Level Up (9)
Everyone uses it. They hate obvious lip-sync, so they record breaths too. Even if they wanna go live to show off on stage, they can't just do it. Broadcasters filming for airing hate delays from variables. For rookies who just debuted? Pre-recording's mandatory.
"We practiced so hard for live, but no place to show it. We could've killed it."
"Checking comments again? Too much of that messes with your head."
"I know, but I can't help it. Gotta see the reactions."
"What're they saying?"
"Mostly good, but..."
Not quite satisfying, apparently. I grabbed Kang Jun's phone and checked the community. Now I got why.
"Still all about faces."
"Yeah. Song's killer, but fans fixate on looks."
Activities ramped up, and luckily, schedules filled fast. Summer comeback meant beaches everywhere—endless ocean views.
Jelly Nyang seniors held 1st to 4th. With fan help, we hit 5th solid.
"After today, spotlight's on our skills."
"Live!! Can't wait."
"We got this, right?"
"Duh. All that practice."
"No cracks though..."
"Cracks not allowed!!"
Company planned fan cams to hype skills. Today's beach festival stage—staff'd film "as fans" and upload. Live stage, so skills'd shine raw.
Can't do that without confidence in skills.
MR only, intense dance + vocals. Debut practice allowed live, but never full live. Company said protection, but we'd worked hard—no regrets false. This activity'd scratch that itch. Live permission dropped—trust felt real.
"Let's nail it."
"All that practice, no choice."
"Screw-ups get punished."
"What punishment?!"
"Uyeon, you think up one."
Van to beach, kids buzzing—couldn't calm. Usually crash on moves, but rowdy meant mega tension. Arrived sleepless. Manager noona tense too, passed thermos: "Pear, bellflower, ginger tea—for throats."
"You practiced hard, you'll kill it. Fighting!!"
"Yes!"
"Phew! Kinda tasty now from all the drinking."
"Everyone liked it. You were the only one gagging."
"No? Uyeon hated it too?"
"He's a baby."
"Why'm I a baby!!"
"Fluffy cheeks."
Minors bickering cute.
"Wanna practice more while waiting?"
"Can't check stage?"
"Nope. In use."
Scorching sun, crowds beach-bumming. Our stage: local talent show. Celebs'd heat it up.
KyaAAAAAHHH!!!! Airplane! Real-life gods. Who's that? Idols?
Women packed front, cheers deafening—eyes everywhere.
Beach or army bootcamp...?
Practice backstage finally shook nerves. Onstage.
Stamina pouch topped everyone—should kill it.
I used mine too. Body lightest ever. Felt invincible. Members same.
Effects showed.
WAAAAHHH!! KYAAAAAHHH!!! So cool!!! Oppa!!! Airplane! Forever! Love youuuu!!!
Wing fans clustered, cheering. Staff with pro cams visible. But focus: stage.
Great with crowd, but time to flex skills. Dance + song = breathing key. Don't miss inhales.
Dit-dit—♪ Ting-ting-ting~ ♬ Thud-thud-ding~♪
Title track rhythm took over. Live, so conserve? Nah—threw limbs wild. Pouch OP, or dead meat. Members powered up—MR groove? Synced fierce.
This stage legendary.
'Felt it' from start. Practice 'flow' moments— this one. Euphoria: anything possible. Rare even with pouch. Doubles usual performance.
Ooooh!! Arm stretch? Perfect sync. Gasps rose. Live rawness + flawless group dance = awe inevitable.
No fan cam plan? Regret city. No record.
Kang Jun, crack-worrier, nailed high note. We leaped joy. MR end—pure cheers.
WAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!! KYAAA!! So freaking cool!!! Oppaaaa!!
"Huff... huff... huff...!"
"Heuk! Heuk!"
Sweat soaked like rain. Full stamina ≠ no effort. Lungs burned. No regrets.
"Hoo, hoo...! Hi everyone, Airplane here."
WAAAAHHH!!!!
Breath caught, mic up for proper greet.
"Hi. Hi. Haha~"
"Enjoy the show?"
YEEESSSS!!!!!!
"Whoa~ Atmosphere's lit."
Coooool!!!!!!!! Handsome!!!!!! Date me!!!! KYAAA!!
"Hahaha!!! Who's dating?"
ME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me! Me!
Bantered crowd. Recovery time. Next: Girlfriend—vocal-heavy, soothe throat.
"Next up, Girlfriend."
KYAAAAAAAAAHHHHH~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Insane reaction! Crowd hypes = performer buzz. Crank harder, better show. End exhausted, legs jelly. No words needed—knew vibes. Round two.
"Said camera guy's good—nailed it."
"Kids shredded. Pure legend."
"Expected great, exceeded. That live vibe? No lip-sync doubts."
"This up, skill suspicions gone. Can't deny evidence."
Obvious live, CD-quality. Honey Enter staff beaming.
"Minimal edits—raw upload."
"No edits?"
"Yeah. Bigger impact."
"Manager! Someone beat us to fan cam."
"Who?"
"Low quality, but ours. Reactions fire. See."
Manager checked fast.
"Real fan cam from civilian."
"Noisy, but regular seeing stage and posting? Success."
"Voices pierce noise like needles. Wanna go viral."
Shaky, noisy—trash vs company pro. But proved Airplane dominated. Low-res even amped live feel.
"No need our edit? Already buzzing. Communities flooded."
"Destined ones make it. Damn. Nothing yet..."
"Embarrassing for us. Kids did our job with skills."
"Can't sit. Fire's lit—add fuel."
Manager snapped dazed staff. No time zone out. Nurture spark to blaze.