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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Debut Showcase Safely! (1)
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Debut showcase day. The day when the fruits of seven years finally ripened.
Inside the moving car, everyone looked tense ahead of their debut stage.
In the dead silence, Baek Si-woo stared out the window and asked,
"Hyung. You okay?"
Cha Jae-hyun nodded without a word.
It seemed like Cha Jae-hyun had decided not to speak a single word from the day he caught a cold until now.
In truth, that was the right approach. Keeping quiet as much as possible was the best way to preserve his voice.
Soon, the car we were in pulled into the TEN Hall parking lot.
The manager turned the wheel and parked in an empty spot, and the members got out of the van one by one.
The weather felt unusually warm today.
"It's finally our debut stage."
We headed to the waiting room to prepare for the showcase. The room was packed with staff prepping outfits and makeup.
"Time to change into costumes."
We changed into our outfits as instructed by the staff. In the mirror, I saw myself in a stage costume with a luxurious curtained school uniform concept.
Only after makeup and hair were perfectly set did we get a moment to rest.
Sitting in a chair, I mulled over potential reporter questions and thought up answers.
If Cha Jae-hyun couldn't respond properly, I'd be the only one who could answer for him.
That's when the manager stepped in front of us.
"You know this, right? The showcase is being live-streamed on YouTube. We have to nail it without any mistakes."
"Yes. Got it."
I leaned back against the chair and closed my eyes.
It didn't feel real. That we had fans now, that in a few hours we'd be on our debut stage, that our song would be out in the world.
Everything felt like a dream.
I made up my mind then. Since I'd come back to life right before debuting, I'd live my life to the fullest. There had to be a reason heaven gave me one more chance….
* * *
We went up on stage for rehearsal.
The lights shining on us, the empty audience seats, and the chatting staff came into view.
Before rehearsal started, Cha Jae-hyun gathered us and held up his smartphone screen.
I scanned the text on the screen.
- It's just rehearsal, but let's do it perfectly. Nail rehearsal, and the main stage will go smoothly.
He really planned to stay silent until the actual performance? It must be frustrating not to speak, but to manage his voice that strictly….
Impressive in more ways than one.
"Hyung. How long are you gonna communicate with your phone?"
Cha Jae-hyun tapped out a response and showed the screen.
- Gotta take care of my throat.
I looked at him with pity. I already knew he'd go off-pitch anyway.
That's when it happened.
"Stand by."
The director, checking lights and cameras, signaled us to start. We hurriedly got into formation and waited for the music.
Soon, the intro to [Blue Sky Below] played. With the dreamy tropical sound, the camera swept over us.
After singing the verse part, I glanced at Cha Jae-hyun.
'His part's next.'
Dancing, I listened closely to his part. Cha Jae-hyun finished it with a relaxed voicing, no strain on his throat.
I couldn't tell exactly how bad his throat was, but it was clear he was trying his utmost not to use it.
'His throat must be that rough.'
Baek Si-woo and Eun Hae-sol's parts passed, and then it was my turn. I hit my notes cleanly, then shifted my gaze to Song Yu-bin.
Song Yu-bin seemed off today—maybe nerves—his throat was overly tense.
'Hmm….'
We finished the stage and came down.
Overall quality wasn't bad. Eun Hae-sol was still awkward, but at least he kept the beat now. Baek Si-woo didn't get nervous anyway.
The problems were Cha Jae-hyun and Song Yu-bin…. Neither was showing their true skills.
Cha Jae-hyun had the highest chance of going off-pitch. Of course, I'd planned a cover, so that was fine.
Song Yu-bin. He needed some mental care, stat.
Click—
One hour before the main stage.
Back in the waiting room, I spoke to Song Yu-bin first.
"Yu-bin."
"Yeah?"
"Nervous?"
Song Yu-bin nodded.
Any rookie on the eve of debut would be nervous. Except cases like Baek Si-woo, who didn't think much.
Even without looking closely, I could tell. His body was stiffer than usual.
How to loosen him up? As I pondered, a self-cam suddenly burst in.
The self-cam staff asked,
"One hour until the debut showcase. How're you feeling?"
"Uh…."
Song Yu-bin's shoulders hunched at the sudden camera.
"That is."
