Moving Forward

29. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life

RM, Suga, J-Hope and Jimin joined them on stage as the song ended. They got into position with their back-up dancers as ARMY anticipated their next number. When the music began, so did the screaming. This was their debut song, the first choreography they ever presented, and it would be the last time they would be performing it tonight.

So many memories were flashing through their minds and it was hard to focus. They had practiced repeatedly to perfect this performance, to give it the just tribute it deserved so that they would be remembered well. They knew that ARMY would capture every moment, and would play it over and over for many years to come.

They had achieved it all, the big house, big cars and big rings, while following the path they chose for themselves. It had been hard and unbelievable, but they made it. Now they were forming a new dream, a bigger role, one that their younger selves in 2013 would probably find too difficult to imagine. But without ARMY that dream would not be possible.

(Credits to Taetae is lifeu for the video above)

They reached the dance break and, although this was nothing for their younger selves, it was a challenge for their 40 and almost-40-year old bodies. But they had mastered hiding pain and exhaustion from ARMY as BTS and it served them well. The screams were deafening as they executed every move. This used to be J-Hope's shining moment, but everyone was giving off their own sensuous expression. ARMY was dying.

At the end of the number they laughed as they broke formation. "ARMY!" RM called out. "I don't think I can do that anymore." He was covered in sweat, soaking his white shirt. They all were, and ARMY couldn't stop screaming at the sight. They had only worn white shirts and black denims, stripped of elaborate designer costumes. They wanted to be true to their statement: they were enough. They had nothing but talent and the willingness to work hard when they met the world in 2013. And here at the close of their life as BTS, they wanted the world to know that it was enough to get them to the heights that they had reached.

Jimin was visibly tired now but still having fun. He walked about, raised his shirt to show his newly-formed abs and twirled around at the request of ARMY. The screams would not stop. RM also checked on Taehyung who was standing next to Jungkook. He was smiling widely at ARMY and enjoying the moment.

Suga took in the sight of the maknaes and started his spiel so that the rest of them could get back and catch their breath. His shoulder had begun to hurt too, since they started rehearsals, and he was thankful that they only had one choreography left. He could bear it.

"ARMY, you're so lit tonight! But let's let these oldies catch their breath okay?"

"ARMY, my knees are shaking!" Jin shouted. They laughed as he walked over to J-Hope, asking him to touch his knee. Hobi pretended to shake too as he touched it.

"We tried to turn back time tonight and I hope we didn't disappoint you," Suga continued as the rest of the members went backstage to prepare for the next number. "We're getting too old for this. Does it show?"

"Aniyo!"

"Honestly, ARMY, I think our most beautiful moment in life... our physical youth... has passed us by now. It was really a precious time, with many painful and difficult moments that we will never forget. But we emerged alright, didn't we, ARMY?"

Their 'Yes!' filled the stadium.

"I am not ashamed to say that I'm proud of how we were able to overcome and succeed. I'm proud of all the members, of how we've all grown. I love all of them like my flesh and blood and I will stand with them for the rest of my life."

"Most of all, ARMY, I want to thank you for being with us all throughout these years, especially these last 11 years when we hardly showed ourselves to you. It must have been hard, and you must have felt we betrayed you. We're sorry you had to go through that. I am really hoping that nothing like that will ever happen again. As long as we can, we'll stay here with you. We'll keep making the music of our generation."

Suga stood at the front of the stage nearest ARMY and began one of his signature songs, the one closest to his heart.

(Credits to Jeonilysm for the video above)