* * *
“Gilsung! Gilsung!”
Dansol clutched the phone, on the verge of cutting out, crying uncontrollably. With the sirens blaring and unable to confirm the members’ condition, Dansol was in a state of panic.
“Dansol! Joo Dansol!”
“Uh… huh? Woohyun? Woohyun, are you okay? Are the others okay too?”
“Yeah… we’re all okay. We just got minor injuries. So don’t come.”
“What are you talking about? You got hurt! I have to…”
Desperate to rush to them, Woohyun insisted Dansol stay.
Feeling overwhelmed, Dansol wanted to cry like a child.
Did altering their fate cause the members to suffer the accident instead?
Dansol remembered the pain of having bones shattered when hit by a car.
“You have to perform. Do you know what a big opportunity this is for us?”
“How can I do it alone…! Woohyun, are the others really okay?”
“They’re fine. So, perform by yourself.”
“I can’t do it alone…!”
“You need to do well so next time we all can be the main act. How long will we be someone’s backup?”
“Woohyun… I’m sorry.”
“Huh… are you thinking of running away again?”
Disappointment filled Woohyun’s voice at Dansol’s sudden apology.
Rushing to explain, Dansol spoke like a rapper.
“It’s not that… yesterday… and the day before… I said harsh things and ignored your messages… I was wrong to scold you for missing practice. I should have apologized sooner…”
Meanwhile, the makeup team was waiting for Dansol to finish the call.
Hearing Gilsung, it seemed the director had often sent the members on personal errands like this.
Dansol felt ashamed for thinking only they had struggled.
Doohyun was right. While other members also fought their battles, Dansol had been trapped in the mindset of suffering alone.
“I thought I was the only one struggling. I’m sorry for that too… I’ll try… I don’t know if it will be accepted… If it’s okay for me to be alone, I’ll do my best. So don’t worry and come back safely.”
― What is it… are you telling me to come quickly or safely?
“Just come quickly and safely!”
― Ugh… Got it. I have to go now. Goodbye.
“Okay… um… are the other members really alright?”
― I told you, they’re fine. Don’t worry, hyung. Just worry about yourself. Don’t cry.
“Alright…”
As Dansol wiped away his tears with his sleeve, the makeup artist asked with a worried expression.
“Dansol, are you okay? Did the members have a car accident?”
“Yes… um… the other members can’t come… but I want to go on stage alone… who should I tell about this?”
“Knock, knock, I’m the manager for Joo Dansol.”
While Dansol anxiously awaited the decision from the opening ceremony organizers, Jisoo and Daesoo entered his waiting room, their hands full of lunchboxes.
The room, meant for all eight members, felt empty and lonely, but the presence of Jisoo and Daesoo helped Dansol mask his troubled heart.
“We heard. I’ll take you to the hospital after this. Don’t worry.”
“Hyung, aren’t you busy…?”
“No, not at all. I’m not as popular as you think.”
“Me neither.”
If Dansol knew that Jisoo and Daesoo had rescheduled appointments with the agency head, magazine editors, advertisers, and even famous directors overseas just to see him, he might have fainted from the shock.
“So, eat this first.”
Since yesterday, Jisoo had been constantly feeding Dansol.
Even though he couldn’t taste the food, thinking about the members, he forced himself to eat to stay focused and endure in this uncertain situation.
Watching him, Daesoo rummaged through a bag, likely from a convenience store, and handed him a water bottle.
“You guys are like mom and dad.”
“What?!”
“…”
Dansol, his mouth full, forced a bright smile.
“When I was in school, I envied kids whose parents came to support them during events. My parents were always too busy… but today, you two feel like that.”
“Haha… really…? Haha… if you’re happy, then… I… I’m glad too.”
Jisoo forced a smile to avoid hurting the already swollen-eyed Dansol.
While pondering who among them played the ‘mom’ role, Daesoo interrupted.
“I don’t like it.”
Ignoring Jisoo ’s silent plea, Daesoo frowned and spoke his mind.
Startled, Dansol quickly apologized.
“Ah… sorry, it might have offended you… I’m just, today’s too…”
“I mean, I don’t like that you feel that way.”
“What…?”
Dansol, eyes wide, couldn’t believe his ears.
Jisoo also wore a similar expression, like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.
Knock, knock.
The sudden knock broke the silence.
“Dansol, the director says it’s better for you to go on stage alone. Can you rehearse with Zeus now?”
“…Yes!”
It seemed the organizers had agreed to let Dansol perform solo.
Holding up his hanbok to avoid dragging it, Dansol left the room but turned back as if remembering something.
“Ah…! Daesoo hyung! Thank you. You made me laugh a little.”
Seeing the slight smile on Dansol’s face, Daesoo felt proud. Jisoo , still confused, looked at him.
“Hey… what was that about? Explain it to me.”
“You wouldn’t get it.”
“Does it mean good or bad…?”
It wasn’t strange for the performance to be canceled, but the Zeus members’ strong opinions played a crucial role in Dansol being allowed on stage.
Changing the choreography for a solo performance put the spotlight on Dansol, potentially making him the lead.
However, led by Taeoh, the Zeus members not only supported Dansol but also reworked the choreography to make him shine.
Such decisions were not easy, especially with the event approaching fast.
“Dansol, when you come out from here, we’ll circle around you. Then do the dance with Taeoh and move to the right.”
Dansol concentrated more than ever, quickly learning the choreography and movements. Despite tearing up thinking about the members, he couldn’t give up.
‘I have to do well so next time, all our members can take the lead!’
Determined not to end up as a burden on the failed idol group like before his regression, Dansol pushed himself.
Feeling the sweat trickling down under his hanbok layers, Dansol finished the rehearsal.
For the final performance, he wore red-tinted lenses and red lipstick to create a dreamy look.
The hair team alternated between a silver wig and a jet-black wig before choosing the silver one, tying it with a red ribbon.
The fantasy-like wig suited Dansol perfectly.
“Now I see why scholars would give their hearts and livers to a gumiho.”
“Yeah, really.”
Daesoo and Jisoo , who had been watching Dansol and noticed the unusual atmosphere he exuded, tried to speak to him, but Dansol was too busy closing his eyes and muttering to himself as he reviewed his dance moves.
“Joo Dansol! Standby!”
“…Yes!”
After some time had passed, the commotion outside ceased, and soon after the sound of fireworks from the stadium, a staff member came into the waiting room to fetch Dansol.
The staff member visibly startled upon seeing Daesoo and Jisoo standing at the door.
Jisoo , ever the smooth talker, spoke up.
“Hello. I’m Joo Dansol’s temporary manager today. Please take good care of him.”
“Oh… yes… I’m a fan too!”
Startled by Jisoo ’s smile and Daesoo’s presence, the staff member led Dansol out of the waiting room in a hurry.
“Hyung! I’m going now!”
“Yeah, don’t be nervous!”
“Do well.”
* * *
*Summary page is only available for login users. Non-users can view the chapters on the chapter list.*
The more he succeeds here the more evident it becomes that his life was destroyed just because to the whims of a few assholes in his previous life it becomes even more depressing g
i am hopeful daesol’s members repent