Chapter 403
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 403
【I was afraid to take a leap
as you are not by my side】
His sleek black hair and eyes as clear as a young boy’s sparkled, reflecting the stage lights. His face, which stood out even during off-seasons, now seemed to radiate a literal halo.
【I had fear in my heart
as I might not be your love】
Without a single ring or accessory, dressed only in a soft, flowing white shirt and dark navy slacks, Chae Jeong-woo shone brilliantly just by standing there.
【But I know that I will be there】
“Wow, Chae Jeong-woo senior is insane.”
“Seriously…”
The singers of WH Entertainment were famous for their clean, understated vocal styles. Today, however, Chae Jeong-woo poured raw, heightened emotion into every lyric, as if determined to shatter that reputation.
【So tell me, that this is my Christmas present】
A single voice rose to fill the vast arena with enchantment.
“His voice feels like a warm winter.”
The members of The Dawn couldn't shake the lingering emotions of the performance, even after it ended, moved by the delicate sentiments woven into his clear, pristine tone.
“How does he do that?”
“Ugh, unless they’re torturing an alien for talent, that shouldn't be possible!”
“To me, Chae Jeong-woo senior is the alien.”
Even as White Cherry and several other idols followed with their performances, the members were too busy buzzing about the special stage Chae Jeong-woo had just led.
Of course, they fell silent again when High Five took the stage.
They were the act immediately preceding The Dawn. According to the manager, they had been allotted about ten minutes.
【New Thrill—】
On the monitoring TV, Kang Yeon-hu’s curly, waved hair swayed with his movements.
【—I can’t pretend to be calm in front of you
I’m swept up in an even greater excitement】
The six members of High Five moved as one body. Despite performing intense, leaping choreography while singing, they didn't sound the least bit out of breath. For a moment, one might have even suspected they were using a heavy backing track.
【A spark flying in the middle of the circuit
Thrilling and precarious
A racing just for the two of us
Make me cry out a little more】
Chae Jeong-woo’s groupmate, Jeong Chae-hyeong, poured out a rapid-fire rap in a deep, cavernous bass, stroking his lip with his thumb and curving his eyes provocatively.
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been watching intently with his chin resting on his hand, spoke up.
“They’re good.”
Beside him, Kang Yi-chae playfully bumped his shoulder against Seong-hyeon’s and added, “And we’re gonna be freaking amazing, too.”
Startled by the unexpected encouragement, Kim Seong-hyeon blinked his eyes wide before letting out a dry, incredulous laugh.
“What’s with you, Kang Yi-chae? Where did that sophisticated vocabulary you used during the perfume interview go?”
“Yi-chae, do you not know any words other than ‘freaking’?”
“Whoa, I say one thing and you guys immediately gang up on me? Even you, Ji-won hyung?”
The slight tension in the air dissipated as they bickered like usual. Just then, a staff member from the Gayo Star Festival informed them they had to be on stage in two minutes.
As they left the waiting room and entered the dark backstage area, Seong Ji-won suddenly turned his head to look at me.
He had that ever-present smile on his lips.
“Ho-yun! Let’s kill it today!”
Immediately after, the MCs’ introduction echoed through the speakers.
【…Our dawn that has descended upon the night sky of the Republic of Korea! Shall we call them out together?!】
Following the staff’s hand signals and the cue in my in-ear monitor, I climbed the stairs.
【The Dawn!!】
As the members moved to their positions, a VCR began to play.
A caravan glided freely through a deep blue sky. A long trail of clouds, marking the path where a small plane had passed, scattered like mist.
Vroom—.
Vroooom—.
The screen transitioned to show Kim Seong-hyeon, dressed in a white pilot’s uniform, walking with purposeful strides.
Simultaneously, a roar of screams erupted from the audience.
【Hello? Are you there?
Are we connected?】
A spotlight flickered on along with a synthesized narration, revealing Kang Yi-chae standing alone on the protruding stage.
【Do you wanna be connected?】
Grabbing a bright red microphone, Kang Yi-chae tilted his chin up high and began.
【Finally! The boring time is over
I love watching you glow
Step into the ring just as I planned】
Spitting out lyrics with aggressive intensity, Kang Yi-chae made a gesture as if gripping and pulling a motorcycle throttle, accelerating the pace.
