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Chapter 136: End-of-Year Stage (6)

“How was it? Not too bad, right?”

I was trying to catch my breath and chugging cold water when members from the second part team, including the Allure members and Jin-Sung, came over and sat beside me. They were sweaty too, but not as drained as my team.

“Looks like this guy is about to collapse, huh?”

“Was it really that tough?”

I managed to shoot them a weak smile and said, “I\'m okay. It\'s tough, but I can handle it.”

Honestly, I would have openly complained to the Allure members about feeling like I was on my last leg if the cameras weren\'t rolling.

“Don\'t you all have solo stages to do? Are you sure you are okay?” Da-Win asked.

“The solo stages are fine. It’s the group choreography that\'s a bit more challenging...” I replied.

The solo routines were a breeze compared to the group dance. Sure, they were demanding, but we had practiced, and we knew how to up our game as the main dancers of our respective groups.

The real challenge was the group choreography following the solos. Blending more contemporary moves was a struggle for everyone, and we had to practice at a snail\'s pace.

Only Yoo Jeon-Hwa, who majored in contemporary dance, could nail the moves. To get the right silhouette, we had to use muscles we never knew existed.

“My muscles are already screaming.” I wouldn’t complain, but I had to let something out.

“Hyung, you look really worn out.” Jin-Sung came up behind me and started working on the knots in my back.

About the back-to-back award ceremonies every other week, I initially thought it would be manageable and considered them similar to a competition stage. Boy, was I wrong. It was like hitting a wall right from the get-go.

“Hyung, you need to take care of yourself. We still have the Chronos stage practice after this, remember?”

“Ah...”

It was definitely overwhelming... and burdensome. This schedule was a killer. I forgot we would be performing with these groups and also prepping a special remix for Chronos at the awards ceremony.

On top of that, we also had to prepare for our next album. It was like surviving by the skin of our teeth.

“We will pull through. Our youngest is tough, right?”

While Jin-Sung massaged me, senior Yoo Jeon-Hwa and Lee Dong-Woo joined in, working on my shoulders.

Feeling the weight of the moment, I said, “Uh... yeah, I will give it my all.”

“We bonded pretty well earlier. Just call me hyung, Hyun-Woo.”

“You guys got close that fast? You are usually so shy around juniors, Jeon-Hwa.”

“That\'s true. I don\'t usually click with juniors, but practicing together changes everything, doesn\'t it?”

The cameras were still rolling, and most of the groups here were friendly with Allure, so they treated us quite well. Also, it seemed like my headbanging and playful antics struck the right chord in their hearts.

“Even Hyun-Woo is coming out of his shell, thanks to the hyungs\' kind treatment.”

“Yeah, the seniors have been super nice.”

“Hyun-Woo, you are the youngest here, right? Feels kinda new and exciting.”

Everyone\'s guard was down, and the vibe had totally shifted. At first, I had been worried about fitting in, but now, it simply felt like hanging out with fun-loving, prankster seniors. I was concerned I wouldn\'t adjust, but they always made sure someone was with me during the solo practice breaks.

“Let\'s get back to filming. Everyone, please head back to the practice room.”

We quickly wrapped up our chat and headed back. Jin-Sung was bouncing around, thrilled to dance again, but the first part idol members, including me, sighed in unison. We shuffled our feet as we returned to the grind.

***

“I will suffer from muscle pain for days.”

“I can\'t go on, teacher. Interpreter, please tell him that if we push ourselves any harder, one of us might actually drop dead.”

After completing the grueling group choreography in just one day, we all fell on the floor.

While the seniors negotiated with Justin for a break, I was panting like crazy, barely able to get a word out.

Saving energy for the Chronos stage practice? Yeah, that went out the window. Justin was very strict, so even if we slacked off a bit, he would quickly notice it and point it out. That was why I had to grit my teeth and give it my all to satisfy him.

“Ah, today\'s group practice was a real disaster,” murmured Cho Min-Seong, who had collapsed beside me.

It looked like everyone was thinking the same thing. The fact that those gathered were key members responsible for the performance made it all the more worrisome for what lay ahead. Ultimately, Justin declared the end of practice in response to our pleas.

“Let’s call it a day! Good job, everyone!"

After Justin left the room, the people in the practice room started to disperse. The practice for the second part members wasn\'t over yet. Lee Dong-Woo headed upstairs to the YU building, while the others left with their individual managers or went to a cafe. The camera crews were also packing the cameras in the practice room and called it a day.

I lay on the practice room floor, acutely aware of my tense muscles. I planned to just rest here until the second part members finished their practice.

“Hyun-Woo, great work today. See you tomorrow.”

“Ah, you\'ve worked hard too! Take care on your way out!”

I got up to say bye to the last staff who were packing up the equipment and then flopped back down. I needed to rest a bit to be ready for the next stage of practice, so I closed my eyes just for a moment in the quiet practice room.

Thunk!

“Uh... what\'s that? Hey, Hyung, someone\'s still here."

Hearing the familiar yet irksome voice, I couldn\'t believe it. I directly brushed off the ache in my muscles and bolted upright. Slowly opening my eyes, I fixed my gaze on the unexpected visitor by the door, and he paused his conversation with someone behind him. When he saw me, his face morphed from surprise to annoyance.

