Final Stage
Before stepping onto the stage, I was checking my earpiece when Han I-jae suddenly turned around and extended his fist toward me.
“Fighting.”
I was standing there dazed, and Han I-jae smiled lightly, tapping my shoulder with the fist he had extended and turned back around.
It was almost time to go on stage. The explosive roar hitting my ears right in front made my breath catch for a moment before it came out again.
'If I can draw even one more vote with this stage...'
The fist I was clenching tightened.
Even though I knew it might not work, I couldn't help but hold onto hope.
Recalling the movements I had practiced countless times in my head, rehearsing the lyrics internally, I slowly moved my steps.
When the trainees from the team appeared on stage, the audience erupted with explosive reactions.
The large intro standing with one eye covered by hand.
As the intro track flowed out onto the static stage, the large formation moved and began to perform a dynamic choreography.
“Finally, the end is here.”
Starting with the first verse, flames burst forth from the beginning.
Amid the bursting cheers, the stage was filled with hot heat.
“I rolled in the mud”
Truly a mess
It's hard to lose and win
In other words, I took no damage
Every time I continued the intense choreography, the leather jacket and chains shook.
In the following part, Kang In-hyeok extended his arm in a sharp line.
“The war that seemed eternal”
This war will soon end
You can't kill me
The large formation changed once, and the audience's gaze focused on Han I-jae at the end.
Immediately, Han I-jae handled the rapid whirling choreography from his spot.
“To the darkness that couldn't kill me”
I dedicate this song to you La ri ri ra
Do Won-woo at the center took a gesture as if saying come here and smiled toward the camera.
Then the beat gradually faded, then exploded in an instant.
“(Final Victory!)”
Even if it's ruined, it's okay
Even if it's broken and broken
It won't break
Do Won-woo continued the choreography and handled the high note of the chorus.
“(Final Victory!)”
Even if it's a little painful, it's okay
The one who is broken and broken
Will fly with wings
Without being buried in the explosive music, the high note stretched out.
The audience watching seemed to have a look of slight surprise. If they had watched the broadcast so far, they would know that this was the first time Do Won-woo had taken on such a high note.
A vocal range Do Won-woo had never attempted before. Do Won-woo, who always chose the safe path, showed greed only at the end.
Whether it was greed or a challenge, from the perspective of someone who didn't know the details, it was surprising...
'But, he's doing well.'
Every time the high note stretched out and reached the audience, cheers erupted.
Even the feeling of it being tough seemed like a dramatic part of the song.
“Kill the liar”
Erect a new monument
Then, the rap part began, and Kang In-hyeok stood at the center of the large formation.
“Even if a great misfortune swallows me”
Even if it does, I will pierce through the belly of that monster
And face this world
As the latter half went on, the beat and choreography became faster and faster.
And in the bridge part, Han I-jae and Do Won-woo exchanged parts while back to back.
“Finally, it’s over”
At the end of this ending
Don’t be the last ember
Remember the name that will fly in the ashes
Finally, Do Won-woo raised his head and lifted the high note of the bridge part.
It wasn't perfect, but it was enough. The people's cheers continued, and the stage boiled with heat.
“Finally, the end is here”
So the stage ended.
The trainees who finished the stage all came down below, breathing heavily.
Their expressions showed exhaustion from performing at a pace with no time to catch their breath. Do Won-woo was the same.
'Still, good I didn't make any mistakes...'
Letting out a sigh of relief, I frowned slightly, as if the high note of the bridge part from just before was a little disappointing.
Han I-jae, noticing it, tapped my shoulder without a word.
“Hey, it's okay. You did well.”
Kang In-hyeok next to him had the same reaction.
“Yeah. You did well.”
The words "you did well."
I smiled slightly and nodded, but my expression was still dark.
The people watching probably thought it was good enough, but I was still anxious.
Because there was still doubt whether I could really draw even one more vote with the stage just before.
'1st place...'
I bit my lip.
I had to get 1st place somehow, and I couldn't not get it.
As time passed, it was inevitable that my stomach would burn.
“Okay, let's move!”
Following the staff's guidance, the trainees moved quickly without even catching their breath.
I had to go for makeup touch-up and change for the next stage.
While the trainees were preparing for the next stage, the VCR was broadcast.
The camp fire video filmed just before the final was playing now. The on-site atmosphere became a sea of tears as the trainees read their last letters with tears in their eyes.
And during the video, the live broadcast continued, and votes were also accumulating. With this vote, who would enter the final debut group and who would be eliminated was decided.
