Never The Same Person

chapter²⁰

Author pov:

The day of SBS had finally arrived, and the atmosphere backstage was electric. The air buzzed with excitement, nervous energy, and the faint scent of hairspray and stage makeup. Every idol present knew how important this event was—it wasn’t just another performance; it was a statement, a chance to prove themselves to the industry, the fans, and even to themselves.

Eliana and her group members stood together, their hands clasped tightly as they watched their seniors dominate the stage. Each performance was flawless, filled with power and charisma that came from years of experience. BTS, BLACKPINK, TXT, and other senior groups took the stage like they owned it, moving effortlessly through their choreographies, their voices steady even with the loudest cheers echoing through the venue.

The girls couldn't help but feel the weight of it all. Soon, it would be their turn. Their first-ever stage at an event this grand. They had trained for this moment, spent sleepless nights perfecting every move, every note, yet the nerves still crept in.

Eliana felt her heart race as she glanced at her group members. Sofia was taking deep breaths, Lilly was whispering a silent prayer, You-Chae was fixing her outfit repeatedly, and Chayeong and Evana were bouncing slightly on their toes to shake off the nerves.

Just then, a familiar voice broke through the tension. "Nervous?"

Eliana turned to see Jimin standing there with a knowing smile. Behind him, Yeonjun, Kai, and a few other senior idols were watching them with amusement.

"It's normal," Yeonjun added, crossing his arms. "We were like this during our first big stage too. Just breathe. You’ve trained for this, you’ll be fine."

Kai patted Eliana's head lightly. "You belong here. Don't let your fear tell you otherwise."

The words, simple as they were, felt grounding. The girls nodded, determination slowly replacing their nervousness.

Soon, their name would be called. Soon, they would step onto that stage for the first time in front of thousands.

And they would give it their all.

The moment had arrived.

A staff member called out their group’s name, signaling it was time. The girls exchanged one last glance, their eyes reflecting a mix of excitement and anxiety. The cheers from the audience vibrated through the walls, and the booming sound of the previous performance still echoed in their ears.

As they walked toward the stage, their hearts pounded in sync with the bass of the music. The lights were blinding, the stage massive, yet it was everything they had ever dreamed of. This was their moment.

The MCs introduced them, and the entire venue fell into a brief hush before the first beat dropped. The girls took their positions, exhaling one last breath before the music fully took over.

The performance began.

Oh, ma douce souffrance
Pourquoi s'acharner? Tu recommences
Je n'suis qu'un être sans importance. As eliana starts with the part with a soft, delicate and gentle tone making the audience quiet down. She takes it into a powerful note while showing her raw emotions which were flooding Inside her..