Chapter 193: Joy (30)

“I told you ‘Once Again’ was going to be on the list! Didn't I say it felt like ‘Once Again’ would make an appearance? I told you!!!"

“Alright, alright, I get it! No need to shake me up! Let's take a look!"

The two ardent fans of Kim Jin-Wook couldn't contain their thrill at the sound of the familiar tune. It was a track from before his official debut, one that had graced the airwaves in a live radio session. However, it remained unsung by Kim Jin-Wook himself. Given the plethora of clues, the fans couldn’t be clueless as they had loved him since the Air Senior era.

“Does this mean Suh Hyun-Woo is the surprise guest or something?"

“Man, it'd be hilarious if Suh Hyun-Woo were to come out. Seriously! Hahaha."

During the

Pick We Up

era, they were anything but chummy. In fact, their interactions were so frosty it seemed a fight could break out between them at any moment. They never openly discussed the state of their camaraderie, but it was obvious. The notion of their bond evolving into one of the entertainment industry's most celebrated friendships post-

Pick We Up

was beyond anyone's guess.

Nevertheless, Kim Jin-Wook finding a buddy was a positive turn for both him and his fanbase. They were well aware that Jin-Wook’s somewhat introverted nature made it hard for him to make friends. Some fans were genuinely grateful to Suh Hyun-Woo for his companionship.

Kim Jin-Wook, who had been standing solo on stage, sneakily glanced to his left before shifting his position with a nonchalant demeanor. Soon after, the loudspeakers carried the melodious sound of a beautiful voice.

Is there a place to step,

Or nowhere to stand?

Suddenly, anxiety creeps in

?

And then, Suh Hyun-Woo made the entrance.

“Whoa!!!!"

The auditorium was packed with Kim Jin-Wook's enthusiasts, and it erupted into a frenzy of cheers and awe as a well-known face appeared on stage.

“There he is, there he is! Dude, it's the original ‘Once Again’ damn it! Aaah! Jin-Wook!!!!"

“Would you quiet down a bit? Hey, it's kind of embarrassing, knock it off..."

Undeterred by her friend's attempts to calm her down, a fan energetically shook her light stick.

Suh Hyun-Woo was met with roaring applause and flashed a warm smile before taking his place next to Kim Jin-Wook.

“He may not be my favorite, but boy, he is fucking cute!" The two fans managed to stay composed amidst the excitement and offered an impartial observation, admiring the duo with a contented grin.

Suh Hyun-Woo's cheeky smile toward Kim Jin-Wook melted away his usual stern facade. Instead, a tender nod of acknowledgment graced his face. With a pat on Jin-Wook's back, perhaps as a sign of camaraderie, Suh Hyun-Woo then distanced himself from him to refocus on the melody at hand.

The affection between them was reflected in their gazes. The way they supported each other’s solo tracks and first music variety shows, and their unmistakable expressions of joy upon seeing each other on stage... What a beautiful friendship to behold! Even as the audience remained uproarious, Suh Hyun-Woo’s song carried on undeterred.

Even if I run nonstop, there's no end in sight,

Time keeps slipping by, leaving me behind

The resolutions that once tore through my heart...

?

“This is so nice. It's my first time listening to it live."

“Me too. Never imagined we'd actually get to hear the original live."

“They even coordinated their outfits."

“Oh man, this is giving me major

Pick We Up

vibes."

Kim Jin-Wook with Suh Hyun-Woo, Kim Jin-Wook with Air Senior, and Kim Jin-Wook with the Team D members... The much-adored Air Senior never debuted, leaving fans in the dark about the other members' current whereabouts. Meanwhile, the Team D members had been busy with their individual group activities since their debut.

For the fans of newly debuted Kim Jin-Wook,

Pick We Up

remained an unforgettable past they had yet to let go of. Thus, seeing the two dressed in coordinated outfits and standing side by side—just as they did during their Team D days—evoked a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy in the fans’ hearts.

The lyrics seemed to tell the story of Jin-Wook as well, and Suh Hyun-Woo's voice carried such a deep sadness, causing the hearts of Jin-Wook's fans, which had grown strong through his rap, to melt away bit by bit.

“Jin-Wook can sing really well too..."

“Right..." Amidst all this, they couldn't help but fantasize about how it would sound if Jin-Wook sang this part.

My breathing is rough,

And the morning begins without me

To the boy who once wanted to give up,

Opportunity whispers again,

Once more, just once more

?

Suh Hyun-Woo stepped away from the microphone. As Kim Jin-Wook's part drew near, the fans rallied once again with enthusiastic cheers. True to form, Jin-Wook took up the mic and started to sing with a somber expression.

The boy's hope is trampled even with gritted teeth and effort,

Nothing goes as planned,

Blocked on all sides,

Enemies everywhere

?

From the very first note, his voice seemed to weigh heavily on the listeners' hearts. It was an emotion that hinted at a deep-seated anguish being carefully restrained. This distinctive voice was precisely why they remained loyal fans of Kim Jin-Wook, even after the dissolution of Air Senior.

