Chapter 20

20

"Here."

I showed him the long scar that ran from my forearm to my shoulder. It had faded now, but if you looked closely, you could still see the mark.

Maybe it was visible during practice, but none of the members asked me about it first.

"This... I got it from a car accident a few years ago, not ten years ago. At that time, they said I might never use my arm again."

"......"

"Despite all the efforts, I couldn't move it at all. It was really scary."

This was the first time I had talked about it to someone other than Seohojin. I wasn't sure if Sung Jiwan was important to me yet, but at the moment, he was definitely necessary.

"I know the feeling of thinking it won't work no matter what."

"......"

"But during rehabilitation, I realized that opportunities are given. They might not be fair, but they are given, and only those who are prepared can seize them."

It wasn't just about rehabilitation. After losing my parents and starting my social life earlier than others, I experienced countless injustices.

People who grew up in wealthy families, never knowing hardship, and took it for granted to step on others...

There were so many in my life that it almost led to disillusionment. Good opportunities were always taken by others.

Right now, this moment, it's an opportunity given to us, whether fair or not.

But always, if you prepare, the opportunity will come, even just once.

I met Sung Jiwan's eyes.

"You've prepared hard, haven't you?"

"......"

"Right?"

Sung Jiwan hesitated and then nodded. It meant he was ready to seize the opportunity.

I lowered my rolled-up sleeve. Even if I tried to smooth it out, the wrinkles wouldn't go away. The stylist would have something to say about this.

I took my eyes off the shirt that couldn't be salvaged and glanced at Sung Jiwan.

"That's enough."

"...Yeah."

"Stop sulking and let's go."

Sung Jiwan clenched his teeth and stood up. Then he whispered to me.

"...I'll do well."

[You have earned Sung Jiwan's trust.]

[Your relationship with Sung Jiwan is very friendly.]

'...I talked too much.'

I was glad the camera didn't capture this. I was already regretting showing my scar and sounding like a preachy old man.

It might become a black history later, but at least I earned Sung Jiwan's favor.

"Shouldn't we have such a touching narrative when the camera is on...?"

"Haha, really... You're still the same."

"......?"

The same?

"Ah, sorry. Um... Let's go first."

Sung Jiwan looked confused even after he spoke. I felt a bit of tension, but time was tight, so I didn't press further and returned to the waiting room.

The members seemed anxious because we were late for the showcase.

"Why are you so late?"

"Was the bathroom that urgent?"

"Yeah, bastards."

Even though they had already noticed the situation, they were deliberately teasing us.

'Quick to notice.'

Instead of responding, I followed the staff's instructions and walked through the dark backstage. The sound of the VCR showing each member's face was playing.

Kim Sung-hyun, as the leader, gathered us.

"Let's do a cheer."

"...Do we have a cheer?"

"No."

"Let's just make one up, quickly."

Everyone added a word or two, creating a noisy cheer. Kim Sung-hyun sighed deeply and raised his hand in the middle of the gathered members.

"Let's raise our hands. We need to do something before we go on."

"Okay."

Five hands overlapped in the air. It felt both awkward and natural to be part of this.

What's the point? Don't ask me; I don't understand this feeling either.

I saw the members' faces, some tense, some smiling. Kim Sung-hyun spoke hesitantly.

"We've worked really hard for a month... Let's work hard for another month."

"Ooh!"

"Feeling drained!"

"Let's do a better cheer!"

"Ah, these guys... Just do your best."

"Right, let's do our best."

"Let's tear up the stage."

Kim Sung-hyun rallied us. Aja aja, fighting!

It was our first time, so we were all doing our own cheers, giggling and teasing each other, but the laughter spread, and the tension eased. I was glad.

As we walked onto the dark stage, cheers greeted us. In the darkness, I met Sung Jiwan's eyes. He silently mouthed,

'Fighting.'

Even though he was the most nervous, Sung Jiwan was cheering me on. Who was he talking to now?

Still, it was worth using the point to give him a confidence boost.

I smiled and quickly composed myself as the beat started.

The fans' cheers grew louder with the start of the song. At the same time, their voices echoed the prelude.

"Kim Sung-hyun, Sung Jiwan, Seo Hojin, Kang Icha, Jung Dajun!"

"......"

'Is this a fan chant?'

The fans were shouting the fan chant from below. Everyone was surprised, as it was unexpected.

"More, Second Chance!"

As soon as the fan chant ended, I picked up the mic and harmonized with Sung Jiwan.

[Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance]

We would get a second chance. Sung Jiwan opened his eyes and nodded his head. The gentle look was gone, completely stage-ready.

His eyes changed, and he raised his right hand to cover his face, then lowered it, showing determination.

[I can't afford to miss this opportunity]

'Sure enough, Sung Jiwan.'

Sung Jiwan turned the camera with his hand, and I, waiting behind, lifted my head and walked to the front of the stage.

