Chapter 20
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20
“This.”
I showed him the long scar that ran from my forearm up to my shoulder. It had faded over time, but the traces were still clearly visible if one looked closely.
Perhaps the others had seen it during practice. However, none of the members had ever asked me about it first.
“I got this ten years ago… no, a few years ago in a car accident. Back then, they told me I might never be able to use this arm again.”
“……”
“I worked hard on rehab, and eventually, I was able to use it normally like I do now… but I was terrified back then. No matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn't move.”
This was the first time I had ever opened up about this to anyone other than Seo Ho-jin. I wasn't sure if Seong Ji-won was someone important to me yet, but for the immediate present, he was someone I absolutely needed.
“I know that feeling well—the feeling that no matter what you do, it’s not going to work.”
“……”
“But through rehab, I realized that opportunities do come. They aren't fair, but they are given, and the only people who can snatch them up are those who are prepared.”
It wasn't just rehab. After losing my parents and entering society earlier than most, I had experienced countless absurdities.
People who grew up in wealthy families without knowing hardship, taking it for granted that they could keep others under their boots…
There were so many of them in my life—so many that it made me feel disillusioned. Good opportunities were always snatched away by others.
Even this very moment was likely an opportunity given to us, whether fair or unfair.
But as always, if you prepare, an opportunity is bound to come. Even if it’s only once.
I locked eyes with Seong Ji-won.
“You’ve prepared hard, haven't you?”
“……”
“Right?”
After a moment of hesitation, Seong Ji-won nodded. It meant he was ready to seize the opportunity.
I pulled my rolled-up sleeve back down. Even though I tried to smooth it out, it was already riddled with wrinkles. The stylist was definitely going to give me an earful.
I looked away from the shirt, which was beyond saving, and glanced at Seong Ji-won.
“That’s all that matters.”
“…Yeah.”
“Stop being mopey and let’s go.”
Seong Ji-won gritted his teeth and stood up. Then, he whispered softly to me.
“…I’ll do a good job.”
[Seong Ji-won believes in you.]
[Your relationship with Seong Ji-won is very friendly.]
‘…I said too much.’
I was glad the cameras weren't rolling for that. I already regretted acting like an old man showing off his scars.
It would probably end up as a cringey memory later… but anyway, I had gained Seong Ji-won’s favor, so it was fine.
“I should have saved this kind of touching narrative for when the cameras were on….”
“Haha, seriously… you’re just the same as ever.”
“……?”
The same as ever?
“Ah, sorry. Um… let’s just go.”
Seong Ji-won looked confused by his own words. I felt a sense of incongruity, but since we were short on time, I didn't press him further and returned to the waiting room.
The members seemed restless because we hadn't returned even though the showcase was about to start.
“Why are you guys so late!”
“Was the bathroom that urgent?”
“Yeah, you punks.”
They were clearly teasing us on purpose, even though they had already sensed the situation.
‘Quick-witted, aren't they?’
Instead of replying, I followed the instructions of the staff member guiding us and walked through the dark backstage area. The sound of the VCR showing each member's face echoed through the air.
Kim Seong-hyeon gathered us together like a true leader.
“Let’s do our chant.”
“…Do we even have a chant?”
“We don't.”
“Just wing it, hurry up.”
Everyone chimed in noisily. Kim Seong-hyeon let out a deep sigh and placed his hand in the center of the gathered members.
“Just put your hands in. We should at least do this before we go on.”
“Yes, sir.”
Five hands stacked on top of each other in the air. It felt both awkward and natural to be part of this.
What do I mean by that? Don't ask me; I don't really understand this emotion myself.
I saw the faces of the members, some nervous, others grinning. Kim Seong-hyeon spoke hesitantly.
“We suffered a lot for a month… let’s suffer for another month ahead.”
“Booo~!”
“That’s so discouraging~!”
“Let’s make it a cooler chant~!”
“Ah, you guys…. I’m saying let’s do well.”
“Yeah, let’s do well.”
“Let’s tear up the stage.”
Kim Seong-hyeon shouted with spirit. Aja aja, fighting!
Since it was our first time, our chants were all out of sync, and we giggled and teased each other, but laughter spread through the group. I was glad the tension seemed to have broken.
As we walked out onto the dark stage, cheers erupted. While taking our positions in the darkness, I locked eyes with Seong Ji-won. He silently mouthed the words.
‘Fighting.’
Even though he was the most nervous one, Seong Ji-won was cheering me on. Look who’s talking.
Still, it was worth spending points to feed him that Cheongsimhwan.
I let out a small smirk, then quickly composed my expression as the beat began to flow.
The fans' cheers grew even louder with the start of the song. Simultaneously, I heard the fans' voices rising over the intro.
“Kim Seong-hyeon! Seong Ji-won! Seo Ho-yun! Kang Yi-chae! Jeong Da-jun!”
“……”
‘Is this a fan chant?’
The fans were shouting a fan chant from below. Everyone was startled, as they hadn't expected it.
“The Dawn! Second Chance!”
As soon as the fan chant ended, I lifted my microphone and added harmonies with Seong Ji-won.
[Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance]
We would have a second chance. Seong Ji-won opened his eyes and tilted his head. His gentle gaze was gone, replaced entirely by his stage persona.
His eyes changed instantly; after appearing confused, he raised his right hand to cover his face, and when he lowered it, his resolve was clear.
[I can never let this chance slip away]
‘As expected of Seong Ji-won.’
As Seong Ji-won gestured toward the camera, I, who had been waiting behind him, lifted my head and walked toward the front of the stage.
Kang Yi-chae and Kim Seong-hyeon held out cards in front of their crossed arms, pretending to flip them as they sang.
