you, I¡¯m getting scolded by the viewers too. Just scold Suh Hyun-Woo, Rings. I did nothing wrong.¡±

    I got an earful from the viewers and had to keep apologizing until we reached the lodge. As we entered, the atmosphere was thick with an air of unease.

    ¡°Oh, you guys are here.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with the giant nket bundle?¡± I paused at the entrance to the living room and looked in bewilderment at the members, then turned the phone to show them. ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s nothing.¡±

    Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan both hugged the giant nket bundle and patted Jin-Sung. ¡°The hyungs are here, Jin-Sung. Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon hyung are here.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled.

    Joo-Han rxed his frown and put his finger to his lips with a ¡®shh,¡¯ gesturing for us toe closer urgently.

    ¡°Come here, quick. Everyone, give Jin-Sung a hug.¡±

    ¡°...Pfft. Jin-Sung~¡± Goh Yoo-Joon burst outughing and approached. He embraced the nket bundle with the other members.

    It appeared Jin-Sung was eitherpletely terrified by the chaos just now or perhaps sulking because he hadn¡¯t listened to my earliermand toe out.

    ¡°Excuse me.¡± Tae-Seong discreetly took the recording phone from my hand. I sighed deeply before approaching the members. I also wrapped Jin-Sung in a reassuring hug.

    ¡°Hyungs are here now. Time to go live." Joo-Han¡¯s voice was half teasing, half scolding. This seemed to snap Jin-Sung out of his shell. Fluttering from beneath the nket like a bird startled from its nest, he emerged with a scowl.

    Jin-Sung¡¯s voice trembled a bit. ¡°Oh my gosh. If you saw something, you should¡¯ve gotten out of there immediately."

    ¡°No, that''s not fair. I think I just got spooked by shadows and echoes,¡± I reassured him and handed over the much-discussed piece of treasure paper. ¡°Here you go."

    Jin-Sung grabbed it grudgingly, and I quickly threw the nket out of the camera''s view. Joo-Han deftly smoothed over the awkward moment and tapped Jin-Sung on the shoulder to make him focus again.

    ¡°Alright, baby Jin-Sung. You are eighteen and in charge now. Let¡¯s wrap up this treasure hunt, shall we?"

    Jin-Sung still wore a pout as he held up a sheet of paper to the camera. ¡°...The treasure hunt is officially over."

    ¡°Ready to find out what this treasure really is?"

    ¡°It¡¯s no ordinary scrap of paper, that¡¯s for sure."

    ¡°Exactly. Aren¡¯t you guys dying to know why Hyun-Woo went through all that trouble to bring it here?"

    ¡°Totally. There''s something I¡¯ve been itching to show our fans."

    We amped up the excitement and stirred curiosity about the contents of the paper.

    ¡°Here it goes." Jin-Sung stepped closer to the camera and spread the paper out. ¡°Voil¨¤!"

    [Chronos'' First Concert Announcement!!!]

    ¡°A concert announcement!!!"

    ¡°Whooaaa!!!"

    Jin-Sung threw the paper into the air and yelled, sending the chat into a frenzy. The news was so unexpected that the chat scrolled rapidly and even crashed.

    Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han both leapt up, and their arms thrust high into the air. Everyone, including the group members and Rings, erupted in jubtion and celebrated Chronos'' first concert.

    As I watched them, I was also swept up in the thrill, but soon stopped bouncing only to find myself staring nkly at the excited members. A wave of nostalgia hit me, mingling with fresh excitement.

    Back when we first heard about a concert, neither I nor the others could truly revel in the joy. I had felt a resistance to the news, and the members were fraught with guilt, hesitant to even speak of it.

    All of us must have yearned to celebrate like this back then. We had always dreamed of our own concert, our moment.

    ¡°Ah."

    Crying now would be embarrassingly out of ce. I frowned, but tears spilled over regardless.

    I had longed to live this moment, once only imaginable.

    ¡°...Hyung, why are you crying? If you cry, I¡¯m gonna cry too." Tears tinged Yoon-Chan''s voice, and arms enveloped mefortably as I buried my face in my hands.

    ¡°Ah, why are you crying again! Ah, really. Ah..."

    Cries echoed around us.

    ¡°It''s really happening." Joo-Han''s voice cracked with emotion, and we all just let the tears flow for a while.

    ***

    As things settled down, the members resumed the Q-app live session with our eyes red and puffy. Joo-Han ryed the concert dates received from the agency to the Rings and began winding down the broadcast.

    ¡°Thanks for sticking with Chronos through this daring experience. To keep you entertained until our vacation ends, we will keep dropping photos and videos."

    ¡°Get involved too. We are curious about what our fans are up to, so use the hashtag #WatchThisChronos to share your updates."

    While continuing the live stream, the members asionally nced at Goh Yoo-Joon''s phone.

    ¡®Gosh, so persistent.''

    His phone had been buzzing non-stop since we announced the concert. I noticed it go off at least half a dozen times. It was an unfamiliar number, probably a stalker trying to confirm if they''d gotten the right number during our live stream.

    Luckily, all the members had set their phones to silent before going live.

    ''But why does that number seem familiar?''

    Where have I seen it before? Normally, I didn''t even nce at stalkers¡¯ numbers as I deleted them. So, it was strange to feel a flicker of recognition.

    ¡°Well, should we wrap up the live session now? It¡¯s gettingte, and you all have work or school tomorrow. That''s it for today. Chronos, out! Thank you!"

    ¡°See you after our vacation!"

    As soon as the live stream ended, all eyes darted to Goh Yoo-Joon''s phone.

    ¡°Haah." He sighed deeply and stood up, lifting his phone with a grimace that he seldom showed to others.

    ¡°Hyung, if it''s an unknown number, just block it," Jin-Sung advised.

    Goh Yoo-Joon softened and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s someone I know. I need to take this call."

    His shoulders slumped, and he nervously ran his fingers through his hair and headed to his room.

    ¡°...Ah." I recognized the number in an instant.

    After Goh Yoo-Joon had dropped out of high school, we''d been in a simr situation then, and I had snatched his phone away while telling him not to answer. Since he turned fifteen and had be a trainee, that person would call annoyingly often.

    Of course, I had forgotten this after I became a trainer, but this was enough for even Han Jun and I, who always hung out with Goh Yoo-Joon, to memorize the number out of sheer dread. It was his father''s number.

    Looking back, he was a man of poor character. However, it seemed Goh Yoo-Joon foolishly hadn¡¯t managed to cut ties and had even given his new number to his dad.

    ¡°...This is unbelievable."

    I headed toward Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s room without hesitation.

 Chapter 328: Stay Strong (1)

    <h4>Chapter 328: Stay Strong (1)</h4>

    I stormed into Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s room without even knocking. Caught off guard, he nced up. His eyes were wide with surprise, and he quickly looked away to focus on the strained voice on the other end of the phone.

    It was odd to see him, usually so full of smiles and jokes, now just muttering, ¡°Yes, yes.¡± He was obviously expressionless and defeated. His face was pale, and his expression was queasy. It wasn¡¯t the first time I¡¯d seen him like this.

    ¡°I will call you backter. I really need to go now,¡± he said with forced urgency. But his father, relentless as ever, showed no signs of wrapping up the call. I couldn¡¯t make out everything, but the bits of the conversation I caught wereced with harshness. The voice through the phone was unmistakably throwing curses.

    The longer the callsted, the more Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to shrink in on himself. When I moved closer, he let out a deep sigh and abruptly ended the call.

    ¡°Why bother listening until he¡¯s done talking? It¡¯s just endless cursing anyway."

    ¡°Ah, dad¡¯s out of jail now,¡± he muttered.

    Great, back to his old scamming tricks, no doubt.

    There had been a huge scandal back when I was still a trainer, one that had rocked the entire entertainment industry. Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father had been caught up in a massive investment fraud, and arrested for swindlingrge sums. At that time, it came out that Goh Yoo-Joon had sent around three billion won to his father¡¯s ount, which his father then used to defraud others. This had sparked a fiery debate, with people using Goh Yoo-Joon of being in on the scheme.

    I wasn¡¯t in close touch with the members back then, so I hadn¡¯t heard from Goh Yoo-Joon directly. Instead, the scandal was so big that it was impossible not to know about it.

    That was about four years ago. He was eventually cleared of those charges, but people who didn¡¯t know the ins and outs of the team''s breakup still linked that tarnished image to their downfall. One thing was clear: his father had used him without a second thought for his son¡¯s reputation.

    ¡°What did he want this time?¡±

    ¡°He said now that I am doing well, I should start by paying off his debts.¡±

    His father had always been like this, even before he went to prison for gambling and fraud. He frequently called Goh Yoo-Joon, oftentimes drunk, sometimes just to vent his frustrations about his estranged wife or to belittle Goh Yoo-Joon''s dreams of stardom.

    And now, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s phone was ringing again.

    ¡°Look, even if I wanted to pay his debts, I¡¯d need money, right? We haven¡¯t even been paid yet.¡± he said with a hint of desperation in his voice.

    ¡°Just be honest and say we weren¡¯t paid yet. What else can we do?¡±

    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t believe it. It¡¯s kind of scary, actually. He has threatened to air our family¡¯s issues online. What if he really does that?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon managed a nervousugh, a grimace really, as if he was used to masking his fears with humor.

    I patted him on the back, took the phone from his hands, and turned it offpletely before handing it back. ¡°You know you¡¯ve got a ton of people who care about you, right? Don¡¯t let him intimidate you. Maybe you should talk to Su-Hwan hyung about this. Also, avoid taking his calls for a while.¡±

    When emotions run high, conversations tend to spiral and make rash actions all too easy. It might be best to cut off contact for now and let his father cool down alone.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Want me to go?¡±

    He nodded in response, and I left the room. I headed back to the living room since Goh Yoo-Joon would need some time alone to collect himself.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head to bed,¡± Joo-Han suggested as soon as I reappeared, ushering the members off to their rooms.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on with Yoo-Joon?¡± Su-Hwan asked me as I was about to return to my room.

    ¡°Not really sure,¡± I replied while shaking my head.

    Frowning with concern, Su-Hwan headed toward Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s room. It seemed he wanted to check on him, likely guessing something was off right after the livestream had ended. Goh Yoo-Joon wasn¡¯t one to easily share his family troubles. There were just too many painful details he¡¯d rather keep buried, including why his father had gone to prison.

    ***

    A month had passed since the trip to the lodge. We were still on vacation, and the other members, aside from Yoon-Chan and I, were resting either at their dorms or homes.

    Goh Yoo-Joon still hadn¡¯t shared his situation with thepany or the members. It seemed he might have given his father the royalties he had earned since the threatening calls had gradually ceased. At least, that was what he imed. Since that day, he hadn¡¯t spoken to me about his father either. Whenever I asked, he would just shrug it off and say he hadn¡¯t received any calls. All I could do was just trust him.

    Honestly, it was a delicate matter, touching on family issues like this. Fortunately, any major incidents weren''t expected to happen for another four years, which gave Goh Yoo-Joon, the members, and thepany plenty of time to talk things over. Well... As long as there were no immediate issues with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    I was aware there was more to the story he was keeping back, and I nned to find time soon to have a serious talk with him.

    We were in the middle of shooting for <i>Newbie Crew</i>.

    ¡°Ah...¡±

    Sighs of frustration could be heard here and there.

    Since returning from the lodge, there had been a few shoots for this show. Despite some members, including Ji-Hyuk, taking extra training sessions, the clear cut for sess just wasn¡¯t appearing. Thanks to their efforts, the skills of the squad had skyrocketed and given me some breathing room to secure my own screen time.

    ¡°Such a pity, really.¡±

    ¡°Who missed the gimmick just now? Something wasn¡¯t handled properly.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that was my fault. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Ah... Just let us know when you miss something, so we can retry immediately.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sorry.¡±

    The quality of our end-game raiding content had improved, and everyone was getting better. The problem was that the repetition of attempts made everyone particrly sensitive about mistakes and insufficient damage. Any other raiding teams would have reacted simrly.

    When mistakes happened inter phases, emotions ran high and often led to heated exchanges. This urred especially whenedian Seong-Jin voiced his frustrations toward actors Min-Jae and Sang-Hyun.

    <i>¡®And Seong-Jin isn¡¯t even scolding Ji-Hyuk.¡¯</i>

    From my perspective as the team leader, a bigger issue was Seong-Jin because he dampened the team spirit. The frequent mistakes made by Min-Jae and Sang-Hyun were somewhat problematic.

    ¡°Ugh, I almost thought we had it. If a gimmick isn¡¯t handled, just say it. Why keep quiet?¡±

    He should¡¯ve cooled off after scolding them once, but he went on and on, adding tension and making everyone ufortable.

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay. We needed to retry anyway because of theck of damage. Seong-Jin, have some water.¡± I tried to lighten the mood while staring at the boss monster, who was still in full health, watching us struggle. ¡°I will tell you when to handle the gimmicks, so please be careful next time. Shall we start again?¡±

    It was overwhelming. Both the boss monster and the team atmosphere were draining my energy.

    ¡°Let¡¯s have onest go before we head out for a team dinner.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°We made a lot of progress today. Let¡¯s give it our all until the end, hyungs.¡±

    With that, I tried to boost the team¡¯s morale and kicked off another raid.

    ***

    After today¡¯s raid attempts, shooting for the next episode of<i> Newbie Crew </i>began at a barbecue restaurant near the broadcast station. It was evident not only to the team, but also to the production crew that the team''s atmosphere was bing increasingly sensitive. Thus, tonight¡¯s shoot was essentially a dinner where everyone could openly share their grievances and hopes.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo was under so much burden today because I died several times.¡±

    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t because of you.¡±

    ¡°You were supposed to be a ranged damage dealer, right? But you are so good as a healer too?¡±

    ¡°Everything just worked out as I yed,¡± I replied.

    ¡°Maybe next time, we should try Hyun-Woo as a damage dealer. This way, we might notck damage.¡±

    ¡°Oh, hyung! Then who will heal? Hyun-Woo, have a drink! Oh? You haven¡¯t finished your drink? Can¡¯t handle your liquor?¡± Comedian Jeong-Hoon couldn¡¯t believe someone couldn¡¯t drink, clicking his tongue in disbelief.

    Ji-Hyuk squeezed in between me and Jeong-Hoon. ¡°It¡¯s okay not to drink! Here.¡± He emptied my ss of soju and filled it with cider instead. ¡°Just enjoy the atmosphere.¡±

    ¡°Ah, thank you.¡±

    Everyone else was quite drunk as they all enjoyed drinking except for me. If I was leading the team in the game, On Jeong-Woo was in charge of the non-game proceedings.

    ¡°Everyone, we are nearing the end of the shoot. We don¡¯t have many days left for raid challenges, but you¡¯ve all really worked hard.¡±

    At Jeong-Woo''s words, the cast members set down their sses with a bitter expression. It wasn''t because the raid progression was slow. Thanks to everyone''s diligent training, the raid was progressing well toward our goal, and it looked like we could clear it within two weeks.

    However, the stress among the team members had been severe during the process.

    ¡°Ah, what hard work are you talking about? Hyun-Woo has had it the toughest."

    ¡°I should have done better, but these darn fingers of mine just won¡¯t cooperate."

    Everyone med themselves and created an atmosphere of heartfelt honesty.

    On Jeong-Woo looked at Seong-Jin, who had apparently disrupted the team atmosphere, seemingly about to give him a chance to air his grievances or apologize first. However, I was looking not at Seong-Jin, but at CEO Lee Mi-Hyang.

    I cautiously raised my hand. ¡°Uh, Jeong-Woo hyung, I..."

    On Jeong-Woo quickly looked from Seong-Jin to me. ¡°Yes, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    ¡°I have something to say.¡± Knowing Seong-Jin''s temperament from the raids, giving him the chance to speak first would surely start withints.

    <i>¡°Hyun-Woo, you couldn¡¯t speak much to save the game. So, what should we do now?"</i>

    I remembered Joo-Han¡¯s advice after we watched the preview video monitoring of <i>Newbie Crew </i>not long ago. He had told me to cry, but I had no intention of doing that. Instead, I nned to address things emotionally to prevent further disruptions of the mood.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always turned to y <i>One Hours</i> whenever things got tough since I was very young."

    The mood was often set by the opening remarks in the Game of Truth.

 Chapter 329: Stay Strong (2)

    <h4>Chapter 329: Stay Strong (2)</h4>

    "So when I first heard about being cast for One Hours, I was over the moon."

    Setting the right tone at the beginning of the Game of Truth was crucial, even though we weren''t technically ying it just yet. Opening up on a positive note made it super tough for anyone to follow up with negativity.

    "It¡¯s a game that has brought me a lot offort. I¡¯ve always wished it would remain loved for a longer time." I nced around at the members of Newbie Crew. "It was all so daunting at the start, but thanks to everyone¡¯s effort, we have gotten this far."

    On Jeong-Woo chimed in, his fingers absentmindedly ying with his soju ss. "Yeah, you always raved about it. Your deep attachment shows."

    I nodded. "But that''s not all. You guys have been seriously hustling to beat this, meeting up even on your days off to practice. I¡¯ve seen all that."

    There were yful scoffs and embarrassed chuckles responding to myment from all directions. "Ah, that was nothing."

    "I really love this game, and I hope our hard work pays off in a big way."

    I, the youngest, was overflowing with gratitude toward my elders. So, how could anyone even think of criticizing me right here in the heat of the moment?

    "Exactly. I also want to finally finish this raid and get the reward I¡¯ve been slogging away for. Speaking of which, our CEO¡ª"

    On Jeong-Woo smoothly transitioned the conversation to Lee Mi-Hyang, the CEO of One Hours. He seemed to think it was unseemly to jump straight to the question I had intended for Seong-Jin, who was obviously brimming withints. "How has it been for you, ying with us these past few weeks? It must be kind of frustrating ying with us newbies instead of the pros, huh? Haha."

    "No... not really." Despite On Jeong-Woo''s lighthearted tone, CEO Lee Mi-Hyang responded with earnest seriousness. Everyone just gave a superficial nod to my previous remarks, but Lee Mi-Hyang seemed genuinely moved. "...Umm, it¡¯s just...."

    She paused, her eyes dropping to her ss. She pondered deeply before finally finding her words. "Your perseverance alone means the world to me. Honestly, even though people might say this game is past its prime or a flop, I believe it has so much potential. I might be biased because this is our game."

    As I flipped the sizzling meat on the grill, I caught Seong-Jin¡¯s disgruntled expression out of the corner of my eye. He was clearly not happy with the cheerful vibe.

    Of course, Seong-Jin¡¯s time to express his grievances woulde. However, he was not one to bite his tongue just because the mood was light. He was a keen observer, especially when he wasn¡¯t ying the game, and he¡¯d try to tone down his words.

    "As new games emerge and the big titles change hands, we''ve had to make many changes. But, at the end of the day, it remains a game for dedicated yers. Seeing you all enjoy it really reminds me how fun our game still is."

    The person who had poured her heart into the game was tirelessly working to revive it. Though the CEO''s monologue was bing as lengthy as a never-ending school assembly speech by the principal, the sincerity behind her words was palpable.

    A trace of mncholy finally tinged the expressions of the cast. "Although it''s now known as a niche game, getting back together and ying after all this time, failing repeatedly, and even arguing at times really took me back to the old days."

    The CEO¡¯s long-winded speech concluded on a hopeful note, "We can do it."

    "Absolutely. We''ve put in too much effort not to seed."

    "We are going toplete our goal! We¡¯ve made so much progress already!"

    "Getting together to practice has definitely paid off!"

    The team members were in sync and buoyed up the CEO''s enthusiasm.

    Ji-Hyuk nced at Seong-Jin. "Seong-Jin, anything you¡¯d like to add?"

    All eyes turned to Seong-Jin, a rookieedian known for his frequent gripes. If there wereints within the team, more often than not, they involved him too.

    "Ah, I..."

    "It¡¯s those darn mistakes, right? This cursed hand!" Actor Min-Jae, often on the receiving end of Seong-Jin¡¯s critiques due to his blunders earlier, yfully pped his hand.

    I couldn''t see his expression during the game, but Min-Jae initially kept apologizing when Seong-Jin got angry. However, he eventually started to ignore him.

    It was unlikely that Min-Jae wasn''t hurt emotionally, and he must have felt bad. He would have endured it for the sake of maintaining his image. Even now, that was the case. Min-Jae med himself, trying to smooth things over.

    Because the CEO and I were expressing gratitude and hope, and Min-Jae was apologizing, the atmosphere made it really hard for Seong-Jin to get angry. He mped his mouth shut for a moment, then finally spoke up. "First of all, I¡¯m really sorry for being so sensitive today. It''s just that restarting over and over again got to me without me realizing."

    Eventually, Seong-Jin decided to go with the mood¡¯s flow.

    Sang-Hyun, who had also been a frequent target of Seong-Jin¡¯s irritation, chimed in supportively. "It happens. We all got a bit frustrated. It''s inevitable when you are so immersed in the game."

    "I¡¯m the one who got annoyed, and I will be more careful in the future. But I hope you all can try to avoid repeating the same mistakes too."

    Despite his diplomatic tone, the look he shot Min-Jae clearly said, ¡®I am talking about you.¡¯

    If Seong-Jin had snapped then, who knows what kind of chaos would have erupted? It might have turned into a full-blown diss and tension fest, not unlike the rap battles on Rap Star, whether the cameras were rolling or not.

    Despite Seong-Jin''s icy stares that clearly targeted Min-Jae, Min-Jae justughed it off with a nod. He apologized to the others and carefully avoided Seong-Jin¡¯s intense gaze. "I will give it my all next time. I¡¯m really sorry for messing up so much today."

    When you only meet during shoots, what¡¯s the point in letting emotions re up, leading to pointless arguments? Everyone seemed to agree, superficially smoothing over any tension and steering the conversation toward a lighter note to keep the vibes friendly.

    "Hyun-Woo, thanks for always supporting us. Help yourself to more food." It seemed like Lee Mi-Hyang was the only one who truly opened up during this team dinner.

    "Thank you. I will pour you another drink."

    "Yes, but Hyun-Woo, you are of legal age, right? Just making sure before I offer you alcohol."

    "I turned eighteen this year."

    Lee Mi-Hyang seemed to want a chat particrly with me today. She probably wanted to take extra care of someone who cherished the game she created, especially more than the other cast members did. "Hyun-Woo, do you still y One Hours?"

    "Ah, just asionally. I''ve been too busy to y regrly, but it¡¯s still quite fun when I do get the chance."

    Lee Mi-Hyang was clearly thrilled by my half-serious, half-courteous reply. She enthusiastically promised to send a gift to my actual gaming ount.

    "Enjoy the meal, everyone. We are wrapping up the shoot here!"

    As the filming concluded and the cameras were packed away, Min-Jae and Sang-Hyun finally had a chance for an honest chat with Seong-Jin.

    Time slipped by, and after we polished off all the pre-ordered meat, the dinner finally wound down.

    ***

    On the ride back to the dorm, Tae-Seong nced at me through the rearview mirror. "Are you feeling tired?"

    "This shoot was kind of a drain, mentally speaking." I sank deeper into the seat, slightly shaking my head. The shoot had onlysted about seven hours, which was short for a variety show.

    However, the mental toll had been substantial. Just dealing with the game was stressful enough, let alone managing all the different personalities of my team members.

    "Here, have this." Tae-Seong suddenly handed me a peach drink.

    "How did you know I liked this?"

    "Yoo-Joon mentioned a few days back that you prefer sugar over caffeine when you¡¯re tired."

    It was a typical Goh Yoo-Joon thing to say as he was always eager to show off how well he knew the team. I epted the drink and turned on my phone. "...Uh."

    What¡¯s this? As soon as it turned on, a flood of missed calls scrolled across the screen. Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon had been calling back and forth, leaving dozens of messages.

    "What''s all this about?" The team knew I''d head back after shooting. They''d usually leave a text if I didn¡¯t pick up, assuming I was still busy. But this many calls?

    "..."

    What was this uneasy feeling? When the members behaved out of the ordinary, it usually meant trouble.

    "Did something happen...?" I muttered, scrolling through the new messages. There were notes from Ji-Hyuk, whom I¡¯d just been filming with. And right below, there was a message from Goh Yoo-Joon.

    - I¡¯m sorry

    What on earth? I hurriedly opened the messenger app to reply when Tae-Seong spoke up in response to my muttering. "Something¡¯s definitely up. I didn¡¯t want to disturb you during the shoot."

    "What happened?" A barrage of missed calls. A cryptic message from Goh Yoo-Joon. "Is this about Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    "Yes. I wanted to exin calmly once we were back, but since you seem to have caught on, here''s the situation¡ª"

    A chill ran through me. Tae-Seong once again met my eyes through the rearview mirror. "Yoo-Joon''s dad posted something quite provocative online, and Su-Hwan had to rush to thepany because of it."

 Chapter 330: Stay Strong (3)

    <h4>Chapter 330: Stay Strong (3)</h4>

    As soon as I clicked on the website where the post was published, a provocative headline in the top issues section caught my eye.

    [Exposing Goh Yoo-Joon from Chronos for nearly murdering his father with a knife.]

    The headline alone made me gasp and shut off my phone before I could even read the content. My stomach was churning already.

    "Where is Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    "All the members have gone to thepany. If there¡¯s nothing you need at the dorm, we should head to the office immediately."

    "Let¡¯s go right now."

    Attempted murder? Really? He nearly stabbed his father? It sounded so ridiculous that I was at a loss for words. The phrasing was even more aggressive than it had been four years ago.

    Why? The fleeting question quickly resolved itself.

    <i>¡®Of course.''</i> Goh Yoo-Joon was doing better now than ever before, and though he hadn''t received any settlements, he was earning substantial royalties. ckmail must have seemed like a likely motive to his father. Something must have happened between Goh Yoo-Joon and his biological father without my knowing.

    I felt that I had to see Goh Yoo-Joon right away to rid myself of this sickening feeling.

    ***

    Thepany was in total disarray. With Chronos'' poprity, the provocative issue had sparked a flood of articles. Some reporters were already treating the usations as fact, while several UTubers announced ns to summarize the issues and caused a stir in onlinemunities.

    Tae-Seong''s phone rang off the hook along with those of other staff members, not to mention the flurry of activity on <i>BlueBird</i>.

    "I¡¯m sorry."

    The bigger issue was that the ''evidence'' Goh Yoo-Joon''s father had presented was rmingly usible and seemed to be true.

    Supervisor Kim mmed his notebook down on the table with a loud smack. "Damn it, why! Ah, why are you fucking dealing with this alone? This is driving me crazy, you know?"

    People were already hurling insults at Goh Yoo-Joon since they were convinced of his guilt, while others advised waiting for our side of the story. It was clear, however, that public sentiment was severely against us, with only Chronos'' hardcore fans urging patience.

    "Excuse me, I just finished my schedule and don¡¯t know the full story yet. Could someone exin, please?" I asked.

    Supervisor Kim, who was scolding Goh Yoo-Joon, shook with anger and then pointed at hisptop. "Suh Hyun-Woo, you were taking a stroll without checking in a situation like this? One of your band members is about to have his reputation ruined, and you still seem so rxed?"

    "I¡¯m here now."

    "He just finished his schedule." Joo-Han stepped in to block Supervisor Kim¡¯s view of me. "If that¡¯s the case, Supervisor Kim, why are youshing out without listening to Yoo-Joon?"

    "What? You guys..."

    "You didn¡¯t call us here just to vent, did you?" From Joo-Han''s response, it seemed Supervisor Kim had been quite furious with the members before I arrived.

    Supervisor Kim red at Joo-Han, then sighed heavily and sat down. "Hyun-Woo, just read the post. We will talk after you''ve read it."

    "Okay."

    "Ah, seriously. What a mess right before the concert."

    "It¡¯s not Yoo-Joon hyung¡¯s fault... Right, hyung?"

    Supervisor Kim subtly cued Goh Yoo-Joon while the members rallied around him.

    I fetched aptop to check the post Goh Yoo-Joon''s father had uploaded. I didn¡¯t want to scrutinize it closely since I knew the backstory, but I skimmed through the main points.

    1. From a young age, Goh Yoo-Joon had a poor rtionship with his family and preferred hanging out with his delinquent friends.

    2. As his rebellion intensified, his mother couldn''t bear it anymore and left the house, leaving him to live alone with his father until he became a trainee.

    3. Even after his mother left, Goh Yoo-Joon demanded money for his living expenses as a trainee. When refused, he supposedly attacked his father with a kitchen knife.

    4. Goh Yoo-Joon is a parricide who tried to kill his parents. His father believes it¡¯s absurd that such a person could pretend nothing happened and continue receiving love as a singer. That¡¯s the reason his father uploaded the post.

    Whoever concocted this ridiculous nonsensical story might as well have penned a more believable thriller action movie. However, the real problem was that there was tangible ''evidence'' supposedly backing up this absurd story. Goh Yoo-Joon''s father had meticulously posted old photos with Goh Yoo-Joon, a partially obscured family registry, and hospital records indicating treatment for injuries from that period.

    Thements were filled with people taking this evidence as conclusive, harshly criticizing Goh Yoo-Joon without considering the truth.

    I closed theptop with a deep sigh.

    Just then, Su-Hwan finished his call and entered the conference room. As Supervisor Kim was about to leave, he looked at Su-Hwan with a resigned expression. His muscles were tense and his brows were furrowed.

    "Why don¡¯t you manage these kids properly? Manager Lee, you should have known about this and dealt with it beforehand."

    "I¡¯m sorry."

    "How is this Su-Hwan hyung''s fault?" Jin-Sung muttered under his breath. ¡°If we¡¯re talking about who''s been around longer, isn''t this on you, Supervisor Kim?"

    Supervisor Kim red at him before letting out a sigh. "Enough. Tell me what¡¯s going on, Yoo-Joon. Is this true?"

    "No. No, it''s not." Goh Yoo-Joon responded immediately. He seemed a bit deted, but he appeared to be keeping hisposure. Or perhaps he was just putting on a brave face. "I¡¯m sorry. All these troubles happened because of me."

    "First, tell us what happened. We can''t decide how to handle this without knowing the full story."

    "Do we have a press release out yet?" Su-Hwan asked.

    Supervisor Kim scoffed. "Of course we do, we''ve submitted it. It¡¯s better to respond than stay silent."

    Su-Hwan''s expression darkened further. YMM''s slow response was typical, even in such a critical situation.

    I turned on my phone and typed in Goh Yoo-Joon''s name in a search engine. An article that had previously stated ''fact-checking'' had just been updated to ''outright denial.'' It seemed Supervisor Kim had texted the reporters as soon as he dered Goh Yoo-Joon innocent despite his earlier outburst.

    "Aren¡¯t you going to talk, Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    "...I¡¯m sorry."

    Supervisor Kim was hoping for Goh Yoo-Joon to say something, but he remained tight-lipped. Although speaking up could resolve things, this wasn¡¯t the time to press Goh Yoo-Joon.

    I grabbed his shoulder and said, "It seems too cruel to make him discuss his family issues in front of so many people, especially when it¡¯s not his fault, Supervisor."

    "What? Now is not the fucking time to worry about being cruel or not!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon had just turned eighteen. Just because he could respond well didn''t mean he was in the right state of mind. He must have been the most frightened and confused of us all.

    I looked at Su-Hwan, pleading with my eyes for help. Su-Hwan understood my silent plea and nodded.

    "That''s a fair point," Su-Hwan said. ¡°I will have a private talk with Yoo-Joon. We can meet again after I''ve heard his side of the story."

    "...Fine, I understand. Please, take care of it, Manager Lee. Let¡¯s leave the room," Supervisor Kim said, ncing sharply at Su-Hwan, who nodded without much response.

    The members stood up and left the meeting room one by one with Supervisor Kim.

    "Stay strong." I squeezed Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulder, and he gave me a small smile before pulling my hand away.

    "I¡¯m okay." His hand was mmy with sweat.

    See? He was terrified.

    As we left the meeting room, Supervisor Kim disappeared, and the members looked dejected at the closed door.

    "Where is Supervisor Kim?"

    "He¡¯s on the phone. He¡¯s been bombarded with calls from the media since earlier."

    "I¡¯ve never seen Yoo-Joon hyung look so down," Yoon-Chan spoke gloomily.

    As I sat down next to Yoon-Chan, Joo-Han stood up and faced me. "Do you understand what¡¯s happening, Hyun-Woo?"

    "Well, not exactly."

    "How much of what Yoo-Joon¡¯s father wrote is true?"

    "It¡¯s obviously all lies. We can ask Goh Yoo-Joon directlyter for details."

    I didn¡¯t want to specte too much myself. The conversation between Su-Hwan and Yoo-Joon turned out to be quite lengthy. Given the situation, Supervisor Kim was busy fielding calls from the media, and we returned to the dorm with Tae-Seong.

    At 11 PM, we gathered again in the meeting room.

    ***

    "Let me handle this issue."

    As soon as the meeting started, Su-Hwan addressed Supervisor Kim. The already tense atmosphere in the meeting room thickened, and everyone watched the interaction between Su-Hwan and Supervisor Kim.

    "What do you mean by that, Manager Lee?"

    "Don''t you want to avoid responsibility?"

    "..."

    Supervisor Kim was twirling a pen nervously, but he suddenly stopped. His expression hardened, and he sighed deeply before speaking more openly than expected. "Then, do you think anyone would want to take responsibility?"

    The members, except for Joo-Han, flinched. They all stared at Supervisor Kim as if they had been betrayed. But no, that was just how Supervisor Kim had always been. What were they expecting?

    Supervisor Kim¡¯s troubled face reminded me of our former manager In-Hyun for a moment. Upon closer inspection, they were simr types of people.

    Su-Hwan responded calmly as if he had expected this. "Then please leave it to me. I will take charge of the response team. I will bear the responsibility, so please submit the approval to the CEO like that."

    "What about the kids'' schedules?"

    "They are on vacation right now, aren''t they? Manager Tae-Seong is here, so personal schedules should be fine."

    Su-Hwan stood before us and dered that he would take responsibility and finalize matters concerning the incident. While Su-Hwan and Supervisor Km raised their voices at each other, Goh Yoo-Joon didn¡¯t even lift his head.

    Supervisor Km appeared extremely irritated by the argument with the much younger Su-Hwan, but he finally calmed down and epted Su-Hwan''s request. "Let me know if you need any help. I will submit the approval for now, so decide on the members of the response team and let me know... Ah, damn. The phone calls are reallying in non-stop."

    Supervisor Km left the meeting room and irritably answered his phone.

    In the silent meeting room, Su-Hwan said, "Members, please go back for now. And staff, stay a bit and talk with me. Yoo-Joon, don''t worry and head back. There''s nothing you did wrong, so lift your head."

    At Su-Hwan¡¯s words, Goh Yoo-Joon bowed even deeper and apologized to everyone. "I am so sorry. I¡¯m sorry to everyone for causing trouble over my family matters."

    We left the meeting room. Right as the door closed, we could hear Su-Hwan speak up.

    "We will move to the dorm."

    Following Tae-Seong, no member spoke a word. Normally, Goh Yoo-Joon would have been the first to lighten the mood with a joke, but now there was no one to break the silence.

    Throughout the descent down the stairs with a troubled expression, Joo-Han immediately spoke to Goh Yoo-Joon as soon as he got into the car. "Yoo-Joon, can we talk for a moment once we get to the dorm?"

 Chapter 331: Stay Strong (4)

    <h4>Chapter 331: Stay Strong (4)</h4>

    Has Goh Yoo-Joon ever had such a lengthy one-on-one conversation with Joo-Han before?

    As soon as they arrived at the dorm, they sequestered themselves in Joo-Han¡¯s room and stayed there for over two hours. With the scandal brewing, neither Yoon-Chan nor Jin-Sung could settle down to sleep. Instead, they sat quietly in the living room and anxiously waited for the other two to emerge.

    "..."

    Jin-Sung tried to sneakily turn on his phone, but I caught him in the act.

    "No way." I quickly took away Jin-Sung''s phone and gestured toward their rooms. "Leave your phones here and try to get some sleep."

    I held out my hand, and Yoon-Chan handed over his phone after a moment of hesitation.

    "I will give these back tomorrow. Get some sleep. You have a shoot early tomorrow, Yoon-Chan."

    "Okay..."

    "Hyung, I... never mind. I¡¯m heading to bed," Jin-Sung said.

    "Sleep might be elusive, but give it a shot."

    Their faces were etched with reluctance, but they nodded and went to their rooms.

    After Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung left, I switched on my phone to scan thetest inte news. The controversial post about Goh Yoo-Joon was still getting bombarded withments. His father had even posted an update, iming he¡¯d been contacted by the agency.

    The agency reaching out because of the issue at hand was expected, but even this action was twisted by some into wrongdoing. It was used as another reason to criticize Goh Yoo-Joon.

    The situation had be so heated that anything the agency or Goh Yoo-Joon did was immediately met with bacsh. It seemed that the only viable option was to post a handwritten exnation from Goh Yoo-Joon himself quickly.

    The problem was that, even if we released a statement, there was a faction ready to pick it apart. Also, Goh Yoo-Joon didn¡¯t want to share his family issues publicly.

    "They conveniently left out his stint in prison, didn¡¯t they?"

    It was outrageous. Could this man really be called a parent? Thinking about the current allegations and Goh Yoo-Joon''s past, anger and frustration welled up inside me. How far is he willing to go and stir up such drama just to extort money from Goh Yoo-Joon? It was repulsive.

    "Hyun-Woo, are you not going to sleep?" Joo-Han asked when he entered the living room with a weary voice.

    I put down my phone and stood up. "I can¡¯t sleep. Are you done talking?"

    Joo-Han shook his head and gestured toward his room with his thumb. "Do you want toe in for a bit? There¡¯s something I need to discuss with you."

    "Yeah, okay."

    After I followed Joo-Han into the room, he surprisingly offered Goh Yoo-Joon hisfortable office chair. Joo-Han sat on his bed and I sat down on the floor, observing Goh Yoo-Joon washing his face. His eyes were bloodshot, but not from tears.

    "Hyun-Woo, you know about Yoo-Joon¡¯s family situation, right?"

    "Yeah, I was around then." I hadn¡¯t been at the scene, but Goh Yoo-Joon had stayed with my family when the incident urred back then. "But I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on now. I have no idea why his father would suddenly start posting those messages."

    "That¡¯s why I called you here."

    Joo-Han signaled to Goh Yoo-Joon, who hesitated before showing me his phone.

    - It has been five days. Where¡¯s the money?

    - Did you send it??

    - Pick up the phone.

    - I know you¡¯re on vacation. Why aren¡¯t you picking up?

    - Are you avoiding me on purpose?

    - If you don¡¯t pick up after a few more calls, I won¡¯t leave it be.

    - Watch me ruin you, then.

    "Did you agree to send money to your father?" I asked.

    Goh Yoo-Joon hesitated and looked around cautiously before speaking. "Actually, I¡¯ve been sending him money since he was released."

    "Where do you even have that kind of money?"

    "I¡¯ve been splitting my royalties."

    This was maddening. It turned out that right after being released from prison, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father started demanding money, iming he had none. Goh Yoo-Joon had agreed to give him a portion of his royalties for living expenses.

    But no matter how much he gave, his father was never satisfied and constantly demanded more without making any effort to find work.

    "But I don¡¯t receive that much in royalties, honestly. I¡¯ve even given him all the savings I had, so now there¡¯s nothing left."

    Joo-Han couldn''t contain his anger and cursed under his breath as Goh Yoo-Joon spoke. "What? Why would you give him everything? That¡¯s hard-earned money. This is so frustrating."

    "I was afraid this would happen."

    It seemed he had tried to handle it alone to prevent any harm to the group. But now, he had stopped responding to his father''s contacts with no money left to give, and this mess had ensued.

    "I never expected him to actually post online. I alerted the manager as soon as I received the text, but it was already toote." Goh Yoo-Joon lowered his head in exhaustion. "I am really sorry. I feel so ashamed in front of the members. If this goes wrong, I might¡ª"

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked painfully hesitant before continuing. "Leave the group."

    "You¡¯re being ridiculous," I cut in. After years of hard work, was he really considering leaving over something that wasn¡¯t his fault?

    "Just stay off the inte for now, and let''s wait until the morning meeting to see how we can protect you."

    Joo-Han''s words made Goh Yoo-Joon simply nod. Our phones rang simultaneously. The text was telling us to be at thepany by 11 AM the next day.

    Joo-Han silently threw his phone next to his pillow and asked Goh Yoo-Joon, "Are you really okay?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon lifted his head, his smile twitching as if forced, and nodded. "I am really okay."

    Joo-Han''s expression hardened, but he didn¡¯t press further and sent us both out of the room. "Try not to think too much and just get some rest."

    "Okay."

    The door clicked shut. As Goh Yoo-Joon headed back to his room, he looked unusually down. This prompted me to call out to him instinctively. "Hey."

    He stopped, turned to look at me, and gave a faint smile. "I¡¯m okay, really."

    "Your smile has been awkward all evening. If you have to force it, maybe it''s better not to smile at all."

    It was a situation that shouldn¡¯t be brushed off so lightly, and I knew all too well that he was struggling to keep hisposure. Rather than forcing a smile, it was probably better for him just to let it all out.

    Goh Yoo-Joon then hid his smile, and nodded with a very tired look. "I will see you in the morning." He didn¡¯t voice how tough and painful this whole deal really was for him.

    ***

    In YMM Entertainment¡¯s meeting room, the same group as yesterday¡ªminus Director Kim, Yoon-Chan, and Jin-Sung¡ªgathered to discuss the situation regarding Goh Yoo-Joon''s father. Signs of frustration and fatigue filled the room intermittently.

    Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t a sigh directed at Goh Yoo-Joon as Su-Hwan had rified his situation during a long meeting early that morning and with no presence of Supervisor Kim.

    "Given the situation has escted and thepany has posted a notice, it seems we really need a handwritten statement from Yoo-Joon to boost credibility."

    "Alright, I will write it. How should I go about it?"

    "Just start writing. We can review and let you know which parts might need revising."

    "I hope you can be as honest as possible about what you arefortable sharing."

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked somewhat disheartened and nodded. "Okay, understood."

    "Let the leader and sub-leader help, and Joo-Han, make sure no one posts anything on the members'' social media for now."

    Beyond Goh Yoo-Joon''s handwritten statement, there was little for us to interfere with directly. The staff asionally asked if Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father was still in contact or how the members were holding up, but the staff mostly discussed among themselves the best ways to handle the situation.

    When an agreement on how thepany and members should respond was nearly reached, Su-Hwan spoke up. "Thepany has decided to protect Yoo-Joon moving forward unconditionally."

    It was as expected. To tarnish Goh Yoo-Joon and Chronos¡¯ image over a controversy for which he was not at fault would ignore the immense potential they both held. That was why YMM¡¯s media response was quicker than ever, partly thanks to Su-Hwan managing the response team.

    "We are considering awsuit. What do you think, Yoo-Joon?"

    "Ah, I¡¯m sorry, but could I have some time to think about it?"

    "Let¡¯s not rush into awsuit for now. We have the texts Goh Yoo-Joon''s father sent, so we can include them as evidence with the statement and see how the public reacts."

    "Yoo-Joon, do you have any recordings of the phone calls?"

    "I don¡¯t, but he keeps calling. Should I answer and record next time?"

    "There¡¯s no need to force yourself."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s father wasn¡¯t a meticulous or particrly clever man. His readiness to exploit Goh Yoo-Joon''s fame for a public outcry, without considering the consequences, was evident.

    Goh Yoo-Joon had never shown defiance against his father''s words. Having been conditioned since childhood by a domineering father who frequently said "You shouldn¡¯t do that," he had never disobeyed an order even if he disagreed. That was probably why his father saw him as an easy target.

    Therefore, his son must have seemed like an easy mark to him. He pulled these stunts because he was confident that Goh Yoo-Joon would never retaliate, no matter what. He thought of himself as tough and formidable and assumed that everyone else did too.

    Believing the public was on his side, he probably expected Goh Yoo-Joon to empty his bank ounts, even going into debt, just to hand over living expenses.

    "Please jot down what''s happening and send it to the response team. We can help draft it if needed."

    "Yes, I¡¯ll try."

    After the meeting wrapped up, Su-Hwan and the other staff members left. They were clearly worn out, and Joo-Han gave Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s shoulder a reassuring pat before heading off to meet with Producer Do.

    Despite it being just the two of us, Goh Yoo-Joon remained silent. In the midst of this, his father¡¯s ill-timed messages kepting.

    "Do you want to write it together?"

    "No, I¡¯d rather do it alone. I need to sort out my thoughts and take my time writing. I might get back to the dormte."

    "Alright," I responded, settling back into my chair.

    Goh Yoo-Joon gave me a look that seemed to question why I hadn¡¯t left yet. "Do you know there¡¯s a time and ce for crying? It¡¯s not like you can cry whenever you want."

    "What?"

    I stayed quiet and just sat next to him. Had there ever been a time that felt this quiet and heavy between just the two of us?

    Sometimes, the mere presence of someone could beforting. Goh Yoo-Joon, who loved being around people, unlike me, probably felt that too.

    We sat in silence, and I lost track of how much time had passed.

    "What if it all goes wrong?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s normally yful tone was gone, and it was reced by frustration. His fists shook with anxiety.

 Chapter 332: Stay Strong (5)

    <h4>Chapter 332: Stay Strong (5)</h4>

    Su-Hwan''s policy was to never force Goh Yoo-Joon to write anything he didn¡¯t want to. He hoped Goh Yoo-Joon would express his side of the story as much as he wasfortable.

    But things rarely went as ideally nned. Even if weid out all the facts and evidence to rify the situation, there was only a slim chance of restoring his tarnished image. We all knew that.

    Su-Hwan just didn¡¯t want Goh Yoo-Joon to feel burdened by the situation, and neither did we, the members. His feelings were our top priority regardless of what others said.

    However, those were just the inner thoughts of us Chronos members and Su-Hwan. Thepany was obviously looking toward a future with much at stake, and had a different view.

    "Hmm..."

    Thepany¡¯s reaction to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s statement was lukewarm at best. Having barely managed to release the statement, Goh Yoo-Joon grew even more dejected under the watchful eyes of everyone. A staff member noticed this toote and tried to ease the mood with cautious praise.

    "Well, Yoo-Joon. You did write it diligently! But... umm..." It was apliment that implied it was diligently written, but not particrly satisfying.

    But that was inevitable. When we suggested he write a statement to refute the usations as unjustly as they were made, Goh Yoo-Joon instead produced an extended apology for making everyone feel concerned.

    "But Yoo-Joon, we didn¡¯t ask you to write an apology," I said.

    Frankly, I found the whole situation and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s demeanor incredibly frustrating. I understood his actions because I knew the full context, but the world and the public would not wait for him to mentally prepare as his fellow members might.

    At this very moment, the public opinion was turning him into a viin, a disgrace, a murderer, and they were having a field day mocking him. The longer this went on, the less likely it was that his image would recover even if he was cleared of the allegations.

    "It¡¯s a tough situation, Yoo-Joon. Even if we express the truth quite aggressively, it might not work," a staff member said with concern. "Why are you being so passive... Even thepany¡¯s hands are tied when ites to helping you."

    The reason he couldn¡¯t harshly deny the allegations against his own father, who had triggered all this mess over some money, was simple. His father had "raised" him. It was frustrating to see how much he had internalized such a notion that had been hammered into his skull since he was a child.

    Goh Yoo-Joon lowered his head again in front of everyone. "I¡¯m sorry. I will try to fix this as quickly as I can."

    Watching him like this was not pleasant, and everyone around just sighed heavily.

    "Ah, Yoo-Joon..."

    It seemed inevitable. I nced at the staff members eyeing me as I stood up. I didn¡¯t want to add to his burden right now, especially not during this critical time with a concert on the horizon. His mental state and Chronos¡¯ future activities couldn¡¯t afford for this situation to drag on.

    "Goh Yoo-Joon,e with me for a moment. We need to talk privately for a bit," I said and excused us from the room with everyone''s understanding. No one stopped or questioned us.

    ***

    I never imagined that I¡¯d find myself deep in conversation near YMM Entertainment''s emergency exit, especially after my debut. I stood facing Goh Yoo-Joon, who looked like he was on the brink of tears.

    "Hey, I know why you brought me out here, but listen¡ª"

    I shook my head gently and ced a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Yoo-Joon, this isn¡¯t the time to hesitate. You need to make a decision."

    It pained me to see him struggle, but there was no room for sympathy now. If we just left him wallow in his feelings, his reputation could nosedive beyond repair.

    "Snap out of it, man. Does this look like a trivial issue to you? You think an apology will just smooth things over?"

    Ah, of course, he was well aware of how serious the situation was.

    "You are being painted as a social pariah right now. Are you ready to carry around a murderer¡¯s image for the rest of your career?" I shook his shoulder to drive home the urgency. His father had put him in this mess over trivial money issues. Hepletely disregarded the years Goh Yoo-Joon had spent building his career, not to mention the consequences of these actions.

    If he didn¡¯t see his son as just a cash machine, he wouldn¡¯t have stooped so low. But we had a long road ahead, and I couldn¡¯t just watch Goh Yoo-Joon copse over something so petty.

    "You want to keep singing, right? Isn¡¯t that why you powered through those tough trainee days?"

    "..." Goh Yoo-Joon bit his lip, unable to reply.

    I finally let out what I had been holding back. "To be honest, our concert might even be canceled."

    "...What?" Goh Yoo-Joon''s head, which had been lowered for a while, suddenly snapped up. His eyes were shaking as if greatly startled.

    "The public opinion is that bad. That''s why I honestly want you to make a decision as soon as possible and get this resolved."

    Ever since the controversy surrounding Goh Yoo-Joon began, there were talks on social media that we might not even be able to hold our concert if this continued. If the issue unnecessarily dragged on, this would indeed be inevitable. A concert couldn¡¯t be held amidst unresolved controversies.

    "I see..." Goh Yoo-Joon lowered his eyelids and pondered in that pose for a while before he bowed his head further and covered his face with his hands. "The concert being canceled is..."

    He groaned. It wasn¡¯t just out of guilt for being the cause, but he had dreamed of a concert like the other members. His dreams and efforts were crumbling in an instant. All for mere money...

    "Hyun-Woo." Goh Yoo-Joon lifted his head. His desperate eyes looked at me sorrowfully. "It''s too hard for me."

    "I know."

    "What should I do?"

    As Goh Yoo-Joon gritted his teeth and held back his tears, I wondered what I could do for him. All I could do was embrace him with all my strength andfort him as a colleague and as a friend.

    ***

    "Fucking YMM!!! Aaargh!!!"

    Kim Go-Ri angrily refreshed her phone and finally threw it away. Just when she thought YMM would respond faster than usual, they were still the same¡ªslow as fuck.

    Allmunities were turned upside down because of a post made by someone iming to be Goh Yoo-Joon''s father. The atmosphere had be severely heated, and before the agency and Goh Yoo-Joon could release a statement, he was already being vilified and having excessive insults hurled at him.

    Two days had passed. Yesterday, the agency''s statement was posted, and they said they would soon post Goh Yoo-Joon''s statement. However, this hadn¡¯t appeared yet.

    Although the denials from the agency provided some relief to the Rings, the two days felt very long without anything being resolved. Even hashtags like #GohYooJoon_Statement_Release and #Concert_Dy were floating around, escting the Rings'' anxiety to extreme amounts.

    - Ugh, it''s infuriating. The statement isn''t out yet, and nothing has been admitted. But why are other fansing in and babbling, shut the fuck up.

    - It has been only a day, and those idiots are acting like YMM has admitted Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s nonexistent wrongdoings. I wish they''d all be sued on that tform...

    - Rings, let''s just wait a bit longer. We know Yoo-Joon better than anyone... Let''s not fight and just wait quietly

    - This is ridiculous UGH Isn¡¯t it too early to beat him up like this...? You could be a perpetrator by insulting Yoo-Joon and spreading rumors. Just shut up and wait

    - Please don¡¯t use provocative wording, or else what are you trying to do, really?

    - I¡¯m not defending an attempted murderer, but if the agency denied it, can''t you just believe and wait? Why are you all so impatient....

    "No matter what they say, ugh..."

    The Rings only seemed like na?ive defenders filled with blind loyalty to others.

    "So, hurry up and post something..."

    Kim Go-Ri believed in Goh Yoo-Joon. The person who wrote the post seemed to be his biological father, but there had to be some circumstances in that family history. While the Rings didn¡¯t know everything about Chronos, they knew Goh Yoo-Joon was not capable of such actions. He was a member who loved and cared for people more than anyone.

    While Kim Go-Ri continually refreshed Chronos¡¯ official <i>BlueBird</i> ount and YMM Entertainment¡¯s website, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s statement was finally updated.

    "Ack!" Kim Go-Ri screamed and clicked on the statement.

    <i>Hello, this is Goh Yoo-Joon.</i>

    <i>First things first, I would like to apologize for the concern caused by the events in my family. I would like to openly discuss the events between my father and me in the past and present my stance. The person who posted on the Nmunity is indeed my father.</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s statement was cautious yet specific. It was true that he did not have a good rtionship with his family during his childhood, but that was due to his father¡¯s gambling and alcoholism, but he had a very good rtionship with his mother.

    He could not stay at home, but that was only during his parents'' disputes. Also, he never hung out with bad people because his friends were kind and took care of him when he had nowhere else to go.

    Goh Yoo-Joon had never thought about rebelling against his parents because of his father''s frequent physical abuse. His mother didn''t leave because of Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s actions. She was driven away by his father¡¯s violent behavior, chronic gambling, and scams that attracted a flood ofints.

    Goh Yoo-Joon rified that it wasn¡¯t him who stabbed his father with a kitchen knife. These had been self-inflicted wounds his father made to manipte his mother into returning home. He methodically debunked each allegation posted online.

    Goh Yoo-Joon also shared that he continues to receive money demands rted to these online posts. He was thorough in his exnation, releasing the threatening messages from his father, records of money transfers on the days he received these threats, and medical records from his childhood showing treatments for injuries his father caused.

    Ending his statement, he apologized for the dy in responding and exined how tough it was to cut ties with his father. He expressed regret for worrying his fans and acknowledged their concern. Although evidence seemed scarce, his statement represented a full personal rebuttal and marked the first time he had publicly stood up to his father.

    The statement quickly hit the news. In response, the team led by Su-Hwan sprang into action. They utilized a media outlet, previously influenced by bribes from Supervisor Kim, to sway public opinion favorably and dered a resolute legal threat against Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father with no ns to back down.

    They also secured proof from the doctor who had treated Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father, confirming that the injuries had been caused by self-harm. This evidence was promptly reported by the media.

    As the truth about Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father emerged, public sentiment shifted dramatically almost overnight.

 Chapter 333: Stay Strong (6)

    <h4>Chapter 333: Stay Strong (6)</h4>

    Goh Yoo-Joon poured all his emotions into protecting himself and Chronos. He submitted a statement and evidence as thepany requested and even decided to press charges. The public opinion surprisingly flipped, and the future responses were led by Su-Hwan as thepany took over.

    Su-Hwan led the response team and helped thepany adopt an unusually aggressive and swift approach. Thepany¡¯s protective stance toward the artist, efforts to voice his grievances, and a firm stance against Goh Yoo-Joon''s father, all added strength to the supportive public opinion. This made people wonder "How wronged had he been to go this far?"

    The people¡¯s attitude was gradually bing positive toward Goh Yoo-Joon, and rumors that had once filled articles about the possibility of the concert being canceled disappeared as if they had never existed in the first ce.

    "Actually, Yoo-Joon¡¯s image is slowly recovering with thepany making such a noise.¡±

    "Ah, that¡¯s a relief. Su-Hwan hyung and the response team are working their butts off.¡±

    Usually, YMM would have dragged the issue until it died down and quietly settled it when public interest waned. Since this was apany with little experience in idol management and no history of handling high-profile artists, the members and fans of Allure and Chronos were particrly vulnerable to controversies. There was a sense of resignation among them in such situations.

    However, this prompt action had unusually garnered positive feedback from Rings, though criticisms of why it couldn''t have been handled proactively still lingered. Despite the improving external circumstances, the mood within Chronos remained the same.

    "Hyun-Woo hyung, did Yoo-Joon hyung eat?"

    "He didn¡¯t.¡±

    "Again?¡± Jin-Sung sighed heavily. His lips twitched as if he had a lot to say, but eventually he remained silent.

    "What if Yoo-Joon hyung faints?¡± Yoon-Chan asked.

    Joo-Han looked at the firmly closed door of Goh Yoo-Joon''s room. "This is serious. He is not eating at all.¡±

    Joo-Han usually didn¡¯t express concerns in front of the younger members. However, he could no longer hide his worries this time.

    Everyone''s gaze turned towards Goh Yoo-Joon''s room.

    "He didn¡¯t talk to you either, right, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    "No, nothing.¡±

    He hadn¡¯t even opened his door ore out, so there was no chance for conversation. It had been three days.

    "Yoo-Joon hyung...¡±

    He was usually the most cheerful and yful member, the one who softened the group''s mood. Since Goh Yoo-Joon had locked himself in his room after issuing the statement, the members had gathered in the living room and spent their days filled with worry.

    "How can he be alright when he is publicly mired in a mud fight with his father? He was tormented by guilt while writing the statement.¡±

    Despite having to make many choices over the past few days, nothing had been for Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s own benefit. At just eighteen years old, he was enduring a situation that even adults would find overwhelming.

    Even Jin-Sung, who usually joked around with Goh Yoo-Joon, was now often on the verge of tears just from talking about him. I tried to console Jin-Sung, who looked like he was about to cry again. "It seems he hasn¡¯t copsed yet. I can hear some movements from his room.¡±

    Sometimes the slight noises of him getting up or moving in bed were the only reassurances that he was still alive. But with him skipping meals, that too seemed to be reaching a limit.

    The thought <i>¡®Is he thinking of dying?¡¯ </i>naturally came to my mind. Deciding to die doesn¡¯t require as much resolve as one might think. People often be vulnerable easily, casually ending their lives as easily as eating a convenience store onigiri meal.

    If Goh Yoo-Joon lost the will to continue all acts of living, what would be the right way for us to act?

    Someone tapped my arm. "Hyun-Woo.¡±

    "Hmm?¡±

    Joo-Han removed a hairpin from Jin-Sung¡¯s hair and handed it to me. I nced at the hairpin and asked, "What¡¯s this for?¡±

    "I thought it would be best to wait quietly until Yoo-Joon sorts himself out, but it seems that won¡¯t cut it.¡±

    Not getting what he meant, Joo-Han straightened the hairpin into a straight line and handed it back to me. "Use this to get in.¡±

    "Huh?¡±

    His suggestion came out of the blue, but Joo-Han looked serious. "Might be better to check if he is really okay and help him out. I think I misread the situation.¡±

    Joo-Han stared at the hairpin in his hand before standing and heading to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s room.

    "Yoo-Joon might be more at ease with you than me, Hyun-Woo. Try talking to him. I¡¯m worried I might just make things worse if I go in.¡±

    It appeared that Joo-Han also realized we couldn¡¯t leave things as they were.

    "Got it.¡± I nodded. Joo-Han immediately knocked on Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s door.

    <i>Knock, knock.</i>

    "Yoo-Joon."

    All the members looked serious as they waited for a response but, once again, there was no answer from Goh Yoo-Joon once again.

    "Yoo-Joon, you okay? Aren¡¯t you hungry?"

    Still no reply to Joo-Han¡¯s questions, and he sighed deeply before kneeling down and starting to pick the lock. "I¡¯ming in, Joon."

    With a gentle voice but rough movements, he worked the hairpin on the lock. While I was observing Joo-Han work, Yoon-Chan stepped out briefly and returned before handing me something. It was water and bread. "Hyun-Woo hyung, take this! This is all we¡¯ve got right now... But Yoo-Joon hyung needs to eat."

    Yoon-Chan passed me the items with a concerned look.

    "I will bring him out," I said.

    <i>Click.</i>

    The locked door swung open. Joo-Han stood up, stepped back, and looked at me, gesturing for me to go inside. I pushed the door open without hesitation and stepped into the pitch-ck room.

    The guy who used to throw open the curtains every morning to wake me up didn¡¯t seem bothered by the darkness.

    "Goh Yoo-Joon."

    Instead of turning on the light, I closed the door behind me and drew back the curtains. It was night, but the city lights were bright enough to light up the room. As I approached Goh Yoo-Joon, whoy unresponsive on the bed, I touched his shoulder to find he was still breathing. He was asleep, not dead.

    "Hey, are you asleep?"

    "...No."

    "I did all of this just to get in your room, look at me at least. Let¡¯s talk."

    Goh Yoo-Joon surprisingly rose from the bed without much prompting. He kept his head down but seemed ready to talk.

    I handed him a ss of water and asked, "Did you manage to eat anything, even with the members asleep?"

    His silence told me he hadn¡¯t.

    "Did you get some sleep?"

    "..."

    Ah, fine. I hadn¡¯t really expected an answer. What kind of response could I expect from someone in tears?

    I simply sat beside him as I had done before.

    "..."

    Every mention of Goh Yoo-Joon brought tears to Jin-Sung¡¯s eyes, and I thought I understood why. I couldn¡¯t tell if it was Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s sadness affecting me, or if I was reflecting on my own past, but I felt incredibly burdened.

    Time passed slowly. Goh Yoo-Joon eventually spoke up in a muffled voice, seeming a bit calmer. "Why are you crying?"

    "I¡¯m not. I was waiting for you to finish."

    "...It''s embarrassing that you had to see that."

    "I''m here to take you out of the room." I stood up and patted Yoo-Joon on the back. "Come on, wash up. Let''s go outside and talk. Everyone is worried about you."

    We had just begun to talk about moving to a lighter space when Goh Yoo-Joon unexpectedly changed the subject.

    "I actually liked my dad."

    "Oh, did you?¡±

    "We got along pretty well when I was younger."

    I sat back down. It seemed he wasn¡¯t ready to leave the room just yet. I wouldn¡¯t force him out. It was better to just listen.

    He exined that even before his father¡¯s most recent jail term, there were days when he had been kind to his son. Days like that probably made it even harder for Goh Yoo-Joon to reject his father¡¯s affection and resist his maniption.

    "I''m thinking about cutting ties with him now, and it feels pretty sad."

    But in the face of such overwhelming sadness, the only option was to endure.

    "Stay strong."

    The only way to handle unresolved grief was to endure it. It dulled over time, and you could eventually consider it ovee.

    "Don¡¯t be alone in this, though. Let''s go through this together. There are a lot of people worrying about you."

    "I will stay strong. I¡¯m sorry."

    "Enough with the apologies, dude." I chuckled lightly, and Goh Yoo-Joon began to cry again. I found myself longing for his usual yful and irritating antics. Iforted him until his tears stopped and then left the room.

    Over the next few days, Goh Yoo-Joon stayed in his room, but didn¡¯t bother to close the curtains I had opened, nor did he lock the door. The members took turns checking on him and keeping himpany.

    Joo-Han and I updated him about the public sentiment, messages from Rings, andmunications from thepany to monitor his condition. I heard from Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung that they just chatted about thingspletely unrted to the situation. A few more days passed like this.

    [I am Chronos Yoo-Joon¡¯s dad. I apologize for all that has happened.]

    Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father posted a handwritten apology on the forum where the initial message had appeared. After discussions with the agency, he stepped back and wrote a desperate apology, although defensively. It acknowledged the truth about the usations of fraud and gambling that led to his imprisonment and offered apologies to Goh Yoo-Joon, Chronos, the agency, the fans, and the public.

    He didn¡¯t seem to wish to go against apany that had made significant revenue through Chronos and Allure recently, even though YMM was a small agency. The response was managed by our team leader Su-Hwan, who epted the apology but pursued thewsuit rigorously.

    All charges against Goh Yoo-Joon were dropped, and YMM covered the events extensively.

    On socialworks like BlueBird, hashtags like ''#It''s_Okay_YooJoon'' and ''#Dont_Die_YooJoon'' popped up as Rings expressed their support and sent messages to Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Finally, he came out of his room. "I¡¯m sorry, and thank you, everyone."

    Perhaps the efforts of the members had an impact on him.

    "I saw my dad''s apology."

    He had gone online to check the apology himself and looked bitter but somewhat relieved.

 Chapter 334: Stay Strong (7)

    <h4>Chapter 334: Stay Strong (7)</h4>

    As the controversy involving Goh Yoo-Joon''s father started to die down, we finally got around to nning our first solo concert.

    "Since it''s our first, let''s theme it around the universe we''ve built over thest year and a half," one of the staff suggested and showed us several virtual stage setups on aputer. There were about seven drafts, each reflecting the theme of our previous albums.

    "We will call the concert ¡®mma,¡¯ after the track from ¡®Phantom Spirit.¡¯"

    "Oh, mma? I really like it."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shot a sly look at Supervisor Kim and said, "I thought ourpany was so into parades that they''d name it something like THE parade." He smiled, showing signs of recovering.

    He used to be such a people guy, but he had been retreating and feeling too guilty to joke with us. Since we resumed concert preparations, he had been getting back to his old self thanks to all the members who kept pulling him into conversations every day and the Rings who fully supported him.

    We hadn''t really gotten an apology from Supervisor Kim for his outburst when the scandal broke, but we''d made peace with him somehow. What could we do, right? Whether we liked him or not, Supervisor Kim was the head of our A&R team, and we were thepany''s top artists to him. Sometimes, you just have to overlook theplexities of work rtionships.

    Anyway, Supervisor Kim was back to working hard for us after Goh Yoo-Joon''s father''s issue was resolved. "Also, before the concert, we are nning to release Jin-Sung¡¯s, Hyun-Woo¡¯s, and Joo-Han¡¯s solo tracks."

    "Oh, that''s great, but aren¡¯t they not ready yet?" Joo-Han lifted both hands, signaling he had no finished songs yet.

    The nning manager grinned, aware of this. "Everyone knows you are working on a song for Jin-Sung. When will it be ready?"

    "Uh, my track, hyung?"

    "It''s nearly done, but Producer Do needs to fine-tune it. I haven''t even started on mine."

    "Wait... you are not seriously thinking of officially releasing ¡®Kang Joo-Han,¡¯ are you? Oh, please don¡¯t." Goh Yoo-Joon raised his eyebrows in skepticism, prompting the manager to quickly shake his head.

    "No way. We''ve definitely arranged for anotherposer. Besides, Hyun-Woo already has a solo track made by Joo-Han, but it''s not even officially released yet. More importantly, we need a song he can actually perform solo during the concert."

    "Hyun-Woo isn''t just a vocalist. The fans really look forward to his dance performances too."

    I recalled the solo track proposal that Su-Hwan mentionedst time. It was called "Sirens" or something like that.

    "Anyway, we will soon receive the tracks for Hyun-Woo and Joo-Han, and I will let you know as soon as Jin-Sung''s is ready. We can revisit the topic of solo trackster."

    "Got it."

    Supervisor Kim and Su-Hwan¡¯s notebooks flipped back in unison. The conversation then shifted to the concert''s visuals, nning, marketing, investments, recruitment, and discussions about which tracks should be staples in the setlist.

    "So, we will conclude the concert-rted topics here. Hyun-Woo, you are almost done with thest shoot for the variety show, right?"

    "Yes," I answered, and Supervisor Kim circled something in his notebook by adding a note.

    "After that shoot wraps up, the album we coborated on with Reina will be released. It should have been out already, but it was dyed due to some issues with the album jacket design."

    "Ah, yes."

    "There won¡¯t be any additional schedules rted to that." Supervisor Kim briskly turned another page in his notebook. "And here is some good news. You guys are having your first advertisement shoot."

    "...An advertisement shoot?"

    Supervisor Kim snapped his notebook shut and showed us his phone. "Right here. Tinta Electronics isunching a new phone, the Slim S Rainbow 8. They''ve decided to use Chronos as the model."

    He let out a deep sigh and nced around at us. "It was settled a while ago, and they even asked for investment in the concert as a condition for the modeling contract. I thought we hadpletely messed it up when the controversy started."

    "Supervisor Kim, you really don¡¯t need to mention losing investments to the kids."

    "Why? Manager Lee, here you go again. The kids need to know how much effort I''ve put in. I¡¯d feel unappreciated otherwise. You guys should really be thankful to Manager Lee as well."

    "Supervisor Kim."

    Despite Su-Hwan¡¯s chiding, Supervisor Kim continued without pause. "If Manager Lee hadn''t sorted out the issue with Yoo-Joon''s father properly, we would have lost the Tinta Electronics model deal and our major investor, which could have jeopardized the concert. You have no idea how hard I worked to keep the guys at Tinta happy."

    "We¡¯re grateful, Supervisor Kim. To you and Su-Hwan."

    Joo-Han managed to maintain a smile toward Supervisor Kim somehow.

    But had Supervisor Kim always been like this? Though he always tended to focus on himself and saw the members in terms of mary value, he seemed to have maintained some decorum in the past.

    Right now, he seemed to have let go of whatever mental restraint he had held onto as a professional.

    <i>''Has he been struggling?''</i>

    Well, it must have been tough. He had been the scapegoat for anything that goes wrong in thepany since the days of Allure, and I had heard from someone that during the ordeal with Yoo-Joon''s father, he had received hundreds of threatening messages a day.

    <i>''He must have been under a lot of stress. It looks like we will have a tough time with Supervisor Kim from now on,''</i> I thought to myself.

    Supervisor Kim sighed deeply and looked at us. His expression was a mix ofplexity, regret, and relief. "Today¡¯s meeting is over, but there''s something I need to tell you guys."

    "Why do you sound so ominous?"

    "Reflecting on the recent incident, I''ve had several discussions with the CEO. I am not sure how you, who have seen me around since before your debut, will take this."

    "What is it?" Jin-Sung asked nervously.

    Supervisor Kim had always been seen as a supportive figure to everyone except me and Joo-Han because he had been responsible for guiding them since their trainee days. Now, it seemed he had some regretful news.

    "Because of this incident, I¡¯ve lost your trust, and the CEO really approved of how Manager Lee handled things."

    "Oh, um..."

    "Originally, thepany was set up to focus on solo artists, so managing an idol group has been challenging."

    What exactly was he trying to say with such a long buildup? Judging from how he kept exining in detail, it seemed like he was preparing to say he was too overwhelmed by the criticism to continue managing artists.

    <i>¡®Eh, really?¡¯</i>

    What could we have possibly done wrong to deserve being abandoned like this?

    However, Supervisor Kim usually made better decisions than I worried he might do. "So, I suggested to the CEO that it might be better to create a separatebel just for managing idols."

    "...A separatebel?"

    "With the current YMM system, managing you guys just isn''t working out. Objectively, this is true. We are also not good at handling crises. So the n is to first move Allure and Chronos to a newly createdbel under YMM and then form a team that will manage only you guys."

    "What? For real?" Jin-Sung asked incredulously.

    Supervisor Kim bluntly answered, "Of course it¡¯s for real. Do you think I''d joke about something like this? Allure and Chronos are growing in poprity. If we¡¯re going to separate, we need to do it quickly to establish this system."

    What was this? It sounded like a pretty solid n, but maybe because I hadn¡¯t heard the specifics yet. Everyone knew YMM wasn¡¯t great at managing idols, so it was good to expect that a team dedicated to managing just idols could be beneficial.

    From the incidents involving fans to the issue with Goh Yoo-Joon''s father, it appeared ourpany had finally recognized the need for better management of idol groups and their fandoms.

    "Ah, really? So, is moving to the newbel confirmed for us?" Joo-Han asked.

    Supervisor Kim hesitated with an ambiguous expression on his face but then nodded. "Once thebel is established, the move is confirmed. Of course, album activities and support will improve significantly, so there won¡¯t be any inconvenience."

    Supervisor Kim pointed to Su-Hwan. "If thebelunches, there is a high chance that Manager Lee will take over as the CEO and overall head. Keep that in mind."

    "Huh?"

    "What the..."

    "Su-Hwan hyung as the CEO?"

    "Wait, then what about Su-Hwan hyung¡¯s current job...?" Joo-Han murmured, surprised.

    Su-Hwan calmly responded, "If thebel isunched, I will be managing you all more broadly rather than just as a manager."

    The members seemed more surprised by the possibility of Su-Hwan no longer being our manager than by the potential change of thebel affiliation. It appeared Su-Hwan was much more trusted by the CEO than I thought.

    I honestly thought it was a pity, but it was a great opportunity for all of us. If Su-Hwan, who was probably the mostpetent staff in this agency, has more authority... And since Tae-Seong was also doing a great job, wouldn¡¯t it be trustworthy to work under abel managed by Su-Hwan?

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 335: Stay Strong (8)

    <h4>Chapter 335: Stay Strong (8)</h4>

    Although the decision to establish thebel was finalized, no immediate changes were apparent. Everything had been initiated by Supervisor Kim''s impulsive decision, and while that got the ball rolling, every subsequent step needed to be approached with caution.

    Su-Hwan had handed over his main managerial duties to Tae-Seong, who was now tasked with hiring a new manager and assembling a skilled team to manage both Allure and Chronos. It was definitely a process that promised to be lengthy. For now, our job was to stay focused and keep pushing forward with our responsibilities.

    At the Chronos dance studio, a sense of unease hung in the air.

    ¡°Are we really not syncing up?¡± Joo-Han questioned, his head tilted in confusion after we ran through the choreography for ¡°Parade¡± for the first time in ages.

    Jin-Sung¡¯s face contorted in frustration as he nted his hands on his hips and expressed his thoughts bluntly. ¡°Honestly, that was a disaster.¡±

    It seemed everyone had felt a looming scolding from Jin-Sung while performing the routine. ¡°How could we forget this choreography? It¡¯s the track we¡¯ve performed the most. We even nailed it at every single event.¡±

    I know, right? How could we forget this song¡¯s choreography in particr? The situation was utterly baffling, especially to Jin-Sung, who couldn¡¯t grasp how the steps could have slipped their minds.

    To offer some excuses, excluding Jin-Sung, we hadn¡¯t properly practiced just ¡°Parade,¡± but even ourtest song ¡°Fantasy Spirit¡± during the slightly more than three months of our vacation.

    Of course, not practicing properly wasn¡¯t much of an excuse. But during the break, we were restricted to only light stretching instead of full practice sessions due to fatigue, muscle pain, and various health issues. This was a special measure taken by Su-Hwan, who knew very well that members were always in the practice room even on holidays.

    Moreover, we were all mentally drained due to the incident involving Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father near the end of our vacation. Thus, our performance of ¡°Parade¡± was aplete mess.