【Chase me if you can
Shift up and floor the pedal】
As if that were the signal, over a dozen backup dancers behind Kang Yi-chae split to the left and right, offering a disciplined salute. In the center, Jeong Da-jun appeared, his hands neatly folded.
【The first one to step away loses】
Walking forward with long strides, Jeong Da-jun snatched off his uniform cap, tossed it aside, and blew a hand kiss toward the approaching camera.
【Don’t be afraid
No need to look back
I can be your guide】
Next, Seong Ji-won’s elegant voice rang out.
A small stir rippled through the cheers.
Waiting in the back, I let the corners of my mouth quirk up as I grabbed Seong Ji-won’s hand and spun him around roughly.
【Don’t hesitate, just move forward】
At the song’s peak, a dance break began with Kim Seong-hyeon at the lead.
【Ah- Yes, I will never leave your side—!】
Pulling a pair of sunglasses from his uniform’s breast pocket, Kim Seong-hyeon bit the tip of the frame slightly with his front teeth and beckoned toward the lens with his index and middle fingers.
He moved his body to an even faster beat.
【Ready to be connected?】
It was as if he were pushing himself to his absolute limits.
Every time a new light flashed from the VCR, Kim Seong-hyeon’s muscles tensed along the heavy melody.
To keep up with him, the rest of us had to pour out twice as much energy.
“Ah, fuck, the vocals are gonna die at this rate. Stop putting so much power into the moves.”
“Hear, hear! The youngest dancer is dying too!”
“The rapper is about to faint over here!”
During practice, the resistance had been fierce because the choreography was so difficult and exhausting.
“…Can’t you guys just match me?”
“……Fine.”
“…I’ll do it.”
But what could we do?
When our leader makes a face like he’s about to cry and starts acting spoiled for the first time in his life, we have to give in.
【You’re praying to the wrong person, Umm Hmm
You should be begging me, Damn! You are my favorite】
As Kim Seong-hyeon threw his arms up, his shirt lifted, briefly exposing his bare waist. The fans’ screams reached a new fever pitch.
【Handle me if you can】
Just as the tempo seemed to slow down, the song transitioned into the melody of “Dive,” and the entire stage was bathed in blue.
Only a third of the fifteen minutes we’d secured—using our appearance on a New Year’s variety show as leverage—had passed, yet I was already gasping for air.
Pretending to be composed, I walked to the center of the stage. As the members gathered in a circle, the floor beneath us rose, and the lift slowly ascended.
【Can you be together? or not?
The words I spat out without a thought stick to me like the heat
Like a lotus flower that has lost its breath】
Beyond the waving lights that looked like ocean waves, I saw fans singing along, their noses red from the cold.
【Let us dive till the end
Until we rise to the surface of the sea to breathe】
While it was impossible to make eye contact with every single person, I waved my hand enthusiastically, catching my breath as I tried to return the greeting to those who had come all this way in the cold to see The Dawn.
【Because we can’t stay trapped in loneliness forever】
As darkness fell over the stage, the lift reached the ground.
At that moment, a young, clear voice pierced through the silence.
【Let us dive till the end
Until we rise to the surface of the sea to breathe】
A brilliant white light flared up again, illuminating the surroundings. Beneath it, Jeong Da-jun sang with a faint smile.
‘Man, our maknae has some guts.’
It felt like only yesterday he was trembling with nerves, but he had grown so much before I even realized it.
【—In the not-so-distant future
Because we will meet again】
The performance of “Yeondeunghoe” concluded as we slowly gathered in the center, posing like a single lotus flower. Once again, all the lights went out.
Guided by the staff, the singers who had performed at the Gayo Star Festival began to take the stage one by one.
I happened to lock eyes with Kang Yeon-hu, who was entering alongside Chae Jeong-woo. When I gave him a slight nod, he quickly bowed his head in return.
【Hello, we are White Cherry!】
The VCR played pre-recorded Christmas greetings from each of the performers.
【The rising dawn, we are The Dawn!】
When The Dawn appeared on screen, Kim Seong-hyeon spoke with a slightly flushed face.