‘I’m an idol, I’m an idol, I’m an idol….’
I was at least confident in pulling off these kinds of gestures.
[Pick a card, the future looks clearer now
You’re anxious about the low odds, but there’s no need for that]
“Waaaaah!”
…Honestly, I was surprised. If I hadn't practiced enough, my expression might have slipped for a moment.
I tilted my head expressionlessly and picked up a card. Then, I flashed a smirk.
[It’s okay, because I will lead you]
Cheers erupted for me. After my part, I moved to the back of the formation, and Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun came forward to harmonize.
[Come to me, Come to me,
Don’t be afraid, come to me
I have my second chance]
I could see Kim Seong-hyeon dancing as if his body might break during the chorus. Behind him, I caught glimpses of fans waving slogans.
[I’m telling you once more, this is our beginning
I will come back every time
You’re afraid of this strange déjà vu
No, there’s no need to worry
Because I will lead you]
I locked eyes with Kang Yi-chae, who was waiting in the back. With a flushed face, he playfully wrinkled his nose. As if everything was going to be alright.
Just then, as Jeong Da-jun bent his back, Kang Yi-chae stepped on him, soared into the air, performed a mid-air rotation, and landed.
[Stand up with the target in sight, I have confidence
I won’t lose this cold sensation
Even with my eyes closed, I see your face
I ain’t gonna miss this time]
He’s practically flying.
Kang Yi-chae dominated the stage in an instant. As the main rapper, his precise diction and overflowing confidence poured out onto the stage. No one could stop Kang Yi-chae, who was burning with ambition and devoid of fear.
When he performed the choreography as if firing a gun, several fans staggered as if they had actually been shot.
I shouldn't have, but a small smile escaped me.
[I’m telling you once more, this is our beginning
I will come back every time
You’re afraid of this strange déjà vu
No, there’s no need to wander
Because I will find the way]
The results of the weeks I spent practicing until I wanted to vomit were pouring out on this stage. Perhaps it was even better than practice. Sweat dripped down everyone's chins.
A good song, decent planning, the buzz generated by controversy, desperate members. And the fans.
[This time, at least in this life, I definitely will]
I looked out at the audience. Slogans waving frantically, and a blind, powerful faith directed toward us.
Perhaps I had taken this job too lightly.
I locked eyes with Seong Ji-won on the other side of the stage. My breath was backed up to the top of my throat. I felt it.
That we could do this.
[I will save you (Save you)]
I belted out a high note. Seong Ji-won solidly followed it up with the chorus.
At the same time, we turned our bodies to the beat and returned to the first formation where everyone had gathered. Then, we slowly swayed our bodies to the right and left, as if swaying in the wind.
[Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance
Give you, Give you, Give you…]
Kim Seong-hyeon made a shooting motion toward Seong Ji-won, who was standing in the center. As Seong Ji-won collapsed to the floor, the swaying movement stopped, and while the formation broke apart, I alone stood up slowly.
[Second Chance.]
The beat ended with those whispered words. Everyone suppressed even their heavy panting until the lights dimmed.
The brief silence soon turned into a waterfall of screams. It was unbelievable.
Blind affection, something I never thought would exist in my life, poured over us.
“……”
We stood up and bowed deeply to the fans. I also lowered my head, trying to compose the subtle emotion that felt like it was about to burst out of my heart, when I felt hands patting my shoulders and back.
Jeong Da-jun looked like he was about to burst with pride, and Kim Seong-hyeon looked like he had safely crossed a major hurdle. Beside a grateful Seong Ji-won, Kang Yi-chae was grinning widely.
* * *
“Wow, that was amazing. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a team dance with such intensity. Right, everyone?”
While the members lined up to moisten their throats with water and calm their excitement, the staff quickly set up chairs on the stage.
Once all preparations were complete, the MC came up to the stage and opened the showcase with praise. The audience responded enthusiastically.
“Then, let’s have each of you introduce yourselves.”
Since I happened to be sitting closest to the MC, I ended up being the first to take the microphone.
“Yes, hello….”
“Waaaaaaah! Our rabbit is so handsome!”
‘…Rabbit??’
I had only said one word, and cheers erupted. The volume was louder than mine even though I was holding a microphone.
When I momentarily forgot what to say next out of flustered confusion, the MC quickly threw out a joke to fill the gap.
“Who gave that person a microphone?”
I had never been thrown off my pace by someone like this in my life, but I was finding myself bewildered several times today.
‘Ra…. Surely I misheard.’
I pulled myself together and continued.
“Um… Hello, I’m Seo Ho-yun, the sub-vocal of The Dawn. Thank you so much for coming today.”
After finishing my greeting, I passed the microphone to the member next to me. Everyone took turns introducing themselves, and they all looked dazed by the cheers that erupted each time.
After all, they had never been this popular before.
“There’s so much to ask today. The Dawn is at the center of attention right now, isn't it?”
The MC continued the proceedings with practiced ease.
“First, let’s talk about the long hiatus and the process of how Ho-yun joined the group.”
It was a question we had prepared for. It would look better if someone else answered this rather than me.
Seong Ji-won immediately raised his microphone.
“Yes, Ho-yun was originally part of the debut lineup, but he took a break for health reasons and has rejoined us starting with this single.”
“I heard he was very bold when he joined?”
…This wasn't in the script. Had the things I said actually spread?
‘The things about their parents and asking if they were satisfied being nobodies….’
I had said all sorts of provocative things. Even I started to break into a cold sweat at the interview taking an unexpected turn.
“Seo Ho-yun, would you like to say a word?”
The MC looked at me with a meaningful smile.