    ¡°Adding a remix? Dance breaks? It¡¯s too embarrassing to even show this to our choreographer.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon hurriedly apologized to Jin-Sung before getting back on his feet. ¡°But remember, our bodies memorize the way we move. A bit more practice, and we will be back on track, haha! Sorry, I was just joking. Let¡¯s get back to it! We need to memorize ¡®Chronos¡¯ before the choreographer shows up.¡±

    ¡°Seriously. We¡¯re struggling with ¡®Parade¡¯ and now ¡®Chronos?¡¯ It''s time for a reality check! We will keep going until we can perform ¡®Parade¡¯ perfectly! Everyone, go review the choreography, and let¡¯s hustle!¡±

    We quickly gathered around theptops to check the dance videos we had archived. Jin-Sung, our unyielding dance captain, was noticeably more ferocious today.

    ¡°Ah, now that I¡¯m watching this, I definitely remember.¡±

    ¡°Why did I mess up this part? I should¡¯ve reviewed this beforeing to the studio.¡±

    ¡°I know, right? I didn¡¯t think I¡¯dpletely forget it.¡±

    It was entirely our fault forpletely forgetting the choreography, so we couldn¡¯t utter a word ofint as we memorized the moves and immersed ourselves in rigorous practice while getting reprimanded.

    Fortunately, the dance became familiar again after a few practice sessions, and we began to return to our original proficiency. However, the problem was that due to the extended rest period, we easily got out of breath.

    ***

    Amid a flurry of rehearsals for choreography, live performances, song remixes, and concert staging, time flew by in a blink. In the thick of these preparations, Joo-Han, Jin-Sung, and I took a break to attend a meeting about uing solo releases.

    ¡°Considering the fans¡¯ expectations, the order should probably be Jin-Sung first, followed by Joo-Han, and then Hyun-Woo.¡± Supervisor Kim suggested. He remained with us until thebel transition wasplete.

    ¡°Jin-Sung¡¯s track is ready, so just recording and post-production are left. By the time it¡¯s out, Joo-Han and Hyun-Woo¡¯s tracks will be ready to go too,¡± he exined.

    ¡°Yeah!¡±

    ¡°Want to take a listen to Jin-Sung¡¯s solo track?¡±

    Supervisor Kim¡¯s voice was lighter and more rxed than before thebel split was brought up, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He seemed to be under zero stress, to the point that made me feel a bit disappointed.

    ¡®<i>Is he that happy that he won¡¯t be managing us anymore? Hmm...¡¯</i>

    ¡°You know, Joo-Han really nailed the song. It was slow for a dance track, but Producer Do tweaked it just right.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve listened to it.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s all give it a good listen,¡± he said and cued up the track.

    A vibrant dance beat pulsated throughout the room. Among the solo tracks we had, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s was deep and Yoon-Chan¡¯s had a tropical vibe, but Jin-Sung¡¯s was infused with the fiery passion of youth.

    Joo-Han had spent a ton of time crafting Jin-Sung¡¯s solo track, and honestly, it was worth the wait. The song had Jin-Sung¡¯s unique vibe, which meant Joo-Han had to tone down his own style a lot to make it work. He had stepped way out of hisfort zone to pull it off, which was probably why this took so long.

    ¡°It''s killer, right? Totally my jam. Pure dance vibes.¡±

    Joo-Han¡¯s eyes were heavy with fatigue, but he still managed a warm smile for Jin-Sung. "It¡¯s your song, after all. A dance song is the vibe that suits you the best. I¡¯ve made sure the vocals aren¡¯t too challenging, so you can focus on performing without any stress.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, hyung," Jin-Sung replied, his thanksing off a bit rough like he was some tough guy in a movie. He then turned to Supervisor Kim and gestured with a raised hand. ¡°Supervisor, I¡¯ve got an idea.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s up? Something about the solo track?" Supervisor Kim asked, his attention piqued.

    ¡°Yeah. Since this song is all about dancing, can I take a crack at choreographing it like I didst time?"

    Jin-Sung¡¯s suggestion seemed to lift a weight off Supervisor Kim''s shoulders, who was already struggling with the concert budget. He brightened up, visibly relieved.

    ¡°Really? Go for it. That¡¯s an awesome idea. You¡¯ve got a knack for choreography, too.¡±

    ¡°Yay!¡± Jin-Sung cheered, clearly pleased.

    ¡°And hey, if I need help, there¡¯s always the choreography team."

    I chimed in, trying to push our luck a bit. "Supervisor, is Jin-Sung also shooting a special video for his solo track?¡±

    Supervisor Kim shot me a look that screamed ''Are you kidding? Can you not read my mind? It¡¯s obvious.''

    ¡°Well, we did that for Yoon-Chan under different circumstances. We needed to squash some rumors about his talent. No ns this time around, though.¡±

    ¡°But considering it¡¯s a killer dance track, and he is part of the dance line, wouldn¡¯t it be cool to record one? Might boost his profile,¡± Joo-Han interjected.

    "When we released<i> Again After Rainfall</i>, the dance video with Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo got tons of views internationally. It might be a good chance to showcase what our main dancer can really do,¡± I added. nudging the idea forward.

    ¡°We don¡¯t need a big setup. Just Jin-Sung, a couple of dancers, and some slick lighting in an empty studio could really make a stunning visual. Jin-Sung knows how to fill the screen by himself, so it shouldn¡¯t be an issue. Can we make it happen, Supervisor?"

    ¡°Hyung... All this effort just for me... I¡¯m about to tear up,¡± Jin-Sung joked and got sentimental over the support.

    Since thebel was going to be split off from the agency anyway, Joo-Han nned to make sure to squeeze the budget before the meeting ended.

    ¡°Hmm...¡± Supervisor Kim seemed hesitant. He appeared to be contemting whether to use more of the nning team¡¯s budget here since the budget would also be split off with thebelter.

    But, finally, he caved. ¡°Alright, you guys have a point. Let¡¯s shoot it.¡±

    Thanks to Jin-Sung, we saved on choreography costs. Chronos was the main artist of YMM after all.

    ¡°...Ah, screw it! If I¡¯m not investing in you guys, then who am I investing in? Go for it.¡± Supervisor Kim half-joked, then fell silent as he got lost in thought again.

    A momentter, he made a decision. ¡°Let¡¯s shoot everything. We will film Joo-Han¡¯s and Hyun-Woo¡¯s tracks when they are ready, and might film one for Yoo-Joon too.¡±

    ¡°Wow. You¡¯re the best, Supervisor!¡± Joo-Han raised his thumb in approval, making sure Supervisor Kim felt appreciated. Securing the shoot for all our solo tracks had Joo-Han grinning all day long.

    ***

    Two weeks flew by, and Jin-Sung¡¯s solo was out, prompting heated discussions on Chronos''s official <i>UTube c</i>hannel and the fanmunity website. People were very excited about it. He dived into choreography sessions with a dance coach just as the guide for Joo-Han¡¯s solo track dropped.

    While we were on our way to the final shoot for <i>Newbie Crew, </i>I was engrossed in memorizing the lyrics of mytest solo track, ¡°Sirens.¡± Tae-Seong dropped news of an unexpected schedule out of the blue, catching me off guard.

    ¡°A new schedule?¡± I asked, surprised.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°As ¡®Eden?¡¯¡±

    Eden was a makeshift alias I had created in a rush. I intended to use it when I released the song I had coborated on with Reina. We nned tounch it anonymously and add an air of mystery.

    Reina, a senior in the industry known for her exceptional production skills and savvy, had managed to transform Eden, a supposed newbie, into an enigmatic figure that everyone was buzzing about. The curiosity around Eden¡¯s real identity was sky-high, and some fans were even trying to match the voice and body type to known celebrities to guess who it might be.

    Although Reina kept insisting Eden was a fresh face in the industry, her cryptic hints had people specting whether Eden was actually a seasoned artist or truly a neer.

    As odd as it may seem, rumors were floating around that I was Eden. Given the delicate situation where our secret could easily be unraveled, the fact that a schedule hade up for ''Eden'' was thrilling yet nerve-wracking. Reina had surprisingly agreed to it.

    ¡°How are we going to pull this off?" I questioned.

    Tae-Seong caught my eye briefly in the rearview mirror and quickly looked away as he pondered my question. He finally broke the silence, his voice carrying his usual blunt tone. ¡°She is thinking about using a blindfold or a mask. Also, she suggested you should consider changing your way of speaking.¡±

    ¡°Change my way of speaking?"

    Tae-Seong nodded seriously with his stern face. ¡°Maybe you could try using a dialect or something?" he suggested, adding anotheryer to our borate disguise.

 Chapter 336: Stay Strong (9)

    <h4>Chapter 336: Stay Strong (9)</h4>

    ¡°Dialect?"

    ¡°...Ah."

    When I probed further, Tae-Seong mmed up as if he had suddenlye to a realization. I couldn''t help but wonder what made him react this way. What was with that look on his face?

    As he continued driving, his expression remained impassive. He almost seemed resigned, as if he hadn¡¯t said anything at all.

    ¡°What was that ''ah'' about, Manager?"

    ¡°It''s nothing."

    ¡°You thought I would sound awkward if I tried speaking with a dialect, right?"

    Tae-Seong nced at me in the rearview mirror. ¡°I considered dialect as a form of acting. If I upset you, I apologize."

    ¡°It''s actually sadder knowing you meant no harm, Manager," I said.

    Tae-Song didn¡¯t crack a smile. Instead, he simply nodded and kept his eyes on the road.

    ¡°I will fix my way of thinking."

    ¡°Ah, no, it was just a joke. But, speaking of which, can I call you ''hyung'' more casually?"

    ¡°Yes."

    ¡°Am I the first one to call you ''hyung?¡¯"

    I threw the question out lightly, and he responded seriously, just as I expected.

    ¡°That''s correct."

    I heard that Tae-Seong''s first job, which he used to have until recently, was at a ce with a very strict hierarchical culture. That probably exined why he was much more serious and less inclined to joke around than Su-Hwan. His threshold forughter seemed high.

    Despite Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s efforts to draw augh from him with their antics, he rarely gave in. Instead, they would bring Su-Hwan around to lighten the mood or shoot videos for purely business purposes, which they would post on <i>BlueBird.</i>

    Ever since Su-Hwan was announced as the head of thebel, interacting with Tae-Seong and breaking down that distance had be somewhat of a trend. It was a habit for the members, especially Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung, much like they used to do with Su-Hwan.

    ¡°Thanks for the dialect suggestion, hyung. Ah, and feel free to speak casually with me too."

    I made thement lightly, half-expecting him to refuse, just like Su-Hwan would.

    ¡°Sure."

    To my surprise, Tae-Seong responded casually right away. He might be reserved and a man of few words, but it seemed he wasn¡¯t shy about easing into a more familiar tone.

    Tae-Seong said in his deep, gruff voice, ¡°There''s a team dinner after today''s<i> Newbie Crew </i>shoot, but feel free to pass up if it''s too much. You can always leave under the pretext of the uing concert."

    ¡°Is that okay?"

    Tae-Seong nodded. ¡°I''ve already informed them that you might need to leave part way because of concert-rted schedules."

    ¡°Thanks."

    From his first day until now, one thing had not changed¡ªhis incredible knack for looking after the team¡¯s welfare was outstanding.

    Before we knew it, we had arrived at the <i>Newbie Crew </i>studio, and the shooting was about to begin.

    ***

    ¡°This is ourst shot, hyungs."

    After failing the raid for six hours, this was now our final chance. After I made this clear, a renewed determination flickered in the weary eyes of the cast.

    ¡°Win or lose, we¡¯ve given it our all."

    ¡°Exactly! Guys, remember when we started this? Just getting this far is nearly a triumph of the human spirit."

    ¡°Let¡¯s push through to the end. Let¡¯s show the viewers that we never gave up, that we kept pushing forward."

    ¡°We won''t give up!"

    We had made several attempts, but we continued to fail in the final phase. The difficulty was brutal, and any slip-ups before thest section typically resulted in a total wipeout. By now, the hope for a server first clear had long vanished.

    We were close to clearing, and our damage output was strong. However, the challenge was consistently in the mechanics as one or two would make mistakes inevitably, forcing us to retry.

    Now, we focused more on passion, effort, and the process rather than just clearing.

    ¡°Everyone is doing well,¡± Seong-Jin said. ¡°This is ourst chance, so let''s boost each other up and give it our best shot. You all did incredibly well this time, though the end was a tad disappointing."

    Seong-Jin had been prone toining and ming others, but had drastically changed his attitude after a few episodes aired. He had been hammered with criticism as expected, so he began to genuinely praise each team member.

    I joined in, trying to keep up the positive atmosphere till the very end... but, to be honest, it was frustrating.

    <i>¡®Why can''t they dodge this?¡¯</i> I found myself thinking as these situations kept happening, needlessly dragging out our time to clear.

    It was the final shoot, so we needed tost longer than we did in the previous tries. However, we were bound to make mistakes, and someone would definitely bite the dust.

    What if we limit our use of revives and conserve mana for dealing damage? Could we stand a better chance then?

    ¡°Let''s clear this with style and then go grab some dinner, everyone!"

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Sounds good!"

    While everyone was buzzing with excitement, I popped open the skill window. Due to my teammates¡¯ frequent mishaps resulting in them getting wounded or worse, I had the window crammed with every instant heal, regr heals, and revive skills.

    But now, it was time for a change. I reset everything and added just a few heal and revive skills. For a twist, I also added a couple of rarely-used offensive skills for healers. After all, I wasn''t meant to be a healer since I was born to be a damage dealer.

    ¡°Is everyone ready?"

    ¡°Yes!"

    After everyone chimed in, I casually remarked, ¡°I¡¯m joining in on the damage this round."

    ¡°Oh? Our healer is turning into a damage dealer now!"

    ¡°Yes, and since it''s thest round, no heals if you mess up, guys. Take care of your potions, manage your health, and don¡¯t forget to check your food buffs. They can boost your attack and defense."

    ¡°Got it!"

    ¡°Here we go!"

    This was it. The realst try! After this, I swore to take a long break from gaming. I took a deep breath and hit the ''Start Game'' button.

    ***

    ¡°Ah! I¡¯m dead again! Argh, seriously."

    ¡°Hyung, at least you dodged that attack that always kills you. Good job."

    Encouraging words floated among those who had perished. It was frustrating and absurd. Since I was focused intensely on battling the boss, their cidments seemed unbearably irritating.

    ¡°Uh-oh, our tank can''t die now. Need a revive here." I quickly revived the tank and rushed to replenish his health.

    The tank stopped chatting with the dead yers and redirected his attention back to the game.

    ¡°Everyone, I¡¯m about to use my ultimate skill soon, so please stay focused on the game even if you are dead."

    The healer''s ultimate skill was a game-changer since it could bring all dead teammates back to life. Once I made this announcement, the chatter from the deceased quieted down.

    Right, right, left, left, out, out, in, in. I dodged a barrage ofplex mechanics I''d memorized like the back of my hand, but teammates kept falling despite my efforts. When I looked around, only four of us remained. There were two tanks and two healers.

    And then, in the heat of the moment...

    ¡°Aaaah! How am I supposed to dodge that?!"

    With the boss''s sweeping area attack, I became thest man standing. Great, I was hogging all the spotlight at the end. Shoot.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo¡¯s expression really turned dark, didn''t it?"

    ¡°He¡¯s trying to focus, keep it down! Shhh."

    ¡°Is this what they call when the healer turns to the dark side?"

    Dark side? Ha, not really.

    After the team copsed around me, a strange calm settled over me. I was thest one alive in this raid. Now, I could y however I liked.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be using the revive key for now. Like I said earlier, I am running low on mana, so I will revive everyone at once when I use my ultimate."

    ¡°Yes!"

    ¡°Leader, do whatever you feel like!"

    That was my cue. I abandoned my usual healer duties and dove into dealing damage. Interestingly, there seemed to be that one healer damage skill that felt almost overpowered in every single game.

    <i>One Hours </i>was no different. There was one healer offensive skill that, although slow to activate, dealt substantial damage. I nimbly dodged the boss''s attacks and timed my strikes with precision.

    ¡°Wow, is Hyun-Woo handling this solo?"

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a healer pull this off alone. I¡¯ve watched loads of videos, but this is my first time seeing something like this."

    ¡°You¡¯re killing it, really. No wonder you¡¯re the raid leader."

    I intermittently healed myself and fulfilled both tank and damage dealer roles.

    ¡°Hahaha!"

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, keep your head in the game!"

    Since I was the only one left, it was only natural I was juggling healing, tanking, and dealing damage. Of course, it was impossible for a healer alone to whittle down the endgame boss''s health. However, if I could dodge the next wave of attacks that had wiped out all my team members and then revive everyone, we could perhaps pull off a clear.

    ¡°The ultimate should''ve been saved for a healer, not a damage dealer."

    In <i>One Hours, </i>ultimate abilities like Awakening could only be used once by the entire party, so they were often used by damage dealers who could maximize their impact. It was amon practice, but if a healer ended up using it, it was pretty much considered a party¡¯s downfall.

    ¡°Uh oh. He¡¯s running low on mana."

    ¡°You got this, Hyun-Woo!"

    ¡°Way to go, newbie! Our raid leader! Captain Suh!"

    ¡°Just hang in there a little more!"

    ¡°..."

    But, suddenly, I was struck by a wave of mncholy.

    <i>¡®Why am I the one struggling by myself? Why me?¡¯</i> The thought that I might end up being thest one standing again filled me with despair.

    I kept my avatar moving almost on autopilot and juggling between tanking, healing, and dealing damage. Deep down, I knew this would happen. I always ended up with too little limelight despite pulling most of the weight! They better give me lots of air time on this episode, ugh.

    After tirelessly grinding down the boss''s health and soloing theplex mechanics that had troubled my teammates, I hit the ultimate skill button with a sense of relief.

    ¡°That should do it!"

    My character burst into a dazzling array of effects as all my teammates sprang back to life.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo really pulled it off. He did everything!"

    ¡°Amazing, man. Seasoned yers really are a different breed."

    ¡°Thanks, Hyun-Woo. But now that we¡¯re back, let''s focus and finish this."

    My teammates showered me with praise as they resumed chipping away at the boss''s health. With all eight of us attacking, the boss''s health bar melted away rapidly.

    ¡°Everyone, group up in the middle. You remember the strategy from the video, right? Once we are on top of the boss, scatter to your assigned spots!"

    ¡°Yes!"

    I had faced down the toughest attack alone. Now, all that was left were maneuvers that required good memory and coordinated movement rather than fancy fingerwork. We methodically navigated through the boss''s mechanics.

    ¡°Seong-Jin hyung, move back!"

    ¡°Ah! I fell off!"

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. We can still clear this even with one down. Seong-Jin hyung, we can¡¯t revive you since you fell off."

    ¡°Oh, sorry!"

    Just a little more, just a bit further!

    As the boss unleashed a flurry of attacks and obstructed even our view, the remaining team members moved in wless unison. Our attacks were hitting hard, and we were dodging mechanics smoothly despite one casualty.

    <i>¡®...Are we actually going to clear this?¡¯</i>

    The boss''s health was on itsst sliver. I used a mass healing skill once, then continued sting away with offensive skills.

    ¡°We are so close! Just a bit more!"

    I hadn¡¯t expected to get so immersed with this team. Excited shouts erupted from all around.

    As the boss staggered under our assault, my final blow made it scream and copse, triggering the ending cutscene.

    ¡°We did it!"

    ¡°Wow!"

    ¡°Dang, this is unbelievable.¡±

    Cheers filled the room, and some cast members even stood up to cheer. And there I was.

    ¡°...We actually did it."

    Although I was still in the middle of shooting, all the past hardships and arguments with my teammates shed through my mind like a fast-forward movie. Tears unexpectedly started to fall from my eyes. The thrill of conquering the seemingly impossible, the relief that it was finally over, and the aftereffects of all that effort hit me hard.

    ¡°Is Hyun-Woo crying?"

    ¡°Why are you crying, young one? After doing so well?"

    It was because of you guys, you jerks...

    A cast member who wasn''t particrly close approached with a tone that seemed to pat me on the back as if saying ¡®Oh, young one, aren''t you adorable.¡¯

    Ji-Hyuk came over and hugged me as expected. This guy seemed to overflow with affection no matter what. ¡°Hyun-Woo, why the tears? Are you happy? Or was it that tough?"

    But Ji-Hyuk was another reason I had struggled, so his hug didn¡¯t quite feelforting.

    ¡°No, I just... didn¡¯t know if we could really pull it off..."

    It seemed I was more drained than I had realized because tears kept streaming down. I was also relieved I could at least fulfill Joo-Han''s jokingmand to cry if I couldn''t get enough footage.

    I quickly wiped my tears and scanned my teammates. ¡°Everyone... you all did... so well..."

    CEO Lee Mi-Hyang watched me tearfully with a pleased smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

    ¡°Huh?"

    ...Why was the CEO crying? My puzzled murmur made all heads turn toward her, and that was the trigger. Soon, everyone started hugging me, almost all of them wailing.

    ¡®<i>What the heck...¡¯</i>

    This surprisingly made my tears stop flowing in an instant.

 Chapter 337: Concert (1)

    <h4>Chapter 337: Concert (1)</h4>

    "Great work everyone!"

    As soon as the filming wrapped up, those who had been on edge due to shing personalities and heightened sensitivities seemed eager to end on a high note. They quickly shifted into a mode defined byughter and camaraderie. I found myself swept up in the sudden warmth, smiling broadly and naturally drifting into the after-party scene.

    "Hey, are you good with your drinks?"

    "Hyun-Woo, you''ve just turned eighteen, right? It''s prime time to start drinking. How about you pour it out for everyone?"

    "Ah, sure."

    Even if I wasn''t good at drinking, it wasn''t something to admit openly at such gatherings. I used to make bomb shots before when I worked as a trainer, so I knew how to mix them. The real challenge was always drinking them.

    Ji-Hyuk noticed my hesitation and sidled up to me. "Hyun-Woo, you are quite lightweight, right?"

    "Yeah, I can¡¯t tolerate alcohol that well."

    "You don¡¯t seem <i>just </i>lightweight. I heard you are famously bad at handling alcohol. Don¡¯t worry, you can skip drinking."

    Ji-Hyuk swept my ss away with a protective ir as if to make it obvious that I wouldn¡¯t drink much.

    "Didn¡¯t you mention something about a concert-rted schedule today?" he asked.

    "Oh? Can''t handle your liquor, Hyun-Woo? Ah, then don''t drink. Especially not with your schedule."

    "Were you keeping quiet because you were worried about what others would think? Come on, we are not those old-school types who push drinks onto those who can''t handle them."

    Ji-Hyuk had a knack for turning down things he disliked without souring the mood. It was an art in itself. He hinted broadly that I couldn''t drink and prompted everyone else to tell me not to worry about it quickly.

    "Thanks, I''ve got a scheduleter."

    "We can always have a drink some other time, maybe on another show."

    "Isn¡¯t this Chronos'' first concert? And High Tension is already touring internationally, aren¡¯t they?"

    "That¡¯s amazing. If only I were as good-looking, I might have tried being an idol myself."

    "Hyung, do you think anyone can be an idol? Nowadays, idols are more than just pretty faces. They have to sing well and dance well to survive. Isn¡¯t that right, Ji-Hyuk?"

    "Is that so?"

    The dinner progressed in a light, enjoyable atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to the tense gaming sessions.

    As the evening went on, a few folks began to show signs of tipsiness, signaling it was nearly time to leave.

    "Do you still listen to Reina''s songs, hyung?"

    "I will always listen to Reina¡¯s music. She always releases just the kind of tracks I love. Why do you ask?"

    "Did you know Reina recently produced a new song?"

    It was a strange ce to hear this news. I tried to look casual by focusing intently on my food while eavesdropping on their conversation.

    "Of course, I¡¯m Reina''s number one fan. How could I not know? I haven¡¯t listened to it yet, though. Is it good?"

    "It¡¯s fantastic. The singer¡¯s voice is great, and the song itself is pure Reina, so of course it¡¯s excellent. I was actually about to rmend it."

    "That good, huh?"

    "Yeah, the emotional depth in the singer¡¯s voice is crazy! It¡¯s like Reina created a male version of herself."

    "I think this Eden guy isn¡¯t really a neer. He seems too polished."

    "It''s fascinating how singers can sing with such a magnitude. I got chills listening to it."

    "And the song is getting great responses too, topping charts on music sites. But that¡¯s expected, given it''s a Reina production."

    "No one knows that guy¡¯s face. Everyone says even his voice is handsome."

    Their unknowing praises about me were oddly ttering. I took a sip of my soda and sneaked a nce at Tae-Seong, who was deeply engrossed in the conversation.

    "Eden is not a rookie, you know?" Ji-Hyuk said.

    How did he know that? I quickly turned to look at him. Ji-Hyuk was talking to On Jeong-Woo.

    "The director who worked on ourst track is part of Reina''s team. I asked, and they confirmed he wasn¡¯t a neer. They didn¡¯t say who he is, though."

    It was rming how quickly secrets could spread. Who could be leaking them?

    "Ha..."

    "What''s wrong, Hyun-Woo? Is grilling too hard? Should I take over?"

    "No, no, I¡¯m just full. You can keep talking."

    It seemed Ji-Hyuk still didn''t know that I was actually Eden. I pretended to lose interest in the conversation and focused on flipping the pork belly.

    "But I, uh... Hmm." Ji-Hyuk paused as if trying to remember something. "Eden''s voice sounds so familiar. I just can''t ce my finger on who it might be."

    The unease was intolerable, and I couldn''t keep listening. I put down the tongs and made eye contact with Tae-Seong. He caught my gaze, paused, put down his water ss, and stood up.

    "Excuse me. We¡¯re so sorry, but I think it''s time we head out. Thepany called, saying they need us back."

    Tae-Seong''s acting was as poor as mine, but nobody else seemed to notice it was an act since he normally spoke in a monotone manner.

    "Really? Great job today, Tae-Seong and Hyun-Woo."

    "No worries. Thanks for having us."

    "You¡¯re always so polite. I will catch you on another broadcast. Take care!"

    We left the dinner and went straight to the practice studio. Aside from Yoon-Chan, who was still on set, the rest of the team were drenched in sweat and greeted me warmly.

    ***?

    "Hyun-Woo, you just got here, but I¡¯m really sorry. I just can¡¯t move my legs anymore."

    "Me neither."

    "Same here..."

    The members'' derations of exhaustion were clear. Jin-Sung pouted in disappointment. "But Hyun-Woo hyung just got here?"

    It seemed Jin-Sung still wasn¡¯t satisfied with our practice time, but it was toote. The members had all copsed onto the floor.

    "Yoon-Chan will be here soon. Let¡¯s start again when he arrives."

    "Just give us a little break, please..."

    How intense had their practice been? After changing into practice clothes, even Jin-Sung finally sumbed andy down between Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon to cool off.

    "Huh?" I walked over to the members and took a good look around the studio. Something felt different today, and then I noticed how the cameras were set up everywhere. "What''s with the cameras?"

    "Don''t you remember from thest meeting? We are filming practice scenes for the concert footage."

    "Oh, that¡¯s today. Haha."

    I was suddenly reminded of filming <i>Chronos History. </i>Back then, cameras had been installed all over the dorm and practice room, making everyone nervously awkward in everything they did.

    Those recordings were so embarrassing now that we couldn¡¯t even bear to watch them. I had gotten somewhat used to the cameras now, but it still felt a bit off.

    "I feel like any time not spent practicing is a waste these days," Jin-Sungmented.

    "That¡¯s because we have a concerting up," Goh Yoo-Joon replied.

    I walked closer to the members. Joo-Han got up and sighed deeply. "Should we have a discussion for Jin-Sung¡¯s sake instead of resting?"

    "What discussion?"

    "About the concert setlist. Let''s go!"

    Joo-Han struggled to his feet and brought over his phone.

    "Thepany and I have decided on the order for the other songs, but..."

    Joo-Han showed us the screen of his phone. The setlist was jotted down messily, with one part in particr looking very scrambled.

    "I¡¯m not sure whether to include this or not. The staff are undecided too."

    I took the phone from Joo-Han. Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung came closer to look at the screen with me.

    "We are debating whether to include ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow¡¯ in the concert or not."

    "Eh."

    "Huh?"

    "What do you mean?"

    Our reaction was one of collective dismay, but Joo-Han justughed. "Just kidding."

    However, judging by his expression, the song might actually be included.

    "Ah, ¡®Woof Woof Meow Meow¡¯ might make it into the set."

    "What¡¯s wrong, hyung? I actually find that song kind of cute."

    It seemed the other members felt the same.

    "To be exact, we need to decide whether to perform it as a single song or as part of a medley. There''s ¡®Rasputin,¡¯ ¡®Red Riding Hood Cha Cha¡¯ and the song you guys came up with, ¡®Kang Joo-Han.¡¯"

    "A medley sounds good, doesn¡¯t it? It¡¯s our first concert, so we should unravel all the memories we¡¯ve built up with the Rings."

    We were casually throwing ideas back and forth about what to do.

    "Ah, right. Goh Yoo-Joon, teach me some dialects. You used to speak some, right¡ª"

    <i>Flick!</i>

    "...Huh?"

    The fluorescent lights in the practice room flickered momentarily before returning to normal.

    Everyone instinctively looked up at the lights.

    "What''s with that? Time to change the lights?"

    "Oh yeah, I heard they¡¯re switching the practice room lights to LED soon."

    The flickering happened a few more times, but honestly, who really cared if a fluorescent light flickers?

    "Should we be moving this meeting to the office? It¡¯s going to be a nightmare to edit if the light keeps blinking like this." Goh Yoo-Joon said as he nodded toward the camera setup with a hint of frustration.

    The room was littered with cameras, more than seemed necessary just for filming a practice session. When I first walked in, I couldn¡¯t help but notice how excessively they were ced all around thepany building.

    <i>Blink, blink, blink-</i>

    Just as we were getting back into our conversation, the fluorescent lights above started flickering again, having be so distracting to the point of annoyance. Joo-Han was clearly irritated, and he grabbed his phone from my hand.

    "I will talk to Su-Hwan hyung. If we¡¯re going to continue filming, we might need to move to a different practice room."

    "Hyung!!! Ji¡ªJin-Sung!"

    The practice room door mmed open and Yoon-Chan dashed toward us, his voice filled with urgency. This was definitely something quite uncharacteristic of him.

    "Yeah...?" The suddenness and his frantic expression froze everyone in ce, mouths open, no greetings exchanged.

    Even then, the lights continued their relentless flicker, rapid and almost artificially timed. "Hyung, this is serious!" he eximed, his voice bing higher in pitch.

    "What? Why? What''s going on?"

    The tension in the room spiked with all eyes on Yoon-Chan as he nervously peered outside, then quickly shut and locked the practice room door behind him.

    "Outside! Guys, look outside!" Yoon-Chan shouted while pointing towards the practice room door. We all rushed and pressed against the ss wall of the practice room, eyes scanning the scene unfolding outside.

    "What the heck is that...?"

    Through the ss, the sight was almost cinematic. There were about twenty figures in full tactical gear securing the building''s entrance with padlocks and pacing the hallway.

    "What in the world?" I muttered under my breath. My mind was racing because of the confusion.

    In that bewildering moment, all our phones rang in unison, breaking the heavy silence.

    [Chronos'' First Concert - First Content: True Escape!]

    - You are now portrayed as powerful viins threatening the nation. Evade the special forces that havee to capture you and find the keys to escape the building!

    - Objects useful for your abilities are hidden around the building.

    - Your first clue is in the box located in the corner of the practice room''s changing area.

    ¡ùAll members must work together.

    ¡ùFor the sake of visuals, no practice outfits! Please dress nicely in your personal clothes.^^

    - If you manage to escape, there will be gifts waiting for the Rings!

    "Gosh, seriously?"

    "They could have given us a heads-up before doing something like this! But it does sound like it could be a st."

    It finally made sense why there were cameras practically everywhere. This was all part of a <i>UTube </i>series designed by thepany to ramp up excitement among the Rings before the actual concert.

 Chapter 338: Concert (2)

    <h4>Chapter 338: Concert (2)</h4>

    ¡°Do they always kick things off so suddenly?" Jin-Sung muttered as he rummaged through the corner of the changing room to search for the aforementioned box.

    ¡°I have no clue either," I shrugged in response. Honestly, if this had been nned as a surprise, any announcement would''ve felt abrupt for us. The members were clearly taken aback and a bit miffed, yet there was an undeniable thrill in the air.

    ¡°Here it is." Joo-Han discovered the box hidden under a pile of clothes, pulled it out and popped it open. There were cell phones and a sheet of instructions inside.

    [Escape Game Powered by Tinta Electronics'' Slim S Rainbow 8!]

    Chronos, are you ready for the challenge? Each participant may take one cellphone. The practice room you are currently in is your only safe zone. Special forces patrol predetermined routes outside this area. Evade them while searching for clues and abilities! Escape within two hours by finding the key to seed!

    ¡ùPlease make sure to use the Slim S Rainbow 8 for recording!

    ¡°It''s kind of like a massive game of hide and seek with lots of seekers."

    ¡°That actually sounds pretty exciting, doesn¡¯t it?"

    ¡°So, besides clues, do we get any special abilities that could give us an advantage?"

    While the members were busy digesting the game instructions, Goh Yoo-Joon, who was always quick on the uptake, snatched the instruction sheet and read aloud with a dramatic ir.

    ¡°Ah! Now I get it! It¡¯s a game that involves the Slim S Rainbow 8!"

    ...Oh, right. Everyone had been so focused on understanding the game mechanics that they only just noticed the mention at the very top of the page. I knew we were going to be the face of this phone model, but so soon? We hadn¡¯t even had a formal meeting or anything. Was this some sort of pre-contract sponsorship?

    With the realization that we''d soon be the influencers for this phone, members exchanged knowing looks, then began to enthusiastically promote it.

    ¡°Ah. Ah, I see! This event is a game sponsored by the Slim S Rainbow 8!"

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a relief! With the Slim S Rainbow 8, escaping is just a matter of time!" Joo-Han was especially vocal, championing the Slim S Rainbow 8 with gusto. He handed out the phones to each member as if initiating a yful adventure.

    ¡°Shall we kick off the game with the Slim S Rainbow 8 then?"

    ¡°But, hyung, Jin-Sung, we¡¯ve got a problem," Yoon-Chan interjected, pointing with a worried expression toward the outside of the practice room.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°They said we need to dodge the special forces, but they are literally right outside our door."

    ¡°Oh, right. Thatplicates things."

    ¡°Won¡¯t we just get caught as soon as we step out?"

    The hallway and lobby just outside were encased inrge ss walls and doors with a staircase leading down to the first floor visible beyond. The special forces had visibly taken up positions just on the other side of the ss, effectively sealing off our only exit.

    ¡°Hmm."

    Given that the practice room and the ss walls faced each other directly, it was impossible to open the door without being seen.

    ¡°What¡¯s our move here?"

    The members naturally turned to look at Joo-Han and me for guidance. Joo-Han pondered for a moment before pointing at me. ¡°Well, since this is all part of the game, why don¡¯t we see what Hyun-Woo, our <i>Newbie Crew </i>team captain and gaming expert, suggests?"

    Typically, you¡¯d either face the opposition head-on, charging through regardless, or create a distraction and sneak away while they are upied. Considering our team had Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, who were not exactly fleet-footed, a direct sprint was out of the question.

    ¡°Splitting up might be our best bet. One group could draw their attention, while the others make a break for it." I gestured toward Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung. ¡°How about one of you joins me in creating a diversion? Or both."

    ¡°Ooh, is Suh Hyun-Woo volunteering for a heroic distraction?"

    ¡°Are you stepping up to be the hero, Hyun-Woo hyung?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung bantered back and forth.

    Joo-Han observed them for a moment before decisively pointing at Jin-Sung. ¡°Go for it, our youngest member!"

    It was like watching someone choose their Pokemon for battle.

    ¡°Go, our baby!"

    ¡°...Wow."

    Jin-Sung responded by yfully pushing his head forward toward Joo-Han. Despite their usual bickering, moments like these showed how well they really meshed as a team.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to keep filming with the Slim S Rainbow 8 once we split up. Let everyone know if you find the key."

    ¡°Okay, then Jin-Sung and I will draw the special forces¡¯ attention and lead them all the way to the end of the hallway. Meanwhile, the rest of you should leave the practice room and hide somewhere else.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Our Jin-Sung gets scared easily, so his legs will start moving automatically if the special forces chase us,¡± Joo-Han said with a big smile. He wished Jin-Sung good luck.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Jin-Sung. If we manage to lose them halfway, hide wherever you can.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    I nced at the special forces team through the ss as I grabbed the door handle. ¡°Here we go."

    ¡°Okay." From his nervous grip on his cellphone camera, Jin-Sung''s tense voice came through as he filmed both of us.

    ¡°One, two, three!" I flung the door open and bolted outside. I yelled to the security forces to make the most of the moment. ¡°Thanks for your hard work on such a hot day!"

    The special forces, who had been vigntly monitoring the practice room, and even those who had nced away momentarily, suddenly turned their attention toward Jin-Sung and me.

    ¡°Aaaaaah!!! What''s happening! This is nerve-wrecking!!!" Jin-Sung was caught off guard by their stern faces. Panicked, he yelped and started dragging me along as he sprinted away.

    ¡°At least you didn¡¯t leave me behind. Thanks, man," I muttered, following Jin-Sung¡¯s lead.

    From the safe confines of the practice room, I could hear Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯sughter. Hisughter always had a peculiar pitch that seemed slightly off.

    I shook off Jin-Sung¡¯s frantic hold on my arm and stood beside him. Despite our quick pace, the special forces chasing us seemed almostedic. It seemed as if they were intentionally going easy on us.

    ¡°Let''s split up here, Jin-Sung. You head that way, and I will go this way. Try to find a good hiding spot."

    ¡°No way, why? I¡¯d rather we stick together!"

    Apparently, this scaredy-cat wasn¡¯t just spooked by ghosts. Being chased seemed to terrify him just as much.

    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll stick together then!" I consented, seeing the sheer desperation in his eyes. I supposed it could be daunting for an eighteen-year-old to be chased by a squad, even if they were only wielding toy guns.

    ¡°This way!" I led Jin-Sung toward another vacant practice room at the end of the corridor. ¡°Hurry, shut the door and kill the lights!"

    Jin-Sung quickly flipped the switch and plunged us into darkness before clinging close to me.

    I guided him under a desk where aptop was stationed in the corner of the practice room. ¡°Stay quiet. Since the door is unlocked, they mighte in to check, but will likely leave quickly."

    Peeking through the ss, I watched as the special forces arrivedte, nced inside the practice room, and moved on instead of spotting us.

    ¡°Wow, this is turning out to be more thrilling than I expected."

    ¡°It¡¯s terrifying. If it were zombies or ghosts instead of special forces, I probably would''ve passed out by now."

    We were talking in low whispers. Cautiously, we creeped out from under the desk.

    ¡°Could there be a clue or something hidden here? Let''s search."

    ¡°But isn¡¯t this a practice room we use?"

    ¡°It¡¯s mostly used by the trainees. I saw some of them practicing herest time."

    ¡°Ah, right." I remembered hearing that the old B practice room, once dedicated exclusively to trainees, had been remodeled. Thanks to the renovation, it was opened up for trainees to use during end-of-month evaluations.

    We began searching through the desk where we had hidden. We even rummaged through the trainee practice schedules, cryptic documents, clothes left behind, and everything within reach in the changing area. You¡¯d think something would be hidden here, but nothing turned up.

    Could there possibly be something taped under the desk or chair?

    ¡°...Hmm?"

    There it was. I felt around under the chair, and my hand brushed against an envelope. I detached the tape and pulled out a card from inside, reading the brief message printed on it.

    [You, who found this card! You are the sexy and provocative dance king viin. Unleash your most captivating dance in front of the special forces, and they will be spellbound, unable to function for thirty seconds. This ability can be used only once.]

    ¡°What on earth is this?"

    Ah, so this was the kind of ''ability'' they were talking about. To use this power, I¡¯d need to dance my heart out in front of the youthful special forces actors. Why? Just why?

    ¡°..."

    If this footage made the final cut, the subtitles would surely just read ''...'' because I was speechless.

    ¡°Ah."

    Now that I thought about it, did our fans really enjoy watching us do embarrassing stuff? Was that why the staff gave us such a humiliating ability?

    ¡°Ah! Hyung, I found something. It''s a bit weird, though. Take a look."

    ¡°I found something too. Let¡¯s see it."

    Jin-Sung handed me his card with a look of dismay.

    [You, who found this card! You are the ''Agh! Just watch me!'' viin.

    Cry out ''Agh! Just watch me!'' with all your sincerity and fall dramatically. The special forces will pass you by. This ability can be used only once.]

    I couldn''t help butugh out loud. Imagining Jin-Sung performing this in front of the special forces was indeed funny. ¡°Pfft! What is this!¡±

    Jin-Sung also saw my card and openlyughed about it. ¡°You are going to be totally embarrassed, hyung.¡±

    ¡°You too.¡±

    ¡°I wonder if the other members got something simr. I¡¯m so curious.¡±

    I pocketed the card and peered outside the practice room. ¡°Let¡¯s move to another area.¡±

    I hoped we would not have to use these cards.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so scared anymore, hyung. I think I can go on my own now.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    There were no special forces in sight. I could hear someone¡¯s scream in the distance, but I couldn¡¯t tell if they were caught or still running. One clear thing was that this was the perfect time to run.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    We swung open the practice room door and dashed out, scattering in all directions immediately.

    ¡°Aaaaaagh! Suh Hyun-Woo!!!¡±

    I saw Goh Yoo-Joon charging down the hallway with three special forces in hot pursuit.

 Chapter 339: Concert (3)

    <h4>Chapter 339: Concert (3)</h4>

    ¡°Go ahead and publish the article as it is. We will be proceeding with thewsuit exactly as stated in the notice with no leniency. Yes, thank you."

    After ending the call, Chronos'' manager, Lee Su-Hwan, closed his tired eyes for a moment and sighed deeply.

    ¡°Hah."

    Exhaustion was weighing on him, but he knew he couldn''t afford to rx during such a critical time. The scandal involving Goh Yoo-Joon''s father had just been resolved, and they were now gearing up to sue a slew of maliciousmenters.

    He was overseeing the legal preparations while also managing the artists, who were busy with their first concert and about tounch a newbel. The workload would have been overwhelming if Tae-Seong hadn''te on board.

    He longed to snatch even a brief nap in the office, but... Today was one of those days when he found himself missing the cigarettes he had given up. He nced once more at the building where the Chronos members were filming before moving on.

    <i>''Sleep when you are dead</i>[1]<i>,'' </i>he reminded himself.

    His first priority was to check on the filming process of Chronos.

    ¡°Hard work deserves a little reward. I¡¯ve brought some coffee."

    ¡°Oh, wow~ Thanks, Manager Lee! We will definitely enjoy it!"

    After Su-Hwan set down the cups, the young staff members flocked like birds to a feeder and eagerly gulped down the coffee. They were part of a new content production team in charge of creating the video for Chronos'' concert eve.

    Su-Hwan watched the vibrant team for a moment before his gaze returned to the monitor.

    ¡°How''s the shooting going?"

    ¡°Perfect timing! You caught us right at a cliffhanger moment. Chronos really knows how to bring the drama."

    ¡°Thanks." He was about to return thepliment with a pleased nod when his attention was caught by what was unfolding on the monitor.

    - Aaaaah! Suh Hyun-Woo!!!

    - ...Uh? ...Oh, no. Don''te over here.

    Once again, it was Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Pfft." Su-Hwan chuckled unintentionally.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was charging toward Suh Hyun-Woo, leading three members of the special forces with an rming ferocity.

    Off in the distance, Jin-Sung looked utterly panicked as he ran for his life. Meanwhile, Suh Hyun-Woo was initially frozen in shock, but he had finally started to flee. It was always Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon who brought the unintendededy. Watching them sprint like madmen brought back memories of the old days when they filmed <i>Graduating.</i>

    Was it during the sports festival? Even though there weren''t any special forces back then, the chaos had been somewhat simr... Goh Yoo-Joon had refused to pass the baton and just kept running.

    ¡°...What exactly are the members up to now?"

    Lost in his nostalgia, Su-Hwan was jolted back to reality by what he saw on the screen. The two members were speeding along. After Goh Yoo-Joon caught up with Suh Hyun-Woo, they started to whisper conspiratorially and gained some distance from the special forces. Those two same-aged members were always plotting something.

    Suh Hyun-Woo reluctantly draped an arm over Goh Yoo-Joon''s shoulder with a visibly frustrated expression. He started to limp exaggeratedly.

    Goh Yoo-Joon shouted, ¡°We are so done! Go on without us! Make sure to survive and send my regards to my family...¡±

    Suh Hyun-Woo''s head drooped at Goh Yoo-Joon''s awkward acting.

    What in the world? Just as Su-Hwan''s confusion peaked, the special forces stopped their pursuit and carefully walked around Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°What is all this about?"

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s part of Yoo-Joon¡¯s ability. His ability is..." The director consulted a notebook that detailed the proceedings. ¡°Yoo-Joon is a viin who can turn into the hero''s friend once. If he supports a member and delivers those lines, the special forces will turn into allies for thirty seconds."

    ¡°Ah." A slight smirk appeared on Su-Hwan''s lips. That exined the limping and the terrible acting. Through the high-definition monitor, he could even see Suh Hyun-Woo''s extreme embarrassment. It was hriously awkward.

    Su-Hwan found his fatigue eased not only by their antics, but...

    - Aaaaaahhhhh!!!

    - Ugh!

    - Sorry! Really sorry! Goodbye, no, thank you, no. I will apologize properlyter!

    Meanwhile, Jin-Sung was making a scene on the other side of the corridor, screaming at the top of his lungs as he bulldozed his way through the special forces by using his sheer bulk to his advantage.

    ¡°Look here, folks,¡± Joo-Han announced, cleverly hiding Park Yoon-CHan behind him and brandishing a prop hypnosis tool in front of the troops. ¡°I¡¯m going to count to three, and you will fall asleep. Get any closer, and sleep will be the least of your worries. One, two, three. Red Sun.¡±

    The game was heating up as members scurried around, finding clues and unlocking new abilities.

    ¡°Ah! We caught one! Jail team, get ready," the director shouted as he pointed excitedly at one of the monitors.

    Already? Su-Hwan, who had been enjoying the members'' struggles, suddenly looked concerned when he saw someone being caught by the special forces after a fall. It turned out to be Suh Hyun-Woo.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo''s been caught! Oh no, he even had a special ability, but he tripped over. Yu-Ri, can you check with the special forces to make sure he is not hurt?" Su-Hwan requested, clearly flustered.

    ¡°Yep, sure.¡±

    Su-Hwan had never expected Suh Hyun-Woo, of all people, to be caught so early. He was supposed to be one of thest ones standing.

    ***

    ¡°Ah, that''s such a bummer.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

    ¡°No, no, I¡¯m perfectly fine," Hyun-Woo quickly reassured the staff.

    It all happened in the blink of an eye. After smoothly dodging the special forces with a painfully embarrassing ability with the help of Goh Yoo-Joon, I dashed into the nearest room to hide. There, I stumbled upon a clue and an ability named ''Goodbye My Love Viin.'' I let my guard down for a moment, and the special forces appeared at the end of the hallway just as I was stepping out.

    I panicked, ran, tripped, and ended up in their grasp. How had I, of all people, be the first member to be captured?

    The real problem was the impact on my screen time. I had been so obsessed with it during the past few months of shooting<i> Newbie Crew </i>that the thought of being eliminated so early was agonizing.

    If only I had managed to use my new ability or even performed a dramatic dance to leave asting impression... But then again, the abilities Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon had found were far more sensational than my dance to secure lots of air time.

    Still, the ''Goodbye My Love Viin'' ability seemed promising. It involved acting like someone heartbroken over a breakup and singing a sorrowful song, which might have earned some sympathy from the special forces, potentially sparing me. But being caught so quickly and sent to jail was frustrating and didn''t sit right with me.

    I pondered, ''<i>I can''t just give up on the game. What should I do?'' </i>

    <i>''Cry.'' </i>I recalled Joo-Han''s advice to do whatever it takes to get more screen time. I approached the special forces tentatively.

    ¡°Excuse me, could we have a word?" I asked gently.

    ¡°Let''s talk in the jail," they responded.

    ¡°Okay..." I agreed, resigned. They handcuffed me and led me away.

    ¡°...¡±

    Once alone in the jail, I took a moment to look at the handcuffs binding my wrists and spoke up. I was hoping to strike a deal with the director who was filming.

    ¡°Director, would you consider a deal with me?"

    After all, this content was made to showcase various sides of the members. I had to secure my screen time by any means necessary. That was the unwritten rule of the industry.

    Fortunately, the director seemed to be intrigued. ¡°What''s the deal?"

    ¡°Please let me out of jail.¡±

    ¡°And if I do?" he prodded.

    ¡°I will bring another member in," I promised and gave a mischievous grin that made the director chuckle darkly, almost as if he was revealing his true, scheming nature.

    His expression seemed to say, <i>¡®Yes, that''s exactly what I wanted to hear!'' </i>

    ¡°So, Hyun-Woo. Are you suggesting bing a spy for the special forces in exchange for your freedom?" he rified.

    ¡°Yes, exactly.¡±

    ¡°And you do realize this might prevent Chronos from escaping, right? That would mean no gifts for the Rings,¡± he pointed out, already seeming to ept my proposal by his tone.

    ¡°Then tell me how I can still secure gifts for the Rings, and I will do that," I offered, ready to do whatever it took.

    ¡°Well, what do you stand to gain by stirring up such trouble?"

    Why am I stirring up a muddy mess for myself? Of course...

    ¡°I¡¯m doing this for screen time. I was eliminated too early..."

    ¡°Ah, I see. Give me a moment. I will discuss this with other directors ande back."

    ¡°Thank you for listening to my proposal!"

    [¡ùAll members must cooperate.]

    I decided to erase this line from the game''s starting instructions from my mind.

    Soon after, the director I talked to returned and unlocked my handcuffs. ¡°There''s a condition. You must not let anyone find out you are a spy."

    ¡°Understood."

    ¡°And if you want to give gifts to the Rings, either you must help the remaining members escape, or you must be the first to find the key and bring it to us before the other members notice."

    If I couldn''t find the key or if the members didn''t escape within the time limit, the gifts for the Rings would disappear.

    ¡°So, there is an additional way to provide gifts to the Rings."

    ¡°The other directors suggested we do this so the Rings can still receive gifts somehow. Let''s get started."

    A pair of handcuffs was fastened around one of my wrists.

    ¡°This will signify that you are a spy. The members will be suspicious if they see this. Be careful not to get caught."

    ¡°Is it possible to recruit another member?"

    ¡°It''s possible, but that member would also need to be captured and go to jail once before being released."

    I received my confiscated phone back and turned on the video after I left the jail.

    ¡°Where could the key be, hyung?" I asked the special forces member apanying me out, but he shyly shook his head, indicating he didn''t know.

    Thinking back, it seemed I had yed a simr role in <i>Flying Man. </i>I set off leisurely to find the other members with a relieved mind.

    1. Oof, it sounds a bit extreme, but Koreans say this a lot. ?

 Chapter 340: Concert (4)

    <h4>Chapter 340: Concert (4)</h4>

    I figured I should start with the easiest target among the members. It would simplify the mission a lot if I could get Joo-Han on my side, but unfortunately, he and Yoon-Chan were off-limits. They were both too perceptive, so a single offbeat conversation would make them suspect something was up.

    Jin-Sung might be easier to fool, but he was the hardest to catch since he was the most diligent at dodging and escaping. I would have to pass on him. Therefore, I decided to target Goh Yoo-Joon first.

    "Special forces, if you happen to see Goh Yoo-Joon while you are around, please let me know immediately. He used to be a ry runner, so he''s incredibly fast."

    "Okay!"

    "Where could that key be? Hmm, where could it be?"

    As I chatted casually with the cameraman, I searched every corner of the room I had entered. Finding the members was crucial, but so was diligently searching for the key.

    "You seem quite rxed, Hyun-Woo," the cameraman noted.

    I shrugged nonchntly and hummed a tune as I strolled out of the room.

    Maybe the game would have been even more fun without the immediate threat of the special forces chasing me. Imagining the contrast in the final edit of me strolling carefree versus the other members frantic and tense while searching for hints and keys brought a pre-emptive smile to my face.

    "Have the members already moved up to the third floor?"

    I''d better head up there too and start picking them off one by one. I took out the smartphone that was given and pulled up Goh Yoo-Joon''s contact in the messenger. Pressing the call button, it rang a few times before Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice came through.

    - Hey, what¡¯s up? Where are you?

    "Where are <i>you?"</i>

    - I am about to head up to the third floor.

    "Have you already searched all of the second floor?"

    - Uh... not really? But there are just too many special forces on the second floor.

    It seemed he was opting to start from the third floor due to the lower risk of capture at the game''s starting point on the second floor.

    "Let''s search together. I¡¯ve just finished checking the second floor thoroughly, and it¡¯s likely on the third."

    - You want to team up?

    "Since it¡¯s a team game, we will find the key faster if we work together. What if there¡¯s another ability we can use together like earlier?"

    - Um, okay. Come up to the third floor.

    "Alright, I¡¯ll meet you there."

    I hung up and made my way to the third floor.

    "Goh Yoo-Joon is said to be on the third floor. I¡¯ll try to catch him there." I dangled the handcuffs in front of the camera on my wrist, signaling my intentions.

    Once I capture Goh Yoo-Joon, I nned to recruit him right away. His easygoing nature made him an ideal recruit, and he was surprisingly sharp when it came to strategizing in games like this. Having him as an ally would be a substantial advantage.

    "Suh Hyun-Woo!"

    As soon as I reached the third floor, someone called out to me. I turned toward the voice to see Goh Yoo-Joon signaling from the doorway of a room near the third-floor staircase.

    I pretended to check the surroundings and walked over to where he was hiding. As I entered the room, Goh Yoo-Joon immediately startedining. "Hey, where have you been? I¡¯ve been looking for you on the second floor for ages."

    "I was just on the second floor now. Looks like we just missed each other. But why do you ask?"

    "Well, Jin-Sung thought he saw you get caught earlier."

    Oh, so Jin-Sung saw that while fleeing?

    I casually brushed it off. "I almost got caught, but managed to escape just fine."

    "Oh, really? That¡¯s good. Anyway, let¡¯s get out of here. I¡¯ve already found everything there is to find here. I even found a hint~ But I am not showing it to you~" Goh Yoo-Joon hummed a tune as he opened the door to leave.

    I followed him out, noting the clear absence of special forcespared to the second floor as he mentioned earlier. "Are there no special forces here at all?"

    "There are some, but not as many as on the second floor."

    "Ah, I see."

    Thisplicated things. I was not strong enough to overpower Goh Yoo-Joon and drag him to jail on the second floor by force. I had hoped to subtly assist the special forces in catching him if we encountered any. It appeared the production team ced fewer on the third floor, likely to encourage more active exploration by the members.

    Since I couldn¡¯t get help from the special forces, I would have to persuade Goh Yoo-Joon to move toward the spot where more special forces were located.

    "Alright. Let''s keep looking then."

    I trailed after Goh Yoo-Joon and made our way into the next room. I scanned the area for any potential hiding spots and clues and quickly positioned myself strategically, even before Goh Yoo-Joon had a chance to settle in.

    "I will take a look around here. Why don''t you head over to the changing room?" I suggested casually.

    "Okay." He agreed and turned toward the changing room while I rummaged through every nook and cranny of the ce I had chosen. I looked through the desk drawers and a couple of rickety chairs.

    It would be a real breakthrough if I could find just one useful hint. Time was of the essence since we had to round up the team members and locate the keys quickly. My search paid off when I discovered an envelope tucked in the lowest drawer.

    [Go to a ce where the lights never go out.]

    It was definitely a clue. I stared at it, puzzled.

    "..."

    <i>¡®What in the world does that mean?''</i>

    I decided to tackle itter. After a brief attempt to decode the message, I quickly gave up and called out to Goh Yoo-Joon. "Hey, I found something. It¡¯s a hint."

    "Really? I want to see it too!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon appeared from the changing room clutching a card. It could be another clue or some kind of ability that I didn¡¯t know about.

    As Iid the clue I found on myp, I probed, "What¡¯s that you got there? A hint? Or is it an ability?"

    "Ability~" He responded with a mischievous grin.

    "...Really? You look pretty suspicious," I pressed, squinting at him skeptically.

    "For real, for real. Let''s share them, shall we?"

    "Fine, but you go first. We¡¯re a team, right? We should be transparent with each other if we¡¯re going to find this key. There should be no secrets," I said half-jokingly, half-serious. Though I pretended to be irritated that he was holding back, I didn¡¯t really mind. If he got eliminated, all his clues would be mine anyway.

    Seeing that Goh Yoo-Joon wasn¡¯t easily going to reveal his card, I yed along and reluctantly showed him my hint first. "I¡¯m not sure if this tells us where the key is, or if it''s hinting at another location where more clues lie. But it says to go to a ce where the lights never go out."

    He peeked at the card in my hand, then looked at me with raised eyebrows.

    "What does that mean?"

    I didn¡¯t know.

    "I think it means..." I bluffed, trying to sound knowledgeable.

    "It means...? Oh, you mean~" He yed along as he caught on to my act.

    "It¡¯s probably telling us to check out the second floor, like our practice room or where the trainees have their monthly sessions," I spected, hoping he¡¯d buy into my theory.

    "Uh... really?" He was obviously reluctant. It was understandable since the special forces team had practically taken over the second floor.

    I continued and pieced things together as I spoke. "It says the lights never go out, right? Maybe it''s a metaphor, implying that either the trainees or we are practically practicing 24/7."

    "Hmm, I had thought of that too," he admitted, finally starting toe around to my interpretation.

    "Exactly. And maybe there are so many special forces on the second floor precisely because that''s where the key is."

    That wasn¡¯t actually what I believed. I thought the real clue suggested the key was on the third floor, and the special forces were on the second floor to encourage us to move up instead of lingering there.

    But I kept nodding by going along with Goh Yoo-Joon''s deductions and suddenly got up. "So, should we head back down to the second floor then?" I proposed, trying to sound enthusiastic.

    "...Ha, guess we should. I¡¯m really not keen on going down there with all those nerves."

    "We have to, though. Think about our Rings waiting for their gifts."

    I pulled him to his feet and linked arms with him as we made our way down the corridor.

    "Let¡¯s start with the trainee practice room. It¡¯s probably the ce where the lights stay on the longest. If it feels too risky, we can always duck into our practice room," I suggested, ying it cool.

    Our room was considered a safe zone, after all. "And besides, we are both pretty fast runners. Haha, let¡¯s go."

    "...You¡¯re suddenly very chatty. Hmmm, that¡¯s suspicious."

    Truth be told, I had already scoped out the trainee practice room with Jin-Sung earlier, but my earlier suggestion was merely a ploy to get Goh Yoo-Joon to the second floor.

    Then, the moment arrived. Goh Yoo-Joon sneakily peered through the gap in the door at the emergency exit on the second floor to survey the corridor. He turned to me with a visibly anxious face.

    "Dang, seriously... There are too many, ugh. Looks like we might get caught, Suh Hyun-Woo."

    "..." I quietly watched him for a long while. "Yoo-Joon."

    "...Yeah? What¡¯s up?" It was rare for me to call Goh Yoo-Joon by his first name without the formalities. It seemed he instantly noticed the change in the atmosphere. He took a step back. I held up the clue card in my hand, frowning and tilting my head in confusion.

    "I honestly don''t understand what this clue means."

    "What?"

    I tightened my arms and crossed them over my chest to prevent Goh Yoo-Joon from getting any further away. "Do you know why I suggested wee down to the second floor?"

    "Why are you suddenly so intimidating?" Goh Yoo-Joon paused mid-question, and his face broke out in goosebumps. "Isn''t this a team game?"

    <i>Clink-</i>

    At that moment, my sleeve slid down my arm just in time to reveal the handcuffs as I held the card.

    "...Uh." Goh Yoo-Joon became startled and had instinctively lowered the phone he was filming with.

    I grabbed his wrist, lifted the phone back up, and flung the emergency exit door wide open. And then I screamed. "Waaaaah!!!"

    Every member of the special forces on the second-floor corridor turned their attention our way and rushed toward us.

    "Damn it!! Suh Hyun-Woo! What the heck?"

    Our team''s tallest member panicked and tried to escape. Naturally, I was shaking from the chaos, but I didn''t let go of him or the phone. This guy was not only fast, but since he also found an ability in the changing room, I knew he''d definitely escape if I let go.

    "Suh Hyun-Woo, what''s with you? What''s this? Are you a spy?"

    "Yes!"

    "What, for real?" Goh Yoo-Joon looked at me with betrayal on his face as the special forces closed in and surrounded us. He seemed resigned as he let himself rx.

    I released his arm, and the special forces took over and securely bound him.

    "Wow, really... I trusted you, though."

    "Why would you trust me?" I took the handcuffs from the special forces and locked them onto Goh Yoo-Joon''s wrists. And as we pretended to be captured by the special forces and headed to jail, I asked, "Since you got caught, don''t you think it''s a bit of a shame to end things this way?"

 Chapter 341: Concert (5)

    <h4>Chapter 341: Concert (5)</h4>

    "It''s a shame, really... But..."

    So what?

    Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s wrists were bound by the special force. His expression was a mix of frustration and defiance. Instead of responding, I simply rattled the handcuffs adorning my own wrists. Seeing this, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s eyes twinkled mischievously, and his grimace quickly transformed into a beaming smile.

    "Boss!"

    Oh, I guess there was no need for sweet talk, eh?

    "Just spare me. I will give it my all." Goh Yoo-Joon quickly caught on to what I was about to propose and switched allegiances with a sly grin that seemed too cunning forfort.

    I pretended to mull over his offer, then nodded solemnly and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Alright, your life is spared. Now make sure you live up to your promise."

    "Ah, yes, yes. Of course, Boss."

    "Why do you keep calling me ''Boss?¡¯"

    But I knew Goh Yoo-Joon well enough to expect this from him. He always said winning or losing didn''t matter as long as he had fun.

    "Let¡¯s continue this chat in jail," I said.

    "Sounds good to me."

    Goh Yoo-Joon followed the special forces to jail without a fuss.

    After about five minutes, he was released and received a crash course in spy tactics from the director.

    <i>Clink, clink-</i>

    As we walked side by side, the clinking of our handcuffs could be heard. It was somewhat embarrassing because it sounded like the bells of defeat.

    "Anyway, the goal is to get everyone to jail, right?"

    "Right, you handle the members. I''ve got to find the key."

    Goh Yoo-Joon shot me a suspicious look. "Wait, why are <i>you </i>on key duty? Are you nning a solo escape?"

    I dodged him pretending to lunge at me to put me in a headlock. "Did you not catch what the director said earlier? I''ve got to find the key first and bring it to jail to get the gift for the Rings."

    "Oh, right, okay."

    We picked up our pace. Goh Yoo-Joon was now as rxed as I was after his brief stint in jail. He seemed carefree and scouted for the other Chronos members without a hint of concern.

    "Man, at least pretend to be on guard. If the special forces see you too act too rxed, fooling the team will be tough."

    "Got it, got it. But if we are tricking members into elimination, Joo-Han hyung should be thest one."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was on the same wavelength as me. Joo-Han was always the sharpest and quickest, so getting him eliminated if he got suspicious would be a tough nut to crack.

    "Let¡¯s start with the easiest target first... Hold up." Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly paused and stared at me.

    What? I raised an eyebrow.

    "Wow~ You thought of me as the easiest catch, didn¡¯t you?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled. ¡°That¡¯s why I was the first one you nabbed?"

    He mimed putting me in a headlock, so I quickly backed away and pointed in the opposite direction. "Who knows? Anyway, take care and keep those cuffs quiet. I rmended targeting Yoon-Chan first."

    "Wow, did you see this, everyone? Hyun-Woo always kills me first in a heartbeat if ites down to games like this. Let''s go~"

    "Check the second floor, thene find me."

    Goh Yoo-Joon muttered into his self-cam and headed in the direction I pointed to.

    "Guess it¡¯s time I started looking for that key."

    It felt easier to divide tasks now that I had an ally. While Goh Yoo-Joon took up the task of finding members, I was all in on the key finding mission.

    First, I collected all hints and powers from the second floor. The hints were mine to use, and though I wouldn''t need the abilities myself, keeping them from other members could prove crucial.

    I ended up with three hints. Those were ¡®Go to a ce where the lights never go out,'' ''The target is at the peak,'' and ''It¡¯s dark and hard to see.''

    It would have been better if they were more direct. The hints were frustratingly vague, all metaphorical and open to interpretation. But considering all the Chronos members participated in this game, the production team wouldn''t have made it too difficult to the point that only Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan could decode them.

    When I interpreted them literally...

    ''The lights never go out.''

    ''The key is at the highest point of the building.''

    ''It¡¯s dark.''

    I decided to go to the highest spot first since the second hint seemed the easiest to interpret. The rooftop seemed like the most obvious first stop.

    As we prepared to move on, Goh Yoo-Joon scanned the area cautiously before quickly whispering, "Suh Hyun-Woo, I checked the other side, but there is no sign of members. Seems like they are all on the third floor?"

    "Then let¡¯s head to the third floor too."

    "Did you find any good hints?"

    "From what I can tell, it''s either the third floor or the rooftop."

    After sharing the hint with Goh Yoo-Joon, we headed toward the third floor.

    "What does this even mean...?" Goh Yoo-Joon grumbled while trailing behind me.

    "By the way, I spotted Jin-Sung earlier, but there''s no sign of Joo-Han hyung and Yoon-Chan."

    "I caught a glimpse of them too. Looked like they were sticking together."

    "Both of them? That will make it tough to snatch Yoon-Chan then."

    "Exactly. If Joo-Han hyung is around, they will tag us as spies and it''s straight back to jail for us."

    "We need to avoid Joo-Han hyung as long as possible."

    "Like he¡¯s some kind of final boss."

    "What¡¯s that about a final boss?"

    Just then, a familiar voice echoed. We froze mid-sentence, mid-step.

    "..."

    Crap, my eyes darted up the stairs. Joo-Han, phone in hand, was peering down at us with a smirk that made him seem like the big boss of an adventure game.

    "Uh?"

    "Weren¡¯t you guys just talking about me?"

    We were taken aback by Joo-Han''s smiling face, which was kind yet determined. We found ourselves staring at him with our mouths agape without even realizing. Looking up at him felt like how an adventurer must feel when facing a great demon king. It was not as though Joo-Han was tormenting or killing us, but still, there was an inexplicable tension in the air.

    "No? No, we were not talking about you."

    Goh Yoo-Joon''s feeble attempt at acting only made Joo-Han''s smile grow wider. He turned to head deeper into the third floor. "Come on up, guys. Let¡¯s head to a spot where there are no special forces. There are still some ces here I haven¡¯t checked for hints. Let¡¯s look together."

    "Yeah, sure!"

    "Okay!"

    We hurried up the stairs to follow Joo-Han. Once inside, he began scouring the room as if he wasn¡¯t concerned about anything.

    "Hurry up and search. If we are done with this room, we''ve covered the whole practice area on this floor."

    "That quick?"

    "And the hints?"

    Joo-Han nodded. "The hints were straightforward, so I''ve got a rough idea where the key is. Not sure exactly where, but with Jin-Sung and Yoo-Joon keeping the special forces busy, it¡¯s been quiet around here."

    Come to think of it, all the ruckus involving the special forces had indeed been because of Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung. Their antics had inadvertently given Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan some breathing room to carry out their quiet investigation.

    "So I sort of figured out where the key might be." Joo-Han stopped and turned to us, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But I am not going to tell you guys."

    "...!"

    "Hyung..."

    Joo-Han just chuckled, giving us a knowing look that confirmed he had pegged us as spies.

    Chills ran down my spine. He knew. He was certain about it.

    Joo-Han nced at our wrists. "What¡¯s that on your wrists, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon?"

    How did he spot that underneath our sleeves? Because of the tension, Goh Yoo-Joon was unable to hide his nerves, so he quickly hid his handcuffed wrist behind his back.

    Joo-Han quizzed us. "What¡¯s going on with you guys? Is there something I should know about other than trying to escape? You¡¯re not exactly on our side, are you?"

    We were busted way too soon. I knew running into Joo-Han was a surefire way to get caught, but... We should not have met him this soon. I had no idea he would be right at the entrance.

    "Hey..." Goh Yoo-Joon subtly nudged me forward. He mouthed, ''You talk.''

    "...Alright." I stepped forward and gathered my courage before approaching Joo-Han. "Hyung, let me exin¡ª" I began recounting everything that had happened since my elimination, trimming down the details.

    "Oh, so that¡¯s what happened." Joo-Han looked at us as if we were just a couple of clueless kids, then let out a dismissive chuckle. "You guys are such amateurs. No wonder you got eliminated before Jin-Sung."

    "Ah, well. That''s how it went. Hyung, please. Just this once. Please forgive us."

    Joo-Han tilted his head as if puzzled by our plea, then gave a small and sarcastic p. "I was about to praise you for doing so well."

    "What?"

    "Huh?"

    Joo-Han burst intoughter. "It looks like you were trying to make sure you got enough screen time. Well done." His hand on my shoulder felt oddly heavy.

    What was this? Was he hinting that I didn¡¯t pull my weight in the <i>Newbie Crew</i>? His praise didn¡¯t feel like apliment at all.

    "If you had been eliminated outright, you would¡¯ve barely made a two-minute appearance. Smart move, Hyun-Woo."

    Joo-Han then held out his clenched fists toward me. "Go ahead, arrest me."

    "Huh?"

    Joo-Han urged me to hurry up and arrest him by shaking his hands. "I figured out the location of the key too quickly, and wondered what to do about it. I thought I might as well use my abilities in front of the special forces."

    As soon as he heard Joo-Han''s praise, Goh Yoo-Joon became visibly rxed and cheekily replied, "Don''t show your worry about screen time in front of the camera, hyung~"

    Goh Yoo-Joon couldn¡¯t contain himself anymore. Well, Joo-Han was notorious for his greed for money and screen time. Literally everyone knew about it, so there was no point in pretending otherwise in front of the camera.

    Ah, so despite having found the key, he hade back down to the second floor, nning to use his powers in front of the special forces.

    "But what are you going to do after being caught?" I asked him as I cuffed his hands.

    "This might make a more interesting scene. Let''s recruit Yoon-Chan while we¡¯re at it. And then¡ª" Joo-Han paused to think for a moment, then spoke with glee, "Let¡¯s all prank the coward Jin-Sung! Haha! I can''t tell if he''s going to cry or not, but he will definitely be startled!"

    Joo-Han really enjoyed teasing Jin-Sung in various ways because he found it endearing.

 Chapter 342: Concert (6)

    <h4>Chapter 342: Concert (6)</h4>

    The corridor where Jin-Sung ran into was dark.

    <i>"Huff... Huff, </i>why, why are we doing this?" Lee Jin-Sung panted heavily as he barricaded the door with his body, suddenly looking stricken. He turned his gaze to the camera filming him. "Everyone, I¡¯m very scared right now..."

    There wasn¡¯t anything inherently frightening about the situation, yet the mere fact that it involved being chased was enough to terrify the easily spooked Lee Jin-Sung. On top of that, the echoes of other members¡¯ screams, the menacing footsteps of the special forces, and the recent elimination of Suh Hyun-Woo amplified his fear.

    Indeed, a significant source of his panic was witnessing Suh Hyun-Woo being eliminated right before his eyes. As they were fleeing, the ominous stomping of the special forces had abruptly ceased. Turning back, he saw Suh Hyun-Woo had fallen with numerous special forces swarming over him like a horde of zombies. Lee Jin-Sung had felt a chill run down his spine and his blood had turned to ice.

    This was no ordinary game. If he got caught, he might endure the horrific fate his member had faced.

    "Oh, I absolutely hate this." Lee Jin-Sung trembled and rubbed his arms as a wave of goosebumps swept over him. He continued speaking to the phone¡¯s camera while surveying his surroundings. "Listen up, everyone, I can hear footsteps outside, but I will venture out again once they stop."

    The stairwell was pitch-dark with only the green glow of an emergency light piercing the gloom.

    "..."

    It was eerie.

    Lee Jin-Sung recognized this scene from the thriller dramas the old crew loved. They always featured someone in a desperate chase like this...

    "Ugh..." He swallowed nervously, almostughing at the irony. Engaging in such thoughts during filming was ludicrous. It was something he¡¯d never confess to the other members.

    <i>¡®Being here is terrifying enough!''</i>

    How can the world be filled with so many frightening things?

    Just as he imagined a scene from a thriller drama, he found himself wishing to confront the special forces instead. This ce was too dark and damp, emitting an ominous vibe as if something sinister might emerge any second. If he heard even a slight sound of footsteps while he waited... he knew he wouldn¡¯t be able to stand it.

    Jin-Sung suppressed the instinct to look toward the even darker and more frightening staircase below, and remained focused on the door and the camera amidst palpable tension.

    <i>Thump, thump¡ª</i>

    Silence enveloped him, his nerves on edge, unprepared to detect any sign.

    <i>Clunk!</i>

    "Jin-Sung?"

    "Eeeeeek!!!" Lee Jin-Sung screamed at the top of his lungs as Park Yoon-Chan entered through the emergency exit. His shriek echoed through the room.

    "Why are you screaming? What¡¯s up?" Park Yoon-Chan got startled and stepped back.

    Recognizing his fellow bandmate, Lee Jin-Sung finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly approached him. "Hyung! I''ve missed you so much, gosh! I can''t remember a time when I wanted to see you more!"

    "What were you up to here?"

    "Hiding! Hyung, we¡¯re in big trouble. Suh Hyun-Woo hyung got caught."

    "Suh Hyun-Woo hyung?" Park Yoon-Chan scanned the deste third-floor corridor, then helped Lee Jin-Sung to his feet. "Let''s head out. Joo-Han hyung said he has found all the clues and abilities."

    "Really? That quick?" Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s face lit up with excitement, and Park Yoon-Chan nodded with a slight smile.

    "It seems you were really scared. Have you been hiding here all this time?"

    "...Not exactly! I did a bit of scouting around!" He hadn¡¯t discovered anything, though, given how tense he had been about the situation outside.

    Lee Jin-Sung awkwardly stood up and could tell from Park Yoon-Chan''s casual demeanor that he had anticipated as much. Knowing that Park Yoon-Chan hadn¡¯t expected much from him didn¡¯t bother Lee Jin-Sung. Rather, Park Yoon-Chan''s presence was immensely reassuring.

    With the game nearing its climax, Park Yoon-Chan was the only solid support Lee Jin-Sung felt he could depend on. He trailed behind Park Yoon-Chan, all smiles. "Hyung, where are we headed now?"

