Chapter 277: First Full Album (13)

There was just one week left until the music video would be released. This imminent deadline meant that our comeback was drawing closer by the day. It seemed that YMM Entertainment, which was usually buzzing with activity, decided to push many issues aside for the time being and focus solely on the comeback.

After addressing the stalker issue with official notices and articles, they avoided further comments and dedicated their efforts to taking care of Chronos.

In the wake of Hyuk-Soo's departure, the vacant road manager position was promptly filled by someone personally brought in by Su-Hwan—his junior Kim Tae-Seong. He was a tall and muscular man with a blunt demeanor. He had a background in security and was new to management.

Nevertheless, Su-Hwan assured us he was fit to be a part of the team. Tae-Seong was even quieter and more stoic than Su-Hwan, but he was diligent.

“I’ve known Tae-Seong since college, so I know what kind of person he is. You can trust him for sure," Su-Hwan had vouched when Tae-Seong joined as a manager.

True to Su-Hwan’s words, Tae-Seong quickly adapted and proved his worth in a short period of time. What earned him additional trust was his careful avoidance of his personal phone during work, which was a habit he adopted to prevent any potential unease among the members.

“He turns it off voluntarily to avoid making the members anxious.” Su-Hwan later explained, appreciating Tae-Seong’s thoughtfulness amid our ongoing concerns about information leaks.

As the comeback neared, we were deep into grueling practices for "Phantom Command."

“Aaagh! It’s too painful! Aaagh!" Goh Yoo-Joon screamed as he danced. His hesitance was evident, yet every beat seemed to compel him to keep going. This embodied the reluctant but inevitable performance of a capitalist idol who worked for money.

Goh Yoo-Joon appeared desperate for a break and sneaked glances at Lee Jin-Sung for any sign of reprieve. However, Jin-Sung, our dance leader, responded with even greater intensity. “No wayyyyy! Keep going! From now on, it’s a real mental fight!"

What a crazy bastard. It was torturous, but Jin-Sung relished the challenge. I gritted my teeth and followed his lead by pushing through with the choreography.

Behind me, Joo-Han called out desperately to Jin-Sung. “Ah... Sung, I think I'm going to collapse. Sung, Lee Jin-Sung!"

Jin-Sung replied with the same intensity he had directed at Goh Yoo-Joon. “Don't collapse! Keep going! Don’t stop!"

The practice room felt more like a boot camp than a dance studio. Yoon-Chan also struggled with the intensity of the choreography right beside me, and he eventually collapsed, probably because he lost the strength in his legs.

Fortunately, Jin-Sung was able to distinguish between those who looked like they were about to faint and those who could still handle it. Yoon-Chan looked as if he was on the brink of death, but he continued the choreography without a word.

The choreography for this title track was truly legendary, surpassing all previous ones in difficulty. While the acrobatics were reduced, the complexity and intensity of dance moves remained high.

From the middle of the first verse, we were so out of breath that carrying out this performance live required immense mental fortitude. However, we eventually became able to perform the entire song live with multiple practice sessions. We were all gasping for breath and unable to sing after just one run-through of the intro choreography at first.

“Yoo-Joon hyung! Your arms are losing strength! Yoon-Chan hyung, get up too! You took too many breaks!"

“Ugh…” Yoon-Chan struggled to his feet and resumed dancing. He looked as if he was on the verge of tears.

“Jin-Sung! I feel like I'm going to die!"

“Ah! Yoo-Joon hyung, you are still okay! Look at Hyun-Woo hyung! He’s the weakest, but still hanging in there! Everyone, you can’t collapse before Hyun-Woo hyung does!"

“…Huff,

I—" I wanted to slap him so badly, but the choreography was so hard that I couldn't even speak, damn it.

In the midst of this, Goh Yoo-Joon chuckled painfully at Jin-Sung’s critical comments directed at me, despite the strain. Throughout the next part of the choreography, Jin-Sung ignored Yoo-Joon’s cries and moved on to his rap section.

? I open my eyes in this night

I stagger and grope along the wall,

Whispering love as I search for you,

I love you, wake up

While Jin-Sung rapped, Goh Yoo-Joon and I flanked him and executed the choreography. Meanwhile, Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan moved to the back to prepare for the next sequence and catch their breath.

? My heart races

Is it fear, or is it love?

