Fate | Jakehoon

chapter 29: it's not always easy

2023
Chicago, Illinois, USA
22nd of October

It starts as a simple piece of advice given backstage, just before the concert.

"Hyung, I don't think you should do this," Jungwon says, his eyebrows knitted in a grimace.

His tone is serious, bordering on a warning, and Jake can tell that Jungwon is not only worried like the rest of them, but he's also a bit angry although he's trying to hide it.

"I can't let our fans down," Jay barely offers Jungwon a glance as he's adjusting his microphone.

"Then we'll proceed as we agreed earlier. You'll sit down for the most difficult choreographies," one of their managers declares.

Jay nods with a sigh. It's written all over his face, that he's not pleased with the decision in the slightest, but it's the only viable choice.

In early October, Jay suddenly began suffering some mild pain in his left knee. With their U.S. tour knocking at the door and continuous preparations for Orange Blood, this came as a concern for everyone — the members, the managers, the company and implicitly, Jay himself.

How would Jay go through six three-hour shows and practice new choreographies in between them without straining his knee even further? — the question which had been floating in the members' minds at the time.

They got their answer less than a week later.

After seeking medical advice ahead of their first concert in L.A., and receiving the suggestion against putting too much pressure on his knee (as the injury is only in its early stages and can heal quickly), Jay ticks it off his list as something he shouldn't worry about right now.

Jay manages to get through the first five shows, each time having insisted that he was fine, until this one, the last of their U.S. leg tour, comes around.

The tensions are high in the green room and as much as Jake or any of the members, especially the leader, try convincing Jay to sit this one out, he's not willing to.

However, the management team reaches a compromise with him — to sit on a chair for a few songs at least. 

It's not an ideal solution, but it's better than nothing.

Despite Jay's few choreography breaks, the concert is still successful, although Jake knows that Jay doesn't share the same opinion and blames himself. At the end, Jay apologizes to the audience for his lacking performance, but he's met only with encouraging and supportive cheers from the fans.

It's when they return backstage that Jake notices Jay walking carefully, balancing mostly on his right foot. Jake's right behind him, ready to offer his body for support when Jungwon sweeps in and grabs Jay's arm, telling the latter to lean on him.

Jake smiles — as expected of their leader who's always keeping an eye on them when needed.

Yet, they barely reach the green room when Jake senses something off because event though Jungwon's helping Jay around, he's extremely quiet. Then, Jake ends up in the same car with the two of them and each time Jay speaks, Jungwon offers no reply — not even a nod or a hint of a smile.