    "Joo-Han hyung told me toe find you since we''ve got the key now. We need to stick together."

    Lee Jin-Sung didn¡¯t question it. After all, today¡¯s game was about cooperating.

    <i>Jingle, jingle-</i>

    A mysterious sound could be heard from Park Yoon, but Lee Jin-Sung didn¡¯t notice.

    Unlike Kang Joo-Han and Suh Hyun-Woo, Lee Jin-Sung had never worried about his share of the screen time. He was now a hero entering the viin''s den.

    ***

    The only safe zone in the building was the practice room. After Lee Jin-Sung and Park Yoon-Chan entered, they saw Kang Joo-Han looking serious while inspecting the hints.

    "You here?"

    "Hyung! We found all the hints, right?" Lee Jin-Sung was unusually more excited than usual. He thought it was almost over and it would end in their victory. He even admired how Kang Joo-Han was the brain of Chronos.

    He hated being scared, but hispetitive spirit made the situation very wee to him. Although Suh Hyun-Woo had been eliminated, they were so close to securing gifts for the Rings.

    "But what about Yoo-Joon hyung?"

    "He''s been eliminated," Kang Joo-Han nonchntly replied.

    "Huh? Can we keep going with so many eliminations?"

    It urred to him that even one elimination meant failure. He was somewhat puzzled, but now that everything was almost over, it wasn''t enough to stir his curiosity. Even if the circumstances didn¡¯t really make sense given the rules, games like this often proceeded without issues in such group variety shows. All it mattered was if the content was entertaining or not.

    This time, Suh Hyun-Woo had been eliminated too early, so they probably just pretended that didn¡¯t happen just to continue.

    "So where is the key?"

    Kang Joo-Hanid out all the clues. "It seems simpler than we thought. It''s somewhere around the emergency exit on the third floor. Anyway, it''s a high and dark ce where the light is always on. In this building, there are many ces where the light is on 24/7, but the only dark ce where the light is on is there."

    "Ooh..."

    Park Yoon-Chan added, "Since the trainees also practice here and we practically live here these days, I thought the clues were talking about the practice room at first. But that didn¡¯t make senseter since there are too many practice rooms."

    "The highest emergency exit, located somewhere from the third floor to the rooftop, must be the ce," Kang Joo-Han said and collected the clues before naturally passing them all to Lee Jin-Sung.

    "...Huh?" Lee Jin-Sung inadvertently clutched the clues to his chest and looked at Kang Joo-Han with a puzzled expression.

    Kang Joo-Han smiled firmly and said, "Did today feel rewarding to you, Jin-Sung?"

    He didn''t say it outright in front of the camera, but he was asking what else did Jin-Sung contribute to the group''s escape besides running away and hiding.

    "Ah, no..."

    Of course, Kang Joo-Han was aware that Lee Jin-Sung had been busy running and hiding all day but, in fact, that was essentially performing his role properly. He would have made enough content for the broadcast. But it wasn''t right for Lee Jin-Sung to be aware of this. Otherwise, the nned scenario wouldn''t unfold.

    Kang Joo-Han signaled to Park Yoon-Chan, who told Lee Jin-Sung, "Since you are the fastest runner and the best at finding things among us, how about you take the lead and check out this location?"

    "Huh? What about you guys?"

    "We will have to look elsewhere. We are not a hundred percent sure if it¡¯s going to be there."

    "There''s not much time left, so we need to split up and look. That''s the most likely ce."

    Lee Jin-Sung hesitated for a while but eventually nodded. "Okay. I¡¯ll do it."

    Now that the same-aged duo consisting of Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon, the fastest runners, was not around, Lee Jin-Sung was indeed the fastest remaining member. Although it was true that he had mostly given up on finding clues and abilities in thetter half of the game and had just run as fast as he could.

    "I¡¯ll do it!" Lee Jin-Sung looked at Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan. Oveing his fear was better than the powerless and frail pair consisting of Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan getting caught and Jin-Sung having to escape alone!

    "Jin-Sung, you¡¯re so cool!"

    Encouraged by Kang Joo-Han''s praise, Lee Jin-Sung stood up, ignited with a sense of justice to lead the game to victory.

    <i>Jingle-</i>

    "...Huh?"

    <i>¡®Was that a jingling sound, or did I imagine that?¡¯</i>

    Anyway, Lee Jin-Sung was about to head out. "I will go check it out, so you guys be careful and visit the other locations."

    "Sure~"

    Lee Jin-Sung looked around and stepped outside. Just a while before, there had been so many special forces on the second floor, but strangely, now they were scarcely visible.

    <i>¡®Is it because we¡¯re in thetter half of the game, so fewer people are around?''</i>

    This was rather fortunate. It would be much easier to go up to the emergency exit.

    "Hmm, by the way, where is this emergency exit supposed to be? It wasn''t there when I went earlier," Lee Jin-Sung said while recording.

    He hadn''t just stayed in one spot by the emergency exit. Even though he was running away, his conscience wouldn''t let him stay still, so he had wandered through several corridors within the emergency exits. At that time, there was no ce that really made him think there was a key hidden there.

    "Anyway, I¡¯ll go check it out."

    Leaving his puzzlement behind, Lee Jin-Sung arrived at the emergency exit on the third floor.

    The atmosphere was dark and damp as expected. The only sounds were his footsteps and breathing as he climbed the stairs.

    The ambiance made him feel as if something, be it a ghost or a person, might appear at any moment... Even with all his determination, it was a disconcerting feeling that even Jin-Sung found difficult to manage.

    "Ah, I should havee with Hyun-Woo or Yoon-Chan hyung. It''s less scary with them around."

    Being with the members who said they didn¡¯t believe in ghosts usually made things less frightening and sped up the process.

    "I''m scared, really scared, everyone."

    The only thing asionally visible was the green light of the emergency exit. Beyond that,plete darkness. Jin-Sung was nervously talking to his phone and searching around the emergency exit on the third floor.

    "Hello. Jin-Sung?"

    "...!"

    He heard a voice from the floor below the emergency exit. Was there just one person? Or more? Anyway, someone wasing up the stairs to meet Jin-Sung.

 Chapter 343: Concert (7)

    <h4>Chapter 343: Concert (7)</h4>

    Have you ever had that chilling moment when you suddenly hear someone calling your name amidst peak tension? Imagine the nerve-wracking climax of a horror movie or the heart-pounding finale of a hide-and-seek game in that kind of intense atmosphere.

    The voice that called out to Lee Jin-Sung seemed eerily calm, almost as if it wasn''t human, but an echo through the shadows. But what sent shivers down his spine was the realization that the voice belonged to Suh Hyun-Woo, who was supposedly no longer in the game.

    Cold sweat drenched Lee Jin-Sung as a bone-chilling fear took over. A sensation crept from his fingertips to envelop his entire body.

    It was not that Suh Hyun-Woo was actually dead, but hearing his voice was akin to encountering a ghost. The ominous footsteps and the jingle of something metallic yed like a soundtrack to a thriller.

    <i>Jingle, jingle-</i>

    "Jin-Sung, where are you?"

    <i>Jingle-</i>

    "Which floor are you on? I heard your voice just now."

    "Uh, me, I..." Then it hit him. He had heard the same jingling earlier from both Park Yoon-Chan and Kang Joo-Han.

    As realization dawned on Lee Jin-Sung, he began slowly walking backward, his heart racing.

    Just then, a voice cut through the tension. "Found you."

    There, smiling up at him from beneath the stairs, was Suh Hyun-Woo.

    "AHH!" Had Lee Jin-Sung ever screamed so loud at the sight of Suh Hyun-Woo''s face?

    Suh Hyun-Woo smiled as he ascended the steps. Goh Yoo-Joon, who was also supposedly eliminated, was behind Hyun-Woo. Time seemed to stand still.

    "...Jin-Sung?"

    "Ahahaha! Look at him freeze up. Jin-Sung, are we that scary?" Goh Yoo-Joon teased, making Lee Jin-Sung''s frantic thoughts pause for a moment.

    Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon were already known for their icy demeanors. They seemed doubly unnerving standing there in the dim light.

    "Hyungs, I don''t quite grasp what''s happening here, but one thing is crystal clear."

    And that thing was that he needed to bolt right now.

    Lee Jin-Sung flung open the emergency exit and sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him.

    "He¡¯s running away! Catch him!" Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice echoed alongside the pounding footsteps of Jin-Sung¡¯s pursuers.

    What was supposed to be a game turned into a real-life chase through the building''s corridors. Lee Jin-Sung realized that the key was surely already in their possession.

    Then, what happened to the game? What would happen if he got caught?

    "Why are they so fast?" Frankly, Lee Jin-Sung had no idea what was going on, but the circumstances urged him to flee. Clutching his recording phone even during his run turned out to be a wise decision amidst the chaos.

    Even though Lee Jin-Sung was known for his speed, he couldn''t outpace Suh Hyun-Woo or Goh Yoo-Joon since both had athletic backgrounds as former ry racers and were reputed to be among the fastest people in the entertainment industry. The gap between them steadily closed.

    "Help me!!!" Lee Jin-Sung shouted while running, but there was no one around to lend a hand. His sneakers screeched harshly against the floor.

    Exhausted and desperate, Lee Jin-Sung found himself back on the second floor. Just then, Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan burst out from a nearby waiting room. Kang Joo-Han extended his hand and shouted. "Stop!!!"

    Strangely enough, Lee Jin-Sung halted involuntarily at Kang Joo-Han¡¯smand-like shout. He knew he wasn¡¯t supposed to stop, but his body disobeyed him and he froze in ce.

    After a momentary pause, he snapped back to reality and attempted to dash away, only to be swiftly captured by Suh Hyun-Woo and Goh Yoo-Joon.

    "Ah! What is this...! What''s going on with you guys?"

    "Let''s handcuff him first."

    "Wasn''t today supposed to be about teamwork?" Jin-Sung asked. He was overwhelmed and felt utterly betrayed. He looked both wronged and forlorn. "Was I the only one deceived? Are all of you guys in on this? Wow, for real?"

    As his emotions welled up, the members erupted inughter and quickly secured the handcuffs.

    "Everyone, give Jin-Sung a hug."

    "I am so sorry. It wasn''t supposed to be like this."

    "We really aren''t good at this game, are we? We got out of the room too soon. Ha!"

    "And what about escaping? And the gifts for the Rings?" Jin-Sung asked. Suh Hyun-Woo proudly disyed the key. Lee Jin-Sung''s face flushed with a mix of relief and embarrassment. "Ah,e on! I was genuinely terrified..."

    "Alright, let''s move. Take Jin-Sung to jail."

    "Yep!"

    The members firmly grabbed Lee Jin-Sung''s arms and escorted him toward the dimly lit prison cell. The air was thick with anticipation as the director, overwhelmed with joy from watching Lee Jin-Sung''s unexpected heroics, greeted them.

    "Great job, everyone," he said. His voice echoed slightly in the narrow room. "The results are far more entertaining than we had nned. I am truly grateful for your dedication."

    "It was genuinely enjoyable."

    "Hyun-Woo''s suggestion really paid off," the director continued, turning to Hyun-Woo with a smile. "And of course, the gifts for the Rings will be handed out as promised."

    A collective cheer erupted from the group, punctuated by puzzled whispers. "Wait, what do you mean Hyun-Woo seeded?" Jin-Sung asked with a furrowed brow.

    The director took a moment to exin what was going on to Lee Jin-Sung, who had been out of the loop. Only after the full story wasid out did his expression shift from confusion to a sharp re directed at Suh Hyun-Woo. Suh Hyun-Woo was unfazed. He simply shrugged off the stare. His satisfaction with the shoot was evident.

    "The footage will be up on <i>UTub</i>e before the concert tickets go on sale."

    The filming wrapped up. After a brief but intense game, Chronos resumed their concert rehearsals, seamlessly shifting back into their routine as if the day''s filming was just a brief interlude.

    ***

    "Hey, they''ve finished editing the escape game episode youshot. Do you want to check it out?" Tae-Seong asked.

    "Sure, but let¡¯s watch it back at the dorm."

    Tae-Seong nced at me through the rearview mirror and nodded, sealing our n. As we talked, the uing concert loomed over us and propelled us into a whirlwind of intense rehearsals and promotional appearances.

    Despite the packed schedule, the tasks were manageable, mostly because we needed to focus on the uing show. Fatigue was inevitable with such a dense rehearsal schedule, but the thrill of performing kept us going.

    However, today was special. It was the first broadcast day for the faceless singer Eden, and my nerves were on edge. "Reina really doesn¡¯t miss a single detail, does she?" I mused aloud.

    She had meticulously arranged everything, from changing cars to hiding my identity, underlining the importance of secrecy given Eden''s growing poprity. Because Eden was the first singer produced by the top-rated singer Reina, the public''s attention was solely on Eden¡ªme.

    In a situation that had already generated significant buzz, revealing Eden¡¯s identity right from his first broadcast was simply not an option. While YMM had nned to conceal his identity, no one had anticipated that Reina would go to the extent of sending a separate vehicle for him.

    With such tight security, and even wearing an outfit far different from my usual casual clothes, I was on my way to Reina''s agency. Today would be especially draining mentally because not only would my manager change midway, but I would also need to keep my identity hidden all day.

    Considering how mentally exhausting each shoot was, I started to wonder if variety shows really weren''t for me. As I entertained these trivial thoughts, the car pulled into the parking lot of Reina''spany.

    <i>Knock, knock.</i>

    Reina tapped on the car window wearing her sunsses, then opened the door without waiting for permission. She greeted me vibrantly. "Long time no see! How''s the concert prep going? I know it''s busy. Sorry for squeezing in the schedule."

    "No, it''s actually nice to have things scheduled. How have you been?" I asked.

    "Good! I''ve been well. I wish I could have scheduled this after your concert! The producer booked this appointment on his own because he is friends with our CEO."

    While we appreciated the exposure from the high viewership on public television amidst our concert rehearsals, Reina seemed genuinely apologetic because she understood just how much time and energy a concert consumed. After all, she was known for holding the most concerts in a year in South Korea.

    "Like I said during ourst meeting, there won''t be any voice modtion during the song or even while talking," Reina reminded.

    "Right."

    "Modting your voice could raise suspicions like, ''Isn''t that a famous singer altering their voice?¡¯"

    Yeah, people would think that modting voice was proof that Eden was actually a famous singer. Therefore, there was no need for that.

    "So talk as little as you can, and slightly change your tone when you need to speak. We talked about thisst time, didn''t we?"

    "Yes, but Reina, if I barely talk, what about my screen time?"

    Reina shook her head before I could finish. "Seeing you worry about screen time makes me proud. It shows you are no longer a rookie. This time, you don¡¯t have to worry about that."

    While Reina and I were talking, her manager and Tae-Seong switched ces.

    "You don¡¯t need to worry about screen time for this show," she told me. "You won''t need to grab attention deliberately. Everyone will be focused on you regardless."

    Reina smiled confidently, thanked me, and headed toward her own vehicle.

    "She¡¯s quite something, isn''t she?" Reina¡¯s driver, who took the driver¡¯s seat, was visibly excited.

    "Yes, she really is," I agreed, recalling how I had admired her since the auditions before my debut.

    "Hahaha! I''m not a singer myself, but I really respect Reina in many ways. Alright, let''s get going!"

    The car exited the parking lot and sped toward the broadcast station.

 Chapter 344: Concert (8)

    <h4>Chapter 344: Concert (8)</h4>

    I was dressed in an oversized suit that made it impossible to gauge my physique, white gloves, and a mask that obscured my face entirely. Eden''s appearance on the broadcast was a rare spectacle. The mask, though suffocating and somewhat restricting my breathing, posed no trouble when it came to my performance since speaking and singing were unaffected.

    As soon as I stepped out of the car at the broadcast station, a barrage of camera shes from eager journalists greeted me, Eden.

    ¡°Mr. Eden! Look over here!" they shouted.

    I was well aware of the public''s keen interest in Eden¡¯s true identity from the buzzing on social media and whispered rumors, but the intensity of the attention caught me off guard. It was notmon for non-musical broadcasts to attract such fervent media attention.

    ¡°Look toward the right!"

    ¡°Please make a heart with your fingers! Yes, like that!"

    This demanding and somewhat harsh treatment was unlike anything I experienced while with Chronos. The enormous suit made me clumsy, and despite the mask, or perhaps because of it, I hesitated to strike a pose. This gave me the appearance of a non-celebrity since this was, supposedly, Eden¡¯s first time in front of cameras.

    A journalist positioned slightly apart from the others shouted toward me, almost scolding. ¡°Mr. Eden! A word, please! Aren¡¯t you aware it¡¯s customary to say, ''thank you'' or ''happy to see you here?¡¯ Is this because you are new to this industry?"

    I knew the protocol that greetings were expected, but was it necessary to be so rigid while posing? There were journalists who relished in tormenting neers.

    Complying with theirmands, I awkwardly shifted left and right. I finally managed a mumbled ''thank you'' before hurrying inside.

    The moment I entered the studio and finished a quick rehearsal, I retreated to the dressing room where Reina was waiting. Only then did I get a brief respite to remove the mask and catch my breath.

    ¡°Phew.¡±

    Holding the mask in my hands and steadying my breathing, Reina came over and sat beside me. ¡°Hyun-Woo, that must have been tough, right?"

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m managing it alright." Although I said I was fine, the solitude of performing incognito weighed on me.

    Shedding thebel of Chronos and operating as an unknown artist was disconcerting. It was like performing without a safety.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, we will soon go around and greet everyone. You know how to handle that, but still, be cautious," Reina advised.

    ¡°Yes, I will be very careful.¡±

    Together, we made our rounds. I was still veiled in a secrecy so profound that not even the production crew or the other celebrities could guess my true identity. We mingled and greeted everyone as if I were just another participant, ensuring no hints of my identity leaked.

    ¡°Since Eden is officially listed under our agency, all appearance fees are initially directed to us," Reina whispered during our rounds. ¡°That way, the production team won¡¯t figure out who you are."

    As we navigated through the bustling studio, some people tried to probe into Eden¡¯s identity. However, Reina¡¯s presence dissuaded any deep inquiries. After all, her stature in the entertainment industrymanded immense respect. Even the production team respected her because she was considered a senior figure even among established singers and actors.

    After we finished with the greetings, we returned to the dressing room to await our call to set. Reina turned to me with a serious expression. ¡°Hyun-Woo, never underestimate the fans. They are observant and astute."

    ¡°Yes, I know.¡± I was aware that my name was already circting as a likely candidate behind the mask. Discussions and spections about my identity were rampant online with theories and confirmations swirling in the fanmunities.

    This was happening not only in various onlinemunities, but also on <i>UTube</i>. There were videos titled ¡°Why Eden is Definitely Suh Hyun-Woo from Chronos." Of course, since I was not the only one suspected, hiding like this thankfully wasn''t entirely meaningless. The spection that I might be Eden was spreading among those interested in idols, especially the Rings.

    Particrly, since Eden debuted during a break for concert preparations and vacations, people seemed to think it was more likely to be me. It made sense, really.

    Anyway, Reina''s advice was to always be cautious since there were people watching the show who already presumed that I was Eden.

    <i>Knock, knock.</i>

    At that moment, a knock on the door interrupted us. I quickly flipped my mask back on.

    ¡°Yes!" Reina called out.

    The door opened, and a staff member peered in. ¡°Oh, Reina. I was looking for you. You are needed on set. We¡¯re ready to start filming."

    Reina stood up after patting my shoulder and offering words of encouragement. ¡°You got this, Eden.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± My voice was muffled behind the mask. As Reina waved goodbye and exited the dressing room, the manager who stayed behind started referring to me as Eden too.

    ¡°Eden, you can remove your mask while you wait here. Just be careful when you go out."

    ¡°Understood!"

    ¡°Due to the nature of the broadcast, there will be long waiting periods. Aren''t you thirsty?"

    ¡°No, I''m fine."

    I showed my water bottle and plugged earbuds into my ears. The show was called <i>Introduce My Singer. </i>Each panelist brings a neer or unknown artist to introduce to the audience. These performers sing songs chosen through audience requests and votes,peting without any particr theme ormonality. The performers ranked from first to third by the audience votes, along with the panelists who introduced them, receive a prize of ten million won and the opportunity to appear in the next episode.

    I was a new singer appearing in episode forty-three of <i>Introduce My Singer,</i> rmended by none other than Reina. While I might have made it onto this top-rated SES entertainment program as a member of Chronos, appearing alone would have been impossible without Reina''s support. Therefore, I needed to perform wlessly.

    The song assigned to me was "In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse" by Park Sang. It was a song from around the 1970s that should be sung softly, like a young man reading a letter to his first love on a summer night. Originally, the song didn¡¯t require high notes, but the arrangement had been modified to allow for a climax in thetter part.

    Emotions had to be conveyed, and the high notes needed to be executed well due to the arrangement. I was concerned, but Reina had assured me this was the perfect song for me. And true to her words, as soon as I started practicing, I thought, <i>''This is easier than I expected.''</i>

    The tone and emotion of the song fit my voice and style so well that singing it felt effortless to me despite itsplexity.

    I had been holed up in the dressing room for a while. Finally, a staff member knocked on the door and informed me it was my turn.

    ¡°Let''s go."

    Walking down the corridor to the studio with Eden''s staff, I could feel everyone''s eyes on me. Being the only masked performer among the contestants made me a natural focal point.

    ¡°Is that Eden?"

    ¡°Wow, Eden''s wearing a mask?"

    ¡°I wondered what he would look like, and there he is."

    Naturally, the mask and my actual appearance became the topic of murmurs and curious nces. I heard both mocking and amazedments, but I pretended not to notice. They weren¡¯t meant for my ears anyway.

    ¡°Eden, pleasee in!"

    ¡°Hello, this is Eden."

    I greeted everyone as I entered the backstage area and noticed all eyes were now on me, including those who already ended their performance.

    "Hello, Eden. Nice to meet you for the first time." One of the performers, Oh Yoo-Wol, looked curiously at my masked face and the exaggerated shoulders of my suit. Oh Yoo-Wol was a vocalist for a band who debuted just over a year and a half ago.

    We were about the same age and had debuted around the same time, but he was with a smaller agency and hadn''t seen much limelight. However, as soon as he secured a second-ce finish for three consecutive appearances starting from episode forty, the public¡¯s recognition skyrocketed. It seemed he had also secured an appearance on the yet-to-air episode forty-two.

    Since I was officially Eden and not Suh Hyun-Woo from Chronos, it was only proper that I greeted him respectfully as a junior artist.

    ¡°Hello, Senior. This is Eden."

    Oh Yoo-Wol brightened up and said, ¡°Wow, this is the first time a junior has greeted me like this. It feels really new and nice." He gently patted my exaggeratedly padded shoulder as he passed by. ¡°Good luck, Eden. I will be watching from behind."

    ¡°Thank you."

    Oh Yoo-Wol walked away without any visible nerves or concern about the rankings. Was this the carefree attitude of someone who had secured appearing on the show three times before?

    I straightened up and focused on the stage.

    ¡°Now, let''s introduce our next ''My Pick Singer!¡¯ She is a top trendsetter in Korea, wow, who in Korea hasn''t heard her songs? Everybody, let¡¯s wee Reina!"

    Her voice followed smoothly after the host''s introduction. ¡°Good evening, I''m Reina. Tonight, my ''My Pick Singer'' is..." Reina paused to create a dramatic moment perfect for a sound effect on TV to heighten the suspense. ¡°I''ve personally chosen and produced this singer, Eden."

    Excited murmurs burst from the panel and audience.

    ¡°Oh, I''ve heard a lot about Eden," the host Seo Han chimed in.

    ¡°Umm, isn''t he the one whose face hasn''t been revealed yet? I heard he is a faceless singer."

    ¡°Yes, that''s correct. His face hasn''t been revealed yet, but today! Especially for this program!" Reina paused again to stir the audience into a buzz, as fellow panelists reacted with anticipatory noises.

    ¡°...We won¡¯t unveil his true identity. Hehe..."

    ¡°Ah, Reina! Don¡¯t do that!¡± Seo Han shook the cue card he was holding. ¡°There was no mention of this in the script, but you had me thinking you were actually going to tell us who he is!¡±

    ¡°Haha, I¡¯m sorry! We won¡¯t reveal him, but I have brought him here. He is a very talented guy, and I wanted to show you his live performance.¡±

    ¡°Alright, sounds great! Now, could you please introduce him properly, Reina?¡±

    ¡°Yes, for sure! I will introduce ¡®My Pick Singer.¡¯ This is... Eden!¡±

    As Reina introduced me, the stage lights went out.

    ¡°Eden, pleasee onto the stage!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    The previously buzzing audience quieted down. I followed the staff¡¯s lead onto the stage, and soon, a video introducing Eden yed on therge screens to both sides.

 Chapter 345: Concert (9)

    <h4>Chapter 345: Concert (9)</h4>

    The introduction video couldn''t showcase any music video scenes because we couldn¡¯t reveal my identity, therefore it only featured audio clips and pictures of faded flowers on an album jacket. However, I was still the singer everyone was buzzing about with such a minimal introduction.

    After the video wrapped up, a wave of cheers reced the hushed anticipation. The stage came alive with the haunting prelude of the rearranged "In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse." The spotlight hit me, and a few of the panelists leapt to their feet instantly. Their reactions were oversized and animated, while others couldn''t help but chuckle at my appearance.

    The audience was out of my sight since they were sitting in a darkened area, hidden by shadows. I could see panelists talking to Reina, but I couldn¡¯t hear their murmured conversations. It turned out to be a blessing to have a mask obscuring my view because it brought me an unexpected calmness.

    ***

    Reina bit her lip, her gaze locked on the stage. She had never felt this kind of nervous energy watching someone else''s performance, not since her own debut. Though she hadn''t discovered Suh Hyun-Woo''s raw talent before his debut, she had nurtured it through her production, her songs, and her guidance. This was the first live show of an artist she''d crafted.

    ¡®Of course, I know Hyun-Woo can handle it!¡¯ She was acutely aware of the weight he carried alone on that stage.

    [The grand reveal of ourst My Pick Singer is... The faceless star, Eden!]

    After the intro video concluded and the audience and panel erupted into apuse, the stage lights zed to life. Reina pped vigorously along with other cast members, and her lips pressed tightly in anticipation.

    Eden finally showed himself while being cloaked in mystery by his mask. Both the audience and the performers had been buzzing with curiosity about what Eden truly looked like. But when he appeared, a wave of murmurs spread through the crowd instead of cheers. His real appearance was indeed a sight to behold.

    His mask obscured every detail as not even a single hair peeked out. He wore a suit with exaggerated shoulder pads that looked not only old-fashioned but downright silly. The gloves were so loose, clearly designed to keep even the size of his hands a mystery.

    The situation was frustrating since everyone''s anticipation and curiosity remainedpletely unaddressed. The audience and even the panelists couldn''t help but stir.

    ¡°He is totally covered up. Wow, I really didn¡¯t expect for him to show up like this!¡±

    ¡°It kind of makes him more suspicious, doesn¡¯t it? Could he be someone I actually know?"

    ¡°No way, haha! But seriously, Reina. That jacket with the shoulder pads is a bit too much. Haha!"

    ¡°Can he actually concentrate on singing while wearing that? This is the first time I¡¯ve seen someonee fully armored to this show."

    Reina retorted with a smirk. ¡°We have to prepare this much if we are nurturing a faceless singer!"

    In fact, the panelists were not at all surprised by Eden''s appearance because they already knew what to expect. Reina had made it a point to introduce him so energetically after the rehearsal that it would have been impossible for them not to know about this. Thus, Reina kept her reactions subdued, perfectly in sync with the atmosphere.

    The responses from the crowd were somewhatckluster, but the focus was more on Suh Hyun-Woo''s performance than on the panelists'' reactions. As the short intro music faded, Eden began singing the song as the instrumental could be heard from the speakers.

    ? My dear,

    Even the waiting only brings longing

    The fireflies on the grass des sketch out the Milky Way,

    And the crickets cry, creating memories

    When will youe to my side?

    As Eden''s voice soared, the previously murmuring panelists fell silent. They werepletely drawn into the song. Eden''s both poignant and mncholic tone captured the understated essence of "In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse."

    At first, many panelists were skeptical whether a vibrant young man in his twenties could genuinely convey the nostalgic sentiments and candid expressions required by this song. The originalposer Park Sang was now sixty, and he was known for his weathered voice that reflected a life fully lived, which made his songs quite distinctive.

    Eden chose to approach the song with a careful and precious demeanor, rather than a casual one. Despite the lingering presence of the original''s robust vocal style in the audience¡¯s minds, Eden¡¯s exceptional vocal expression made this rendition pleasantly memorable.

    The panelists were well aware of the challenge in performing a song so deeply colored by its original version. Some of them even spected that if today''s teens or people in their twenties and thirties, who were unfamiliar with the original, heard Eden''s version first at "In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse," they might prefer it to the more rugged original.

    As the song progressed, Eden''s unique voice and emotive power gradually intensified the emotional pull and drew everyone deeper into the performance. Yet curiosity lingered amidst this growing immersion. Who could possibly be behind that mask?

    ? I miss you.

    Do you miss me too?

    Touched by the wind,

    Today again, in the deep bronze-colored teahouse,

    I hope we can meet

    Expressing the emotions of "In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse" came naturally to Suh Hyun-Woo. It was almost effortless, reminiscent of the time when he had to record Eden''s debut song with a voice ¡°worn from betrayal, having smashed everything at home in frustration.¡± He had spent hours that day delving into those emotions, analyzing, and even found a breakthrough. This made replicating such calmness in his voice quite manageable.

    <i>¡®Eden seems in good form today.¡¯</i>

    His voice was notably better than during rehearsals, and he seemed poised to hit the high notes with ease.

    <i>¡®I definitely chose him for his skills!¡¯ </i>

    Reina couldn¡¯t help but feel proud as she observed Suh Hyun-Woo and the panelists, who were so captivated by the performance that they seemed to forget everything else.

    Reina Team''s unique arrangement intensified the song as it reached the climax, and the performance was further highlighted by Eden''s high notes that were not in the original song. How could one not react to a singer that was so skilled and had such a powerful voice?

    By the time Eden finished singing, the venue, which had been murmuring because of his strange attire, was filled with cheers.

    ***

    The song ended.

    My schedule had been lighttely with ample time spent in concert rehearsals, so this ensured my voice was always performance-ready. I felt I had done quite well. The mask helped mitigate the strangeness of the environment and allowed me to focus solely on my singing.

    Only when the song ended did I fully register the enthusiastic reactions of the panelists and the audience. Having experienced such positive feedback inpetition shows before my debut, this was a very good sign, though I wasn¡¯t sure how it would affect my ranking.

    The apuse continued, and it stretched out to ensure it was captured entirely by the broadcast cameras. As I stood there awkwardly holding the microphone, MC Seo Han stepped up to the tform in front of the panel.

    ¡°Alright! That was a fantastic performance, Eden."

    ¡°Thank you."

    ¡°Reina¡¯s ''My Pick Singer,'' Eden just covered Master Park Sang¡¯s signature song ¡®In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse.¡¯ It was absolutely wonderful. Wouldn¡¯t you agree, everyone? Didn¡¯t he do an amazing job?"

    Seo Han handed off the microphone to the audience and panelists, who responded with a resounding "Yes!"

    ¡°I never imagined this song could be covered by such a smooth and lovely voice."

    ¡°Ah, thank you so much."

    ¡°Eden, you are quite modest. Is this your first time on a live broadcast?"

    ¡°Yes, it is.¡± I felt a bit guilty, but that was the concept we were going with. ¡°This is my first broadcast and my first show, so I¡¯m really nervous.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I see. You performed so well that it¡¯s hard to believe this is your first time. But, Eden...?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    Seo Han had been polite throughout, but his face suddenly took on a crafty look. ¡°Our audience and the viewers at home are really curious about you, Eden. These are not just a few casual questions. You know that, right?¡± His eyes swept over me from head to toe.

    I unconsciously adjusted my top and nodded. ¡°Yes, I know.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been so excited to see what you''d bring to the stage. Who are you? What do you look like? I¡¯ve imagined all sorts of scenarios, but never guessed you¡¯de looking like this.¡±

    ¡°Ah, haha...¡±

    ¡°You are so covered up that it makes us even more curious. There''s got to be a reason you showed up like this, right? I¡¯m just going toe out and ask.¡± Seo Han looked seriously into the camera and then back at me. ¡°What¡¯s the story with your outfit today?¡±

    At that moment, I naturally wondered, ¡®<i>What kind of answer would make everyoneugh?¡¯</i>

    I was not naturally entertaining, so if I didn¡¯t carefully think through each response, I could end upcking screen time like in <i>Newbie Crew.</i>

    ...That was when I recalled how confidently Reina had spoken earlier today, telling me not to worry about the airtime. I decided to just rx about it.

    I gestured toward Reina. ¡°This outfit is courtesy of my producer, my boss...¡±

    Everyone''s heads turned to Reina in unison. She received their looks with ease and said,

    ¡°Eden is all about the mystery.¡±

    ¡°Heh heh!¡± Seo Han chuckled yfully. ¡°Mystery is one thing, but this outfit looks like something our dads would have worn in the 70s, you know?¡±

    ¡°People are guessing left and right about Eden¡¯s identity, so we decided to really throw them off track.¡±

    ¡°So, you wore this outfit to keep the mystery alive?¡±

    Reina nodded. ¡°Exactly!¡±

    Seo Han seemed disappointed but moved the show along. ¡°Well, Eden, you¡¯ve really put in the effort. Take a quick break backstage, thene join us in the panel area to watch the performance.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡±

    ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s give Eden a huge round of apuse!¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    I left the stage to apuse, hurried backstage, and eagerly ripped off my mask. I thought I was going to melt from the heat.

 Chapter 346: Concert (10)

    <h4>Chapter 346: Concert (10)</h4>

    I expected as much, but standing on stage with a mask on was quite a struggle. It was different from practice because the lights were so strong that aside, from feeling suffocated, I was sweating profusely. The problem was that I couldn''t wipe the sweat off because of the mask, so I just stood there pretending everything was fine. It was an unbelievable experience.

    "Great job." Reina¡¯s manager approached and handed me a sports drink. It seemed he had asked Su-Hwan or Tae-Seong during my performance which drink I preferred.

    I was resting, but our team staff hurriedly said from outside the waiting room, "The staff are on their way now!"

    I put down my drink and put the mask back on. After a good rest, it was time to head back to the set.

    When I reached the panel area, the next performer was already on stage.

    "Ah, Eden, you¡¯re here. I enjoyed your song. Wow, you are really good at singing live."

    "You''ve worked hard. Great job. Shh, the performance is still going on."

    "Thank you, Senior." I greeted in a soft voice and took my seat to watch the performance. This performer was the vocalist of an indie band, an artist with a simple and charming voice.

    Reina had told me not to worry too much about my screen time, but I still tried to make gestures here and there. If I didn''t show any reactions, I might look too insincere in the edit since I was wearing a mask.

    Several more teams took the stage. Watching them, one thing was clear¡ªReina''s capability was impressive. Because this was a popr TV show, they carefully selected talented neers for the stage, and each performer was remarkably skilled. Even though I was the main vocalist in Chronos and fairly confident, it was a challenge to stand out among these skilled performers.

    But honestly, I thought I left a good impression. I made an effort, and Reina''s ability yed a big part. The arrangement and production of the song maximized my strengths and made me seem much better than I actually was.

    When the final performer''s stage ended, Seo Han, who usually didn''t ask questions to the performers, suddenly looked at me. "With all performances done, today seems to have brought out an exceptionally strong lineup. Eden!"

    "...Yes!" I quickly picked up the microphone to respond.

    Seo Han asked again with a mischievous expression. "This is your first time on a broadcast and your first time watching performances by My Pick Singers. How was it?"

    "Everyone was so impressive. I was in awe throughout."

    "Any singer in particr stands out to you? I know they all did, but if you had to choose one?"

    "I¡¯d say... Senior Oh Yoo-Wol?"

    "Oh! Why? Why?" Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s My Pick Singer asked with a big reaction.

    "I already knew about him from TV and thought, ¡®Someone who¡¯s appeared twice really is different.¡¯ His performance was mesmerizing."

    "Wow, this is the first time you have spoken so much, right? You seem really moved by that performance. So I¡¯m asking... What do you think your rank will be today?"

    Predicting my rank? Since this was apetitive program, I needed to think carefully before answering. However, it was much easier to choose my words here than when I was questioned as a member of Chronos.

    "I¡¯m not sure. Everyone did so well. Honestly, I think I mightest."

    This wasn''t like <i>Pick We Up</i>, where I had to be cautious with every word because fans¡¯ pride could be hurt by any modesty. Since this wasn''t a show where fans had to exert effort for the ranking, it was better to be modest.

    "Heh heh! You are very humble in your response. Are you trying to maintain this humble image~?"

    "No, I genuinely think that. Thank you everyone for such fantastic performances."

    "But you were excellent today, weren¡¯t you?" the panelists hyped me up.

    "Personally, I would boldly predict Eden to be within the top two."

    "This is the first time I''ve heard someone cover ¡®In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse¡¯ so well, and his voice was exactly my type. I saw Eden for the first time today, and I am already intrigued."

    "This might be sudden, but I am curious about what he looks like under that mask¡ªI''d like to find out more as the show goes on~"

    "Wow, the panelists have rated you quite highly. Now for Oh Yoo-Wol, who Eden picked as his predicted number one! What do you think your rank will be today? Will you safely secure another appearance?"

    Seo Han¡¯s question prompted Oh Yoo-Wol, also identified as a candidate for the appearance ticket, to share his thoughts on my performance.

    "I really like the song ¡®In a Bronze-Colored Teahouse.¡¯ It''s one of my favorites that I listen to a lot, so I have never been satisfied with any others¡¯ covers on this piece."

    "Exactly. The originalposer Park Sang has a pretty unique voice, doesn''t he?"

    "But I could keep listening to Eden''s cover forever. I totally get why Senior Reina picked him as her ''My Pick Singer.'' His voice... It feels like it would perfectly match those epic historical drama songs, or anything with an Asian vibe."

    Seo Han cleverly peppered questions around while subtly pitting me and Oh Yoo-Wol against each other. I got mentioned a lot not because I was outstanding, but because Seo Han was steering the conversation in my direction.

    Reina telling me that I didn''t need to worry about getting enough airtime was true. The host made sure to secure my air time, even without me lifting a finger.

    "Right now, Reina is watching with a delighted smile. Truth be told, no matter how much we debate this, the audience gets the final say." Seo Han turned to look at the audience. "Well, everyone, the decisive moment is upon us. Today¡¯s choice seems tougher than ever. Who will be ''My Pick Singer'' chosen by you all?"

    As he spoke, a tension-filled soundtrack filled the air, the lights dimmed, and the real-time voting figures of the audience members flickered wildly on the screen. The panelists watched with bated breath, and the performers looked visibly tense.

    I was more at ease and observed the rankings casually. Neither Reina nor I were as desperate as the other performers. Eden was a side project for me, and with a busy schedule of concert preparations, I wasn''t too hung up on winning.

    Reina and I participated in this show to create a buzz and to put Eden''s skills to the test. We just wanted to make an impact when we revealed my identityter, hoping to draw a bigger reaction. We were in it without wanting much from it, just aiming for that much and concentrating on directing and rehearsing.

    ...But then the voting numbers started acting up.

    "Wow, look at those votes climbing so fast! Two contestants are really pushing ahead! Oh! Oh Yoo-Wol and Eden, Oh Yoo-Wol and Eden! Will we see a new front-runner? Is Oh Yoo-Wol about to clinch his first top spot as a regr contestant? Who will emerge victorious?"

    After voting began, the graph bars that were rising began to shoot up as if this were a neck-and-neck race between me and Oh Yoo-Wol.

    <i>¡®This might just win me a spot on the show!¡¯</i>

    I was tempted to rip off my mask right then and inspect the voting closely.

    "Come on, first ce, please," Oh Yoo-Wol muttered under his breath while sitting right beside me. His hands sped tightly together as if in prayer, his earnestness palpable.

    I returned my gaze to the screen, and the results seemed to favor the desperate one. The osciting graph finally steadied, cing Oh Yoo-Wol at the top by a slim margin.

    "The forty-third winner is...! Congrattions to Oh Yoo-Wol on securing first ce!"

    Confetti exploded everywhere.

    "Gosh! That scared me!"

    The sudden noise startled everyone, but the shock was brief. All the performers stood to apud Oh Yoo-Wol, who had never won before.

    Oh Yoo-Wol had longed for first ce, and he was moved to tears as he walked forward to the front of the stage. The production staff behind the cameras motioned for me toe forward too.

    Following Oh Yoo-Wol, I finally realized I had also won the coveted rights to appear on this highly-rated show. Wow, who would''ve thought I''d make it to second ce.

    "I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Being second three times is incredibly meaningful, but I always held onto the hope of clinching first ce someday. It feels like all my hard work has finally paid off, and I couldn''t be happier!"

    Oh Yoo-Wol shared his feelings about his first-ce ranking, and the microphone was passed to me.

    "Eden, congrattions on securing second ce on your debut. How does it feel?"

    What could I possibly say abouting in second? I caught Reina¡¯s eye before responding.

    "I never imagined I''d make it this far, so thank you so much. More than anything, I am thrilled to have another chance to show a better side of myself in the next episode... Next time, I will definitely aim for the top. Thank you so much."

    "Yes! Congrattions to both Oh Yoo-Wol and Eden! We are looking forward to more fantastic performances next week on <i>Introduce My Singer. </i>That''s all for today, and see you next time. Thank you!"

    After the cameras stopped rolling, all the performers waved to the audience and gradually exited the stage.

    "Senior Oh Yoo-Wol, congrattions on getting first ce."

    "Thank you, Eden. You sing so well, I was really hoping to see you again next week. I¡¯m d."

    "Thanks for your kind words."

    Oh Yoo-Wol shed a smile and gave my shoulder a hearty pat. "We are about the same age, so let''s be friends. We will probably be seeing a lot more of each other, right?" He seemed genuinely warm and approachable, even with his juniors.

    "I''d appreciate that, Senior."

    As our conversation was winding down, a staff member came over to take my microphone. Reina hadn¡¯t left yet because she was waiting for me.

    Just as we were about to head off, Oh Yoo-Wol led me down from the stage, hesitating briefly. He whispered very softly, "We are the same age... right? Right... Hyun-Woo?"

    "Sorry?"

 Chapter 347: Concert (11)

    <h4>Chapter 347: Concert (11)</h4>

    Oh Yoo-Wol watched Eden closely and observed his reaction despite the mask and baggy clothes.

    "What are you talking about...?" His reply was casual, but his hands froze and grasped a soda can so tightly that hisrge gloves crumpled. It was as if he''d short-circuited.

    Eden was definitely Suh Hyun-Woo.Oh Yoo-Wol was highly convinced and led him down the stairs where they had paused. "Ah, maybe I was mistaken. Your voice sounded familiar, so I had to ask."

    "Oh... Is that so?"

    "I will head out first then. Catch you at the next show, Eden."

    As Oh Yoo-Wol turned away, Eden bowed politely. "Take care, Senior."

    "...Pfft." He chuckled under his breath. Considering how Eden still called him ''senior,'' he obviously hadn¡¯t realized his true identity was found out.

    <i>''Can it really be him?''</i>

    Suh Hyun-Woo was known for his distinct stage presence, but he was surprisingly bad at acting offstage. The rumors that Eden was actually Suh Hyun-Woo had never been confirmed, probably mainly due to Reina''s careful management.

    Oh Yoo-Wol hadn¡¯t recognized him at all when they first met. Frankly, he hadn¡¯t cared about Eden¡¯s identity. While he was passionate about music and singers'' voices, he rarely showed interest in other performers.

    When he heard Eden''s live performance, he instantly recognized it was Suh Hyun-Woo because of the familiar tunes from <i>Again After Rainfall</i>. That program had captured his heart since its first season, resonating deeply with him through its thoughtful song selections and earnest approach to music. It was a show he had religiously followed and secretly hoped to one day grace as a guest.

    Oh Yoo-Wol, having risen to a level of fame himself, diligently watched the second season and delved deep into researching Chronos, but he wasn¡¯t one to obsess over every piece of content like the die-hard fans. He tuned into Chronos'' performances selectively, with <i>Again After Rainfall</i> being the exception,rgely indifferent to their group stages or chart-toppers.

    Instead, he found himself drawn to the solo tracks of members Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo, whose vocals shone in the songs he favored over dance numbers.

    His fondness for their solo work, like <i>Again After Rainfall</i> alongside "Once Again," had inadvertently solidified Eden¡¯s true identity in his mind. By the time this particr live session echoed through his speakers, he had been unintentionally sure of who was behind the mic.

    <i>¡®Not that I''m thrilled or anything.¡¯ </i>

    It was merely the surreal realization of encountering a voice he frequently enjoyed, this time in the flesh. Nheless, this unexpected revtion was a golden opportunity for Oh Yoo-Wol.

    "Hard work paid off, Yoo-Wol. Congrats on hitting number one! Didn¡¯t I tell you this was your time to shine?"

    "Oh,e on, you say that every time~" Oh Yoo-Wol chuckled, handing a bouquet of flowers to his hustling manager and nudging him toward the car in a yful shove.

    "What? Why!" the manager eximed in a mix of surprise and protest as he was cornered toward the vehicle.

    "Hyung, I think I figured out Eden''s real identity." Oh Yoo-Wol confessed as they settled into the car.

    "Really? Who is it? Everyone¡¯s been so curious, even the staff¡¯s been on a wild goose chase backstage," the manager pressed, his interest piqued as he stepped into the driver''s seat.

    Leaning back, Yoo-Wol smirked slightly. "I won''t tell you because you know you can''t keep a secret."

    "What! You bastard!" the manager grumbled, but Oh Yoo-Wol onlyughed.

    "This could be a great chance to make some useful connections. Hyung, think we can arrange a coboration with Eden for thepany?"

    "You mean for a <i>UTube </i>shoot?" the manager rified, raising an eyebrow.

    He was referring to the "Oh Yoo-Wol Does Everything" <i>UTube </i>channel they managed that blended behind-the-scenes footage with music video promotional contents. The channel had recently jumped from twenty thousand to fifty thousand subscribers following Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s appearance on the show <i>Introduce My Singer.</i>

    "Yeah, it can be behind-the-scenes footage, or... Any kind of content really. That would be great."

    "If it''s with Eden''spany..."

    The manager''s voice trailed off with uncertainty in his tone as he started the car. He did exchange a business card with MN Entertainment¡¯s manager, but Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯spany was small, and they hadn¡¯t ventured into artist coborations of this scale before. The manager silently doubted the feasibility.

    "If it¡¯s not possible, then don¡¯t worry about it."

    Aware of the long odds, Oh Yoo-Wol wasn¡¯t blind to the challenges. His years of obscurity had taught him to temper hope with realism. On top of that, Eden, the singer that the top-rated Reina was producing, was one of the most popr group member of Chronos.

    "Nothing''s impossible! Not with you, Yoo-Wol. I will get in touch with them. You said you want to coborate with Eden for your channel, right?" the manager asserted more confidently than he felt, his fingers tight around the steering wheel.

    "Do not push too hard, though."

    No matter how small thepany was, anyone would hate seeing their artists get overshadowed. "By the way, who is Eden since you are trying to set up a coboration with him? You always say you dislike anything thates with too many restrictions. You even took a break from band activities for that reason."

    "Once I got a taste of the spotlight and stood on stage, I didn''t want to step down."

    "Is this guy famous?"

    "You don''t need to know, hyung."

    "Shouldn''t you at least tell me since I¡¯m your manager?"

    Oh Yoo-Wol shrugged and turned his gaze out the window. It might seem like he was using Suh Hyun-Woo to his advantage, but objectively, this wasn''t a bad opportunity for Eden. He was a rookie singer and even wore a mask. Therefore, he surely rarely got a chance to promote his songs in front of a camera.

    Besides, Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s own poprity as a contestant was low, but the contents of "Oh Yoo-Wol Does Everything" were quite entertaining. Therefore, he hoped that Eden''s side would consider the coboration on a positive note.

    ***

    After finishing the concept meeting for "Sirens," we were on our way back to the practice room.

    "We got a casting call from Oh Yoo-Wol''s side for Eden," Tae-Seong, making me feel like hundreds of question marks popped over his head.

    Oh Yoo-Wol? Just like that? I usually weed any casting opportunities with open arms, saying, ''Please, thank you.'' But Oh Yoo-Wol was somewhat burdensome.

    That guy had figured out that I was Eden even though I tried to act oblivious out of sheer embarrassment. No matter how much I altered my voice during live performances, it was unmistakably mine, and recognizing it was inevitable.

    But wouldn''t anyone freeze if their name was called as they were stepping off the stage? He must have called it knowing Eden was me and wanting to confirm his suspicions.

    "If you don''t like it, I will decline. It''s just an inquiry so far, and Reina said it''s okay to decline if you want to."

    I turned to look at Tae-Seong. He was already holding his phone, ready to make a call. "Is that okay?"

    Tae-Seong nodded. "It''s just a <i>UTube</i> channel with about fifty thousand subscribers."

    For reference, the Chronos channel had about 6.7 million subscribers.

    "We need to prepare for ¡®Sirens¡¯ soon and the concert is not far off. If it''s bothersome, you don''t have to do it."

    I watched Tae-Seong handling his phone and asked, "Will I have my identity figured out if I go on the show again?"

    Tae-Seong nodded without hesitation. "Yeah."

    "I think so too."

    "No, you''ve already been figured out."

    "Senior Reina also said that," I said with a resigned smile. I couldn''t forget the trend that took over the <i>BlueBird</i> tform right after the shooting. They were ''Suh Hyun-Woo = Eden'' and ''Hyun-Woo Confirmed as Eden.¡¯

    How could I suddenly dominate the real-time trends before even being broadcasted? It all started with the audience''s reports.

    - LMAO Eden is definitely our kid ?? If not, then I will quit being a Ring lol I''m two hundred percent sure. I will exin more why when I get home.

    - But I''m a bit uncertain about this. His singing voice is simr but his speaking voice is totally different... I stared at him the whole time, but except when he was singing... I don¡¯t think it¡¯s Suh Hyun-Woo.

    - The moment he sang one verse, I was like, ah.. ??????

    - When he gets nervous, his movements be awkward and he bes less talkative. It was a typical Hyun-Woo thing that Eden did lol

    The Rings who had been in the audience that day were sure that ''Eden = Suh Hyun-Woo,'' but other Rings only had a slight hope. This wasn''t based on objective and urate information, and they thought it wasn''t possible due to our personal schedules.

    - But if Eden is Hyun-Woo, then are you saying he is preparing a solo song for the concert and running an Eden schedule as a side gig? Does he have enough time for that?

    - After all, their agencies are different

    However, there was a moment that unified the divided opinions of the Rings. The SES <i>Introduce My Singer''</i>s<i> </i>official website had a gallery category that was as well-managed as the poprity of the broadcast. Naturally, high-quality photos from the filming site were uploaded much faster than the previews, including information about the cast of that episode.

    Those who had been reasonably suspecting that I was Eden naturally focused on the photos uploaded to the gallery. And there, my mistake was revealed.

    - He couldn''t give up the peach drink even as Eden... lol

    - What¡¯s the point of wearing a mask then? Hyun-Woo, how are you gonna handle this? You''ve been caught... lol

    - Thinking that''s Hyun-Woo holding the drink can in his big gloves makes it look even cuter. ??????

    The problem was that I carelessly ced my favorite drink that the manager had bought to suit my taste under my chair. The Rings, who knew the members'' drink preferences well, saw the peach drink at my feet or in my hand and were convinced that I was Eden.

    <i>¡®Is this one of those situations where there are only deceivers and no deceived?¡¯</i>

    Even if I tried to hide it, these fans could recognize me just from a bottle of juice. How could I hide that, then?

    When I mentioned to Reina that my identity seemed to have been unveiled, she told me to just pretend not to know.

    Back then, she said, <i>"It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay. We did our best, but if we''ve been caught, there¡¯s nothing we can do about it. Just stay quiet. It''s fun to keep ying dumb until we reveal the truth, right?"</i>

    "Hyun-Woo, what should we do? Should we reject their request?"

    The conversation drifted off topic for a moment. I shook my head. "It''s not that I don¡¯t like the idea. He¡¯s a senior I may see often, so it would be rude to refuse. Just tell them I¡¯ll join, please."

    Besides, my schedule had not been that packedtely. I thought it wouldn¡¯t be bad to promote my song since it seemed I had been partly caught anyway.

    "Hey!" When we decided to set the schedule, Yoon-Chan and Goh Yoo-Joon came out of the practice room, spotted the car, and approached.

    I got out of the car and faced them. "What about Yoon-Chan''s shoot?"

    "It just finished, and I arrived at the practice room. I ordered something at the cafe and came here because it seemed like you wereing."

    "How was the meeting? How¡¯s the song?"

    "How was it?"

    I grinned. "It¡¯s insane."

    "Sirens..." When I first heard the title, I thought it would have a mystical and mysterious vibe like "Moon Sea." Listening to the guide today, it was indeed mystical, but it went ssic uptempo. Thus, it was a bit different from what I expected. Theposer said that the "siren" in this song wasn''t a fairy of the sea, but rather a beautiful nightmare that you can¡¯t forget even in death.

    Because Supervisor Kim had boldly promised high quality and urged us to prepare for the high costs, the solo song prepared hastily for the concert matched my taste so well that I found myself smiling without realizing.

 Chapter 348: Concert (12)

    <h4>Chapter 348: Concert (12)</h4>

    The solo track "Sirens" hinted at a mystical, almost haunting concept. Therefore, I was gearing up for a performance steeped in intensity and devoid of smiles. Surprisingly, what I heard was far from somber. "Sirens" turned out to be a vibrant pop dance music, shimmering with an air of mystery.

    "Jin-Sung¡¯s solo is all about the vibrancy of youth, Joo-Han went for something much darker this time, and Yoo-Joon¡¯s got that sexy edge. So, we tried hard not to ovep your concepts."

    "Dark theme for Joo-Han hyung?" I mused, recalling how downtrodden he looked after the solo track meeting I walked into. It dawned on me then why he was so somber. Joo-Han tended to buckle under pressure, especially when unprepared or when he had to do something unexpected. Well, he always pulled through brilliantly though.

    "It''s a surprising choice for Joo-Han hyung," Imented.

    "Right? But hey, trying something new is what this phase is all about."

    "And Hyun-Woo, you''ve explored sexy and dreamy before, but never this kind of vibe. It''s a chance to show a fresh side of yourself, which we all think is pretty exciting."

    The room hummed with positivity, a testament to the collective effort that went into crafting a track everyone was proud of.

    "Ourpany''s been hitting it out of the park with these trackstely," I joked, half-serious.

    The staff then chimed in yfully. "Well, we¡¯re talking about Chronos here. We¡¯ve got to live up to the name."

    "The teamwork is strong as ever, haha. Feels solid having Allure and Chronos in this agency."

    "Ourbel''s been snagging top-tier songstely. Producer Do is thrilled he doesn''t have to nag anymore."

    The room''s focus shifted to Supervisor Kim, who tried to pout but ended up looking more aggrieved than anything. "I wasn¡¯t being stingy on purpose! What can I do if there''s just no budget?"

    "That infamous budget excuse has been hanging around since Kun-Ho¡¯s days," one of the staff quipped, prompting moreughter.

    "You¡¯re still saying that even with the Allure tour up next? That excuse is getting a bit old, Supervisor."

    The staff startedughing real hard. Supervisor Kim''s routine grumbles about budget constraints had be a running joke among us.

    "Whatever." With a theatrical sigh, he just shook his head and pushed the meeting forward, noticeably less uptight than before. He was perhaps feeling less burdened after thebel¡¯sunch.

    After the meeting, we quickly wrapped up the recording and dove into dance practice. With a concert on the horizon, our schedule was insanely tight. On top of that, the preparations for my solo song, as well as Joo-Han¡¯s and Jin-Sung¡¯s, was a frenzied rush. As Jin-Sung''s solo release neared, I found myself filming a special video for "Sirens."

    "Hyun-Woo, did you sleep well?" the hair stylist asked while checking my hair.

    I nodded silently to avoid disturbing the makeup artist.

    Understanding my gesture, the hair stylist smiled. "Good! You need to be in top form today. We''ve got a full half day of beautiful dancing and singing ahead."

    Despite having spent the previous night in the practice room, I surprisingly felt pretty good. Or so I thought. The overwhelming sleepiness I had felt until I got into the car had vanished, suggesting I wasn¡¯t in that good of a shape because my body was kicked into high alert.

    "Top form? Hyun-Woo barely slept because he was practicing. Joo-Han and Jin-Sung did the same."

    "Chronos members don''t rest even when told to," the hair stylist added, handing me a ginseng extract before finishing my hair.

    Tae-Seong had been waiting silently, but he suddenly stood up. "We need to head out now."

    The staff, who had been meticulously fixing my hair and makeup, finally stepped back. My makeup featured gray lenses and a pinkish tint. It was stage-like, but stark against my casual daily outfit, creating an intriguing contrast.

    I turned toward the staff before climbing into the car. "Thank you," I said.

    "No problem. See you there."

    I plugged in my earbuds and let the strains of "Sirens" fill my ears. Over the past few days, I hade to realize that despite its different style, this song evoked emotions simr to those in "Joy." There was an unsettling mix of happiness and the fleeting joy of an ending, suggesting that performing it with a bright and lively vibe might resonate more during the live show than with a mysterious, dreamy approach.

    After the car stopped, I removed my earbuds. Our first filming location was a serene park. It was an odd yet fitting setting for a special live video, reminiscent of Yoon-Chan¡¯s session. The song''s narrative was to intersperse live performance with cinematic clips, creating a story of a day-long date with the camera. It was like a half live performance clip, half music video.

    As filming began, I immediately grabbed the hand of the hand model beside the cameraman.

    "Make this the happiest day possible!" the director instructed. "Hyun-Woo, you are great with expressions, remember? Smile joyfully, and let the wind catch your hair. Act as if you¡¯re touching your girlfriend¡¯s hair~"

    The storyline was simple yet profound. I am the boyfriend of someone on the other side of the screen, depicting our sweet, seemingly endless happy day together. However, the narrative takes a dark twist when I suddenly release the hand with a sinister smile during the stroll. This signals the end of the illusion.

    The live session ends here. The scene shifts to show a silent bleak room, revealing that the beautiful days and even the boyfriend were all a dream. The main character ends up in distress and sad after a cruel twist of the story.

    Anyway, I was holding the model''s hand and doing my best in acting as if this was the happiest moment of my life.

    "Hahaha... Haha, hahahaha!"

    "Ahahahahahahaha!!!"

    Right after my awkwardughter, a bizarrely real burst ofughter echoed behind me. It was oddly familiar and strange.

    "That''s him. Even hisugh sounds awkward when he¡¯s acting. Rings, I promise I¡¯ll make sure Suh Hyun-Woo never acts outside of Chronos activities."

    "Cut, okay. That''s enough. Just one more shot with the speaker on the set, then we can head to the live performance."

    As soon as the director gave the signal, I turned toward the voice. As expected, it was Goh Yoo-Joon.

    We had a kind of unspoken tradition where each member would visit the others during their solo live song shootings. When it was Yoon-Chan''s turn, I went to keep himpany. During Jin-Sung''s, it was Yoon-Chan¡¯s turn. During Joo-Han''s, both Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon showed up. No one really decided this or pushed for it, but we just made a brief stop for emotional support.

    "Hey, I would have felt left out if you hadn''te."

    "You¡¯re doing a special shoot, so I had toe no matter what."

    I frowned. Goh Yoo-Joon grabbed the behind-the-scenes camera and approached me while filming.

    "What the heck? I could hear youughing from all the way there," I said.

    "Dude, your acting is always so awkward." He chuckled and mimicked me before he calmed down. "Just wanted to check if you were doing okay."

    "Ah, yes. Thanks foring, man."

    Goh Yoo-Joon handed me a coffee he¡¯d bought and looked around the park. "It kind of reminds me of that old video call content."

    "Ah, I didn¡¯t think you would bring that up. Just hearing about video calls gives me chills." Goh Yoo-Joon and I exchanged knowing looks andughed together as we recalled our video call content that had be infamous on<i> UTube</i>.

    Goh Yoo-Joon quickly changed the subject and shoved the camera in my face. "Everyone, here¡¯s actor Suh Hyun-Woo looking great today. Wow, so handsome!"

    "What are you doing? Stop it. By the way, don''t you need to go back? Aren''t you in the middle of concert practice?"

    "I¡¯m just taking a break. Yoon-Chan''s out on schedule, and Joo-Han hyung and Jin-Sung are in a meeting about their solo songs. I was bored, so I came here."

    "Is that so? Anyway, it''s good to see you."

    "Right? Call me Hyung, then. But seriously, the song is so good. I''ve listened to it so much it¡¯s stuck in my head."

    "Exactly! You will absolutely love it, Rings," I spoke into the camera as if addressing the Rings directly. "I sing it loudly in the shower, and sometimes hum it without realizing. I¡¯m scared I might identally hum it on<i> Q-app</i> before it''s even released."

    "Nah, we will be careful and make sure that doesn¡¯t happen. Are you going back now?"

    While Goh Yoo-Joon was busy talking in front of the camera, the director nced over and jokingly threw out an offer. "Are you bored? Do you want to make a cameo, Yoo-Joon?"

    "A cameo?"

    "It¡¯s a video going up on the Chronos channel for the Rings. Having one more of you guys appear would be great."

    <i>¡®Is there even a spot for a cameo here? Are they thinking of making up a role just for Goh Yoo-Joon?¡¯</i> As I silently pondered this, Goh Yoo-Joon exchanged a nce with Tae-Seong, then enthusiastically shouted, "Of course!"

    We both got into the car and headed to the next location.

 Chapter 349: Concert (13)

    <h4>Chapter 349: Concert (13)</h4>

    "Suh Hyun-Woo, look over here." Goh Yoo-Joon whipped out his phone camera and snapped a pic of both of us. "Okay! I will post this on <i>BlueBird</i> after you¡¯re done recording. Take a pic of me, too. Just make sure my outfit gets in the frame."

    "Okay, you really are hyped, huh?" I took Goh Yoo-Joon''s phone and began taking photos.

    "It''s exciting, isn''t it? The director''s earlierments made me feel excited." Goh Yoo-Joon nodded emphatically, his enthusiasm matching the director''s words.

    Up until that point, the n had been to film me wandering around with the camera for everything but the live broadcast. Thus, I wondered when and where Goh Yoo-Joon would appear in the clip.

    But to my surprise, the director had carved out a significant role just for him. His task was intriguing because he had to y a passerby in every scene and also portray the hands of a narrator awakening from a vivid dream in the final shot. His face would remain unseen, adding ayer of mystery.

    Essentially, the director had cleverly designed it so Goh Yoo-Joon could be part of every possible scene.

    "Hmm~" Goh Yoo-Joon hummed a cheerful tune, clearly pleased with the arrangement.

    Despite being suddenly caught up in the shoot until just before the live broadcast filming, Goh Yoo-Joon seemed genuinely content. He joked, "Should I sneak in a nce at the camera as I walk by? I should ask the director."

    His fondness for engaging with the camera and rallying the fans was well known, so he surely loved to have such an opportunity.

    Our next location was a meticulously decorated cafe. I had a scene where I conversed directly with the camera, while Goh Yoo-Joon had to blend into the backdrop as Customer Number One.

    "Hyun-Woo, let''s make it look natural. Say something casual as if you¡¯re just chatting."

    "Okay."

    "It¡¯s hard not to keep ncing at Yoo-Joon because of his amazing looks," the director yfully remarked as he readied the set.

    Could I just say anything? I¡¯d done plenty of that in music video shoots. Speaking to a camera was a bit novel to me, but I was ready.

    Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Goh Yoo-Joon''s voice came from behind. "How about starting with an introduction?"

    "I was just getting to that," I replied, unfazed by speaking alone before an audience. Iunched into a lively promotion for "Sirens," our uing concert, and even a few personal TMIs.

    Goh Yoo-Joon giggled from behind me. "Wow, this is hrious to see from here."

    The shoot moved smoothly onward, and Goh Yoo-Joon even shot a close-up of his hands in a dimly lit room before we both returned to the practice room.

    ***

    I adjusted my hair and makeup right on the set where the live show was going to happen. The first outfit was this ivory suit with all sorts of stuff hanging off it, and I had these long ponytail extensions mixed into my real hair.

    "That''s it! This is so Sirens!"

    The stylist always loved going big with styles, so she was all smiles and snapped pictures from every angle.

    I checked myself out in the mirror and said, "Noona, you are really into sticking jewels on your face these days."

    "It''s not just a recent thing. I''ve always loved that. You know I am all about the m, right? I just haven''t had much chance to show it offtely." She sighed a bit as she threaded golden glittery strands through my hair.

    Since us Chronos members were busy with concert prep, there hadn''t been much call for such dramatic styling. From what I heard, the solo songs of Joo-Han and Jin-Sung weren''t about shy looks either. Maybe that was why today the stylist¡¯s hands were all over my face non-stop.

    Tae-Seong had been watching from the back, and he checked his watch beforeing over. "It''s time to go."

    "Oh, sorry. He¡¯s good to go like this, Tae-Seong." Her hands finally left me, and I stood up and headed to the set.

    "Wow." I couldn''t help but let out a little gasp at the sight. It felt like ourpany was really splurging on us these days. Was this Su-Hwan¡¯s doing or had Supervisor Kim finally decided that investing in the idol scene was worth it? I could really feel the power of the big bucks at the set, and no wonder¡ªthe ce was massive, divided into two.

    One part looked like a temple with huge white marble floors, statues on every column, and even had a fountain set up. The other was all done up with soft purple lights, looking a bit like a dance studio with one wall turned into a giant mirror. It was big enough to catch all of us dancers and me in one shot.

    "Thank you in advance." I greeted the staff and walked into the first marble-floored set, where a staff member quickly mic''d me up and ran through the basics.

    We did a quick rehearsal, and then it was straight into the real filming. The lights in the stark white set went out, and loads of dancers stepped in and took their ces.

    The director signaled us with a spin of his finger. "Let''s get started."

    The ce quieted down in an instant. Soon after, the lights snapped back on, and I lifted my head just in time with the music and faced the camera. The director gave another signal, and the MR kicked in.

    Synthesizer tones[1] stretched out. The dancers slowly moved into formation and shaped the scene. I stepped in time with them and moved forward. The drawn-out note sped up into a lively prelude.

    I beamed a bright smile, tuned to the prelude. It was not just any smile, but one our choreographer described as ''sly fox smirk.'' As the camera drew near before backing off, Iunched into the dance. And then came the first verse.

    ? Yeah- How have you been?

    Under the beautiful sunshine,

    I pull your hand towards me

    What do you want to do today?

    Let''s quietly whisper and do whatever you desire

    As I sang in sync with the dancers, the camera moved closer. I kept my gaze fixed on the camera as I moved along the nned path. At the beginning of the first verse, I focused on maintaining eye contact with the camera and conveying a bright atmosphere instead of performing a tough dance routine.

    The dancers encircled me tightly and lowered their stances to focus their gaze. I leisurely made eye contact with the camera while lightly riding the rhythm as I sang. The song progressed.

    ? Tell me anything,

    Like Like lie lie lie

    Don''t worry about anything else

    You are trapped in my love

    Just call my name

    The song''s melody, the sound of the instruments, and the lyrics gradually shifted the mood.

    ? Sirens, Sirens

    You will experience so much

    I will sing a love songs just for you

    For you falling down

    The song and dance became significantly more challenging than in the first verse, making it hard to catch my breath. However, that only drew me deeper into the performance.

    Today, my body seemed to move exceptionally well. I even managed to use the long ponytail in my performance and added an experimental touch to the live show.

    "Cut! Good job! Well done. Let''s take a short break and go again," the director called out after the third take of "Sirens." Heavy breathing could be heard after the director gave the satisfied OK sign. The dancers collectively copsed on the set and gasped for air.

    After the yful antics of the first verse, the second was crammed with difficult, intricate, and intense choreography. The dancers had lifted me orin underneath to create dynamic shapes. Therefore, the repeated runs must have been grueling.

    "Great job, everyone," I called out.

    "Hyun-Woo,e down here quick!" I was summoned by the stylist without a moment to rest. I had to quickly cool off before switching up my hair, makeup, and outfit.

    As I downed the water Tae-Seong handed me and rushed around, a wave of fatigue hit me the moment I sat down to fix my makeup.

    The hair stylist¡¯s words echoed in my head, reminding me I needed to be in top form since I was in for a half-day grind. If I had known it would be this tough, I would have made sure to get a good night¡¯s sleep.

    Changing outfits and even swapping out my lenses weren¡¯t the best things to do. My eyes weren''t feeling great.

    "Dang, I¡¯m totally spent." Now I understood why even the members, including the ever-energetic Jin-Sung, returnedpletely worn out from solo song shoots.

    My reflection in the mirror seemed to wear my exhaustion. Suddenly, the behind-the-scenes camera zoomed in close. I nced at the camera and muttered to myself, "It really is tough doing this alone."

    "What''s up?" a staff member with the camera asked.

    I stepped back from the camera and answered, "I just performed ¡®Sirens¡¯ three times. It feels like performing ¡®Parade¡¯ three times back to back, but I''m still keeping my chin up."

    After throwing an ¡®I¡¯ve got this¡¯ pose to the camera and straightening my outfit, I stood ready in my ck outfit that was loaded with details and slightly torn for texture.

    "Hyun-Woo, are you all set?"

    "Yes!"

    "Good luck!"

    I fist-pumped once more toward the camera, got into my cheer-up stance, and stood up. There were two tasks to tackle in the second set: one live performance of "Sirens" and dance breaks at the middle and end of the live performance.

    Since Su-Hwan had excused me from today''s concert practice, there was no point in holding back. I was ready to expend every ounce of energy before heading back to the dorm.

    1. Synthesizer tones in music are created by electronic instruments called synthesizers, which generate and shape sounds using various methods like oscition and filtering. These tones can mimic real instruments, produce unique sounds, or create ambient effects, adding a lot of versatility to music production. ?

 Chapter 350: Concert (14)

    <h4>Chapter 350: Concert (14)</h4>

    People said happiness truly follows great trials. Recently, Rings had been riding a wave of excitement as Chronos was bustling with activity that made their supposed break seem nonexistent.

    YMM Entertainment was taking advantage of the buzz. They celebrated Chronos'' first concert by dropping a barrage of videos on <i>UTube </i>every single day. The variety was staggering with behind-the-scenes footage from broadcasts, festivals, music videos, holiday clips filmed by the members themselves, and even freshly created variety shows like escaping from the practice room. This made sure Rings remained glued to their screens.

    The members frequently popped up on <i>Q-app</i> for live sessions, and whispers about the real identity of Eden have stirred up intrigue amidst this.

    Was it just a rumor? Who knows? Kim Go-Ri was one of the many Rings thrashing in happiness. She was most fervently digging into the mystery of Eden''s identity in the middle of the onught of content.

    Although she had watched other uploaded videos to the point of exaggeratingly reying them hundreds of times and memorizing the dialogues, her main focus remained on unraveling who Eden really was.

    - Gosh, I can''t wait anymore. When will they reveal who it is? Now that everyone kinda knows... Just take off the mask, Hyun-Woo... I¡¯m seriously dying of curiosity.

    - No way, it¡¯s too obvious lol

    - We can still feel the awkwardness from behind the mask. This is just priceless ??

    - Will Eden pop up in the next episode? That should seal the deal.

    - But isn¡¯t it a problem if it''s really Hyun-Woo? With a concert and even a solo songing up, how can he still manage to do this? YMM, please get it together and consider your artists¡¯ health!!!

    Some found Suh Hyun-Woo''s attempts to hide his identity as Eden adorable and hoped he would seize this chance to showcase his main vocal talents. Others thought it was all too much and wished it wasn¡¯t him.

    But the consensus was crystal clear that Eden had to be Suh Hyun-Woo. The Rings started it, and now, <i>UTube </i>was flooded with evidence confirming Eden was Suh Hyun-Woo. No one, fan or non-fan, was left in the dark anymore.

    Kim Go-Ri herself was convinced and consumed every piece of content released under Eden''s name with voracious interest.

    "Ah, the way he fidgets with his gloves is so endearing."

    "Hey, what will you do if it turns out Eden isn¡¯t Hyun-Woo?" her sister, Kim Hyang-Su asked.

    Kim Go-Ri shook her head firmly. Her eyes were still glued to the screen. "No way, it¡¯s definitely Hyun-Woo. Just listen to him. Even his speech pattern is the same. Can''t you recognize an Allure member even when they are masked? They have these little habits, you know."

    Kim Hyang-Su was instantly convinced because of Kim Go-Ri¡¯s logic. "That¡¯s true. They are recognizable from a mile away just by the way they breathe~"

    Just then, Kim Go-Ri¡¯s phone vibrated with a notification.

    [Special Clip] Hyun-Woo (Hyun-woo) - Sirens (4K)

    "AAAAAH!!!"

    "Gosh! You scared me! What the heck?"

    Kim Go-Ri waspletely obsessed. "It¡¯s here!!! Sirens, Sirens!"

    "If mom was home, you would be in so much trouble." Kim Hyang-Su gave Kim Go-Ri a look of mock exasperation and went back into her room.

    "You would do the same if this was about Allure!" Kim Go-Ri yelled back at her sister and hurriedly clicked on the Chronos <i>UTube </i>channel with her heart pounding.

    Last week Lee Jin-Sung¡¯s song came out, three days ago it was Kang Joo-Han¡¯s turn, and today, the spotlight was on Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s solo song with a special clip. YMM seemed to have finally gotten their act together as the solo songs and video quality from members were top-notch, starting with Yoon-Chan¡¯s.

    Park Yoon-Chan had unveiled apletely different image, immersed in nature and tropical settings. Lee Jin-Sung had satisfied fans with an image true to his usual refined demeanor. The youngest member, known for his cute and affectionate personality, offered a refreshing charm. His live clip exuded the freshness of a first love from school days.

    .

    Kang Joo-Han¡¯s first solo song also threw the Rings for a loop. Normally seen as the subtleic of the group, he was the reliable oldest member and leader of Chronos. He was known for his intelligence and charisma but asionally showed his quirky and unique charm.

    One would expect his solo song to be a soft bad reflecting his taste or a cute, bouncy track.

    Though musically talented, he wasn¡¯t a standout member when only considering vocal and dance skills within Chronos. Therefore, no one expected him to bring a dance song as his first solo track.

