Chapter 224: Rings Inauguration Ceremony (6)

A draw box was brought onto the stage. Jeong Gyu-Chan held the box and said, “We have collected answers from the Rings beforehand to the question, ‘What would you like Chronos to do for you?’"

“Oh, so we just have to draw from it?"

“Correct. You will fulfill the Rings' wishes by drawing papers from this box. However, we've pre-screened the requests to ensure nothing too awkward comes up. But if there happens to be something like that…" Some staff then handed out “X” signs to each of us.

“Ah, this is for when you really can't do it! If you find something unacceptable, just raise the X sign you are holding."

“Haha! Even if dirt gets in our eyes? Ahahaha." Goh Yoo-Joon joked and shook the X sign.

“But please use it wisely. You can only raise the sign once."

“Only once?"

“Yes."

Perhaps it was to prevent misuse of the X sign for slightly inconvenient requests. With so many Rings, who knew how many opinions were submitted. In any case, pre-screening only meant filtering out those that wouldn't cause accidents, so I was still worried about getting the awkward requests.

“Don't worry too much. Who wants to draw first?"

As the members hesitated, I raised my hand. “I will go first."

“Ah, such courage befitting the sub-leader!"

“Nah, one of us has to do it anyway. Plus, the request might not be for me but someone else in the group," I said, and Jeong Gyu-Chan gave me a cheesy wink.

“You are sharp. Indeed, the order doesn't really matter."

I then confidently reached into the box and pulled out the topmost piece of paper.

“Hyun-Woo, please unfold the paper."

“Okay.”

[Chronos group performing “Rasputin” together!]

“Ah, haha, it is a request for the entire Chronos to dance ‘Rasputin’. This is, umm."

“Ah, Rasputin! The one Yoon-Chan did on

Flying Man

, right?"

Jeong Gyu-Chan's comment made Jin-Sung clap in admiration. “Wow, a true fan right here. I didn’t expect you to even know that."

“I told you that I'm a true Ring."

Joo-Han laughed. “Are you a High Tension fan at High Tension meetings and a Street Center fan at Street Center meetings? Haha. I've heard rumors that you like all sorts of groups."

“Ah! I am exposed. Haha! Anyway, as far as I know, ‘Rasputin’ is a favorite among you guys at the dorm even before you performed in

Flying Man

."

I replied, “That's right. It's a challenging song from a dance game, and it’s especially loved by Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung. But what about the copyright, can we play it right now?"

I recalled Yoon-Chan getting permission to play it from his phone on

Flying Man

. Looking backstage, I saw the staff conferred and then gave the okay sign.

I nodded and said, “They say it's okay."

“Wow! We are actually going to see Chronos perform ‘Rasputin’ live," said Jeong Gyu-Chan. We all stood up and pushed Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung to the front. Then, we took our places behind them.

“It's been a while since we did this, so I'm a bit rusty."

“It's okay, muscle memories!"

“Let's have the music, please!"

As the intro started, it was unbelievable! Jin-Sung was right. Despite thinking we'd forgotten, the three of us in the back, excluding Joo-Han, experienced the miraculous sensation of our bodies moving automatically.

Maybe it was because we had repeated it nonstop for a while before. Although we were confused, we diligently performed.

“Incredible! Chronos delivers sharp choreography to ‘Rasputin’!”

It was truly embarrassing, but our bodies moved on their own.

Contrary to their baffled expressions, the Rings laughed joyfully at our sync movements. Now, I felt somewhat like a comedian.

Meanwhile, Joo-Han tried to follow along but soon gave up. He just stood there and said, “My joints hurt. Aaaaah, I might get arthritis if I continue!"

“What do you mean?!" asked Yoo-Joon.

“I just heard a bone crack from his knee," I replied.

“We seriously need to get a physical age test for him!...Wow, doing this after so long feels like…!"

After Joo-Han, Goh Yoo-Joon, and I gave up, “Rasputin” performance ended and we continued reading the Rings’ requests. We then showcased our charm catchphrases, Yoon-Chan's nursery rhymes, and my flexibility test.

“Now, shall Jin-Sung draw the lot next?"

“Sure.” Jin-Sung stirred his hand in the box and then pulled out a piece of paper.

“...

Pfft

!

Ahem

. Please make peace with each other, you same-aged buddies.”

“What?” The request prompted both Jeong Gyu-Chan and the Rings to burst into laughter.

“Right. The two of you are famous for your frequent spats. Let's be honest here. Have you fought today?"

