Royal Colors (OPEN APPLY FIC)

Chapter 88: Touching Leader Words & First GirlxGirl Couple!

Languages:
Korean - Normal Text
English - Bolded
Chinese - Bolded & Slanted
Japanese - Slanted
Thai - Bolded, Slanted, Underlined
Other - Underlined
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-Wednesday, September 11, 2024~6:45PM-

~James's POV~

I was rubbing my hands together in hopes to get rid of the sweat. I felt nervous. It had been 6 years since I was last on stage, but I wasn't the only one who was nervous. Minjae was pacing back and forth beside me, mumbling things under his breath.

"Hyung, it's okay." I said, grabbing his arm to stop him from pacing. "You're going to do great."

"What if people don't think this concept is...me?" He worried.

"Then those people don't know the real you." I said. "A talented idol with a beautiful voice, amazing personality, who can do anything. All you've showed is bright concepts, but Junjae wouldn't have put you in this group if he didn't think you could pull it off. And we've all seen you pull this off already during practice. And so have the fans during the music video. You got this."

By this point Minjae's eyes were watering.

"You're not supposed to make me cry." He said, dabbing his eyes. "I have makeup on."

We both snickered.

"Thank you, James." He smiled before taking a deep breath and walking off closer to the stage.

"That was amazing." Gyutae said, walking up from behind me.

"What was?" I asked him.

"What you said to him. Only a true leader could do that."

I felt my cheeks burn up. It had been so long since I felt myself actually live up to that word, 'leader'.

"Royal Colors on standby!" The Show Champion staff suddenly called out.

I looked around as my members gathered, seeing we were one short.

"Where's Gohn hyung?" I asked.

"With Loosemble." Minwoo replied.

I looked around the room, trying to spot Gohn with ARTMS's Loosemble.

"Don't stress." Zeke said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "He's right here."

I turned around to see Gohn joining us.

"There you are." I felt relieved.

"Sorry, captain!" Gohn said, suddenly saluting me. "I'm here now."

"Yes, so let's cheer." I said, putting my hand out first.

All the others followed, placing their hand on top of mine.

"Whenever you're ready, James." Minwoo said.

I looked up, a bit wide-eyed. "Me? To do the cheer?"

"Who else would do it?" Minjae scoffed. "You are RC's leader after all."

"But I'm...not here. I'm the maknae."

"So what?" Gyutae said. "It doesn't matter your age, you can still lead people no matter how big or small, young or old. And you've proven that. With the way you led practice every day, the way you worry about all of us even though we are your hyungs, the way you've helped Minwoo with his rap verses, the way you made Minjae feel confident for his debut. All of that was you, James. You are meant to do this, not any of us."