    But Kang Joo-Han''s solo track was a fiercely powerful and undeniably sexy dance piece.

    <i>¡®When you think about it, YMM really yed it smart this time.''</i>

    If you dive into the gossip from their trainee days, you''d find that Kang Joo-Han consistently outscored Suh Hyun-Woo in their monthly evaluations. This solo track clip made it clear why. Kang Joo-Han was usually overshadowed on stage by the likes of Suh Hyun-Woo, Lee Jin-Sung, and Goh Yoo-Joon. However, his prowess was unmistakable in his solo performance.

    And then, there was the visual shocker. Who would''ve predicted Kang Joo-Han rocking a lip piercing for his solo song? As the concert was looming, all the members were stepping up and revealing new sides of themselves with unparalleled quality.

    Thus, expectations were naturally sky-high for Suh Hyun-Woo''s "Sirens".

    <i>¡®Oh my goodness. My heart is pounding.'' </i>

    What will the concept be this time? Kim Go-Ri was engulfed in anticipation, and she found herself struggling to breathe as she clicked on the newly uploaded video. Her favorite member Suh Hyun-Woo was neither masked nor merely standing and singing. It had been ages since shest saw him perform so authentically, singing and dancing as his true self.

    ***

    The video kicked off predictably with "Sirens" in stark white letters against a ck backdrop.

    "Sirens."

    Moments after the white text faded, the scene shifted to a bedroom bathed in purple light. The bedroom was empty and enveloped in an eerie background music that seemed out of ce.

    <i>¡®What is this?''</i>

    When one heard of the term "Sirens," visions of a dreamy and golden-hued seae to mind. Yet what appeared was a bedroom slightly off-kilter in its lighting.

    As Kim Go-Ri pondered the thematic intent behind the song, the bedroom lights flickered menacingly. Then, the screen began to swirl as ifced with hallucinogens. The background music distorted further, spiraling into harsh discord of noises.

    Just as Kim Go-Ri¡¯s brow furrowed in annoyance, the lights snapped off with a click and plunged the screen back into darkness. Momentster, the brightness returned and revealed a pristine golden temple with Suh Hyun-Woo and the dancers making their grand entrance. Kim Go-Ri¡¯s frown smoothed into a smile of relief.

    She spotted something and leapt to her feet. "The hair! The long tied-up hair!"

    Her words tumbled out in a rush of excitement as Suh Hyun-Woo appeared on screen with a long ponytail cascading down as he looked off to the side. On top of that, he was draped in a billowy ivory outfit and had jewels adorning his face. Chronos¡¯ stylist clearly shared a taste simr to Kim Go-Ri¡¯s.

    Her chair toppled over with a loud crash.

    Kim Hyang-Su burst into the room, flinging the door open with a bang. "Keep it down! Do you think you live here alone? I''m trying to work on an assignment here!"

    Kim Go-Ri blurted out loudly as she was caught up in the moment. "Suh Hyun-Woo is a Siren!" There was a mystical allure that Suh Hyun-Woo exuded when he performed ethereal tracks. It aligned perfectly with the "Sirens" concept. To Kim Go-Ri, Suh Hyun-Woo was the embodiment of the Sirens song itself.

    As Suh Hyun-Woo finally locked eyes with the camera, the intro music began. His expression transitioned to a radiant smile. What followed was an upbeat dance sequence.

    ? Yeah- How have you been?

    Under the beautiful sunshine,

    I pull your hand toward me

    The earlier menacing purple vibe had vanished. The live performance was now bright, joyous, and vibrant. The asional sound of an ocarina floated through the air. Suh Hyun-Woo weaved between the dancers and sang.

    ? What do you want to do today?

    Let''s quietly whisper and do whatever you desire

    While there was no intense dance typical of Suh Hyun-Woo, the quality of the song and his performance more thanpensated.

    Just as Kim Go-Ri was basking in the pleasure of the performance, the screen abruptly shifted. It appeared to be shot with a camcorder and showed Suh Hyun-Wooughing with someone. He then took someone''s hand off-camera and headed somewhere.

    <i>¡®It¡¯s clearly a date scene.¡¯ </i>Kim Go-Ri''s expression twisted oddly. <i>''How should I feel about this?'' </i>

    She wasn¡¯t into the simted dating drama with Chronos. She had be a fan because she loved their stage presence, their humanity, and the genuine affection they showed each other. But that didn¡¯t mean she wanted to see her favorite singer dating someone else.

    <i>¡®Ah, the storyline sucks. I wish they¡¯d just release the live footage separatelyter</i>.''

    Of course, seeing such a rare, soft smile from Suh Hyun-Woo was truly a treat.

    "Pfft!"

    Amidst the alternating scenes of live footage and additional filmed segments, a cameo momentarily captured Kim Go-Ri''s attention. It was someone with an undeniable presence because he always effortlessly drew all eyes to him.

    There he was, strolling sweetly behind Suh Hyun-Woo on a date in the park, awkwardly bumping into a tree. He beamed like sunlight and deliberately made eye contact with the camera while energetically waving his hand.

    "What''s going on here?"

    It was a fleeting moment, but Kim Go-Ri''s gaze had locked with his.

    "Isn''t that Joon?" she blurted out.

    Just then, Goh Yoo-Joon appeared once more on the screen. This time, he was behind Suh Hyun-Woo at a cafe, forming a heart with his hands and shing an exaggeratedly cheerful smile toward the camera.

    <i>¡®A, my Yoo-Joon is indeed the world''s most entertaining man!''</i>

    In a moment of distraction, Kim Go-Ri chuckled loudly and moved her cursor to rewind and catch another glimpse of Goh Yoo-Joon.

    "Ah." Kim Go-Ri hastily withdrew her hand from the mouse. The screen had been disying a live performance set in an ancient temple, but it suddenly swirled into chaos. Then, it shifted scenes.

    It returned to the purple bedroom that had been shown at the start. There, Suh Hyun-Woo stood illuminated and alone, surrounded by dancers whose faces were obscured by ck hoods. The mood of the song shifted dramatically. The earlier cheerful expression vanished, and it was reced by a dreamy and mysterious ambiance reminiscent of "Moon Sea."

    "Wow." Her focus snapped back instantly. Suh Hyun-Woo was clearly a master at embodying such enigmatic concepts.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 351: Concert (15)

    <h4>Chapter 351: Concert (15)</h4>

    Kang Joo-Han penned the lyrics andposed the tunes, Goh Yoo-Joon brought the vocals to life, Lee Jin-Sung masterminded the dance routines, and Park Yoon-Chan added his unique blend of acting and ethereal vocals. Each member had their niche, but if you had to single out the one with the best stage presence, Suh Hyun-Woo would steal the spotlight every time.

    YMM knew precisely how to y to Suh Hyun-Woo''s strengths. "Sirens" was a track and dance routine tailored to showcase his talents.

    "What¡¯s up with YMM? They¡¯ve really been stepping up their gametely."

    Kim Go-Ri¡¯s eyes were glued to the screen as she absorbed the "Sirens" special live video, and she was unaware of the wide grin spreading across her face.

    ? If you want to escape into the darkness,

    I will wake the moon and light up the brightness for you

    y a bit more

    Don''t get tired and let''s dance

    The first verse injected a burst of life and vibrancy, which was a departure from the usual somber tones. The second verse pushed the envelope and stretched into the realms of what Rings hade to expect from Suh Hyun-Woo. Whoever had brainstormed this genius idea remained a mystery, but if it was the same person who had nned everything from Park Yoon-Chan''s clip to this one, then a pay raise was definitely in order.

    Why did Kim Go-Ri love it so much?

    As soon as the set draped in moody purple lights, no further glimpses of Goh Yoo-Joon were shown. Suh Hyun-Woo was dressed in ck and was seated on a bed, his gaze piercing through the screen.

    The camera slowly zoomed out from a tight close-up of his face to reveal the vast set around him. Dotted with dozens of dancers in matching ck outfits and masks, the background looked almost surreal, yet Suh Hyun-Woo was the highlight amidst the unified dancers as he drew eyes with his distinctive allure.

    As the second verse kicked off, he seamlessly merged with the throng of dancers. His performance was a testament to impable timing and coordination. Theplex and high-energy dance moves required jumping onto dancers¡¯ backs and leaping through the air. The choreography even seemed almost superhuman in their execution.

    <i>¡®This is even more intense than the Chronos group¡¯s choreographies.¡¯</i>

    Despite theplexity, the live vocals were impably smooth. This wasn¡¯t just a seasoned performer at work, this was an artist who had finally shed thest traces of his rookie shell and disyed a confidence that belied his years.

    Lee Jin-Sung''s special live performance had simr vibes. To be honest, his performance seemed a tad engineered, likely touched up digitally to improve the live vocals. But the fact that it was still overwhelmingly live, with the choreography not just supporting but enhancing the vocals, made it apelling spectacle. It was a performance that had to be seen to be believed.

    During Chronos group activities, choreographies were intricate but limited by the necessity to synchronize with Kang Joo-Han and Park Yoon-Chan. But in a solo setting, Suh Hyun-Woo was free to unleash his full potential without having to match anyone else''s rhythm.

    YMM aimed to reveal a side of Suh Hyun-Woo through "Sirens" that had previously been hidden by showing off his skills and presence in a new light.

    Kim Go-Ri felt her heart swell with pride. This live video was like uncovering a treasure trove of untapped potential that the Chronos members had yet to show.

    How much practice had Suh Hyun-Woo put into "Sirens?" Where did he find the time in the middle of concert preparations?

    "Wow, I''m honestly blown away."

    Even in the hustle, the high quality of the music and choreography made it all the more thrilling.

    "YMM is so infuriating! They never did anything like this for our guys before."

    Kim Hyang-Soo suddenly appeared beside Kim Go-Ri, ring at the screen as Suh Hyun-Woo danced and venting her frustration.

    "Why has YMM only started pulling out all these concepts now?" she asked.

    "Looks like they¡¯ve finallye to their senses," Kim Go-Ri responded, almost whispering in awe.

    "Did you hear that Chronos'' former manager is now the head of thebel they¡¯ve moved to? I read it in an article."

    "Which manager? The guy famous for his photo gallery? His name is Lee Su-Hwan, right?"

    "Yeah, maybe that¡¯s the reason? Or maybe not."

    In truth, much of the change could be attributed to Supervisor Kim finally letting go of his stubborn views on idols and recognizing the business value in investing in them. Well, Lee Su-Hwan¡¯s influence had surely yed a part.

    Kim Hyang-Soo¡¯s face softened as she settled next to Kim Go-Ri. Her attention was now fully on Suh Hyun-Woo''s performance.

    "He''s already got two solo songs, huh? He really nails them," Kim Hyang-Soo remarked with a mix of surprise and admiration. Although she wasn''t particrly drawn to Chronos herself, she couldn¡¯t help but notice Suh Hyun-Woo every time she ended up watching a performance because of Kim Go-Ri.

    It was the same during "Moon Sea" and the year-end stage she watched due to Allure. After all, it was pretty obvious which idols had the potential to be a star and which didn¡¯t. Even if they were not your personal favorites, there were some idols whose charisma was sopelling that they just captured your attention.

    From an outsider''s perspective like Kim Hyang-Soo''s, it seemed like Suh Hyun-Woo had the most charisma and star appeal in Chronos.

    ? As our time together grows longer,

    We wille to resemble each other more

    I will scatter golden petals above your head

    Wee you, Wee my, my...

    In the video, he stood out starkly on the violet stage even d in the same ck outfit as the dancers. He managed to dance in a way that ensured all eyes were on him by subtly altering his moves even when following the same choreography as the rest.

    As Kim Hyang-Soo ripped open a bag of snacks, she mused aloud, "What would these kids have done if they weren''t idols? I can''t see them doing anything else."

    "Ah! Could you keep it down a bit?"

    "Uh, okay."

    Kim Go-Ri was blunt, but Kim Hyang-Sooplied.

    As the song approached its finale, it transitioned into a dance break that wove together a powerful EDM beat with the sophisticated plucking of a harp. It created a captivating melody and rhythm.

    The stage had once been crowded with dancers, but now only four masked figures were left. They moved in sync with Suh Hyun-Woo. The video highlighted intricate lower body movements and waves by showcasing their precise body lines right until it zoomed in again on Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s face. He walked over to a bed, looked back with a relieved smile as if he''d let go of a heavy burden, then walked off the set with heavy steps. This marked the end of the performance.

    "Wow." That was impressive.

    Indeed, the best way to showcase a member wasn''t through some external broadcaster, but through the agency''s own crafted visuals. And with Suh Hyun-Woo, it wasn¡¯t just about his singing, dancing, or outfit. The entire concept, from the cinematography to the lighting and camera movements, was spot-on. It felt like everything Kim Go-Ri could have hoped for in Suh Hyun-Woo''s performance had been delivered in full.

    As Kim Go-Ri was reflecting on the performance, the screen went ck.

    <i>Whirr¡ª!</i>

    "What? It''s not over yet?"

    She thought the video had ended, but something else suddenly appeared. It wasn¡¯t the camcorder-like screen or the mystical, violet-lit space from before. Instead, what appeared was the ceiling of a dimly lit room.

    The perspective of the video shifted to a first-person view. It blinked as if waking up, and looked around a in ordinary room as if all the previous events had been just a dream. The narrator then looked down at his hands,rge and sinewy, seemingly those of a man.

    "Where did that hand model go?"

    "Must be one of the staff''s hands. They are quite well-maintained and pretty."

    <i>¡®They feel familiar.¡¯</i>

    While Kim Go-Ri pondered lightly, the person in the video gasped for air and then covered his face (the screen) with his hands. This brought the real video to a close.

    "Ha!" Imagine seeing this live at a concert? Just the thought was exhrating.

    Kim Go-Ri continued to stare nkly at the ck screen and instinctively hit the refresh button. After watching the video a couple more times, especially reying the parts she loved, she refreshed again and scrolled down to check the views andments.

    As expected of the group¡¯s most popr member, the video had amassed the most views andments among all the Chronos solo specials uploaded so far despite only being online for a short time. Between the predominantly Englishments, there were still a few in Korean.

    - YMM finally did it! Absolutely amazing. I''m so proud of them. Now I can die with no worries.

    - ???????? Sirens exceeded expectations. I watched it spellbound three times before I came to my senses andmented. He is GORGEOUS!!!

    - You are the miracle of mid-tier agencies, Hyun-Woo ??

    - Do the members'' solo songs have their own universe?? It seems like they all have a story. Am I the only one who thinks so?

    - From now on, only Suh Hyun-Woo should do the ethereal sexy concept

    - 2:38 Seriously, the expression, the tone of voice, everything is insane... Hyun-Woo¡¯s nasal sound? This thin falsetto? First time hearing it, he absolutely rocked it.

    - Why is there no talk of Yoo-Joon, I cracked up whenever he appeared in the video LMAO Aren¡¯t the hands in the end Yoo-Joon¡¯s?

    - I can¡¯t stop humming Sirens omg

    Just like Kim Go-Ri was very satisfied after watching "Sirens," most of the Rings found the video thoroughly enjoyable too. Shortly thereafter, Suh Hyun-Woo''s "Sirens" climbed to the second spot on <i>UTube</i>''s trending videos list and stood out as one of the top solo performances among the members.

    ***

    In arge rehearsal studio, which had been temporarily set up to mimic the concert stage, a brief pause allowed for discussion due to some misaligned dancer cues. During this break, Tae-Seong approached and showed me his phone screen.

    "What''s this?"

    A sudden, unfamiliar screen was thrust before me.

    "Oh!"

    It was only then I realized it was "Sirens," and my face was unexpectedly on the <i>UTube </i>thumbnail.

    "Hyun-Woo, I just heard ¡®Sirens¡¯ reached number two on <i>UTube</i>''s trending videos!"

    "Ah."

    "Oh! ¡®Sirens¡¯ is really a hit!"

    "I knew it would do well."

    "Congrattions~ Remember, my special appearance also contributed to those views, buddy."

    It dawned on me then that today was the day "Sirens" live video was uploaded. I''d been so focused on the concert prep that I''d forgotten the exact upload date.

    "Thank you, everyone. Really, it''s all thanks to you."

    I expressed my gratitude to all the staff and members present in the rehearsal room and settled back into my position. After a quick round of congrattions, we immediately got back into formation.

    "Let''s run through ¡®mma¡¯ one more time, then move on to ¡®Phantom Spirit.¡¯"

    "Okay!"

    "Got it."

    The instrumental for "mma" echoed through the rehearsal room. Currently, we had neither the time nor the mental capacity to revel in joy or celebration. Despite the smooth progress, the need for multiple dance and stage adjustments throughout the day meant our minds were overwhelmed. The emotional and physical strain was something I had never fully appreciated while I was a trainer.

    With the frantic schedule of running and practicing, the day of our first concert was quickly approaching.

 Chapter 352: Concert (16)

    <h4>Chapter 352: Concert (16)</h4>

    The week leading up to Chronos'' first concert was a whirlwind. We''d been moving at full speed with rehearsals flowing as smoothly as a ship with its sails catching just the right wind. But then, everything changed after one particrly tense rehearsal, when sudden modifications to our stage formations started piling up and threw us against the harsh winds of time constraints.

    ¡°No more changes, I swear! We''ve finished with the rehearsals, so there''s absolutely no need," someone would insist adamantly.

    However,plications always found a way. Another voice would chime in and point out an overlooked w. ¡°Ah, but I have a feeling Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han moving backstage after their performance might get tangled up. Wouldn''t it be better if they exit separately from the dancers?"

    Even with our rehearsal space mirroring the actual stage''s setup, the reality of performing live meant adjustments were inevitable. We had to consider the scale, the equipment, and safety.

    ¡°Let''s try this path. It seemed to work earlier without any issues," Goh Yoo-Joon suggested after a trial run with Joo-Han and the dancers. Confident nods followed his proposal.

    His optimism was infectious because it earned a nod of approval from our choreographer. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s just see how it goes in the final rehearsal, and we can tweak it if there''s a problem," they decided by setting the n in motion.

    With the pathways seemingly ironed out, it was time for Yoon-Chan¡¯s solo rehearsal on ¡°Forest.¡± The stage for "Forest" jutted out into the audience like a promontory into the sea, demanding attention.

    I was meandering around the main stage while being careful not to disrupt Yoon-Chan¡¯s focus. Jin-Sung approached with his armsden with snacks and a behind-the-scenes camera tagging along. His eyes sparkled with mischief and a hint of hunger.

    ¡°Hyung, the catering''s loaded with goodies today. They even have cup noodles. Can you believe it?"

    ¡°Are you thinking of eating now? What about digestion during the concert?" I teased, half concerned about his pre-performance meal choices.

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯ll be fine. When have you ever seen me back down from a meal?"

    Jin-Sung, ever the foodie of Chronos, had been munching on jam-thered toast since he arrived. It was a fact that never ceased to amaze me.

    ¡°Come on, let''s grab a bite before we dive back into rehearsals."

    ¡°I¡¯ll eatter. Just danced through a whole set, so my stomach''s in knots."

    Jin-Sung¡¯s face then morphed into a mask of exaggerated shock. "How can you not digest? That¡¯s crazy!¡±

    ¡°Not everyone''s stomach is a ck hole like yours, kid," I chuckled and gave him a light pat on the back. ¡°Let''s take a break and walk around the stage. When else will we get the chance to have it all to ourselves?" I suggested, gesturing to the expansive set around us.

    As we strolled across the vast stage, Jin-Sung and I reminisced about the venues we¡¯d performed in the past. ¡°This ce is huge... It feels even bigger than where we performed for the year-end awards," I mused as the empty seats stretched out before us.

    ¡°Yeah, and it can hold more people, too."

    Our gaze swept over the auditorium that would soon be filled with the Rings.

    ¡°Never thought our first concert would be in such a grand venue," I said, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside me.

    ¡°It''s all thanks to our Rings," Jin-Sung replied with a grin, waving at an imaginary audience.

    ¡°We owe you big time. Thank you!" We both bowed theatrically to the camera, ying up our gratitude for the fans who''d supported us this far.

    If I recalled correctly, wasn''t this the stage where ted, the group the members belonged to before my journey back in time, held theirst concert before disbanding? I never imagined that this ce would someday be etched with memories even more vivid and impactful than their farewell.

    ¡°Yoon-Chan hyung is deep in rehearsal for ¡®Forest¡¯ over there. And what are we up to?" Jin-Sung quipped, keeping the mood light despite the day''s significance.

    ¡°We¡¯re just chilling out here. And Yoon-Chan is killing it as usual," I added by pointing toward the stage where Yoon-Chan was engrossed in perfecting his solo. The camera briefly swung his way to capture a few moments of his intense focus before switching back to us.

    Today was the concert day, yet neither Jin-Sung nor I felt the usual pre-show jitters. When the curtains rose, the nerves would likely kick in full force. But for now, the endless rehearsals and numerous stage experiences lent us calmness.

    ¡°Hmm, I think I¡¯m going to grab something to eat," Jin-Sung muttered, possibly bored from our leisurely stroll across the stage. He made a beeline for the catering area with a sly nce at me.

    ***

    The moment before the concert''s opening was electric.

    ¡°Once again, the fire effects will start when you walk onto the main stage, so make sure you stay away from the devices," a staff member instructed firmly.

    ¡°Okay!¡± While some members nodded in acknowledgment, others like Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon were too captivated by the sight of seats being filled beyond the curtain. Their anticipation was palpable.

    ¡°What do we do now? Waaah." They were awestruck by the sea of Rings that filled every visible seat.

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°It''s all Rings."

    The expanse of Chronos light sticks and faces stretched to the very ceiling. It was a testament to the magnitude of the event.

    We were about to perform our first concert in front of a crowd this massive. The reality set in. Our names echoed through the venue.

    ¡°Kang Joo-Han! Goh Yoo-Joon! Suh Hyun-Woo! Park Yoon-Chan! Lee Jin-Sung! Chronos!"

    The chants from the Rings merged into a wave of sound and energy that washed over us, fueling our spirits before we''d even begun.

    ¡°This is what it feels like to be on the brink of something real," I mused aloud.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself. Wait till we step out there. It¡¯s going to be electrifying," the seasoned dancers advised, trying to steady a visibly nervous Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Meanwhile, Joo-Han remained silent, his gaze fixed on the crowd.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung looks really tense. He is usually soposed," Imented to the camera and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. Finally, Joo-Han tore his eyes away from the sea of faces and rallied us together.

    We formed a tight circle. Our hands joined in the center, each gripping our custom microphones. These were the gifts we had received from <i>Chronos History.</i> Surrounded by our supportive crew and dancers, we made a collective vow.

    ¡°Tonight, let¡¯s show everything we''ve worked for on this gigantic stage! It¡¯s time to show everything to the Rings! Let¡¯s perform without regrets and, above all, stay safe.¡±

    ¡°Yes!" The response was a resounding chorus from every member, the collective resolve filling the air.

    ¡°To everyone who¡¯s been part of this journey¡ªstaff, dancers, thank you. Let''s nail this tonight! If I say ¡®Let¡¯s,¡¯ please say ¡®Nail this!¡¯"

    Everyone nodded while looking at Joo-Han.

    ¡°Let¡¯s...¡±

    ¡°Nail this!¡± Our voices rang out in unison and echoed across the backstage area. A rallying cry set the tone for the night.

    And then, the concert began. As the stage darkened and the roars of the Rings intensified, the opening VCR lit up the screens nking the main stage. Thisunched into the narrative that extended the stories of ¡°Parade,¡± ¡°Joy,¡± and ¡°Phantom Spirit.¡±

    [A snare]

    White letters appeared and then vanished on a ck screen. The screen suddenly filled with darkness and closely zoomed in on my face.

    <i>- Gasp!</i>

    On the screen, I woke from a nightmare. I sat up abruptly and looked around with a gloomy expression before hugging my knees and lowering my head. The haunted expression filled the screen for a while. Then, a dim, pastel pink light filtered in from the front. As I raised my head in response to some noise, I discovered something intriguing.

    I waspelled as if under a spell and got out of bed. I walked toward the source of the light, mirroring the opening scene of the "Parade" music video, where we ventured into a fantasy world searching for the missing Joo-Han.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo?"

    A different type of pink hue crept into the dark room. It was Joo-Han, who hade in, worried about me.

    ¡°What the...?"

    As he entered the room, Joo-Han also noticed the pink light and widened his eyes in surprise. I continued walking, seemingly deaf to his voice, as the pastel pink light on my face grew stronger. Petals flowed from beyond the screen.

    Just as Joo-Han tried to grab me, a brilliant white light engulfed the entire screen.

    Then, the dark room reappeared. It was empty,pletely deserted.

    ¡°Waaah!" The Rings sensed the video had ended. They cheered loudly, and as the dark room faded, more white text appeared on the ck screen.

    [mma]

    This was the name of the coupling song from ¡°Phantom Spirit" and the theme for this concert. The cheers from the Rings grew even louder.

    ¡°Chronos present!"

    All the lights went out, and only the glowing light sticks illuminated the venue. The members and dancers moved toward the stage.

    <i>¡®Wow, this is insane.¡¯</i> I was overwhelmed by the affectionate cheers and the beautiful lights from the stage. It felt like I was walking on air.

    "Just wait till we get out there, you¡¯ll get goosebumps," said one of the dancers, his words echoing the immense feeling of the moment.

    <i>¡®Luminosity, light sticks... the brightness is indeed impressive,¡¯ </i>I joked internally, trying to rx and face the overwhelming crowd head-on.

    As the lights came on and revealed us, the cheers were deafening even through our in-ears. I wondered how loud it must be without them. As we slowly walked forward, the nned pyrotechnics from the front of the stage burst into life. Even prepared, the loud bangs made me flinch, though it was subtle enough not to be seen by the audience.

    We slowly got into a formation, and when every member and dancer was perfectly positioned, the first song began. It was our first original song released before our debut, "Chronos." The opening of "Chronos" was my solo dance.

    Being the focus of everyone''s attention, including the members and dancers, especially at the start of the concert, put a lot of pressure on me. I had practiced intensely ever since we began rehearsing the setlist.

    On top of that, the choreography had even changedpletely due to a remix specifically made for the concert. This had taken up several days of practice on its own. Fortunately, the effort paid off, and I was able to perform the dance with satisfactory quality.

    As the lighting that initially brightened everyone gradually narrowed to spotlight just me, the cheers from the Rings also decreased. It was probably because they wanted to focus on my performance.

    <i>¡®No, don''t think about it,¡¯ </i>I told myself as I tried pushing away the rising pressure and started performing my solo. It was better to move without thinking than to make a foolish mistake in the middle of my performance.

 Chapter 353: Concert (17)

    <h4>Chapter 353: Concert (17)</h4>

    The solo dance for "Chronos" started in an atmosphere ofposed serenity. The dimmed visibility of the audience under the lights, or perhaps my newfoundfort on such grand stages, allowed my heart to settle as the opening notes yed. Each movement was performed with meticulous care and culminated in a moment of stillness when the music abruptly paused.

    ? I go back in time again and again

    Joo-Han began to sing the first verse. The spotlight that had once shone on me dimmed, signaling his part. After he finished, the stage burst into life with fireworks and wlessly transitioned into a high-energy dance break. What started as murmurs from the crowd swelled into roaring cheers.

    The songs followed in the order of "Chronos," "Parade," and the first album track "Atypical." "Chronos" began with a powerful intro, "Parade" was sung on arge boat decorated with flowers as it circled the audience, and "Atypical" featured Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon''s pair dance along with a chorus where each member led dancers with different concepts.

    Fortunately, the performance was wless, just as rehearsed. The members picked up their microphones amid the roaring cheers from the heated venue.

    "Phew!"

    "Wow~"

    <i>"Huff... huff... </i>The energy out here is incredible," we eximed while catching our breath and sharing a light-hearted moment of fatigue.

    Yoon-Chan looked particrly spent.

    "You look exhausted. Are you alright, Yoon-Chan?"

    "We really pushed hard from the start, haha. We will have some water and introduce ourselves properly!" Goh Yoo-Joon joked by lightening the mood as we collectively fetched water from the stage edge.

    I almost felt like copsing after just three songs. While thest song "Atypical" had itsplexities with the dance routine, the prior songs were those that truly tested our endurance. They were known for their technical difficulty, and the relentless pyrotechnics added ayer of physical challenge. It was like dancing through fire or an oven''s heat.

    The Ringsughed as we clumsily guzzled our water. It was a moment of shared joy amidst the exhaustion.

    "Alright, everyone. Hurry back after you hydrate yourself," Joo-Han called out after catching his breath, then he regrouped us for the next part.

    "Let¡¯s greet the Rings properly. Ready? One, two, three!"

    "Hello, we are Chronos!"

    I initiated a discussion about our usual greeting, which had be too predictable. "We always greet the same way, right?"

    "Yes."

    "The Rings often ask if Chronos has a unique greeting like other groups."

    "That¡¯s true," Joo-Han agreed. "I get asked at every fan meeting whether we can develop our special greeting. Something like ¡®The~ Street~¡¯ that Street Center has."

    Other members nodded in agreement. This prompted a brainstorm among us for a unique salutation to introduce at concerts.

    "Why not brainstorm a new greeting right before the next performance?" I suggested.

    "Oh, that¡¯s a great idea! Then, let¡¯s do that on the spot. Who wants to start?"

    The eyes inevitably turned to Jin-Sung, the unofficial idea bank of our group.

    "Why? Why are you guys looking at me?"

    "Should we start with your idea first?"

    "Ah~ No, not me~" he protested yfully and stepped back. Although he had thought about what to say before the concert, it seemed he was still shy about doing it for the first time. Of course, the real intention was to never let Jin-Sung start. It was all in good fun to tease him.

    While the members and staff were teasing Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon raised his hand. "Well, it seems our members are too shy. I will go first."

    "Oh, let¡¯s go, Yoo-Joon! You start. Go ahead." When Joo-Han signaled to the center of the stage, Goh Yoo-Joon confidently stepped forward and picked up the microphone.

    "Hello! We are Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan!"

    "...What?" Yoon-Chan, who was waiting for his turn, looked at Goh Yoo-Joon with a bewildered expression.

    "I''ve never seen Yoon-Chan make that face before."

    "Huh?"

    By the way, Yoon-Chan was the busiest and most sessful member due to promotions for an uing TV show. His personal recognition was also increasing, so once the drama started airing, his public profile would rise the most. That was why Goh Yoo-Joon made such a greeting.

    After getting a verbal beating from the members, Goh Yoo-Joon stepped back.

    "Who is next...? Fine, I¡¯ll do it." Next, Joo-Han stepped up. "Hello. We are cutie pie Chronos~"

    Yoon-Chan said earnestly but somewhat cringingly, "Meet you on the hour. This is Chronos."

    Jin-Sung came up with "We are the versatile visual group Chronos~"

    In truth, there was never a need to use any of these greetings seriously, so we all brought something light and fun for the asion. Eventually, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s greeting was chosen.

    "Shall we move on to the next part now?"

    I nced backstage and chuckled. "The staff are waving from backstage, hurrying us toe down."

    "See you in a bit, everyone!"

    As we went backstage, a new VCR started ying on stage. Right after stepping down, numerous staff approached to touch up our makeup and change our outfits. Our sweaty hair was quickly dried with hair dryers, and we ran under the main stage to the lift without a moment to catch our breath.

    The next stages were "Blue Room Party" and "Joy."

    "Can I have some water, please?" I looked up at the lift while drinking water. Light streamed through the open ceiling from the VCR.

    "The prelude will start after the VCR ends, and you will go up."

    "Okay."

    This VCR featured short interviews with the members. Each member individually recorded their part, and we were responding to the question "What was your past like?" at the moment. The first to answer was Joo-Han.

    - My past was, um. It was fun but also unsettling. I was a trainee for eight years, after all. I didn¡¯t really have a normal school life, and the number of trainees kept decreasing with no debut in sight.

    Joo-Han had also been a trainee for as long as I had. He must have gone through the same anxiety and worries that I had endured.

    - Thepany staff and other trainees thought I was adapting well and had no trouble with mesting eight years. But... Ah, I''m not one to say I''m struggling. I try to hide as much as I can.

    [Right. You have always been more the type tofort others who are struggling.]

    - Yeah. But the longer the trainee period went on, the more I feared it would all end in nothing. So I studied hard because I thought if I didn¡¯t debut, I¡¯d still need to make a living.

    Joo-Han wasughing. As always, his light tone belied the sincerity of his words, but everyone grasped how tough his life had been throughout his trainee years.

    The next interview was with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    - Haha! I had a lot of fun! I even got into dancingter on. Especially since my school friends would go ''Wow!'' whenever I mentioned I was a trainee.

    It was a very cheerful interview.

    Next was me.

    - I thought I wouldn¡¯t debut. I almost gave up toward the end. My skills seemed to decline, but the talented ones, like Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung, kepting in. And Yoon-Chan was too pretty.

    I was being overtaken from behind and there was no one ahead. The ones who seemed certain to debut with us had all quit or moved to otherpanies. At one point, I lost all motivation and couldn¡¯t even think about trying something new. Realizing toote that this shouldn¡¯t happen, it was already toote.

    - But what would I do if I didn¡¯t debut? I¡¯d spent my whole life training for it, dropping out of school and everything. So, I kept telling myself to try hard onest time. Just once more. And now, here I am.

    When I made thatment, I must have felt a genuine surge of happiness. My voice was unmistakably lively and upbeat.

    The interviews continued with Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung. Jin-Sung shared how being consistently at the top was always fun for him. Yoon-Chan, on the other hand, recalled feeling out of ce initially but acknowledged that the support from the other members was pivotal in helping him persevere.

    "Hyun-Woo! Catch this!" the stylist called out, tossing me a pair of colorful sunsses just as the VCR was wrapping up.

    "The lift is going up!"

    I slipped on the sunsses right as the intro to "Blue Room Party" began, and the lift ascended.

    ***

    "Ugh... Where am I supposed to go again?" Joo-Han muttered while fumbling around, still trying to catch his breath.

    Meanwhile, Jin-Sung had sprained his ankle after energetically darting around the stage, and was on a quest for some relief.

    "Can someone pass me the pain relief spray, please?"

    After the "mma" performance, I kept nasal prongs in my nose with a portable oxygen tank beside me. Between the intense choreography and navigating the extended stage paths under the blistering stage lights, the area behind the scenes had turned into a sort of battleground.

    "Hyun-Woo! Have you changed yet? Hook yourself up to the dryer and take a breather!"

    Even as I paused to catch my breath, aided by the oxygen tank, assistants swarmed around me and dabbed at my sweaty face with tissues. They hastily touched up my makeup as the noisy hair dryer revved to life.

    "You guys can''t let fatigue mess with your performance," the choreographer pped sharply to grab everyone''s attention. "We''ve only hit the midway point. Shake off the tiredness, and let''s keep the energy up!"

    Everyone responded with renewed vigor to the ps.

    "Hyun-Woo, Yoo-Joon! Time to move out!"

    "Got it!" I stood up after helping Yoo-Joon to his feet. His neck was visibly flushed from the heat, and he clung to his oxygen mask like a lifeline.

    "Let''s go."

    "Okay..." he responded weakly. The usually spirited Goh Yoo-Joon had quieted down as the exhaustion clearly took its toll. Regardless, we needed to push forward.

    Next up was our unit stage, a performance that both Goh Yoo-Joon and I had been meticulously preparing for.

 Chapter 354: Concert (18)

    <h4>Chapter 354: Concert (18)</h4>

    The stage was buzzing with anticipation as Goh Yoo-Joon and I kicked off with our unit performance, quickly followed by a vibrant show from Joo-Han, Yoon-Chan, and Jin-Sung. Producer Do had crafted two songs for us and left the choice entirely in our hands.

    Joo-Han brimmed with excitement and shared his strategy. "For thetter half of the show, we should go with something bright and cute. Plus, we''ve got the advantage with Yoon-Chan on our team!"

    It was clear he was proud to have Yoon-Chan on his team, so he used the presence of our youngest members as a pretext. However, his real motive seemed to be his personal preference for lively tunes.

    Thus, Joo-Han''s unit "I Want Pork Belly" picked the cheerful track "Vige," while my unit with Goh Yoo-Joon known as "I Want Jajangmyeon[1]," took on the starkly contrasting concept with "WAR."

    The song "WAR" was a dramatic piece that centered on visuals and performance while portraying Goh Yoo-Joon and me as if we were shing from opposing forces.

    Producer Domented on our choice, noting that theplex lyrics and intense music might not even register with the audience amid the visual spectacle. To me, the lyrics seemed a bit all over the ce and made it challenging to grasp. Also, the song was as potent as its name suggested.

    I was decked out in a ck leather jacket and matching pants, while Goh Yoo-Joon contrasted sharply in a refined suit. Though it felt like an unusual pairing, everything just clicked once we hit the stage.

    The audience''s cheers peaked when Goh Yoo-Joon and I, each leading our group of dancers, got to the center of the stage to enact a mock battle. It was an experimental performance that even Producer Do acknowledged, and the reaction from the crowd was fiery. It seemed the Rings were more enthusiastic than usual.

    Indeed, it appeared that songs with a clear story or concept were sessful. It was the first unit stage where I realized that the songs popr with the general public and those that fans raved about could be different.

    After the intense performance of the ¡®I Want Jajangmyeon¡¯ team, the stage seamlessly transitioned to the ¡®I Want Pork Belly¡¯ team.

    "Everyone, we¡¯ve kept you waiting for a looooong time!" Jin-Sung burst onto the stage and waved a light stick as if it were a magic wand, reminiscent of a previous fan meeting. Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han showed up.

    My team had appeared separately, far from the other. But we entered the stage with dancers in a lively rush, which set a dynamic tone from the start.

    Yoon-Chan was usually a bit reserved on stage, but he seemed much more at ease and expressive. He was likelyforted by the sea of familiar faces. The set was whimsically decorated like a toy vige, enhancing the charm of their performance.

    After "Vige" wrapped up, we remained in our costumes for a collective stage performance. A conversational session consisting of me, Joo-Han, and Yoon-Chan followed.

    "Alright. Now, while the stars of the next stage are getting ready, how about we have a cozy chat?" Joo-Han suggested, prompting a loud "Yes!!" from the audience.

    I briefly removed my in-ear monitors and was taken aback by the sheer volume of the cheers. "Are you all having a good time?" I asked.

    "That¡¯s the most important thing! We should make sure you, the Rings, are enjoying yourselves."

    The loud responses assured us they were indeed having a st. Even though the voices were mixed, the enthusiastic tone was unmistakable.

    I grinned at the Rings closest to us and picked up the microphone. "Thisbination is almost a first, isn''t it? I don''t think the three of us have ever had a talk session just by ourselves before."

    "No, I don¡¯t think we have."

    "Right? Isn''t it surprising? Rings even have a special name for us three when we form a group."

    "A special name? What is that?" Joo-Han feigned confusion by tilting his head to the side.

    Iughed and pointed at him. "The Kang Joo-Han line," I said at the same time as Yoon-Chan.

    "The Kang Joo-Han line..."

    Joo-Han might have been pretending not to know, but the nickname was well-known enough that even Yoon-Chan, not the most social media-savvy, was aware of it.

    "Oh, really? The Rings call us the Kang Joo-Han line? Is that true, everyone?"

    "Yes!!!" the Rings shouted back, their enthusiasm palpable in the air.

    "Why?" Joo-Han asked with a yful note in his voice.

    "..."

    While the audience buzzed with exnations, Yoon-Chan and I exchanged an amused nce. We stayed quiet because we were confused if Joo-Han actually did not know, or if he was just ying the clueless card. It seemed unbelievable that he was unaware.

    "Joo-Han hyung, pretending you don¡¯t know about this nickname just isn¡¯t right. That¡¯s so shameless," I pointed out with a smirk.

    "Then, did you know about this, Hyun-Woo?"

    "Could it be because you show a little extra love for us two?" I honestly didn¡¯t know the details about the reason behind this name, but the Rings tended to call us ¡®Kang Joo-Han Line¡¯ whenever Joo-Han showed favoritism toward us.

    "That¡¯s what I thought, too." Yoon-Chan nodded earnestly and twinkled his eyes at Joo-Han.

    "Maybe it¡¯s time for some rification, hyung?"

    "rification? Well, if you insist," Joo-Han responded, scratching his chin thoughtfully as our mics turned toward him again. "Let me set the record straight. There¡¯s been a misunderstanding. I had no idea that a Kang Joo-Han Line even existed. I cherish all members equally."

    However, the murmurs from the audience hinted at skepticism. They didn¡¯t seem convinced by Joo-Han''s im of equal affection.

    "Joo-Han, they don¡¯t seem to believe you. Maybe it''s time we schedule another Chronos meeting to sort this out?" I joked, lightening the mood as the audience chuckled.

    "Alright, since we¡¯re here, let''s bepletely honest," Joo-Han dered and adopted a more serious tone.

    "Sure. Please go ahead."

    Yoon-Chan and I handed the microphone back to Joo-Han, who started speaking with a cheeky grin. "I truly adore Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung. They are the kind of younger brothers you''d want to protect, seriously. But..." he paused, drawing the crowd in with his suspenseful silence.

    "But what?"

    "It''s just that Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan are exceptionally beautiful."

    "What?" The crowd erupted inughter at his exaggerated tone.

    "Yes, Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung are definitely handsome. But Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan have that extra sparkle." Joo-Han, ever the provocateur, openly admitted his bias within Chronos. This caused an uproar of cheers from the Rings. Yoon-Chan and I were momentarily speechless, not expecting such candid favoritism.

    "Alright. Let¡¯s move on to the next topic." I said quickly as I tried to wrap up before the teasing went too far. I swiftly shifted the conversation to lighter topics, focusing on the recent unit stages and the exciting setlist that followed.

    "Hey, Kang Joo-Han Line."

    "We heard everything you said from backstage! You really let us down, hyung!"

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung had freshly changed into their new costumes, and yfully stormed the stage to confront Joo-Han.

    "Guys, it''s just a misunderstanding." Joo-Han tried to exin. His voice was calm, but his eyes twinkled with humor, which only seemed to rile them up more.

    Goh Yoo-Joon red mockingly at Joo-Han and pulled Jin-Sung closer by the shoulder. "We were so taken aback by what we heard that we decided to form our own line too."

    "What did you guyse up with?" I

    "Right! We¡¯ve started our own faction." Goh Yoo-Joon announced proudly. "The Goh Yoo-Joon Line. From now on, I am officially favoring Jin-Sung."

    "How childish." Joo-Han chuckled, clearly entertained by their mock rivalry.

    "Alright, enough now." I intervened by separating them before the yful bickering could escte. "We need to start getting ready for the next performance."

    "Ah..." The audience voiced their disappointment, clearly enjoying the banter.

    Despite their yful protests, I led Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan backstage with a promise. "The Kang Joo-Han Line will return soon. Goh Yoo-Joon Line, it¡¯s your turn to keep the talk lively."

    This quick transition was necessary as the staff signaled us to clear the stage promptly, setting the stage for the next sequence of performances. The two group stages were followed by individual solo performances.

    ***

    "Here, grab some water and an oxygen tank!"

    "Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung,e over here quickly."

    The area behind the stage was a frenzy of activity. Jin-Sung and I had barely stepped off before we were whisked away by the staff to get ready for what was next.

    <i>"Gasp... Huff..." </i>I panted, feeling the exhaustion as I let the staff work. A mask was ced over my mouth, hands busily wiped sweat from my face and touched up my makeup, and a hairdryer furiously styled my hair. I surrendered to the flurry of activity, allowing our team to manage the details as I focused on catching my breath.

    Next up were the solo stages for each member. Joo-Han was the first to go, which meant my performance wasn¡¯t far off.

    "Look up." The stylist instructed as she busily adjusted my makeup. My face waspletely redone, and my hair was styled with glittering ents reminiscent of our special video shoots.

    I was dressed in an ivory-colored shirt thatpletely hid my hands and decked out in a myriad of essories. After a brief moment to myself, I was ready to head backstage again.

    Despite the breather, I felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Watching the others perform on the monitor was both inspiring and nerve-wracking.

    Joo-Han¡¯s first solo performance unfolded on a dramatically dark and eerie set. Thick fog swirled around him as he sat on a wooden chair. His face was painted in unusually strong makeup, and he began performing his song.

    The music started slow and sticky, building up to a powerful dance routine toward the end. Joo-Han, who had initially doubted his ability to pull off such a performance alone, was deeply immersive and led the stage smoothly.

    After the sequence of group songs, it was clear he was running on fumes. His movements had lost some of their usual sharpness. However, the clever use of lighting and stage direction skillfully masked any signs of fatigue and made everything appear seamless.

    "Hyung, you got this."

    A reassuring hand briefly touched my shoulder while I was monitoring the performances, and then it was gone. When I turned around, Yoon-Chan was now dressed in his "Forest" costume. He gave me a supportive nod and a thumbs-up before he briskly moved toward the opposite stage.

    Joo-Han''s consistency was one of his strengths because he always delivered a stable performance. Yoon-Chan seemed rxed and confident in front of an audience of devoted Rings, and he didn''t seem nervous at all, which put me at ease.

    I switched my attention back to the monitor and addressed the "Sirens" dancers who were prepping in the wings.

    "Let''s make this one count as well," I said.

    "Will do!" came the chirpy response from the eldest among the dancers. His reply sparked a wave ofughter and camaraderie among the group and lifted everyone''s spirits.

    As the concert progressed, the energy backstage was electric. Everyone fed off the crowd''s enthusiasm. I expressed my thanks to the dancers with a grateful nod and followed the staff¡¯s lead to the central stage beneath.

    The "Sirens" piece was known for its intense, almost acrobatic dance moves. Completing it always felt like clearing a major obstacle, so it was a real test of endurance and skill that gave a significant boost of aplishment and relief.

    1. ??? is a popr Korean dish with thick noodles covered in a savory ck bean sauce. This sauce is made from a fermented ck bean paste called chunjang, mixed with pork and veggies like onions and zhini. It''s a hearty, slightly sweet meal that''s a go-tofort food in Korea, perfect for quick eats or special asions. I actually had this an hour ago for dinner :) ?

 Chapter 355: Concert (19)

    <h4>Chapter 355: Concert (19)</h4>

    As I made my way up to the center stage from below, it waspletely hidden behind white curtains. The side stage where Yoon-Chan was performing, surrounded by enthusiastic Rings, was also obscured from view. The curtains were a strategic choice to focus all attention on Yoon-Chan and left my part of the stage dimmed and surprisingly serene. This made standing there feel quiteforting.

    The dancers quietly filed in and took their ces. I enjoyed the distant sound of Yoon-Chan''s singing while waiting for my cue, which soon came through my in-ear monitor.

    The final verse of "Forest" faded, the lights began to softly illuminate the space above me. As if on cue, "Sirens" started up with a surge of cheers from the crowd as the curtains lifted to reveal a sea of faces.

    "Hyun-Woo!!!"

    "Hyun-Woo, you are so freaking cute!!!"

    I couldn¡¯t help but smile at the snippets of cheers I could hear, and Iunched into the first verse.

    ? Yeah- How have you been?

    "Sirens" had been remixed to suit the concert''s atmosphere by transforming its normally bright first verse into something more ethereal. As a result, the very first line was delivered as a soft, almost whispered narration.

    After I began singing, the dancers responded with a series of flowing and graceful movements that rippled across the stage like waves. The harp''s intermittent plucks and the orchestra-styled apaniment added a sophisticated touch, while the dancers'' movements echoed contemporary dance.

    Walking through the dancers, I made my way to the forefront of the stage. The music paused for a moment before the beat picked up again, now more vibrant than before. As the dancers intensified their routine, I joined in and matched their energy and style.

    ? Under the beautiful sunshine,

    I pull your hand toward me

    What do you want to do today?

    Let''s quietly whisper and do whatever you desire

    The choreography was as demanding as ever. During thest live performance, I learned that you didn¡¯t need to exert much force as the choreography itself is vigorous enough. Performing moves such as grabbing dancers'' hands, leaping, and executing almost acrobatic maneuvers required me to focus more on keeping my form sleek and stabilizing my vocals. I tried to follow just as the choreographer had advised.

    And yes, that annoying ponytail was getting in the way again.

    <i>¡®I swear, no more ponytails after this.¡¯</i> Every turn I made, it pped against my face. Although momentarily distracting, I quickly regained my focus and immersed myself in the joy of the performance.

    The crowd''s energy was infectious. "Woooah!!!"

    They even had a special chant for "Suh Hyun-Woo!" during "Sirens." There was something special about performing live, especially with the fans'' participation. It just made everything more fun.

    The support from the crowd not only lifted my spirits but also pushed me to dance harder, despite the increasing difficulty and breathlessness. The sight of fans wildly waving their light sticks made it easy to keep smiling naturally.

    As the ethereal first verse transitioned into the second, the stage lighting shifted to a mix of purple and blue. This intensified the mood. The song itself took on a more dramatic tone, and my expressions shifted reflexively to match the heightened drama.

    ? Sirens, Sirens

    You will experience so much

    I will sing a love songs just for you

    For you falling down

    The dance became more technical as it incorporated deeper waves and more refined movements. I modted my voice to a lower register to add more intensity to the performance.

    As we reached the climax of the song, ck curtains fell from the ceiling and cut through the earlier ambiance with their stark, angr descents. I navigated through the maze of curtains while singing and dancing with increased fervor.

    The dancers emerged from beneath the curtains like specters, and the Rings¡¯ screams and cheers melded into a thrilling cacophony.

    ? If you want to escape into the darkness,

    I will wake the moon and light up the brightness for you

    y a bit more

    Don''t get tired and let''s dance

    As the final part of "Sirens" concluded, the curtains dropped once again. I finished myst note and stood, taking in the audience before the curtains started to gradually hide me from view.

    "Go on, get off. Hurry."

    Once I waspletely obscured, the stage buzzed with activity. We had to quickly make our way down below before the curtains fully revealed the stage again. The lift whisked us dancers down in a rush and sealed the stage floor just in time for the curtains to reveal nothing but an empty stage. The Rings murmured in awe.

    The stage was magically empty, as if the previous performance had been nothing but an illusion. The staff purposely made it like a real siren trick, revealing in the end that ''there was nothing there after all.¡¯ The spectacle of the performance gave way to Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung''s stages, seamlessly continuing the show.

    The performance was nearing its end after about two hours. The final stage began with tracks from Chronos'' brightest and most joyful album, "Joy."

    "Everyone, let''s enjoy this~"

    "Let''s have fun!" Jin-Sung¡¯s excitement was palpable.

    The members moved around the stage and engaged with the audience by waving and making eye contact. We even talked to them through a microphone instead of singing sometimes.

    After one song ended and another began, we made our way down from the stage to get closer to the Rings. It felt like the culmination of a festival, the perfect mix of fatigue and happiness, with the thrilling music and cheering blending into a truly festive atmosphere.

    "Oh, are these for me?" I took the dolls that the Ring in the front row was offering me. They were a cat and a parrot.

    "I brought it for you, oppa!"

    "You knew I would be on this side? How?"

    "I sent you telepathic messages~"

    "Thank you."

    I thanked the fan and hurried over to Joo-Han to give him the parrot doll. Lately, the Rings have been assigning the members animal icons, and the parrot symbolized Joo-Han.

    I headed back toward the audience. The Rings were reaching out their hands, and there were so many of them that I ran along while giving high-fives all at once. The Rings along the way called out my name and reached out their hands. It wasn¡¯t anything difficult, and I was about to continue giving high-fives when...

    "Ah!"

    Someone grabbed my hand and pulled it real hard. This made me stumble backward, and I felt a significant pain in my arm. I turned around in shock, but the grip on my hand only tightened instead of easing.

    One of the audience members had grabbed my hand and wouldn¡¯t let go. As I stopped in surprise, numerous hands clung to my arm with forceful grips.

    I froze for a moment, unable to do anything. The security guards who were following me tried to pull their hands off me, and the tone of the fans started to change.

    "Let go!"

    "Ah, let him go!"

    "Please, release him!"

    Their voices were raised and the tone became aggressive.

    ¡®<i>What¡¯s going on? What is this?¡¯</i>

    My mood plummeted in an instant. It was hard to tell if they were addressing me or the fan who wouldn¡¯t let go of my hand. My arm was caught in a tug-of-war between the security guards and some fans, and I felt like I hadpletely lost control of it. I was terrified and breathless.

    Just then, Goh Yoo-Joon came running over. Thanks to him, the hands finally let go.

    "This is my area. Suh Hyun-Woo, snap out of it." Goh Yoo-Joon gave high-fives to the fans instead of me and then we both headed to the stage.

    It was only when we got on stage that I could assess the situation. Everyone else had finished interacting with the Rings and had alreadye up to the stage. As we moved to join the members at the center stage, Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan put their hands on my shoulders.

    "Hyung, are you okay?"

    "Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry."

    "Were you scared?"

    "That happened to us, too. We just went ahead and gave high-fives to the back row fans too!"

    Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan spoke as if they knew I had been really startled by the Rings. Jin-Sung smiled brightly then ran off toward Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon while Yoon-Chan stayed with me all the way to the main stage.

    As we walked to the main stage, the big screen above caught my eye. Jin-Sung, Joo-Han, and Goh Yoo-Joon were each finding their spots on the main stage.

    "Hurry up!"

    "Run!"

    "The song is almost over~"

    They waved us over urgently as Jin-Sung and I walked up. The screen showed the three of them, Yoon-Chan running, and me appearing in the frame.

    The band yed a soulful interlude in sync with the song. I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off the screen as I ran. The members were shining on the stage, not just four, but five of us now. I was with them. I was one of them...! There was no more standing back and envying from the shadows.

    The fact that this wasn¡¯t a dream was confirmed by the massive cheers and the lights from the fans'' light sticks. I just wanted to feel secure now, to ept this life as my own. I was desperate to ovee everything and shake off the past.

    I reached the main stage and stood among the members. I stared at the screen showing all five of us for a long moment before turning to face the audience.

    "Everyone, this marks the end of Chronos¡¯ first concert."

    At Joo-Han hyung¡¯s words, signs of disappointment resounded from the Rings.

    Goh Yoo-Joon yfully said, "Why the long faces, everyone? You know what happens when we leave. Encore, encore, encore, okay?"

    "Please!"

    "Alright, then let¡¯s leave the encore up to our Rings. How about starting with you, Yoo-Joon. Any thoughts?"

    "Yes. Did everyone have fun tonight?"

    "Yes!!!"

    "I had a great time too. Since before our debut, I¡¯ve watched many seniors¡¯ concerts and wondered if I could be like them one day." Goh Yoo-Joon had been yful, but now he was serious. "But after that incident, which, well... It''s not exactly a secret to anyone anymore."

    He was referring to the false scandal involving him and his father. Although Goh Yoo-Joon spoke calmly as if he was just clearing the air, the members knew how much it had troubled him.

    "Honestly, I thought I wouldn¡¯t be able to stand on this stage anymore. It was a dream stage for me, and it felt both frustrating and sad." His face was etched with distress.

    Seeing this, tears began to appear in the Rings¡¯ eyes.

    "But thanks to those who believed in me no matter what, defended me, and supported me, I could stand here without having to hide. I was able to rise and be here with you all. My dreaming true is all thanks to you. Thank you." Goh Yoo-Joon bowed deeply, followed by Joo-Han and the younger members next to him.

    During those tough times, Goh Yoo-Joon and Chronos were harshly criticized and scrutinized. The only reason we could barely hold on was thanks to our loyal staff and Rings.

    "Next up is Yoon-Chan."

    Yoon-Chan was teary-eyed with a furrowed brow and an upside-down smile. He picked up the microphone. "Uh... I... I..."

    He sounded like he was on the verge of crying. Seeing Yoon-Chan about to cry, the Rings started to smile instead of sobbing.

 Chapter 356: Concert (20)

    <h4>Chapter 356: Concert (20)</h4>

    "Are you crying, Yoon-Chan?!!" a voice boomed from the audience, so loud it echoed distinctively throughout the hall.

    All the members turned toward the source of the voice as the crowd chuckled at its sheer volume. The atmosphere lightened, intended to cheer up Yoon-Chan, who was struggling to contain his tears.

    In ce of the still-teary Yoon-Chan, Goh Yoo-Joon took the mic. His tone was yful yetmanding. "Hey, who''s that? Show yourself, who was it?" he called out.

    The Ring with the loud voice waved enthusiastically, clearly proud to be noticed.

    "Ah, so you¡¯re the one? Nice voice projection!" Goh Yoo-Joon praised.

    "Maybe you should join us on a coboration next time," I chimed in.

    As Goh Yoo-Joon and I joked, the whole hall lit up withughter. The mood became even more light-hearted, and this helped Yoon-Chan finally stop crying and steady his voice enough to speak.

    "I''m sorry, everyone." He looked around the audience. "I think this is the first time I''ve been able to sing and dance so freely. I know I still need to work hard to catch up with the rest of the members."

    Just as he was about to continue speaking, another loud voice countered from the opposite side of the hall. "No, you don''t!!"

    Yoon-Chan waved in the direction of the voice with a smile and continued. "I''m usually so nervous on stage, but today was just pure fun and happiness for me. I wasn''t worried about making mistakes or being criticized. I was just... happy."

    I backed him up. "Yeah, Yoon-Chan really looked like he was having a st today, even backstage."

    "It¡¯s all thanks to you, Rings. Because of you, I feel like my performance and singing improved today. Thank you so much."

    "A..." Joo-Han squinted his eyes and nodded in appreciation, then gave Yoon-Chan a thumbs up. "Yoon-Chan even speaks so beautifully," he marveled.

    "Oh, here he goes again. Goh Yoo-Joon Line, assemble!" Goh Yoo-Joon called out, prompting Jin-Sung to instantly gravitate toward him so they could stick together.

    Joo-Han, ever the instigator, continued unabated. "Everyone, please support Yoon-Chan''s uing drama <i>The 10 PM Warrior.</i>"

    I also added. "It airs every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:30 PM."

    Yoon-Chan bowed deeply. "Please watch it!"

    After Yoon-Chan, Jin-Sung shared his thoughts, visibly excited. "Ah, I just had so much fun. This ce is huge, right?" He gestured expansively from one end of the stage to the other, then spun around yfully. Known as the most tearful member, everyone expected him to cry by the concert''s end. Instead, he was the epitome of joy.

    "This is the biggest stage I''ve ever been on. But no matter where I go, it''s filled with Rings, who are on our side!" Jin-Sung''s sweaty and beaming face was shown in close-up on the big screens. "To perform in front of people I love and see how much they enjoy it, I can''t recall ever being this happy. Thanks so much for today, everyone. Let''s keep having fun together."

    "YES!!!" came the roaring reply.

    Next up was my turn. "Next is Hyun-Woo." Joo-Han pointed at me, and all eyes shifted my way. I took a moment to absorb the scene, then turned to face the giant screen behind me. There I was,rger than life.

    I turned back to face the crowd and said, "Being up here on stage, interacting with all of you, dancing, singing, and seeing myself on that giant screen... I can''t fully express how precious this moment is."

    How could I even begin to describe the fulfillment of standing here after all the struggles and the long waits during practice?

    "I often doubted if this day would evere, if I would ever get to perform on such a stage. This moment and everything that¡¯s led to it means the world to me."

    As my emotions started to well up, Goh Yoo-Joon shouted, "Suh Hyun-Woo, Jin-Sung is crying!!!"

    "N... no, I am not! It''s not just me! Yoon-Chan hyung was crying too!" Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan were now regaining theirposure. Theyughed and yfully nudged each other.

    "Hey, why are you picking on the kids? Let them cry. I will buy them candyter," Joo-Han said, half teasing, half consoling. He signaled for me to continue.

    "Anyway, after all the struggles to bring us together, I''m profoundly grateful for my fellow members, our incredible Rings, and for this concert. I''m sorry for causing you so much worry by always pushing myself to the limit. I promise to keep giving my all."

    I lowered my head deeply and added one more thought before wrapping up. "It''s getting prettyte now. Please dress warmly and take care on your way home. Stay healthy until we meet again. Thank you so much for everything!"

    That was the end of my remarks. Given the lengthy speeches from the previous members, Joo-Han''sments were notably brief and to the point.

    "During this concert, I''ve felt once again just how much love we are receiving. I''m truly grateful to everyone who made time to be here tonight. I hope you always have as much fun and happiness with us as you did tonight." He nced at Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan. They had managed to subdue their emotions, but their eyes were still red from tears.

    He continued, "Now, we have onest song left."

    A collective sigh of disappointment rose from the crowd, echoed softly by us members too. Despite his empathetic look, Joo-Han pressed on. "This next song is one I wrote myself and first performed at ourst fan meeting. It''s a gift for you, our cherished Rings."

    "Do you guys know which song it is?" Jin-Sung asked and prompted a flurry of shouted guesses from the audience. I removed my in-ear monitors to better hear their responses. It sounded like they all knew it already.

    Joo-Han nodded with a satisfied look and continued. "The song is ¡®Six Stars.¡¯ To give you a bit of background, it''s about my past struggles and my gratitude toward all of you. Let''s get started with thest song."

    The intro music began, and the stage lighting shifted and cast a gentle glow around us as we arranged ourselves in a circle to face our fans from every direction. The apaniment was deeply lyrical and tinged with mncholy as Joo-Han started to sing.

    ? Looking up at dreams that were out of reach

    Even when I was frustrated and fell,

    I got up and ran

    The brightest spotlights bathed us in light. Despite the song not having been officially released, the Rings knew every word and sang along with Joo-Han. Their voices blended warmly with his.

    The next part was mine.

    ? A broken speaker,

    An empty auditorium

    When I lower my tired head,

    I see the reality where my feet stand

    The screen showed footage from our trainee days and captured moments of struggle and growth. You could see videos of a young me and Joo-Han, us practicing in school uniforms, Yoon-Chan auditioning, and a young Jin-Sung beingforted after a scolding.

    ? How much longer must I endure with tears?

    But, after a long wait,

    The starlight that shines on me

    Has passed the loneliness

    That was once my onlypanion

    This song was based on Joo-Han¡¯s perspective, so it revealed his own vulnerabilities and showed that even the mostposed members have their battles. Joo-Han was often seen as the most stoic, but was surprisingly the most emotional among us. People often didn¡¯t recognize his true feelings because he always hid them.

    The song flowed smoothly, and a peaceful melody underpinned our collective emotional release. Jin-Sung''s tears broke through again, and Goh Yoo-Joon''s eyes were glossy with unshed tears. Their emotions reflected the profound journey encapsted in the song.

    ? We will do this together

    Let''s run together

    The one star that held my hand

    We were supposed to take turns between Jin-Sung, Yoon-Chan, and I, but I ended up carrying the song forward alone because Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan were both crying. One star of the "Six Stars" referred to our fans, the constant stars in our journey.

    Suddenly, the lights in the auditorium brightened unexpectedly. Before I could react, all the Rings lifted their banners high.

    [We can run farther.]

    [Chronos is the most beautiful time of the Rings.]

    Seeing the banners and hearing their shouts, none of us could continue singing. The words "I love you" from the Rings remained stuck in my ears. The instrumental dwindled into the background as the Rings took over, their voices filling the arena with the song''s lyrics.

    Even after the music ended, we were left momentarily speechless, overwhelmed by the disy of love and support.

    "Wow, when did you guys prepare all this?"

    "Whoes up with these slogans? How did you think of such heartfelt words? It''s definitely something else seeing this from the stage."

    "I wish I could capture this moment with a camera." Goh Yoo-Joon and I managed to exchange a few words amidst the overwhelming atmosphere.

    Joo-Han was crouched down to regain hisposure, and his shoulders shook for a while. He finally stood up to wrap up the evening. "Thank you so much, everyone. It seems like we really should wrap this up now, but let''s say our goodbyes and end this concert."

    "Don''t be sad, Rings, we still have plenty of encores left."

    I helped Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan to their feet. Joo-Han looked over at us and shouted a loud greeting.

    "One, two, three!"

    "We are Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan!![1] Thank you!"

    "Goodbye!"

    We left the stage amid the disappointed cries of the Rings and quickly changed our clothes.

    If this really were the end, we wouldn''t have finished so abruptly. There was still an encore left.

    The sound of the Rings'' calls for an encore reached the dressing room, and our hands moved even faster to change clothes.

    1. Their new greeting chant lol ?

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 357: Concert (21)

    <h4>Chapter 357: Concert (21)</h4>

    Right after we slipped backstage, the Rings'' chants for an encore increased. I threw on a white tee and ck pants, then grabbed a selfie stick to dive back into the fray. This was the final encore, so we all let loose by moving freely around the stage and belting out the tunes.

    Joo-Han and I roamed around with cameras and captured our antics on the big screen, which only encouraged the other members toe by and yfully ssh water at us.

    Paper petals drifted down from the ceiling, mingling with the vivid stage lights and the glowing light sticks from the Rings. It was an ethereal sight. Witnessing such beauty from the stage was a moment I knew I¡¯d remember forever.

    ¡°Hey, pass me the camera. I want to try taking some shots." Goh Yoo-Joon called out,ing up to snatch the camera from my hands. Now free to roam, I snagged one of the eight light sticks tied to Jin-Sung¡¯s belt and ventured closer to the sea of Rings.

    One fan was reaching out desperately and shouting my name. ¡°Hyun-Woo!!! Over here!!!!"

    I recognized her face from many fan signing events, so I waved enthusiastically and made my way down from the stage to greet her more personally.

    ¡°Hey, long time no see! It¡¯s been a while, hasn''t it?" I called out to her.

    ¡°Yeah! Oh my gosh, Hyun-Woo. Do you remember me?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

    I nodded vigorously. She had been one of our Rings since our first signing session. She''d been regretful about not being able to attend recently because of her exams, but it looked like she was free now. Our conversation was brief, though, and she handed me a headband she had brought, which I gratefully epted and quickly headed back up to the stage.

    ¡°Wow, check this out," I marveled as I put on the headband adorned with mini light sticks on all sides. It seemed the fan had made it herself. I continued to weave through the stage, now fully part of the spectacle. Joo-Han, who had given the camera to Yoon-Chan, sneakily came up behind me and draped an arm over my shoulder.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you haven¡¯t checked out the left side stage yet, have you?" he pointed out.

    ¡°Oh? Uh, not during the encore," I replied. Throughout the concert, we had a choreographed path that took us all over the stage, but the freestyle nature of the encore¡ªwith its yful water sshing and casual fan interactions¡ªmade it so I hadn''t yet ventured that far.

    Joo-Han gave me a gentle push on the back. ¡°Go give a shout out over there too."

    ¡°Thanks for the heads-up."

    I realized I had been so caught up in the fun that I''d neglected some areas of the stage. Reminded of the times I¡¯d advised trainees to evenly engage with all parts of the audience, I felt a twinge of embarrassment at my oversight. Scolding myself for theck of professionalism, I quickly made my way to the left side.

    And there I saw them.

    ¡°...¡±

    Amidst the many Rings waving their light sticks were my parents. Tears were streaming down their faces. I realized they were watching me. They hade to the concert.

    I was speechless, overwhelmed by the sight of them and unable to formte any response. What do you say in a moment that feels both surreal and intensely profound?

    It felt as if the world had paused, leaving just my parents and me in this shared moment under the spotlight, surrounded by the cheers of countless others. After a long, heartfelt gaze, I finally managed to speak.

    ¡°Father, Mother."

    The emotions hit me like a wave. Regret, sorrow, and joy all swirled together. This was the moment I had always wanted to share with them, to show them this side of my world. Tears fell, and I quickly covered my eyes. My hands instantly became damp.

    No one else might understand why I was crying so intensely. They might think it was just the overwhelming joy of a reunion with my family. And that was fine by me. I was just happy to be here, feeling loved.

    I stood there, lost in my emotions. Suddenly, I feltforting hands around me.

    ¡°Hyung, watch out. You¡¯re gonna fall over. Don''t cry, man... I''m gonna start crying too..." Yoon-Chan said.

    ¡°Are you okay, hyung?¡± asked Jin-Sung.

    A tissue appeared from caring hands. I quickly covered my face with the tissue and nodded, managing to stop the tears thanks to their concern.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, look at me for a second," Yoon-Chan urged, checking my face and then smiling. ¡°You¡¯re a bit flushed, but you look okay."

    It meant I wasn¡¯t a mess enough to need a fix-up before going back onstage. I raised my head, waved at the Rings to show I was alright, and looked back at my parents. My father silently gave a thumbs-up.

    If I said something, I felt like I might lose control of my emotions. I bowed deeply in ce of a reply and stepped away. I had not expected both my parents toe because they were both working and busy.

    When I handed them the tickets, they seemed unsure whether they could make it and gave me vague responses. Therefore, I kept my expectations low. It turned out they just wanted toe, watch quietly, and slip away unnoticed.

    ¡°Everyone, this is ourst song tonight! I can''t believe it¡¯s almost over!¡±

    Time flew, and soon we were down to our final encore song.

    At that moment, a massive, whimsical cake-looking stair set rolled onto the stage. It was perfectly in tune with the concert''s parade and festival theme. It looked like something straight out of a fairy tale with its vibrant, colorful tiers.

    The members, who had been spread out, now gathered at the center and climbed atop the cake. As the cake began spinning around the stage, we delivered our final encore from atop this moving tform.

    After the song, we gathered at the center stage again and joined the band and dancers. We waved and expressed our gratitude to the cheering crowd. That marked the real conclusion of our very first concert.

    ***

    ¡°You all did an amazing job today! Sure, there were minor slip-ups, but you were all outstanding for your very first concert. Let''s hit it hard again tomorrow!¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡±

    sses clinked against each other. At the dinner party after the concert, there was a noticeable absence of alcohol because everyone was focused on being sharp for tomorrow¡¯s second concert.

    ¡°Hey, beef tonight? What a special treat~¡± Goh Yoo-Joon couldn¡¯t hide his excitement at the sight of perfectly grilled beef.

    Opposite of him, Jin-Sung was busy snapping pictures of the beef before eagerly beginning to eat what appeared to be almost raw steak. ¡°It¡¯s been forever since we had anything but pork!¡±

    Supervisor Kim observed Jin-Sung¡¯s voracious appetite and approached with a beaming smile. ¡°Go ahead, Chronos. Eat all you want. Forget about the price. Do you know what this is? It''s dry-aged beef[1]. The vor is iparable to average beef!¡±

    ¡°What does dry-aged mean?¡± Jin-Sung asked with curiosity.

    Supervisor Kim simply chuckled and urged him to eat more. ¡°It''s just fancy, expensive beef.¡±

    That we were brought to such an upscale restaurant known for its aged meats meant Supervisor Kim was in exceptionally high spirits, probably because the concert had been a smashing sess.

    ¡°The CEO said to eat as much as you like. He is paying for all of these,¡± Joo-Han murmured to me. So, this wasn¡¯t Supervisor Kim¡¯s treat after all. It was the CEO paying out of his own pocket.

    Oblivious to this, Jin-Sung enthusiastically gave two thumbs-up to Supervisor Kim with his mouth full of beef. ¡°I knew I could count on you, Supervisor Kim! You really know when it''s time to splurge!¡±

    ¡°Absolutely~ Dig in!¡± Supervisor Kim walked away without revealing that it was actually the CEO who footed the bill.

    Given ourrge group, which included members, dancers, band, and staff, we had rented out an entirerge hall for the meal. This allowed us to enjoy our dinner away from any awkward formalities with the adults as they offered one entire table just for the members.

    ¡°But, Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan. Don¡¯t you guys need to go eat with your parents?¡±

    The parents who had attended today¡¯s concert were mine and Yoon-Chan¡¯s. It wasn¡¯t until after the concert had ended that they finally came backstage. It was the first time both Yoon-Chan¡¯s and my parents met all the members.

    <i>¡°You guys can act as carefree as Yoo-Joon, just think of us as your mom and dad. And thanks for being so good to Hyun-Woo,¡± </i>my parents had said, visibly enjoying their interactions with the members and with our managers Su-Hwan and Tae-Seong.

    They seemed particrly pleased talking to Su-Hwan and Supervisor Kim, probably because theyid on the praise for me thick enough to make it almost embarrassing. After a brief exchange, my parents swapped phone numbers with Yoon-Chan¡¯s parents and left the venue together, likely heading out for a meal.

    Thus, before Yoon-Chan and I could even suggest joining them, we were preemptively turned down.

    ¡°You know, our fans must have some real strength. They seem to have picked it up from Jin-Sung,¡± Goh Yoo-Joonmented as he massaged his own arm.

    ¡°Why? Is your arm hurting?¡±

    ¡°I got grabbed in the audience earlier. They clung to my wrist so tightly it still hurts. Seems they grabbed me to give a gift but then got scared and let go. They didn¡¯t have to be apologetic.¡±

    ¡°Are you okay, Hyun-Woo hyung? You got grabbed too, right?¡±

    ¡°Ah, it was a shock, but I¡¯m alright.¡±

    It turned out that all the members had been pulled at least once, with Joo-Han actually having it worse than me. He had been grabbed so hard that even his outfit got stretched.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung said he''s going to add a request not to pull on us in the opening announcement starting tomorrow," Joo-Han mentioned as he grabbed some meat to eat.

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked a bit concerned. He said, ¡°Jin-Sung wasn¡¯t asking about your arm hurting. He was concerned about how you were suddenly grabbed. Weren''t you traumatized by that?"

    Joo-Han quickly joined in the conversation. ¡°Exactly. Everyone saw you freeze earlier. The members <i>and </i>the Rings. We are more worried about that than the physical pain."

    Reflecting on it, I realized I was okay. Such an event would have normally caused my heart to race with anxiety all day. But the fear I felt when I was grabbed disappeared as soon as we moved on to the next song.

    ¡°Thanks for your concern." I appreciated their early detection of my state. Maybe it was because of their quick response, or perhaps because I now knew I was not alone. "I really appreciate it." I felt grateful that I now had people to share my hardships with.

    [Second Condition: Ovee] Mission Complete

    Status : Amnesia has been removed.

    1. Dry-aged beef is appreciated for its richer vor and increased tenderness due to a natural breakdown of muscle tissue and moisture loss over weeks to months. This makes the meat juicier and more vorful, establishing it as a premium choice among meat enthusiasts. ?

 Chapter 358: Choose (1)

    <h4>Chapter 358: Choose (1)</h4>

    Enduring Supervisor Kim''s seemingly endless toasts was a bit of a chore, but it was worth it for the chance to catch up with the members.

    We shared deep and personal stories that we had set aside during the hectic concert preparations. Also, it was a great opportunity to engage in light-hearted banter with Su-Hwan, with whom we hadn''t spoken to in ages about anything non-work rted. The dinner actually turned out to be pretty enjoyable.

    After we wrapped up, the evening followed its usual routine. Ate-night practice session, heading back to the dorm, a quick shower, a round of video games with Goh Yoo-Joon, and firing off a thank-you text to my parents before crashing into bed.