“Why are you here?" he asked.

“I came for the year-end stage practice," I replied.

Kim Jin-Wook was standing at the door, staring at me. Well, he was the last person I expected to see.

“What about you? Why are you here, hyung?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized how dumb my question was. Of course, a YU trainee would use a YU practice room. Great, now I was rambling because I didn\'t want to see him.

“..."

“..."

We were locked in an awkward stare-off, both clearly annoyed. Then, someone suddenly nudged Kim Jin-Wook into the room.

“Why the hesitation? Hurry up, we need to start practicing.... Oh, hello, Hyun-Woo. I thought your practice was over, or is it not?"

The man behind Kim Jin-Wook was a stranger to me. As I nodded at his question, he nudged Jin-Wook again and said, “What are you waiting for? Greet your senior. Oh, wait, aren’t you guys close?"

“We are not close."

“We are not friends."

“Huh?"

Apparently, this guy was Kim Jin-Wook\'s manager. Our simultaneous response seemed to throw him off a bit, but he quickly recovered, encouraging Jin-Wook. “Then go on, greet your senior from Chronos."

Pfft! He called me “Senior.” So now I was Kim Jin-Wook\'s senior. I couldn\'t help but smirk at the irony, while Jin-Wook just scowled.

“We are close."

“Really, Jin-Wook? Why are you making such a fuss about a greeting? That\'s nonsense. Anyway, Hyun-Woo, you can keep using the practice room if you need it. We can find another spot."

Even though I was an artist from a different agency, a debuted idol was generally prioritized over a trainee. If I chose to stay, Jin-Wook would definitely need to find another empty room. They were here because they were told the room was free, so they might not have many other options.

However, I decided to be considerate. “No, it\'s fine. I’m just resting because I’m tired. You guys can use this room."

“Ah, okay! We didn\'t mean to intrude. Please, feel free to stay. We are just going to practice."

“...Maybe I will stick around and watch a bit?" I said with a grin, feeling Jin-Wook\'s fiery glare that was begging me to leave. But what could I do? I was simply too exhausted to move.

“Ugh, I\'m pooped.” Struggling to my feet, I managed to walk over and sit in a corner chair.

Like a pro, the manager handed Jin-Wook a microphone and started working on a laptop. “Jin-Wook, let\'s go over what we did yesterday."

“Okay."

I crossed my legs and adopted a senior\'s air of authority, observing Jin-Wook in action. He still looked annoyed, but as the music started, he immediately focused and started his practice.

It was a rap piece with no specific choreography, a new song I hadn\'t heard before.

I turned to the manager beside me and asked, “Is Jin-Wook hyung making his debut soon?"

“Ah, yes! He must\'ve been too preoccupied to tell you. His debut is scheduled for early next year."

“Oh, is that so? It’s great. He is finally making his debut."

The manager nodded enthusiastically and then let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, right? He was on thin ice for a while, stubborn about not wanting to join a group. But he\'s finally set to debut."

“As a solo artist?"

“Yes, solo. Haha."

Before my regression, he was a self-made rapper, but it seemed like my intervention altered a few life courses. Still, his solo debut remained a constant, which I found rather relieving considering his personality.

“Oh, by the way, Hyun-Woo, you played a significant role in Jin-Wook\'s debut."

“Me?"

What had I done? I was perplexed, and with a genuinely happy tone, the manager explained, “He featured on your solo song, and it became his turning point. From that point on, the higher-ups seriously discussed his debut."

“Ah, that\'s great news."

“So, I think we will contact YMM soon."

“..."

‘Huh? ...Wait. ...What?’ I suddenly got a bad hunch.

"...Contact us?" I asked cautiously, and the manager responded, “After Jin-Wook\'s debut, his first schedule is going to be a music entertainment show. We thought it\'d be great if we could invite you to perform \'Once Again\' with Jin-Wook. After all, both of you are the original singers. But Chronos is so busy these days, so we are thinking of checking with YMM for your availability soon."

I forced a smile and nodded. I guessed that this day would come eventually. When I became famous and Kim Jin-Wook debuted and rose to fame, I knew we\'d end up performing “Once Again” on stage.

Despite Jin-Wook saying we\'d never perform it, the idea came from his side first. While I was responding nonchalantly, I suddenly thought, \'Isn\'t this great?’

“I hope the schedule works out."

It was going to be a busy time with our comeback and the fan club\'s inauguration. But honestly, looking at it objectively, performing with Jin-Wook seemed like a good opportunity for both of us.

When else would I get the chance to perform my solo song live?

Actually, I was fine with it from the moment I asked Jin-Wook to feature in the song. If Jin-Wook could bear it, it was a win-win situation for everyone.

“I\'d really like to perform it if the opportunity arises." I softened my forced smile and just looked at Jin-Wook. Even while rapping, he frowned and sent me a glare as if telling me to look away.

However, I stubbornly kept looking at him and said with a slight smile, “I\'d really like to perform it with Jin-Wook."

‘This is a win-win situation, you dumb.’