When I whisper into closed ears,

The you in this fantasy says

It's love

As Jin-Sung fiercely contorted behind us, Goh Yoo-Joon stepped back in the middle, and I moved a step forward to face Jin-Sung directly. Dancers were not present at the moment, but if they were, they would flock to me to lead me right in front of Jin-Sung.

Jin-Sung rapped and glared at me fiercely. Then, he placed two fingers on my forehead like the barrel of a gun. I slowly dropped to my knees. Jin-Sung's fingers almost touched my forehead, matching my height and descending slowly.

? I only need the you in this fantasy,

I’d kill the real you

Then, as if Jin-Sung had fired the gun with his gesture, I jerked and fell backward. Amidst this, Yoon-Chan stepped forward to continue his part as the beat shifted abruptly to a deep, chilling, or perhaps mournful piano sound. During his part, the rest of us crouched and moved back to prepare for the next choreography.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

? The moon shines like winter,

Can I still see you even in the darkness?

Even if you are from another world,

I can love you without any problems

The fast and rough progression of the song up to Jin-Sung's rap part dramatically calmed down with Yoon-Chan's delicate voice. It was a section that only Yoon-Chan could enhance with his voice, a section that needed his unique touch.

I clutched at my racing heart in the back of the practice room and stood up. Next up was my part. I was tasked with lifting the gentle section of the song back up.

? I will protect my you

Until the morning comes,

From this spot,

I will whisper love forever

Phantom spirit

And then the dance break leading to the highlight of the song began.

***

“Let's take a break," Jin-Sung suggested.

“…Phew, thank you," Joo-Han said, grateful that Teacher Jin-Sung was kind enough to let us rest.

The other members were exhausted. We all collapsed on the floor in unison.

“Ah… I'm going to die…"

I had neither the strength to go grab a water bottle nor the energy to speak. I just lay there, gasping for air while staring at the ceiling.

“…Ah."

I was soaked in sweat, I was mentally exhausted, and I just wished I could close my eyes and take a short nap right there while ignoring the discomfort. Even Jin-Sung, who was usually overflowing with energy, now seemed like he wanted to take a proper rest.

Jin-Sung lay down beside me and asked, “Hyung, whew, was it really tough?"

As I silently nodded, he turned his head to look at all the members and then back at the ceiling. There was a long pause before he spoke. “Let's resume after lunch."

Damn, the sun hadn’t even set yet. It was 4 PM, so it was a very late lunch. I threw one leg over Jin-Sung as I was moved by a surge of emotion.

The practice room door opened, and Manager Tae-Seong entered with sports drinks. “Sorry to interrupt the practice."

“Wow, you are a lifesaver," Goh Yoo-Joon said, out of breath.

Given that everyone was too weak to even walk to the water dispenser, the sports drinks Tae-Seong brought seemed like a salvation. He handed out the drinks to each member before looking at me.

It seemed like he had something to say, so I spoke first. “…What is it, manager?"

This prompted Tae-Seong to come over and extend his hand toward me.

“Can you get up?"

“Yes? Ouch!"

“Wow. That’s crazy.” Jin-Sung exclaimed in amazement.

Without even realizing it, I grabbed his hand and was swiftly pulled up to my feet. He was indeed strong, well, he did have a background in security...

“Can you walk?"

“What’s going on? Oh, yes, I can walk." I quickly answered as I feared he might even carry me if I said I couldn't walk. I asked him why he was acting this way.

Tae-Seong replied with an expressionless face, “Reina is here. I don't know the exact reason, but Senior Su-Hwan has asked for you to come."

“Ah." I remembered hearing that Reina was supposed to come by this afternoon.

As soon as Tae-Seong finished speaking, the members struggled to their feet and staggered past me as if on cue.

"Go ahead. We will go eat."

“Hyun-Woo, take the chance to sneak in some rest. Replenish your energy!"

“Gosh, Joo-Han hyung. That’s not right! You tell me not to use tricks but to practice!"

“Hyun-Woo, go ahead. Enjoy your meal.” Everyone said their goodbyes to me as they headed out to eat.

Tae-Seong glanced at me briefly. “Is it difficult for you to walk? I will carry—"

“No, I can go by myself." I quickly wiped off my sweat with a towel. “I will change clothes and head there myself, so please enjoy your meal, manager."

Tae-Seong looked at me intently before nodding and turning toward the other members.

"Phew." After the practice room door closed, I casually shook my head and changed clothes.

Finally, the meeting with Reina, which kept getting postponed due to the stalking incident, was going to happen. As the comeback date approached, it was also time to start preparing for the collaboration with her.