Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 74

The next day, we flew to Paris.

Ever since the New York incident, airports had become a source of anxiety for me. Even though nothing had happened since then, the memory lingered, heavy and unwelcome. Fortunately, the security team had increased their presence during the European leg of the tour, and the fans here seemed better behaved—more respectful, somehow. Still, every time before we reached the airport and again after we landed, Arc would gently squeeze my hand or lean over to quietly reassure me, "Everything's going to be okay."

Those small gestures, so simple yet so full of care, meant more to me than he probably realized.

From the airport, we went straight to the hotel—a beautiful Parisian building, all grand arches and wrought-iron balconies. It looked like something out of an old movie, elegant and timeless.

Rehearsals wouldn't start until evening, so for now, Arc and I found ourselves relaxing in his room, lounging on the couch with a book in hand while Arc was on his phone.

He suddenly stood up and walked over to his bag, rummaging through it before coming back with a pair of over the ear headphones.

"Listen to this," he said, a glint of anticipation in his eyes as he handed them to me.

I slipped the headphones on, and he pressed play.

His voice filled my ears—raw, beautiful, achingly real. The song spoke about taking steps into the unknown, about moving forward despite the loneliness. His voice carried so much emotion and longing that it squeezed at my heart. I closed my eyes, letting the lyrics wash over me, feeling the weight behind each word.

When the song ended, I pulled off the headphones slowly, almost afraid to break the spell.

"Wow... it's amazing," I breathed, my voice thick with emotion. "Is this a new song?"

Arc nodded, a small, almost shy smile tugging at his lips. "네. 제가 작업하던 곡의 완성된 버전이에요. 회사에서 오늘 디지털 트랙을 보내줬어요. 여러분께 가장 먼저 들려드리고 싶었어요. (Yeah. It's the finished version of a song I've been working on. The company sent me the digital track today. I wanted you to be the first to hear it.)"

I clutched the headphones a little tighter, touched by the trust he had placed in me.

"이 노래가 개인적인 것 같다는 생각을 떨칠 수가 없어요. (I can't help but think this song feels... personal)," I said gently. "마치 당신의 마음에서 직접 끌어낸 것 같아요 (It sounds like it's pulled straight from your heart.)"

"You guessed right," he said, his voice dropping into something softer, more vulnerable. He looked away, his gaze drifting out the window toward the Paris skyline. "이번 투어 때 이 곡을 썼어요... 멤버들 없이 여기 있는 게 어떤 기분인지, 혼자서 이 일을 하는 게 어떤 기분인지 표현하려고요. (I wrote it during this tour... to express how it feels to be out here without my members. To be doing this on my own.)"

Upon hearing his intentions behind the song, I was able to understand the lyrics with more depth. Beyond the flashing cameras, the packed arenas, the glamor of it all—there was loneliness too.

I'd seen glimpses of it before, he would always pick calls from his bandmates. No matter how exhausted he was, the second he heard their voices, he would light up like a kid.

Their bond was something special, something unshakable.

I scooted closer on the couch, wishing there was something I could do, some way to ease the burden. A thought suddenly came in my head and I couldn't help myself from speaking it out.