Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Translator: Penny
Chapter 65
Dear Love
As we lined up in formation, a whisper-like narration began, followed by the intro music for "One Chance."
We didn't need to rearrange the song; we simply adjusted the vocal range to suit us.
There was no time for anything more, and frankly, the song didn't need any changes.
Since there was no rap section, I took the easiest vocal part and gave the rest to Seo Yehyeon.
I was far from innocent and pure, while Seo Yehyeon was much closer to that image.
Seeing our stage outfits, I was reminded once again that blessings come to those who don't covet.
By not being greedy for parts, I'd likely get less camera time in this outfit.
At least Kim Dobin had reworked the girl group choreography to look natural when performed by a boy group, which was some consolation.
If this had been a pre-recorded performance instead of a live stage, I wouldn't be quite so embarrassed.
Unlike me, who was desperately trying to maintain a composed expression while thinking about my Original Intent Score, Kim Dobin was bouncing around the stage with a radiant smile, his face practically beaming with 100% job satisfaction.
How can he smile so happily while wearing these shorts and doing this choreography? What is this fan spirit?
If I could perform on stage with Taker, the foreign rapper I admire, wearing this outfit for just 30 seconds... Hmm...
Even then, I don't think I could smile as brightly as him.
Of course, since Taker Hyung is deceased, the chances of me ever sharing a stage with him are zero.
As I performed the choreography—a somewhat cute move involving raising my index finger, twirling my arm, and bringing it to my lips—I thought to myself.
After what felt like an eternity of 1 minute and 12 seconds, we finally retreated backstage, allowing me to catch my breath.
The screen split open, and Adora's second verse performance immediately began on the stage.
Adora's stage outfits were similar to ours: fluffy ivory or white knit sweaters paired with black skirts and knee-high socks.
Of course, unlike us, the Adora sunbaes effortlessly pulled off this pure and cheerful look.
As Adora's second verse ended and the final chorus began, Adora and Reve naturally blended together to form a unified formation.
Despite having only three joint practice sessions, the collaboration stage between the two groups flowed surprisingly naturally.
There was a move where Adora's side took Reve's hand and spun him around, like a waltz. When I extended my hand, the Adora member beside me gently placed her hand in my palm.
I worried that holding a girl group member's hand might lower my Original Intent Score, but thankfully, it didn't. It seemed the System overlooked stage choreography.
Well, it would be absurd if it didn't.
I'll remember our pink-tinted love story forever.
As I sang the final line, I formed a heart with the Adora member beside me, bringing the performance to a close.
We hurried offstage to monitor the performance. I couldn't help but inwardly marvel at the camera work—still plagued by shaky shots, just as it had been seven years ago.
After finishing the monitoring session, I greeted Adora before heading to the waiting room.
"Great job!"
"You too."
"The choreography revisions were amazing! It looked so natural and seamless, I was really impressed."
"Oh, really? I was worried it might look a bit silly for a boy group to dance, but it turned out great."
"Thank you!"
Kim Dobin grinned widely at the compliment.
As we were about to head to the waiting room to change out of our outfits, eager to get out of these clothes, Adora's leader suggested, "Let's take a group photo here for social media."
You want to immortalize these outfits on social media? Isn't that a bit cruel to us...?
But as rookies with little seniority, we had no choice but to nod obediently to our sunbaes' suggestion.
Since she happened to be wearing a skirt, the Adora members had to stand behind us while we crouched down in front.
Our attempt to discreetly cover her bare legs vanished before we could even voice it.
We barely made it back to the dressing room. I changed into my What Kind of Ending stage outfit for the upcoming performance, while the other members changed into their final stage outfits for the closing remarks.
Only then did I finally exhale—whether it was a held breath, a sigh, or a lament, I couldn't tell.
"Ugh, Eden Hyung, check this out."
Ryu Jaehee suddenly thrust his phone screen in front of me as I sprawled on the sofa, giving the rap lyrics for What Kind of Ending one last read.
- What did I just witness?
- First verse: Male idol's fierce energy ㄷㅈㄷ
- Phobos's pick: "A stage where 'fierce energy' doesn't feel out of place despite the innocent concept"
- Innocent top, not-so-innocent bottom, legs, and face
- Just because you dress them in pure and bubbly outfits doesn't make them pure, lolololol
- Isn't that the guy from that group? The one who filled in for Yuan during Adora's rehearsal on YouTube?
└ They still look so happy. I wonder if the other members were happy too.
- ᄀᄎᄀᄎ Our oppas look way better in shorts than in those Sponge Experiment Man outfits!
"Jaehee, do you find this funny?"
"Building a friendly image like this is a good thing, right?"
"We've already built a friendly image with the generation that grew up watching SpongeBob, ever since we performed on stage in those Sponge Experiment Man-style jumpsuits."