“Ah, Jin-Wook..."

Falling, kneeling, tears flowing,

Stand up again,

Close your eyes,

And run,

Becoming an adult wounded like a child

?

But it's okay,

When light seeps into your closed eyelids,

Slowly open your eyes,

And before you know it, you'll be holding your dream

Following the part, an extended instrumental interlude ensued. “Once Again” performed live by the Halo band was slightly altered, but it enhanced the live experience for the audience, making it even more exhilarating. Suh Hyun-Woo had been avoiding eye contact with Kim Jin-Wook, having his eyes closed as if immersed in the song since his entrance. He only lifted his head to sing his final part after Jin-Wook's part ended.

It's going to be okay.

At the end of this long run, there'll be a finish line,

It's alright,

Dreams do come true after trials

As Suh Hyun-Woo's part came to a close, the Halo band intensified their effort. When the stage lights dimmed, suddenly, the screen at the back of the stage lit up, displaying images of the two practicing together during

Pick We Up

in sepia tones.

Suh Hyun-Woo involuntarily tightened his grip on the microphone as he was caught off guard by the images, and indescribable emotions washed over him. However, with everyone's attention fixed on the screen, no one noticed his reaction.

As the video concluded, the music from the Halo band gradually faded and brought the duo's performance to a close. Thereafter, applause and cheers fitting the ambiance of a talk show resonated from the audience. It was a performance that truly conveyed the message of the lyrics, which the two had written together.

Suh Hyun-Woo beamed with a broad smile and bowed in gratitude before looking over at Kim Jin-Wook. He then whispered something in Jin-Wook's ear, the content of which remained a mystery to the audience. Fans speculated it was probably something along the lines of "You were amazing, hyung."

- That was wonderful! Truly an amazing performance.

Halo commented as he approached with his chair. Kim Jin-Wook and Suh Hyun-Woo simultaneously smiled and waved at the audience. Then they took their seats provided by the production team.

- I've always wanted to hear “Once Again” live in its original form. My wish finally came true today.

“Thank you."

“Thank you."

- This was the first time both of you performed it live together, right? How does it feel? Let's start with Hyun-Woo.

“Wow!!!" the audience responded enthusiastically as Suh Hyun-Woo took the microphone.

“Uh... Haha, thank you." With a bashful smile, Suh Hyun-Woo greeted the audience again and added, “I had performed it once on the radio, as Senior Halo mentioned. Back then, Jin-Wook had a schedule conflict with Chronos, and we couldn't perform it together, which was really disappointing."

- Right. Was it Jin-Sung who sang it back then? Is that correct?

“Yes."

- And Jin-Sung is actually here in the audience today.

Halo pointed out Lee Jin-Sung, who was sitting in the front row. As Lee Jin-Sung's face appeared on the screen beside the stage, the audience's cheers made him laugh and shyly cover his face.

“Jin-Sung is a huge fan of Jin-Wook. He really wanted to hear it live, so he came with us."

- Oh, that's wonderful. It's great to see you after such a long time.

Lee Jin-Sung nodded and gave a thumbs-up in response to Halo's words.

“I've always hoped for a chance to perform live with Jin-Wook, so I'm truly grateful that he invited me first. It was such a pleasure."

- Great. And Jin-Wook, how about you?

“I..." Kim Jin-Wook paused as he was lost in thought, looking at Suh Hyun-Woo.

Suh Hyun-Wook lifted the microphone in his hand and said, “What? Come on, be honest. Spill it."

The audience chuckled as Suh Hyun-Woo teased Kim Jin-Wook, who likely reminisced about the times they had playfully helped each other during

Pick We Up.

“To be honest, I didn't think you'd help. You were always so busy and always saying no."

“Wow, when have I ever said no? You were the more reluctant one. Hey, I'd always run to help if hyung called."

“Huh?" Kim Jin-Wook laughed off Suh Hyun-Woo's sly remark, and the audience took it as friendly banter. Therefore, they couldn't help but laugh at the serious yet amusing exchange. Halo, too, watched the two with a content smile.

- Alright, calm down, you two. It's funny because my next question is actually related to this situation.

"The next question..." Kim Jin-Wook muttered and sat up straight. Halo then glanced at the cue card and chuckled.

- Known in the music industry as close friends who exchange musical ideas. However, there have been reports from staff members that the two of you actually fight incessantly, causing quite a worry.

“Ah." Suh Hyun-Woo looked toward the back of the stage with an unoffended smile. That was when Lee Su-Hwan pointed at Kim Jin-Wook’s manager sitting next to him.

- Haha, the Chronos’s manager just said ‘No, it wasn’t me. It was Jin-Wook’s manager over there,’ haha!

“Wow, to think the truth would come out like this... Hahaha,” Suh Hyun-Woo said teasingly.

- Oh? So, is this report true then?

Prompted by Halo’s question, Kim Jin-Wook and Suh Hyun-Woo both picked up their microphones.

“That’s true.”

“Yes.”