    Today had been a day filled with more smiles and a little more sparkle, making me hopeful that tomorrow would bring more of the same. However, buried somewhere in my subconscious was the nagging knowledge that immense happiness was often followed by the opposite feeling¡ªunhappiness.

    As usual, I dismissed this thought as trivial. But the moment Iy down and closed my eyes, a sinking feeling told me something was off. I couldn''t pinpoint it, but I knew something bad would happen.

    My whole body shook uncontrobly. This wasn¡¯t just some fleeting sensation as the vibrations intensified gradually until they morphed into violent shakings. Alongside this turmoil, a cacophony began to build around me.

    I opened my eyes at that moment. As Iy there on the dorm bed, it seemed impossible to be experiencing such intense vibrations, noises, as well as the chatter and cries of people around me.

    "...What the... Ugh!" I gasped in shock.

    And that was when it hit me that the serene dorm room had been reced by a scene of utter chaos. My head suddenly felt like it was encased in ice. My face drained of color, and my mind nked out, unable to process thoughts or form words. All that escaped my lips were the foolish murmurs of "Ah... Ah..."

    <i>¡®What in the world is happening? Is this even real? What kind of situation have I stumbled into?¡¯</i>

    It felt too vivid to be a dream, yet too abrupt and bizarre to be reality.

    - Ladies and gentlemen, the aircraft is experiencing turbulence due to strong winds!

    <i>Beep beep beep beep beep¡ª</i>

    - Please bend down! Head down! Hold onto your ankles! Grab your ankles!

    That moment had been etched into my memory. It was the overwhelming scene, the intense atmosphere, the sharp stench of fear as the ne nosedived. Screams, a mix of fear and anxiety filling the air. I felt utterly paralyzed as my heart dropped to my stomach and left me gasping for air.

    Cold sweat covered me, and my limbs trembled uncontrobly.

    - Bend down! Head down! Hold onto your ankles! Grab your ankles!

    <i>¡®Why? Why is this happening again...? Why now...¡¯</i>

    Someone forcibly pushed my head down. I was enveloped in intense heat apanied by a deafening roar and a violent jolt.

    "AAAAAAH!!!" I screamed, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain. Then, all the pain suddenly vanished, and a profound silence enveloped me.

    <i>¡®Am I dead?¡¯ </i>

    No, I wasn''t dead. The damp touch of the nket beneath me and the musty smell of mold were too real. I opened my eyes again.

    "...Fuck."

    Swearing felt natural after what felt like an eternity. The moldy ceiling I was staring at was unmistakably the same one from the studio apartment I lived in before everything changed.

    As I sat up, the skin from my face to my corbone pulled tight. This sensation was all too familiar.

    <i>¡®Damn it. Is this reality? Was everything else... my regression, my debut, my first concert just a dream?¡¯</i>

    "Shit."

    Anger surged within me. I was the crazy one. Of course, such happy events would never happen to someone like me. What had made me believe such illusions? It was all just... fake.

    "Was it all really nothing? Really? Chronos, concerts, even singer Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    It was too much to bear. All the hopes and efforts I had poured into everything had vanished into thin air. I had never felt so empty. If there was a god, I wanted to scream at him and ask why he tormented me so. If my days as Chronos were merely a dream, I wished to remain in that dream forever.

    I sat there, lost in thoughts, cursing the cruel twist of fate. A strange holographic window appeared suddenly in front of me.

    [It''s not a dream, you idiot.]

    [Second Condition: Ovee] Mission Complete

    Status : Amnesia has been removed.

    The words scrolled up within the holographic window. As I read them, a sense of being hit over the head washed over me.

    <i>''Something is off here.''</i>

    Everything felt weird. This couldn¡¯t just be written off as a mere dream because the peculiarity of the ongoing events was undeniable.

    The text in the hologram changed once more.

    [Third Condition: Choose]

    -You cannot advance until you fulfill the condition.

    "The third condition?"

    How had I skipped the first two conditions tond directly on the third? What did ''choose'' even mean?

    Icked any solid information. Yet this window seemed to be my sole beacon of hope for returning to where I once was. It couldn¡¯t all have been a dream. Not the vivid life I had lived as a Chronos member.

    <i>''It definitely wasn¡¯t just a dream.''</i>

    Despite my denials and struggles against the notion that it had all been a figment of my imagination, reality remained unyielding. Life continued as it had. My forgotten stint as a trainer, my stiff neck muscles barely moving, the debts piled up from medical bills, the dark room I had called home, and the walls I had built around myself, my family, and my fellow group members hade back.

    Everything had stayed the same, unchanged.

    ***

    [Third Condition: Choose]

    "..."

    <i>¡®What¡¯s this all about? What am I supposed to choose from?¡¯</i>

    The text shed repeatedly before my eyes as if urging me to quickly grasp its meaning. Despite racking my brain all night, which was a full day since my return here, the choice I was supposed to make remained a mystery.

    Catching glimpses of my reflection asionally startled me. I had lived with this face for years, yet it felt almost foreign now after briefly reverting to my original features. And now, here I was, back to being a trainer at YU.

    I used to be a Chronos member, a singer performing on stage, so this was a harsh downgrade that left a bitter taste. But there was no way I could avoid it. This world had erased Chronos.

    "Hyun-Woo, you look troubled. Is everything okay?"

    A cup of coffee slid across the table toward me. As I looked up, I saw Ji-Hyuk smiling down with an offer of kindness in his eyes.

    I began to return the warmth but hesitated midway.

    "Please, take the coffee. Oh, unless vending machine coffee isn¡¯t your thing?"

    "No, it''s not that. Thanks, Ji-Hyuk."

    Ji-Hyuk''s demeanor was strictly professional, which was strange. Thinking back, High Tension was already a hit group holding concerts when I joined YU. The only artists I had coached were from the group Crown with On-Sae. Therefore, I didn¡¯t have a personal connection with Ji-Hyuk. Our interactions were limited to polite greetings in passing.

    It seemed Ji-Hyuk had merely tried to cheer up a familiar but forlorn face. "If it''s nothing serious, then I''m relieved. I will leave you be."

    His indifferent manner, so unlike the Ji-Hyuk I remembered, struck a chord in me. He wasn¡¯t the only one whose rtionship with me had drastically changed.

    On-Sae timidly called me Teacher. The Chronos members who used to frequently check in now only sent asional, cautious check-ins. Yoon-Chan was almost a stranger now. I hadpletely lost touch with Su-Hwan and Tae-Seong. And I had distanced myself far from my family.

    I was at a loss on how to begin mending these fractured bonds.

    I sighed. What could be done? These estranged rtionships were the consequences of my own choices.

    I stared nkly at the coffee Ji-Hyuk had left and finally stood up.

    <i>¡®Let''s just go home.¡¯</i>

    Clutching onto any hope of returning to Chronos seemed increasingly futile.

    [Third Condition: Choose]

    -You cannot advance until you fulfill the condition.

    The text box in the corner of my vision persisted. This was a nagging reminder that I had an unresolved task, though I couldn¡¯t even grasp its meaning.

    ***

    When I arrived home, a musty odor assaulted my senses.

    <i>¡®Have I really been living here all this time?¡¯</i>

    Adapting from thefortable amodations of Chronos to this shabby ce made it starkly apparent just how far I had fallen. As I flipped on the light and stepped toward the room, a ttering sound from the kitchen halted me.

    <i>''What now?''</i>

    I peered around and caught sight of a figure obscured behind the refrigerator door standing upright.

    "Dad?"

    It was indeed my father, who seemed unable to meet my gaze directly and appeared visibly flustered. "Uh, well, your mom wanted me to leave some side dishes for you. You had left the door open, and I thought you had left it that way for me. Sorry for just walking in."

    "Oh, the door."

    The Chronos dorm had a touchpad lock device, so I forgot that my current home required a key for its door locks. That was when I realized I hadn''t seen my parents since being trapped back in this one-room apartment.

    That exined my father¡¯s avoidance of eye contact. The way he couldn¡¯t look at me now painfully ovepped with the memory of how he looked at me during my days as a Chronos member.

    "Hyun-Woo, I put some side dishes in the fridge for you. Make sure to call next time." My father brushed past me quickly and headed for the door. Then, he hesitated, turned, and offered a strained smile. "It''s good to see you anyway. Call anytime, and, well... take care."

    The door clicked shut behind him. I stood there, and a lump formed in my throat as I swallowed hard and the emotions threatened to spill over.

    Before I became a Chronos member, I hadn''t been privy to such tender moments from my father.

    After a while, someone knocked the door again as I turned back from the door. Then my phone buzzed.

    - Are you home?

    It was a message from Goh Yoo-Joon. It seemed he was the one outside my door. Another vibration followed.

    - I just wanted to have a drink with you. If you are not home, it''s fine.

    Footsteps echoed outside. I had never properly replied to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s texts before. It wasn¡¯t that we had never met, but those times were just coincidental encounters at the broadcast station where we ended up having a meal. Personalmunication was almost nonexistent.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was leaving. Because my mind was almost nk, I debated whether to just let him go, but then I turned on my phone again.

    - Okay. Let¡¯s drink.

 Chapter 359: Choose (2)

    <h4>Chapter 359: Choose (2)</h4>

    When I suggested a drink, I had in mind the neighborhood pork belly restaurant. Somewhere with its greasy, oil-stained tables and buzzing atmosphere. However, Goh Yoo-Joon had other ideas and whisked me away in his car to a high-end tuna restaurant with private rooms.

    He saw my confused look and exined, "This ce has better security. I will drive you backter."

    Ah, that was right. The ces we could go and things we could eat were vastly different nowpared to our days in Chronos when everything was shared.

    "Thanks. You¡¯re paying for it, too, right?" I teased.

    He paused, then nodded with a relieved smile. "You should pay for next time, then."

    Had Goh Yoo-Joon always been this mature? Well, the Goh Yoo-Joon I used to chat with was just turning eighteen, a far cry from this moreposed mid-twenties version in front of me. Because I had adjusted to a younger version of him, it was downright strange to see him act so formal now.

    After we entered the room and ced our orders, the conversation dried up. We weren¡¯t here just for food or drink, but to reconnect. However, finding the words was harder than I expected.

    For two people whose lives had diverged so suddenly, findingfortable topics was definitely challenging.

    I hesitated to break the silence because I thought he¡¯d eventually make the first move. As I tried to appear nonchnt and sipped some water, Goh Yoo-Joon finally broke the ice. "How have you been?"

    "Not too bad. What about you? You haven¡¯t been active recently."

    "I¡¯m working on an album, so everything has been a bit busy for me."

    "Ah, good luck with that."

    Soon after, the tuna and sake we ordered were served. Since there was no conversation, my appetite naturally kicked in. I found myself enjoying the sake and savoring the tuna slices while still avoiding eye contact with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Meanwhile, he hadn¡¯t even picked up his chopsticks yet. Instead of eating, he initiated another conversation.

    "Hyun-Woo. What brings you out today? You usually don¡¯t respond to my invites."

    I tilted my head, puzzled. Had Goh Yoo-Joon always addressed me without myst name?

    My memory was hazy because we hadn¡¯t spoken enough for me to remember. Likely, he also couldn¡¯t recall whether to call me Suh Hyun-Woo or just Hyun-Woo, opting instead for the more familiar tone. It struck me how distant he and I had be in this world.

    I tried to hide my bitterness and retorted, "Why do you keep asking to meet? You know I don''t like going out."

    "I know, but still..."

    Our talk had a tense undertone, and Goh Yoo-Joon bit his lip before downing his sake in one gulp. "Sake doesn¡¯t really suit me. I prefer soju."

    "Why are you changing the subject?"

    "Why do I keep asking to meet? Because you seem to avoid it, that¡¯s why."

    The Goh Yoo-Joon who used to make jokes, sing, and participate joyfully in variety shows was now absent. This guy in front of me was a subdued adult, seasoned by life¡¯s harsh realities and societal absurdities. He seemed desperate to find the bnce in his life.

    Yet he still tried to look at me as if I was still the eighteen-year-old from our past.

    "You know, you¡¯re my only friend."

    "That¡¯s a lie. You have lots of friends."

    The guy who liked making and looking after friends was iming he had none? That was ridiculous.

    "No, really. I don¡¯t have friends."

    I didn¡¯t respond. At eighteen, I¡¯d get drunk quickly, but I wasn''t even tipsy now.

    "Can¡¯t we just clear whatever¡¯s between us and go back to being friends like before? I keep calling you because I want us to reconnect."

    "...If that were possible, I would¡¯ve done it long ago."

    I could¡¯ve easily agreed by saying "Sure, let¡¯s do that." However, irritation was the first emotion to surface when the happiest moments had suddenly been snatched by reality.

    When our paths in life changed significantly, our conversations no longer aligned. It was impossible. I was now a trainer dealing with financial issues and debts while Goh Yoo-Joon was enjoying his celebrity life. Our lives, goals, and circumstances had all changed, so even if we became friends again, what would we have to talk about?

    "It¡¯s not that I me you or the ted members, but you guys have built so many memories without me."

    I thought I felt this way before the ne crash too. The members with whom I was supposed to debut went on to create their own memories on numerous stages while I was left grappling with debts. The fond memories I shared with the Chronos members made me yearn painfully for a camaraderie that no longer had room for me in ted.

    Even if I agreed now to "let''s forget and be friends again," invisible walls would likely remain.

    Wouldn''t that be too painful?

    And above all...

    "Hey, hey. Look at me," I said.

    "What?"

    "Look at my face."

    Goh Yoo-Joon flinched and slowly raised his eyes to meet mine, but he quickly looked away.

    I let out a hollowugh and said, "You want to be friends again? Even though you can''t bear to look at me?"

    He had not been able to look at my face since the incident. Not because it was grotesque or disgusting, but because of the guilt and sorrow that overwhelmed him. Seeing Goh Yoo-Joon like this wasn''t something I wanted.

    The grip on his ss tightened, and the sake quivered as his hands shook, revealing his nervousness. The Goh Yoo-Joon before me looked deeply sad. The eighteen-year-old version of him ovepped with the current Goh Yoo-Joon.

    <i>"What would you do if I suddenly got hurt or died?"</i>

    <i>"What kind of question is that? I wouldn¡¯t be able to bear it."</i>

    <i>"No, I¡¯m serious. Think about it for a moment."</i>

    <i>"That </i>was <i>my serious answer. I really wouldn¡¯t be able to bear it."</i>

    It reminded me of the Goh Yoo-Joon from Chronos, who always responded seriously no matter how casually the question was thrown during our gaming sessions. Ah, this made me want to cry. I really missed the real Chronos.

    "Hyun-Woo, I..."

    "I know it¡¯s not your fault. But I think it''s toote to go back to how we were."

    We had be too distant in this timeline. It was nobody¡¯s fault, but the way we saw each other had changed too much. If I hadn¡¯t known what it was like to be with Chronos, maybe this wouldn¡¯t have been so hard. But knowing that and seeing those guarded, dark looks made it impossible to be close with him again.

    "It¡¯s somewhat my fault. I wish I could have been there when you needed someone the most."

    "Just think of it as my inferiorityplex acting up. Sorry. You really did try to take care of me through check-ins..."

    "It¡¯s okay, no need for apologies. Let''s just enjoy the meal while we¡¯re here."

    "Alright."

    We could finally rx and enjoy our meal. We talked about how everyone was doing and discussed updates on the other members.

    "Jin-Sung is going to be on a UNET<i> </ipetition program."

    "Jin-Sung? Why? What''s he doingpeting with those kids?"

    <i>¡®After having been an idol himself, was he trying for aeback?¡¯</i> But seeing Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s confused look, I realized my thoughts had inadvertently drifted back to Chronos¡¯ Jin-Sung.

    "He is obviously going as a judge."

    "Ah, right, that makes sense."

    "Even if ted was called a flop, Jin-Sung¡¯s dance skills were always renowned."

    "How can ted be a flop? They even topped Billboard Korea."

    Goh Yoo-Joon replied nonchntly to my surprise. "Being number one in Korea isn¡¯t as big a deal these days. There are so many other groups who got that rank."

    "You are talking like someone who¡¯s too used to sess. Do you realize how amazing that is? From an outsider¡¯s point of view, you guys are still idols who stepped down at the peak when people pped for you."

    "Thanks for putting it that way." Goh Yoo-Joon smiled faintly, which was a reminder of how much the lightness and yfulness had faded over the years.

    "Oh, right. There is something I¡¯ve been wondering about," I said.

    Goh Yoo-Joon checked the time and looked up at me attentively. "What is it?"

    "About that UNETpetition show you guys did before debuting..."

    "Oh, what was it called again?"

    "<i>Pick We Up</i>."

    "Right, right."

    It seemed to be a distant memory for him. He frowned and stared into space as if trying to dredge up details from a long-forgotten past.

    "I don¡¯t have great memories from that time."

    This was another way this Goh Yoo-Joon differed from the Chronos¡¯ Goh Yoo-Joon. The eighteen-year-old version of him regarded winning <i>Pick We Up </i>as one of his proudest moments.

    "Why not?"

    "Well, we were pretty much treated like extras, which is understandable. There wasn¡¯t much payoff, and it was stressful every episode."

    "How far did you guys get?"

    "We managed to make a mark from the unit stage onward, pushed forward, and I think we ended up third?"

    "Who was first?" I casually asked after hearing that Jin-Sung was going to be a judge, suddenly curious about the original winner of <i>Pick We Up.</i>

    "Uh... Who was it again?" Goh Yoo-Joon seemed to struggle with the memory as he pondered for a moment before resorting to his phone to look it up. Finally, he found the answer and let me know. "It was Street Center. High Tension came in second."

    "Ah, I see. I was just curious. It suddenly popped into my mind."

    "I see." He checked the time again, signaling that his schedule was drawing near.

    I ced my chopsticks down, gulped down thest of my sake, and stood up. "I should get going. Thanks for the meal, Yoo-Joon."

    "Yeah, sure thing. Uh, Hyun-Woo..." Goh Yoo-Joon hurried to his feet and called out to me as I turned around. He paused, seemingly uncertain. Then, he finally asked, "About what you said earlier, I get it... But can we still keep in touch, maybe here and there?"

    "Yeah, let''s keep checking in on each other," I responded casually as I slipped on my shoes and headed toward the entrance.

    Despite our deep conversation, Goh Yoo-Joon''s consistently cautious demeanor was hard to watch. His repeated, "Hyun-Woo, Hyun-Woo," sounded overly tentative, almost making me cringe.

    I felt an irritating tug at my skin, simr to a burn being scratched. Yet I found myself longing to return to Chronos because I missed my friend Goh Yoo-Joon more than ever. I was not sure when I would be able to go back, if ever.

    As these thoughts crossed my mind, a text box suddenly appeared in front of me with the letters inside it slowly morphing.

    [Choice for Event 2 has been made.]

    "What?"

    I got exasperated and muttered. "What the fuck? At least give me a heads-up about what choice or event this is supposed to be."

    <i>¡®What am I supposed to make of this when you say the decision was made out of nowhere? Is this some kind of game? It doesn''t feel like any game I know of!¡¯</i>

    As I stared down at the window with a baffled look, the text shifted once more.

    [NPC[1] from Event 2 will disappear due to the protagonist''s choice.]

    "..."

    A sudden realization struck me like a cold wave. I instinctively spun around to look back at the room where I had been in with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    "...Goh Yoo-Joon?"

    There was no answer. Goh Yoo-Joon had vanished.

    1. Huh? Is the genre of this novel some sort of gaming-rted sci fi? I am confused :0 ?

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 360: Choose (3)

    <h4>Chapter 360: Choose (3)</h4>

    "Sir?"

    The server''s voice brought me out of my daze as I stood at the counter. I searched vainly for any sign of my friend who had seemingly disappeared into thin air. He didn¡¯t leave behind a single item, not even a strand of hair. I strained to make sense of the situation by grappling with disbelief. No matter where I looked, Goh Yoo-Joon was gone.

    "Didn¡¯t someone juste here with me from there? Someone who was with me," I asked, my voice tinged with desperation.

    The server looked at me, puzzled by my frantic question. "Sorry?"

    I ignored his confusion and quickly went back to the room where Goh Yoo-Joon and I had been. It was impossible to think that an adult Goh Yoo-Joon would y such a cruel prank. Also, one had to pass the counter to get to the restrooms.

    The realization hit me hard. Goh Yoo-Joon had truly disappeared. As this certainty settled in, I found myself forgetting even how to blink or breathe. An involuntary chill spread through my body, and a wave of anxiety made my hands tremble uncontrobly.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was really gone? Just like that?

    "No way..." I muttered to myself with a mix of denial and despair.

    Could it really be because of me? I began shouting his name in panic and wandering aimlessly. I couldn''t recall how I managed to pay the bill, how I found my car, or even how I made it home. Only one phrase echoed in my mind.

    <i>[NPC from Event 2 will disappear due to the protagonist''s choice.]</i>

    My mind raced. Goh Yoo-Joon was the only person who had stuck by me and regarded me as a friend till the end, but he had now been erased from the world only because of me.

    Upon entering my darkened home, my legs gave way. I slumped down in the hallway with tears streaming down my face uncontrobly.

    "Goh Yoo-Joon..." I whispered into the emptiness.

    <i>¡®What is this? What''s happening?¡¯</i>

    I tried calling him, but the phone imed his number didn''t exist. I searched online for any trace of him, but turned up with nothing. There were no news articles, no social media... There was nothing. As if he had never existed.

    <i>"What would you do if I suddenly got hurt or died?"</i>

    <i>"What kind of question is that? I wouldn¡¯t be able to bear it."</i>

    <i>"No, I¡¯m serious. Think about it for a moment."</i>

    <i>"That </i>was <i>my serious answer. I really wouldn¡¯t be able to bear it."</i>

    I felt exactly the same way about him.

    <i>¡®What if he''s really gone forever?¡¯</i>

    The thought terrified me, almost to the point of madness.

    <i>Ding!</i>

    A notification interrupted my thoughts. It sounded far too cheerful given what I was going through. Despite my sobbing, the rity of the sound made me instinctively look up, only to see another bizarre window pop up in front of me. The text was blurry, so I rubbed my eyes to see it clearer.

    A surge of anger washed over me.

    [ ?????????????????????????????????????? ]

    "Motherfucker."

    I had suspected that there might be some sentient entity behind this text window, but I never imagined it would torment me to this extent. This entity had to be the same one that had sent me back in time.

    Whoever or whatever it was, it was clear they were enjoying this.

    [I said your misery and inferiorityplex make quite an entertaining spectacle.]

    "Stop messing around and bring Yoo-Joon back. This is your doing, isn''t it?"

    [It''s not my fault you made the choice that led to his removal.]

    [But you really are quite slow in grasping what¡¯s going on, aren''t you? LOL It has been so long since the status effect was removed and you still haven''t remembered?]

    [Well, time will eventually jog your memory.]

    "Stop talking nonsensical shit and just bring him back. Please. Just stop this, please... Please..."

    My voice broke with desperation. I was ready to kneel, to grovel before this cruel system if it meant getting Goh Yoo-Joon back. He was my only friend, the one person who had remained by my side through it all.

    I pleaded, but the text window remained unchanged for a long time, as if ignoring me or perhaps getting annoyed by me.

    "Please, I¡¯m begging you. Bring Yoo-Joon back."

    At the peak of my anxiety, the silence in the room was almost deafening when the text finally responded.

    [Even if it means erasing Chronos'' Goh Yoo-Joon as well?]

    I was left speechless once more. How could that be possible? Up to this point, both Goh Yoo-Joon from Chronos and Goh Yoo-Joon from here had been alive and well.

    [You wouldn¡¯t like that, would you?]

    "..."

    I was unable to respond because I was faced with this heart-wrenching choice. I had chosen thepanionship of Chronos and its members when I traveled back in time, that was true.

    ...Wait.

    "Hold on, you¡¯re saying that all the members have vanished, not just Yoo-Joon?"

    The text window, which had until now responded diligently, suddenly ceased to reply and vanished from my view.

    I hurriedly unlocked my phone with trembling hands and started searching for each member, beginning with Joo-Han.

    "Damn it..."

    What was I supposed to do? What could I do? As I had feared, not only Goh Yoo-Joon, but all of the ted members had disappeared. This catastrophe was a direct result of me choosing Chronos. Had I chosen otherwise, perhaps it would have been Chronos that faced obliteration.

    <i>¡®This is fucking insane.¡¯ </i>

    Though reality felt utterly distant, despair overflowed and my rage hit a breaking point that it oddly numbed my other emotions. It was time to try to cool down and grasp what was happening. I needed to rethink everything from scratch.

    Ever since my abrupt return to the present, I¡¯d been haunted by a persistent Choose prompt in a text window. But what was it that I was supposed to be choosing?

    At this moment, I couldn''t exactly say, but one thing was clear¡ªthere were two timelines to consider. One was the current timeline where I resided, and the other was where I existed as a member of Chronos.

    The choices seemed to revolve around these timelines, and the text window had framed these dilemmas as events. If I chose to rekindle my friendship with the Goh Yoo-Joon of this timeline, it appeared that Chronos¡¯ Goh Yoo-Joon would vanish. This suggested that making a choice regarding one timeline would inevitably erase elements from the other one. The root cause of this twisted scenario remained shrouded in mystery.

    <i>[It has been so long since the status effect was removed and you still haven''t remembered?]</i>

    This question implied there were gaps in my memory, likely tied directly to my current predicament. They said memories would naturally return over time, so I decided to wait it out for now.

    "...Hah. Alright." I exhaled slowly as I tried to calm my nerves.

    I understood that I was caught up in an event, which was a situation demanding a choice. Now that I was aware of the options, caution was paramount... But something nagged at me.

    I yearned to revisit the previous text windows. How could I bring them up again? I blinked several times and murmured under my breath, "System."

    Could it be that the text window would pop up like something from a game?

    <i>Ding!</i>

    Unbelievably, it worked.

    Contractor: Suh Hyun-Woo

    Progress:

    - Third Condition [Choose]

    Status: In progress (25%)

    - The contractor''s regression condition has not yet been met. Integration will not be fullypleted until the contractor''s adaptation process ispleted.

    - This condition has a time limit. (Remaining time: 2 days)

    "What in the world is this?"

    The system window I had envisioned would merely list previous text windows, but here was a detailed information panel. I was still struggling to make sense of it all.

    I swiped through the holographic system window with my hand, and the text windows I had encountered scrolled like a timeline. Included were the first and second conditions, which, unbeknownst to me, had already beenpleted. It also indicated that I had recently recovered from a period of amnesia.

    A shiver ran through me. What kind of bizarre entity had I inadvertently made a deal with?

    "If you¡¯re going to be this cryptic, could you at least show me what other events are left? How can any event be orchestrated so obscurely?"

    But as expected, there was no response. Who was behind this? Since my time travel, I had met countless individuals. Some were decidedly suspicious, like that man with the bizarrely colored hair, pink or maybe blue.

    <i>"If I could live again... I definitely wouldn¡¯t live the same life."</i>

    <i>"Alright, let''s make a deal."</i>

    A strange memory burst forth suddenly. I was sobbing and soaked in blood. It was a scene that seemed familiar as if from a dream, popping up in my mind rapidly before fading.

    "Ugh, agh!"

    At that moment, I felt an intense burning pain as if I was engulfed in mes. The terrible agony made me writhe and copse onto the floor.

    [Event One has urred.]

    The text window invaded my vision rudely, not caring for my suffering. As the burning sensation intensified and then diminished, I clutched at the burn marks on my skin and gasped for breath. Then, there was a desperate pounding at the door.

    "Hyun-Woo!!!"

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    "Suh Hyun-Woo!! What¡¯s happening? Open the door!"

    It was my parents. They were hammering on the door as if to break it down. I was frozen in ce and stared at the text window before me.

    [Event 1 has urred.]

    [Make your choice.]

    "Damn it... Damn it!!!"

    This fucking asshole!

    I had been puzzled from the moment the event window appeared. Why had Goh Yoo-Joon''s appearance beenbeled as Event Two?

    The pain was excruciating, far more agonizing than any physical burn. I had momentarily forgotten about the brief encounter with my father before Goh Yoo-Joon''s visit. If the meeting with my parents had also been orchestrated as an event, then it had been triggered by my choices.

    Far off in the distance, I could almost see that wretched figure, gleefully smirking at my suffering. What had I done to deserve this torment? My teeth clenched in anger and frustration.

 Chapter 361: Choose (4)

    <h4>Chapter 361: Choose (4)</h4>

    I regretted the choice I couldn¡¯t remember making.

    <i>¡®Why did you cling to life when you could just peacefully die, Hyun-Woo? What was the point of living like this?¡¯ </i>I thought to myself.

    No matter how much hair-pulling I did or how many soul-wrenching cries I went through, nothing changed. The forgotten contract was irond, unbreakable. I shouldn¡¯t make any further choices. I couldn''t bear the thought of deciding, especially when it came to my parents. Even if choosing was the only escape from this nightmare, I was not supposed to choose anything.

    <i>Bang! Crash!!!</i>

    "Hyun-Woo!!!"

    The door shuddered under the force, probably because my father thought I was in danger and tried breaking in to save me. I felt an overwhelming desire to just end my life now. I wanted to go back to how things were.

    I wiped my face roughly with my sleeve and managed to pull myself together enough to open the door. "...I¡¯m so sorry. I was sleeping," I lied.

    The sight of me seemed to startle my parents immensely. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, and my mother''s eyes were brimming with tears. "W... Was there any trouble? I thought I heard some distressing noisesing from inside."

    I tried to sound calm. "No, nothing like that."

    "...Alright, do you mind if wee in for a bit?"

    Although they clearly didn''t believe me, they didn''t press further. Given my past behavior before traveling back in time, their wariness was reasonable. I had always made it a point to seem busy or simply not at home whenever they checked on me.

    Opening the door to face them now must have felt unusually solemn and significant for them. I realized then how neglectful I had been and stepped aside to let them in. "Please,e in."

    "Thank you. We came back because... umm... it seemed like today you might be less busy, and we thought we might have a chance to talk," they exined.

    "Hyun-Woo, have you eaten anything?" Mother asked with a soft voice.

    I shook my head, not because I was hungry, but because the thought of eating made me feel nauseous. But, I couldn''t merely send them away after they had made the effort to match their visit with my supposed free time.

    "You look a bit pale. Is everything alright?"

    "No, it''s nothing. I¡¯m just tired." I reassured them, though I was only reassuring myself.

    "Okay, Have a chat with your dad, then. Is the side dish I sent over still here?"

    As soon as she entered, my mother headed straight to the kitchen. I was left in the living room with my father. The air between us was defined by an awkward silence after a brief and halting attempt at conversation about my work life.

    "So, uh... how''s work going?" he asked hesitantly.

    "It''s going well," I responded a bit too quickly.

    "I¡¯m d to hear that."

    The conversation soon trailed off into silence. It had always been like this between us, even before the incident that had driven a wedge in our rtionship. Talking now felt even more strained and ufortable.

    My father then diverted his attention from our dry talk to inspect the room. "It looks like there''s mold here. Is there a leak somewhere?" he muttered more to himself than to me, perhaps to fill the silence with some sort of interaction. He then abruptly turned back to me with a concerned look. "Is there really nothing bothering you?"

    I shook my head once more because I found it hard to articte the true breadth of my feelings and recent experiences. I couldn''t bring myself to share that I had just lost significant people in my life due to my choices. My members were now gone because of me.

    My father studied me intently before rummaging through a bag and pulling out several soju bottles from a rustling ck stic bag. "Hyun-Woo, I''ve always wanted to have a drink with you once you were old enough. I thought today might be the right time, so I got your mother''s approval to buy these. Do you drink often?" he asked with a hopeful note in his voice.

    "Drinking..." I remembered my father had mentioned something simr back when I was a Chronos member. I was now ready to share a drink with him for the first time. "I¡¯m not too bad at it," I concluded and managed a small smile.

    Despite having already shared a drink with Goh Yoo-Joon, I was not at all intoxicated. In this timeline, I was well-ustomed to alcohol, so even if my father and I finished all the bottles, I wouldn¡¯t feel a thing.

    My father seemed pleased with my response and quickly joined my mother in the kitchen to bring out the food.

    ***

    Together, we shared a drink or two. In this reality, no amount of alcohol seemed to affect me. It was remarkable, considering how I used to have a notably low tolerance for alcohol back in my Chronos days. I wondered how much I had drunk to be this sober despite all the soju.

    On the other hand, my father began to be tipsy by the second bottle.

    "Your father doesn¡¯t really drink much, and he¡¯s actually not that good with alcohol. But he bought so much soju today," my mother exined.

    "Ah, he has low tolerance..." It seemed I had inherited this trait from my father.

    "Hyun-Woo, has there been anything new with youtely?" Mother asked. Even my father, who had been half-asleep with drooping eyelids, perked up and looked my way with that same curious glint.

    "Nothing much." Their faces fell slightly at my response; disappointment etched across their looks.

    My mother pressed since she hoped to pull more information out of me. "There must be something. Even if it''s just work troubles or small daily grievances."

    Father chuckled lightly, trying to steer the conversation toward a lighter mood. "We actually came here wanting to hear all the whimsical and far-fetched stories you might have. I prefer those over the gloomy stuff."

    Both their eyes held a deep earnestness, almost pleading for the conversation to continue, for anything that would keep our dialogue flowing. Perhaps father¡¯s decision to bring a full stock of soju despite his low tolerance was a testament to their hope for a breakthrough tonight.

    "I wish we could just chat like old times," I admitted. Having been a member of Chronos, I had once unterally broken down the walls between us. Perhaps that was why I now found myself longing for those genuine and nonsensical conversations.

    Or maybe I had gone slightly mad dealing with the stuff with Goh Yoo-Joon and the other members, or had resigned to never returning to my life as a Chronos member. Or maybe I was just tired of suffering in silence.

    "You can take what I¡¯m about to say as some absurd rambling or a figment of my imagination. You can even think it¡¯s just the booze talking."

    Despite my warning that I was about to say something crazy, my mother and father listened to me with curious expressions on their faces.

    I told them everything that had happened so far, leaving out only the part about the ne crash. I exined how I went back in time, debuted there, held concerts, and eventually returned to this moment after experiencing ultimate happiness. I spilled my guts until I feltpletely unburdened, and I felt a sense of peace washing over me for the first time in ages.

    The surprising thing was that my parents listened to the entire admittedly unbelievable story without a single objection or interruption. They didn''t mock me or express disbelief. They just listened. I knew they probably didn¡¯t buy a word of it, but they let me talk because they wanted to hear what their son had to say.

    Even as I bitterly gulped down soju to speak more boldly and recklessly with each sip, they just sat there and absorbed it all. How did they react when I finally finished my story?

    "I see... So that¡¯s what happened..." They looked confused but were wearingplex, subtle expressions. It was clear they were struggling to process everything. They probably thought their son had gone mad while they weren¡¯t paying attention to him. I surely was a disgraceful son.

    However, my parents didn''t voice their tangled thoughts. Instead, they exchanged nces and nodded resolutely.

    "Honestly, your mom and I couldn¡¯t understand half of what you said."

    "Yes, Father."

    "But if it¡¯s true, we want to tell you to make choices for a better future."

    It seemed they had decided to support my story, no matter how far-fetched it sounded.

    "If this is real, if you were happier in that life after going back in time, then don¡¯t hesitate or feel sad and choose that life."

    "How can I do that? But thanks to the alcohol, I managed to finally say it out loud once. I feel a bit relieved."

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    My mother¡¯s expression turned more serious. "I just want you to be happy in any form. I prefer the version of me that¡¯s happy seeing a happy Hyun-Woo."

    I thought they were just saying it to please me. It feltforting, even if it was just a gesture.

    Until the event window appeared before my eyes...

    [You have made a choice for Event One.]

    I stood up reflexively as a chill ran through my body. The shock took my breath away. The words on the screen seemed to mock the chaos in my mind.

    "What¡¯s¡ª!"

    "What?"

    "Hyun-Woo, why are you suddenly acting like this?"

    [The NPCs of Event One will disappear based on your choice.]

    <i>Bang!!!</i>

    "Are you crazy?!"

    Fear gripped me. I was terrified my parents would disappear too, leaving me alone in this surreal nightmare. The idea of losing everyone so suddenly filled me with dread, and I started spewing whatever words and curses came to mind. Desperation colored my voice.

    mming my hand on the table didn¡¯t hurt at all, but I couldn¡¯t hear my parents¡¯ startled screams. Everything seemed distant and surreal.

    "What choice?! It was just something they said! It wasn¡¯t a choice."

    My doubts and anger, which had been simmering all day, turned into strong resentment toward the unknown entity. I felt like a pawn in some cruel game.

    No matter how many cursed words I spat into the air, time passed, and the system window disappeared as if it hadpleted its task. It was so indifferent to my suffering.

    "Stop it!!!"

    When I mmed the table again with all my might, I was the only one left in the room. My parents had vanished and left me in a deafening silence. I couldn¡¯t cry, get angry, or even express my astonishment properly. I just stared at the empty table like a mute who had no words. The side dishes my mother had set out, the alcohol bottle my father had opened, everything remained except for me.

    [The final event has urred.]

    I didn¡¯t even have time to be sad because I truly wanted to quit this twisted reality. With the text window coldly dominating my vision, the room twisted and the scenery changed once more.

    The ce where I stood was not an empty room but an airport. I found myself standing in front of an airne, the engines humming with a sense of foreboding.

    [Make your choice.]

    The words hung in the air, demanding an answer.

 Chapter 362: Choose (5)

    <h4>Chapter 362: Choose (5)</h4>

    Arge wheel and a wing blocked my view. As I turned my head with a frown, I found myself standing in the middle of a vast ne runway under the setting sun. The dazzlingly beautiful scene looked only red to me, as if the world was drenched in blood. The cool breeze that blew felt ufortably cold, almost mocking my solitude.

    There was no one here but me. The eerie silence and emptiness felt like I was facing the end of the world alone.

    ¡°What the hell is this...?¡± I muttered to myself. My voice was barely louder than a whisper.

    It was the first time I realized how terrifying peace could feel. I sank to the ground and buried my head in my knees. My family and my group members all vanished because of me. The phrase "falling apart" perfectly applied to me in this situation.

    Even if I wanted to quit, return, or undo it all, I didn¡¯t know how. That helplessness was as loathsome as the burn scars on my body. The feeling of being utterly powerless gnawed at me.

    [Make your choice.]

    [Make your choice.]

    [Make your choice.]

    ¡°For fuck''s sake, give it a rest,¡± I spat out in frustration.

    What had I done wrong? How bad could my sins be to deserve this relentless torment?

    [Make your choice.]

    The loud, persistent notification sound rang in my ears, so I mped my hands over them. However, the noise continuously echoed in my brain and demanded my attention. Make a choice? What now? I wished I could just die rather than make another choice. I felt trapped in a never-ending nightmare.

    I couldn''t forget thest look on my parents¡¯ faces. The way they looked at me, trying to understand, trying to believe... It haunted me.

    Footsteps approached and broke the eerie silence.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you making a choice?¡± A curious voice, oblivious to the situation, was apanied by a hand on my shoulder.

    I looked up to see a stranger smiling down at me. A man with mysterious hair, a swirling blend of pastel pink and blue, was standing next to me. He was almost too whimsical for the grim reality I was in.

    I instinctively knew this man was the mastermind behind everything that had happened. He was the puppet master pulling the strings of my life.

    ¡°You bastard.¡±

    I forced my shaky legs to stand and grabbed the man by the cor. He looked surprised as we both toppled forward. Despite scraping against the rough runway, the man didn¡¯t show any sign of pain. He just kept smiling as if this was all a game to him.

    His tone was light and almost amused. ¡°I get that you¡¯re angry, but I don¡¯t understand why. I just came to ask why you¡¯re not making a choice.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t worried or mocking me. He sounded genuinely curious, like someone asking, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you eating your food?¡± His question seemed so innocent, aimed at someone not doing something they obviously should be doing.

    I couldn¡¯t respond. My anger locked my mouth shut, and my lips refused to move. The man looked somewhat wronged and spoke again.

    ¡°Why are you mad at me? You said you will do whatever I want as long as you can go back in time.¡±

    ¡°When did I ever... Stop with your bullshit and make everything normal again.¡±

    ¡°Why are you being so annoying? Don¡¯t just remember what you want to remember. Remember everything properly.¡±

    <i>Snap!</i>

    The man snapped his fingers, and dozens of unfamiliar memories suddenly flooded my mind. I stumbled and clutched my head as the clear and vivid memories invaded me.

    ¡°Please, save me.¡±

    ¡°Nah, that¡¯s a bit too much for you to ask. If I save just you, wouldn¡¯t that be unfair to the others? You¡¯re not the only one who died in that ne crash.¡±

    ¡°You said you enjoyed toying with me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like pulling a leg off an ant and watching it.¡±

    In a nk white space, the man and I were having a conversation. Yes, I had met him before. He hadpared my misery to an ant having its leg pulled off, calling it entertaining. It was pathetic that this psycho was our creator god.

    ¡°Please, let me live! It¡¯s so unfair to die like this! I will do whatever you want if you just let me live!¡± I had begged with desperation dripping from my words.

    He had watched me pleading before standing up and approaching me. ¡°Alright. Okay. I will let you live.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can really live a good life if you go back. You¡¯ve got the guts, but it¡¯s not that easy. I will even fix the life I messed up for you. Do your best.¡±

    The god had spoken reluctantly and smiled brightly, as if he had found a bigger ant than the one with a leg pulled off. His smile was eerily cheerful, almost grotesque.

    ¡°You have to do your best. I will give you a year and a half. If you don¡¯t manage well, you will experience even more excruciating pain.¡±

    With those words, I had lost my memory and been sent back to the past. In the new world, I debuted as Suh Hyun-Woo of Chronos. The memory I thought I¡¯d lost was a condition the creator god had imposed when giving me another chance.

    The day of the concert had been the end of that year and a half. The man was watching my expression, keenly observing my reaction like it was a fascinating study.

    ¡°See? I told you to do whatever you wanted, but why are you mad? It was a condition. I said if you didn¡¯t manage well, you¡¯d face even more suffering.¡±

    ¡°I was managing fine, wasn¡¯t I?¡± I protested, my voice shaking with emotion.

    Even if I had made such a deal, I had been doing my best for the past year and a half. I had achieved my dreams and avoided past misfortunes. I had finally found happiness. What more did he want from me?

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    But the man clicked his tongue and shook his head. ¡°Does this look like managing well to you?¡±

    He spread his arms wide, as if to show me the world I had supposedly created. It was a silent, empty, dreadful ce.

    ¡°This world, you see, is a lie.¡±

    ¡°What...?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a world manifested from your trauma.¡±

    What was I hearing? Did he really just use the word ''lie?¡¯ The man grinned even more widely as he saw my dumbfounded expression and continued. He was clearly enjoying himself.

    ¡°The world you died in was your first world where you were the protagonist. It stopped a long time ago. It¡¯s a dead world. You can¡¯t go back even if you wanted to.¡±

    The creator god was nowpletely excited, and he started spilling what he wanted to say. To summarize his words...

    Every person in the world has their own unique timeline and world centered around them. For instance, I have my own world, Joo-Han has his, and Goh Yoo-Joon has his own world and timeline and so on.

    The timeline where I got burned and was in a ne crash was my first world where I was the protagonist. That world stopped when I died. The second world was where I lived as a member of Chronos. And this third world was one the god created to toy with me.

    If youpare it to a game, it was like saving the game at different points to see different endings based on the choices you made. The main storyline remained the same, but the oue varied depending on the protagonist''s choices.

    This system categorized me as the protagonist and everyone else as NPCs for this reason. I was sure that, to others, I would be considered an NPC while they were the protagonists.

    ¡°The first world has a bad ending, the second world is paused because there¡¯s no yer, and the third world is now at its final choice before the ending.¡± The god pointed to the ne with a smile. My lips felt dry and parched. I had been trying to ignore it, but the final choice was, indeed, the ne.

    I couldn¡¯t help but ask again, ¡°Why did you create this world? There was no need for it. This is just torment.¡±

    ¡°You say such hurtful things. This world was created by synchronizing with your trauma. I¡¯m doing my best to meet the conditions for your regression, but you just think badly of me.¡±

    So that was what he was trying to say. Why did he always speak so cryptically? I didn¡¯t have the capacity to humor his jokes or antics. I was barely holding back my urge to kill him so I could keep the conversation going.

    The man saw my frustration and looked even more exasperated. ¡°For you to keep living in the second world, your body and mind need to be fully synchronized. But you are still tied to your trauma from the first world. That¡¯s why synchronization isn¡¯t happening.¡±

    ¡°...What.¡±

    ¡°If you had just ovee your trauma, the suffering in this world wouldn¡¯t have been this bad.¡±

    I finally understood what he meant. This world was created as a reflection of my trauma. It was a world that embodied my deepest fears and anxieties.

    ¡°The fact that people disappeared every time I made a choice...¡±

    The man nodded.

    ¡°That means you overcame your past trauma.¡±

    Every person I couldn¡¯t bear to let go, like the older Goh Yoo-Joon, who embodied my inferiority, and my parents, who always seemed sad just looking at me... They were all part of my trauma.

    I had unconsciously chosen the second world over them. ''For myself...'' I had coldly decided to shed them and move forward.

    And so they vanished. The trauma that had shackled me for years disappeared as well.

    ¡°Even though I forced you to make these choices by creating this world, it was for your regression. That¡¯s my grand n. My big picture.¡±

    [AHAHAHAHHAHA]

    A system window popped up, filled withughter. It seemed to reflect the creator god¡¯s true feelings. Watching me struggle in this fake world must have been extremely amusing for him.

    The man nced at me and saw my expressionless face as I red at him. Clearing his throat, he pointed to the ne again. ¡°Anyway, once you get your head straight and stand up, your three main traumas will be gone. These are just three out of many, but it¡¯s enough. This will meet the conditions for your regression.¡±

    I turned to look at the ne. Just seeing it made my hands sweat. The massive object was bathed in the sunset, and it felt overwhelmingly threatening.

    ¡°Next time I get bored, I¡¯lle to mess with you again.¡±

    A system window appeared in my view once more with the god¡¯s yful remark.

    [Make your choice.]

    ¡°...Ugh!¡±

    What choice was there? What was the point of staying in a world that had nothing left? I started walking without hesitation.

 Chapter 363: Choose (6)

    <h4>Chapter 363: Choose (6)</h4>

    As the unyielding sunset finally began to descend, the sky slowly darkened. I let go of my tangled thoughts and surrendered to resignation. Only then did the once cold wind feel somewhat refreshing. I spoke to the creator god who was undoubtedly watching me from behind.

    ¡°Stay away from me, you motherfucker. Don¡¯t ever show up in front of me again.¡±

    Laughter immediately erupted from behind me. ¡°No, not yet. I still have things to do with you.¡±

    ¡°Things to do? We¡¯re done here.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, nope! Still a long way to go before you¡¯re fully synchronized.¡±

    <i>¡®Is the world where Chronos exists really paused? What will happen if I go back? Can I live like I did before? And what about the trauma he mentioned?¡¯</i>

    I ignored the god''s words and stepped onto the ne¡¯s stairs. As soon as my footnded on the first step, my breath caught, and I started trembling.

    <i>¡®Will it take off if I board?¡¯</i>

    If this world was truly built from my trauma, this ne would undoubtedly crash.

    My heart pounded painfully, so hard that I clutched my chest and copsed on the stairs with a gasp. As expected, no one was there to help me up. If the Chronos members were here, they would¡¯ve rushed over immediately and asked if I was okay.

    ¡°Ugh.¡± I used the stair railing as support and got up. A cheerful voice called out from behind me.

    ¡°Goodbye! See you next time.¡±

    What a load of crap.

    Gritting my teeth, I climbed the stairs. There was no need to be scared. Why should I be afraid? Even if the ne crashed, the pain and fear would be momentary. It would just be a temporary pain to see my family and group members again. It was merely a trial to get back on stage.

    <i>¡®Just endure this once.¡¯</i>

    ¡°Wow, you look pale as a ghost.¡±

    The god¡¯s annoying voice echoed behind me. He approached with slow and unsteady steps and pushed me up the stairs as if supporting me.

    ¡°I wanted to see you off, but you¡¯re taking forever.¡±

    ¡°Shut up. Do you think dying is easy?¡±

    ¡°Who said you¡¯re gonna die? Are you scared of a ne crash? Oh,e on, I¡¯m not that cruel.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not even human.¡±

    The god muttered a curse and backed off. In the quiet airport, there were only five steps left to board the ne. That was it. There was no need to fear the ne. I had died once, and I could die again. Fear of dyinges from having something to lose, but I had nothing.

    I clenched my trembling hands into fists and slowly moved my shaky legs. I decided to ignore the cold sweat and rapid breathing. There was no other way for me but to go back.

    Honestly, how could anyone not be scared? It was terrifying. The sensation of floating for a moment before gravity took over, followed by the crash and the searing mes. Who would want to go through that again?

    Even after reaching the top of the stairs, I hesitated at the entrance. I heard the god sigh several times, but I didn¡¯t care enough to feel pressured. I didn¡¯t want to board.

    ¡°Just think of it as practice and hurry up. You will be flying a lot as a singer. Are you going to freak out every time?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Come on, you can do it.¡±

    It was time to go. I stopped hesitating and faced the entrance.

    <i>¡®I can do this.¡¯</i>

    Taking a deep breath, I took a step forward. One footnded inside the ne. Then, when I took another step and was fully inside, the god¡¯s satisfied voice echoed, ¡°Well done.¡±

    A system window appeared before my eyes.

    [You have made a choice for the Final Event.]

    [Regression conditions have been met.]

    - Synchronization is possible. Please select the world to synchronize with (multiple selections allowed!).

    - Due to the events, {Status: Trauma (1), (2), (3)} will be removed.

    - Since the event has ended, the System Viewing ability will disappear.

    - Since your System Viewing ability is no longer avable, synchronization decisions/settings will be entrusted to {Contractor: Creator God}.

    <i>¡®What the hell? After all the trouble I went through, the synchronization system, which seemed incredibly important, goes to the creator god?¡¯</i>

    ¡°Wait a minute, this can¡¯t be right.¡±

    Just as I turned to look at the creator god, the ne door closed. Through the window, I saw the bastard waving with a wide smile.

    ¡°Goodbye! I will handle the synchronization.¡±

    Even though I was inside the ne and far from him, I heard his smug voice clearly, as if he was whispering in my ear.

    ¡°...Ah!¡± I stared at him in shock before quickly sitting down. How could the ne take off when I hadn¡¯t even buckled up?

    As I hurriedly fastened my seatbelt, my vision blurred. It felt like severe motion sickness, making my stomach churn. My head spun like I was about to pass out.

    A thought crossed my mind. <i>¡®Since I¡¯m already on the ne, maybe it¡¯s better to just faint?¡¯ </i>It seemed like a very good idea.

    ¡®<i>Please, let it be painless,¡¯ </i>I pleaded to the vanished god and let go of my consciousness.

    [Third Condition: Choose]pleted.

    - Moving to the world designated by the contractor.

    ***

    I woke up with a deep breath, gasping for air.

    <i>¡°Huff... huff...¡±</i>

    Have I returned? The familiar ceiling of the Chronos dorm came into view. I sprang up and looked around. The room was muchrger than the one-room apartment I used to live in. The soft bed, the scent of the diffuser, and the moonlight streaming through the window were all that I longed for.

    ¡°Hyung, let¡¯s have some ramen together. We won¡¯t gain weight after the concert.¡±

    ¡°I can handle it, but not you. How much meat did you have after the concert? Do you want to go on stage tomorrow with a bloated belly?¡±

    ¡°...No. Then you eat the ramen, and I will just have a bite.¡±

    ¡°Sure, you¡¯ll just have one bite and slurp up all the noodles. Just go to bed before I call your mom.¡±

    ¡°Wow, seriously? Don¡¯t treat me like a kid, hyung. You said I¡¯m not cute anymore because I am too muscr. That hurt.¡±

    ¡°Jin-Sung is pouting!!!¡±

    Joo-Han¡¯s nagging, Jin-Sung¡¯s whining, and Goh Yoo-Joon teasing them were all those familiar voices echoed from outside my room.

    ¡°...Ah...¡± A sob escaped my lips.

    I had returned. I was back here again. I couldn¡¯t describe how much I had missed this ce over the past few days. My daily life with my group members were the only things I wanted.

    I bit my lip to hold back the tears, and my sobs caught in my throat. I thought I¡¯d never be able to return. Climbing onto a ne that would likely crash was less terrifying than the thought of nevering back. I hid under the covers and tried to stifle my sobs, but the oblivious Jin-Sung slightly opened the door and walked in.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung, do you want to eat ramen with me? No one else wants to eat with me. They told me not to eat.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re not sleeping. Are you going to eat or not? Yoon-Chan hyung is asleep, so there¡¯s no one else but you... Are you really asleep?¡±

    ¡°Jin-Sung, don¡¯t wake Hyun-Woo if he¡¯s sleeping. Come back.¡±

    Thanks to Jin-Sung¡¯s interruption, I managed to avoid breaking into full-blown sobs. I got out of bed and looked in the mirror. My eyes were red and my hair was a mess, but there were no burn scars on my face.

    I suppressed the surge of emotions and washed my face before leaving the room.

    ¡°Jin-Sung woke me up. I¡¯ll eat ramen.¡±

    ¡°See! Only Hyun-Woo hyung understands me!¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you always saying Yoon-Chan is the best?¡±

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    ¡°Yoon-Chan hyung is asleep.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that I particrly wanted ramen. I just wanted to sit with my group members and talk a little longer.

    ***

    It was the second day of the concert.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo seems to be in a really good mood today.¡±

    ¡°Right? It¡¯s not just me who noticed. Hyun-Woo is in top condition today.¡±

    Kim Go-Ri nodded. Yesterday, he also seemed in good spirits as he bounced around the stage and engaged with the Rings. But today, there was more to it. Maybe it was because he was less nervouspared to the first day, or perhaps it was the louder cheers from the fans. But yeah, today¡¯s Suh Hyun-Woo seemedpletely at ease.

    For instance...

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you¡¯re amazing!!!!¡±

    ¡°Oh, you came again today, noona? I¡¯m so happy to see you.¡±

    ¡°I told you I¡¯de! Hyun-Woo, you are incredible on stage, really!!¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much!¡±

    Hyun-Woo jumped off the stage and quickly approached Kim Go-Ri because he recognized her. He greeted her warmly and even held out his palm. It was an invitation for a high-five, like he did with the other Rings.

    Kim Go-Ri suppressed the surge of affection and the urge to scream. She high-fived him and quickly let go. After yesterday¡¯s high-five incident where fans clung too long, the fan club had issued a notice not to grab his hand for too long.

    Rings were aware that Suh Hyun-Woo struggled with social anxiety and a panic disorder. It was obvious. So, at fan meetings, concerts, or any in-person events, Rings were extra careful to respect his space except for a few clueless or overly enthusiastic ones.

    But today, Suh Hyun-Woo was different. He mingled with the Rings without hesitation, more openly than ever before.

    <i>¡®This is amazing, but...¡¯</i>

    A part of her worried if he was pushing himself too hard.

    However, Kim Go-Ri quickly brushed off her worries. Seeing him dragged back on stage by Kang Joo-Han, looking happier than ever, all concerns melted away. As a fan, nothing made her happier than seeing him this joyful.

 Chapter 364: Choose (7)

    <h4>Chapter 364: Choose (7)</h4>

    "Great job, everyone!!!"

    The concert was finally over. Both the staff and the members could now rx and celebrate the sess of our first concert.

    I flopped down on the couch and dried my sweaty hair with a towel. No matter how much we practiced or how many concerts we had done before, today felt the most exhausting yet rewarding. I had moved with extra energy, thinking this might be myst time on stage.

    As a result, I was almostpletely drained by the end, but it was worth it. It felt simr to when I auditioned for the debut group right after regressing.

    "You seemed really excited today, hyung," Jin-Sung said as he plopped down beside me.

    "I was having fun. Didn¡¯t you enjoy it too, Jin-Sung?"

    "I had a st! But seriously, you seemed more hyped than usual today."

    "Yeah, Hyun-Woo. You seemed like a different person out there. Did something good happen?" Joo-Han hyung asked while raising an eyebrow.

    I shrugged. "Not really."

    <i>¡®But did I reallye back from that world? Was everything that happened on that day real?¡¯ </i>

    Waking up and finding myself back here almost felt like a vivid dream. Maybe I was just happy to wake up from a nightmare.

    "Hey, are you okay today?" Goh Yoo-Joon sat next to me while I was deep in thought. I was scrubbing my face with the cleansing tissues the stylist had given me.

    "What do you mean?"

    "You interacted a lot with the Rings a lot today. Are you okay with that? You know, considering..."

    "..." I paused, realizing he was indirectly referring to my trauma.

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ...Yeah, why was I okay today?

    The Rings had been more considerate by not grabbing my hand or shoving their phones in my face during the encore. Because of that, I didn¡¯t feel the usual extreme aversion or pressure.

    Sure, I was still scared, but the intensity had noticeably decreased. Maybe I was getting used to it after the first concert, or maybe...

    <i>"Due to the event, {Status: Trauma (1), (2), (3)} will be removed."</i>

    Maybe it was because of what I saw in that system window, whether it had been a dream or reality.

    "Hyung, strike a pose! One, two!"

    <i>Click.</i>

    My brief contemtion was interrupted by Jin-Sung, who sat on both mine and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s knees while aiming his phone camera at us.

    "Jin-Sung, are you going to post that on <i>BlueBird</i>? Make sure to get approval first."

    "Of course. I will edit it and show it to you before posting. I¡¯m part of the Goh Yoo-Joon Line, remember?"

    <i>"Tsk Tsk."</i> I clicked my tongue and threw the cleansing tissue into the trash, gently pushing Jin-Sung off myp.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung had formed their alliance after some talk during our first concert. I still had no idea what that line was supposed to be about.

    "By the way, Goh Yoo-Joon. Can you teach me some dialect sometime?"

    "Dialect? Why? I think I¡¯ve forgotten most of it. Joo-Han hyung nagged me so much to fix it during our trainee days."

    Joo-Han, who had been chatting with Su-Hwan in front of the mirror, turned sharply to re at Goh Yoo-Joon. "Hey, that wasn¡¯t nagging. I was just thinking of your image! You wanted to have a cool and aloof image, didn¡¯t you?"

    "When did I ever say that? I never said I wanted an aloof image. I said I wanted to look cool and rich. Stop making stuff up, hyung."

    As the members bickered, the staff efficiently cleaned up the waiting room. Once things were mostly tidied up and the members had changed into their regr clothes, Su-Hwan, who had been on the phone for a long time, returned to the room.

    "Let¡¯s head back to the dorm."

    "Really? No practice today?"

    "No practice today."

    "Nice! But hyung, are youing with us?"

    Su-Hwan smiled and nodded. Recently, he had been so busy withbel-rted work that it was rare for him to travel with us. He was always with us before and during the concerts, but after the shows, he usually went to the newly acquiredbel building instead of our dorm or the practice room.

    Jin-Sung was ecstatic about going back with Su-Hwan and grabbed his shoulders before bouncing up and down.

    "Are you staying at the dorm with us tonight?"

    "Yes, I have some things to discuss."

    "Discuss?"

    Unlike the excited Jin-Sung, Su-Hwan was unusually calm. He gave a brief nod to Jin-Sung and gestured toward the waiting room door. "Let¡¯s go."

    "Huh? Oh... okay."

    <i>¡®Is something wrong?¡¯</i>

    Su-Hwan had been the most eager for our concert¡¯s sess, but he seemed unusually subdued. We followed him to the van while exchanging worried nces. There were so many stories from today¡¯s concert to share, but the atmosphere was tense as we rode back to the dorm in silence.

    We returned to the dorm quietly, only to be met with news that was sudden yet something we had anticipated. It was something too sad but understandable.

    "I believe you all expected this. I¡¯ve hinted at it before."

    "Hyung..."

    "I¡¯m officially stepping down as your manager at the end of this month to take on the role ofbel president. From now on, I will be protecting and supporting you all as the head of yourpany."

    "Ah, then..."

    "I havepleted the handover of the manager''s job to Tae-Seong, and currently, we have one road manager in training. Once Chronos''bel contract is finalized, we will bring in one more person and have a total of three people take care of Chronos."

    Su-Hwan stood up and bowed to us, looking serious. "I look forward to working with you all. I will do my best to support your growth," he said with a determined expression.

    "We believe you. We know how much you care about us." Joo-Han answered on behalf of the members, who were too emotional to speak.

    Though it was sad, this was undoubtedly a good thing for both Su-Hwan as an individual and Chronos as a group. We were happy for him, but it felt like a part of our family was moving on.

    ***

    <i>A few dayster.</i>

    It was early morning. I was deeply asleep, the kind of sleep where you don¡¯t even dream. Suddenly, I was lifted and folded in half.

    "Aaaagh! What¡¯s going on? What... what is this?" I yelled,pletely disoriented. This was no dream. It was a real physical blow. I was startled and opened my eyes wide. The first thing I saw was someone''s chest pocket, upside down.

    Yes, I was slung over someone''s shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

    "Wow, Suh Hyun-Woo wakes up right away."

    "Tae-Seong hyung is amazing. He actually woke him up."

    "You need to use some strength to wake him up."

    Behind me, I could hear Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han''s annoying voices. Despite my struggling, I was still folded in half and hung over someone''s shoulder.

    "Tae-Seong hyung..." I muttered after I recognized the familiar broad shoulders.

    Of course, it was Tae-Seong. I had briefly wondered if it was Jin-Sung, but Jin-Sung wouldn¡¯t have stayed quiet after pulling a prank like this.

    "You¡¯re awake," Tae-Seong said calmly.

    "Tae-Seong hyung, please put me down..." I felt difort in my legs and back. No matter how broad Tae-Seong''s shoulders were, and no matter how much more muscr he waspared to Jin-Sung, this wasn¡¯t about the breadth. "I feel like I¡¯m going to die... Please, save me..."

    "You can sleep more. I will put you down in the car like this."

    "No, no, please let me walk on my own... My legs are cramping," I insisted.

    The problem was that I was folded in half. My bodycked flexibility, so I couldn''t maintain this folded position for long. Though I was securely draped over his shoulder without much shaking, my legs and back were cramping painfully.

    "Oh dear." Tae-Seong sighed sympathetically and finally put me down. I had to start my schedule, massaging my legs a couple of times in the state I had just woken up. In the apartment parking lot, the car Reina had sent and the manager were waiting.

    Today, I had a schedule as Eden, not Suh Hyun-Woo. This was the second day of filming for <i>Introduce My Singer.</i> Because it was right after the concert, I had practiced the mission song rather spontaneously. Though Reina said I sang it well, I wasn¡¯t satisfied. So, I practiced with her until dawn, which was probably why I couldn¡¯t wake up properly this morning.

    "Hello!" I greeted as I got into the car.

    Reina weed me with a bright smile. "Wee! Did the concert go well?"

    I tried to muster some enthusiasm despite my sleep-deprived state. "Yes, it went really well."

    "Nice!" Reina punched the air in triumph. "I really wanted to go to your concert. Not just for you, but the other members were like my students during <i>Again After Rainfall. </i>I wanted to see them!"

    Reina¡¯s stylist, sitting in the backseat scoffed. "Of course, but you couldn¡¯t do that. What¡¯s there to be sad about? If people are already saying Eden is Suh Hyun-Woo, imagine if you went to the concert. That would be concrete evidence."

    "Oh, I couldn''t get tickets anyway!" Reina said and punched the air once more in frustration. She looked at me worriedly. "Hyun-Woo, you know, right? Everyone is convinced you are Eden."

    I nodded, feeling the weight of her concern. "Yes, I know."

    "But I¡¯d still like you to remain as Eden without revealing your identity. I hope you can stay hidden for a bit longer. Is that possible? Can you cut down on drinking that peach drink for a while?"

    It seemed Reina had also discovered my rtionship with the peach drinks. Given that <i>UTube </i>andmunity sites were filled with "Eden was drinking peach drink = Suh Hyun-Woo," it was no wonder she knew.

    But this time, people wouldn¡¯t be so sure about Eden¡¯s identity. I smiled to reassure Reina. "Senior, don¡¯t worry. This time, I¡¯m going to make sure they stop specting."

    "Oh, really? How?"

    There was no need to worry at all. For the past few days since the concert, I had been enduring Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s mockery and disdain to learn his dialect. I would avoid speaking as much as possible, but if I had to, I would use a dialect. If my weak acting skills were an issue, speaking in a dialect would make it harder to recognize my way of speaking. It was quite a feasible challenge.

 Chapter 365: Choose (8)

    <h4>Chapter 365: Choose (8)</h4>

    "Can you really handle this? You can¡¯t just stay silent likest time. There will be a lot of talking parts too," Reina said, her expression clearly showing she wasn¡¯t fully convinced. Considering the public figured out who I was from just one broadcast appearance, it was understandable.

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    I tried to sound more confident than I felt. "I¡¯ll do my best, Senior."

    "Uh-huh... right! I trust you!" However, her eyes still held a trace of doubt. She gave me a pat on the back and pushed me out of the waiting room. "Anyhow, you got this, Eden. Go greet the seniors."

    "Yes, ma''am!"

    "Let¡¯s greet Senior Hye-Yeon first." Reina¡¯s manager directed me to the spacious waiting room in the far right corner. Hye-Yeon was a singer with a thirty-year-long career, and she was as respected as Senior Yeong-Yee in the entertainment industry. As expected, the hallway in front of her waiting room was packed with cast members waiting their turn to greet her.

    "Hello," I greeted the cast members standing in line.

    "Oh, Eden, you¡¯re here? Come on over." The cast members at the end of the line greeted me with friendly smiles and pulled me to stand with them.

    "How have you been, Eden?" One of them asked while giving me a gentle nudge.

    "We expected you atst week¡¯s shoot but heard it got pushed. Too bad."

    "With you missing, Yoo-Wol took first ce again. Think you will take the top spot today?"

    "I¡¯m not expecting much, Senior," I replied modestly, trying to hide my nervousness.

    "Why? You should. It¡¯s okay to expect it with your skills," they said while chuckling and giving me knowing nces. It seemed they had already guessed who I was.

    "Yes," I responded, keeping my answers brief. Originally, I had nned to chat with the cast members to find out which rookie singer Hye-Yeon had brought, but I decided it was best to keep quiet to avoid further suspicion.

    Another cast member asked the question I was curious about. "By the way, who¡¯s the rookie singer Hye-Yeon brought?"

    However, no one had an answer. They just shrugged or shook their heads.

    "The name was listed... something like ''Isaac?¡¯"

    "Isaac, huh? Never heard that name before."

    "Even if you search online, nothinges up. They must be either aplete rookie or a totally unknown artist. Our staff said they are a rookie."

    How could no one know anything about the singer performing today? Listening to the conversation, it was clear the cast didn¡¯t know Isaac¡¯s songs or even what the person looked like.

    Isaac was aplete mystery.

    Usually, even the most unknown rookies would go around the waiting rooms introducing themselves. It was odd that not only I, the youngest cast member, but the others didn¡¯t know him either. However, who would openly criticize the rookie brought by Hye-Yeon? Everyone just quietly lined up to greet her before returning to their spots.

    The manager next guided me to Oh Yoo-Wol''s waiting room. "This is our next stop. You remember Oh Yoo-Wool from thest shoot, right?"

    I nodded. "Yes, I do." He had been the first to recognize me and talk to me. Since then, he had even invited me to appear on <i>UTube</i>, making us somewhat acquainted.

    <i>Knock knock.</i>

    "Yes! Come in," Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s voice came in through the door, still full of energy.

    When I entered, he was standing right in front of the door and stepped back in surprise.

    "Long time no see, Eden. How have you been?" He grinned at me. "Did the concert go well?"

    "...I stillck the skills for a concert, Senior," I replied, trying to deflect.

    "Not falling for it, huh?"

    I wasn¡¯t going to fall for simple tricks like that.

    "Anyway, good to see you again. Why didn¡¯t youest week? I was waiting to see you."

    "I had another schedule," I said simply, hoping he wouldn¡¯t press further.

    "Uh-huh, I see. What kind of schedule?" His smile turned even more teasing.

    The way he kept mentioning the concert and my schedule suggested he was nearly certain that Eden was me, Suh Hyun-Woo. He was the person I had to be most cautious around today.

    For this day, I had endured Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s mockery to learn a dialect. Whether they knew I was Eden or not didn¡¯t really matter. As long as I denied it, it wasn''t true. To Oh Yoo-Wol, I might seem like someone bizarrely clinging to a hidden identity, but I was ready to put on another mask and start anew.

    "Hmm!"

    "Eden?"

    "Just... I had an event, you see," I slipped into dialect.

    "Excuse me?"

    "Oh, yes... an event," I repeated using the dialect.

    Startled by the sudden change, Oh Yoo-Wol''s smile froze as he looked at me. He raised an eyebrow. "Umm... What are you doing?"

    "Pardon?"

    "Are you... using dialect...?"

    "Yes."

    "Oh." Oh Yoo-Wol stared at me before breaking into a chuckle and nodding. "Got it. Well, good luck today, Eden."

    "Thanks, you too."

    "Great! Oh, here." He handed me the peach drink. It felt like he was either teasing me or showing some weird form of concern, having noticed the connection. I took the drink to my waiting room and continued my rounds of greetings.

    Other senior cast members had reactions simr to Oh Yoo-Wol. Some openly tested me by asking "What are you up to, Hyun-Woo?" They were clearly aware but still yed along. Each time, I responded in my newfound dialect.

    Their reactions ranged from bewildered to amused, but it allowed me to escape the barrage of questions. Finally, the filming began.

    The opening was Oh Yoo-Wol''s performance as the winner of the previous week. Thanks to the privilege of being an episode forty-for participant, I was allowed to sit in the panelist''s seat from the start. After his performance, there was a brief interview with him.

    "Yoo-Wol, how many wins is this now? You''ve been on a winning streak. It seems like you¡¯re practically a regr here now."

    "Hehe, I¡¯m always grateful to be here. The stage is incredibly precious to me, so I will do my best to stay on it as long as I can," Oh Yoo-Wol replied earnestly.

    "Yes, we can feel your passion and dedication in every performance. Today was another fantastic stage!"

    "Thank you."

    "Alright, Yoo-Wol. Please take your seat with the panelists."

    Oh Yoo-Wol greeted the audience and took the seat next to me.

    "But speaking of which..." The host continued to expertly build up anticipation. "There is someone who might just be a rival to Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s winning streak. Sitting right next to him, it''s our Eden!"

    It was finally my turn. I raised the microphone and bowed deeply. My facial expressions were hidden with my mask on, so I had to be extra clear in my gestures.

    "Hello," I said in a thick dialect.

    "...What?" The host Seo Han, who had already heard my dialect in the waiting room, pretended to be shocked. "Eden, are you using a dialect?"

    "I am from Gyeongsang-do[1]," I said, which causedughter to ripple through the studio.

    "Come on, if you¡¯re going to use a dialect, do it right! That¡¯s not even Gyeongsang-do dialect! Who taught you that?"

    "..." I hesitated. Goh Yoo-Joon had taught me, insisting it was authentic. It seemed I had been tricked again.

    Seo Han and the panelistsughed, then Seo Han spoke in a teasing tone. "Alright, Eden. Cut it out! Stop pretending like that is going to hide your identity!"

    "Right! We will just pretend we don¡¯t know!"

    "What... I mean, what are you talking about?" I tried to act clueless by tilting my head as if I didn¡¯t understand.

    "If you¡¯re going to use a dialect, at least do it properly! That wasn¡¯t even close!"

    Even with my mask on, I could feel my face heating up from embarrassment.

    "Alright, Eden. It''s time for your performance."

    "Yes."

    <i>I will get you for this, Goh Yoo-Joon.</i> I grinded my teeth and headed backstage. I had spent a whole day learning, only to find out it wasn¡¯t a real dialect! I could already picture Goh Yoo-Joonughing his head off when he watched the broadcast.

    As I stormed into the waiting room, the staff were also fuming.

    "What¡¯s going on?" I asked.

    I wondered if they were mad that Goh Yoo-Joon tricked me, but they seemed to be angry for different reasons.

    "Are they ignoring us or what?"

    "Come on, even if they are a rookie, they should have some manners!"

    "This isn¡¯t just about seniority. Chronos debuted a year and a half earlier. This is just rude."

    "I heard they didn¡¯t greet any of the other cast members either."

    "I was looking forward to my junior¡¯s greeting for once. What a letdown."

    It seemed the rookie singer, Isaac, was the cause of their frustration. Having debuted two years ago and spent even longer as a trainee, I had encountered my share of rude or arrogant people, and Isaac seemed to be one of them.

    "Eden, if you¡¯re ready, pleasee in!"

    "Yes!"

    The production staff¡¯s call silenced our grumbling team.

    "Let¡¯s go, Eden."

    I headed backstage with the manager. No matter how mysterious Isaac tried to be, the most enigmatic figure here was Eden.

    1. Gyeongsang-do is a region in South Korea known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant cities like Busan and Daegu. The Gyeongsang-do dialect is characterized by its unique intonation and pronunciation, often sounding more abrupt and directpared to the standard Koreannguage. I spent my elementary school life in Busan, so I used to use the dialect! But I stopped using it when I moved to Seoul and my ssmates started teasing about it oof. ?

 Chapter 366: Choose (9)

    <h4>Chapter 366: Choose (9)</h4>

    "I¡¯m sorry I¡¯mte! Eden''s performance hasn''t started yet, right?" Reina rushed back to the filming of <i>Introduce My Singer</i> after finishing her concert schedule. The director quietly approached her with a hesitant cough.

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    "Reina, you''ve been really busy these days, haven''t you?"

    "Yeah, it¡¯s been hectictely. Bncing my album promotions while taking care of Eden leaves me with almost no time to sleep. How about you, Director? How''s the show you mentioned before...?"

    "Reina, about that... Well, it fell through, even though we were all set to do it together."

    "These things happen. Call me again if another good opportunityes up."

    "Of course, we¡¯d be grateful. Just wait here a bit, and we will signal you to join the panel."

    "Got it!"

    Their conversation ended, but the director lingered and nced at Reina with a curious look.

    "Is something wrong?" Reina asked.

    "Oh, no... it''s just..." The director hesitated before speaking quietly. "Hyun-Woo sings really well, doesn¡¯t he?"

    Reina, who had been watching the filming, turned her gaze back to the director and smiled knowingly. "Hyun-Woo is a great singer. One of the best among the idols I know."

    "Oh?"

