Little Misstep (Shotaro)

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The studio lights were blinding, and the studio audience's claps and cheers echoed around the room as the Riize members took their positions for the next segment of their variety show. The energy was high, and the members were in high spirits as they prepared for a three-legged race. It was meant to be a fun, light-hearted competition, a chance for them to show off their teamwork and have some laughs.

Shotaro, the eldest of the group, had always taken his role as the eldest seriously. He felt a responsibility to be the strong, reliable figure the younger members could look up to. Even when he wasn't feeling his best, he did his best to mask it, not wanting to burden the others with his problems.

As the game began, pairs of members were hastily tied together with a rope at their ankles. Laughter filled the air as the pairs stumbled and raced towards the finish line. Shotaro watched, cheering on his teammates with genuine enthusiasm. Anton and Sohee, paired together, were particularly amusing to watch. Their coordination was less than perfect, but their energy was infectious.

In the middle of the race, Anton and Sohee tripped over each other, causing them both to tumble to the floor. There was a collective gasp from the audience and the rest of the members. Shotaro's heart skipped a beat. He immediately ran over to them, pushing through the crowd of fellow contestants and crew.

"Are you okay?" Shotaro asked, kneeling beside Anton and Sohee. Sohee looked dazed but was otherwise okay. Anton, however, had a small cut on his hand, and blood was beginning to seep through his fingers.

"It's just a scratch," Anton reassured him, wincing as he tried to pull himself up. "I'm fine, really."

But Shotaro's face had paled as he took in the sight of the blood. The sight of it triggered something inside him. His vision began to swim, and he felt a sudden rush of lightheadedness. He stumbled, his knees buckling beneath him. The world seemed to tilt and spin.

"Shotaro hyung?" Eunsoek's voice pierced through the fog in his mind, but it felt like it was coming from a great distance. He collapsed to the floor beside Anton and Sohee.

Panic erupted among the members. Eunsoek, Seunghan, Sungchan, and Wonbin rushed to Shotaro's side, their faces etched with concern.

"Hyung, are you okay?" Sungchan's voice was filled with alarm as he gently shook Shotaro's shoulder, trying to wake him up. But Shotaro remained unconscious, his breathing shallow.

"We need to get him back to the dorm," Eunsoek said urgently, glancing around at the others. "He looks really pale. Is he breathing?"

"Yes, he is," Wonbin replied, kneeling beside Shotaro and checking his pulse. "But we need to get him medical attention, quickly."

Seunghan and Sungchan carefully lifted Shotaro, one of them supporting his head and the other his legs. They carried him through the studio, their pace quickened by their anxiety.

As they made their way to the parking lot, Shotaro began to regain consciousness, though he still felt disoriented. The bright lights of the studio seemed to blur into a haze, and the sound of the other members' voices was muffled. He tried to focus, but his head felt heavy and his body weak.

When they reached the van, Eunsoek and Wonbin helped carefully place Shotaro in the back seat. Anton and Sohee, despite being reassured that they were okay, insisted on coming along to make sure Shotaro was all right.

"Hyung, can you hear me?" Eunsoek asked, brushing a strand of hair away from Shotaro's forehead.

Shotaro opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the bright light. "Yeah," he croaked, his voice barely audible. "I'm... I'm okay. Just a little dizzy."

"We're taking you back to the dorm to rest," Eunsoek said firmly. "You need to see a doctor."

Shotaro nodded weakly. He didn't want to worry the others more than he already had, so he forced a small smile. "I'm really fine. It was just the sight of blood. I didn't mean to cause a fuss."

"We're not taking any chances," Sungchan said firmly, his worry evident. "You fainted, Shotaro hyung. We need to make sure you're okay."

The drive back to the dorm was filled with an anxious silence. The members tried to keep Shotaro's spirits up with light conversation and gentle teasing, but the mood was heavy with concern. Anton and Sohee sat close by, their faces reflecting the anxiety they felt for their eldest member.

When they finally arrived at the dorm, Eunsoek and Sungchan helped Shotaro inside, guiding him carefully to the living room where they laid him down on the couch.

"Just rest here for a bit," Eunsoek instructed, grabbing a blanket to drape over Shotaro. "We'll get some water and make sure you're comfortable."

Shotaro closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. He felt embarrassed and a little ashamed, not just because he had fainted, but because he had let his weakness show. As the eldest, he felt he should be the strongest, the one who always had everything under control.

The other members gathered around him, their faces filled with concern. Seunghan and Wonbin went to get some water and a first aid kit, while Anton and Sohee sat close by, their eyes worried but trying to remain calm.

"Hey, Shotaro hyung," Anton said softly, sitting beside him. "I'm really sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to make you panic."

"It's not your fault," Shotaro said, his voice barely a whisper. "I just... I get lightheaded sometimes. It's nothing serious."

Sohee looked at him with sympathy. "You should really let us know if you're feeling unwell. We're a team, and we're here for each other."

Shotaro opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. "I didn't want to be a burden."

"That's what being a team means," Eunsoek said, returning with a glass of water. "We support each other, no matter what. We're all here for you."

Shotaro took a sip of the water, feeling a little better. "Thanks," he said, his voice slightly stronger. "I'll be okay. I just need to rest."

The members settled in around him, their presence a comforting reminder of the support they offered each other. They chatted quietly, trying to distract Shotaro from his embarrassment and helping him to relax.

As the hours passed, Shotaro began to feel more like himself. The dizziness subsided, and his color returned to normal. He was still tired, but he was grateful for the care and understanding of his fellow members.

Eventually, he managed to sit up, and the other members cheered him on with relieved smiles. Eunsoek and Sungchan had made sure that he was comfortable, and the first aid kit had been used to clean and bandage Anton's minor injury.

"You really scared us, Hyung," Sungchan said with a soft smile. "But I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Me too," Shotaro said, returning the smile. "I'm sorry for making everyone worry."

"It's okay," Seunghan said. "We're just glad you're okay now."

The atmosphere in the room was much lighter now, and the members began to talk and laugh, their earlier concern giving way to a sense of relief. Shotaro felt a deep sense of gratitude for the support he had received, and he realized that being the eldest didn't mean he had to hide his vulnerabilities. It meant he could rely on his team, just as they relied on him.

As the night wore on, Shotaro felt more at ease. He knew that he had the support of his members, no matter what. They were a family, and that meant sharing both the good times and the tough ones.

The experience had been a humbling one for Shotaro. He had learned that it was okay to lean on others, and that being strong didn't mean facing everything alone. It meant being honest about his feelings and accepting the care and support of those who cared about him.

As he settled into bed later that night, he felt a sense of peace. He was surrounded by friends who had proven their loyalty and love in the most unexpected way. And though he had faced a difficult moment, he knew that he had emerged stronger, with a renewed appreciation for the bond he shared with his Riize family.

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