Second Try Idol

The heat from the lights hadn't fully dissipated yet. However, the members seemed to be adapting to the situation, so I too had to quickly get used to the warmth.

“It's time to go up on stage!"

“Okay!"

We responded energetically to the staff's call and headed up to the stage one by one.

‘It's still hot.' It didn’t matter that we briefly tried to cool down the lights. The temperature would increase again once the performance started. To be honest, I was feeling quite anxious. I forced myself to look away from the lights and smiled at the audience. Despite my worries, I reminded myself that I was standing in front of people right now.

“We had a short break to check the stage equipment. Thank you all for waiting."

Joo-Han's statement was met with understanding responses from the audience. He quickly expressed his gratitude and hurried to introduce our performance. Due to the unexpected break, we had to proceed a bit hastily.

The first stage was “Chronos.” After Joo-Han's introduction, the members left me behind and moved to the back of the stage.

Jin-Sung patted my shoulder as he passed by. “Good luck," he told me.

I nodded and took my position.

“..."

I stood in silence and faced the audience, who were unaware of my situation and simply cheered in anticipation of the performance. I quietly battled with the rising heat from the lights and the pressure of facing the audience alone. I closed my eyes and focused hard on the performance.

Soon, the intro to “Chronos” began and, as I moved along with the music, cheers erupted for every movement I made. Strangely, as soon as the song started and I began to move, my irritation and anxiety about the heat were quickly overshadowed.

I diligently carried on with my part.

***

“...Hmm.”

The atmosphere backstage was eerily silent. While Suh Hyun-Woo performed on stage, the previously lively members quietly turned away from the camera and watched him. It all started when Kang Joo-Han came in and silently stared at the stage with a serious expression. The members noticed Kang Joo-Han's displeased look and discreetly monitored Hyun-Woo's performance together. They soon realized he seemed much tenser than usual.

“Look at Hyun-Woo. He's sweating a lot."

“Does he look unwell because it's too hot?"

“The heat really did spike to an uncomfortable level. It's incredibly hot."

“But is Hyun-Woo really okay? Is he just tense because of the heat...?"

He looked unusually pale, as if he was sick. Of course, not many would notice Suh Hyun-Woo's oddity, but at least the dedicated Rings watching the broadcast could quickly pick up on his unusual demeanor. He seemed to be trying to manage his facial expression...

Usually, Suh Hyun-Woo was the best among the members at controlling his facial expressions and emotions on stage. It was unlikely he'd look this anxious just because of the heat.

‘What could be the problem?' As the members continued to speculate, they all turned their gaze back to Suh Hyun-Woo, each of them lost in thought. Despite their concerns, Suh Hyun-Woo, who was performing his solo, soon returned to normal. His typical facial expressions were back, and he regained the fluidity in the dance moves that had momentarily stiffened.

‘Ah, maybe he has finally adjusted to the heat,’

the members thought. They were somewhat relieved. However, their worry didn't diminish.

“...It's time to go. Get ready."

“Okay."

Suh Hyun-Woo's solo was nearing its end. Following Kang Joo-Han's instructions, the members joined Hyun-Woo on stage one by one. Thus, the performances of “Chronos” and “Blue Room Party" concluded without any significant issues. The trouble occurred during the final stage, “Parade."

***

Immediately following the “Blue Room Party" performance, the production staff checked the stage temperature and suggested another break before the final stage. It was regrettable for the audience, but it was a necessary decision to ensure the performers' safety.

“What the fuck is with these lights? Why is the equipment so crappy here? Even a live cafe wouldn't be this bad."

“Exactly. Not like we expected Callia's side to provide a good stage anyway."

The main writer of Again After Rainfall sighed deeply. The director also sighed heavily. “At least it's not too noticeable on screen..."

In person, it was blatantly obvious that the performers were increasingly drained by the heat.

“What if we reduced the number of lights?"

“That’s impossible. They are all controlled together."

“But the members are already struggling with the choreography. Now they also have this heat to worry about. What if someone collapses?"

“What can I say to that… There is not much I can do."

The two exchanged glances as they watched the members, who were drenched in sweat. They were frantically seeking water during the brief break.

Everyone's face had turned red. They were trying to cool down, but Suh Hyun-Woo looked particularly unwell. If someone were to collapse due to the heat from the lights, there was no doubt it would be Suh Hyun-Woo, given his pale complexion.

The director stopped a crew member who was providing water to the Chronos members and asked, “How are the members doing? Is Hyun-Woo okay?"

“Uh... They seem fine to me. Maybe they’re just quiet because of the heat?"

The director frowned in dissatisfaction at the youngest crew member's opinion. It was clear Suh Hyun-Woo wasn't okay, so why say he was so nonchalantly?

“He doesn't look fine to me. Why are you so irresponsible? Go check on the cast's condition thoroughly and report back. If even one person collapses during the Chronos performance, I’ll make sure you will be disciplined."

“…Okay!"

The director disdainfully watched the youngest crew member belatedly ask about the members' conditions.

“How are we supposed to train him when he’s so clueless? Whatever. How much time do we have left for this break?"

“About three minutes. We should start getting ready."

“Get ready and stand by. This is the last performance, so it should go well somehow."

The director had faith in Chronos. Having monitored many of their performances since their debut, they had never disappointed. Even though the last performance was a recreation of the end-of-year stage, it was expected to go smoothly.

***

Now, there was only one performance left. Wait, was it really just one? It felt like my brain was melting from the heat.

Goh Yoo-Joon approached me. “Wow, it's still so hot. Still, it's better than before. It felt like an outdoor performance in midsummer during ‘Blue Room Party.’”

“It seems the staff opened the doors for a bit,” Joo-Han said. “But it's still too hot."

Goh Yoo-Joon put his hand on my back. It seemed like a gesture meant to ask if I was okay, but I wasn't in the mood to respond.

“Suh Hyun-Woo, pull yourself together. Muster a little more strength."

“…Yeah."

I thought I was hiding it well, but I definitely looked really unwell. The way Goh Yoo-Joon handed me the water bottle and spoke to me was surprisingly mature and reassuring.

I took a sip of water and got up.

“Let's go."

“Okay."

Following the staff's instructions, we headed back to the stage. Having already performed once in the heat, we didn't stiffen on stage like during the “Chronos” performance earlier. Except for occasionally looking up at the lights unknowingly, our last performance was a decent display of our skills.

I hoped that my strange behavior wouldn't be noticed on video, so I slowly adapted to the stage again and led the members. We were performing the latter part of “Parade.” After completing the pair dance with Jin-Sung and our individual dance breaks, we stood side by side for the next part. I exchanged glances with Jin-Sung and signaled him.

[The fireworks are about to go off.]

We discreetly stepped back at the right timing, and soon the word 'fireworks' appeared on the display in front of the stage. While I was busy dancing and preparing mentally for the fireworks to go off, that was when something happened.

Sizzling-

I heard something burning, and an acrid stench reached my nostrils. It was the smell of the lights burning, which I occasionally sensed during long shoots.

I was startled and looked up at the ceiling. It wasn't the first time I smelled something like this, but today felt different. The lights and the temperature had been unusually hot for a while. A wave of extreme anxiety washed over me.

Beep—!

‘What if it falls? If it falls…’

If it falls here…

I shivered in fear and forgot that I was at the front of the stage. I kept looking up at the ceiling.

Boom!!!!

‘Uh…’

A loud explosion and a bright light erupted not from the ceiling, but from a spot a little in front of me, plunging everything into darkness[1].

Beep—!

1. I knew something like this would happen ugh. Poor Hyun-Woo is suffering from his trauma again. Aaah. ☜