NEVERLAND season1 ||TXT|| [ENGLISH VER.]

The First Performance

The school auditorium buzzed with anticipation as students and teachers gathered for the main event of the festival—the musical performances. The stage was set, lights dimmed, and the sound of excited chatter filled the air. Backstage, Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Heuningkai stood together, their hearts pounding in unison.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Soobin muttered, adjusting the microphone on his stand for the hundredth time.

“You mean you can’t believe I’m doing this,” Taehyun corrected, his usual calm facade showing cracks of nervousness. “I’ve never performed in front of so many people.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, just imagine they’re all giant cupcakes,” Beomgyu said, attempting to lighten the mood. “You know, like in my poetic masterpiece.”

“I’m not sure that’s going to help,” Yeonjun said, chuckling. “But whatever works, right?”

Heuningkai, who had been quiet up until now, took a deep breath and spoke up. “No matter what happens out there, we’ve got each other’s backs. We’re not just performing for the crowd; we’re doing this for us, for everything we’ve been through together.”

The weight of Heuningkai’s words settled over them like a comforting blanket. They had practiced for weeks, pouring their hearts into the music, and now it was time to show everyone what “Tomorrow by Together” really meant.

Their names were called, and as they stepped onto the stage, the bright lights temporarily blinded them. The crowd roared with applause, and for a moment, the boys froze, overwhelmed by the sheer energy of the room.

But then Yeonjun, their leader, took his place behind the keyboard and struck the first chord. The music flowed like a river, carrying away their doubts and fears. Beomgyu joined in with his guitar, the melody lifting higher as Taehyun’s voice intertwined with Heuningkai’s harmonies. Soobin’s steady beat on the drums kept them grounded, anchoring them in the moment.

As the song progressed, the boys lost themselves in the music. The nervousness that had gripped them backstage melted away, replaced by a sense of unity and purpose. The lyrics, written during late-night jam sessions, resonated with the crowd, who began to sway and clap along.

Yeonjun glanced at his bandmates, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. They were doing it—they were really doing it. The weight of his parents’ neglect, the loneliness that had once consumed him, all seemed to fade in the light of this moment. This was where he belonged, with these boys who had become his family.

Soobin, too, felt the shift. For the first time, he wasn’t worried about making a mistake or disappointing anyone. He was just enjoying the music, the camaraderie, and the shared experience that made him feel truly alive.

Beomgyu’s heart swelled with pride as he strummed his guitar, the audience’s energy feeding his own. His father’s disapproval seemed a distant memory, overshadowed by the love and acceptance he felt from his friends. He had found his place in the world, and it was here, on this stage.

Taehyun’s voice grew stronger as the song reached its climax, the confidence in his abilities growing with each note. He was no longer just a perfectionist trying to prove his worth; he was part of something bigger, something that gave his life meaning.

And Heuningkai, the shy, anxious boy who had once been too afraid to show his talent, now stood at the front of the stage, his voice soaring above the music. He could feel the power of the notes he sang, the way they connected him to the audience and his bandmates. For the first time, he felt truly seen, truly heard.

The final chord rang out, and the crowd erupted into applause. The boys stood there, breathless, as the sound washed over them. They had done it—they had performed as one, as “Tomorrow by Together.”

As they bowed and left the stage, a sense of accomplishment filled their hearts. They had faced their fears, overcome their insecurities, and created something beautiful together. And in that moment, they knew that their bond was something special, something that would last long after the applause had faded.

Backstage, they exchanged grins, high-fives, and playful shoves, the tension of the performance replaced by a joyful camaraderie. They had taken the first step on a journey that none of them could have imagined just a few weeks ago.

“See? I told you the cupcake imagery would help,” Beomgyu said, winking at Taehyun.

Taehyun rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “You’re lucky we didn’t end up looking like cupcakes out there.”

“Hey, a cupcake band could be a hit!” Yeonjun joked, slinging an arm around Beomgyu’s shoulders.

Soobin laughed, shaking his head. “Let’s just stick with ‘Tomorrow by Together,’ okay?”

Heuningkai, his heart still racing from the adrenaline, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I think that name suits us just fine.”

As they gathered their instruments and prepared to head back into the crowd, the boys couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in what they had accomplished. They were no longer just five boys struggling with their own demons—they were a band, a family, bound together by music and friendship.

And as they walked out of the music room, side by side, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together—tomorrow and always.

-07-