Hoshi on Stage

Chapter 3

  Despite being plagued with his thoughts about Taemin, Soonyoung finished his performance flawlessly. It was like his body remembered every dance move and it has become a part of him. After they finished their stage, Seventeen returned to the waiting room. Soonyoung retreated to a quiet corner and sat down on the floor, as if in a daze. 

 I wonder if he remembers me? But why is he wearing my jacket? I'm pretty sure it was my jacket.... "Ahhhh!" he cried out suddenly, pulling at his own hair. His fellow member Seokmin (stage name Dokyum) looked at him surprised. He sat down next to him. "Soonyoung are you alright? Were you not satisfied with our performance?"

Soonyoung looked at him blankly. He asked, "Have you ever loved someone so much but you have no idea what they are thinking?"

"Are you confessing to me?" asked Seokmin, grinning broadly.

"No! Maybe love isn't the right word... More like admire? Adore?" muttered Soonyoung, scratching his head. His thoughts started to wander off again. 

Seokmin answered, "Soonyoung, I don't really understand what you are talking about. Is there someone you have in mind?"

Soonyoung cried out in frustraion, "Ahh! Forget I ever said anything. Anyway Seokmin, you missed a step during the chorus. Didn't I tell you before, if you missed this step, it would be hard for S.Coups to carry you during the highlight!?" 

Seokmin looked at him sheepishly, "Sorry I was a bit distracted by our fans, I won't make that mistake again."

Soonyoung suddenly felt guilty. Wasn't he the one who was distracted? How was he going to help the team if he didn't focus during his own performance on stage. Whether Taemin was wearing his jacket or not didn't matter now. What matters is Seventeen and he had to focus all his energy on them to help bring them to number one. 

"Seventeen! It's time to return to the stage. They are going to announce the number 1 winner for Music Bank," said their manager. At the end of each music broadcast, all the performers would return to the stage to await the result of the number one artiste for the week. For this week, SHINee was one of the finalists for number one. Soonyoung sighed softly and followed the rest of his members back to the stage. 

As fate would have it, Seventeen was standing just behind SHINee on stage. Soonyoung stared at Taemin's back. They were only inches away from each other but why does it seem like he was out of reach for him? This person whom Soonyoung has only seen through a television screen was now standing just in front of him. This person who inspired him to become an idol and who even helped him unknowingly when he wanted to give up was standing right in front of him. He looked a thousand times more beautiful in real life. But he probably doesn't even know I exist. 

The music show hosts announced, "And the winner for this week is...SHINee! Congratulations!" Confetti burst onto the stage as SHINee made their thank you speech. Soon, everyone had to make their way down from the stage, leaving SHINee to make their encore performance. It was hard to describe how Soonyoung was feeling now. His stomach even felt abit queasy and was making strange noises. 

"Seokmin...I need to go to the restroom. I see you all later...." said Soonyoung, clutching his stomach. 

"Okay!" replied Seokmin. 

Soonyoung made his way to the restroom and went into one of the stalls. Did he eat something weird during lunch? Anyway, it really wasn't like him to be so distracted. After Seventeen made their debut, he was the one who was put in-charge of their performance and dance. If he wasn't able to focus, he would be disappointing twelve other members. He clenched his fists and yelled, "Fighting!" He got up and flushed the toilet. 

He opened the door of the cubicle to see someone washing his hands at the sink. Soonyoung froze in his track. He knew that back anywhere. He quickly made a 90 degree bow and said, "Good evening Taemin-sunbaenim, my name is Hoshi and I'm in the new group called Seventeen." 

Taemin turned off the tap and wiped his hands on a paper towel. He glanced over at the bowed figure and walked towards the exit. 

"Hoshi?" he said softly. "That's strange, I thought you were Soonyoung."

Soonyoung looked up in surprise. But Taemin has left the restroom already.