Kang Icha and Kim Sung-hyun crossed their arms and pretended to flip a card, calling out.

'I'm an idol, an idol, an idol...'

I was somewhat confident in my gestures.

[Pick a Card, a clearer future, you don't need to be anxious about low probabilities]

"Wow!"

...Honestly, I was surprised. If the practice had been a bit less, my expression might have faltered.

I turned my head expressionlessly and picked up a card. Then I smiled.

[It's okay, I'll lead you]

The cheers for me erupted. After my part, I moved to the back, and Kim Sung-hyun and Jung Dajun came forward to harmonize.

[Come to me, Come to me, Don't be Afraid, come to me I have my second chance]

Kim Sung-hyun danced with all his might to the chorus. I could see the faces of the fans waving the slogans behind him.

[Let's say it again, it's the beginning, we will come back every time, this strange déjà vu, you don't need to be afraid, no, I'll lead you]

I met Kang Icha's eyes from behind. He made a playful face, as if everything would be fine.

Then, Jung Dajun bent down, and Kang Icha stepped on his back, spun around, and landed.

[Stand up with the target, I have confidence, I can see your face even with my eyes closed, I won't miss this time]

He was flying around.

Kang Icha took over the stage instantly. As the main rapper, his precise diction and overflowing confidence poured out on stage. No one could stop Kang Icha, who burned with enthusiasm and fearlessness.

When he performed the gun-shooting choreography, some fans staggered as if they had been shot.

I couldn't help but smile.

[Let's say it again, it's the beginning, we will come back every time, this strange déjà vu, you don't need to wander, I'll find the way]

The efforts of the past few weeks, practiced to the point of exhaustion, poured out on this stage. It might have been even better. Sweat dripped from everyone's chins.

Good song, decent planning, controversy-driven buzz, desperate members, and the fans.

[This time, in this life, I must]

I looked at the audience. The wildly waving slogans and the blind, strong belief in us.

Maybe I had taken this too lightly.

I met Sung Jiwan's eyes from the opposite side of the stage. My breath caught in my throat. The feeling came.

We can do this.

[I will save you (Save you)]

I hit the high note. Sung Jiwan firmly followed with the chorus.

At the same time, we turned to the beat and returned to the first formation. Then, slowly, like the wind, we swayed to the right and left.

[Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance Give you, Give you, Give you...]

Kim Sung-hyun made a shooting motion towards Sung Jiwan, who fell to the ground. As the formation broke, I slowly stood up.

[Second Chance.]

The beat ended with a whisper. We all held our breath until the lights dimmed.

The brief silence soon turned into a roar of cheers, unbelievably loud.

Blind love poured out, something I never thought I would experience in my life.

"......"

We stood up and bowed deeply to the fans. I bowed my head, trying to calm the indescribable, heart-pounding emotion, when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Jung Dajun, looking proud to the point of madness, and Kim Sung-hyun, looking relieved to have passed this hurdle. Seo Hojin, expressing gratitude, and Kang Icha, smiling widely.

***

"Wow, that was amazing. I haven't seen a team dance so hard in a long time. Right, everyone?"

While the members were lined up, drinking water and calming down, the staff quickly set up chairs on the stage.

Once everything was ready, the MC went on stage and opened the showcase with praise. The audience responded enthusiastically.

"Then, let's have each of you introduce yourselves."

I ended up being the first to take the mic, as I was sitting closest to the MC.

"Yes, hello... "

"Wow! Our rabbit is so handsome!"

'...Rabbit??'

Just one word, and the cheers erupted. The fans' volume was louder than mine with the mic.

Caught off guard, I forgot what to say next, and the MC quickly tried to fill the gap with a joke.

"Who gave this person the mic?"

I've never been so caught up in someone else's momentum in my life, and today has been full of surprises.

'Rab... Could I have heard wrong?'

I gathered my wits and continued.

"Um... Hello, I'm Seo Hojin, the sub-vocalist of Deden. Thank you for coming today."

I finished my introduction and passed the mic to the next member. Each member introduced themselves in turn, and the fans' cheers grew louder each time, leaving everyone in awe.

After all, we've never been this popular before.

"Today, I have a lot of questions. Deden is currently at the center of attention, right?"

The MC smoothly continued.

"First, let's talk about the long hiatus and how Seo Hojin joined the group."

This was a prepared question. It would look better if someone else answered rather than me.

Sung Jiwan immediately picked up the mic.

"Yes, Hojin was part of the original debut lineup but took a break due to health issues and is now back for this single."

"They say he came back with a lot of energy?"

...This wasn't in the script. Could it be that the words I said spread?

'Talking about my parents and being satisfied with a listening role...'

I said all sorts of provocative things. Even I was breaking out in a cold sweat with the unexpected direction of the interview.

"Seo Hojin, a word, please."

The MC looked at me and smiled ominously.