The Second Chance of A Suicidal Idol

Producer Troubles (5)

Reggie supported Joon-woo's weight as they staggered off stage. Their breathing was heavy and their hearts were pounding. The cheers. The audience's cheers sent shivers down their spines, they had done it. They had performed with little to no mistake in front of a crowd and fully live. Smiles were eminent even on Ryeo Hyun's usually stoic face.

"Ahh, I hope no one noticed the mistake I made during the chorus..." Song Chunghee muttered, breath shaky.

"I also hope my singing wasn't too breathy..." Reggie added. Ryeo Hyun and Baek Du-Ho nodded along.

Joon-woo stayed quiet. He was tired and simply in the mood to admire the excitement on his team's faces. They were happy and rightfully so. They were gonna debut. They were gonna do that a million times more. He wondered, how many times could they perform and not feel burdened? In Ha-rin's case it was just a few performances. He wondered, would it be different for them? As men? As idols?

One thing Joon-woo had noticed as a difference between fan culture in Ha-rin's timeline and in this timeline, was that mistakes were less ridiculed. Maybe it was because they were guys here, Ha-rin was now a guy. Maybe it was a gender thing? 'Double standards' as they called it. Joon-woo hummed.

In his thoughts, Baek Du-Ho sent a questioning look at Joon-woo's way.

"Did you slip up any?" Baek Du-Ho asked, as a replacement for the words of the whole group. It was like they were waiting for him to speak.

Joon-woo pursed his lips. He recalled one moment where his movements were a beat too slow behind Reggie's in a part that really highlighted them both. "Yeah. But it was small." He replied, still needing support from Reggie's tall figure.

His legs were tired, about to give out, even. He had gone easy in the recording last practice as per Ryeo Hyun's instruction, but had snuck off to get some more practice in after. He didn't want to fall behind. He wanted to make sure his roommates and friends debuted with a clean record of performances.

"My legs feel like jelly..." Song Chunghee groaned as the team began to chug at water.

A make-up artist was touching up Ryeo Hyun's make-up as the leader looked over to Joon-woo leaning on Reggie.

"Are your legs okay Joon-woo?" Ryeo Hyun asked, Baek Du-Ho nodding along to the question like he wanted to know. "You practiced only lightly yesterday... So why..." Ryeo Hyun sent an interrogating gaze at Joon-woo's way.

Joon-woo slightly paled, but the dim lighting backstage kept it from showing. "My stamina isn't up to par with your guises..." He replied.

"Really, are you not eating enough or something?" Baek Du-Ho questioned, "You also are quite weightless..."

Joon-woo wanted to shut the other up. No one else knew that Joon-woo had a massive panic attack but Baek Du-Ho. Joon-woo wanted no one else to know. So why was this smug rapper making hints?

Joon-woo weighed his hand, shifting his weight off of Reggie as an attempt to show how okay and weightful he was. "I'm fine. I eat enough, I weigh enough." He insisted, though his legs felt anything but. He played off the weakness he felt standing on his own.

Baek Du-Ho dug in his outfits pocket. He pulled out one of those protein chocolates he had given the group a few days prior. The protein chocolates Joon-woo had tossed. Why did Baek Du-Ho have them in the pockets of his stage outfit? Had he performed with those?

"Here. Eat more." Baek Du-Ho practically demanded.

Joon-woo stared down the chocolate in the others' hand. He didn't want it so he didn't take it.