Chapter 4

(Note: Korean puns and jokes don't translate well into English. I'll try to translate them the best that I can and put a note if it's beyond confusing.)

Sugyeom felt himself trembling when his chest surged with emotions like it was going to burst. Step by step, he carefully made his way up the stairs.

"Sugyeom-hyung, be careful."

Yuchan, following behind, held Sugyeom's waist when he thought he was in danger. However, he quickly withdrew his hands as if he was surprised by his own action.

Such behavior from Yuchan made Sugyeom think.

"...Thank you, Yuchan."

Sugyeom could guess what was on Yuchan's mind. As such, he was even more grateful to him.

Yuchan, the youngest member of the team, was only 19 years old. Still a child, it wasn't until after tonight when he turned 20 years old would he become an adult. Knowing the worries the young Yuchan was secretly harboring, Sugyeom was determined to work harder.
(Note: In Korea, you're 1 year old the moment you're born and every January 1st you add 1 year. You become an adult when you turn 20 in Korea.)

He would protect U-PITE this time. And, he was going to stay by Yuchan's side until the end.

Once on stage, each member of U-PITE took their place.

Sugyeom and Chagyeom moved to find their spots. The two stood behind paper barriers. Not only the two, but the remaining three members found their respective spots, ready to start their best performance.

An intense prelude beat came on as Taewon who was standing on the far right side of the stage began the rap portion.

Na na na na na, I'm not bad

Not bad, won't get hurt, doesn't hurt

I don't care what anyone says

As it was the year-end Gayo Daejeon stage, to create a festive atmosphere, the song was arranged to have a faster tempo than normal.

Next came Yuchan's vocals.

Until the day comes

I walk alone a long road

No one to hold me

Sometimes I want to fall to my knees

The pure voice of Yuchan harmonized naturally with the accompaniment.

Now it was Chagyeom and Sugyeom's turn.

What keep me standing each time

The dream in me was you

I'll fight for you

I'll endure for you

Like a precious moment I'll live again today for you

The two danced as choreographed behind the paper barriers.

Part of their choreography was to move as if mirroring each other. As such, they would turn their upper bodies in the same direction, tilt their heads to the side, and open their arms as if hugging each other as soon as the 'Like a precious moment I'll live again today for you' came.

So far it was going as choreographed.

The difference was that now there were paper barriers.

And since the paper barriers were covering the two, their choreography was only seen as silhouettes. It was also crucial that they danced one step closer than usual. As the two turned their heads, their silhouettes appeared to be kissing at first glance.

"""Waaaah!"""

Cheers erupted all around.

Not only that, the cheers didn't only belong to U-PITE's fans. Rather than out of politeness to set the mood, the cheers that were coming from everyone watching the outdoor stage was sincere.

Sugyeom smiled contentedly at the more explosive response than expected.

Accordingly, the two tore up the paper barriers and made their appearance.

My time is now

The moment where my dream come true

It's not bad even if I fall down or get hurt

I'm going to devote myself to my dream

Sugyeom, the main vocalist, held a red custom microphone and sang the high notes in a stable manner.

Then, Taewon took over the rap chorus again. Sugyeom enriched the chorus by adjusting the melody accordingly while Chagyeom, the lead vocalist, harmonized along.

Na na na not bad

All obstacles in front of me

Na na na not bad

This moment, running to you, my dream

Everything's fine, so wonderful

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Na na na not bad

After the first verse, there was a dance score.

Hansol, the main dancer, led in the middle as the other four members followed.

At this time, whenever Sugyeom bumped into the other members, he would wink lightly or smile brightly.

It was a well-planned move.

After about a minute long dance, the second verse began with Hansol's vocals.

Until this moment

I was trapped in the gap of eternity

Crying powerlessly for help

Sometimes I wanted to run away

In the middle of the song when Hansol did the choreography that embodied him falling down, Sugyeom's original choreography was to make a motion as if to console Hansol from behind. However, Sugyeom now actually patted him on the shoulder like he was really comforting him.

Hansol widened his eyes as if surprised by the unexpected action, but soon closed his eyes and smiled. Sugyeom also smiled brightly in turn.

Before long, the performance was running towards the end. Firecrackers went off and ash fluttered.

As red ash fell freely here and there, a speck landed on Sugyeom's left cheek.