Grumbling, but relieved that the performance had gone smoothly without any mistakes or scandals, I was holed up in the group waiting room when a voice called my name. I stood up.
The What Kind of Ending stage wasn't too burdensome. Like the previous music shows, I only had to perform the featured verse in the first half of the song and then leave the stage.
After finishing my brief feature, I watched Seo Raon's performance from backstage and suddenly realized:
I used to crave solo activities and solo stages so desperately...
Was it because I had always seen the group as a stepping stone to my solo career?
Or was it because my success had come solely from luck and one person's support, leaving me feeling more empty and powerless than connected to the group members who had endured those difficult years together?
Before my regression, the group held little significance for me.
Apart from my friend Gyeon Hajun, they were just colleagues—nothing more, nothing less.
I had only reluctantly included Ryu Jaehee because he kept trying to worm his way into my inner circle.
That's why I had been so obsessed and anxious about proving myself through solo work—the very reason I had entered the entertainment industry in the first place.
Well, as with most things in life, things didn't go exactly as planned.
But right now, solo activities and standing alone on stage weren't as urgent as they once were.
Instead, I wanted to see how much further I could climb with these guys by my side.
Not just to stop the endless regression, but to see just how far we could truly go with my songs.
I wanted to witness firsthand how much potential we had missed before the regression.
And by doing so, I wanted to prove to myself that this regression wasn't meaningless.
So...
"Let's all do our best together next year too."
After exchanging greetings with Seo Raon, who had successfully finished her performance, I returned to the waiting room. As the members complimented the 멋있었다 25-second stage, I smiled and said, "Let's all do our best together next year too." Ryu Jaehee let out a sigh of admiration.
"It really feels like the end of the year is here. Even Eden Hyung is getting sentimental with his year-end greetings."
"Can't the leader even say something like that, you jerk?"
After seeing off Ryu Jaehee and Kim Dobin, who had to leave by 10 PM due to their curfew as minors, only Gyeon Hajun, Seo Yehyeon, and I remained.
Without the Maknae Line, who usually occupied about 80% of Reve's conversation space with their boisterous chatter, the room fell silent.
If Seo Yehyeon would just stop picking fights with me, Reve would be this peaceful all the time.
I rested my chin in my hand and watched Altair's performance on the waiting room screen with a detached expression, then clicked my tongue.
Who would have thought that hit song would become their downfall?
This is why people should live honestly and fairly.
Look at me. Even when they tried to drag me down with them, shaking me upside down, not a speck of dust came out.
I don't know if the future will unfold exactly the same way this time, but seeing them perform that song, I doubt their ending will be much different from the future I know.
Envy washed over me as I leaned back comfortably on the sofa, watching the youngest members leave work early.
Of course, the Maknae Line didn't see it that way. They were whining in the group chat about how disappointed they were to miss the final group performance.
After a few more groups performed after Altair, the time finally came to end this tedious waiting period.
All the performers gathered on stage for the final group performance.
Since Reve had only debuted this year, our position was far from the center.
Suddenly, I remembered how my seniority had allowed me to stand near the center during the regression.
A 90s hit song, so catchy that anyone could sing along, blared through the speakers.
Watching the idol group next to us passionately belting into their handheld microphones as if they were at a karaoke booth—even though the cameras weren't even pointed their way—I chuckled and glanced at the six members standing to my right.
Why are these guys even standing here?
Then I met Cha Yeonho's gaze. I casually turned my head away, but I could still feel his eyes on me.
As soon as the camera shifted away from us, I turned back to Cha Yeonho and asked bluntly, "Do you have something to say?"
I raised an eyebrow at his slightly flustered expression. He clearly hadn't expected me to speak first.
But that didn't last long. He quickly composed himself, shaking his head with a faint smile.
"No, it's just a little surprising to see you here right now."
"Of course I'd be here. It's the ending where all the cast members give a group bow, isn't it?" I replied, tilting my head with a questioning look. Cha Yeonho's expression turned enigmatic.
Why is he acting like this after staring at me so intently? I feel like punching him.
Even before my regression, we hadn't been on good terms, and my last memories of him were unpleasant. No matter what he did, I couldn't help but see him in a negative light.
Still, there was no need to confront him now. What Altair had built was still too fragile to ignite and launch like a fuse.
I could just leave him be. If he became an obstacle on my path to the A-list, I'd use the secrets I knew as leverage to eliminate him.
Cha Yeonho and I locked eyes for a moment before turning our heads at the sound of our respective members calling us.
"Yeonho, are you having a staring contest with your junior?"
"A contest? It's nothing like that."
As I half-listened to Cha Yeonho's words, delivered with a laugh but a subtle firmness, Gyeon Hajun nudged me and whispered in my ear, "This isn't the first time. Did something happen between you two?"
"No?"
There's no way this guy could know about what happened during the erased time. Even if he did, as long as they don't throw the first punch, I have no reason to retaliate. So what?
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny