Chapter 146: Invincible Youth (5)
146. Invincible Youth (5)
By this point, even the members of Team Loving You on stage had noticed that the audience wasn't particularly enthusiastic about welcoming them. And that level of malice was far too heavy for teenage boys to bear.
"...Oh dear. Yes, Trainee Jayden. You've ultimately failed the Desty Mission. What a shame."
With both Kyoungho and Jayden failing their Desty Missions, not only was acquiring all items now impossible, but even obtaining the remaining stage lighting had become uncertain.
Only then did sighs of disappointment ripple through the Desties, as if lamenting what could have been. Yu-geon felt goosebumps at their two-faced reactions, but having experienced this before, his mental state didn't shake too severely.
"Now, whether you can obtain the stage lighting depends on the mission results of Trainees Yu-geon and Lee Do-ha. Since failing either one means losing the item, the pressure must be immense. Yu-geon, could you share your determination?"
Yu-geon hastily grabbed the mic when the question came to him. A small scream erupted from one side. His gaze instinctively darted toward the sound.
Front row right—a young fan who looked barely out of middle school was covering her mouth, holding up a slogan with his face drawn on it. She seemed startled by her own outburst.
'...She's probably the same age as our Tiger members.'
When their eyes met, the fan's eyes sparkled as she waved the slogan excitedly for him to see. Without realizing it, Yu-geon smiled.
This too was something he'd experienced before.
The power of someone cheering for you unconditionally.
Ironically, it was that very power that had brought Yu-geon here.
Keeping his smile, Yu-geon answered into the mic.
"I'm the worst rapper on this team. So I got a lot of help from my teammates while preparing for this stage. Now feels like the time to repay that favor."
Yu-geon, infamous for his short answers (or lack of enthusiasm), displayed uncharacteristic vigor, causing banners with his name to flutter wildly as cheers erupted throughout the venue. As if expecting this reaction, he nodded and gestured for them to cheer even louder.
"Turning crisis into opportunity is an essential skill for idols. Then, Lee Do-ha, leader of Team Loving You—if you fail the Desty Mission and can't obtain the stage lighting, what are your plans?"
Choi Yeon-woo naturally shifted focus to Do-ha after watching Yu-geon's response with interest. Yu-geon glanced at the leader standing beside him.
Despite the lengthy time spent on team missions, Do-ha stood perfectly still—like a deeply rooted tree... no, more like the unshakable central pillar of a skyscraper.
'This hyung is kinda... scary.'
He'd felt it since their special class days. Do-ha was terrifying precisely because no one could guess what went on in his head.
He was a type Yu-geon had never encountered before—an unpredictable enigma.
'At least with Si-woo hyung, I can kinda understand why he acts the way he does. But this guy? No clue.'
Even Kang Hajin, who had maxed-out social awareness and people skills, seemed awkward around Do-ha. If even Hajin couldn't handle him, Yu-geon had long given up trying to figure out how to interact with him.
'But he worked crazy hard this time. If we don't get the stage lighting, I'm gonna get roasted alive, aren't I?'
Since Miro Maze began, Yu-geon and Do-ha had been on the same team every single time.
Though Yu-geon found Do-ha uncomfortable, he also knew better than anyone how seriously Do-ha took the stage.
What would his answer be?
With mild curiosity, Yu-geon watched Do-ha, who didn't even acknowledge his gaze before replying.
"It doesn't matter."
"Doesn't matter? You mean even if you don't get the stage lighting?"
"Yes, I don't think it matters."
Just as he'd once bluntly asked Yu-geon, "I get your situation, but what are you gonna do about it?"—Do-ha now stunned Yeon-woo with an unexpected answer.
Even when pressed, Do-ha remained unfazed as he added flatly:
"Because the most important part of our stage is us."
His expression practically said, 'We're the ones rapping, not the damn lights.'
The sheer audacity of his response made Park Woong, main rapper of Endway in the audience, erupt in applause, shouting, "Now THAT'S hip-hop!" His genuine, off-key enthusiasm drew laughter from the surrounding Desties.
"If Yu-geon wants to repay favors through stage lighting, I won't refuse. But personally, I think giving 100% of what you've prepared on stage is enough."
Wait, why bring me into this?
Startled by the sudden mention, Yu-geon looked at Do-ha again. Their eyes met briefly before Do-ha faced forward and spoke as calmly as if discussing dinner plans.