    "But why do you ask?"

    "Come on, Reina. You know what I mean."

    Reina shrugged, her expression turning serious. It seemed the director was just another person trying to confirm if Suh Hyun-Woo was indeed Eden.

    "Chronos just finished their concert recently. Given that they haven''t released an album in a while, they must be busy preparing for aeback."

    "...Is that so?"

    "There''s no way Hyun-Woo has time to be doing two gigs in a mask. So, Director, stop trying to figure things out. Eden is just a rookie I brought along."

    "Oh, Reina. When did I ever try to figure stuff out? No, no."

    "Reina, it''s time to go in," a staff member whispered and indicated her cue. Reina smiled brightly and moved toward the stage.

    "Everything will be revealed in due time. Everywhere I go, people are moring to know Eden''s identity. Please, Director, don¡¯t join the crowd."

    "Haha... Alright."

    "Well, I will do my best today."

    Reina was determined not to reveal any hints about Eden''s identity until the day Suh Hyun-Woo removed his mask in front of the cameras. Even if Eden''s identity was already an open secret, the public''s curiosity wouldn¡¯t die down. Their interest would shift from "Who is Eden?" to "When will Eden reveal himself?"

    <i>¡®If Hyun-Woo can hold out on this show long enough, it might be worth revealing his identity here.¡¯</i>

    Of course, that was only if Suh Hyun-Woo could continue releasing a few more songs and keep up the momentum. Ideally, he would unveil himself at the peak of public interest.

    "Who will be the next singer? It''s the person everyone''s talking about."

    "What a hot topic he is!"

    "Reina¡¯s singer is waiting backstage!"

    "Oh my gosh! Why didn''t you appearst week?! We were waiting for so long!"

    Theedian panelists took turns expressing their delight at the return of Reina and Eden.

    "Reina, would you do the honors of introducing him?"

    "Yes! Let me introduce you to my pick, Eden!"

    As Reina''s introduction finished, the panel lights dimmed, and a grand sound track yed. Eden¡¯s introduction video was different from thest episode, and it began to roll. The silhouette revealed amidst the audience''s cheers was Eden, and Reina sped her hands together on her knees.

    Though she had presented her singer once before, every time she introduced him felt nerve-wracking. She was looking at Eden, whose masked voice echoed through the speakers.

    Today''s song choice was "Hacker," a one-hit wonder from the early 2000s by the five-member idol group All Star. It was a fast-paced dance track, rearranged in a jazz style to be more sophisticated and impactful.

    In sync with the rhythm, Eden¡¯s previously still voice transformed.

    "Look at Eden feeling the rhythm. His moves aren¡¯t ordinary."

    "He is definitely a dance singer."

    "Or maybe he just has a lot of spirit."

    As soon as Eden''s performance started, debates about his identity erupted again.

    "Shh, Eden is starting to sing. Everyone, quiet down," Reina nudged the panelists beside her. They finally stopped talking and focused on Eden''s voice.

    ? If we have just one conversation

    I can know everything

    I don''t miss a single thing

    My magic works only on you

    The lyrics were filled with early 2000s sentiment, and didn''t feel cheesy at all thanks to Eden''s voice and the rearranged rhythm.

    "He said he couldn¡¯t practice much due to his schedule! He was just being humble!"

    "I really love Eden''s voice."

    Listening to the cast members¡¯ments, Reina couldn''t help but smile proudly. Only she knew how much Suh Hyun-Woo had worried and practiced with her all night, singing and perfecting his gestures.

    <i>¡®His practice definitely paid off.¡¯</i>

    Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s ability to deliver another stunning performance today was all due to his relentless effort.

    ? You can''t escape from me

    It won''t be easy to run away

    In the blink of an eye

    There won''t be anyone who knows you as well as I do

    Eden¡¯s song was now heading toward the end of the second verse.

    Reina nced at Oh Yoo-Wol, who was sitting in the front row. He was doing his best to react and express admiration, yet he couldn¡¯t let go of the water bottle in his hand.

    Oh Yoo-Wol had gained fame thanks to his consecutive wins on the show. If Eden took first ce this time, Yoo-Wol would lose the buzz generated by his winning streak. Eden would then be known as the new winner who broke Yoo-Wol¡¯s streak. Though Yoo-Wol kept aposed appearance in front of the camera, he was undoubtedly anxious.

    Reina turned her attention back to Eden. As the song reached its highlight, Eden¡¯s powerful high note burst forth, free from the burden of insufficient practice. Reina jumped to her feet and pped enthusiastically, clearly satisfied.

    <i>"If you can''t confidently sing the whole song, at least practice the highlights intensely. If you miss the highlight, you will lose your chance to perform again, and the interest in Eden will fade." </i>

    She had told this to a nervous Suh Hyun-Woo the previous night. Now, watching him hit the high notes effortlessly, she felt proud. It was almost as if hitting such a high and prolonged note was easy for him. What a remarkable junior.

    The cast and audience, moved by Reina¡¯s standing ovation, also rose and pped. Eden had demonstrated stability from start to finish by hitting the highlight perfectly. On top of that, Reina¡¯s partially genuine, partially staged praise created an atmosphere of high acim. Eden wrapped up his performance as a solid contender for the win.

    "Yes! Eden, that was an amazing performance!" The host appeared on one side of the set amidst the audience''s cheers. Eden bowed to him and took the microphone. "Eden, the singer chosen by Reina, showed us a truly remarkable performance fitting of a strong contender."

    Reina gave Eden a thumbs-up, signaling a job well done. With the most important part over, all that was left was the talk session...

    <i>"Don¡¯t worry, Senior." </i>Reina recalled Suh Hyun-Woo saying just before heading to the venue. Despite the situation being quite obvious, he still aimed to keep some ambiguity because he didn¡¯t want the public to bepletely certain that "Eden = Suh Hyun-Woo." Suh Hyun-Woo had alwayse up with clever ideas since his time on <i>Pick We Up,</i> so she had high hopes for his n.

    "Thank you... very much." Eden said in a dialect, startling Reina. Her eyes widened in shock.

    <i>''What did he just do?''</i> She stood frozen while staring at Eden with a stunned expression.

    "He¡¯s still doing it?" Snickers and giggles filled the room.

    <i>''Has he been doing this the whole time?''</i> Reina¡¯s face turned pale with disbelief. ''<i>Oh no!''</i>

    Sure, using a dialect could be funny and sometimes a good strategy, but Suh Hyun-Woo should have known that imitating a dialect poorly was like acting. He wasn''t great at acting, and mimicking a dialect was a form of acting too.

    "Eden¡¯s performance brought everyone to their feet for a standing ovation. Such a rare sight! How do you feel?" Seo Han asked.

    "I am... very honored. I was really worried before going on stage, but I am so happy... and moved that I was able to give a good performance," Eden responded using dialect.

    ¡®<i>Please stop!!!¡¯</i>

    Reina nced nervously at the cameras and audience, then desperately sent signals to Eden. This wasn¡¯t just about the awkwardness. How many of Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s fans were aware of his poor acting skills? Using such a ridiculous dialect was practically announcing that Eden was Suh Hyun-Woo!

    <i>''Please, just look over here...''</i>

    As Reina struggled to hide her rare disy of anxiety by sending frantic signals to Eden, aedian on the panel shouted as if reading her mind. "Hyun-Woo, you can stop now! I feel too sad watching this!"

    Theedian exaggerated for effect and made the panel and audience burst intoughter. Reina quickly turned her head to check on Eden. Suh Hyun-Woo was taken aback by theedian¡¯sment, and stood there holding the microphone. He was clearly flustered.

    Seeing no response from Eden, the host naturally turned to Reina. "Reina, this is perfect timing. Everyone''s been curious but too afraid to ask. Allow me. Is Eden really Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    Well, this might actually work out. Reina was relieved that Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s terrible dialect was interrupted, and confidently replied. "No, he¡¯s not."

 Chapter 367: Choose (10)

    <h4>Chapter 367: Choose (10)</h4>

    <i>¡®Ah, this isn''t right.¡¯</i>

    At the sharp look from Reina, I instinctively mped my mouth shut. Though her lips were rxed into a smile as usual, her eyes were focused intently on me.

    This was the first time I realized that Reina could look so intimidating. She watched me with a troubled expression, and when the camera panned away briefly, she mouthed the words, ¡®Stop with the dialect. You will get in trouble.¡¯

    I should have stopped sooner. I felt just as bitter as Reina''s expression. Watching peopleugh every time I opened my mouth made me realize that I was butchering the dialect. Despite that, I kept going, thinking I could just hide my usual speech. However, that seemed to backfire.

    Should I me Goh Yoo-Joon or my own poor acting skills? No, they were probably both at fault.

    Just then, one of the panelists said, "Hyun-Woo, stop it already! Please, I can''t bear to watch this anymore!"

    And everyone burst outughing. Ah, what now? I figured I had been found out, but I didn''t expect them to call me out by name so openly. Even though my attempts at speaking in dialect were terrible, I had managed to eliminate any trace of Suh Hyun-Woo, but calling my name so bluntly was...

    As I stood there, frozen and speechless, Seo Han redirected the question to Reina. "Reina, this is the perfect timing. Everyone''s been curious but too afraid to ask. Allow me. Is Eden really Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    Reina managed to maintain her smile and raised the microphone to her lips.

    Seo Han was encouraged by her willingness to answer, and excitedly repeated the question. "Is Eden actually Suh Hyun-Woo?"

    Reina looked at me once more, then turned to Seo Han while curling her lips into a smile. "No."

    At the sound of Reina''sposed voice, I realized what I needed to do from now on. Her answer was a signal. I lowered my hand that had been hanging in midair. It wasn¡¯t about a clumsy dialect. I wouldter deal with this through self-reflection and have a conversation with Goh Yoo-Joon. From now on, I had to be just as shameless as Reina.

    "Really, no?"

    "No, I¡¯m serious. Why is everyone so convinced? Please stop pestering our Eden."

    "Oh,e on. Who''s pestering? Are we pestering you, Eden?"

    "He is new and gets flustered when you push him too hard!"

    When Seo Han got nothing out of Reina, he turned back to me. "Eden, what¡¯s your real identity? Who are you?"

    Reina''s gaze turned fierce again, but now I understood what it meant. I abandoned the dialect and replied in my usual polite tone. "I don''t know."

    Seo Han got surprised, then asked again. "You don''t know?"

    "No."

    "Haha! Eden, no more dialect?"

    "Really? You¡¯re not using the dialect anymore?"

    I answered the panelists'' questions in an aggrieved voice. "No one believes me even if I use dialect..."

    "Alright, Eden sounds quite bitter. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s awkward. We are very curious."

    "Well, I am not Hyun-Woo, despite what you all think."

    No one would believe it, but even if everyone knew my identity, the concept was to act like they didn¡¯t. Seeing Reina''s expression rx, I nodded and followed her lead.

    "Oh, please believe him. Our Eden worked so hard for a great performance, but you keep asking about his identity!"

    Reina¡¯s yfulint made Seo Hanugh and nod. "That¡¯s true. We¡¯re sorry. Our curiosity got the best of us. Let''s talk more about Eden''s performance. It was a strong contender for the win in thest episode. Today¡¯s arrangement had a great rhythm unlikest time, right?"

    He finally asked me a proper question. I stopped ncing at Reina and raised the mic again.

    "Yes, I sang a calm and emotional songst time. This time, I wanted to capture the upbeat rhythm of the original dance track."

    "An upbeat song? Was it quite a challenge?"

    "Yes, I usually..." I mimicked a dance move. "I usually don¡¯t sing rhythmic songs, so I was worried about my performance until the veryst minute."

    "Oh, really? Never done rhythmic songs before, Eden?"

    "No."

    "...Really? Never?" Seo Han¡¯s suspicious gaze lingered. It felt like he took it upon himself to unveil my identity.

    Suddenly, Reina jumped up and spread her arms. "Ah! That¡¯s enough! Stop!!!"

    "Haha, alright, I¡¯ll stop. Let''s move on to Yoo-Wol."

    "Yep."

    As everyoneughed about my identity and dialect, Yoo-Wol was smiling nervously. He hurriedly grabbed the mic.

    "Youpeted against Eden a few weeks ago and got first ce."

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    "Yes, that''s correct."

    "There were multiple articles saying that a strongpetitor has appeared. How did you find Eden''s performance this time?"

    "Well...." Oh Yoo-Wol hesitated. "Honestly, I¡¯m worried. He is so good, I¡¯m not confident I can keep winning."

    "Not confident?"

    "Not really. I knew Eden was great at emotional and lyrical songs, but this song ispletely different from his image. I never expected him to pull it off so well."

    "It sounds like you were very impressed by Eden''s performance."

    "Yes, it was enjoyable to listen to. Even though I¡¯m hispetitor, I found myself wanting to hear more of his singing. His voice, even when he casually throws out a note, is really good."

    "Thank you," I said with a bow. Oh Yoo-Wol gave me a thumbs-up.

    "Such a heartwarming moment. Anyway, Eden. You did great. Everyone, please give Eden a big round of apuse."

    "Thank you!"

    As I descended the stage, the audience''s apuse rang in my ears.

    Reina met me with a frosty expression. "Eden."

    "Yes, I¡¯m sorry."

    "You said not to worry. Follow me to the waiting room."

    It had been a long time since I felt this way. Following Reina without looking back, I felt the same cold atmosphere as when Supervisor Kim summoned me during my trainee days.

    <i>m.</i>

    As soon as the waiting room door closed, Reina pulled off my mask. "If you¡¯re going to use a dialect, do it properly. Do you even realize how terrible your acting is? Or did you know and still did it? Eden, for someone from Seoul, speaking in dialect is a form of acting."

    "I¡¯m sorry."

    "Look. You performed great on stage, but the whole talk time was wasted on your dialect. If you had spoken properly, you could have receivedments from other senior singers as well. I wanted you to get more praise for your perfect performance."

    Only after bing aughingstock did I regret my choice. When the show airs, my dialect attempt would probably get more attention than my performance. I messed up.

    Reina sighed. "You seem to realize your mistake, so that¡¯s enough. Next time, get my approval first if you have an idea. And..." Reina grabbed my shoulders and looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?"

    "Yes?"

    "When everyone wasughing at you earlier, I was worried. Don¡¯t you have a phobia of that?"

    Ah, because we worked together on <i>Again After Rainfall</i>, Reina had to be somewhat aware of my issues.

    I nodded and took the mask from her hand. "Thank you for worrying. I was a bit anxious, but I¡¯m okay."

    What worried me more was my mistake.

    "I have a lot of friends like you around me, so I was worried," Reina said. "Alright, then. Now, head back to the panel. I¡¯m not mad, so don¡¯t worry."

    She patted my arm gently and left the waiting room. I quickly wiped the sweat off my face and returned to the panel. The next performance was by the mysterious singer, Isaac.

    The stylist was still fuming, and she muttered under her breath as we walked, "Let¡¯s see what this high-and-mighty guy is all about."

    ***

    Both the staff and cast were curious about Isaac, the mysterious singer who hadn¡¯t greeted any of the seniors before the shoot. I didn¡¯t have much time to be curious because I was busy reflecting on my own actions. The panel was abuzz with chatter until Isaac¡¯s stage was ready.

    A few momentster, Seo Han appeared in front of the panel and signaled the resumption of filming. "Everyone, our representative mysterious singer, Eden!" Seo Han gestured toward me. "But today, there¡¯s another mysterious singer preparing to take the stage. He is as mysterious as Eden for sure! While we got ready, the panelists were discussing the next singer..."

    Seo Han trailed off by looking around the panel. A panelist in the back raised their hand. "We were just talking about how mysterious this singer is. None of us know what they look like."

    "Really? No one knows anything about this singer?"

    "Only I know!" Hye-Yeonughed. She was Isaac''s direct senior and was sitting near the front.

    "Oh, truly a mysterious singer. As expected, this singer was chosen by Hye-Yeon. Hye-Yeon, would you do the honors of introducing them?"

    "Sure! Let me introduce you to my pick, Isaac! Please enjoy his stage performance."

    With Hye-Yeon¡¯s dramatic introduction, all the lights focused on the stage. The grand background music started, and Isaac¡¯s introduction video yed. When his face appeared, I froze.

    "...What."

    <i>¡®What am I seeing?¡¯</i>

    "Oh, we finally see Isaac¡¯s face! He is handsome, so why didn¡¯t he show it before?"

    "His hair color is so unique! I¡¯ve heard of half-and-half dye jobs, but this is my first time seeing one."

    <i>¡®Why is that asshole here?¡¯</i>

    I felt a fear greater than when I became aughingstock with my dialect. The whole day had been a prelude to the moment I would meet <i>him </i>again.

    My hands were hidden in my gloves, but they started trembling. My already shaky mood crumbled. I wanted to rip off my mask and confirm that it was indeed that bastard¡¯s face.

    As the introduction video ended and Isaac appeared on stage, he looked directly at me and smiled broadly.

    <i>¡®You¡¯re a singer now? Seriously? This is bullshit.¡¯</i>

    With pastel blue and pink hair, I remembered that face clearly. It was the creator god.

    The intro started. Ignoring it, he raised the mic to his chest and mouthed at me, ¡®Synchronization starts soon.¡¯

 Chapter 368: Choose (11)

    <h4>Chapter 368: Choose (11)</h4>

    As soon as I saw Isaac''s face, my ears started ringing. The surrounding noise became muffled, almost like I was underwater. It felt like only Isaac and I existed in this ce, and I couldn''t tear my eyes away from him.

    Isaac smirked at me, almost as if he could see my expression through the mask. He stood there on stage after the intro ended, not singing but just staring at me. He ignored the song and the audience, and he began to walk slowly toward me.

    Panic rose within me. <i>¡®...What? Why? What is he doing?¡¯ </i>

    A sense of fear crept over me, like a giant tidal wave slowly approaching and threatening to engulf me.

    When Isaac stepped off the stage and walked up to me at the panel, I nced around, feeling a strange sense of unease. People were still watching the stage,ughing and pping as if nothing was amiss. Despite Isaac being right in front of me, they reacted as if he were still performing up there.

    It was as if Isaac, the creator god, existed in a different realm from ours.

    His casualness felt out of ce. "Long time no see."

    "You... you... could this be...?" I stammered, my mind racing.

    Could it be that the nightmare from that day hadn¡¯t ended? Was I still trapped in that world, being toyed with by creator god?

    "Oh, no." Isaac waved his hand dismissively to deny my thoughts. "This is reality, and I came here because I wanted to see you."

    "...Wasn¡¯t our connection supposed to end that day?" Frustration and desperationced my words.

    I wished he¡¯d stop suddenly appearing and turning my life into a fantasy movie. Haven¡¯t I suffered enough for him to lose interest in me? But creator god shook his head, looking almost amused by my plea. "Even if you die, our connection doesn¡¯t end. I created you, remember? Anyway, is it fun to sing and dance here? You went through all this trouble, and even regressed for something so trivial."

    "What do you mean by synchronization¡ª" I started, but he cut me off.

    "Hey, time¡¯s up. We will talk again soon."

    <i>Snap! </i>Creator god snapped his fingers, and the scene changed instantly.

    "Wow, today¡¯s performances are insane! I am so curious about the rankings!"

    "It feels like only the best of the best are here. I was so absorbed in the songs that I couldn¡¯t react properly."

    Isaac was back on stage in the blink of an eye. He bowed to the audience like someone who just finished a perfect performance. The cast showered him with praise for his supposedly wless stage, while the audience talked about Isaac as a new strong contender for the win. Theints about hisck of manners were forgotten as quickly as they had arisen.

    The meaningful look Isaac sent me before heading backstage confirmed that what I had just experienced wasn¡¯t a hallucination.

    ***

    "Today we had many exceptional performers. We saw many strong contenders for the win. What are your thoughts?" Seo Han asked as he turned to the cast. The celebrities who brought their "My Pick Singer" naturally named their own picks, while most of the other cast members named Oh Yoo-Wol, Eden, and Isaac.

    Not having seen Isaac¡¯s performance, I couldn¡¯t understand why he was considered a top contender. If Isaac being a strong candidate was creator god¡¯s doing, it was just another one of his tricks.

    "Let¡¯s bring all the My Pick Singers to the stage!" Seo Han announced.

    All the performers whopeted today took the stage and lined up. Isaac stood next to me, coughing yfully. "Ahem!"

    Though I couldn¡¯t see well because of my mask, he turned his head obviously and stared at me annoyingly.

    "Wow, Isaac keeps looking at Eden. He seems very interested in you, Eden," Seo Hanmented with a chuckle.

    Isaac had a friendly smile and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, it''s my first time seeing Eden in person, so I keep looking at him. I¡¯m a huge fan of his!"

    "Haha! Really? You seem very much like a fan."

    "Yes, I was so nervous abouting here because I was excited to see him!" Isaac added with an over-the-top enthusiasm that made my skin crawl.

    ¡®<i>Bullshit.¡¯ </i>I was d I had the mask on to hide my annoyed expression.

    Seo Han smoothly moved the conversation forward. "So, can Yoo-Wol continue his winning streak this time? Or will Eden finally dethrone him? Or perhaps a new winner will emerge? Let¡¯s find out!"

    With dramatic music and lights, the atmosphere grew tense. There were eight performers on stage, but the focus was on Oh Yoo-Wol, Isaac, and me.

    "Let¡¯s reveal the rankings from fourth to eighth ce!" Seo Han announced.

    The screen showed the rankings up to fourth ce. The spotlight dimmed on those who didn¡¯t make it to the top. The ones still standing in the light were Oh Yoo-Wol, Isaac, and me.

    "Now, let¡¯s reveal the third ce. Please, show us the result!" Seo Han¡¯s voice boomed.

    The screen disyed the third ce, and it was Isaac. He turned to me with a wide grin as if sharing his joy.

    <i>¡®What are you looking at? You rigged the rankings,</i>¡¯ I thought bitterly.

    He didn¡¯t even sing. Someone among the contestants must have lost their chance to reappear because of him. It was absolutely disgraceful.

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Then, the first and second ces were announced. Despite my high expectations, I couldn¡¯t surpass Oh Yoo-Wol. He took first ce, and I was second. Although I secured a spot for the next episode, the rankings didn¡¯t change from the previous episode.

    "Congrattions to our winner, Oh Yoo-Wol! He has maintained his winning streak once again! Congrattions to Eden for second ce and Isaac for third!" Seo Han cheered.

    Fireworks went off from the sides of the stage to celebrate Oh Yoo-Wol''s win.

    Oh Yoo-Wol held a bouquet and enjoyed his victory speech. "Thank you... truly, thank you. Oh, now I can finally breathe."

    Meanwhile, Isaac stealthily approached me. "We will see each other again next week, right?" He whispered.

    "Shut up," I hissed.

    "Why? No one can hear us with the mic off."

    "Stop messing with the rankings," I warned, my voice low and dangerous.

    "Messing?" he retorted.

    I mped my mouth shut. I didn''t want to act chummy with him on stage. When I didn¡¯t respond, Isaac began to poke me in the ribs, then pouted before returning to his spot.

    One by one, the top three gave their speeches, and the filming wrapped up. I hurriedly bowed to the audience and dashed backstage, hoping to avoid any more interactions with Isaac.

    "Eden, Eden? Wait a minute." Isaac quickly caught up with me, trying to strike up a conversation. Ipletely ignored him and kept walking until I reached the bathroom and finally stopped.

    "What do you want? What¡¯s your deal this time?" I snapped.

    "Hey, that''s a bit rude, don¡¯t you think? But fine, I¡¯m in a bad mood too, so I won''t tell you," Isaac said and stuck his hands in his pockets before spitting at my feet and heading into a toilet stall.

    I sighed, locked the bathroom door behind me, and then kicked the stall door Isaac had entered.

    <i>Bang!</i>

    "Come out. What did you mean by synchronization starting? I thought this was all over."

    "I said I¡¯m not telling you."

    Something was definitely about to start again. That day¡¯s events hadn¡¯t been just a dream. I was getting angrier. "I saide out!"

    He hadn¡¯t run off, and he was just hiding in the stall, probably wanting me to coax him out. But there was no way I was going to do that. I kept kicking the stall door until I finally climbed up to look over.

    "...Gosh, seriously. What the hell."

    Inside the stall was nothing but an empty toilet. I swallowed a string of curses and left the bathroom only to find Isaac strolling past with his manager, casting me a mocking nce before disappearing.

    On the way back to the dorm, I turned to the manager Reina had assigned me for my Eden activities.

    "What did you think of Isaac, Manager?"

    "Isaac? He is just like what you saw. Tall, handsome, with half-and-half hair."

    "And really annoying!" the stylist from the back seat chimed in.

    Based on their descriptions, Isaac didn¡¯t look like creator god just to me. He looked like that to everyone. If Isaac looked exactly like the creator god, then he had to be the creator god, who had taken on a human form toe and meet me.

    ***

    "We¡¯ve scheduled the broadcast with Oh Yoo-Wol. They will make sure you won¡¯t have to talk much, so don¡¯t worry. If they ask anything too pressing, the MN team will cut it out," Tae-Seong exined.

    "Got it."

    "I will be monitoring from behind the scenes too," he reassured me.

    A joint broadcast with Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s <i>UTube </i>channel had been arranged. Tae-Seong was trying to ease my worries, but I had already resigned myself to the situation. Everyone knew I was Suh Hyun-Woo, so I had promised Reina I would just respond with "No" or "I don¡¯t know" if questions about my identity came up.

    "This coboration between the first and second ce winners is sure to be a hot topic."

    "Yeah, I¡¯m sure it will be. I will be careful."

    "Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s team is handling everything, so just prepare a greeting and look over the question sheet."

    "Hey, Tae-Seong hyung, it doesn¡¯t seem like Suh Hyun-Woo is too worried. Let¡¯s just watch TV. It¡¯s about to start," Goh Yoo-Joon interrupted, shoving a pot lid filled with ramen in my face. "Special treat. Have a bite."

    "Just one bite? Forget it, that¡¯s stingy. I¡¯m not eating." I pushed away the lid and pulled the entire pot in front of me.

    "Hey! That¡¯s for everyone! You cook for yourself then!"

    "You cooked six packets, didn¡¯t you? Isn¡¯t it for all of us?"

    "Three of those were eaten by Jin-Sung!"

    "Then the remaining three can be for you and me."

    "Are you crazy? Two packets are mine, and the other is for Yoon-Chan who helped cook."

    "But Yoon-Chan already put his chopsticks down. If we run out, I will cook more¡ª"

    <i>Smack!</i>

    "Ow!" Goh Yoo-Joon yelped as Joo-Han smacked him hard on the back.

    "Be quiet! How are you guys still fighting over this at your age? It¡¯s embarrassing," Joo-Han grumbled.

    "And how are you still hitting your juniors at your age? It hurts!" Goh Yoo-Joon protested while rubbing his back.

    Joo-Han ignored him and kept his focus on the screen. "Let¡¯s see how badly Hyun-Woo messed up the interview, shall we?"

    "...."

    I rubbed my back and exchanged nervous nces with Joo-Han.

    Today was the day Eden¡¯s second appearance on <i>Introduce My Singer</i> was airing. Joo-Han was keen to see just how badly I had screwed up the initial interview, which Tae-Seong had warned him about.

 Chapter 369: Choose (12)

    <h4>Chapter 369: Choose (12)</h4>

    The show began. Everything was going smoothly until my first interview part came up, and that was when Joo-Han''s lips curled into a subtle smile.

    - Hello.

    I greeted the cast member and the audience in a weird dialect.

    "Hahaha."

    "Ahahahaha! Oh my god! Pfft!!!" Goh Yoo-Joon couldn''t hold back hisughter and clutched his stomach every time I spoke.

    "You little rascal, did you misinform him on purpose? Huh?" Joo-Han asked, his eyes briefly flicking to Goh Yoo-Joon before focusing back on the screen.

    "It''s funny, isn''t it? But did you really speak like this all the time? Didn¡¯t anyone tell you it sounded weird?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked, prompting Joo-Han to nce at him again before returning his gaze to the screen.

    "But hyung, it doesn''t seem that bad," said Jin-Sung.

    "Umm... I agree," Yoon-Chan added, eyeing Joo-Han cautiously. "It just looks like he¡¯s trying not to get caught. It''s cute and funny. I think it''s fine..."

    Yoon-Chan¡¯s voice trailed off as he faced forward again. Jin-Sung, Su-Hwan, and even a tired Goh Yoo-Joon straightened up and focused on Joo-Han. Despite theirments, Joo-Han remained silent, just slurping his instant ramen while watching the show like an ordinary viewer.

    Joo-Han¡¯s chopsticks paused briefly during my performance. The members, who had been makingments, fell silent to watch. My voice was slightly muffled by the mask, but it remained clear in pronunciation and breath control. The training from Reina had paid off as it resulted in a perfect stage performance. My gestures, however, were too distinctively mine.

    "Suh Hyun-Woo, it''s like you didn¡¯t even try to hide it by the end."

    "By the second verse, it''s unmistakably you, hyung."

    "No matter how much you practice in front of a mirror, it ends up like this after the second verse."

    "You always sound great, Hyun-Woo."

    "No, hyung. I¡¯m better," Goh Yoo-Joon teased, nudging Joo-Han¡¯s shoulder. Joo-Han agreed and offered Goh Yoo-Joon a bite of his ramen.

    His chopsticks resumed their journey between the bowl and his mouth as the talk session started.

    - Thank you... very much.

    After I thanked everyone after my performance, the screen cut to Reina looking shocked.

    <i>¡®Oh no...¡¯</i> I felt embarrassed, so I clutched my head and hung it low. Even during the shoot, I had felt something was off, but seeing it on TV was even more embarrassing. Goh Yoo-Joon started snickering again.

    - Really... it¡¯s an honor.

    - Hyun-Woo, you can stop now! I feel too sad watching this!

    - Reina, this is the perfect timing. Everyone''s been curious but too afraid to ask. Allow me. Is Eden really Suh Hyun-Woo?

    - No.

    Reina was red-eared, but she calmly denied the question.

    Joo-Han let out a detedugh. "Pfft."

    "See, hyung thinks it¡¯s funny too," Goh Yoo-Joon noted.

    "...Haha, yeah. It <i>is </i>funny," Joo-Han admitted and pointed at the TV. "Hyun-Woo, keep it up. I don¡¯t mean the dialect, though."

    I lifted my head, surprised. I had expected a scolding simr to the one Reina had given me for my antics.

    "I knew Joo-Han hyung would like it. He loves quirky and funny stuff like this," Yoo-Joon said, earning a stern look from Joo-Han.

    "But that doesn¡¯t mean you did the right thing by teaching him the dialect wrong."

    "Hyung, it was more about Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s acting skills than my teaching. I already told you!"

    Indeed, Goh Yoo-Joon knew things would end up like this when he tricked me. Ridiculous.

    I shook my head. "So you nned this all along, huh? I will never ask you for help from you ever again!"

    "Enough, both of you. It was funnier than expected, so it''s fine. Senior Reina might even change her mind after seeing the edited version."

    "Yoo-Joon hyung¡¯s pranks always turn out well. It¡¯s weird," Jin-Sung remarked.

    "It¡¯s because I¡¯m smart," Goh Yoo-Joon said, tapping his temple. I ignored him and focused back on the TV. "Hey, are you ignoring me?"

    Goh Yoo-Joon yfully put me in a headlock, but I kept my eyes on the screen. My performance had ended, and Isaac¡¯s stage was about to begin. I wanted to see how the stage I hadn¡¯t witnessed appeared on TV to confirm if Isaac really was the creator god.

    "Oh, right. I heard that Isaac guy is very unique."

    "In what way?"

    "I don¡¯t know, but the stylist noonas wereining about him being really annoying." Jin-Sung mimicked the stylists¡¯ tones. They must have been really upset that the new singer didn¡¯t greet me.

    "I heard he sings really well. What did you think, Hyun-Woo hyung?" Yoon-Chan asked.

    "Me? I don¡¯t know."

    I hadn¡¯t heard him sing. All I had seen was his annoying face and strangements.

    "A new singer in third ce will definitely get a lot of attention. Just like Eden did."

    "Let¡¯s see how good he is."

    The host Seo Han announced that it was Isaac¡¯s turn, and the show began with an introduction by Hye-Yeon. My lips were drying up as I watched the colorful lights and the excited faces of the panelist members with grand background music.

    I wondered if Isaac was the creator god, or if he was just someone else who borrowed his form for a while. However, I couldn¡¯t be certain of his identity as I watched the show. Although Isaac had the same appearance and voice as the creator god, he had a very well-socialized stage manner and decent singing voice.

    On top of that...

    - Just the thought of it bothers me so much. I¡¯m so sorry... Would it be okay if I introduce myself now?

    - Nah, you are okay~

    - Isaac had to go to hospital since he didn¡¯t feel well right before the shooting. But no one could notice that you were sick, Isaac. You did really well!

    - He is such a nice guy!

    There were also discussions I didn''t recognize. What was I doing while Isaac was being interviewed by the host? I appeared to be sitting still with my mask on and just watching Isaac''s interview. It didn¡¯t make sense that the creator god would be on stage here in the first ce.

    <i>¡®Ugh, I have no idea.¡¯</i>

    I just wanted to stop fretting about anything.

    "He sings pretty good."

    The words came out of my mouth with a hint of despair. I decided to pretend that I didn¡¯t know him from now on. I wanted to stop holding on to secrets that only I knew and struggling with.

    If this guy was the real creator god and if he hade to tell me something, he woulde back.

    I had mixed feelings. I wanted him toe back and tell me what was going to happen to me, but I also wanted to be able to go about my business and live in peace.

    Immediately after the episode ended,munity trends were dominated by keywords rted to Eden, Isaac, and Oh Yoo-Wol. More and more people were looking forward to the moment when Eden would be unmasked as days went by. This was a favorable situation for me and Reina, but it was hard not to feel anxious.

    "Suh Hyun-Woo. Did something happen earlier? You don''t seem to be in a good mood."

    "Huh? I''m fine."

    "Did you get scolded by Reina? Are you mad at me for not teaching you the dialect properly?"

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Goh Yoo-Joon looked at me like he wanted to say something and scratched his neck nervously. He must have been worried that if I got in trouble with Reina.

    I let out augh. "I thought you said you were just having fun."

    "Oh, it was just..."

    "I don''t know. It was just a verbal p in the facepared to the ones we got when we were trainees. Don''t apologize. It''s cringe."

    "Oh, uh."

    Goh Yoo-Joon was about to leave the room, but he grabbed the doorknob and looked back at me. "By the way, I have been having some weird dreamstely."

    ***

    "Now that the concert is over and you''ve had enough rest, you¡¯re going to start working on the album."

    This was the first time since Allure and Chronos switched to abel headed by Su-Hwan that they held a meeting to discuss their next album.

    "This time, the album will be produced by Joo-Han. Since Joo-Han is producing, I want the rest of the Chronos members to actively participate in the album production."

    "Yes!"

    "We will talk about the concept and such after we discuss it a bit more. Along with thiseback, your group variety show that we¡¯ve been putting off will also beunched."

    "Hooray, finally!" Jin-Sung cheered, looking up toward the heavens. Thepany had been saying that we were going to do a solo variety show, but it hadn''te to fruition until now. No one actually discussed it, so the members and the Rings had given up on the proposition.

    It seemed that our long-awaited project, the group variety show, would be promoted only once we were transferred to the newbel. Seeing the members'' excitement, Su-Hwan grinned and continued. "And one more thing, we have a schedule for you."

    Su-Hwan handed over a document. I flipped to the first page and saw a very familiar logo.

    <i>"...Pick We Up Two?"</i>

    "Yep. It''s the second year since you guys debuted. Also, the first season of <i>Pick We Up</i>, where Chronos was revealed to the public for the first time, is also entering a new season."

    I couldn''t believe how much time has passed already. Usually, popr contest programs were released in one-year increments, so <i>Pick We Up Two </i>must have been in the works.

    <i>¡®But why is he showing us this?¡¯</i>

    It was not like he was asking us topete again.

    Seeing us hesitate while holding the documents, Su-Hwan smiled and shook his head. "It''s not that we want you topete again, it''s that ourbel is nning tounch a new idol group this time."

    "A new idol group?" Yoon-Chan asked.

    Su-Hwan smiled. It seemed like very good news for us. "It''s a seven-member group that includes many of our existing trainees. The team includes On-Sae, who will be making his second appearance on <i>Pick We Up, </i>as well as Han Jun, Il-Seong, and the members who participated in the song ¡®History.¡¯"

    <i>¡®On-Sae and Han Jun will be debuting together!¡¯</i>

    All of the members brightened up at Su-Hwan''s words. The trainees who had been training with us had finally realized their dreams.

    "Thank God."

    I was more d about the news since On-Sae, who was unintentionally brought into discussion, would also debut.

    "So, are these members going to participate in <i>Pick We Up Two</i>?" Joo-Han asked.

    Su-Hwan nodded. "And you guys, Chronos, have agreed to be the daily teachers for <i>Pick We Up Two.</i> So you can cheer up the juniors from the agency and promote your new songs."

 Chapter 370: Choose (13)

    <h4>Chapter 370: Choose (13)</h4>

    ¡°We¡¯re going to be their teachers? What for?¡±

    We were confused because there were no guest mentors in the first season of <i>Pick We Up</i>. The most we had was seniors from each group¡¯spanying by to give some brief guidance. Our seniors Allure had done this for us.

    But this time, it seemed like there was going to be a whole episode dedicated to us mentoring the trainees as one-day teachers.

    ¡°You won¡¯t be giving professional instruction or anything like that. Just watch the trainees practice and give appropriate feedback,¡± Su-Hwan exined.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a relief. I was worried about what we¡¯d be teaching.¡±

    ¡°Not all of you will appear at once. One or two members per episode will participate, and those who appear will watch from the panel seats on the day of the performance.¡±

    ¡°That sounds fun!¡± Jin-Sung eximed and his eyes lit up with excitement. He was clearly thrilled at the prospect of having juniors to mentor. It was like seeing a kid get a new puppy. He was practically bouncing in his seat. ¡°When does it start?¡±

    ¡°Filming starts next month. The trainees began practicingst month,¡± Su-Hwan replied with a nod.

    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s the new group¡¯s name?¡±

    A small smile appeared on his lips. ¡°It¡¯s Sequence. The members decided by vote.¡±

    Su-Hwan answered the questions about the new group and then moved on to exining our album preparation process.

    ¡°Since this is the beginning of a new universe, the style of the songs will change. But we will maintain the high difficulty level of your choreographies.¡±

    ¡°We trust thepany. We will just work hard,¡± I assured him, feeling a surge of determination. It was always exciting to start working on a new project, even if it was a little daunting.

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    ¡°As the interest in Chronos continues to grow, let¡¯s make this the best album yet. Next up, Team Leader, please.¡±

    Su-Hwan looked at Team Leader Lee, whom he had brought over from YMM to oversee all the artists in ourbel, not just Chronos. ¡°Yes, since YMM has created a separatebel to manage idol groups, we n to gradually increase coborations between ourbel¡¯s artists.¡±

    ¡°Coborations?¡±

    The first thing that came to mind was YU Entertainment, a major agency known for its numerous idol coborations. Every year, they released a joint album and donated the proceeds.

    Until now, YMM had mostly solo artists aside from Allure and Chronos, so there wasn¡¯t much reason for coboration due to minimal connections. But with three idol groups now under thebel, and all of them closely connected, there was plenty of potential for joint content.

    The Rings also loved seeing us with Allure. Therefore, we might even end up doing video shoots, albums, or concerts together.

    ¡°We are considering releasing a Christmas carol song with Allure, Chronos, and Sequence at the end of the year. By then, Sequence will be wrapping up their time on <i>Pick We Up Two</i> and preparing for their debut.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯d be all for it. Our fans on<i> Q-App</i> and <i>BlueBird</i> have been asking about it,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon added, his enthusiasm evident.

    ¡°I will say it¡¯s just in the nning stages for now. Sequence¡¯s debut depends on how well they do on <i>Pick We Up Two</i>,¡± Su-Hwan rified by closing his notebook and signaling the end of the discussion.

    ¡°That¡¯s the n for now. Things are going to get busier. We need to prepare for the album and year-end stages after theeback. Tae-Seong, please make sure to manage everyone¡¯s condition well.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Good work, everyone. Chronos, you can go back to practice. Hyun-Woo, can you stay for a bit?¡± Su-Hwan added, turning his gaze to me.

    ¡°Me?¡± I paused. I was about to stand up with the others, but I sat back down. I felt a bit nervous.

    Su-Hwan smiled at me, but it wasn¡¯t just a happy smile. It seemed a bit apologetic, like he was about to deliver some difficult news.

    ***

    After the other members left, only the staff and I remained in the meeting room. Su-Hwan spoke with a genuinely apologetic expression. ¡°This is about Eden¡¯s activities.¡±

    ¡°Eden?¡± I repeated, my heart sinking a little.

    ¡°We are considering having you leave Introduce My Singer after next week¡¯s episode,¡± he said cautiously, watching my reaction.

    He was very careful with his words, but I couldn¡¯t help feeling blindsided. Why so sudden? Was this because of the dialect mess-up? But Joo-Han said it was funny and liked it.

    I tried to keep my voice steady. ¡°Uh... why?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not because you did anything wrong. After discussing it, we thought it might be better for you to focus more on your solo activities as Suh Hyun-Woo rather than continuing as Eden.¡±

    My mind raced with questions. ¡°Oh... What about Senior Reina?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve discussed it with Reina. She was nning to wrap up the project around the same time, so you don¡¯t need to worry. The timing is good,¡± he reassured me.

    I had alreadysted longer on Introduce My Singer than we initially nned. Supervisor Kim was worried I wouldn¡¯t make it past the first few rounds, but I managed to secure the reappearance right each time. Therefore, interest in Eden had been growing.

    With Reina personally training me, my skills improved significantly, which unfortunately led to tighter scheduling conflicts with myeback ns.

    ¡°It was a mistake on Supervisor Kim¡¯s part, but I also think it¡¯s time to step down. Everyone knows you are Eden now. The important part is to transfer Eden¡¯s skilled solo artist image to you.¡±

    ¡°Okay...¡±

    ¡°The sooner we do this, the better. Reina agreed as well,¡± he added.

    Reina had initially nned for Eden¡¯s second album release to coincide with taking the mask off on Introduce My Singer and the end of the Eden project. She was pleased with the sess of the project, which had exceeded her expectations by far, and thought it was okay to reveal the identity sooner than nned.

    ¡°Reina said Eden turned out to be more of a star than she anticipated. The project was a sess, and the timing for the reveal could be scheduled sooner.¡±

    ¡°...I see.¡±

    ¡°Since we also need to prepare for Chronos¡¯ album, we¡¯ve decided on this to manage your condition better. I hope you understand.¡±

    I tried to sound more confident than I felt. ¡°I¡¯m okay with it as long as Senior Reina also is.¡±

    Reina¡¯s Eden project wasn¡¯t just about making Eden a sess. It was a test of her producing skills. If she was satisfied with her work, then my mission was a sess. She seemed more than satisfied, and I was also ready to take off the mask and find some relief. Ending it early turned out to be a relief.

    But there were still things I felt sad about.

    ¡°So, do I have to get eliminated in my next performance on <i>Introduce My Singer</i>?"

    I hadn¡¯t won yet. The thought of having to deliberately lose to leave the show was a bit disheartening and made me feel a little sad.

    Su-Hwan¡¯s eyes widened, and he shook his head vigorously. ¡°No, absolutely not. Whether you continue is up to you. You must give it your best until the end, just like you¡¯ve been doing.¡±

    ¡°That''s a relief. I would¡¯ve been really sad."

    Su-Hwan looked unusually solemn. ¡°Make sure you win in your final appearance. I believe in you, Hyun-Woo."

    The next recording was scheduled for after Eden¡¯s second album recording. I wanted to finish with a win.

    ***

    The concept for Chronos'' next album was set. It was a jazz theme, like a party in a dream, and Joo-Han said it felt like the peak of sophistication.

    Joo-Han¡¯sposing skills had been on firetely. Even though not even a week had passed since deciding on the concept, he brought a rough draft of the song. It was a dance track with impressive trumpet and drum sounds befitting a jazz theme.

    Although it was an unfinished piece with lots of adjustments needed, I recognized it instantly from the first verse. This was the song that had given Joo-Han his first Billboard Korea number one. It had changed a lot from the version I knew, but the structure was unmistakably the same.

    Coborating with Callia seemed to have greatly benefited Joo-Han, making the song feel much better than what I remembered. Although he didn¡¯t explicitly mention it, it was clear that he was very proud of this work. Even though it was still a rough version and only shared some structural simrities with the original, I had no doubt this song would be one of Chronos'' biggest hits.

    With the foundation of the title track set, we started progressing with the album. All the members helped Joo-Han with the work. Meanwhile, I was back in my mask, heading out for my personal schedule.

    I fiddled with the mask. ¡°The new mask is much better. It doesn¡¯t make my face sweat anymore.¡±

    Eden¡¯s manager looked at me through the rearview mirror and his face brightened. ¡°I am d to hear that! We made it with a more breathable material because we knew you¡¯d be ying some games today.¡±

    Today, we were filming a video for Oh Yoo-Wol¡¯s <i>UTube</i> channel. Instead of eating or talking, we¡¯d be ying console games. It was my first time appearing on a show focused solely on Eden without Reina, so I was a bit anxious.

    Seeing me quietly staring out the window, the manager tried to reassure me. ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine. Reina told me to remind you to rx and have fun. Everyone knows who you are anyway. She said it would be great if you could make peopleugh.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I will do my best to be funny.¡±

    With only a few days left of my time as Eden, I couldn¡¯t afford to stay frozen in anxiety. Besides, today was all about Eden. Worrying about being exposed wasn¡¯t respectful to the people who invited me.

    I hade prepared to do everything Oh Yoo-Wol asked, except sing, use dialects, or speak.

 Chapter 371: Choose (14)

    <h4>Chapter 371: Choose (14)</h4>

    As I stepped into the studio, the first person to greet me was Oh Yoo-Wol. "Wee, Eden."

    "Hello." I looked around the surprisinglyrge<i> UTube</i> studio. It was filled with various gaming consoles, DDR machines[1], monitors, and other arcade games.

    The ce looked like a gamer''s paradise, the kind of ce that would make Goh Yoo-Joon go crazy with excitement. It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into preparing this room.

    "This room was prepared especially for you, Eden. The show will be more rxing than a broadcast, so just have fun and enjoy yourself," Oh Yoo-Wol exined with a warm smile. It seemed like this filming was going to be more of a casual, fun setup rather than a formal production.

    This put me a little more at ease. The atmosphere was lively and inviting, almost making me forget that I was here for work.

    Oh Yoo-Wol took the lead in exining the day''s n, his enthusiasm contagious. He made sure to walk me through every detail and ensure I feltfortable before we started filming. Soon enough, the cameras started rolling, and his energy only seemed to amplify.

    "Hey, everyone! It''s Oh Yoo-Wol from "Oh Yoo-Wol Does Everything!" Today, I have a very special guest. Honestly, I can''t believe this is happening," he said dramatically while pushing his hair back for added effect.

    "You all have been asking for this guest non-stop in thements, emails, and DMs. Your requests have been overwhelming, and I really wanted to make it happen for you. It took a lot of effort, but we finally did it! Drum roll, please!"

    Oh Yoo-Wol raised his fists triumphantly and spun around with excitement. His infectious excitement filled the room and made it hard not to smile along with him.

    He was clearly a natural in front of the camera as he handled everything without a script and made it look effortless. I had no idea he was this charismatic and funny. On <i>Introduce My Singer</i>, he always seemed soposed and mature. Here, he was like a different person, vibrant and full of life.

    Oh Yoo-Wol nced at me and gave a big smile. "Now, the moment you¡¯ve all been waiting for! The most requested, hardest-to-book star in our channel¡¯s history! Let¡¯s just call him over as soon as possible! Waaah"

    Following his cue, I stepped into the frame and greeted. "Hello."

    "Yes, everyone, we have Eden here today!" Oh Yoo-Wol pped his hands excitedly.

    "Hi, I¡¯m Eden," I said by lowering my voice slightly.

    Oh Yoo-Wol chuckled and pped again, the sound echoing in the spacious studio. "I¡¯ve been wanting to have you on my channel for a long time. Ever since you appeared on <i>Introduce My Singer,</i> so many of our Early Summers have been asking for you toe on yground for Everything!"

    "Ah, thank you so much for inviting me. It¡¯s an honor," I replied.

    For reference, Early Summers was the name of Oh Yoo-Wol''s subscribers and fans, and yground for Everything was the specific concept in his video contents that I was appearing on.

    "First of all, your mask looks a bit different today," Oh Yoo-Wol noted, leaning in a bit as if to get a closer look.

    "Yes, since I¡¯ll be wearing it for a long time today, I chose a more breathable one." I adjusted the mask slightly for effect.

    "Your usual mask is cool, but this one looks fresh and airy. Do you choose your masks yourself?"

    It was a relief to talk about something so straightforward. "No, my stylists take care of it. They make sure it suits the show I¡¯m appearing on."

    During our pre-show chat, Oh Yoo-Wol asked many questions but stayed true to his promise not to bring up my dialect. He didn¡¯t ask any probing questions either, which made me rx a bit more.

    "Now, Eden. Could you turn around and take a look at what we''ve prepared for you?" He pointed to the gaming consoles and arcade machines behind me. The array of equipment was impressive as each piece was meticulously ced to create an ultimate gaming setup. "We were wondering what you might like, so we asked your manager. He said you love games."

    "That''s right. I do love games." I felt a bit more at ease as the conversation shifted to a familiar topic.

    "Oh, what kind of games do you like? PC games, console games, or arcade games?"

    "I like them all, but I¡¯ve been ying a lot of PC gamestely," I replied, thinking about the hours I had spent in front of myputer.

    "Oh, I see. What games do you y?"

    I thought about the balloon-popping game I¡¯d been hooked on recently but decided against mentioning it. "Just multiple online games."

    "Do you y console games too?"

    There was a time when the members and I were obsessed with "Rasputin" in the dancing game, but this would make it more obvious who I really was.

    "I haven¡¯t yed that many console games since I mostly prefer games that use the keyboard."

    "Well, this is your chance to try out some console games. They are a lot of fun." Oh Yoo-Wol encouraged, his enthusiasm unwavering.

    "Sure, I¡¯ll give it a shot."

    "I picked out a lot of games we can y together." Oh Yoo-Wol led me to the gaming area with a big monitor and cameras set up to capture everything. As he fiddled with the joystick, he turned to me with a sly smile, a twinkle of mischief in his eye.

    Something about that smile made me uneasy.

    He continued. "Although it''s a bit past its peak in poprity, do you like dancing, Eden?"

    I tried to hide my bewilderment. "Um, dancing?"

    A knowing look appeared in his eyes. "There''s this game called Just Dance. Have you ever yed it?"

    "..."

    Of course I had. We used to spend hours ying it, especially the song "Rasputin" as I mentioned. But talking about that would be too revealing.

    I stared at Oh Yoo-Wol, trying to gauge his intentions. I had stopped him from asking about singing, dialect, and making me talk a lot, but he was trying to trick me with different things. He had done his homework and was connecting me to this game to uncover my identity subtly. His investigative approach was impressive, if not a bit intimidating.

    I stayed frozen instead of answering him, then Oh Yoo-Wol smiled again. "Ah, no pressure. If you¡¯re notfortable, we can start with something else. Are you feeling a bit nervous?"

    "Yeah, a little."

    "We have plenty of games ready, not just the ones behind us. By the way, do you dance at all, Eden?"

    "No¡ª" I began, but then I paused.

    Why was I hiding this? Everyone already knew who I was. I said I y games, but I imed I hadn¡¯t tried console games, and now I was pretending I couldn¡¯t dance. Trying to hide it would only make me look like I was putting on a front for the <i>UTube</i> channel.

    Reina had already told me that since everyone knew, all I had to do was deny it if anyone asked directly. I came today determined to give my best, so there was no need to hide what I was good at. I nodded and said to the camera. "I can dance a bit. I learned before debuting."

    "Ah, before debuting. Interesting. Great! So how about we have some fun with a dance game? This one is called Random Dance Challenge! Well, we didn¡¯t create the game. You¡¯ve probably heard of it, right?"

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    "Yes, I have."

    "Let me exin the rules briefly."

    The game was simr to those on many shows, where you had to dance to randomly selected songs. However, since Eden only had bad songs, they¡¯d picked random songs from other artists. And to add to the challenge, the songs would speed up, slow down, get muted, or be reced with sound effects.

    "Am I doing this by myself?"

    "Oh no, of course not. I¡¯ll join you. I am terrible at dancing, so please don¡¯tugh at me. I¡¯m really bad at it."

    "I¡¯m not that good either."

    "Really?" He said, but there was a knowing twinkle in his eye. Oh Yoo-Wol led me to another camera. "Let¡¯s take turns dancing in the marked spot. Ready to start?"

    "Ready."

    "I¡¯m thrilled to have you participating so eagerly. Who should go first?"

    "...Why don¡¯t you go first, Yoo-Wol?"

    "Alright, I will show you how it¡¯s done. Music, please!"

    A staff member behind the camera started the music.

    "Hmm! Remember, noughing!" he said yfully as he stepped up. The song that yed was High Tension¡¯s debut track You are Shining. "Oh, I know this song! I watched <i>Pick We Up </i>and checked out all the debut tracks from the contestants. I even remember some of the choreography."

    Oh Yoo-Wol started dancing. He was confident, but... Oh, boy.

    "Haha..."

    "Hey! Don¡¯tugh! I will watch how well you dance next, Eden."

    He was really bad. I could recognize parts of the choreography, but his movements were so uncoordinated that it was almost funny. He moved like someone who had rhythm but no clear idea of the dance steps, making him look floppy and unstructured. Well, this was expected since he was not a dance singer.

    "Next song, please! Get me out of here!" Oh Yoo-Wol shouted, pretending to be embarrassed before quickly stepping toward the back of the room.

    I stepped up as he moved back, and the staff switched to a new song.

    "..."

    As soon as the song started, I turned to look at Oh Yoo-Wol. Was this deliberate? It felt too coincidental because the song "Goblin" by Allure was ying.

    1. Dance Dance Revolution machines are arcade gaming systems that challenge yers to step on a dance pad in time with music. I think it¡¯s the one that the main character of Kissing Booth on Netflix does haha ?

 Chapter 372: Choose (15)

    <h4>Chapter 372: Choose (15)</h4>

    ¡°Ah~ Allure Senior¡¯s ¡®Goblin!¡¯ It¡¯s a real masterpiece. If you can dance to this, Eden, we will admire you as a great dancer!¡±

    Who would have thought that a <i>UTube </i>content hosted by a bad singer, with a guest who¡¯s also a bad singer, would have a dance part?

    I stepped forward and stood in front of the camera, hesitating briefly. I wondered if it was better to pretend I couldn¡¯t dance. But the moment of doubt was fleeting. The dance skills I learned as a trainee from a young age and the techniques I honed as a trainer couldn¡¯t be hidden even if I tried. Especially not when the song was "Goblin.¡± How could I resist this?

    <i>¡°Since you¡¯ve already been found out, just dodge the questions of whether you are Suh Hyun-Woo and do everything else you want~¡±</i>

    Reina¡¯s resigned words echoed in my mind. Meanwhile, the song had been ying from the middle, and there was just one line left before the chorus. The familiar beats and rhythm brought back memories of countless practice sessions and performances.

    ¡°I can¡¯t resist this part!¡±

    Oh Yoo-Wol had been swaying to the rhythm behind me, and started doing some familiar but sloppy dance moves in anticipation of the chorus.

    When the song hit the chorus, I was already moving and dancing to "Goblin.¡± It was an instinct I couldn¡¯t fight. After all, how many times had I danced to this song from its release to my days as a trainer? I could dance to it in my sleep if I heard it anywhere. I decided to just answer ¡°no¡± when asked if I was Suh Hyun-Woo, that was all.

    ¡°Eden! What is this! Wow, Eden, you¡¯re amazing! You¡¯re so good!¡±

    Oh Yoo-Wol began to cheer enthusiastically, unaware of my conflicted thoughts. His cheers were infectious, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit of pride in my performance. Looking ahead, I saw the production teamughing with satisfaction as if they had struck gold.

    ¡°You guys should cut off the song soon!¡± I said.

    Unlike Oh Yoo-Wol, who had awkwardly danced for a short while, they kept the music ying for a long time. It was obvious they had chosen this song on purpose. The song finally switched after Iined.

    ¡°Eden, your dancing skills were really unexpected. Now I¡¯m too embarrassed to dance anymore!¡±

    He acted as if he didn¡¯t already know I was Suh Hyun-Woo. Oh Yoo-Wol pretended to pout and went ahead. His yful demeanor was quite infuriating.

    The next song was...

    ¡°Oh! I really like this song!¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    They were definitely teasing me. The next song was Chronos¡¯ ¡°Phantom Spirit.¡± I immediately looked at my manager, trying to gauge if this was all part of some borate n.

    ¡®Did you know?¡¯ I asked him with my eyes. He nodded and then stepped outside to take a call.

    I had never been so relieved to be wearing a mask. Without it, my bewildered expression would¡¯ve been caught on camera. It felt like there would be ten exmation marks next to my face in the video.

    Oh Yoo-Wol started dancing to ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± still as sloppy as ever. The manager had coolly left to take a call without warning me to capture a genuine reaction, the production team giggled and enjoyed the situation, and Oh Yoo-Wol had likely nned most of this because he was the most excited to tease me.

    <i>¡®Whatever.¡¯</i>

    ¡°I like this song too.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    I stepped forward, still frowning¡ªthough the mask hid it¡ªand stood next to Oh Yoo-Wol. I danced to the song but refrained from doing my part¡¯s choreography and opted instead for Yoon-Chan¡¯s moves.

    ¡°N... no way.¡±

    Oh Yoo-Wol was startled, and stopped dancing. I kept dancing and stared at Oh Yoo-Wol. At this distance, it was surprisingly easy to read each other¡¯s emotions through eye contact. His eyes widened with surprise as he realized I was seriously dancing. Oh Yoo-Wol could likely sense my frustration.

    <i>¡®What are you doing? Dance.¡¯</i>

    Seeing me nod while dancing, Oh Yoo-Wol hesitantly started to mimic my moves, still as sloppy as ever. The contrast in our dancing skills must have been stark on camera with me dancing properly and Oh Yoo-Wol fumbling beside me. The production team burst intoughter. Even my manager, who had returned from the call, gave a resigned thumbs-up.

    After a few rounds of random dancing, the game ended. I was slightly out of breath but felt a sense of aplishment.

    ¡°Eden, were you hiding these amazing dance skills? I feel so embarrassed. If I¡¯d known, I would have just swayed to the rhythm! I must¡¯ve looked terrible byparison!¡±

    ¡°No, not at all.¡±

    ¡°But really, you dance so well. Are you Suh Hyun-Woo?¡±

    ¡°No... Haha...¡±

    As expected from <i>UTube</i>, it was more rxed and straightforwardpared to broadcast TV. Oh Yoo-Wol quickly moved on to the next game after my denial.

    ¡°Eden, you look pretty tired.¡±

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s because I just finished dancing.¡±

    ¡°Do you want to go home?¡±

    ¡°Yes, a little.¡±

    Responding honestly in the rxed <i>UTube</i> environment with my face covered, my words made the production team and Oh Yoo-Wolugh again. The atmosphere was light and yful. I epted a couple of tissues to wipe my sweat, even pretending to dab my mask as a joke, eliciting moreughter.

    ¡°For the next game, Eden... Do you like shooting games?¡±

    ¡°I y them sometimes on myputer. But not much recently.¡±

    ¡°Ah, right. You must be very busy these days. Your manager mentioned you like shooting games, so we prepared this! Ta-da!¡±

    Oh Yoo-Wol waved his hands enthusiastically. His excitement was palpable. He pointed to an arcade-style shooting game machine, the kind where you hold a gun-shaped controller and shoot at on-screen enemies. The setup was impressive with vibrant graphics and realistic sound effects.

    ¡°Have you yed this kind of game before?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I have a lot in my middle and high school years.¡±

    ¡°Oh, then I will skip the game exnation. I¡¯m quite good at this, by the way. You willpete with me in this. This is for the winner, ta-da! Over there!¡±

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Oh Yoo-Wol pointed dramatically behind the camera with a yful glint in his eyes. From behind the camera, the staff brought out a dreamy red glow with their hands carefully cradling the prize.

    ¡°...Wow...¡± Apuse and exmations flowed out naturally and filled the room with excitement and anticipation.

    ¡°Haha, you seem the happiest since you arrived here today, Eden. That¡¯s right. Because a top star is here, we put some thought into the prize. Ten kilograms of premium Korean beef ribeye!¡±

    Even while working as a Chronos member, I had never seen ribeye with such color on set. The marbling was perfect, and it practically glistened under the studio lights. If I won this, the members would be really happy. Jin-Sung had been musing about meat recently, so he would be very pleased if I brought this. I could already picture his joyful reaction.

    My gaze couldn¡¯t leave the meat. As I stared at it for a long time, Oh Yoo-Wol awkwardly patted my shoulder and brought me back to the present. ¡°Eden, you must really like meat.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I love grilled meat,¡± I replied, almost too eagerly.

    Especially Jin-Sung, he absolutely adored it. His voice echoed in my mind, constantly mentioning how much he missed a good steak.

    ¡°Great. But I won¡¯t lose on purpose or anything. Win the beef fair and square!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± I nodded with determination.

    ¡°Such a spirited answer! I see how much you love meat. Shall we start?¡±

    Oh Yoo-Wol and I stood side by side in front of the arcade machine. He took the green gun, and I took the pink gun and inserted the coin into the slot. My heart raced with excitement.

    Ready?

    Go!

    As the game started, zombies began to emerge from the dark abandoned warehouse on the screen and approached us with menacing gaits. The graphics were eerily realistic.

    Oh Yoo-Wol and I aimed our guns at them and pulled the triggers. Our fingers moved in unison.

    <i>Bang! Bang bang! Bang!</i>

    As the gunfire rang out rapidly, we stepped on the recharging pads to avoid running out of bullets and focused on the zombies in front of us. The sounds of the game were loud and created an intense atmosphere.

    ¡°Eden, you¡¯re good at games too. What are you not good at?¡± Oh Yoo-Wol asked, ncing at me in amazement.

    <i>¡®Hiding my identity.¡¯</i>

    ¡°I¡¯m not good at so many things!¡± I answered roughly, quickly eliminating the zombies.

    Points went up on each of our screens as we killed zombies. I had 4,030 points, and Oh Yoo-Wol had 3,400 points. I could feel thepetition heating up. Oh Yoo-Wol imed to be quite good, but I usually didn¡¯t lose in games either. His reputation was well known, but I was determined not to let it intimidate me.

    ¡°Why are you so good?¡± he eximed, frustration creeping into his voice.

    ¡°Yoo-Wol, if you click the button next to the gun, you can change the gun type,¡± I offered, hoping to even the ying field a bit.

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    <i>¡®You¡¯ve never yed a shooting game before, huh.¡¯</i>

    I easily won against Oh Yoo-Wol and secured the beef. The taste of victory was sweet, and the thought of sharing the prize with my members made it even better.

    ¡°Congrattions, Eden. You¡¯re good at games. What will you do with the prize you won?¡± Oh Yoo-Wol asked after handing over the prize with a smile.

    ¡°I n to share it with my family. I didn¡¯t expect to win Korean beef here. Thank you very much.¡±

    We continued ying many games after that. Oh Yoo-Wol couldn¡¯t continue with Just Dance after a random dance because he got exhausted. It was hrious watching him try to keep up.

    ¡°Now, only thest game remains. Well, it¡¯s more of answering questions that fans might be curious about rather than a game. It¡¯s a bnce game! Let¡¯s start right away!¡±

    With Oh Yoo-Wol''s shout, the ticking sound of the timer came from the speakers and added a sense of urgency.

    ¡°Korean food versus Japanese food!¡±

    ¡°Korean food,¡± I responded without hesitation.

    I didn¡¯t enjoy eating seafood, so I couldn¡¯t eat much of Japanese cuisine which had a lot of seafood dishes. It was a straightforward choice for me.

    ¡°If you can¡¯t do one thing for three days? Sleep versus Food.¡±

    ¡°Food,¡± I answered, thinking of how much I value my rest.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s quite unexpected from someone who was so happy to see Korean beef earlier. Third! If you could have one ability, which would it be? The ability to go to the future versus the ability to go back to the past!¡±

    ¡°The ability to go back to the past.¡±

    ¡°Please briefly exin your reason!¡±

    It was because I had been very happy when I went back to the past, but I couldn¡¯t say that. ¡°If you could go back to the past, wouldn¡¯t you be able to correct your wrong choices? Like if you unintentionally hurt someone.¡±

    But if I had to give the reason too, the ticking sound effect seemed unnecessary.

    ¡°Lastly, am I Suh Hyun-Woo! versus No, I am not!¡±

    ¡°...Oh, really. No, I¡¯m not.¡±

    Oh Yoo-Wol tried to reveal my identity until the end. With my weary answer, thest game ended, and he gave me a box of peach drinks on top of the Korean beef as a gift.

    He was really persistent and annoying. However, that wasn¡¯t the end. On my way back to the dorm with my arms full of gifts, I found out from Tae-Seong in the car that some of the questions from thest bnce game had been taken from the early Chronos profile questionnaire.

    Oh Yoo-Wol was truly amazing (in a bad way.) His attention to detail and persistence were something else. I couldn¡¯t help but be impressed, even if it was a little annoying.

 Chapter 373: Choose (16)

    <h4>Chapter 373: Choose (16)</h4>

    "Open the windows first. Open all the windows in the house. Open the one toward the balcony, too."

    At Joo-Han''smand, the members sprang into action like a well-oiled machine and swiftly opened all the windows throughout the house. Fresh air rushed in, sweeping away the staleness and bringing in a cool and refreshing breeze.

    Meanwhile, the beef on the frying pan was sizzling loudly and sending up delicious plumes of smoke as it turned a beautiful golden brown. The ten kilograms of premium beef we brought from the shoot with Oh Yoo-Wol was a feast beyond our wildest dreams. Even after sharing some with the staff, there was still plenty left for us.

    Jin-Sung was practically bouncing with joy, and the once-abundant beef was rapidly disappearing.

    "Is it okay for us to be eating like this?" Jin-Sung asked, a look of guilt briefly crossing his face as he chewed.

    "You''ve already eaten most of it, and <i>now </i>you ask?"

    Jin-Sung scratched his head. "No, it''s just that we haven''t eaten this well while preparing for the album. It feels a bit... extravagant."

    "Jin-Sung, you should put down your chopsticks first before saying that. We know you¡¯re not done eating."

    Jin-Sung seemed to have said that because he was conscious of Tae-Seong¡¯s presence. Managers were strict with idols¡¯ diet. He gave an awkward smile and then resumed using his chopsticks.

    "This is ourst feast before theeback. Eat as much as you want," Tae-Seong encouraged with a rare smile ying on his lips.

    With his permission, the hesitant chopsticks resumed their rapid pace. Everyone dived into the meal with renewed enthusiasm.

    Joo-Han shook his head in mock exasperation. "Look at you guys, so carefree even with a new rookie group debuting soon."

    Jin-Sung tilted his head in confusion. "Why should we be wary of the rookie group?"

    "They''ve got talented trainees joining them, and they are debuting through a poprpetition program. We should be wary of them."

    Jin-Sung looked genuinely puzzled. "But they are our friends."

    "They might surpass us in poprity. Who knows?" Joo-Han sighed, his worry lines deepening. "We can''t afford to getcent."

    Today, Joo-Han seemed more anxious and irritable than usual. Perhaps it was because he had recently delved back into song production, and his perfectionism might have driven him harder than ever.

    Of course, when a new artist debuted, thepany often shifted its focus and resources toward them. This included prime songs, expensive music videos, and appearances on high-rated variety shows, all to ensure the neer gets a solid footing in the industry.

    Established artists, even those with a stable fanbase, could see a rtive decrease in support during these times. It was a natural shift, but this could cause anxiety among those who had been in the game longer.

    Joo-Han was likely concerned about this, worried that we might lose some of our momentum. His protective nature over the group often made him overthink and stress about potential threats.

    Despite this, Tae-Seong remained unfazed and shook his head calmly. "No way. Chronos is still riding a high wave of poprity. You guys are far from fading."

    Having seen many groupsunch and seed during my time as a trainer, I knew that as long as a group continued to grow, thepany would keep pushing them. We had just started gaining international attention andpleted our first concert. Thepany had stressed the importance of our next album, so there was no reason for Joo-Han to worry so much.

    Yet his frown persisted, and his eye bags suggested many sleepless nights spent working.

    "Are you having a hard time with the project, hyung? You look really tired."

    "Ah, I''ve been having strange dreamstely. I can''t tell if they¡¯re good or bad omens. I even dreamt about our contract ending and us disbanding," Joo-Han answered, his voice tinged with unease.

    I exchanged a nce with Goh Yoo-Joon. Could his dream be simr to the one Goh Yoo-Joon mentioned having? It was odd and a bit unsettling to think about.

    This wasn¡¯t the right time to delve into such heavy topics, especially while enjoying our grilled meat. Therefore, I decided to ignore it for now.

    "By the way, I''ve heard that Sequence is going with a cute and charming concept."

    "Really? With a name like Sequence, I expected something cool and edgy."

    "They will start off cute and probably switch up their imageter. I¡¯m just d our trainees are finally debuting. Han Jun is debuting, too~ Suh Hyun-Woo and I were really worried that he would quit."

    "Yeah, if it weren''t for Allure and Chronos hitting back-to-back hits, thepany might have fired or let them go on their own. Their trainee life would have lengthened, and they would have eventually lost hope if we didn¡¯t be this popr."

    Joo-Han nodded. "It¡¯s good that other kids also debuted, not just Han Jun. Isn''t Il-Seong also in the same group? Is Il-Seong also okay with the cute concept, Tae-seong hyung?"

    "Yeah, he is. He¡¯s in the same group, so has no other choice," Tae-Seong replied curtly as he focused on his food.

    Il-Seong was known for his rugged physique and love for sports, especially rock climbing. He was even bulkier than Jin-Sung. Imagining him in a cute concept was amusing, and I couldn''t help but chuckle at the thought.

    "Anyway, don''t worry too much. Our CEO isn''t someone who''d neglect you guys," Tae-Seong reassured us.

    Joo-Han''s expression finally softened at this. Yeah, our CEO was Su-Hwan now, and he would lead us well. He always had our backs.

    "Alright, are you guys done eating? Let''s clean up, then. Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, you guys handle the dishes since we cooked everything." Joo-Han pointed to the pile of dirty dishes.

    "Okay."

    Just as I was about to head to my room, someone ced a hand on my shoulder and stopped me in my tracks. It was Goh Yoo-Joon.

    "Hey."

    I turned around and met his gaze. "Yeah?"

    He looked at me for a moment before walking past and heading to his room. "Just wanted to greet you~ No other reason."

    As I watched him disappear down the hallway, my mind reyed the conversation we had not long ago. My face stiffened as I recalled it.

    <i>"It was such a vivid dream. I¡¯ve never experienced anything like it, and it¡¯s making me uneasy." </i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon had told me about the dream he had recently, but he hadn¡¯t gone into details, saying it was too gruesome. He only mentioned that it involved me getting in an ident. At first, I dismissed it as just another dream, but his following words made me ponder about it.

    <i>"Remember how you¡¯re scared of getting on flights? How are you doing with that now? The dream just made me think about it, so I wanted to ask."</i>

    <i>"You dreamt of an ident, and that made you think of my fear of flying?"</i> I had asked, puzzled.

    <i>"I¡¯m just curious." </i>He had shrugged off, but his tone suggested there was more to it.

    His smile appeared to be forced and awkward. Seeing his expression, I realized that the ident in his dream had been a ne crash.

    Was it just a coincidence? Goh Yoo-Joon dreaming about me in a ne crash, and Joo-Han dreaming about our group disbanding were events that had happened in the past.

    When Goh Yoo-Joon told me about his dream, a word crept into my mind¡ªsynchronization.

    Isaac had said that synchronization would begin soon. What if this wasn''t just happening to me?

    I didn''t fully understand what Isaac meant by synchronization, but if it was causing the members to dream about the past, then something serious was going on. What exactly was happening now? I hoped for no more changes, but if the members were affected, I couldn''t ignore it anymore. I didn''t want to see them struggling or avoiding me like they did in the past.

    ***

    The title track was a dance song with a striking jazz melody highlighted by trumpets. The coupling track, gifted to us by Reina, was a dance song featuring a rhythm yed on traditional Eastern string instruments.

    What was special about this album was that all members participated inposing and writing the lyrics. The title track "Red Rouge" wasposed by Joo-Han and written by Goh Yoo-Joon, with the rap lyrics co-written by Lee Jin-Sung and Kim Jin-Wook. The coupling track "Ario Û" was written by me. Jin-Sung wrote the bright and lovely rap part that Yoon-Chan would perform in one of the included tracks "FUNCH."

    We spent a significant amount of time focusing solely on the album by minimizing our schedule as much as possible. The recording wasplete, and we had entered the post-production phase to enhance the album''s quality. We also focused intensely on dance practice.

    This was the first album nned by Su-Hwan. He had allocated a substantial budget for Chronos and nned to shoot two music videos. "Red Rouge" was led by Goh Yoo-Joon in the center, and it showcased a more mature charmpared to the previous image of Chronos. Each member had distinct choreography, so the music video would focus more on the dance rather than a storyline.

    The coupling track "Ario Û" featured a music video that presented Chronos'' new universe, incorporating an Eastern fantasy theme.

    Today was the music video shoot for "Red Rouge." The behind-the-scenes camera approached me.

    - Hyun-Woo, what are you thinking about?

    I showed my forearm andughed heartily. "I think tattoos are intense. I have one on my corbone too." I tilted my head to show the tattoo on my corbone.

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    "Red Rouge" had initially been a jazz song with prominent trumpet sounds, but it became a much more intense track after being modified to fit the concept.

    How should I describe it? It felt like a saloon where rebels gathered right before a battle in the Western era. Our outfits and makeup were designed to look quite intimidating if you met us on the street. The highlight of today''s concept was definitely the tattoos. Large tattoos were drawn on me, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Jin-Sung.

    It felt both fascinating and fun, almost like something out of a noir film. However, I was also worried about how the Rings would react.

    At that moment, Goh Yoo-Joon came up and draped his arm over my shoulder. "They are definitely going to search for it. ''Goh Yoo-Joon tattoo,'' ''Suh Hyun-Woo tattoo,'' like that."

