A Sound from the Moon

Twenty Seven

Almost immediately, a month passed by when our friends went off to their first concert since their pre-debut. Lisa is an official member now so they will do their first official concert as a complete group around Asia. When they released their first single the moment Lisa finished her training, they became a hit. I'm assuming the world will be anxious to finally meet Blackpink.

The same thing happened to Red Velvet. They became a hit a few months before Blackpink had their pre-debut with the first mini album they did with Joy as she completed her first part of training. This is why our manager did not waste any time to have a meeting with us right after Joy finished her training.

He explained that we were going to have concerts around Korea to officially start my pre-debut along with having a mini album with me included this time. During the concerts, they will be performing songs that really hit off for the four of them when Joy first performed. There is a the song that let the world know of Red Velvet because they had performed with another K-pop idol. When they said it was Taeyong they performed with, I nearly fainted. I'm a big fan.

Nerves stirred within me as my training became more hardcore, too. "Red Velvet has risen again," is what people kept saying as we took group photos. Since we will have a mini album with me in it, I must have group photoshoots with the members. Every pose and snap of cameras was like a spark igniting my heart. It meant that my dream has come true. I am an official member of Red Velvet.

I am completing what my mother wanted to see of me all my life. If only she could see me now. If only the group photos can be released already so she could see.

But I look up at the moon instead. I count the stars knowing that she did the same, too. I keep her close as I sing with the members in the studio. I let my heart stay with her whenever I make coffees or clean instruments. If only she could see how hard I'm working for her...

Work has been difficult to manage with all the training I have. I'm always so exhausted. But Chan...he can see right through me. He understands and he is kind enough to work around my busy schedule. My heart still flutters every time he gives me a warm smile or we share a laugh. My heart wanted to hear the melody of his heart to dance to one more time as I playfully said one night, "I understand if you fire me at one point. Training has really gotten in the way of work and I keep bailing on you. I'm really sorry, Chan."

Chan did his sweet chuckle. "I could never fire you, Yeri. I don't know what I'd do without you. So I'll forgive you once again."

His eyes were brighter than the stars that night. I didn't have to look up at the night sky that day. I had him already to remind me that the sun will come out for me the next day.

I secretly wish for his sweet eyes every time I lose hope in my music career. There was a night I kept having difficulty with a group cooperation project. I observed the music video they had done with Taeyong and SM decided to do a trial run of a music video with one of the songs from the mini album I'm in. It was so difficult and I was so exhausted. The instructor yelled at me multiple times and it trespassed my heart each time. It was worse that the members were there and very quiet whenever I made a big mistake.

I was dropped off to work after the members tried comforting me. But when I saw Chan, I let out the tears I had been holding in. He quickly shielded me from the world and took me to a corner to give me a long hug. He didn't have to say anything. His silence was enough for my heart to hum again.

After that day, I decided to do my best. I wanted to became my best. I let them see that I belonged there and Chan's words resonated within me whenever I made mistakes.

Just have fun.

What would I do without such wise words? These were the last words I said to him before going off to my very first mini tour. He gave me a warm scoff and let his expression fall. I had just told him I was going to be away for a bit and he gave me a sad smile.

"I'm gonna miss you, Yeri."

"C'mon," I said with a chuckle. "Don't be so sappy. We'll talk. We can text and call. I can even give you a tour of backstage when I can!"

Chan did a small chuckle then softly said, "I bet your mother deserves that tour more than I do..."

He doesn't know about my mother's condition, yet he seems to know even the smallest pain my heart goes through. I have no words to how much I'll miss him, too. He's my only friend other than the members. He's what I have left of a life outside of fame. So I give him a hug without a single word. He keeps me close and I smile knowing that I didn't have to say anything for him to know how much I care for him.

"Have fun, okay?" he softly said in my ear.

"I will," I said with my lips on his firm shoulder.

"Hey. Remember." He gently pulled away and burned shining eyes into mine. "You may be surrounded by stars but you are the night sky that holds them together. You help them shine together for the world to see."

My cheeks burned like the day my heart sang loudly for the first time. "I thought I was the moon," I said at the memory of that day.

He did his shy chuckle and softly said, "You are the moon for me only..."

I quietly think of his soft words over and over again on my way to our first concert. He leaves me dumbstruck that I let the world spin around me as I packed. The members were restless but I was floating. I still float as I look out the dark window of our bus and search for the moon. Now I have two people that look at the same moon with me and keep my heart beating. My mother and Chan.

"You hungry, Yerimie?"

I'm slapped back to reality for the hundredth time and find Seulgi by my side handing me a small bowl of kimchi. I gently reject and she continues eating it without hesitation. I turn back to the window and hear Wendy slightly turns in the seat in front of us. After a moment of silence, I hear her say, "Nervous, Yeri?"

I find her quietly looking at me with Irene. I give them a warm smile and say, "A little. Do you think I'll do well?"

Wendy nods as if the answer is obvious. "We've practiced and perfected it. It'll be fun! It's the very first song we sing with you as a team!"

"You'll love it on stage," Seulgi softly says next to me.

"We're here!" the driver announces and they all start to pack up their things. I swallow down my nerves and think of Chan. I think of my mother as we enter our hotel and look out the window before going to bed. I pray to every star she's counted.

I must be my best. No more lies. No more hiding. There's no turning back now.