The Second Chance of A Suicidal Idol

Fire (8)

Joon-woo looked to Mi Yong who stood front and center and re-evaluated his own position at the back. It was when the note they had rehearsed to start dancing struck Joon-woo began to move on auto pilot.

He at least knew some things through his time as Ha-rin. He knew that if not center, you had to dance with less enthusiasm to make yourself less noticeable. He knew that looking at any audience member or judge or member too hard is the death of a good performance. And he knew how to keep his facial expressions stable.

So Joon-woo tried to do what he knew best, and followed along to the choreo that had engrained itself into Joon-woo's mind like a second nature.

He saw, felt the cameras. He felt it in the shake of his legs after a rough transition of moves. He saw Misa's amused look when all members of Team One were to look up. Playing blind he played, as Ryeo Hyun's words from the night before crossed his mind.

Because, despite Joon-woo's hate to be wrong, he felt lighter on his feet after more rest. He felt the blueprint of choreo appear almost naturally. And Joon-woo frowned, as if when living as Ha-rin he knew rest would do so much, he would've tried to rest more.

His breath felt heavy as a heavier park of the choreo past, but it wasn't as heavy as it usually was. His legs weighed at his mind, their overuse screaming cursed as Joon-woo continued to move regardless. He almost felt empowered, more control of his exhaustion as he moved.

And it was only when the music came to a close he stopped. Everyone in Team One stopped. They had done it. Joon-woo had done it.

Misa stood and clapped with her expression fond. FYP on the other hand looked at the team with a frown.

From backstage, cheers rang just like every time before and it only worsened Joon-woo's anxiety about his performance as he wrapped his wrists around each other and stabbed his fingernails into his skin in an attempt to ease his muddled brain.

"Contestant Mi Yong, leader of Team One." FYP called up coldly, not an ounce of enthusiasm left in his body.

Mi Yong stepped forward with pursed lips, looking at FYP with a serious expression.

"You've debuted once before, and this is what you have to show for your leadership?" FYP asked, voice emotionless and without care.

Mi Yong visibly stiffened.

"Team One, all of you seem to lack connection. Did you even practice together? It seemed everyone was trying to shine..." FYP harshly reprimanded.

All contestants in Team One stiffened up and looked towards the groups. All except Joon-woo, as he was more relieved his poor dancing hadn't been called out.

Misa frowned at FYP, "Yes, while a lack of connection was noticeable, you all danced well. No one was too slow or too fast, facial expressions... lacked for the most part." She began, relief flowing within Joon-woo despite the criticisms.

Just as Joon-woo figured it was over, Misa opened her mouth again, "And I would like to highlight Contestant Park Joon-woo." She said, Joon-woo's whole world freezing as suddenly, eyes had falling upon him in multitudes.

He looked to the ground as suddenly, all comfort that had flowed through him collapsed. Team One looked at him, a bit surprised by Misa's words, but not more than Joon-woo himself. Suddenly, his world began to blur as Misa continued.

"You've done well in improving your dance, Joon-woo and your facial expressions stood out..." She said with an innocent smile.

Joon-woo nodded as he observed the cleanliness of the white stage beneath him and just as his vision began to filter in and out, a hand wrapped around him in an attempt to comfort him. Mi Yong stood above him with a frown.