He seemed even more tense than before. No good. I put my hand on his shoulder and answered for him.
"Yu-bin's really nervous. Probably 'cause he's the maknae."
"...."
"Can I answer for him?"
The self-cam staff nodded okay.
"I'm excited and nervous to meet the fans for the first time. It's a stage we've poured everything into, so we'll give our all to make sure everyone leaves without regrets."
I finished with a bright smile.
The self-cam staff moved on to other members, leaving us alone.
Song Yu-bin hung his head.
"Still nervous?"
"…Dunno."
"So, yeah, you are?"
Song Yu-bin mumbled and said, "Yeah." I patted his back.
"You can do it. I watched you during trainee days. You work harder than anyone."
Song Yu-bin gave a stiff smile.
"Thanks, hyung."
Maybe a bit relaxed now.
Couldn't tell from his face, but I hoped he'd eased up some. I sat in the chair.
Cha Jae-hyun sat next to me.
'Today's mark-one target is Cha Jae-hyun.'
I glanced around and activated the quest window.
Ding—
The quest window popped up as I tapped.
[Sub Quest]
- On debut showcase day, during the performance, member ○○○ will have an off-note. Make sure no one notices.
After racking my brain to clear the quest, my conclusion: The quest wasn't to prevent the off-note. It was to hide it from everyone.
Simple solution. Sing along simultaneously on the higher-note parts of Cha Jae-hyun's section.
That way, no one would even notice he went off-pitch.
'Where will it happen? I think probably….'
Song's latter half. The build-up part.
'Probably there.'
Having to cover Cha Jae-hyun's entire part was daunting….
'For the debut stage, I have to.'
I clenched my fist, resolved.
"Time to go up soon!"
Time flew, and it was stage time. Fans' voices echoed from outside.
We stepped forward, one foot at a time.
'Debut, finally.'
* * *
- Waaaaah!
Cheers erupted as we took the stage. The audience seats were packed. The hall full of fans felt totally different from before.
Startled by the echo for a moment. Then, a VCR introducing us played on the stage screen. Members' faces and names scrolled by.
In the darkness, we waited for the song to start.
'Ha, no helping it.'
My heart pounded like mad. Clutching my chest, I lifted my head.
'No mistakes. And….'
Somehow hide Cha Jae-hyun's off-note.
Lights blazed as the video ended. Music started, and we moved from formation.
Nailing intro beats, then kicking forward as verse began.
- smile smile
Blue sky below, us
Always that same smile
Shall we laugh together
Members drew soft curves, dispersing. Next up: Cha Jae-hyun's part.
- Dazzlingly
Shining memories
So they don't shatter
I doubted my ears for a second.
Cha Jae-hyun's voice sounded so clear and pure, not like he had a cold at all.
'What the hell?'
My mind raced. A thought flashed.
'No way the one going off-pitch today isn't Cha Jae-hyun?'
Then who?
I shook off the confusion and kept dancing.
'No. Could still be him. Nails the front, blows the back—likely. But if I'm wrong….'
Time ticked mercilessly, stage nearing end.
Chorus hit amid the frenzy. Flashy group choreo section.
- Blue sky below
Always wanna laugh together
Your blue smile, blue sky
Blue sunshine, blue eyes
No room for other thoughts, packed solid with moves.
Then Cha Jae-hyun's high note.
'Will he crack here?'
His voice earlier sounded recovered.
But couldn't rule out collapse on high notes.
There—Cha Jae-hyun staring at the crowd, eyes shaky.
'Damn. No clue.'
- Dazzlingly
Shining memories
So they don't shatter
As his part started, I doubled high harmony.
Cha Jae-hyun shot me a startled look at the sudden double.
Wait. Buried in my voice, but….
'Cha Jae-hyun. Didn't go off?'
Part zipped by.
Turning, I saw Song Yu-bin, face pale as death.
'Ah. No way.'
Song Yu-bin frowned, singing.
- Always stay blue
At the end, his voice cracked like tearing.
'Damn it.'
Realization hit.
The off-note wasn't Cha Jae-hyun. It was Song Yu-bin.
'Overlooked it. His part wasn't tough range, never imagined he'd crack….'
That instant, blocking my view:
[Sub Quest Failed!]
The damn system window.
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