Of course, there were those for whom this vote determined whether they would disappear from this world or not.
“Did you vote?”
“Ah, I did.”
“If you didn't, vote quickly.”
Such conversations were going on, and text with the trainees' numbers and names was rapidly input on the screen.
Time flowing gradually, and votes accumulating without stopping.
Many things are decided at this moment. And after everything ends, an irreversible future will come.
“……It's ending soon.”
Having finished changing for the last stage, Won Ji-an muttered while looking in the mirror.
In the mirror, Won Ji-an looked glowing. Of course. The appearance neatly and luxuriously styled from head to toe.
But I couldn't know. Whether this would be the last light shining before it disappeared, or a page in the journey to the next chapter.
“Ji-an-ah, it's good?”
Lee Hae-won, who knew nothing, raised his thumb and praised next to Won Ji-an.
“Thanks.”
Won Ji-an smiled faintly.
But he himself knew it wasn't a situation to smile.
Because the vote would end before this stage started and the final ranking would be announced.
“Maybe this could be the last stage.”
Won Ji-an muttered in a bitter voice, and Lee Hae-won shook his head and said.
“No, what kind of talk is that. We can definitely debut together.”
The last stage.
If others heard it, it would sound like just survival and elimination, but...
That 'last' meant covering one's all, no one would know except Do Won-woo.
“It might be the last, but if it's fun, isn't that enough?”
Lee Hyo-seop standing behind said.
“The aftertaste will be bitter though... I guess I have no choice but to say it's my fate.”
Lee Hyo-seop also had an precarious ranking. A precarious state where if he slipped a little, he would fall from the debut group.
So I wouldn't know Won Ji-an's heart. But since I don't know Won Ji-an's current situation, I couldn't fully empathize.
“Fate...”
Won Ji-an muttered to himself.
“Yeah, since it's fate, I have to.”
Won Ji-an sitting on the chair lifted the corners of his mouth again while looking at himself in the mirror.
A face trying to smile somehow. But the eyes were empty.
'……I don't want to die.'
Acting nonchalant, the hand gripping the chair armrest trembled.
'Actually, I don't want to die, I don't want to die...'
Won Ji-an habitually looked around. He was looking for Do Won-woo.
But for some reason, he couldn't see him.
'Where is he?'
In front of the bathroom sink, head lowered, listening to the sound of falling water droplets.
“It's ending.”
Repeating the words in my mind, I slowly raised my head.
“……Can I really say I gave my all?”
The end was coming, the result unknown, only uncertain future and hope.
Can I really say I gave my all until the end? No, was there even anything I could do?
I had only been enduring by being swayed by the damn system and begging for help. Believing I could do something.
“Hello.”
At that moment, the sound of falling water droplets stopped, and the world became quiet.
This feeling. Familiar. Again, time stopped and appeared. That meant...
“System.”
When I turned around, as expected, the familiar being appeared.
“I saw you recently, but it feels like it's been a while. Anyway, it's the final. Finally final! I'm proud of you.”
Immediately, the system poured out words.
“The stage just before was awesome. That look of pursuing victory even in a beaten up state! It was really moving. You have the qualities of a protagonist.”
“I want to kill you.”
The words came out unconsciously.
“Oh, you want to kill me. But you can't.”
The system laughed madly.
“You don't have the power to do that.”
The system was coming closer and closer.
“So do you have the confidence to win 1st place today? If you don't make it to the final 1st, you'll suffer a big misfortune. Don't you want to know what it is?”
The system in the shape of a glowing cube hovered around me and said.
“More importantly, how about whether Won Ji-an can debut or not?”
The cube that was spinning around me stopped in place and said.
“Your friend will die.”
At that moment, my fist came out unconsciously.
With a breaking sound, glowing fragments flew in all directions. The cube had cracks, a fissure appeared.
“Don't talk nonsense.”
The clenched fist trembled.
“……Don't talk nonsense.”
Won Ji-an will not die. It's just a joke. For him, it's all just a game and fun.
At that time, someone reflected in the mirror appeared.
“……Won Ji-an.”
Won Ji-an standing behind the mirror was looking at me with empty eyes.
“……Ah.”
Did I hear?
The words the system said just before. That he would die...
“Won Ji-an. Wait.”
Without time to speak, Won Ji-an turned and left the place.
When I came to my senses, the system smiling in front of me appeared.
“Remember the quest reward I gave you then? Think about why I gave it to you well.”
With those words, the system disappeared from in front of my eyes.
'Damn it.'
What I can do is just prepare to face the approaching end.