Supernova||Book 1 [Wattys 2024]

Episode 2.1 - The Star's Return

"Are you ready?" Chunyeol Kim asked as the car rolled to a stop

"Always," Nine replied with a nod,his palms sweaty and his heart racing.

"Then let's show them why you're the best." Chunyeol offered a reassuring pat on the shoulder before nodding to the bodyguard.

The moment Nine stepped out of the car, the world erupted into a cacophony of shrieks and camera clicks. Fans, barricaded by velvet ropes, surged forward like a wave threatening to break. Hands stretched forward, aiming for a touch of anything to connect with the star who had vanished from the sky, now dazzlingly reappearing.

"Nine! Over here!" Their adoration buzzed like an electric current as Nine moved gracefully, offering winks,heart melting smiles and blown kisses.Despite the anxiety clawing at his insides, he maintained an air of regal poise—a king returning to his court after a time of exile.

"Nine, we missed you!" a voice louder than the others boomed over the din. The crowd cheered.

Nine's smile widened, as a warm feeling flooded his chest for a moment."Thank you," he received the sentiment. "I missed you all too."

The screams were deafening as they continued to offer warm messages about his return.

"Thank you, everyone! I'm so thrilled to be back!"Nine's engagement with the crowd continued.

His hair, bleached white, with bangs that framed his face like a halo of celestial light made his soft features even more attractive, imbuing him with an otherworldly allure.

Beneath his practiced smile, his pulse hammered in his ears. With each step down the red carpet, he felt the weight of their expectations, the heat of the spotlights, the crush of bodies leaning in. A hand gripped his arm before security swiftly intervened, peeling the fingers away.

Nine's smile didn't falter. Instead, he kept his focus, looking at those fans like they were the only ones in the world. His contacts were a mesmerizing shade of gray, like storm clouds swirling with hidden depths. Each time those eyes fell on a face, screams erupted afresh.

While he tried to bask in the warmth of their applause like before; as he scanned that sea of faces, he couldn't help noticing the turbulent undercurrent.

Not all the noise were cheers of support and encouragement, not all of the faces were happy and smiling. Among the throngs of screaming fans were those who had come not to celebrate his return but to decry it.

His focus locked on to the jeers and boos of those hecklers.It had been like that before.They'd come out in their numbers, not to see him and cheer but to assault him with their words.

Some time had passed and the situation had died down but its effects lingered still.

With controlled steps, he continued to walk the carpet.His sleek, form-fitting ensemble in shimmering silver, adorned with intricate beading and sequins caught the light with every movement. The cut was daring cuts teased just enough skin.

Under those flashing lights and screams, Nine continued to pose. His Manager who was within arm's reach stepped into the frame.

Chunyeol Kim, or "The Gatekeeper" as many insiders called him, was as fearsome as he was fabulous. His face carried an air of youthful charisma which was enhanced by a perfectly styled cut

As he posed beside his charge, there was glint in his eyes as he turned subtly this way and that. The man knew how to work a camera, no doubt a testament of his own days as an idol.

"Manager Kim, it's suffocating," Nine whispered without moving his lips, a trick they'd perfected over countless red carpets.

There was no visible change on the man's brow. "Just wait a bit more." he replied, his tone barely audible beneath the din. He kept one hand lightly on Nine's back, an anchor keeping him in place.