【…I hope this Christmas is one where you can share love with many people, rather than being alone.】
As Kim Seong-hyeon’s voice echoed through the arena, our mischievous maknae started poking the leader. In response, Kim Seong-hyeon smiled gently, his eyebrows slanting downward.
【Hello, I’m Chae Jeong-woo.】
Chae Jeong-woo appeared next.
Standing alone, he spoke with a soft smile.
【It must be Christmas Eve right about now. I hope everyone has a happy and warm winter. Have a Merry Christmas.】
As his segment ended, the video faded, and a piano melody began to play.
It was the project song “Snowflake,” produced specifically for the Gayo Star Festival.
A sea of colorful lightsticks swayed in unison.
Behind the gentle drum beat underlying the piano melody, Kang Yeon-hu took the first verse.
【Actually, I’ve been having a hard time lately
On days when it felt like I’d stand alone in the darkness forever】
His high notes were clean right from the start.
The cheers erupted accordingly.
The camera angle shifted to reveal Seong Ji-won, holding the microphone tightly with both hands.
【There were days when I thought I was all alone
Days when it felt like nothing would go right】
While the other groups sang, Jeong Da-jun clapped enthusiastically, mouthing the words.
【But on the day the snow falls
You took my hand】
As the song gradually warmed up with the pure voices of White Cherry and Lia Purple,
【My greed for your happiness always
Is something I can’t quite lay bare
But my feelings keep piling up alone】
Kang Yi-chae’s deep, husky voice broke through.
【I will always be here
Because you came to me like a miracle
On this day when the snowflakes fall, with you, who is special】
Kang Yi-chae looked up and then down, as if watching falling snowflakes, before letting a smirk play on his lips. Jeong Chae-hyeong took over from there.
【Our own footprints are left behind
On this special Christmas】
Just as I was thinking the arrangement was heavily biased toward WH Entertainment, an alarm rang.
Ding!
A notification only I could hear.
It pierced through the colorful confetti fluttering like snow.
[Quest Success!]
A blue window appeared amidst the brilliant, sparkling lights.
[The fact that Seo Ho-yun donated his appearance fee and prize money from ‘David and Goliath’ has been revealed ahead of the program’s broadcast through an article titled ‘Seo Ho-yun’s Good Deeds… A Meaningful Streak of Donations Since Debut.’
The view count of the article has exceeded the required threshold, satisfying the condition.
Ranked #1 in entertainment news. 15,000 points have been awarded.]
I couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.
I didn't even need to read the article to know what happened.
It looked like WH Entertainment had made the first move to bolster their image for the end of the year.
[Current Points: 304,000]
[Congratulations, Seo Ho-yun.]
I stared blankly at the displayed points.
【My greed for your happiness always
Is something I can’t quite lay bare
But my feelings keep piling up alone】
[Ha]
[Happ...]
Another window popped up beside it. The text flickered, being written and erased repeatedly, before finally forming a complete sentence.
[Have a happy holiday season.]
Even though I knew my turn was coming up, I almost missed my cue.
【…Our precious memories become mementos
The warmth of you holding my hand…】
I composed myself and closed my eyes.
Then, I pushed and pulled the sound out with everything I had.
【…Like the snow falling warmly
It quietly piles up in my heart】
I felt a slight stir around me, but I didn't have the luxury to care.
【…Ah- Ah- Ah!】
Kang Yeon-hu’s ad-libs followed, and as the song reached its climax, Chae Jeong-woo stepped forward.
【The final moment is approaching us
When we pass through the long tunnel and breathe in the cold air
The snow falls, and before I know it, you’re by my side】
Gentle harmonies layered themselves atop Chae Jeong-woo’s elegant voice.
Everyone was swept up in the atmosphere, breaking into warm smiles.
In this place, I was the only one whose heart was burning to ashes even with a smile on my face.
【In a fearful future, only one thing is certain】
If this situation were a scene from a broadcast I had produced, I would have made the protagonist press the reset button at this point for dramatic effect.
But in my actual world, devoid of cameras and an audience, I couldn't do that.
【I will be holding your hand】
Because when it came to Seo Ho-jin, I always became a coward who couldn't decide on anything easily.