Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 22

I couldn't shake the lingering feeling of discomfort. The moment Arc had left me standing there, my heart had dropped. I hadn't meant for him to hear any of that. Gossiping about his love life had felt harmless, just a casual conversation with Evelyn, but knowing that Arc had overheard it made me feel guilty. I couldn't even look him in the eye without feeling like I needed to apologize, but how could I explain myself without making things worse? I had no idea how to mend things, and the thought of confronting him made my stomach twist. So I stayed silent.

The rest of the day was a blur. The rehearsal continued, and I couldn't help but marvel at how Arc kept pushing through. His energy was boundless. He barely seemed affected by the lack of sleep or the long hours of practice. Meanwhile, I struggled to keep my eyelids open, barely managing to focus. It was clear that the weight of the upcoming performance was on everyone's shoulders, but Arc didn't let it show.

In the evening, the venue was packed. Fans lined up for the soundcheck, and the air buzzed with excitement as the crowd grew louder with each passing minute. The soundcheck itself was controlled—precise and organized, a technical run-through of the set. But even though the performance was still in practice mode, the energy of the crowd was undeniable. The Novas had already filled the space with their cheers and anticipation, turning the soundcheck into something that felt more like a concert than a dry rehearsal.

Arc was calm, focused, his movements purposeful. He hit every note perfectly, gliding through the songs with professional precision. There were no costumes, no light effect, no back up dancers, it was just the band playing music and Arc in his casual clothes checking the sound effects. But the crowd—fueled by their excitement—responded with enthusiasm that couldn't be ignored. Every cheer seemed to boost Arc's confidence, pushing him to give just a little bit more energy with each song.Arc engaged with the fans during brief breaks, offering small waves or winks, acknowledging their presence in his signature, laid-back style. But for the most part, he kept his focus sharp, knowing the real performance was still to come.

When the soundcheck ended, Arc stuck around for a little longer, chatting with the fans who had gathered by the stage. He had a way of connecting with them, making them feel like they were part of something bigger than just a show. It was impressive how effortlessly he could switch between the intense focus of a professional artist and the warmth of someone genuinely appreciating his supporters.

On the ride back to hotel, Ji-hye had taken my spot in the main of the van, and, I was left to ride with Jin-Ho and the camera crew. It felt odd. The van's hum and the muffled voices of the crew barely distracted me from the thoughts that kept running through my mind. I kept replaying the incident from afternoon—Arc, the headphones, the overheard conversation—and I felt an almost overwhelming urge to apologize. But I didn't know how to.

By the time we headed back to the hotel, everyone was feeling the weight of the day. The hours had been long, and though Arc had pushed through, it was clear that everyone was starting to feel the exhaustion. I was drained, my body aching from the long hours, and I knew I wasn't the only one.

The next day was no less hectic. The venue was buzzing with energy again as we arrived early for more rehearsals. Arc was back on stage, practicing his set, while the staff worked quickly behind the scenes, setting up for the event. Arc was in his element, as always. He rehearsed with the same intensity and focus as if it were the real thing, even though the staff was still preparing the final touches for the concert.

In the green room, as Arc got ready for the event, I couldn't help but watch. He moved around with a quiet confidence, already preparing himself mentally for what was coming. There was a professionalism in the way he carried himself, but also an undeniable energy, as if the stage was the place he truly came alive.