    I looked at the back of his hand on my shoulder. Arge rose was neatly drawn on it.

 Chapter 374: Choose (17)

    <h4>Chapter 374: Choose (17)</h4>

    Goh Yoo-Joon had an impressive tattoo of a long rose and vine extending from his hand to his shoulder. Jin-Sung had tattoos on his jawline, below his neck, and on his side. Hepleted his look with sses that had a chain, gray lenses, and red-dyed hair. Given their already towering figures, this appearance made them look even more intimidating.

    Goh Yoo-Joon broke into a grin. "Suh Hyun-Woo, why are you staring at me like that? You look pretty scary yourself right now."

    Jin-Sung nodded vigorously in agreement. "Yeah, with your lips painted bright red, you look like you just ate a rat. Did you see how you looked at us just now?" He scrunched his face and stared at me, trying to mimic my expression.

    I scoffed at him and turned to the stylist. "Hey, noona! Jin-Sung says I look like I just ate a rat!"

    "Oh no, here he goes again, tattling." Goh Yoo-Joon quickly covered my mouth and spoke to the behind-the-scenes camera with a mock-aggrieved look. "Dear Rings, he always does this. He''s constantly tattling, especially to Joo-Han hyung."

    "He knows he¡¯s Joo-Han''s favorite," Jin-Sung chimed in and nodded along.

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    "Goh Yoo-Joon, Lee Jin-Sung, you two are such a perfect pair. You know what, I need to go. See youter, Rings!" I waved at the camera and headed toward the set where Yoon-Chan was having his solo shoot.

    "Yoon-Chan really is like a chameleon." Joo-Han smiled warmly with another behind-the-scenes camera beside him.

    Despite the concept of "Red Rouge" being starkly different from Yoon-Chan''s usual bright and innocent image, he pulled it off perfectly. He''d mentioned learning a lot from his recent TV show filming. As soon as the camera started rolling, he transformedpletely by embodying the concept seamlessly.

    "But Hyun-Woo, did you know this? There¡¯s not a single line of dialogue in our music video," Joo-Han nced slyly at the camera.

    "What?"

    "I heard it''s because our acting skills are terrible," he continued, chuckling.

    "Oh! I heard that too!" Goh Yoo-Joon joined us and draped his arm over my shoulder with a mischievous tone. "The boss said one embarrassing series was enough." He pointed toward Su-Hwan, who was talking with the staff in the distance.

    I shook my head. "No way. Our boss wouldn''t say that. Goh Yoo-Joon, stop making things up."

    Usually, I was the target of such jokes. I brushed Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s hand off and waved at the camera again. "Bye, everyone~ See you soon."

    "Look at Suh Hyun-Woo running away because he thinks we¡¯re teasing him again."

    Joo-Han caught Goh Yoo-Joon who was about to follow me, and directed him toward the camera. "Yoo-Joon, since you¡¯re here, why don''t you exin today''s concept to the Rings?"

    Jin-Sung was called away by the stylists, and I wandered around aimlessly until it was my turn for the solo shoot. The members were divided into different set themes ¨C a ck set and a red-lit set, matching the concept.

    I sat on a chair covered in ck cloth in the ck set. This shoot only involved lip-syncing and dance parts, so I wasn¡¯t nervous since I didn''t have to do anything I wasn''tfortable with.

    "Hyun-Woo, don''t look so sassy."

    "What?"

    The director waved the storyboard in the air and signaled me to change my expression. "Get into the mood."

    I adjusted my expression to fit the song''s mood as best as I could. Watching Yoon-Chan earlier had helped me get a sense of it.

    "Good expression. Let¡¯s start. Music." At the director¡¯s signal, "Red Rouge" began ying. "Make eye contact with the camera."

    Despite its jazz influences, the song had a noir vibe and made it easier for me to give a natural and intense look to the camera. The lighting against the ck background made my face appear pale, which suited the mood.

    ? Don¡¯t say that

    It only earns you ridicule

    Looking down at me

    Stop the shameful conversations

    "Maybe a gaze that¡¯s a bit more intense would be better."

    I intensified my gaze as directed. The new album''s concept revolved around a story of revolutionaries and the government. Although the "Red Rouge" music video focused more on choreography than the storyline, the lyrics were packed with the new world view and required us to look fierce during the lip-sync parts.

    Fortunately, my naturally sharp eyes made it easier to convey the necessary intensity. Unlike Jin-Sung or Yoon-Chan, who often needed additional takes due to their inherently gentle appearances despite their good acting skills, Yoo-Joon and I usually got it right on the first try.

    ? Hey, Frog, stop acting like you know it all

    Put down that shabby crown and scepter

    Look at me once more

    While lip-syncing the lyrics, long red gs crossed and fluttered dramatically in the background. As I had been instructed beforehand, I turned to look at the passing gs, then pointed at them before shifting my gaze back to the camera. I nailed my final part, then walked off the set without a second thought.

    "Cut! That was great. Hyun-Woo, you did really well. Your naturally aloof look really works here," the director called out,ughing heartily.

    Was that apliment? Regardless, seeing the director''s satisfied smile, I hid my doubts and bowed politely. "Thank you."

    "Alright, next up is Joo-Han for his final shot, and then we move on to the dance sequences!"

    Joo-Han''s shoot began. Watching his lip-sync performance reminded me again how different the lyrics of "Red Rouge" were from "Ario Û," which sounded like a soundtrack for a historical TV show. The lyrics of "Red Rouge" were aggressive and powerful, quite the contrast.

    I heard that Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung wrote the lyrics with intense feedback from Joo-Han, which exined the aggressive tone. It was evident that Joo-Han''s suggestions heavily influenced the lyrics.

    This concept of revolutionaries was strongly pushed by Su-Hwan and Joo-Han. At first, I wondered why they chose this particr theme, but the lyrics made it clear. It was like a direct message to our haters. With Goh Yoo-Joon and Chronos having received harsh criticism due to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father, both Su-Hwan and Joo-Han were clearly fired up.

    Even though releasing a single song wouldn''t make all the haters disappear, this could draw attention back to the issue and let the fans know how angry we were about the whole situation. Since this was our first album release since Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s father''s incident, it served as a warning to refrain from posting hatements.

    Joo-Han seemed particrly enraged by the incident, which might be why the lyrics of his parts were more aggressive and sarcastic than the others''.

    "Cut! That was beautiful, Joo-Han. You''ve been practicing hard, huh?" the director praised his acting.

    "Thank you. It''s easier to perform well when I am immersed in the lyrics," Joo-Han replied and beamed as he stepped down from the set. It was hard to believe this was the same person who looked like he wanted to chew someone out just a moment ago during his lip-sync.

    With the lip-sync shoot wrapped up, we adjusted our outfits and makeup and headed to the choreography filming location.

    ***

    "What on earth...?" Joo-Han, a Seoul native, slipped into his dialect in surprise.

    The shooting location was a school field. While "Ario Û" was set to be shot in a fantasy-historical style, "Red Rouge" was supposed to focus on the choreography. I thought they were just using a small school field, but I was wrong.

    Su-Hwan had secured a significant budget for this, and it showed. Instead of spending heavily on the location, they invested a lot in graphics. The school field was surrounded by tall chroma key screens. When the editing was done, the dance set would look like something entirely different and match the song''s atmosphere.

    "I feel like I¡¯m on the set of an overseas fantasy movie."

    There were so many dancers. Also, arge crew preparing for the shoot and the extensive chroma key setup was impressive. This was something new for all of us, and we watched the scene with the same amazement as when we first watched "Pick We Up."

    "Let''s start shooting!"

    As we shared our impressions in front of the behind-the-scenes camera, the preparation waspleted. We and the dancers took our positions on the stage set up in the middle of the chroma key area, and the director''s instructions marked the beginning of the shoot.

    ? Day one, blinded by a giant shadow

    I thought your words were everything

    With a single gesture, Right

    With a single nod, Left

    Goh Yoo-Joon, the main vocalist for "Red Rouge," began the first verse. The members and dancers split into formations by scattering to the sides. Our outfits were coordinated, but the dancers were divided into two teams, Rose and ck, with slight variations in their costumes. The choreography involved moving in divided formations throughout the song, culminating in a confrontation-like movement toward the end.

    After Goh Yoo-Joon finished his verse, Jin-Sung started rapping from the opposite side and led the dancers forward. Unlike our previous songs that gradually built up to the climax, "Red Rouge" maintained a strong and intense vibe from the start with vigorous choreography and powerful music.

 Chapter 375: Choose (18)

    <h4>Chapter 375: Choose (18)</h4>

    Jin-Sung''s fast rap fit perfectly with the strong trumpets and jazz melodies. It was surprising how well it all came together. He had received a lot of help from Kim Jin-Wook while creating the rap part, which made me think it would have a rxed yet aggressive vibe simr to Kim Jin-Wook''s style.

    However, that wasn''t the case. Kim Jin-Wook had suggested a fast, light rap that emphasized rhyme. This matched Jin-Sung''s personality and preferences. Despite his tough appearance, Kim Jin-Wook was surprisingly considerate, always thinking about what suited others best.

    ? I wear a gold-ted ring and drown in inferiority

    Ah, so heavy that my hands drop to the keyboard

    They move uncontrobly

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    I feel proud of the most pathetic things in the world

    I can''t let go of the red button in my left hand, boom

    Jin-Sung had fully transitioned to Chronos'' main rapper, and his skills improved rapidly. Every practice session seemed to unlock new potential. Not only was he great at rapping, but he also excelled in gestures. He matched his hand movements to the dancers¡¯ and changed his expressions ording to the lyrics, finishing his part stylishly and with confidence.

    After Jin-Sung¡¯s rather long part ended, he exchanged pleased nces with us from behind the dancers. It was now Yoon-Chan¡¯s turn. The members lowered their stances to stay out of sight and blend into the background.

    The dancers who had been hiding rushed forward and lined up irregrly. They bent and rose one by one, creating a mesmerizing wave effect. The wave started from the far right and moved to the far left, where Yoon-Chan emerged from behind the dancers like a phantom perfectly on cue.

    ? I no longer getting swept away

    Face things head-on

    Someday, the crown on your finger

    Will wobble precariously and fall off

    As Yoon-Chan finished his part, the dancers who had dispersed regrouped in perfect unison and created another wave. This time, the wave moved from left to right, toward where I was standing. When the wave reached me and the dancers parted, revealing me as I began my part.

    ? The king''s crown came off

    Hey, hater, look at me again

    No one is getting swept away by you

    I moved forward through the parted dancers. The light beneath me turned red and cast an intense glow. A camera zoomed in on my face for a close-up before pulling back. I finished my part with a serious expression and joined the dancers and members for the chorus formation. The adrenaline rush from performing was exhrating.

    The chorus of "Red Rouge" was a dance break and chorus rather than singing. Unlike our previous title tracks, which exploded with intensity during the chorus, this one wasid-back and addictive. The catchy beat and melody would quickly turn it into a cover challenge, helping it chart on Billboard. The rhythm and moves were contagious, making it easy to see why it would be so popr.

    As the chorus started, everyone moved minimally and changed their expressions. The entire choreography for the chorus was azy wave, particrly emphasizing a hip-centric wave while looking down with a smug expression, with hands in pockets.

    The once-bright lighting turned dark and the floor lights turned red, intensifying the dark atmosphere. It felt like we were in the middle of a dark, mysterious performance, and the atmosphere added to the allure.

    After filling the chorus with waves from head to toe, we suddenly dropped to our knees and lowered our positions dramatically. As Joo-Han walked out singing, the dancers and members created a leg bridge with their arms while matching his movements. From the front, it looked like a tunnel made by the dancers obscured the members. It was an impressive visual, perfectly choreographed.

    Joo-Han started the second verse and led into the chorus, then the highlight part. The highlight was usually handled by Yoon-Chan or me, but it was taken over by Goh Yoo-Joon this time.

    The dancers and members left the stage and Goh Yoo-Joon remained alone in the spotlight. He lip-synced his part with his unique vocal color and performed with intense emotion despite being watched by everyone. He nailed it without a hint of embarrassment. His ability tomand the stage was impressive, and it showed how much he had grown as a performer.

    After Goh Yoo-Joon finished his part, the dancers and members rushed back onto the stage. We performed the dance break under the lead of Jin-Sung, then wrapped up the first shot of the "Red Rouge" choreography scene. The energy in the room was electric because everyone fed off each other''s excitement.

    ¡°Cut!¡± the director¡¯s satisfied call rang out.

    The members and dancers, who had been holding their poses, breathed a sigh of relief. Chronos'' choreography was never easy, but we might never get used to such difficulty, especially during the chorus wave, where we had to hold our breath to execute the moves. It was quite grueling.

    <i>¡°Whew... Huff...¡± </i>As I straightened my back and looked up at the darkening sky, someone jumped on me from behind. Judging by the weight and strength, it was Jin-Sung.

    ¡°...Jin-Sung, you almost made me fall.¡±

    ¡°I barely jumped on you! If you fall so easily, no wonder the Rings call you a paper doll.¡±

    ¡°And this is why they call you Little T-Rex.¡±

    As Jin-Sung and I bantered, the behind-the-scenes camera caught on and moved closer.

    ¡°But it¡¯s so cold. So cold, everyone,¡± Jin-Sung said while shivering. The weather had been warm until noon, but it turned chilly as night fell, with strong winds blowing during the choreography.

    The wind did add a nice touch to the effects, though. It made the fire we used for the performance flicker and enhanced the chilly vibe, but it was still freezing. When dancing, it wasn''t too bad. However, we were unable to put our hands in our pockets or cross our arms just before the shoot. We just stood there, shivering.

    <i>¡°Whew... </i>At least you can¡¯t see my breath. But yeah, it''s cold.¡±

    I wrapped myself in the jacket the stylist brought me and walked with Jin-Sung to the monitoring area.

    ¡°You did great. I loved how your expression changed the moment the music started. Excellent job.¡± The director praised us and gave us a thumbs-up. Despite it being our first dance shoot, we knew exactly what to do. The members and dancers moved seamlessly.

    In the first shoot, you usually expect some issues with speed, angles, or positioning. But despite theplex choreography and wave movements, everything was perfect.

    ¡°It looks like the special training with the dance instructor paid off, right?¡± I said as I nced at Jin-Sung, who grinned proudly.

    ¡°Special training, huh?¡± the behind-the-scenes camera asked.

    Suddenly, we heard sighs from behind us.

    ¡°Yeah, the special training was intense,¡± Joo-Han said.

    ¡°It really was. I''d love to share it with the Rings someday if we get the chance,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon added.

    They said that as if they had truly been overwhelmed by the training. No wonder they looked exhausted. Oureback preparation was incredibly intense. Whether it was choreography or recording, nothing was easy. Practicing this choreography in particr was grueling. Jin-Sung had practiced until he perfected every move, and he hadn¡¯t let us leave until we perfected the moves.

    Since waves were essential to the choreography and Goh Yoo-Joon and Joo-Han were not strong in that area, they had to practice relentlessly. They even revisited the basics they hadn''t done since trainee days.

    <i>¡°Ah, I haven''t done this since I first started training. It''s a blow to my pride,¡±</i> Goh Yoo-Joon had grumbled.

    <i>¡°If you practiced so much, why can¡¯t you do it now, hyung? Were you cking off back then, hyung? Or maybe you haven¡¯t practiced waves recently.</i>¡±

    <i>¡°...I¡¯ve never really practiced waves on their own... I didn¡¯t know I needed to...¡±</i> Goh Yoo-Joon had mumbled as he nced at Jin-Sung.

    Joo-Han had nodded to himself and silently resumed practicing waves against the wall.

    <i>¡°Head, chest, stomach, hips, legs. In that order, now wave! Practice!¡±</i> Jin-Sung had be a drill sergeant, and he had instructed the rest on how to perform perfect waves, including the hip wave crucial for "Red Rouge."

    <i>¡°Should we practice the basics too? Hmm, nah. Let¡¯s just focus on the choreography,¡±</i> I had suggested.

    <i>¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do that...¡±</i>

    Yoon-Chan and I had also been stuck in the practice room, so we mastered the choreography in a few days. Being confined led to increased practice time and higher-quality performances naturally followed. Additionally, all the members had been working on their physiques for "Red Rouge," making us look even better.

    Joo-Han pped his hands and smiled brightly after finishing the monitoring. ¡°I think we will finish this quickly.¡±

    But that was wishful thinking. Joo-Han had no luck with probabilities, whether it was rock-paper-scissors or drawing lots. What were the chances we''d finish quickly today?

    Several hourster, we were still reshooting.

    Someone let out a hollowugh. ¡°Haha...¡±

    I lost count of how many times we listened to the full song and performed the choreography.

    We shot again and again. We even changed costumes and did it again, back to the set and one more time. Eighteen hours after starting the shoot, we were still going.

    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m exhausted,¡± Jin-Sung said. He was usually full of energy, but him saying such a thing meant this was really hard.

    Just because the music video was simple didn''t mean the shoot was easy. Focusing on the choreography meant endless repetitions. I even started thinking that running through the hallways for the "Parade" series in the middle of the night was better.

 Chapter 376: Choose (19)

    <h4>Chapter 376: Choose (19)</h4>

    After a grueling twenty-hour shoot, we finally returned to the dormpletely exhausted. We practically copsed as soon as we walked through the door. With fewer scenes, "Red Rouge" only took twenty hours, but shooting the historical drama-style ¡°Ario Û¡± would likely take at least three days.

    I couldn''t imagine the sheer amount of energy we''d need for that. We really needed to manage our condition well. As soon as Iy down on my bed, thinking about the packed schedule lined up once oureback was announced, I fell asleep instantly. I sank into the mattress like I was made of quicksand.

    ***

    A few days after the ¡°Red Rouge¡± shoot, it was time for the ¡°Ario Û¡± music video shoot.

    ¡°Did we get more cameras?¡± I asked, noticing the increase in equipment scattered around the set.

    The staff member holding the behind-the-scenes camera nodded with a slight smile.

    ¡°Really? Because the area is so big?¡± I continued as I looked around at the sprawling folk vige set.

    The staff nodded again. The folk vige where we were shooting ¡°Ario Û¡± was vast, and with the members spread out, the original two cameras wouldn''t be enough to capture everyone. It was going to be quite a challenge to get everything we needed in one day.

    ¡°Please introduce your outfit for today.¡±

    ¡°Ah.¡± I stretched out my arms and spun around. I felt the fabric flutter around me. ¡°Today''s outfit makes me a Flower Prince.¡±

    ¡°It suits you very well.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡± I grinned, feeling a bit more confident thanks to thepliment.

    The first shoot for ¡°Ario Û¡± continued the storyline of our second universe. My role today was the Flower Prince. It was a role that might have suited Yoon-Chan better, but I got it this time. The Flower Prince was favored by the king and acted as a secret agent but harbored a significant secret.

    For reference, Joo-Han was the king, Yoon-Chan was the loyal vassal and bodyguard, Goh Yoo-Joon yed a servant earning money as a clown, and Jin-Sung was a young cksmith. The setup and roles clearly linked the tattooed and non-tattooed factions from "Red Rouge." It was interesting how they wove our characters into such diverse roles while maintaining our group dynamic.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, you have to act again,¡± the cameraman said.

    I tried to sound more confident than I felt. ¡°Yeah, I guess. But I think I¡¯ve gotten better, right? I¡¯ve done it a few times now, and Yoon-Chan has taught me a lot.¡±

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Joo-Han¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Do you really think so?¡±

    ¡°Your confidence is impressive, Suh Hyun-Woo,¡± Goh Yoo-Joonughed.

    <i>¡®Ugh, here we go again.¡¯</i>

    I turned my head to look at them with a deadpan expression. These two always teamed up to tease me. The king and the servant were arm in arm, clearly enjoying themselves at my expense.

    ¡°Sure, whatever,¡± I muttered.

    ¡°There were rumors they wouldn¡¯t ask us to act again, but I guess they weren¡¯t true.¡±

    ¡°Suh Hyun-Woo, what if this is ourst chance to act?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean? I will do my best!¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joonughed and started lightly hitting my arm with the string tied around his forehead. It made a soft pping sound.

    I looked at him with pity and extended my arm. ¡°Lock this rascal up immediately! How dare you be so rude to the Flower Prince!¡±

    ¡°Ssh! How dare you say that in front of the king!¡± Joo-Han stepped in front of Goh Yoo-Joon as if to protect him with his equally dramatic expression.

    <i>¡®Wait, Joo-Han hyung is siding against me?¡¯</i>

    I feigned shock by looking back and forth between the camera and Joo-Han with my mouth covered, until he relented and turned against Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°Lock him up and torture him!¡±

    ¡°You are even meaner to me, hyung!¡±

    ¡°...Shall we stop here?¡± Joo-Han asked, his expression suddenly serious as he felt the reality of the situation set in.

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I followed Joo-Han¡¯s lead and stood before the camera for an interview instead.

    ¡°How do you feel about thiseback after such a long time?¡± Joo-Han asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m really excited. Shooting a music video again really makes it feel like we¡¯reing back. I¡¯ve been so excited every day,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon responded, his eyes bright with enthusiasm.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. You can always hear ¡®Red Rouge¡¯ing from his room.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just because I wrote the lyrics, The song is genuinely amazing. I can¡¯t wait for everyone to hear it.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve been looking forward to thiseback. We put a lot of effort into this album, so please look forward to it,¡± I added and we both waved at the camera.

    Right on cue, the "Ario Û" shoot began. The members moved to their respective shooting locations, and I headed to the pce garden with Joo-Han. The first scene was simple but pivotal.

    The Flower Prince was a long-time friend and loyal vassal highly trusted by the king, and he recently began acting suspiciously. As the king and the Flower Prince were strolling through the garden, the king subtly tried to probe him, but the Flower Prince maintained his usual loyal and friendly demeanor. The tension between their old friendship and new suspicions was palpable.

    All we had to do was walk and deliver our lines, but the challenge was that the lines were long. Also, it was a historical drama, so we had to act ordingly. The script was intricate, filled with nuances that we had to convey through our expressions and bodynguage.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, don¡¯t worry too much. We will subtitle your lines, so just focus on the expressions,¡±

    ¡°Ah, okay.¡±

    Everyone knew I wasn¡¯t the best actor, even the director. Since everyone was aware of my limited acting skills, there was no need to be nervous. My only concern was the cold weather, which might make my already stiff acting even worse. The wind was biting, and my cheeks felt frozen.

    ¡°...¡±

    Actually, I was very nervous. Acting always made me feel like crying for some reason. The pressure of delivering a performance that wouldn''t let the team down weighed heavily on me.

    Anyway, the shoot began. Joo-Han and I started walking through the garden following the director¡¯s instructions. The sound of the gently flowing pond was soothing, which was a stark contrast to my churning thoughts.

    Despite the intense cold, the scene through the camera lens looked like a warm and peaceful spring day. As we crossed the stone bridge in the garden, Joo-Han stopped and smiled at me. I gave him a questioning look, asking why he had stopped with just my expression. He then said, ¡°Seeing the ice on the pond melt, it seems spring has arrived.¡±

    <i>¡®...Has Joo-Han''s acting improved a lot?¡¯</i> I had noticed Goh Yoo-Joon asionally going to Yoon-Chan''s room, but maybe each member had been getting private lessons from him.

    Of course, I had also taken some private lessons myself.

    It was my turn to speak. I tried to rx as much as possible by smiling and slightly lowering my head in response to Joo-Han. ¡°It¡¯s still quite cold, though.¡±

    Joo-Han widened his eyes briefly before returning to his original expression and nodding. He resumed walking. ¡°This cold will soon pass.¡±

    ¡°Then the beautiful flowers in the pce will soon bloom again.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    Joo-Han stopped walking again. I also halted and looked up slightly to see why he had stopped this time, gazing at his back.

    This time, Joo-Han spoke without turning around. ¡°Can you see the flowers?¡±

    ¡°...Pardon?¡± I tilted my head, pretending not to understand the king''s words. ¡°What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?¡±

    ¡°It''s nothing, Hyun-Woo. When the flowers bloom, let¡¯s go flower viewing with the ministers.¡± Joo-Han looked at me with a smile, and I shook my head while smiling back.

    ¡°If it¡¯s a royalmand, I have no choice. But flower viewing with the ministers? You have a unique taste, Your Majesty. Please, count me out. I¡¯d rather not join.¡±

    Joo-Hanughed heartily and resumed walking. ¡°No way. It¡¯s an order. How boring would it be to enjoy the flowers alone with only the old ministers? There''s nothing duller in the world!¡±

    When practicing alone, the lines didn¡¯t seem this long. Now, switching back and forth with Joo-Han, it felt like a lengthy scene.

    <i>¡®Are they really going to use all of this in the music video?¡¯</i>

    Just as I was starting to worry about my acting skills being too exposed, the director called for a cut, to my relief. And then, Joo-Han, the director, and the production team unexpectedly began to praise me.

    ¡°Hyun-Woo, your acting has improved! What happened to your awkward performance?¡±

    ¡°Right? Hyun-Woo, you did great. It was natural and smooth. We might not even need subtitles. Should we keep it as is?¡±

    I panicked and waved my hands quickly. ¡°No, no, no... please don¡¯t.¡±

    Sure, I had learned a bit from Yoon-Chan, and I thought my acting had be more natural. But still, it wasn¡¯t good enough. The Rings knew I wasn''t a great actor. If my voice was included, they¡¯d focus more on my acting skills rather than the music video¡¯s story. It was better to remove my voice to help them immerse in the video.

    ¡°Really, it¡¯s fine. But okay, I get it. Let¡¯s do two more takes and then move on.¡±

    We acted out the same scene twice more before finally moving to the next one.

    The next scene was my solo shoot. After sending me off, Joo-Han would call the bodyguard Yoon-Chan and order him to keep an eye on me. As I left the garden, I had to sense their conversation and quicken my pace with a hardened expression. This scene required no lines, just a change in expression as I walked out, so it was over quickly. After that, I headed from the pce to the bustling market street for the next shoot.

    ***

    Just like in the pce, there were a lot of extra actors waiting for our music video shoot. In the pce, we had eunuchs, courtdies, and pce maids. In the market street, there were extras dressed asmoners in tattered clothes, holding hand warmers. The scale of this production was on another levelpared to "Red Rouge."

    ¡°Thank you for joining us!¡± I greeted loudly, and the extras stood up and greeted back. Among them were a few YMM trainees, probably not part of the debut group but there to fill in the numbers.

    The third scene was a chase scene. Yoon-Chan was ordered by the king to keep an eye on me, and I had to lose him and head to my destination. To avoid the king''s suspicion, I had to act nonchnt and blend into the crowd.

    This was mostly Yoon-Chan¡¯s time to shine. All I had to do was walk ording to the nned path, which was quite easy. It seemed the production team was well aware of my limited acting skills and deliberately gave me simple scenes.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 377: Choose (20)

    <h4>Chapter 377: Choose (20)</h4>

    Under the director¡¯s direction, Yoon-Chan and I began walking a set distance apart. The cold breeze nipped at our faces, but we pushed on as we immersed ourselves in our roles.

    While I walked aimlessly, Yoon-Chan worked hard behind me. I could feel his energy even without looking back. Hands sped behind my back, I leisurely strolled and let the tranquility of the moment wash over me before subtly blending into the crowd of actors. The extras were well-rehearsed, and they naturally shielded me from view. This allowed me to slip into a corner and out of the camera''s frame with ease.

    Once behind the camera, I focused on Yoon-Chan. As expected, Chronos¡¯ lead actor continued his performance unshaken even with me watching closely. His expression of shock as he realized I had disappeared, then his frantic search around the area,pleted with a frustrated sigh, was wless. It was like watching a drama unfold in real-time.

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    I couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by his dedication.

    The director praised him by breaking the intensity of the moment. ¡°Cut! That was great! Yoon-Chan, your acting experience really shows, just as I expected.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    His cold and sharp bodyguard image had disappeared, and the moment the director called cut, Yoon-Chan reverted to his innocent and bashful self. He bowed repeatedly at the director¡¯s praise.

    Yoon-Chan and I filmed the same scene multiple times from different angles. Once from the front to capture our expressions, once following my path so my face was visible, and another focusing closely on Yoon-Chan¡¯s intense expressions.

    With each take, the sun dipped lower in the sky. Time flew by so fast. Soon, it was sunset. Unlike the "Parade" series, which made extensive use of twilight, this music video only utilized day and night scenes. It created a stark difference in lighting and mood.

    This allowed us a brief break for a simple meal at sunset, which was a moment of calm amidst the chaos of filming.

    As the five of us gathered to eat, the topic of conversation was undoubtedly Yoon-Chan¡¯s impressive acting as the bodyguard and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s dirty appearance as the clown. Yoon-Chan¡¯s performance was ster, and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s role required him to look scruffy, which he did exceptionally well. We couldn¡¯t help but tease him about it.

    ¡°Yoo-Joon, did you apply something on your skin?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they made me look like I rolled in the dirt,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon replied with a chuckle, shrugging as if it was no big deal.

    ¡°You look like a good-looking homeless guy, hyung,¡± Jin-Sung said as he devoured the dessert box cake Goh Yoo-Joon handed him.

    Despite the teasing, Goh Yoo-Joon began taking selfies with his phone and embraced his new look. ¡°Thanks for thepliment. Help yourself more, Jin-Sung.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon pushed more cake closer to Jin-Sung.

    ¡°Actually, I mean it. You look pretty charismatic.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon raised an eyebrow with a yful smirk on his face. ¡°In these clothes?¡±

    The rest of us nodded in agreement. The slightly dirty skin, scar makeup, and stylishly tattered clothes suited him perfectly. Despite the role¡¯s scruffiness, Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s naturally sharp features and rugged makeup gave him a hidden charisma that made him look like someone with a secret past, adding depth to his character.

    ¡°You all look like you stepped out of a historical drama, but Yoo-Joon really looks like an actor.¡±

    ¡°Hmm! Do I? Haha! I guess I do look like an actor,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon boasted, puffing out his chest in mock arrogance. Joo-Han¡¯s yful p on his back quickly silenced him.

    As the sky darkened and long shadows casted across the set, the rest of the staff busied themselves with preparations. We finished our meal and turned our attention to our scripts.

    Jin-Sung flipped through his script, his brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Hey, hyung. What exactly is our new concept? I¡¯ve heard bits about the music video story, but it doesn¡¯t seem to have any fantasy elements.¡±

    The concept for "Ario Û" was historical, but our new album¡¯s theme was supposed to be fantasy. However, the music video script had no fantasy elements from beginning to end. Much like with "Parade," we only had a rough idea of the concept and the current music video¡¯s content, but no detailed exnations were given. This added to the mystery and excitement.

    Especially this time, we were so focused on memorizing lines that we didn¡¯t get much insight into universe-building. Joo-Han and I had a chance to hear from the writer during nning meetings, but it was still vague. It left us to piece together the story ourselves.

    With Joo-Han engrossed in his script due to having a lot of lines, I was the one to answer Jin-Sung. I tried to piece together the fragments of information I had. ¡°It''s fantasy. The theme this time is reincarnation.¡±

    ¡°Wow, reincarnation? Does that mean we will be reborn here?¡± Jin-Sung¡¯s eyes widened with excitement.

    I nodded. ¡°Ario Û¡± was just the beginning of this new universe. The starting point of any story usually didn¡¯t reveal the entire concept upfront. This universe spanned five songs, divided into three parts: the past, the turning point, and the future.

    "Ario Û" was the start of part one, while the title track "Red Rouge" gave a glimpse of the overall story and part three. Chronos was known for its strong fantasy concepts, and this time, we had expanded it even further by pushing the boundaries of our creativity.

    I exined the storyline as I knew it to the members. By the time I finished, it waspletely dark, with the sky turning to a deep shade of blue.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get ready to shoot!¡±

    The production team¡¯s call brought us back to reality, and we moved to our respective positions to resume filming. The air buzzed with renewed energy.

    ***

    The first scene to be shot at night was the meeting between Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and me. Under the cover of darkness, the set transformed. Shadows created an eerie atmosphere.

    I exchanged nces with the actor who yed Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s subordinate. He then led me to a dimly lit room where Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon were waiting. This scene was crucial because it revealed Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s character as an extraordinary figure followed by many, despite being amoner, and showed that Jin-Sung and I were on his side.

    It was an important scene, but also a very challenging one to shoot.

    ¡°...Pfft! Sorry.¡± Goh Yoo-Joon couldn¡¯t hold back hisughter.He greeted me with a serious face, but immediately burst intoughter. Jin-Sung and I couldn¡¯t help but join in.

    Why did they have to put the three of us together for this crucial and serious scene? It was the hardest scene to shoot because we could never stay serious when we were together, especially in these costumes.

    ¡°Can we get rid of that floral-patterned umbre from Flower Prince?¡±

    ¡°Can we cover Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s face with a mask or something?¡±

    ¡°Hyungs, stopughing! You¡¯re making meugh too!¡±

    If it were Joo-Han, he would have stayed focused and finished quickly without breaking into a smile. If Yoon-Chan were here, he would have helped me stay immersed in the scene. But with the three of us, it was nearly impossible to focus.

    The director was still rtively patient, but urged us with a good-natured smile. ¡°We will resume filming once the Chronos members stopughing. The quicker we shoot, the sooner we can wrap up and go home, guys. You know that, right?¡±

    I tried to channel Joo-Han¡¯s focus, and gave Goh Yoo-Joon a yful smack on the back. Then, I took a deep breath to concentrate.

    Among the three of us, Goh Yoo-Joon struggled the most to keep a straight face. He would hold it together until one of us started saying our lines, and then he¡¯d break intoughter again. His eyes would crinkle, and the corners of his mouth would twitch uncontrobly. Eventually, the director¡¯s patience wore thin, and he decided we would proceed without any dialogue.

    Considering it was a music video, any lines would have been for reference only as the audio wouldn''t actually be used. It wasn¡¯t a big deal. Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and I gathered with ourrades, pretending to discuss something serious. The dim lighting and the solemn expressions of the extra actors added to the gravity of the scene.

    We were portraying a group called ¡®Crimson Academy,¡¯ who plotted to create a world of equality by abolishing the ss system despite being of low status.

    Goh Yoo-Joon took the role of a clown and leader of the underworld. He used to be a ve. Jin-Sung was a cksmith, and I was the Flower Prince and the king¡¯s trusted friend. We three were at the center of this rebellion.

    My role involved funding the rebellion and acting as a spy, serving the king while secretly working against him. Essentially, I was a double agent, risking everything for a better world. It reminded me of my role in "Parade" where I was also a traitor. It seemed I was always cast as the betrayer.

    Anyway, we were supposed to discuss the king¡¯s growing suspicion of the Flower Prince in this scene. Since the director decided to take out the scripted dialogue, we had to improvise and keep serious expressions while pretending to strategize. We huddled close, and our heads almost touched as we whispered silently.

    ¡°What¡¯s for dinner tonight?¡± I asked and tried to keep a straight face.

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung said we shouldn¡¯t eat. Jin-Sung is supposed to be on a diet,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon replied.

    I sighed dramatically and frowned. ¡°But we have to eat something.¡±

    <i>Baam!</i>

    Jin-Sung mmed his hand on the table and stood up. His chair scraped loudly against the floor. ¡°That¡¯s nonsense! If we eat, we all eat together!¡±

    <i>Bang!</i>

    Goh Yoo-Joon followed suit and hit the table before grabbing Jin-Sung¡¯s shoulder. His grip was firm, but his eyes twinkled with barely suppressedughter.

    ¡°Calm down, Jin-Sung. You already ate my dessert box. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡±

    I gestured for them to sit back down while maintaining the serious act. ¡°Did you eat Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s too, Jin-Sung? You also had my box and Joo-Han hyung¡¯s rice cakes,¡± I added by using my most dramatic tone.

    We surprisingly managed to keep straight faces while talking nonsense, which was a relief given how often we goofed around together. Our yful banter had a way of easing the tension and making the scene flow naturally.

    The director¡¯s stern expression gradually softened. When I nced around, I noticed the extra actors struggling to hold back theirughter, trying not to get reprimanded.

    We continued our improvised dialogue and discussed everything from Yoon-Chan¡¯s earlier hungerints to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s need to start dieting. We even talked about how my hair was screwed up from continual dying that it would fall off. Goh Yoo-Joon jokingly said this by calling my hair a ¡®broom.¡¯

    Finally, the director gave us the OK signal. ¡°Cut! Perfect! You guys might not be able to handle dialogue, but you are good at staying serious when you need to be. I bet your fans find you adorable.¡±

    ¡°Haha, yes. Thank you,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon replied, pretending to be shy.

    After wrapping up, we quickly moved to the next shooting location. The final scene of the day was the battle scene where Crimson Academy heads to the pce. As we prepared for this intense scene, the camaraderie andughter from earlier fueled our determination to give it our best shot.

 Chapter 378: Choose (21)

    <h4>Chapter 378: Choose (21)</h4>

    The action scene involved running down the bustling market street that led to the pce where the king lived. We had to fight enemies along the way.

    ¡°We will start filming in five minutes!¡±

    Behind Goh Yoo-Joon, Jin-Sung, and me, who were the protagonists, the actors ying our allies lined up. As we waited for the signal to start, I could see the adrenaline pumping through everyone¡¯s veins.

    Once filming started and we began running toward the pce, stunt actors hidden throughout the market woulde out and engage us inbat. It felt like the calm before a storm.

    ¡°Are you nervous about your first action scene?¡± the behind-the-scenes cameraman asked after approaching us during a break.

    Jin-Sung lifted his fake sword and grinned widely. ¡°I¡¯m not nervous at all. I¡¯m actually super pumped. I¡¯ve always wanted to try this.¡± His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

    I put a hand on Jin-Sung¡¯s shoulder and nodded. ¡°We even learned stunts for this day. It¡¯s fun.¡±

    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°Yeah, and the stunt actors helping us are amazing.¡± Jin-Sung gave a thumbs-up and looked around as if to spot some of our talented helpers.

    Although we were busy preparing for oureback and didn¡¯t get to practice much, we learned some basic stunts for the battle of Crimson Academy, and it was a whole new world.

    Even the simple moves we learned quickly looked like something straight out of a drama or movie as stunt actors reacted dramatically to our swords, punches, and kicks. We got so into it that they even taught us a few more advanced moves toward the end, which made us feel like real action stars.

    ¡°But everyone¡¯s holding different weapons?¡±

    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Jin-Sung had lowered his hand during the conversation, but he raised it again to show off his sword. ¡°We were ambushed by King Joo-Han¡¯s forces, so our weapons are all different. Yoo-Joon hyung has a bowl, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got a fan.¡± I pulled out the fan hidden in my chest and showed it to the camera, feeling a bit like a magician revealing a trick.

    Today¡¯s final scene involved the king discovering Crimson Academy¡¯s n and ambushing us just after a meeting and a bowl of soup, and us fighting back and storming the pce earlier than nned.

    The suddenness of the attack meant only Jin-Sung had a proper weapon. Goh Yoo-Joon used a soup bowl and some ceramics from the market, while I used a fan until I could grab an enemy¡¯s sword. It was a testament to our resourcefulness and the unpredictability of our story.

    The production crew¡¯s announcement snapped us back to the task at hand. ¡°We will start filming now!¡±

    At the production crew¡¯s shout, I clenched my fists and showed them to the camera. I hoped to convey our collective enthusiasm and determination. ¡°We will do our best! It looks really cool, so please watch the music video. We got this!¡±

    The behind-the-scenes camera captured myst words before moving back and gave us a final moment to gather our thoughts.

    ¡°Ready.¡± The members¡¯ and actors¡¯ expressions changed in an instant at the director¡¯s words. The atmosphere became charged with energy.

    Soldiers blocked our way and pointed their spears at us.

    ¡°Action!¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon took a step forward with his voice strong and defiant. ¡°What are you doing? What have we done?¡±

    ¡°This is the king¡¯s order. Arrest them all!¡± came the harsh reply, which was amand that echoed off the market walls.

    ¡°Yes!¡± the soldiers responded in unison.

    The rehearsed battle began.

    Goh Yoo-Joon threw and broke the bowl in his hand. The sound of shattering ss was deafening, but I couldn¡¯t afford to look back at him. My focus was entirely on the three opponents in front of me. I pulled out the fan from my pocket and fought my way forward.

    ¡°Head for the pce!¡± one of our allies shouted, his voice a beacon amidst the chaos. I nced back and kicked the enemy in front of me, then grabbed his sword before cutting him down.

    The situation was far more urgent and fast-paced than during practice and rehearsals. With so many people fighting in unison, the sounds of shouts, weapons shing, people groaning in pain, and the sounds of things breaking were everywhere. The environment made it impossible not to get immersed. Every sound and every movement was amplified, pulling us deeper into our roles.

    I swung my sword and ran forward. Goh Yoo-Joon was leading the charge, Jin-Sung running beside me, and our allies following behind us. Their numbers dwindled with each step. The determination in everyone¡¯s eyes was palpable as each of us was driven by the shared goal of reaching the pce.

    I forgot my tiredness and panted heavily when we finally stood in front of the pce walls. The towering structure loomed over us, which was a symbol of the final hurdle we had to ovee in this shooting.

    The director¡¯s voice snapped us out of our intense focus. ¡°Cut! Touch up the makeup, and we will shoot again.¡±

    The immersion built up suddenly shattered, and I returned to reality. Looking back, I saw the actors who had been lying down struggling to their feet and returning to their ces.

    ¡°Wow, this is fun...¡± I muttered. Jin-Sung chuckled and ran to Yoo-Joon.

    But the fun of being immersed in the action scenes was short-lived. After filming this scene about five times, we all started moving mechanically without a word. By the time I was begging the stylist doing my makeup touch-up, saying I¡¯d rather film choreography for fourteen hours, we finally wrapped up the day¡¯sst shoot. Each repetition had drained us a bit more, but we pushed through, driven by the desire to get it perfect.

    And when we monitored the footage we¡¯d shot, smiles returned to our faces. The exhaustion melted away, and it was reced by a sense of aplishment and pride.

    ¡°This looks almost like a movie. The Rings will love it. We all look so cool.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s going to be fantasyputer graphics added to this, right?¡±

    A staff member from the Chronos teamughed. ¡°Yeah, even in the battle scenes. There will beputer graphics in the sky.¡±

    As they said, we didn¡¯t look like our usual selves on the screen. Even the simple monitoring footage during filming made us look amazing, far more than we could have imagined.

    The sheer excitement of seeing ourselves in such a way was surreal. I could only imagine how incredible it would be once the music andputer graphics were added. No wonder this was the highest-budget production in YMM history.

    The scale of the battle scenes involved so many people that it made it look like an epic showdown. It was as if the screen couldn''t contain the energy and intensity of what we were doing.

    While everyone was admiring the footage, Su-Hwan had been quietly observing, then he mumbled from the back almost as if talking to himself. ¡°We should use this for the English-speaking market promotion video and press release. Tae-Seong, make sure to inform them.¡±

    ***

    The second day marked the final shoot in the historical theme. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. It was the confrontation scene between the members storming the pce and those defending it. Every move and expression had to be perfect.

    After finishing the choreography shoot on the third day, our long and arduous preparations for theeback were finally over. The relief was palpable, but so was the anticipation for what was toe.

    Now, all that remained was to heighten the Rings'' expectations by practicing diligently until theeback and participating in variety shows timed with our music broadcast activities. We were ready to give our all because we knew the fans were eagerly waiting.

    The first scheduled activity wasn¡¯t for us, but rather for a junior group, simr to what Allure did for us back in the day. It felt like a rite of passage, a tradition being handed down in YMM.

    The new group from YMM, Sequence, was participating in <i>Pick We Up Two</i>. Even though the show hadn¡¯t officially aired yet, they had already started filming. I heard their interview with On-Sae and the pre-released video of Sequence¡¯s audition were already up on <i>UTube</i>.

    However, I hadn¡¯t had a chance to watch them yet. Our schedules had been so packed that finding time to even catch up on these things felt impossible.

    Before our scheduled guest appearance as daily teachers on <i>Pick We Up Two</i> in a few weeks, we were set to film a scene today where we guide Sequence in afortable atmosphere as a senior group. It was a chance for us to share our experiences and hopefully ease their nerves.

    Us, the Chronos members, had suddenly found ourselves seniors, so we wore bright expressions. It was a new role for us, and we were all excited to embrace it.

    Other than Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon, even Yoon-Chan couldn¡¯t hide his anticipation. It was a rare sight that made everyone smile.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m really looking forward to this. Actually, this will be the first time we are seeing Sequence because of our schedule.¡±

    ¡°Ah~ Our juniors, ahh! Hyung, I feel so hyped, we finally have juniors!¡± Jin-Sung¡¯s exmation made the rest of usugh.

    As we made our way to the practice room where the Sequence members were training, the director asked me a question. ¡°Sequence members have a deep connection with you, right?¡±

    I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. They appeared during our originalpetition. Hearing they were joining as Sequence made all our members really happy.¡±

    Not only that, but the trainees who joined after our debut and who appeared as extras in our music videos were also in Sequence. We knew all their faces, so it was impossible not to feel excited for them. It felt like seeing younger versions of ourselves, full of dreams and ambitions.

    ¡°Ah, is this the ce?¡± Joo-Han asked as he held the practice room door handle.

    The inside of the practice room became noisy with voices quickly quieting down as soon as the song ying came to an end. The silence was palpable, which was a stark contrast to the lively chatter just moments before.

    ¡°Oh, why did it suddenly go quiet?¡±

    ¡°They must be waiting for us toe in,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said, trying to suppress augh. Their tension was almost tangible through the door, a mix of excitement and nerves.

    Joo-Han opened the door and walked in with a wide smile. ¡°Hello, guys. Sorry to interrupt your practice.¡± He walked in cautiously, his voice carrying the politeness that put everyone at ease.

    As soon as Joo-Han hyung greeted them politely and we all entered the room, the Sequence members responded with a thunderous greeting.

    ¡°Hello! We are scene stealers, Sequence! Nice to meet you!¡±

    The intensity of their greeting caught us off guard, and we momentarily hesitated before responding. ¡°...Huh? Oh...¡±

    ¡°Wow, they¡¯re really enthusiastic. Sequence, nice to meet you! Scene stealers, Sequence!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon mimicked their greeting gesture with a yful grin.

    It seemed thepany had put effort into creating a proper greeting, unlike Allure and Chronos, who didn¡¯t have a specific one. Seeing the familiar trainees stiffly standing there made our members lose it.

    ¡°Oh my gosh, this feels weird. In a good way, though!¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung grabbed Yoon-Chan, shaking him with excitement. Theirughter echoed in the room. Joo-Han quickly calmed them down, seating both Chronos and Sequence on the floor before restoring some order to the chaos.

    Then Il-Seong raised his hand. ¡°Seniors, can we introduce ourselves one by one?¡±

    As soon as Il-Seong referred to us as seniors, half of our members bit their lips and tried hard not tough. While it was appropriate to call us seniors on broadcast, it felt strange since he was like a neighborhood gym buddy to us. The contrast between our casual rtionships off-camera and the formalities on-camera was amusing.

    Only Joo-Han remained unfazed, and he nodded calmly. ¡°Sure. We need to remember your names.¡± He nudged Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung, who were still trying to stifle their giggles. ¡°Listen carefully and remember to call them by their names when you meet themter.¡±

    Il-Seong pointed to a member. ¡°We will start from the left.¡±

    The trainee, who seemed new, alternated his gaze between his own band mates and Chronos with wide eyes before standing up and bowing ny degrees. His movements were a bit stiff, betraying his nerves.

    ¡°Hello. I am Aeon, the main vocalist of Sequence. Nice to meet you!¡± Aeon bowed once more. His voice was steady, but you could sense the excitement underneath.

    As Aeon straightened up, the other Sequence members started murmuring and pointing at him. ¡°Aeon joined YMM only because he admires Senior Hyun-Woo!¡±

    ¡°He is a huge fan of Senior Hyun-Woo. Aeon watches his focus videos every day!¡±

    ¡°...Really?¡± I asked, surprised by this revtion.

    Aeon looked shy, but nodded vigorously. ¡°Yes, I really admire you, Senior. I mean, I respect all the Chronos senior members, but I joined after auditioning because I¡¯m a big fan of yours.¡± Aeon said, his voice wavering with nervousness. It was clear how much this moment meant to him.

    Seeing him so nervous and unable to make eye contact made me feel just as flustered. His sincerity and admiration were touching, and it was a reminder of how far we hade and the impact we had on the next K-Pop generation.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 379: Choose (22)

    <h4>Chapter 379: Choose (22)</h4>

    I already knew the basic information about the members of Sequence. Aeon was the member with the shortest trainee period among them, and he was the same age as Jin-Sung. Before bing a trainee, he had never danced before, so he was slow to learn and not very good at it.

    However, his singing skills were outstanding, giving him a significant role in their performances. This added a lot of pressure and lowered his confidence. He was known to be hardworking since he was often seen practicingte into the night, trying to catch up to the others.

    ¡°When he heard the seniors wereing, he even prepared a new phone case to get your autograph.¡± Il-Seong pointed out Aeon¡¯s white phone case on the table.

    Aeon had been fidgeting and looking embarrassed, and he seemed to be in the same league as Yoon-Chan in terms of shyness. His big eyes darted nervously between us, and his fingers yed with the hem of his shirt.

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°Oh, Hyun-Woo~ He says he admires you~¡± Goh Yoo-Joon nudged my leg. The new phone case and that earnest expression showed this wasn¡¯t just ttery. It was genuine admiration. I understood that feeling well, and receiving such a gaze made me unsure of how to respond.

    Aeon appeared to have felt just as awkward, and averted his gaze. This allowed me to bow my head in gratitude. ¡°Ah~ Thank you very much.¡±

    ¡°Hyun-Woo hyung gets really shy when he hears things like this.¡± Jin-Sung chimed in, teasingly.

    ¡°Why do you like Hyun-Woo? What do you respect about him?¡±

    ¡°Stop it. You¡¯re embarrassing him.¡± I tried to brush off the attention, but it was futile. My group members loved to tease someone mercilessly once they found a target, just like Sequence members teased Aeon. He looked cornered. His eyes widened when he tried to formte a response.

    Aeon, cornered by the questions, stammered out a response, clearly flustered. ¡°I think he looks really cool on stage. His expressions and dance interpretations are amazing. I watch his focus videos all the time and try to mimic his expressions and dancing...¡±

    He trailed off and looked at me for reassurance. Still at a loss for words, I bowed again. I felt my cheeks heat up. ¡°Thank you. This is really embarrassing... Haha.¡±

    ¡°Is Aeon also shy like Hyun-Woo? Watching you two talk makes me feel awkward too,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon joked and ced his hand on my shoulder, helping me sit down. I appreciated the gesture, unsure whether to keep standing or sit.

    From the conversation, I learned that Aeon had decorated his room at the dorm with my photos. His constant gaze throughout the talk made me even more self-conscious. I was not on the talkative side among members, so I got quieter due to the pressure.

    After Aeon finished his introduction, the rest of the Sequence members introduced themselves. Sequence consisted of seven members. Il-Seong and Jae-Seok had been trainees for a long time. Han Jun was Goh Yoo-Joon and my friend, and On-Sae joined YMM after <i>Pick We Up One</i>. Last but not least, there were Aeon, Hyo-Joon, and Byeong-Kwan, who joined as trainees after Chronos debuted.

    With more familiar faces than strangers, the awkward atmosphere quickly dissipated. Wefortably continued our conversation. The familiarity brought a warm, almost familial feeling to the room.

    ¡°So, should we see you practice now? What¡¯s the theme for this round?¡± I asked, eager to see their progress.

    ¡°The theme for this round is cover songs. We chose Chronos¡¯ ¡®Joy¡¯ and would love to get your feedback.¡± Il-Seong¡¯s tone slightly stiffened from saying practiced lines. The choice was ambitious, considering the song¡¯splexity. I remembered how I asked Allure members for feedback back in the day when wepeted in <i>Pick We Up.</i>

    I smiled at the memory. ¡°Ah, ¡®Joy¡¯ is a really challenging song to perform live.¡±

    ¡°Right. We still need to catch our breath after performing itpletely,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon added.

    Though the energetic song fit Sequence¡¯s concept, the song was known for its high difficulty level since it featured fast choreography and even some back flips. It was a challenge for a newly formed rookie group to master in just a week. I couldn¡¯t help but admire their determination.

    A brief concern crossed my mind, but Goh Yoo-Joon raised his hand with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s great. We know Sequence¡¯s skills well, so we are sure you will perform ¡®Joy¡¯ with no issues.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡± the Sequence members responded loudly, though Han Jun¡¯s expression shifted slightly. I shared a look with Han Jun because I recognized the yful glint in Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I have a question. This popped up in my mind out of nowhere, but...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Il-Seong replied, slightly hesitant.

    ¡°In ¡®Joy,¡¯ there¡¯s that part...¡± Goh Yoo-Joon paused dramatically.

    ¡°That part?¡±

    ¡°The part where the leaves roll and you have to giggle super cutely. Who is doing that? Personally, I think Il-Seong hyung would be perfect for it.¡±

    ¡°...Pfft!¡±

    I couldn''t help but burst intoughter at Il-Seong¡¯s expression. It was as if his eyes were saying, ¡®Are you out of your mind, Goh Yoo-Joon?¡¯ The thought of the hulking, gym-obsessed Il-Seong singing that part was enough to have even our fans rolling on the floorughing.

    ¡°Me? Really?¡± Il-Seong asked, disbelief written all over his face.

    ¡°Yes. You, hyung.¡±

    This was possible because our Rings were well aware of the long-standing friendship between the members of Chronos and Sequence. They knew our dynamics inside out, and even those who didn¡¯t would catch on quickly thanks to subtitles or past "History" preparation videos on UNET. They¡¯d find Goh Yoo-Joon''s chaotic role assignments hrious.

    Given that Goh Yoo-Joon, a member of Chronos and our senior, clearly wanted this, it made sense for Il-Seong to take on the giggling part whether he liked it or not. Since he understood this, he pursed his lips and looked ufortable. The rest of us struggled to suppress ourughter.

    As the awkwardness persisted, Joo-Han pped his hands to change the subject. ¡°We will decide on the giggling partter. For now, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve prepared."

    Right. There was no point in discussing it further. Seeing it in action would be best. We moved our chairs toward the mirror and took our seats. Sequence members stood in formation before us, their expressions a mix of tension and determination. Watching their focused faces, my palms grew sweaty with anticipation.

    I hoped they would perform well. I wanted the trainees who had practiced with me to showcase their unique style and avoid unfavorableparisons. Unlike us who had covered Allure¡¯s hidden gem, ¡°Joy¡± was a popr song that would likely lead to more directparisons during the performance.

    ¡°Alright, I will start the song," Jin-Sung announced and yed the instrumental of ¡°Joy.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    We murmured as the music began. It was ¡°Joy,¡± but the intro was noticeably different from the original. The arrangement had been significantly altered and showed a lot of thought and effort.

    It seemed Sequence had anticipatedparisons and wisely decided to re-arrange the song to set it apart. The difficulty remained high, but the choreography was new. They executed it well, showing how hard they had worked. However, our smiles faded when the live singing began.

    The first part featured Aeon, who was known to be weak at dancing. While his vocal skills were impressive and he sang stably despite the intense choreography, the previously well-synchronized group dance faltered as soon as Aeon stepped forward.

    Hisck of experience in eye contact and gestures while singing,bined with his poor dancing, stood out starkly. To put it bluntly, Aeon¡¯s appearance disrupted the entire performance.

    But that wasn¡¯t the only problem. On-Sae performed confidently with his experience, but his proficiency only highlighted theck of it in the others. Instead of looking like a cohesive group, it seemed like On-Sae was the only one delivering a proper performance, while the others appeared to be merely practicing in a rehearsal room.

    In other words, only On-Sae looked like an idol.

    Il-Seong and Han Jun struggled with their eye contact, and Jae-Seok kept ncing back as he moved along the set pathways. Hyo-Joon and Byeong-Kwan failed to maintainposure after making mistakes by frequently checking our reactions. As the performance continued, the synchronization faltered, and their vocal strength wavered.

    I hadn¡¯t expected their shorings to be so ring. From a trainer¡¯s perspective, Sequencecked the stage experience and polish that Chronos had gained through numerous performances. It was only natural that their ws would be apparent.

    Even Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been grinning, and Jin-Sung, who was excited to be a senior, grew serious. Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han, who usuallycked confidence on stage, became increasingly solemn as the live performance went on.

    ¡°...Hmm, I see,¡± Joo-Han murmured. He watched Sequence intently before nodding and jotting down feedback in his notebook.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 380: Choose (23)

    <h4>Chapter 380: Choose (23)</h4>

    Sequence''s performance ended, leaving the room in an awkward silence.

    "Well, thanks for showing us your performance."

    Chronos members pped enthusiastically to break the tension and usher the Sequence members to their seats. It seemed like this was going to be a long talk. The air was thick with anticipation and nervous energy as everyone waited to see who would speak first and what would be said.

    Just as I was trying to figure out where to start, Joo-Han nudged me. Given my frequent role in leading performances, I often took the lead in providing feedback in situations like this. I rxed my expression and looked at the tense Sequence members. They looked like deer caught in headlights, all wide-eyed and unsure.

    I decided to start with the positives. "You guys have great live performance skills. Despite the intense choreography of ¡®Joy,¡¯ your stability and powerful voices really brought the atmosphere to life." It was clear they had put in countless hours of practice, and that effort deserved to be acknowledged.

    "Thank you!" they responded in unison, and their faces lit up slightly.

    "In the beginning, your choreography was well synchronized. It was evident how much you practiced. Even we couldn¡¯t have reached this level in just a week."

    "Thank you so much!!!" Their gratitude was palpable, and I could see the tension easing out of their shoulders.

    "But," I continued, noticing their expressions tighten again. "I feel like each of you is good at or confident in very different areas. It¡¯s like you are each shining in your own way, but not quite together."

    "..."

    "While it''s great to have strengths, it¡¯s a problem when it bes too noticeable during a performance. As a group, you need to bnce these differences so you appear as one cohesive unit rather than separate individuals." I scanned their faces for understanding. Some of them looked thoughtful while others seemed a bit disheartened.

    Aeon was confident in vocals but weak when it came to dancing. Byeong-Kwan was onlyfortable rapping. Hyo-Joon excelled at dancing but little else. Despite having been trainees for a long time, some members didn¡¯t have much to boast about andcked stage experience. Nevertheless, I felt they had a good sense of bnce overall as a group.

    "The vocal bnce, for example. It might be nerves because we are here, but there were noticeable differences in voice volume and dancing power. You are all very skilled individually, but together, it looks off. If you monitor your performance on camera, you might be surprised by what you see." I tried to soften the critique with a smile.

    "Ah..."

    "As a group, you should prioritize bncing your performance so you all shine together, then work on highlighting your individual strengths within that bnce. Imagine how powerful you could be as a unified front."

    We weren''t there to judge harshly but to help. We mixed ourpliments with constructive feedback. Yoon-Chan guided them on eye contact, Goh Yoo-Joon on facial expressions and vocal bnce, Jin-Sung on stage movement and choreography, and Joo-Han on part distribution.

    The Sequence members listened intently while taking notes and absorbing everything we said. In fact, criticizing the ones who used to be trainees with us in the past was harsh, but fortunately, they were like sponges, soaking up every bit of advice we offered.

    "Let¡¯s split up and work on these areas individually," Joo-Han suggested and wrapped up the group talk. "Shall we?"

    "Yes!" they responded with renewed energy.

    Joo-Han paired each of us with Sequence members for one-on-one training. My first student was Han Jun. He approached me sheepishly by scratching his neck as if unsure how to start the conversation.

    "Se... Senior..."

    "Oh,e on. Don¡¯t call me ¡®senior.'' Just call me whatever makes you feelfortable." I waved off the formality. Even with the cameras rolling, I couldn''t stand being called ''senior'' by someone I was close to. It was too awkward.

    The rtionship between Han Jun and me would be well introduced in the broadcast anyway, and the Rings wouldn¡¯t want to see Han Jun feeling ufortable interacting with me.

    "Call me by my name as you always do. I can¡¯t handle this cringiness."

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    "Hehe... Okay, got it," he said with a shy smile after ncing nervously at the camera. "You were pretty cool giving feedback earlier."

    "You always praise when you are embarrassed. Anyway, I noticed something during your performance. Watch where my gaze goes." I demonstrated a part of the choreography by deliberately ncing back over my shoulder repeatedly. "You kept looking back while moving, probably because there are so many members."

    "Ah, I see."

    I emphasized the importance of engaging with the audience. "You need to focus your gaze forward, especially during a performance. If you¡¯re always thinking about your next move, you will rarely make eye contact with the audience or the camera."

    Han Jun reflected for a moment, then nodded seriously. "I didn¡¯t realize that. Now that I think about it, I barely looked forward."

    "Exactly. You¡¯re great at dancing and singing, so don''t worry about making mistakes. Focus on your eye contact and the audience... Why are you looking at me like that?" I noticed Han Jun staring at me intently, a bit like Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s mischievous smirk. It made me ufortable.

    "Nothing. It¡¯s just, you really seem like a trainer."

    "A trainer?" I echoed, surprised.

    "Yeah, you know. Someone who¡¯s been on stage a lot. It¡¯s different. Anyway, I will give it a try."

    Han Jun looked somewhat embarrassed, but started dancing and singing again with a determined look. "Lower your thighs more, to a full ny degrees angle. You need to match Hyo-Joon¡¯s precision. Put more energy into your movements to keep the choreography tight."

    "Got it."

    "Yeah, focusing on matching with Hyo-Joon should be your priority. Only add your personal touch when you are in the center. That way, it will look perfectly synchronized from a distance."

    "Where should I ce my hands when I lower my thighs?" He asked, already trying to incorporate the feedback.

    "In your pockets."

    Han Jun was quick to understand with his long training period and self-awareness, and asked many questions. He was an ideal student as he made the one-on-one session smooth and productive. His eagerness to learn was refreshing, and it made the teaching experience enjoyable.

    Next up were main dancer Hyo-Joon and main vocalist Aeon. They were the members I wasn¡¯t too familiar with. As they approached, I tried to gauge their personalities based on their bodynguage and the way they interacted.

    "Thanks for your teaching in advance, Senior!"

    "Nah, thanks foring."

    Hyo-Joon was outspoken and seemed to have a strong personality, while Aeon was shy and hesitant, even when dancing. Compared to our main dancer, Hyo-Joon seemed more sensitive in a good way.

    Having seen many trainees, I could roughly gauge their personalities just by observing their performance and demeanor. This was going to be an interesting session, I thought to myself, preparing to dive into the next round of feedback and guidance.

    During the "Joy" performance, as soon as Aeon stepped to the center and the group dance faltered, Hyo-Joon''s expression hardened. Aeon also looked back at Hyo-Joon as he moved to the back, indicating they''d probably had emotional shes while preparing for the performance.

    "Senior, I really respect you as much as Aeon does." Hyo-Joon smiled brightly and tapped his chest with his palm as if to show his heart was racing. "We watch your fancam videos together every day. We are always learning!"

    "Thank you so much. It¡¯s really humbling to hear that." I felt a bit overwhelmed by their sincerity. I led the two of them to sit on the floor so we could talk morefortably. "First, I want to ask you both. What was the hardest part of preparing for ¡®Joy?¡¯ And who¡¯s older between you two?"

    "We are the same age!" Hyo-Joon said, throwing an arm around Aeon¡¯s shoulders and pulling him close.

    Aeon nodded vigorously in agreement. "We¡¯re friends."

    "Ah, I see. So Hyo-Joon, you go first." I said, turning to him.

    "Well, when I monitor myself, I feel like I stand out too much. Like my dancing is too shypared to the others."

    "But you are the main dancer?"

    "Yeah... but it seems like I dance too powerfully, more than necessary," Hyo-Joon admitted and looked a bit downcast. It wasmon among main dancers to excel when dancing solo, but their distinct style could sometimes disrupt group harmony. Unlike Jin-Sung, who could blend his style into the group choreography seamlessly, not many main dancers could manage that.

    It didn¡¯t seem like a very serious concern, judging by his expression. However, he probably felt a bit stressed because the group dance didn¡¯t look as good as it could.

    "How about you, Aeon? What¡¯s your biggest challenge?"

    "Um, for me..." Aeon began, his face turning red.

    Hyo-Joon mumbled teasingly. "There he goes blushing again."

    Aeon shoved Hyo-Joon away gently. "Stop saying such a thing in front of our senior." He looked back at me. "It¡¯s dancing. I don¡¯t know how to put it, but I feel like I am just barely keeping up. When I monitor myself, I can see the whole vibe drops as soon as I step to the front."

    "Yeah, I noticed that too," I said, relieved that Aeon was aware of his weakness. Knowing the problem was half the battle because it meant he was already trying to improve. Therefore, he could learn quickly with the right guidance.

    After hearing both of their concerns, I spoke up. "Okay, here¡¯s what I think. Hyo-Joon, your dancing style isn¡¯t really a problem. You are a skilled dancer, and your unique style shows because you are good. When I watched you perform, I didn¡¯t feel like you stood out too much."

    "Really? That''s a relief... Should I be okay then?"

    "Yeah, it¡¯s probably because you try to find ws when you monitor yourselves. Try to look at good things as well."

    "Okay! Phew, I¡¯m d to hear this. Thank you so much!"

    I smiled and gently avoided Hyo-Joon¡¯s gaze, which was filled with boundless trust. Honestly, I wasn¡¯t that great myself, so I had been feeling quite burdened by these two staring at me like this. Back when I was a trainer, I rarely received such looks.

    In the distance, I could see Jin-Sung enthusiastically teaching Byeong-Kwan, and I couldn¡¯t help but envy his confidence a little. Pushing aside my embarrassment, I looked back at Hyo-Joon.

    "But I think you should work on your vocals more."

    "Oh, okay..."

    "You need to sing louder, pronounce clearly, and be confident. Even if you make a mistake, don¡¯t worry about it. Your voice is good, but if youck confidence, it sounds like you are not singing well."

    "I will work on it. Thank you, Senior." Hyo-Joon''sck of vocal confidence was a major reason Sequence''s voices didn¡¯t blend well. It was crucial to fix this to avoid being seen as a weak group.

    Next, I turned to Aeon. "Aeon... Could you show me your dancing a bit?"

    With Aeon, I felt direct teaching would be more effective than talking.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 381: Choose (24)

    <h4>Chapter 381: Choose (24)</h4>

    When I suddenly stood up, I could feel Aeon getting nervous. He nced at Hyo-Joon and me, then loosened up a bit. He reluctantly took his stance. His eyes darted around.

    "Should I dance alone?" he asked, his voice a little shaky.

    "Yes, or Hyo-Joon can join you if you''d like." I tried to sound as encouraging as possible.

    "Ah, then I will dance with him."

    Hyo-Joon readily took his ce beside him. Despite their different personalities and practice styles, which probably led to many emotional shes, their bond seemed strong. They showed no rough edges. This had to be thanks to Leader Il-Seong''s efforts in bncing them.

    "Alright, let''s start from the top. Hyo-Joon, you sing loudly."

    "Yes!"

    "Go ahead."

    The two started dancing and singing. I pped along to keep the rhythm, encouraging them to stay in sync. After a few moments, I held out my palm. "Stop."

    "Huh?"

    "Aeon, don¡¯t move and stay as you are." Aeon froze mid-step as he tried to hold his position. His eyes were wide with confusion. "Look in the mirror and see how you are standing."

    Aeon nced at the mirror and appeared startled. His posture was awkward and unbnced, like he was caught in an awkward moment.

    "Saying you can¡¯t dance because you are singing is just a terrible excuse. It looks like you''ve developed a habit of glossing over each move because you are unsure about your dancing."

    "Ah..."

    "You might have gotten away with it as a trainee because your vocals are strong. But on stage, it¡¯s obvious and cane off as unprofessional. You know that, right?"

    When he realized he had been unconsciously skipping steps, Aeon looked disheartened and nodded. His shoulders slumped. "Yes... I¡¯m sorry."

    "Hey, no need to apologize to me. It''s just a habit formed out of insecurity. Let''s try again, okay? Hyo-Joon too."

    "Yes!"

    Hyo-Joon resumed singing and dancing, his voice steady and strong. Aeon concentrated on mimicking Hyo-Joon¡¯s moves precisely instead of focusing on his singing. His brows furrowed in determination.

    I stopped pping and watched them through the mirror, then pushed down on Aeon''s shoulders. "Lower. You are not matching Hyo-Joon''s height. More, more."

    Hyo-Joon slowed his singing to help Aeon, who was now sweating but trying his best to hold the correct posture. They continued practicing.

    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    "Stop. Widen your knees further. Pretend that you are doing squats. You don¡¯t squat like this, do you?"

    "No!"

    I adjusted Aeon''s knees myself by positioning him correctly. Aeon¡¯s face was flushed with exertion, but he held the stance.

    Hyo-Joon started singing again, this time with a slight smile to encourage Aeon.

    "Stop. Stay still."

    "Yes."

    I pushed Aeon''s waist inward and nudged his feet wider with my own. "You need to go lower and spread out more than you think. When practicing the moves again, focus on each one separately. You guys should start from scratch again to synchronize."

    "Yes! Thank you!"

    Aeon snapped to attention and bowed deeply. This surprised Hyo-Joon, who quickly followed suit. Only then did I realize that I had been speaking informally throughout the session. It was a habit from my days as a trainer, and it seemed to resurface naturally in these teaching moments. It had been over two years since I became an idol, but a brief stint of teaching brought back the trainer habits, including my speech and behavior.

    After finishing with these two, I took a break. Goh Yoo-Joon came over and sat beside me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Teacher Suh Hyun-Woo, I''ve heard a lot about you."

    I raised an eyebrow. "What did you hear?"

    "They say you are an excellent teacher."

    I had wondered why he came over, and it turned out it was to tease me. Han Jun must have given his feedback about me acting like a trainer.

    "And you? All I see you doing is chatting away. How''s it going with the lessons? I saw youughing a lot with Il-Seong earlier."

    "Oh, that." Goh Yoo-Joon rolled his eyes before suddenly bursting intoughter by clutching his stomach.

    "What¡¯s so funny? Let me in on it."

    "Remember when I asked who would do the ''rolling leaves, kyaa~'' part?"

    "Yeah, I remember." I clicked my tongue and jabbed Goh Yoo-Joon''s side. He was quite something. "First, you mess with Joo-Han hyung, now Il-Seong hyung? You¡¯re going to get a reputation for bullying juniors."

    "So what? Everyone knows we¡¯re close, and the show will make that clear too. Anyway, after I mentioned that..." Goh Yoo-Joon''s eyes sparkled as he leaned in. It seemed he had thoroughly enjoyed teasing Il-Seong. "They had a meeting about it during the break."

    "A meeting? Wait... was it about...?"

    I looked over at Il-Seong. He was talking with the Sequence members, looking displeased. When he noticed us, he mouthed ¡®Ah, seriously!¡¯ and let out a deep sigh. The Sequence members burst intoughter, clearly enjoying the situation.

    Beside me, Goh Yoo-Joon wasughing even harder than the Sequence members. "Originally, Byeong-Kwan was supposed to do it, but the Sequence manager insisted Il-Seong should take over."

    "Pfft." Joo-Han overheard while passing by. He stopped andughed out loud before mockingly teasing Il-Seong with his expression and walking away.

    "Ah, that¡¯s why you were having a st messing with him earlier." I couldn¡¯t help butugh too. Seeing the usually tough Il-Seong doing the ''kyaa~'' part would be quite a sight.

    Goh Yoo-Joon struck a proud pose. "It¡¯s revenge for our trainee days."

    "Ahahaha."

    He used to get into plenty of trouble back then too, so what was the point? I shook my head at him while he just waggled his eyebrows yfully. "Don¡¯t look at me like that. Il-Seong hyung already kicked me as soon as the cameras were off. But seeing him agree to do the ''kyaaaa'' part was totally worth it."

    "You¡¯re something else." I chuckled, shaking my head again. "Oh, Goh Yoo-Joon. Isn''t Aeon next on your list to teach?"

    "Right, the main vocalist of Sequence. What should I do? I''ve never interacted with him before. It''s going to be so awkward~"

    That was nonsense. This guy would have him exchange phone numbers and call each other ''bro'' in no time. Goh Yoo-Joon was the master of making friends fast.

    Just then, Aeon and Hyo-Joon approached us cautiously and sat down, their expressions a mix of excitement and nervousness.

    "Um, excuse us, seniors."

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I exchanged nces before turning to face them, curious about what they wanted. "What''s up?"

    "We¡¯re sorry to interrupt your conversation, but..." Aeon trailed off and looked to Hyo-Joon for support. They hesitated, then pulled out something from their bags and held it out to us. It was their phone cases and concert slogans, clearly prepared for this moment. "Could you please sign these for us?"

    "Aww, you guys are adorable. You¡¯ve got everything ready," Goh Yoo-Joon muttered under his breath with a smile. "Sure, we''d be happy to."

    "Actually, they are not just saying it for the camera. They are legit fans of yours," Jae-Seokmented from across the practice room, where he was chatting with Joo-Han. Joo-Han nodded in agreement while smiling at me.

    "Hyun-Woo, it looks like Aeon came all the way from the States just to see you."

    "Really? For me?"

    "Yes... It¡¯s a bit embarrassing, but after watching your year-end performance, I looked up everything about you. I respect you a lot. Please, can I have your autograph?" Aeon¡¯s cheeks turned a shade of pink.

    "Me too, please sign this!" Hyo-Joon chimed in, holding out his slogan.

    "Chronos, gather around for a moment!" Goh Yoo-Joon called out, and we all gathered to sign their items.

    "Honestly, we wanted to ask during the ¡®Joy¡¯ music video shoot, but it felt too awkward with the cameras around."

    They both looked like they were walking on air, carefully cing the signed items back into their bags. Aeon said he didn¡¯t want to just p the case onto his phone carelessly during practice. He wanted to put it on with care when he got home.

    YMM idols sure knew how to fanboy.

    Our break was soon over, and it was back to filming. My next ''student'' was On-Sae. On-Sae was easier to teach. He had the most stage experience and was already skilled. Plus, I had trained him before, so I knew his strengths and what he might struggle with.

    "Hyung, do you think Ick impact when I am in the center?" On-Sae asked, his brows furrowed in thought.

    "Impact?" I repeated as I pondered on his question. Despite changing agencies, groups, and environments, On-Sae''s concerns remained the same. He wasn¡¯t the type to naturallymand attention in the center.

    He was more of an all-rounder, reliable but not shy. Honestly, he didn¡¯t have the stage presence of someone like Hyo-Joon or Aeon. When On-Sae was in the center, he sometimes blended in rather than stood out. Even though he had received significant parts due to high expectations, his presence didn¡¯t always leave a strong impression.