“Nah, not today."

“You might think we fight from the morning till night, but that's not true. We are actually quite close."

Just as Goh Yoo-Joon and I were getting along for once, Jin-Sung blurted out without any tact, “Oh, don't lie, you two! I don't know why, but earlier, Hyun-Woo hyung's ring got caught in Yoo-Joon hyung's outfit during wrestling, and you both started blaming each other, didn't you?"

“No, no, no, no, no." Goh Yoo-Joon quickly covered Jin-Sung's mouth and pushed him away. “Everyone might misunderstand, but wrestling with each other is like taking a daily walk. It definitely doesn’t count as fighting," I explained.

“Yes, because those two can't help but quarrel every second they breathe," laughed Joo-Han.

Jeong Gyu-Chan chuckled after hearing our conversation and said, “Alright, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon, please come forward. We hope you make peace."

“We were actually not fighting."

“Now, please shake hands."

“

Aagh

!" At Jeong Gyu-Chan's words, the fans screamed, and we yelped. We absolutely couldn’t do this cringy stuff.

Goh Yoo-Joon and I tried to grab our X signs, but Joo-Han just smirked and tore them in half. The fans laughed heartily while we were forced to hold hands by Jeong Gyu-Chan. He said, “Okay, then… Please say something nice to each other. No fighting! Let's start with sub-leader Hyun-Woo."

I grimaced and then spoke grudgingly. “Yoo-Joon."

“Yeah."

“To be honest, I've told the manager about switching rooms because of your nightly gaming habit and snoring."

“Oh, what?"

“I even thought about sharing a room with Jin-Sung, who snores louder. But I'm thankful for you waking me up every morning… thank you very much. Let's make peace."

As I spoke, Jeong Gyu-Chan looked intrigued and said, “Wow, that was a bombshell about roommates almost splitting up! But a peace request has been made! Now, Yoo-Joon, it's your turn."

“Hyun-Woo."

“What?"

“Remember when we were trainees and went on a school trip?"

“...Wait, hold on." I desperately tried to cover Goh Yoo-Joon's mouth, but our hands were intertwined, and I couldn’t cover his mouth quickly enough.

“Do you remember when I decided to share a room with another friend, and you declared a week-long silent treatment toward me?"

“..."

“Since then, we've been eternal roommates. Well, lately you've been a bit restless in your sleep too, but I understand. Let's make peace."

What was all this now? Goh Yoo-Joon and I glared at each other, barely smiling.

‘You are bringing that up, you bastard?’

Contrary to our feelings, the atmosphere was still cheerful, and Jeong Gyu-Chan gleefully said, “Well, I hope you two can agree on your roommate situation. For now, let's make peace. Give each other a hug and say 'I love you.’"

“Can't we just say 'X’?"

“No, you cannot."

I resignedly opened my arms, and Goh Yoo-Joon nodded with a reluctant face.

“Mmm… I love you."

“Love... you."

Then, we hugged each other for 0.1 second. With that, the request for a peaceful resolution was somehow fulfilled, and the lengthy talk session concluded.

It was almost the final part of the ceremony, so we changed our outfits again. The next songs were “Chronos” and an acoustic version of “History.”

***

Producer Do had arranged the setlist's final song “History ver. Acoustic,” excluding “Joy” to leave a lingering impression that fit its place toward the end.

Because I know the weight of effort

I will cheer you on

I want to be that kind of colleague who can push your back

It’s nice, isn’t it?

?

Perhaps the slightly breathless state from the “Chronos” performance actually enhanced the poignant emotion unique to “History.”

So many tears have been shed

Day by day, preserving through, repeating ‘Just one more time,’ countless times

I remember all your frustrations

?

The lyrics were filled with the heartfelt sentiments of the fourteen trainees who were once together. I wondered if that was why singing this song always brought such a surge of emotions. At the tail end of the fan meeting, we believed it wasn’t the end as we sang each word with care, illuminated by the glow sticks meant just for us.

I believe this is not the end

If we keep walking, someday we will meet at the same place

?

“Huh?”

The Rings started to sing louder than us, so we got confused and lowered our microphones.

Cry once more and rise again

Trust in me once more for the last time

I will run so much that you will never have any regrets

?

Soon after, we realized it was a sing-along event from the Rings. This time, our Rings sang for us, and the venue lit up as they uniformly held up the slogans.

[Let’s run together. Far enough to have no regrets.]