"We all worked really hard and are confident. This stage."
Though Yu-geon still found Do-ha difficult and uncomfortable, he instinctively realized in that moment:
This was a threat.
A Do-ha-style threat—even if they didn't get the stage lighting, they'd better pour 200% of their preparation into this performance.
If it were Hajin, those words would've been to boost morale.
If it were Tae-hyun, it would've been to showcase confidence in his team for broadcast.
If it were Si-woo, it would've been the safest, most neutral answer possible.
But this was Do-ha.
"So even if we don't get the lighting, I don't care at all."
That was 100% genuine, devoid of any ulterior motive.
'Damn, that's so cool.'
Yu-geon bit the inside of his cheek to hide his awe.
The shoulders of Jayden and Kyoungho, which had been slumped in defeat, straightened slightly, their expressions brighter than before.
"Such overflowing confidence is wonderful to see! Then, we'll now reveal the Desty Mission our two challengers must attempt!"
Finally, the dice of fate were cast.
Hours later.
After finishing the guerrilla concert and completing additional filming schedules, the Miro Maze trainees only returned to their dormitory a little past midnight.
Exhausted, Hajin washed up, changed into comfortable sleepwear, then collapsed onto the lounge sofa—too tired to even make it to his room—with a towel draped around his neck.
"Ugh, I'm gonna die."
His body ached from head to toe after being tense from morning till night. He hadn't noticed earlier, but now that he'd laid down, every muscle screamed in protest. Even during his PD days, he'd only feel this wrecked after major recordings or editing marathons.
'If I'm unlucky, I might catch a cold.'
As he debated whether to order medicinal tea, something cold suddenly slapped onto his face.
"Gah! What the—?"
"Stay still. It's expensive."
Someone smacked his hand when he tried removing the mystery object. Still unable to open his eyes properly from the cold, Hajin recognized Tae-hyun's voice and presence. Realizing it was him, he also guessed what was on his face.
"Why are you dying out here instead of your room? The sofa's cold. If you're sleeping, go to your room. You'll catch a cold."
"Is our grandson... worrying about his grandpa?"
"Grandpa, if you want to live long, you shouldn't nap here. Watch your mouth."
Tae-hyun effortlessly parried Hajin's teasing while carefully smoothing the cold object—a sheet mask—over his face. Tae-hyun always used these after long recordings under hot lights or outdoor shoots under harsh sun.
"Grandpa's skin's already perfect—why the royal treatment...?"
Though playing dumb, Hajin relaxed into the cool, soothing sensation spreading across his face. Tae-hyun scoffed at his reaction but meticulously patted down every corner before squeezing out the remaining essence onto Hajin's face.
Only after finishing did Hajin crack open his eyes to see Tae-hyun—wearing an identical mask—sitting on the floor, leaning against the sofa where he lay.
"Why the floor? Get up here."
"No. Your head's heavy."
"Ouch, my heart... I won't kick. Come up."
"It's cramped. You're too long."
Hajin lifted his head slightly to eye the 2-meter three-seater sofa. With his 182cm frame sprawled across it, there wasn't much room left for Tae-hyun. Conceding the point, Hajin laid back down.
The sounds of trainees passing through the lounge—whether showering or handling other business—created pleasant white noise. Just as Hajin's breathing evened out near sleep, silence returned, prompting him to speak drowsily.
"Grandson."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Spit it out if you've got something to say. Grandpa might fall asleep."
Tae-hyun had often visited Hajin and Eun-chan's room to gift skincare products before. But he usually left quickly after his business was done. Only when explicitly invited to stay would he sit and chat.
So Tae-hyun applying a mask personally and lingering quietly by his side could only mean one thing—he had something to say.
Tae-hyun always took longer than most to voice his thoughts. Perhaps due to his childhood in entertainment and debut through a survival show—where one wrong word could change your life.
After an extended silence following Hajin's prompt, Tae-hyun finally spoke carefully.
"Hyung."
"Yeah."
"Earlier... your stage and final speech."
"Yeah."
"...Aren't you scared? Saying those things so openly..."
Hajin had vaguely expected this topic. He hummed softly, considering his response.
"No, I'm fucking terrified."
"......"
(Can't you tell by how I'm lying here like a dead fish without even Blue Bird activated?)
Tae-hyun was rendered speechless—for entirely different reasons than before—by Hajin's bluntness.