Chapter 96
Chapter 96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: University Hospital's Christmas Eve (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve at the university hospital.
Christmas Eve, 6:30 p.m.
We arrived at Hanyoung University Hospital. Coincidentally, this was the very place where I had first opened my eyes in High J's body not long ago.
'I never thought I'd be back so soon.'
At least I wasn't here because I was sick, so that was a relief.
Anyway, I headed to the children's hospital with the members, where our performance was scheduled. The children's wing had its own separate building on the right.
As soon as we entered the hospital lobby, a banner reading "Hanyoung University Children's Hospital Christmas Special Performance" caught our eye, along with a simple stage it was hung over and a large grand piano.
The members grinned from ear to ear and started chatting.
"Wow, they did an amazing job setting this up."
"Yeah, they've got real talent."
"Look, they even made a nice Christmas tree next to it."
"Awesome!"
That's when my eyes met those of a nurse who was busy preparing the stage.
She spotted us and came rushing over.
"Hello! You're the EverPlanet members here to perform today, right?"
Manager hyung nodded and replied.
"Yes, that's us. Thank you for inviting our boys."
"Sure. Could you come this way first? I'll give you a quick rundown on today's performance."
We followed the nurse into a small office on the first floor.
Once the members had taken their seats, the nurse spoke in a calm voice.
"First off, thank you so much for accepting our invitation so readily. The classical musicians will be performing for about 40 minutes to start, then EverPlanet can do your prepared songs for the next 20 minutes or so."
"Got it."
"Oh, and I looked over the tracks you sent, but there wasn't a title track. Would you mind doing a short version of it? The kids love the dance."
At the nurse's unexpected request, Park Su-rim's eyes widened as she asked back.
"Really? Is that okay? We left it out on purpose because we were worried a loud song might not be good for the kids."
"It's fine. They actually love it. We've got the MR for <Dye> ready on our end, so you could use that. Oh! And..."
The nurse made one more suggestion.
We didn't hesitate for a second before shouting our agreement. It was a request that didn't need any thinking.
"Of course we'll do it!"
"That sounds great. Please let us!"
After hearing all the details, we waited in the office.
Shortly after 7 p.m., the performance began.
The beautiful melodies of piano, violin, and other instruments played by the classical musicians drifted all the way to our office.
'Impressive playing.'
We got to enjoy it too.
About 40 minutes later, the classical performance wrapped up. It was our turn.
I left the office with the members, following the nurse's guidance, and took our positions behind the simple stage.
Then the voice of the doctor serving as MC announced our entrance.
"Now, for our final guest performers! It's one of your favorite idol groups—EverPlanet! Give them a big round of applause!"
Before stepping onstage, we exchanged glances.
A silent encouragement to do our best.
Our leader Park Su-rim, standing at the front, muttered toward the back.
"Let's give the kids an awesome time."
"Fighting."
"Fighting!"
Shouting our fighting cheers, we took the stage.
Dozens of kids filled the seats in front of us.
Kids fighting tough battles with illness every day. But the faces looking up at us were nothing but bright.
We called out to them.
"Turn Around! Hello, we're EverPlanet!"
"Wooow!"
"It's the idols!"
The kids clapped and cheered us on with bright faces and voices.
We were just grateful for the warm welcome.
"Yes, our friends. Thank you so much for the great welcome. We're here to celebrate Christmas tomorrow by singing a few songs for you. Feel free to sing along if you know them or clap along. We just want you all to have fun. We'll work hard to give you a great stage. Hope you all enjoy!"
With Park Su-rim's brief greeting, we got ready to sing.
Kim Kwang-myeong sat at the piano bench, Teddy picked up the guitar, and the other five held mics.
Kim Kwang-myeong and Teddy exchanged looks, then started playing on Park Su-rim's one, two, three, four.
The delicate piano and soft guitar wove together into a beautiful harmony.
'They're nailing it live too.'
I knew Kim Kwang-myeong had pro-level piano skills from composing.
But I had no idea Teddy was that good on guitar.
I remembered the shock of first hearing him play during practice.
Their first song together—a carol perfect for Christmas.
* * *
Sleeky sat in the front row with her mom. Her eyes sparkled more than usual as she watched the stage.
