Echoes of the Alley

73 - The Final Countdown

The studio felt heavier than usual, even as morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long golden streaks across the polished floor. The faint buzz of excitement mixed with a tension that seemed to settle in everyone's chest. This was it—their last rehearsal before the festival.

Chan stood at the front of the room, clipboard in hand as always, though his usually calm expression was tinged with the weight of the day. The group gathered in a loose circle, the silence stretching as they waited for Chan to speak.

"Okay," Chan began, clapping his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Let's make this count. We've worked hard to get here, and tomorrow, we show everyone what Echoes of the Alley is made of."

Felix grinned, though his fingers fidgeted with the hem of his hoodie. "No pressure, right?"

"Only the kind that makes diamonds," Hyunjin quipped, though the crack in his voice betrayed his nerves.

"Let's focus," Seungmin said firmly, adjusting his mic pack. "This is our last chance to fine-tune everything."

Jisung nodded, clutching his water bottle tightly. His gaze flicked to Minho, who stood a few feet away, rolling his shoulders out in preparation. There was something grounding about the way Minho carried himself—calm and steady despite the high stakes.

"We'll start with 'Miroh,'" Chan announced. "Full run-through, no stops. Then we'll transition straight into 'Booster.' After that, we'll break down any problem areas."

The group moved into their positions, the familiar pulse of the opening beat filling the room.

The energy in the studio shifted as soon as the music started. The choreography for "Miroh" demanded precision and power, and every member threw themselves into the routine with everything they had.

Minho led the group, his movements sharp and commanding, every step perfectly timed. Beside him, Hyunjin mirrored his energy, adding his signature flair to each move.

Jisung's rap flowed seamlessly, his voice steady as he delivered his lines with intensity. Jeongin followed with his section, his confidence shining through as his vocals soared.

"Good, Jeongin!" Chan called over the music.

The transitions into the chorus were smooth, each formation landing with a precision that came from weeks of relentless practice. Felix and Changbin's harmonies blended beautifully, their voices adding depth to the track.

As the song ended, the group froze in their final pose, their heavy breathing the only sound in the room.

"That," Chan said, his voice filled with pride, "was the best run yet."

The group broke into smiles and high-fives, though their relief was short-lived.

"No time to celebrate yet," Seungmin reminded them. "We've got one more to nail."

The room buzzed with renewed focus as they shifted into position for "Booster." This was the high-energy climax of their set, and it required every ounce of their stamina and precision.

As the music started, the group threw themselves into the choreography, their movements a blur of energy and coordination. Jisung's heart pounded in time with the beat as he hit each step, Minho's voice in his mind guiding him: Trust yourself. Trust the rhythm.

The transitions were smoother than ever, each member moving as if they were extensions of the same pulse. Seungmin and Hyunjin's center section was a highlight, their chemistry radiating as they executed the intricate steps with ease.

Jeongin's bridge section was flawless, his voice cutting through the air with power and emotion. Felix and Changbin carried the final chorus, their harmonies anchoring the group as they powered through to the finish.

When the final note hit, they collapsed into their ending poses, the adrenaline thrumming through their veins.

"Unreal," Chan said, breaking the silence that followed. "You all just proved we're ready. Tomorrow's going to be incredible."

The group let out a collective sigh of relief, their exhaustion giving way to a quiet pride.

"That felt... good," Jeongin said, his voice breathless but filled with excitement.

"It felt more than good," Hyunjin added, wiping sweat from his brow. "We killed it."

Minho stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group. "You all did great," he said simply, though the sincerity in his tone carried more weight than any long speech.

His eyes lingered on Jisung for a moment longer than necessary, and Jisung felt his chest tighten.

As the group packed up, Minho approached Jisung, his expression softer than usual. "You were solid today," he said.

Jisung blinked, caught off guard. "Really? I felt like I messed up a few spots."

Minho shook his head. "You didn't. You've come a long way, Jisung. You should be proud of yourself."

The warmth in Minho's voice sent a flush to Jisung's cheeks. "Thanks, Minho. That... means a lot."

Minho nodded, his lips curving into a small smile. "You're ready for tomorrow. Just remember that."

Jisung watched him walk away, the weight of Minho's words settling over him like a comforting blanket.

Later that evening, the group gathered at Jisung's apartment for one final bonding moment before the festival. Felix had prepared a tray of snacks, and Hyunjin had somehow convinced everyone to wear matching pajama tops.

"We should toast," Chan said, raising his glass of soda. "To Echoes of the Alley—and to tomorrow."

"To Echoes of the Alley!" the group echoed, their voices filled with pride and anticipation.

Jisung glanced around the room, taking in the faces of his friends—his family. They had come so far together, and tomorrow, they would share their journey with the world.

Minho caught his gaze from across the room, his eyes soft but steady. Jisung felt his heart swell, the unspoken promise between them giving him a quiet strength.

Whatever tomorrow brought, they would face it together.

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— A/N: Next chapter is cute :3, please look forward to it!!

— Question of the day: Sonic?👀

— Recommended song for this chapter: "Hall of Fame" by The Script (ft. will.i.am)