    "Don¡¯t you think so too, hyung? Like during ¡®Joy?¡¯" On-Sae pressed, his eyes searching mine for answers.

    "Hmm, I didn¡¯t notice much, but I get what you¡¯re saying," I replied.

    Sequence was a powerful group, so On-Sae''s issue wasn''t detrimental to the group¡¯s overall performance. But for On-Sae, it was a significant concern. Rejoining under a new group meant heightened scrutiny. Without standing out, he''d face as much criticism as he did attention.

    "What should I do? You have such a strong presence on stage, hyung. I came here wanting to learn from you, but I just can¡¯t seem to get it right," he confessed, looking a bit defeated.

    Seeing him so earnestly brought back memories in YU. Despite our more rxed rtionship now, it was heartwarming to see his determination had not wavered.

    "First things first, On-Sae. How about starting with a smile?" I suggested, a grin spreading across my face.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 382: Red Rouge (1)

    <h4>Chapter 382: Red Rouge (1)</h4>

    "A smile? Just like that?"

    "Yeah, give me a nice smile. Whether you look at the camera or at me, just smile."

    "Umm, but..." On-Sae''s face turned red in an instant. It was a consistent reaction, both in the past and now. He always had this way of turning beet red whenever he felt embarrassed or put on the spot.

    ¡®Really? Do I really have to? I¡¯m embarrassed, but really?¡¯ On-Sae''s eyes were questioning me, almost pleading for mercy.

    I just nodded instead of giving away that I understood his hesitation.

    "Come on, smile!" I mimed lifting the corners of my mouth with my fingers and signaled him to smile.

    On-Sae hesitated for a moment, then his trembling lips slowly formed a smile.

    "On-Sae, try to smile naturally."

    "What?" He hesitated again before slightly raising the corners of his mouth. The awkwardness and embarrassment he felt were almost palpable to me.

    "Is that what you call a natural smile?" I asked.

    On-Sae nodded. He still had the same awkward smile.

    I pointed to the mirror. "Take a look in the mirror and see how awkward your smile is right now."

    On-Sae checked his reflection and quickly adjusted his expression, eyes widening in surprise.

    "What''s wrong? Does your smile look weird?"

    "Yeah, it''s just, really embarrassing."

    "Have you ever practiced smiling in front of the mirror?"

    "Practice smiling... I only did a little during lessons..." On-Sae''s expression darkened. He knew it was ridiculous for an idol to admit they hadn''t practiced their facial expressions much. He seemed to be ming himself for not putting in enough effort.

    "You need to practice your expressions a lot. Being an idol isn''t just about dancing and singing. It''s about showcasing yourself through your face, expressions, song, and dance in front of the camera."

    "Right, you¡¯re correct, hyung."

    "You can''t just sing, dance, and leave. You need to engage with the camera, flirt a bit, and appeal to the fans whoe to see you perform and watch your broadcasts."

    On-Sae''s problem was ack of showmanship. He performed too straightforwardly on stage without adding ir.

    "Sometimes, take a different pose from the other members when you are in the center. Show some self-confidence, and act a bit fatal."

    If a talented member worried aboutcking impact in the center, this was usually the reason. On-Sae thought for a moment before looking at the mirror again. He tried to lift the corners of his mouth slightly, then quickly looked away because he got embarrassed.

    "You¡¯re right, hyung. I always focused on dancing and singing properly, but I never paid attention to appealing to the camera or my expressions."

    "These are things you need to catch and practice on your own, On-Sae. You¡¯re good, so you will get better quickly."

    On-Sae, who had been looking downcast, finally smiled at my encouragement. "Thank you, hyung. I will practice my expressions hard."

    "You will do great. I look forward to your next stage."

    "Yes."

    The personal coaching session between Chronos and Sequence members ended. We weren''t sure how much help we could offer, but the Sequence members'' eyes were filled with confidence by the time the filming wrapped up. It was a relief to see that our guidance had an impact.

    Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon had managed to get the phone numbers of all Sequence members.

    "I will definitely watch your performance. I hope you get great results. You did well today."

    "Thank you!"

    Unfortunately, we would likely watch their stage through broadcasts or clips due to oureback preparations. But I was confident that they would do great. We caught a glimpse of the Sequence members hurrying into a meeting as we finished filming and headed back to the practice room.

    ***

    The day before oureback music show recording, today was the release day of the "Red Rouge" music video.

    As always, we paused our practice and gathered in front of a camera and aptop. We had an hour before the music video release, so we decided to spend some time interacting with our fans through a surprise <i>Q-App</i> live session.

    "Let''s start."

    "Okay."

    The members gathered a little closer around Yoon-Chan, and Tae-Seong started the live stream. At the same time, my phone lit up with notifications that the live broadcast had started. Clicking the link, I saw many people already in the chat, sending messages.

    "One, two, three!"

    "Hello, we are Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan!"

    - Wow..I joined right at the start for the first time!!!

    - ?

    - Oh my gosh, you scared me

    - I was waiting... I knew you¡¯de..

    - Hahaha Park Yoon-Chan''s group hahaha

    - Hahaha are you really using that greeting chant? Lmao

    "Someone''s asking if we¡¯re really using ''We are Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan¡¯ for introduction," I read from the chat.

    Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon nodded, while Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung shook their heads vigorously in disagreement.

    "No! We decided to only use it when it''s just us and Rings."

    "I think it''s nice, but the guys don''t like it~ <i>Sniff, </i>what''s wrong with proudly mentioning our member''s name?" Goh Yoo-Joon whined.

    Yoon-Chan, for once, red at Goh Yoo-Joon with a serious look. "Seriously, stop speaking, hyung... Please. It''s so embarrassing."

    Joo-Han pulled Yoon-Chan''s shoulder and shook his head. "Why? It''s cute."

    "What''s cute about it? I really hate it."

    "Okay, everyone, Yoon-Chan says he doesn''t like it." Joo-Han pouted. "It''s a shame, but what can we do? I still n to use it sometimes when we are with you all, though."

    The phrase ¡®We are Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan¡¯ was briefly mentioned during a concert and used once during the final greetings, leading to mixed opinions among fans on whether it was considered an official greeting.

    Although it probably wouldn''t be used as an official greeting, Joo-Han found it quite amusing how embarrassed Yoon-Chan got and was a bit disappointed.

    Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled at Yoon-Chan pouting, then put his arm around his shoulder and said, "By the way, everyone. We recently met with the Sequence members. Oh, the pre-release is out, right?"

    <i>Pick We Up Two</i>, which we filmed to cheer on the Sequence members, was quickly edited and uploaded as a pre-release video. Only the parts where we visited and taught them one-on-one were uploaded like a teaser, but I was acting very arrogant in it. Seeing myself at eighteen years old act like I was a trainer again was so unbearable.

    Anyway, after watching the pre-release, which felt like a teaser and vice versa, our fans were so excited that #ChronosHasGrownUp became the number one real-time trend as soon as the teaser was released. Although some of the words were cut off, it was about how Chronos had grown so much and was now teaching juniors.

    The video vividly captured our increasingly serious expressions and teaching moments while watching the Sequence members'' performances, which made us a bit worried despite the Rings'' high expectations. We were afraid of being criticized for being hard on the Sequence members.

    "Anyway, they had a greeting slogan when we met with the Sequence members. Was it Scene! Stealer!?"

    "Yeah, it was like, ¡®We are Scene! Stealer! Sequence!¡¯"

    "Seeing that, I thought it would be nice if we had one too."

    As soon as Goh Yoo-Joon said that, Joo-Han pped his hands and said, "Let''s formally have a meeting about that. I will arrange a time soon."

    "Oh? Really? Are we doing the third Chronos meeting or something?"

    "Who knows~"

    "Oh~ hyung seems to have something only he knows~" Goh Yoo-Joon nudged Joo-Han¡¯s side teasingly.

    Yes, the third Chronos meeting was happening. Only the leader and the sub-leader knew this, but the first episode of Chronos'' solo variety show had been decided to be the Chronos meeting episode. We would be discussing various topics, including the Chronos greeting slogan, and this meeting would be much longer than the first two.

    "Anyway, back to the main point. Everyone, there are less than forty minutes left until the release of our new song music video. We¡¯ve kept you waiting for a long time, right?"

    "Yes!"

    "We have so much to talk about since we''ve prepared for so long, but I don''t know where to start," Joo-Han said.

    Goh Yoo-Joon nodded. "That''s right. We participated in everything from start to finish for this album, so once ¡®Red Rouge¡¯ is released, I want to turn on the <i>Q-App </i>again and have a long chat."

    "One hour is too short!" Jin-Sung crossed his arms and snorted, trying to act cute for the fans.

    I just ruffled his hair and nced at the chat. "Then we can do itter. After the music video is released, we wille back at night for a longer talk. But, everyone, the chat is full of requests for spoilers right now. What should we do?"

    To be honest, ever since the variety show talk started, the chat had been flooded with requests for spoilers of the new song. While I wondered if spoilers were really necessary so close to the music video release, the Rings were so curious that we had to address it.

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Naturally, the members looked at Joo-Han. "Spoilers for the song? Or the music video?"

    "Aren''t they asking for music video spoilers? Everyone, you mean the music video spoilers, right?"

    "Then why don''t our two house representatives give a spoiler?" Joo-Han signaled for me and Goh Yoo-Joon to stand up.

    "Oh, us?" Goh Yoo-Joon cheerfully agreed and grabbed my arm to stand up together. "Let''s have a quick meeting."

    He whispered in my ear. "Spoil that both the ¡®Ario Û¡¯ and ¡®Red Rouge¡¯ stories are connected."

    "How?"

    "Just follow my lead."

    With that, Goh Yoo-Joon started acting right away.

 Chapter 383: Red Rouge (2)

    <h4>Chapter 383: Red Rouge (2)</h4>

    As soon as Goh Yoo-Joon and I took our positions, Joo-Han was visibly shocked and covered his mouth. His eyes were wide, and he looked like he just saw a ghost.

    ¡°No way... Are you acting?¡±

    ¡°Hyung... Are you acting...?¡± Yoon-Chan stammered, his voice shaking.

    ¡°No way he¡¯s acting...¡± Jin-Sung¡¯s voice trailed off. He couldn¡¯t finish the thought.

    Were they trying to cause trouble? I pushed the giggling Goh Yoo-Joon away, who was clearly enjoying the chaos he had created, and stared at the members with determination.

    ¡°Hey! Shhh! Be careful! Don¡¯t even mention the word ¡®acting!¡¯ The Rings will lose it!¡±

    Our Rings got terrified and shivered whenever I even mentioned the word ¡®acting.¡¯ Due to the members¡¯ remarks, the number of live viewers might have already dropped by a thousand. I could almost see the viewers scrambling to leave, thinking we were about to put on some terrible skit.

    ¡°We¡¯re not <i>acting, </i>we¡¯re just mimicking a spoiler,¡± I rified, hoping I calmed everyone down.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, have youughed enough?¡± I asked, giving him a pointed look.

    Goh Yoo-Joon was happilyughing off-camera. He then returned to his spot and got ready again. ¡°Alright, Rings, watch closely.¡±

    He moved his hand to his waist and pretended to draw a sword. His movements were exaggerated, almost theatrical. So this was why he told me to follow his lead, I realized, rolling my eyes internally.

    ¡°Take this!¡± he shouted dramatically and pretended to cut me down with the imaginary sword. I clutched my stomach and fell, ying along with his antics.

    ¡°Ugh,¡± I groaned, adding to the act.

    ¡°What are they doing?¡±

    ¡°When did you two n this?¡±

    ¡°No, Joo-Han hyung. Those hyungs are always in sync even without nning,¡± Jin-Sung¡¯s indifferent voice came from behind. He sounded like this was all just another day for us, which, to be fair, it kind of was.

    If we were roleying like this, shouldn¡¯t Joo-Han or Yoon-Chan be my opponent instead of Goh Yoo-Joon? I was on Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s side in the video as the Flower Prince, after all. It didn''t make sense for me to act out this spoiler.

    Just as I stood up, thinking everything was finally over, Goh Yoo-Joon spun around on the spot. His movements were swift and precise. ¡°Po-ro-rong~¡±

    ¡°Huh? Hey, what are you doing now?¡± I asked, genuinely confused.

    He put his hands in his pockets and looked at me with the most arrogant expression, almost like he was challenging me. What was he doing now?

    This time, it was really hard to interpret. Therefore, I just stared nkly at him, trying to figure out what he was up to.

    Goh Yoo-Joon muttered quietly ¡®Red Rouge.¡¯ I finally realized that he was done hinting at the ¡°ArioÛ,¡± MV, so now it was time for ¡°Red Rouge."

    I caught onto Goh Yoo-Joon''s intentionste and put my hands in my pockets, mirroring his stance. I red at him, trying to match his energy.

    ¡°...Yes!¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been standing still, soon rxed his expression and greeted the camera with a casual wave. ¡°Everyone, those are your spoilers.¡±

    ¡°What was that¡ª¡±

    ¡°You might wonder what that was all about, but you will understand when you see the music video.¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± Joo-Han pulled Goh Yoo-Joon over, wrapped his arm around him, and quickly concluded the conversation. ¡°Anyway, everyone. Time has flown by. The music video will be released in three minutes!¡±

    ¡°Ahhh! I¡¯m so nervous! We worked really long and hard on this,¡± Jin-Sung eximed, trembling with anticipation.

    This was our first album since our concert, and all the members had poured their hearts into it. We were more curious about the Rings'' reactions than anything else. And it showed.

    ¡°Then, we will end the live broadcast here so you can focus on the music video,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said, giving a final nod.

    ¡°Please post your reviews after watching!¡± Jin-Sung added.

    ¡°I hope we meet your expectations.¡±

    ¡°Then, one, two, three!¡±

    ¡°Chrono....¡±

    ¡°This was Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan!¡±

    ***

    Chronos'' <i>Q-app </i>live stream ended, and the room buzzed with leftover energy.

    ¡°Did you just see that? Hyun-Woo got the greeting wrong! So cute, seriously....¡± Kim Go-Ri said, her eyes sparkling with delight.

    ¡°Huh? Really? Hyun-Woo got it wrong? Wow, that''s so cute, but I missed it.... When will the rey be avable?¡± Kim Hyang-Su asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it should be up soon,¡± Kim Go-Ri replied, already impatient.

    Kim Go-Ri and her sister watched the <i>Q-app </i>livestream from the beginning and fussed over Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s mistake, but closed the window without reying. They were still riding the high of the livestream.

    ¡°Ah, I missed Hyun-Woo doing that because I was watching Jin-Sung. How can such a small guy act cute all the time? He¡¯s like a Maltese[1]. Always clinging to his hyungs, a.¡±

    ¡°Small? Jin-Sung is one of the tall ones! He might even be taller than Yoo-Joon now.¡±

    ¡°Shut up. He¡¯s just a tiny Maltese to me. Stop arguing and turn on <i>UTube,</i>¡± Kim Hyang-Su snapped back, eager to see the new content.

    ¡°Wait a bit. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m slow, but the video isn¡¯t out yet. Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m refreshing the page?¡±

    The two alternated between bantering and anticipating. They had high expectations for this music video, so their excitement was almost tangible.

    This music video was about Chronos'' new story, and it was the first music video released since Lee Su-Hwan (nickname: Photo Album) became thebel¡¯s CEO. It was a big deal. The teasers and concept photos featuring members with tattoos under red lighting were stunning, and everyone was talking about it.

    Lee Su-Hwan¡¯s evident support for Chronos raised expectations even further. He was known for his dedication and love for the group, and fans were eager to see what he had helped create.

    And when had Chronos ever disappointed? With domestic and international attention, they were sure to release an amazing song and music video.

    ¡°Whoa! It¡¯s out!¡± Kim Hyang-Su fussed and smacked Kim Go-Ri¡¯s hand as she incessantly refreshed the page.

    ¡°Oh my gosh, even the thumbnail is insane,¡± Kim Go-Ri eximed, her excitement building.

    The thumbnail featured Kang Joo-Han wearing gold-rimmed sses under red lighting. He was looking sideways, appearing tired but intense.

    Even though sses usually made Kang Joo-Han look neat, this time, he looked dangerously edgy. Kim Go-Ri was unaware that the corners of her mouth were raised as high as the sky. She hurriedly clicked the thumbnail, forgetting to respond to her sister.

    The screen immediately went ck.

    <i>Beep. Zzzt, beep... Zzt¡ª</i>

    <i>ck-</i>

    The eerie sounds continued as the screen gradually turned red, revealing a room. The anticipation was almost unbearable.

    Kim Go-Ri quickly covered her eyes. ¡°What? Is this going to be horror again? It¡¯s too scary.... I¡¯m so scared, unnie,¡± she whispered.

    ¡°What¡¯s there to be scared of? Nothing even happened yet,¡± Kim Hyang-Su reassured her, though she even felt a bit uneasy.

    But it did look like a scene fit for a horror movie. The antique room was bathed in red light, with no one inside.

    <i>Beep, zzzt...ck, zzzt... ck, beep... Zzzt¡ª</i>

    The strange sounds continued until the scene transitioned to show someone¡¯s hand. Still under the red light, the hand rested on what seemed like an antique chair armrest, with arge rose tattoo on the back of it.

    ¡°That...! That¡¯s Yoo-Joon!¡± Kim Go-Ri excitedly screamed, recognizing the tattoo instantly.

    Kim Hyang-Su covered her ears and frowned. ¡°You can tell that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I saw it in the concept photo. Even without that, it¡¯s obvious. Yoo-Joon has the biggest hands and thickest knuckles among the members.¡±

    ¡°Wow, even his hands are handsome,¡± Kim Hyang-Sumented as she shook her head in amazement.

    Their brief conversation soon died out as the camera panned up from the hand tapping the armrest, revealing Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s drowsy face. The red lighting made him look incredibly sharp and sensitive, his features highlighted dramatically.

    In the video, Goh Yoo-Joon had been staring off past the camera for a while before he got up. The door of the empty room where he was opened, and revealed the silhouettes of two people who then disappeared outside with Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Then, the screen switched to ck before slowly revealing the YMM Entertainment logo, along with the logo for the ido-specificbel ¡°The Ska¡± and the title of the song ¡°Red Rouge.¡±

    The choreography for the song began immediately.

    ¡°...Right from the start?¡±

    ¡°Uh? The video starts with the dance this time?¡± Kim Go-Ri asked.

    ¡°Are you surprised by a choreography-focused music video? Must be nice. Allure doesn¡¯t even have a universe or anything. Their music videos always start like this, ugh.¡±

    ¡°Huh, really?¡± Kim Go-Ri voiced her confusion.

    She had assumed it would be a story-focused music video, especially since the spoilers on the <i>Q-app </i>involving Goh Yoo-Joon and Suh Hyun-Woo had suggested as much. Most music videos released until now had been story-focused. Contrary to her expectations, this one was centered around the choreography.

    However, the dances that were captured in full shots or close-ups were very beautiful and powerful.

    ¡°It''s a shame there''s no particr story, but I really like it this way."

    Lost in admiration for the new song and choreography, Kim Go-Ri soon realized the meaning of this music video. ¡°Unnie, unnie! I got it!"

    ¡°What?"

    Kim Go-Ri got excited and shook Kim Hyang-su. ¡°Look carefully! See how the members are standing divided into factions now! If you look closely, those with tattoos and those without are always separate!"

    It turned out there was a story after all. It was embedded within the choreography and the song.

    Although they hadn''t heard the entire first verse yet, the two factions had been facing off since the intro.

    Initially, she thought that only the dancers were separated by color and the members could freely switch factions. However, she soon realized that the members were also moving in divided teams. The only time the two teams met was during the chorus.

    Under the red lights, using even ordinary lights as spotlights to keep the teams distinct was because the story was melted into the choreography.

    ? No longer swept away,

    I will face it head-on

    Someday, the crown hanging on your finger,

    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Will teeter and fall.

    The music video was designed to focus on the choreography and song. It finally showed the members'' faces properly during the chorus. Park Yoon-Chan usually didn''t show such a stiff expression, and he sang the lyrics looking at the opposite side where Suh Hyun-Woo appeared from behind the dancers like a wave.

    ? The king¡¯s crown came off

    Hey, hater

    Look at me again

    The dancers scattered and the camera that had been filming Suh Hyun-Woo''s full body from a distance quickly zoomed in for a close-up of his face under the red light again. His gray lenses and ck earrings were particrly striking. He frowned as he murmured to the camera.

    ? No one will be swept by you

    As the part ended, a massive formation change followed and led into the highlight dance break of "Red Rouge."

    1. A type of dog that is small, white and fluffy. ?

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 384: Red Rouge (3)

    <h4>Chapter 384: Red Rouge (3)</h4>

    This music video made great use of lighting. The naturally brightened space smoothly indicated it was the highlight without a single firework.

    In a vast and deste field, Chronos danced with fierce determination. The synchronized dance led by Jin-Sung featured dancers moving as one with deliberate swagger and perfect choreography.

    <i>¡®Where else can you find such perfect idols?¡¯</i>

    No one but Chronos could pull this off! Theck of a storyline allowed the fans to fully appreciate the members'' expressions and passion from start to finish.

    This music video was the first project nned by Su-Hwan, who trusted Chronos'' skills and talent more than anyone. It sessfully showcased their choreography, showmanship, and the lyrics that conveyed Chronos''s mindset.

    Kim Go-Ri was impressed and thrilled with every aspect of "Red Rouge." Despite its intense nature, the music video made her feel emotional.

    ¡°Unnie, do you know what this is? It''s like saying to the haters, ''We won''t let you slide, so brace yourselves.'' Something like that."

    ¡°Oh, the lyrics?"

    ¡°Yeah. Listen to the lyrics closely."

    Though Kim Hyang-Su responded indifferently, Kim Go-Ri paid no mind and focused on the music video.

    Look at the aggressive choreography and lyrics! How much had Chronos been through before and after the concert? They apologized and exined things that weren''t their fault, yet they were still being criticized.

    Especially Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been very down for a while, worried the fans immensely. But instead of being discouraged, they warned their critics through this album and made the Rings happier than ever.

    With the final highlight, the "Red Rouge" music video ended. It was a six-minute video that focused more on the song and choreography than the storyline and left a very satisfying impression.

    ¡°By the way, what did Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon spoil earlier? There wasn''t much of a story."

    Kim Go-Ri shrugged. ¡°...I¡¯m not sure."

    ¡°Isn''t it just something like punishing the haters?"

    When Kim Go-Ri mimicked Goh Yoo-Joon and pretended to sh Kim Hyang-Su, she chuckled and walked away.

    ¡°Maybe check <i>BlueBird </iter. Other fans might interpret the music video or the spoilers."

    ***

    Shortly after the release of ¡°Red Rouge," the real-time trend on<i> BlueBird</i> became a yground for Rings.

    ''Red Rouge,'' ''Insane choreography,'' ''Meaning of the spoiler,'' ''Exin, Suh Hyun-Woo!'' ''Haters.'' All the keywords were rted to the recent <i>Q-app </i>livestream and "Red Rouge."

    - Please exin why only Suh Hyun-Woo''s greeting was different lol He is so adorable.

    - LOL Hyun-Woo¡¯s Chro... yes!!! << That was so cute!! He couldn¡¯t even finish their chant ??

    - The expressions of the other members when Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo were spoiling were hrious. They looked resigned and used to it AHAHA

    Just before the release, the atmosphere was lively with posts being uploaded like crazy, but it quieted down right after the release of "Red Rouge."

    -Chronos is so cheeky, beating me up and just leaving... (I¡¯m basically saying they targeted my preference so well hehe)

    The Rings on Kim Go-Ri''s timeline just liked the newly posted content without muchment. This sudden silence wasn''t surprising because this always happened when Chronos released a music video. The Rings would disappear for a while to watch and analyze the music videos, thene back with a powerful response.

    Chronos'' music videos were always so amazing and full of things to see that it was only natural for this to happen. Kim Go-Ri also didn''t have the leisure to worry about the suddenly quiet timeline. She was too busy rewatching "Red Rouge," captivated by the visuals, choreography, and lyrics.

    The only ones worrying about the quiet timeline were probably Goh Yoo-Joon, Suh Hyun-Woo, and Jin-Sung, who would secretly observe the fans'' reactions.

    How much time had passed? Suddenly, the timeline was dominated by powerful reactions and trending topics.

    - The new song is great in many ways. It can be interpreted in various ways, and the tattoos, headbands, and red lipstick were insane choices.

    - The team who made their photo album, god bless you! May you live long. Please work hard and keep up with your work. At this rate, you will end up bing the gods of photo shoots...

    - I¡¯m really serious about Chronos'' concept y as much as YMM. I¡¯m so happy. Their tattoos inspire me to draw again (I haven¡¯t drawn since kindergarten lol) Tattoo team vs. non-tattoo team.

    - Focusing solely on choreography was a genius move.

    - Yes, YMM filming with angles optimized for choreography made the members look like they were flying. Even if only the broadcast focus cams are released, the reaction will be insane.

    - Showing only the choreography clearly highlighted the members'' improved facial expressions and showmanship post-concert. They were always good, but now they are even better.

    Chronos was trending. A bit more time passed.

    ¡°Has anyone checked the Rings'' reactions?"

    After checking the music video, the members who had focused on practice began checking their phones to see the fans'' reactions. The first to pick up his phone and check <i>BlueBird </i>was Goh Yoo-Joon, whoughed at what he found.

    There was a long list of real-time trending keywords, and they were all rted to Chronos. As he scrolled, he noticed the hashtag ''#Fans_Swept_By_Chronos,'' a homage to the "Red Rouge" lyrics ''No one will be swept by you.''

    ¡°Hey, Suh Hyun-Woo. Look at this."

    Goh Yoo-Joon clicked on the hashtag and showed it to Suh Hyun-Woo. The hashtag was used in posts capturing or making memes of the members'' favorite moments from "Red Rouge."

    Just before practice, they had been worried about the Rings'' reactions since the music video had just been released. But seeing the reactions, it was clear that the fans were very satisfied.

    Suh Hyun-Woo checked the Rings'' reactions on his phone, quickly turned it off, and got up. ¡°Let''s practice now."

    ¡°Okay!"

    ¡°...Already?"

    The only one who eagerly got up at Suh Hyun-Woo''s decision was Jin-Sung. They had been practicing for seven hours straight, hadn''t properly checked the Rings'' reactions, and were extremely exhausted. A break was very much needed.

    But Suh Hyun-Woo shook his head and pulled leader Kang Joo-Han up. ¡°Hyung, get up. We don''t have time to rest. Comeback is just around the corner."

    They had made several mistakes in the choreography for "Red Rouge." The music video shoot had taken longer because of these mistakes. The choreography wasplex and visually impressive, requiring both the members and the dancers to perform wlessly.

    With theeback imminent and frequent mistakes, there was no time for rest.

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°Yeah, let''s practice. Ugh, my legs."

    Kang Joo-Han was visibly exhausted, but used Suh Hyun-Woo''s hand for support and stood up, pulling up Goh Yoo-Joon and Park Yoon-Chan as well.

    With two days left until theeback, they needed to ensure there were no mistakes on stage to live up to the "amazing choreography" showcased in the music video.

    ***

    A few more preview clips of Chronos from the recent <i>Pick We Up Two</i> shoot were released. With the broadcast date approaching, there were frequent ads on TV rted to our appearance on <i>Pick We Up Two. </i>It felt satisfying to see how much the show had grown, and thanks to being alumni, we received generous promotion from UNET for thiseback.

    Today was the recording day for the first music show performance of "Red Rouge." We were heading to UNET for their generous push.

    ¡°Can I start the car now?"

    ¡°Yes. Tae-Seong, can you help with our bags?"

    ¡°Sure."

    ¡°...Ugh. Hyung... I¡¯m awake now."

    Early in the morning, Tae-Seong had one hand full of the stylists'' bags and me slung over his shoulder. I struggled to wake up properly, often getting scolded by Su-Hwan. However, Tae-Seong was even tougher.

    Su-Hwan would scold me with words, but Tae-Seong would just carry the members who didn''t wake up on time. And I was the one he carried the most.

    ¡°I¡¯m awake. Put me down, hyung."

    ¡°Ah, okay."

    Tae-Seong finally put me down only after we reached the parking lot. The Rings were already used to seeing managers carrying sleeping members from the dorm to the car. Su-Hwan''s nickname among the fans was ''Photo Album,'' but Tae-Seong''s was ''Chronos Bodyguard.''

    <i>''Why am I thinking about manager nicknames when I am this sleepy?''</i>

    Practicing until dawn until thest possible day had me constantly battling drowsiness. However, as we got closer to the broadcast station, the drowsiness slowly faded. The Rings'' voices weing us and the stylists starting to organize our outfits signaled that it was time to get ready.

    Today was the first performance of "Red Rouge" and "Ario Û."

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 385: Red Rouge (4)

    <h4>Chapter 385: Red Rouge (4)</h4>

    Even though our outfits changed every time, each member had their own preferred style that they ended up wearing often. For me, it was usually silk or flowy, sheer clothes. Except for "Joy," I had always worn those kinds of outfits.

    Therefore, seeing myself now felt strange. I was wearing a headband, a tight ck T-shirt, a leather jacket, and ck pants. My makeup was intense, and my outfit was equally bold. Every time I looked in the mirror, I was surprised. This was the same outfit from the music video, but seeing it in the small, confined space of the waiting room felt different.

    I wasn''t the only one in a striking outfit. The stylists were in a frenzy. Joo-Han was adjusting his sses, Jin-Sung was fixing his cap turned backward, Jin-Sung had words on his face, and Yoon-Chan had something flowy fluttering under his coat. The only one dressedfortably was Goh Yoo-Joon in an all-ck suit. He was already done getting ready and was taking pictures.

    Therefore, all the members envied Goh Yoo-Joon.

    ¡°You¡¯re so lucky, hyung. I have to redo my bangs for the next stage.¡±

    ¡°Me too... I have to wash my face and redo my makeup."

    Both "Red Rouge" and ¡°Ario Û" had distinct concepts, so the makeup and outfits were vastly different. "Red Rouge" had intense Hollywood viin-like outfits, while "Ario Û" was set to have fusion hanbok[1]. Thus, Goh Yoo-Joon was the winner today because he had the least to change.

    ¡°What are you jealous of? I still have to touch up my makeup and hair," Goh Yoo-Joon said, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Just being able to sit there and look at your phone is enviable," Joo-Han replied as he nced enviously at Goh Yoo-Joon.

    It really was enviable. I felt like I needed to move around to wake up. As the hair and makeup session dragged on, the drowsiness I had fought off started creeping back. I couldn''t let myself sleep now, or my face would swell. The only thing keeping me awake was the loud conversation between Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon.

    With everyone''s hair and makeup done, we headed to the stage for the pre-recording. We heard the familiar voices of the Rings, whom we hadn''t seen in a while.

    <i>¡®Is it just me, or are they louder than oursteback?¡¯</i>

    Arriving backstage, we put on our mics. Jin-Sung was the first to rush onto the stage as always. The stage was muchrger than before, with an impressive white set that looked like it had copsed unnaturally.

    As we stepped onto the stage, we finally heard the Rings'' cheers. Having people who always wee us with smiles was truly a blessing. We greeted them briefly and gathered around Joo-Han in the center of the stage.

    ¡°How have you been?" Joo-Han asked, his voice amplified by the mic.

    ¡°Great!!!" the Rings shouted back.

    ¡°We''ve missed you so much. Let''s introduce ourselves first. One, two, three!"

    ¡°Hello, we are Chrono¡ª!" we started, but the Rings interrupted us.

    ¡°We are Chronos and Park Yoon-Chan!!!" they yelled and burst outughing. It seemed like they had nned this beforehand.

    ¡°Hey, that''s our line!" Goh Yoo-Joon protested,ughing despite himself.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing that here?"

    The more baffled we were, the more the Ringsughed.

    ¡°You seem to like that chant so much we¡¯re actually considering using it," Goh Yoo-Joon teased with a grin.

    ¡°Oh, no... please, no..." Yoon-Chan almost begged, his face bright red.

    ¡°Why not, Yoon-Chan?"

    Yoon-Chan shook his head vigorously. His embarrassment was evident. "Anyway, no. The ''Park Yoon-Chan group'' thing... no way."

    Of course, calling ourselves the ''Park Yoon-Chan group'' was just a joke. We nned to decide on a proper chant at our next Chronos meeting.

    It was funny how the Rings were now ying pranks on us first. We had definitely gotten closer since the concert. Compared to before, when we were nervous in front of them, we now had a much better rtionship.

    ¡°Okay, Chronos, let''s start the camera rehearsal for ¡®Red Rouge,¡¯ the director called out.

    ¡°Yes!" We stopped our conversation at the staff''s instruction and took our positions. The lights went out, and the Rings'' excited chatter quieted downpletely.

    ¡°Standby."

    Silence fell. A momentter, the lights came on, and "Red Rouge" began. The jazz melody with strong trumpet and piano sounds, reminiscent of something you would hear in arge saloon in the Wild West, yed.

    As the camera moved in from outside the set walls, it captured each member one by one. Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung sat by the bartender, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan at their tables, and me on a single couch. I locked eyes with the camera, which then slowly moved back out of the set.

    We took our positions before the intro ended, and the first part began at the right moment.

    ? Day one, eyes covered by a giant shadow

    I thought your words were everything

    A gesture to the right

    A nod to the left

    As soon as Goh Yoo-Joon''s first verse started, the members and dancers split in two groups, one heading left, the other right. Goh Yoo-Joon was at the center of the formation, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan to the right, Jin-Sung and I to the left. As the formations shifted, the Rings'' cheers and chants followed. Performing with the Rings was always the best.

    A defining feature of "Red Rouge" was that the members faced off throughout the stage. The lighting, split into red and purple, highlighted this as it shone on us.

    As soon as Goh Yoo-Joon''s part ended, Jin-Sung moved forward with the dancers, ready to take the stage by storm.

    ? I wear a gold-ted ring and drown in inferiority

    Ah, so heavy that my hands drop to the keyboard

    They move uncontrobly

    The trumpet sounds intensified, and so did the difficulty of our choreography. We kicked forward by using the momentum to bend at the waist, touching the ground, and then spinning tond facedown. Just getting to this point was exhausting as you could almost hear our stamina depleting.

    ? I feel proud of the most pathetic things in the world

    I can''t let go of the red button in my left hand, boom

    Matching Jin-Sung''s lyrics, we performed a move where we sprang up at "red button" and dramatically fell back down at "boom."

    <i>¡°Our main dancer¡¯s parts need to be the most powerful!" </i>the choreographer had said.

    However, Jin-Sung was busy rapping and didn¡¯t dance this part. This routine had been the hardest during practice and still wore me out every time. My muscles were practically screaming. If you looked closely, you''d see all the members grimacing from the effort.

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    But as tough as it was, it looked amazing to the audience. The Rings'' cheers reached their peak. After Jin-Sung''s rap, Yoon-Chan and Joo-Han took over. We hid behind the dancers, waiting for my part. The dancers lined up behind me, ready for the next sequence.

    ? Pretending not to care,

    I watch you all day

    As you nted daggers in the pain,

    Thinking about when I will get my revenge

    When Joo-Han finished his part, the dancers who had gathered near him quickly scattered left and right. I stood up and walked forward.

    ? You are my shadow

    But now give up

    Every time I rise, you will only grow darker

    I know, it''s inevitable

    We were about to hit the chorus of the first verse, which had some of the most difficult choreography and formations. Everything had gone smoothly so far. I finished my part without a hitch and was coolly heading back to my spot when I suddenly froze. In the dim lighting, I saw a silhouette moving frantically, hands waving in distress.

    Was something wrong? Who was that? They were partly hidden by the dancers, and the lighting was poor. However, it was clear something was wrong. As I got closer, I realized it was Yoon-Chan.

    <i>¡®Huh? What is he doing?¡¯</i>

    He was supposed to move to his spot as soon as I came over. I instinctively stopped and grabbed his shoulder. Yoon-Chan looked at me with pleading eyes. His flowy fabric had gotten caught in his shoe heel, making him unable to move. I quickly knelt beside him. If I just pulled it, the fabric could tear, but it was so tangled that freeing it before his part seemed impossible.

    Yanking it might be the only option, but that would leave the fabric dangling from his shoe, and the stylist would definitely cry.

    ¡°...¡±

    But there was no time to think.<i> ¡®Oh well, it¡¯s just rehearsal anyway. This is the best option I have.¡¯</i>

    1. ?? is traditional Korean clothing known for its bright colors and simple, flowing lines. It usually includes a short jacket and a long skirt for women, or pants for men. People wear hanbok during festivals, celebrations, and special asions to honor Korean heritage. ?

 Chapter 386: Red Rouge (5)

    <h4>Chapter 386: Red Rouge (5)</h4>

    Yoon-Chan needed to go out for his part soon. Although the situation seemed pretty hopeless, we decided not to panic since it was just a rehearsal. Tearing his outfit right from the start wouldn''t be great, so I thought it would be better to just have him take off his shoe and carry it as he went back in formation instead of taking drastic measures.

    I nudged Yoon-Chan¡¯s foot and signaled him to remove his shoe. He looked at me in surprise but quickly changed his expression and stood up.

    <i>¡®Hmm?¡¯ </i>Just as I was about to panic that his outfit had torn, I noticed that he left his coat and shoe behind on the floor as he headed back into formation. Without hesitation, Yoon-Chan removed his coat and shoe to continue.

    I picked up his coat, watching him receive cheers from the Rings. <i>¡®That¡¯s impressive. Good job, Yoon-Chan. Thank goodness he¡¯s wearing ck socks with that ck T-shirt.¡¯</i>

    The lighting for "Red Rouge" was dark enough that his bare feet wouldn''t be noticeable, and it was fortunate that he was professional enough to handle the situation smoothly. Although we debuted together, seeing Yoon-Chan mature felt like watching a student grow.

    I untangled the fabric from his shoe and ced it where he could find itter. If this had been a real performance, it could''ve been a heart-stopping moment, but Yoon-Chan dealt with it well on his own. I might have overreacted.

    After that, the rehearsal and pre-recording went off without a hitch. The rigorous practice paid off, and there were no mistakes as long as we stayed focused.

    When we returned to the waiting room after recording "Red Rouge," the hot topic was Yoon-Chan''s outfit mishap during rehearsal.

    ¡°He suddenly jumped forward, and I felt something was off. He seemed to be missing something.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! I was shocked when Hyun-Woo hyung wasn¡¯t where he should¡¯ve been,¡± Jin-Sung added.

    ¡°I thought I needed to help Yoon-Chan, but he managed well on his own.¡± I gave Yoon-Chan and the behind-the-scenes camera a thumbs-up before sitting on the couch.

    Yoon-Chan didn¡¯t look too happy, though. He seemed quite shaken. Goh Yoo-Joon noticed and yfully draped an arm around Yoon-Chan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Why the long face? It was just a rehearsal, and you handled it perfectly.¡±

    ¡°Luckily, it ended well... thanks to Hyun-Woo hyung. But it was the first time Rings saw something like that, and instead of focusing on the performance, they had to see me fussing over my coat and socks,¡± Yoon-Chan replied glumly.

    ¡°What did I do? I did nothing,¡± I said.

    Yoon-Chan looked up at me with gratitude in his eyes. ¡°You signaled it was okay and nudged my shoe. That helped me stay calm.¡±

    I didn¡¯t remember doing that, but seeing Yoon-Chan so thankful, I let it slide. ¡°Anyway, it wasn¡¯t your fault. It won¡¯t be aired, and even if it was, you handled it great,¡± I reassured him.

    Goh Yoo-Joon and I quickly changed our outfits for the next rehearsal and recording of "Ario Û." Despite thinking that the simpler "Ario Û" should have been performed first, my doubts vanished upon seeing the new set.

    ¡°Su-Hwan hyung must have pushed for this set. It¡¯s amazing. His support for us is amazing,¡± I marveled.

    Compared to "Red Rouge," which had a lot of effort put into it, "Ario Û" was on another level. The set featured a towering traditional Korean style building, semi-transparent red curtains, and a floor filled with flowers.

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°How much did this all cost?¡± Joo-Han murmured.

    The set and our costumes were impressive, and I joined Joo-Han in admiring everything. He looked me up and down and said, ¡°This outfit suits you best.¡±

    ¡°Totally!¡± Jin-Sung agreed by draping an arm around my shoulder. ¡°Howe everything looks good on you, even when you dye your hair, hyung? What is this called... umm... fusion of hanbok? I don¡¯t know.¡±

    This time, we were wearing modernized hanbok. Unlike the dark outfits of "Red Rouge," "Ario Û¡± featured bright white and red ensembles. The stylists had put in a lot of effort to try different styles, including hair styles, for each performance.

    Jin-Sung had long, flowing hair tied back. Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan had highlighted streaks, and I had my hair partially braided, with the braids pushed behind my ears.

    Despite all the different styles, Goh Yoo-Joon kept his hair neatly pulled back. For once, he seemed a bit disappointed because he felt less noticeable in the morefortable outfit and hairstyle.

    ¡°I¡¯m hungry,¡± Jin-Sung suddenly said.

    ¡°Starting to rx now?¡±

    Jin-Sung pouted. ¡°I¡¯m hungry even when I¡¯m nervous!¡±

    ¡°Hyung, Jin-Sung didn¡¯t have breakfast,¡± Yoon-Chan exined on his behalf.

    ¡°No wonder you¡¯re hungry,¡± I said with a nod.

    None of us had eaten, but Jin-Sung skipping breakfast was unusual. He must have been really focused on the recording today. We¡¯d been at it since early morning, so hunger was understandable.

    ¡°Tae-Seong hyung said he put some pork belly in the fridge. Let¡¯s eat it after we¡¯re done,¡± Joo-Han suggested.

    Jin-Sung eyed him suspiciously. ¡°Don¡¯t lie! We¡¯re not going home after this, are we?¡±

    Joo-Han then answered honestly. "Nope."

    After a long pre-recording session, we weren¡¯t headed straight back to the dorm or practice room. We had another schedule, which was our first solo variety show filming.

    ¡°The Rings must be hungry too, right?"

    ¡°We just got our earnings, so let¡¯s start bringing packed meals for them during pre-recordings.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that will be better for everyone.¡±

    With some light-hearted conversation to ease the tension, I headed back to the stage alone, following the staff¡¯s instructions.

    ¡°You got this, hyung!¡±

    ¡°Do your best, Suh Hyun-Woo.¡±

    Hearing my members¡¯ cheers as I walked out, the Rings¡¯ excitement mixed with curiosity. Why was I the only one out? Where were the other members? They probably thought the others weren¡¯t ready yet, but this was a special stage.

    The lights dimmed, and a spotlight focused on me in the middle of the borate set.

    ¡°Whoa!!!¡±

    The Rings knew this was the start and cheered for me. Their voices hinted at the building anticipation as the director signaled the beginning of the performance.

    <i>Pling-</i>

    <i>Pling- Pling-</i>

    The strumming of a gayageum[1] could be heard. I danced to the rhythm of the instrument and music. This choreography wasn¡¯t part of the original "Ario Û," but a special stage prepared just for this first performance. Ever since Ringsmented on how graceful my dancing was, these delicate and elegant dances had be my specialty.

    <i>Pling!</i>

    With the distinct melody of the gayageum, I spread my arms and bowed slightly. I focused on my fingertips. I aimed to look as elegant as possible, letting the flowing hanbok entuate my movements.

    Shortly, Jin-Sung joined me on stage. He matched my dance without a hint of a smile, spinning with a lifted leg and bringing his extended hand to his chest.

    <i>¡°I¡¯m really bad at being graceful! This is a disaster!¡± </i>

    I remembered Jin-Sung¡¯s initial reaction to this choreography. He had been horrified by the elegant moves during practice, constantlyining about their difficulty. Yet here he was, nailing the dance on stage and showcasing the grace and poise our choreographers had drilled into us.

    His expression was perfect, and he executed the moves with the elegance our choreographers demanded. Jin-Sung was truly the most professional member of Chronos.

    Following Jin-Sung were Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han, and Yoon-Chan. We formed a circle and continued the choreography, with Jin-Sung and I moving to the sides. Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han, and Yoon-Chan danced with the backup dancers by kneeling down in perfect synchronization.

    As they did, Jin-Sung and I ran forward and did a somersault.

    <i>Pling!</i>

    The deep sound of the gayageum marked the end of our special dance break. We maintained the formation and our positions, then seamlessly transitioned into "Ario Û."

    The camera, previously at a distance, zoomed in to a close-up of Goh Yoo-Joon, who was seated at the center.

    ? A delicate flower petal gently rests on my hand

    Floating lightly, then falling to the ground again

    As one petal after another falls

    I float them on a sunlitke, missing you

    Ario, Ario Ai-

    Goh Yoo-Joon had a deep and resonant voice. As expected, he instantly set a heavy, captivating atmosphere whenever he started a song. The stage was dimly lit, and a few red petals softly fell from above.

    1. A traditional Korean string instrument with 12 strings, though modern versions can have up to 25. It is yed by plucking the strings with the fingers or a plectrum, producing a rich, resonant sound. ?

 Chapter 387: Red Rouge (6)

    <h4>Chapter 387: Red Rouge (6)</h4>

    ? I am a shadow under the moon

    You belong with the sun

    Cherishing the hand I let go

    Before the chorus, there was Yoon-Chan''s part. Among the members, he was the only one who used a prop in his performance. He held arge fan and executed the gestures he had practiced. Using the fan had been Yoon-Chan''s own idea.

    The members split to the sides, and Yoon-Chan moved forward toplete his part, followed by the dancers moving in perfect harmony. The dancers spun dramatically around the center before moving to the back as the lights brightened and the chorus began.

    N?v(el)B\\jnn

    This chorus part was mine, and it was my favorite. The emotional, lyrical instruments and melody felt like an outpouring of feelings.

    ? Blowing away my crumbling heart, Ario-

    I sing a song in mourning with sobs

    Ario, Ario, Ario ai- Ario

    The melody of the lyrical chorus was yed by string instruments with the sound of janggu[1] adding depth.

    The song flowed both sorrowfully and passionately. The dancers retreated to the back, leaving only the five members of Chronos on stage. The previously crowded stage now felt empty as it left the Rings silent and moved by the emptiness. The song quieted down before the highlight, with Jin-Sung¡¯s solo dance starting to the sound of a violin.

    Unlike me, Jin-Sung performed with vigor. His expressions and movements perfectly matched the mood of "ArioÛ." As he danced, the dancers silently re-entered and positioned themselves at the back. When Jin-Sung''s solo ended, the lights dimmed, and Joo-Han moved forward from the side while singing his part.

    ? Even if I float flowers on still water

    They don''t drift away

    Just like my heart

    Always longing, holding your memory

    The camera zoomed in on Joo-Han¡¯s face. After finishing his part, he performed the pre-nned gesture. The lights brightened again as the camera quickly pulled back, leading straight into the highlight.

    The dancers rushed forward, took their positions, and the dance break began. Led by Jin-Sung, the choreography was powerful and intense. It was the most physically demanding part, but our focus kept the exhaustion at bay.

    The "ArioÛ" performance ended.

    ¡°Good job, everyone.¡±

    ¡°Thank you! Great job!¡±

    With the director¡¯s tired voice signaling the end of the recording, we energetically expressed our gratitude to the crew and waved to the Rings.

    ¡°Did you enjoy it?¡±

    ¡°Yes!!!¡±

    ¡°d to hear that. Thanks foring, Rings. Today must have been tough for you guys, too.¡±

    ¡°Make sure to eat and rest when you get home!¡±

    Because we showed signs of leaving, the Rings suddenly started calling out for us, each trying to say something. They wanted us to say their names or at least give them a world of acknowledgement. However, all we could do was make eye contact and wave on our way backstage.

    Even though we wanted to chat with them, the next group scheduled for pre-recording was waiting. As a result, we had to leave the stage without dy.

    After wrapping up, we quickly packed up and headed to our next schedule.

    ***

    The official start of oureback activities usually kicked off with first pre-recording then straight into variety show schedules to promote the album. However, today was different. We were heading to YMM Entertainment¡¯s studio for our individual variety show filming.

    We wore familiar suits, reminiscent of the ones we wore for the first and second Chronos meetings. It felt like putting on a uniform. It was clear that our first variety shoot was going to be the third Chronos meeting. The only difference from our usual attire was the name tag on my chest, reading ¡®Chronos Suh Hyun-Woo.¡¯

    It appeared Su-Hwan¡¯s idea of pursuing a slightly B-grade variety show was real. Everything was a bit off. The name tag¡¯s gold border looked pretty tacky.

    ¡°Hey, have you seen the feedback on the pre-recording? The Rings are posting without spoilers. They are pretty good at that,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon said with his hands in his suit pockets, approaching me.

    I shook my head. ¡°Not yet. I will check it out at the dormter. Why?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled. ¡°Yoon-Chan got caught because of you~ The Rings figured it out.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°The coat and shoe incident. They said if Yoon-Chan had struggled alone, they might not have noticed. But they saw you helping him, and that gave it away.¡±

    Iughed along with him. Honestly, it would have been weird if they had not noticed. We had made quite a scene. It was a relief that they found it cute.

    ¡°I will check it outter.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Oh, by the way, our <i>Pick We Up Two</i> episode airs tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Already?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon frowned slightly and nudged my arm. ¡°What do you mean <i>already?</i> They always air our segments quickly to sync with the live broadcasts.¡±

    Come to think of it, the preview videos had been released soon after filming. I remembered that during our time, practice behind-the-scenes clips were quickly edited and aired right away.

    Still, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that during this <i>Pick We Up Two </i>recording, I might havee off as too full of myself. As I was reminiscing about the filming, Goh Yoo-Joon made a randomment.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it amazing?¡±

    ¡°What is?¡±

    When I tilted my head in confusion, he scratched his neck awkwardly.

    ¡°Starting tomorrow, we will be on TV every single day. It¡¯s amazing how much thepany are supporting us."

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s pretty incredible.¡±

    It was not like YMM had not supported us before. They had always arranged plenty of variety shows and radio appearances for ourebacks, giving us lots of opportunities to promote our albums.

    But this time, the level of push we were receiving was almost overwhelming. From stage setups to future schedules, it was clear how well-connected and resourceful Su-Hwan was. When "Red Rouge" was released, nearly every radio station yed our song. DJs introduced the track and announced oureback, even on random frequencies.

    UNET edited and inserted teasers for oureback into advertisements for a whole week, and with extensive <i>UTube</i> marketing, the "Red Rouge" music video views hit record numbers. We were around everywhere, even before starting our promotion activities.

    One particrly clever campaign was the ¡®Fall in Love with Chronos Before the Comeback¡¯ content. It was a one-hour video uploaded by the most famous music channel on <i>UTube</i>, a subsidiary of UNET.

    Instead of the usual promotion featuring our stages, it was filled with fan-favorite performances, solo stages, and popr show appearances like <i>Pick We Up,</i> ¡°Red Riding Hood Cha Cha,¡± and "Moon Sea." Even our year-end stages werepiled into this video. The emphasis wasn¡¯t on our title tracks but on these engaging performances to attract new fans.

    There were also our performances and music videos on songs ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± ¡°Parade,¡± and our most recent title song ¡°Phantom Spirit.¡±

    Su-Hwan exined that once someone became a fan, they¡¯d naturally watch the title tracks. Therefore, the goal was to convert viewers into fans rather than casuals who just listened to the title songs. We all felt the intense support, just as Goh Yoo-Joon had said.

    The production crew called us over. ¡°We will start filming soon. Chronos members, please gather here. We will start filming as soon as you get the cue. Feel free to act cocky or create a little skit as you enter the set.¡±

    ¡°Got it!¡±

    ¡°Even though this is your first shoot, this show is all about you, so don¡¯t worry about anything and just have fun. Go wild and do whatever you want,¡± the crew reassured us.

    It was a simple directive. We just had to enjoy the shooting. They encouraged us to go off-script if it made things more fun. This must have been the difference between personal variety shows and regr TV shows.

    ¡°Let¡¯s start filming,¡± the director signaled.

    One of the staff pped the te in front of the camera, and the cue signal followed. We received a gentle push from the staff toward the set.

    ¡°Ah, we¡¯re back! We¡¯ve finally returned!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon eximed dramatically since he was the first to stride onto the set. Following his lead, the rest of us entered while bantering as we took our seats. Joo-Han naturally took the MC¡¯s seat and kicked off the show.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, finally!¡±

    His loud voice made Jin-Sung cover his ears. ¡°Ah, you scared me!¡±

    Joo-Han was unfazed, so he carried on. ¡°Chronos has its very own variety show! Make some noise!¡±

    ¡°Waaaah!!!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the name of the show, sir? What¡¯s the name?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon yed along.

    ¡°Goh Yoo-Joon, we will reveal thatter. Anyway, we¡¯ve been talking about doing a variety show for ages, and now it¡¯s finally happening. It¡¯s an honor and we are very grateful. Everyone, stand up and greet the camera.¡±

    ¡°Stand up?¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    Despite our confusion at Joo-Han¡¯s bossy tone, we obediently stood up and thanked the camera.

    ¡°Thank you!¡±

    ¡°So~!¡±

    ¡°Oh my gosh, why are you so loud today, hyung?¡±

    ¡°Joo-Han hyung seems more hyped today than ever!¡±

    ¡°Ugh!¡±

    With a loud thump, Joo-Han pped the table with his cue card and grabbed everyone¡¯s attention again. ¡°What are we doing today for the glorious first episode?¡±

    ¡°He only gets this high-energy on broadcast,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon muttered.

    ¡°What? High Tension?¡±

    ¡°Seriously, Yoo-Joon. Be quiet.¡±

    ¡°Look at our outfits, everyone! Don¡¯t they look familiar?¡± Joo-Han continued as he ignored our side chatter.

    Despite our yfulints, there was something impressive about his ability to keep the show moving smoothly. The filming progressed with ease, and our camaraderie and natural chemistry made the shoot lively and enjoyable. The more we joked and interacted, the more fun the show became.

    1. A traditional Korean drum shaped like an hourss. It has two heads, each producing different pitches, and is yed with sticks or hands. The janggu is widely used in various Korean music genres, including folk, court, and contemporary music, providing a versatile and rhythmic backbone to performances. ?

 Chapter 388: Red Rouge (7)

    <h4>Chapter 388: Red Rouge (7)</h4>

    Joo-Han shook hispel with confidence. He looked quite dashing in the sses with straps and the sleek suit he wore as props for ¡°Red Rouge.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re finally back with the third Chronos Meeting! Wee, everyone! Ah, it has be a regr event, hasn¡¯t it?¡± His voice boomed across the room, filled with unmistakable enthusiasm.

    ¡°Indeed.¡±

    ¡°I honestly never imagined that this seemingly pointless meeting wouldst this long.¡±

    <i>¡°Tsk! Shh.¡± </i>Joo-Han red and pointed the baton he held at Goh Yoo-Joon. His tone took a mock-serious turn. ¡°Pointless? Mind your words, young man. This is an important gathering, destined to delight us all with lots of topics and super significant agendas."

    ¡°Sir, where did that batone from?"

    <i>¡°Tsk! </i>Jin-Sung, please keep it down over there," Joo-Han chided gently, yet with a firm undertone.

    ¡°Why are you so hyper today, hyung?" I asked, noticing his high spirits.

    Joo-Han directed the baton toward me and signaled me to lower my voice with a stern yet yful look. ¡°So... oh, yes. Everyone, aren¡¯t you curious? We are on just the first episode of the Chronos variety show, and yet here we are at our third meeting. Why, you ask? Well..."

    He gestured upward, diagonally across the room. ¡°Please check out the link to our very first Chronos meeting right here!" It seemed he was hinting at using the UTube card feature, a modern nod to our tech-savvy audience.

    ¡°First, let me inform you that the first and second meetings were held separately. Now, shall we officially start?¡± Joo-Han flipped his cue card and spoke energetically. ¡°The third Chronos meeting! Our glorious first topices from the members'' agenda. Reveal the first topic!¡±

    <i>Ta-da!</i>

    Just as energetically as Joo-Han, the soundtrack yed. Arge vertical banner unfurled behind him.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Did they really go this far?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t they overdoing it for our first variety show?¡±

    Did we really need such a shy topic reveal? It would have been better to unveil it simply by letting Joo-Han do it like in the previous meetings. It seemed like the nning team was ovepensating for our first variety show. The members felt a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness.

    But Joo-Han was unfazed, and spread his arms wide before continuing. ¡°The first topic is... ¡®Lately, we don''t have enough time to talk as a group!¡¯ Everyone, please take your seats and focus on the meeting.¡±

    ¡°We are already seated,¡± Jin-Sung pointed out.

    ¡°We are already focused on the meeting.¡±

    ¡°Alright, then. Who would like to give their opinion on this topic first?¡± Joo-Han looked around and then pointed at me. ¡°How about you start, Hyun-Woo?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you, Hyun-Woo.¡±

    Although the sudden nomination surprised me, I remembered this wasn¡¯t a serious meeting and that I should just speakfortably.

    I replied without much thought. ¡°Isn¡¯t it unavoidable? Thanks to our Rings, we were able to move into a nicer ce. Now that we each have our own rooms, except for one pair, we naturally spend more time alone. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessarily bad that we are spending less time together than before.¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon agreed with my point. ¡°Yeah, that doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re not getting along.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. We¡¯ve all been really tired from practicing, so I think things are fine.¡±

    Jin-Sung raised his hand. ¡°I disagree with you, hyungs.¡± His usual bright expression was gone. He firmly opposed what we said with a serious look. ¡°No matter what, we need to gather and talk like we used to. If there are any hard feelings, we can resolve them and be even closer.¡±

    ¡°Do you have any hard feelings toward us, Jin-Sung?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon teased with a grin, making Jin-Sung blush and shake his head.

    ¡°N-no! It¡¯s not that I have hard feelings... Why do you say things like that?! I¡¯m just saying in general.¡±

    ¡°Are you upset?¡±

    ¡°Upset!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the conversation about?¡± Joo-Han muttered, confused by Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s banter.

    Jin-Sung eventually sat down after being teased enough by Goh Yoo-Joon. I raised my hand again, and Joo-Han theatrically pointed his baton at me.

    ¡°Yes, Suh Hyun-Woo. From now on, please raise your hand if you want to speak.¡±

    ¡°As Jin-Sung said, it¡¯s important to have group discussions. But I think this is being blown out of proportion.¡±

    ¡°Oh, blown out of proportion? What do you mean by that?¡± Joo-Han asked.

    I shrugged. ¡°We eat all our meals together, don¡¯t we? Every single meal.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Who submitted this topic anyway?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon burst outughing.

    This topic was weird from the beginning. We had been having more alone time in our rooms, but we still had plenty of conversations over our three daily meals. Even Goh Yoo-Joon, the most social member, spent all his time at hometely due to our busy schedules.

    In fact, it was probably more abnormal when we used to live in a cramped ce, spending every moment together.

    ¡°Honestly, even families don¡¯t spend as much time together as we do, Judge,¡± Jin-Sung said.

    ¡°Hey! Hey...¡± As soon as Jin-Sung opened his mouth, Joo-Han waved his baton even more dramatically and pointed at Jin-Sung. ¡°Raise your hand first.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Jin-Sung raised his hand high and was granted permission to speak. ¡°Sure, we need rest and personal time, but isn¡¯t it better to have some lively group fun? I want to spend more time with the hyungs.¡±

    Yoon-Chan, who had been quiet until now, raised his hand slightly. ¡°Me too...¡±

    ¡°Go ahead, Yoon-Chan.¡±

    ¡°I agree with Jin-Sung. Even if we¡¯re tired, it¡¯s nice to chat together, maybe while soaking our feet in ice water or something. Both Jin-Sung and I want to spend more time with the hyungs...¡±

    ¡°Alright, since Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan want to spend more time together, how about we try to hang out more?¡± Joo-Han decided on his own with a smile spreading across his face. He always had a soft spot for Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, especially when they looked disappointed.

    Come to think of it, we had all been so exhaustedtely that there had been hardly any conversation even during the meal. Sometimes we¡¯d eat inplete silence, clean up, and then head straight to bed.

    I raised my hand. ¡°How about this?¡±

    ¡°How about what?¡± Joo-Han asked.

    ¡°When we get home every day, let¡¯s spend thirty minutes in the living room. We can monitor our performances, y games, or just chat.¡±

    Honestly, I wasn¡¯t sure if scheduling ytime was the right approach. However, once we started hanging out, we always ended up having fun.

    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°Oh, that sounds good. Let¡¯s do that,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon replied nonchntly as if it didn¡¯t matter either way.

    Joo-Han nodded and asked the members, ¡°Does everyone agree with Hyun-Woo¡¯s idea?¡±

    ¡°Yes, we agree,¡± they chorused.

    ¡°Alright, then it¡¯s decided. Kang Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Suh Hyun-Woo will spend thirty minutes every day with their younger members Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung.¡±

    ¡°Spend time with...?¡± Jin-Sung¡¯s puzzled voice was drowned out by the sound of Joo-Han banging the gavel with a loud thud.

    <i>Bang! Bang! Bang!</i>

    Joo-Han seamlessly moved on to the next item. ¡°Next agenda is... Ta-da!" He stretched his arms wide, looking like someone reveling in self-admiration. Another banner descended from the ceiling. It read, ¡®Is our current practice schedule eptable?¡¯

    ¡°Oh, by the way, this is my agenda item.¡± Joo-Han casually mentioned as he picked up his cue card. ¡°The second agenda item for Chronos... Is our current practice schedule eptable? With our recenteback, the number of dancers we are working with has increased significantly, right?¡±

    ¡°It sure has,¡± I agreed.

    ¡°As a result, we have more parts to synchronize, which naturally extended our practice hours. Do you all agree?¡± Joo-Han looked pointedly at Jin-Sung, who pointed at himself in surprise and looked around at the members before reluctantly nodding.

    ¡°I agree. Yes.¡±

    ¡°Do you think this practice schedule is reasonable, Jin-Sung? We practice until dawn after the dancers leave. Isn¡¯t practicing for twelve hours a day too much?¡±

    Goh Yoo-Joon said, ¡°Yes, definitely!!¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± I eximed, standing up with Goh Yoo-Joon to support Joo-Han¡¯s statement.

    Practicing a lot was good since we were still developing our skills and needed to work hard, but basic human needs for rest and recovery couldn¡¯t be ignored. Non-stop practice until we eliminated all mistakes in a single day seemed unsustainable, especially after oureback. We never considered our condition for the next day.

    Because "Red Rouge" and "Ario Û" had particrly tricky choreography, Jin-Sung pushed us to practice excessively. However, now that we had made oureback, maintaining such a schedule was impossible, especially when preparing for future albums. Living with constant muscle pain, back issues, and poor condition was the worst. That was why Joo-Han raised this agenda.

    Despite Joo-Han¡¯s arguments, Jin-Sung folded his arms and shook his head firmly. It was rare for Jin-Sung to be so adamant against the opinions of his hyungs, but he was clearly resolute on this matter. ¡°Agenda rejected. No way. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to push ourselves during practice than to make mistakes on stage? Honestly, we made too many mistakes. Isn¡¯t that right? Especially you, Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon hyung.¡±

    With Jin-Sung¡¯s pointed criticism, Joo-Han mped his mouth shut.

    ¡°You two shouldn¡¯t beining about practice hours.¡±

    ¡°Sir, that¡¯s...¡±

    Watching the exchange, I couldn¡¯t help but mutter. ¡°Wow, what a rare sight.¡±

    It was indeed a rare sight to see Jin-Sung scolding Joo-Han, who was now looking at Jin-Sung with a nervous expression.

 Chapter 389: Red Rouge (8)

    <h4>Chapter 389: Red Rouge (8)</h4>

    ¡°Only those who haven¡¯t made mistakes can ask to reduce practice hours. So, Joo-Han and Yoo-Joon hyung, you are disqualified from speaking on this matter,¡± Jin-Sung said firmly while snorting a little. Given that the main reason our practice hours had increased was indeed due to Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon, they found themselves speechless.

    ¡°See, hyung? We should just stay quiet. Hyun-Woo should handle this,¡± Goh Yoo-Joon muttered softly to Joo-Han.

    ¡°Would you rather have your mistakes caught on camera during the broadcast or practice with me until dawn?¡± Jin-Sung pressed on.

    Joo-Han thought for a moment before looking at the camera and conceding. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s move on to the next agenda item.¡±

    ¡°What? So, will the practice hours stay the same?¡±

    ¡°Hyung?¡±

    ¡°Next agenda, please!¡± Joo-Han hurriedly moved on by ignoring our questions. The agenda of reducing practice hours was something everyone, except Jin-Sung, wanted. Joo-Han had just taken the lead on it.

    Surprisingly, Jin-Sung¡¯s solid rebuttal left the usually eloquent Joo-Han at a loss for words, hurriedly pushing the topic aside. Jin-Sung shed a victory sign at the camera while Joo-Han shuffled his cue cards and muttered under his breath. ¡°We will practice more and revisit this issueter. Ah-hem. Next topic, quickly!¡±

    At Joo-Han¡¯s request, another banner descended from the ceiling.

    [Discuss the name and future direction of Chronos'' first variety show!]

    ¡°This agenda itemes from our production team. Let¡¯s talk about what we should name our first variety show and what we should do in it. How about it?¡±

    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s why they didn¡¯t tell us the show¡¯s name earlier?¡± Goh Yoo-Joon nodded in understanding. They had kept referring to it as ¡°Chronos Variety Show¡± and ¡°Our First Variety Show,¡± building up to letting us name it ourselves.

    ¡°Who should start? This time, let¡¯s give Yoon-Chan the first chance to speak,¡± Joo-Han suggested.

    ¡°Me?¡± Yoon-Chan squeaked.

    ¡°Yes, you, Yoon-Chan. You¡¯ve had less participation in this meeting. What do you think is a good name for our variety show?¡±

    Yoon-Chan¡¯s eyes darted around. I could see him straining his mind from across the table as he tried toe up with something.

    ¡°...What¡¯s with the silence?¡±

    ¡°Shh, let Yoon-Chan think.¡±

    ¡°Right. Be quiet, Goh Yoo-Joon.¡±

    ¡°Oh,e on! Dead air on a show? I¡¯m just trying to help! Come on, people, say something!¡± Goh Yoo-Joon eximed by filling the silence.

    Despite the chatter, Yoon-Chan remained deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke and looked a bit teary-eyed. ¡°All I can think of is <i>Chronos History</i>.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    The members let out a collective sigh. Our first-ever show <i>Chronos History</i> was named bybining our group name and the title of the original song we used during thepetition. It was a fitting title.

    ¡°How about we create another name based on one of our songs?¡± Jin-Sung suggested.

    ¡°Chronos Parade? No, that¡¯s too grand.¡±

    Other song titles that came to mind were ¡°Parade,¡± ¡°Joy,¡± ¡°Phantom Spirit,¡± ¡°Blue Room Party,¡± ¡°Red Rouge.¡± None of them seemed to fit perfectly.

    The set fell silent again. Even Goh Yoo-Joon, who had been adamantly filling the silence by saying someone had to speak, was quiet now.

    <i>¡®What should we name it? What are other groups using?¡¯</i>

    I thought of familiar names like "Allure Camp" from the Allure or ¡°High Tension''s High Tension¡± from High Tension, clearly named by Ji-Hyuk. ...They were not particrly inspiring.

    ¡°Can¡¯t we just continue with <i>Chronos History</i>?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Hmm, let me ask. Aside from that... Do you have any ideas, Yoo-Joon?¡± Joo-Han prompted.

    ¡°Uhh...¡± Even Goh Yoo-Joon seemed out of ideas. He smiled sheepishly. ¡°Does it have to be fancy? I think something simple and catchy would work.¡±

    ¡°Simple and catchy?¡± Joo-Han repeated.

    Yoo-Joon nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed that variety shows usually don¡¯t have grand names. Something more familiar and easy to remember would be better.¡±

    ¡°Alright, give us some examples.¡±

    Caught off guard, Goh Yoo-Joon scratched his head. Then, he grinned. ¡°Uh, I didn¡¯t think that far ahead~¡±

    At least we had a sense of direction now thanks to Goh Yoo-Joon¡¯s suggestion.

    ¡°Something simple and cute, but still rted to Chronos...¡±

    ¡°Does it have to include ¡®Chronos¡¯ in the title?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Yes, ¡®Chronos¡¯ must be in the title,¡± Joo-Han affirmed.

    Simple, catchy, and rted to Chronos. What could it be?

    ¡°Hmmm...¡± I thought aloud, feeling stuck.

    Trying toe up with a name that fit all the criteria seemed harder than expected. I finally let out a sigh and realized that we were probably overthinking it. I decided to clear my mind and just blurt out whatever came to my lips.

    ¡°How about ¡®Chronos Time?¡¯¡±

    The membersmented on my idea.

    ¡°Oh, should it be simple like that?¡±

    ¡°Uh, isn¡¯t that a bit too in?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Kang! Suh Hyun-Woo¡¯s idea is so random and cheesy!¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t wee up with more ideas? That is umm... too...¡±

    ¡°Oh... okay... Umm... then...¡±

    ¡®<i>I guess it was a bit off. Hmm...¡¯</i>

    Feeling utterly embarrassed, I just slumped down. What could I do if nothing came to mind? I had never been good at naming things. Sure, people thought it was cute now, but remember when we first decided to call our fans Rings? Back then, Goh Yoo-Joon hadughed and called it cheesy.

    ¡°Then, how about this? Instead of Chronos Time, let¡¯s call it Chronos ytime. I think this one is pretty good.¡±

    ¡°Chronos ytime? Hmm...¡±

    Joo-Han seemed unsatisfied, but when Jin-Sung suggested, ¡°How about Chronos Rock and Roll? It kinda gives us the vibe of ¡®Joy,¡¯¡± Joo-Han quickly settled on Chronos ytime.

    ¡°Chronos ytime. Let¡¯s have the production team vote on this as well. Anyone who agrees, please raise your hand.¡±

    It seemed clear that we wouldn¡¯te up with a better idea. Both the members and the production team raised their hands without hesitation. It appeared the production team was ready to ept whatever title we chose.

    Joo-Han picked up the gavel. ¡°Then, our variety show¡¯s name is officially <i>Chronos ytime</i>.¡±

    <i>Bang, bang, bang!</i>

    The sound of the gavel echoed as a grand soundtrack filled the set, like an awards show. The music yed dramatically with shy lights until Joo-Han signaled for it to stop by dramatically waving the baton.

    ¡°Alright, now that we¡¯ve decided on the name, let¡¯s discuss the direction this show will take.¡±

    ¡°This meeting sure is long,¡± remarked Goh Yoo-Joon.

    Joo-Han acknowledged it with a wave of his gavel. ¡°We are filming two episodes'' worth of content, so there are more topics to cover. But this is thest one, so hang in there.¡±

    Honestly, Joo-Han looked more tired and worn out than any of us.

    ¡°I¡¯m all for it. This is fun.¡±

    ¡°What should <i>Chronos ytime</i> be about? Any suggestions?¡±

    Joo-Han¡¯s eyes were already on Goh Yoo-Joon, who answered without much thought. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a show where we do whatever we want? That¡¯s what I thought.¡±

    I nodded in agreement. ¡°Right, I thought it was going to be about different themes each time, starting with the Chronos meetings.¡±

    ¡°Different themes, but you know, like trying out new things?¡±

    Joo-Han pointed his gavel at Goh Yoo-Joon again. He paused for a moment, then grinned at each member. ¡°We should do things we normally wouldn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that? Like what?¡±

    ¡°Things like sports day, surviving a week on a deserted ind, making Suh Hyun-Woo act, or cooking.¡±

    ¡°Hey, what was that about me acting?¡±

    <i>¡®What¡¯s with the acting?</i>¡¯ I nudged Goh Yoo-Joon, and he shrugged.

    ¡°To improve the Rings¡¯ tolerance level? It¡¯d be fun to film a drama with the members.¡±

    ¡°That sounds fun. We could also do escape rooms, street performances, or some real survival games!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d love for us to go on a field trip, like camping. We¡¯ve been too busy for real trips, so a travel episode would be great.¡±

    Unlike the discussion for the show¡¯s name, there were countless ideas for activities. There were so many suggestions that it was hard to write them all down. We had been talking about what we¡¯d like to do since deciding to have our own variety show. Acting or filming a drama was new, though.

    Would they really pick acting from all these ideas? Joo-Han knew how much I hated acting and how embarrassed I got...Though, knowing him, he might just go for it.

    I pushed my worries aside and suggested, ¡°How about a courage test or a horror special?¡±

    Jin-Sung, who was excitedly discussing ideas, stood up and shouted, ¡°Hey, hyung! That¡¯s not fair! You¡¯re not scared of anything! That¡¯s just not right!!!¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright. I understand. Everyone, calm down and take your seats.¡± Joo-Han nodded at every suggestion with a business-like smile and said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard all your wonderful ideas. They all sound very entertaining.¡±

    With a satisfied expression, he flipped his cue cards and exchanged a look with the director behind the camera. Seeing this, I couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°Why are you two exchanging looks? Director? Hyung?¡±

    Joo-Han then spoke decisively. ¡°We respect all your suggestions. So, we will cover many topics in future episodes, but we will absolutely do all the ideas mentioned here at some point!¡±

    He pointed at Jin-Sung. ¡°Courage test.¡±

    Then he pointed at me. ¡°Drama. And also survival on a deserted ind, school trips, and more.¡±

    ¡°I knew it!¡± I yelled as I unconsciously jumped up. Jin-Sung looked equally devastated and red at me.

    Joo-Han smirked, and Goh Yoo-Joon looked pleased with himself while Yoon-Chan pped with a tired but amused smile.

    ¡°Shh, we need to wrap this up. Jin-Sung and Hyun-Woo, be quiet. That concludes the third Chronos meeting.¡±

    ¡°Wait! Why are we the only ones getting punished?¡±

    Despite our protests, Joo-Han continued. ¡°Everyone, please join us next week for another episode of <i>Chronos ytime!</i> Goodbye!¡±

    ¡°Goodbye!¡±

    Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Park Yoon-Chan waved at the camera.

    <i>Bang, bang, bang! </i>The gavel marked the end of the meeting.

    This was unbelievable. I was already embarrassed just thinking about it. I red at Goh Yoo-Joon, but he pretended not to notice, and I did the same when Jin-Sung red at me.

    ¡°Good job, everyone!¡±

    It was toote to change anything now since the filming was done.

    ¡°Oh well,¡± I sighed.

    <i>¡®I guess I will have to endure the acting part. It¡¯s a shared embarrassment, after all.¡¯ </i>

    I resigned and followed the others out of the set.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!