'The real EverPlanet oppas are here!'
She'd been floored when the nurse told her yesterday.
She could hardly believe it—thought maybe the nurse was teasing her. But now, seeing the oppas actually singing onstage, her heart pounded.
- White snow fills the whole world
Exciting bells ring through the streets
She knew the song Su-rim oppa started with.
[Blessings of Christmas]. A famous carol she'd heard in music class at school.
- All of it
You and me
This Christmas
Feels like a blessing
Sleeky swayed her arms side to side, singing along.
The oppas' voices rang out joyfully over the piano and guitar—pure bliss.
And her favorite from the Nameless Live medley, Jae oppa's voice...!
- This Christmas, just with you
Is what I want
'Live is so much better...!'
Way beyond the clips she'd rewatched a million times.
Clear like a babbling brook, fluffy like clouds in a blue sky.
Not just main vocal Eun-young oppa and lead vocal Jae oppa—the others sounded amazing too.
It was too good. "Good" was the only word, and that made her sad.
She should've read more books.
- Oh oh white Christmas
Even whiter time with you
[Blessings of Christmas] ended in a blink.
The EverPlanet oppas followed with popular carols like [Bell Tolls] and [Silent Night].
Everyone knew them, so they all sang along naturally.
Making kids they'd never met before chorus along. Oppa are the best!
Sleeky swelled with pride for EverPlanet.
After the carols, Kwang-myeong oppa and Teddy oppa returned from instruments, mics in hand.
"We sang a lot of carols, now how about one of ours?"
Gasp. So good. Sleeky watched Han Tae-hee beaming.
"It's a song we've never done live before. We'll debut it here for our friends. From our album, [Rainbow (Lucky)]."
Wooow! Sleeky's mouth stretched into a huge grin at "Rainbow."
'My favorite song!'
Track 3 from their second album!
All songs were great, but this one fit her taste perfectly.
The fresh glockenspiel and piano intro, mixed with their voices—pure calm.
- Sky after rain, spotless clear
Even the drifting sheep clouds gone
Over the piercingly blue field
A rainbow bridge rises in colors oh
Jae-o oppa, Teddy oppa, and Kwang-myeong oppa, usually rapping powerfully, sang softly here.
It gave it a fresh charm.
'Rappers who sing great!'
Jae-o oppa's low, smooth voice suited <Rainbow> perfectly.
- This unexpected luck
Must be for meeting you today
After the last line of verse one, all seven sang the chorus.
Sleeky clapped to the beat, singing along.
- Meeting you today is Lucky
Rainbow in the sky is Lucky
The whole world came for us
Wish every day was like today
As if answering her song, the EverPlanet oppas sang even harder.
'Ah, eye contact!'
Sleeky was in heaven. Seeing a b-side live up close for the first time—like a solo concert just for her.
- Somewhere over the rainbow
Wanna fly beyond with you
A landscape so ecstatic and beautiful
Waiting for us
Then her mom beside her murmured in awe.
"They sing really well."
"Right, Mom? Now you get why I love them?"
"Yeah. No wonder our Sleeky likes them. Get better soon, Sleeky, and we'll go to a concert together."
Mom smiled and squeezed her hand.
Sleeky nodded, eyes back on the stage.
To see EverPlanet on bigger stages, she had to get healthy.
Watching them do <Dye>, the title track from album two, Sleeky vowed it over and over in her happiness.
* * *
Our prepared set ended with the <Dye> dance stage.
Waving hands, clapping, kids singing along—it felt like a success.
I caught my breath and exchanged looks with the members.
'Ready?'
'Ready.'
'All set!'
With our silent signal, we lined up straight. Park Su-rim in the center asked the kids.
"Friends, what day is tomorrow?"
"Christmas!"
"What's Christmas?"
"The day God was born!"
"Day we get presents!"
"Good day!"
The kids' cheerful voices gave all sorts of answers.
One was spot on.
"Yes, exactly! Christmas is present day! We prepared special gifts for our friends. Come up one by one and get yours."
The nurse's earlier request: Distribute the hospital's prepared gifts.
Kids would treasure gifts from idols.
Kids came up one by one, taking their gifts.
Not too many, so it went quick.
As the gifts nearly ran out, one little girl stood in front of me.