Frozen Memories➔ps.ff

Chapter 16

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Sunghoon murmured to himself as he stepped into the familiar dance practice room, the fluorescent lights buzzing softly overhead.

"Another Tuesday, another practice day," he mumbled, still groggy and half-asleep. Yesterday had been grueling, with filming stretching well into the night. The exhaustion was bone-deep, a relentless companion since his debut six years ago.

The reality of idol life had always been far from the glamorous image projected on screens. It was a life of constant hard work—endless hours of practice, performances in music shows, variety show appearances, world tours, and ceaseless travel.

Even now, after all these years, Sunghoon and his group members were still drained, though they were experts at hiding it from the public. They'd been trained too well not to let the weariness show.

He thought back to seven years ago when he and Jay had been selected for the survival show. It felt like a lifetime ago. The show had been brutal, with 23 other top trainees from various companies competing fiercely. The pressure had been immense, the stakes sky-high.

Every day was a battle—against themselves, against each other, and against the relentless standards of the industry. But after months of grueling competition, votes from international fans and producers secured their places in the debut lineup. The relief had been overwhelming, but the trauma of that experience lingered in the shadows of his mind.

Debuting had been just the beginning. The early days were tough—constant scrutiny, tight schedules, and the ever-present fear of failure. But their hard work paid off.

The group's debut was a resounding success, capturing the attention of fans worldwide. Their music resonated across the globe, connecting people from different cultures. Fans loved them not just for their talent, but for their kind hearts and unwavering dedication.

With each passing year, their popularity soared. They reached a level of success that once seemed unimaginable. The company that had once been so strict with them began to loosen the reins, granting them more freedom as they continued to achieve milestone after milestone.

They became ambassadors for luxury brands, some even branching out into acting. Their schedules were filled with prestigious events, and they had become the top group in Korea, with a global fanbase that adored them.

Despite all this success, the fatigue never truly went away. The constant cycle of comebacks, practice, and filming left Sunghoon drained. There were moments when he considered quitting, the weight of it all too much to bear. But one thing kept him going—his family.

His mother and sister were his anchors, the reason he pushed through the exhaustion. They had endured so much, sacrificing everything to support him. Now, thanks to his hard work, they were living comfortable lives. His mother resided in a spacious penthouse, and his sister Yeji had graduated from college with no worries, now a successful model in her own right.

He had promised himself that he would make them proud, and he had. His life had changed drastically from seven years ago.

He missed figure skating, missed the simplicity of his childhood, but seeing his mother and sister smile made it all worth it. Yet, a part of him still harbored deep regret—regret for the choices he made when he was younger, for how he had broken his childhood friendship with Sarang.

He had vanished from her life without a word, and the thought haunted him. He didn't know where she was or what she was doing. He wasn't even sure what he would do if he ever saw her again.

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The cool blast of the air conditioning greeted him as he stepped further into the practice room, snapping him out of his thoughts. The room was already buzzing with energy, despite the early hour.

Jay, his best friend and fellow survivor of the cutthroat trainee days, was slumped in a chair, drifting off to sleep. Jungwon, their ever-reliable leader, noticed and walked over, giving Jay a playful slap on the shoulder.

"Wake up, sleepyhead! We've got practice to do," Jungwon said, his voice laced with teasing authority.

Jay groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Just five more minutes," he whined, but before he could protest further, Jake, the Korean-Australian member with a mischievous streak, ganged up on him and splashed water on his face.

Jay shot up from his seat, sputtering in surprise. "Yah! Jake!" he yelled, eyes blazing with mock fury as he lunged at Jake, who was already sprinting across the room, laughing.

Jake darted behind Heeseung, the oldest member, using him as a human shield. "Hyung, help me out here!" Jake pleaded, pulling Heeseung along as Jay bore down on him.

Heeseung sighed, clearly used to these antics, but a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Don't drag me into this," he said, though he didn't resist as Jake tried to hide behind him.

Sunoo, standing next to Sunghoon, rolled his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "They never grow up, do they? Acting like kids at their age," he muttered, crossing his arms in mock disapproval.

Sunghoon chuckled, watching the chaos unfold. This was their dynamic—one big, chaotic family. Over the years, they had become more than just bandmates; they were brothers, bound by their shared struggles and triumphs.

As Jay finally tackled Jake to the ground, pinning him down in a mock wrestling match, Ni-ki, the youngest member, decided to join in the fun. He snuck up behind Jake and gave him a playful shove, sending Jake tumbling into Jay's grip.

Jay laughed triumphantly, lying on top of Jake while Ni-ki rolled on the floor, clutching his stomach in laughter.

"Okay, okay, you win!" Jake panted, still laughing as he tried to catch his breath.

Jay grinned down at him, letting him go as he stood up. "That's what you get for messing with me," he said, playfully ruffling Jake's hair.

The room buzzed with energy, their morning starting off with the usual chaos and camaraderie. Despite the exhaustion that weighed on all of them, these moments of light-hearted fun kept them going, reminding them that they were in this together.

As they gathered around, stretching and preparing for another intense practice session, Sunghoon couldn't help but smile. This was his life now—exhausting, demanding, but filled with moments that made it all worthwhile.

But even amidst the laughter and the light-hearted teasing, a part of his mind wandered back to Sarang, to the life he left behind, the friendship he lost and his first love. He shook the thought away, focusing on the present.

Today was another practice day, another step toward their comeback. He would give it his all, like he always did, because that was who he was—a performer, an idol, someone who couldn't afford to let the past hold him back.

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