However, because he was absorbed in the performance, he didn't notice. It was a situation where only the last chorus was left.

 

This moment, running to you, my dream

Everything's happy, so beautiful

Sugyeom sang the chorus and smiled brightly when he saw Chagyeom next to him. At that moment, Chagyeom removed the speck of ash from his cheek.

Belatedly realizing there had been ash on his face, he burst into a smile as if he was embarrassed.

The exceptionally long performance finally concluded. Deafening Cheers erupted from all around.

At that moment, he looked around the audience. He saw placards such as < Is Sugyeom the cutest Sugyeom? > and < Song Sugyeom I love you >. There were also electronic displays on people's cell phones.

It was the stage he had dreamed of. He had really hoped and wished he could stand up again.

Overwhelmed with emotions after having fulfilled such a surreal moment like a miracle, hot tears welled up. Even though it was brief, he looked at the audience with teary eyes as if to engrave it in his cornea.

"Sugyeom-hyung, let's go."

"Uh, yeah."

After responding to Hansol, Sugyeom continued to glance back at the audience with emotions as he went down the stage. Looking away like that, he almost fell down, but Hansol quickly caught him.

"I-incredible. Really Incredible. The community's reactions are crazy."

"Really?"

Minseong, their manager, said in an excited voice as soon as Sugyeom left the stage.

His eyes glistened at the words he had been waiting for. Perhaps because of the excitement, Sugyeom, who had even forgotten the cold, quickly clung next to Minseong and looked at his cell phone.

It was a large community where various idol fans populated. He had heard the registration process was also difficult, but Minseong had somehow managed to sign up.

[Hey, what was that performance just now? I didn't even know what's going on because it all happened in a flash. But what's the name of the pink-hair? I want to lock him up in my heart now.]

[ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠIt's incredible, it's incredible. Song Sugyeom is guilty of ripping out my heartㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[I know it's not what happened, but I thought they had kissed when the silhouettes were close;;;;;;;Hooray for best Korea!!
  └ I don't think so. How do you know the members didn't kiss?
    └ Anyway, I saw it because I was recording on my drone.
      └ Please share the drone footage.]

[Did you see him remove the ash? It was beautiful when he grabbed it from his cheek. It was really beautiful...]

[When pink-hair patted blond-hair's shoulder ㅇDid anyone see him smiling while opening his eyes wide? It felt real there...It was really steamy.]

[What's with pink-hair? He kept smilingㅡㅡDo you think he was in love? Wrong, it's not loveㅡㅡGuys, maybe he's excited the Wi-FI is good even in the afterlife.
  └ Yeah...The afterlife is good these days. Even 5G exploded.]

[Ash, you have no sense. Shit, why did you fall on Sugyeom's cheek? You should have fallen on his lips.
  └ Then does Black-Gyeom take it off with his lips?
    └ Don't ask the obvious.]

[From today, I withdraw my support for the Gyeom-Gyeom couple. The Gyeom couple is real, so we don't need to push it ourselves;;;; We have to hide it.
  └ I agree;; I'm breaking out in cold sweats, it's better to pretend I don't know.]

[I was at the scene, and at the end when Pink-Gyeom went down, Sol clearly caught him as he was about to fall.
  └ Seriously???
    └ ㅇㅇReally, I think there were people who filmed it.
      └ Sol is so sweet...
        └ Yeah, I said Pink-Gyeom needs to eat 5 meals a dayㅠㅠㅠㅠmy baby is so skinny he's fallingㅠㅠㅠㅠnoona is heartbroken.]

[Did anyone see Pink-Gyeom smile when Black-Gyeom took off the ash? 1004 Tell me that wasn't a fairy statue. You're crazy if you don't think so.
  └ Who would argue that Pink-Gyeom is pretty? It would be easier to deny that the earth is round.]

Pink-Gyeom and Black-Gyeom were somewhat of a nickname used among fans to distinguish between Sugyeom and Chagyeom.

Sugyeom smiled contentedly. Having accepted his role as a pretty member, he felt relieved when fans seemed receptive to it.+

The responses on social media he had read at first glance couldn't be understated.

He hadn't seen the other community's reactions, but when videos of their performance and pictures began to circulate in earnest, the response would be several times more than now.

It was going as planned. Now all he had to do was continue the flow.

Thinking about what bomb to throw next, he smiled quietly.

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