CLASSROOM OF THE ELITES

43.0

Other than the breath of anticipation from the crowd, the soft strumming of the guitar is the only sound that filled the spacious place.

Seungcheol's grip on the microphone tightened as his cue to sing is almost upon him. Just a few more strumming on the guitar.

Seungcheol takes a deep breath and with a soft smile, he began to sang.

"그냥 왜인지 모르게 가끔씩 문득
(Without knowing why, sometimes, out of nowhere)
그런 생각이 자꾸만 들어 요즘
(Thoughts like those just appear lately)"

The older made eye contact with Vernon who happened to be the next to sing. They smiled at each other and Vernon delivered his lines with nowhere short of emotions.

"이렇게나 행복하고 아름다운 너
(You, whose so happy and beautiful)
그리고 남부럽지 않은 지금의 우리
(And the us right now, who are doing well)"

The mood of the crowd, just after the first few lines, immediately shifted and the room is now full of solemnity as the boys continued to sing.

"그런 우리가
(We, who are like that)
정말 언젠가 불행하게도
떨어지게 되면
그땐 어떡하지
(If we were to one day unfortunately seperate)
물론 그럴 일 없겠지만
(Of course, there won't be a happening like that, but)"

" 이런 상상은 정말 하기도 싫은데
(I really don't know thinking thoughts like this, but)
가끔씩 떠올라 넌
부디 이런 생각나지 않길
( I think of it sometimes, i hope that you will never think thoughts like this)"

Jeonghan and Jisoo sang their lines with emotions so heartfelt and the crowd felt their emotions rise just as the song came to its first chorus. 

"함께라서 웃을 수 있고
(Because we're together, i'm able to smile)
너라서 울 수도 있어
(And because it's you, i'm able to cry)
그렇게라도 못할 게 어딨어
(Like this, how could there be anything i can't do)" Woozi couldn't help but close his eyes as he delivers his lines. The emotions slightly began to overwhelm him.

"언제 어디에 있어도
함께하지 못해도 우린 늘 그렇듯
(No matter when and where you are, Even if we're unable to be together)
웃음꽃 피워요
(We will always, like we have, have smiles blossom)
그대 미소에 봄이 돼줄게요
(I will become the spring to your smile)"

Jisoo strummed the guitar fervently as the emotions that the song carries eventually escalates.

" 아낌없이 난 늘 너에게
받기만 하는 것만 같아
(Without holding back, i always feel like i'm only recieving from you)" Mingyu's tone when he sang felt like any moment he will miss a note but he didn't and the way he sang sounded very pleasant. Not something someone would expect from a giant puppy like who enjoys rapping as a talent.

"그래서 눈물 나도록
고맙고 더 미안해
(That's why, i'm so thankful and even more sorry)
꽉 안아주고만 싶어도
왠지 모르는 불안함에
(Even if i want to hug you tightly, what is this hesitation that comes)" the wild hamster, as Seungcheol had nicknamed Soonyoung, from his usual boisterous self had gave grace to the song as he conveyed his line.

"망설이는 건 뭔지
(From a weariness that i don't know about)
이러고 싶지 않은데
(I don't want to be like this)" The thickness of The8's chinese accent gave his line a beautiful color.

"하늘이 높고 바람은 차고
(Like the sky is high, the winds are cold)
바다가 넓고 푸른 것처럼
(And the ocean is wild and blue)" Chan sang with such formality, it was so pleasant.

"내 눈에 네가 그저
당연하게 바라봐질까 봐
(I'm afraid that i'll take you for granted)
그게 불안해서
이러는 것만 같아
(Because i'm uneasy about that, I feel like i'm acting like this)
널 잃어버릴까 봐
부디 넌 나 같지 않기를
(Because i'm afraid i'll lose you, I ask that you aren't the same as me)"

Sniffling could be heard from the crowd and if the boys were to look at them, they would be surprise to see that half of the crowd are already tearing up while the others are full on crying. The impact of DK's soulful voice had the Judges clutching their chest as the pain that the song was conveying gradually got stronger.

The second chorus began with DK's and Seungkwan's duet. Another last minute idea of Soonyoung and it was proven brilliant as the two boys' duet was so powerful and full of emotions. It was so beautiful.

"함께라서 웃을 수 있고
(Because we're together, i'm able to smile)
너라서 울 수도 있어
(And because it's you, i'm able to cry)
그렇게라도 못할 게 어딨어
(Like this, how could there be anything i can't do)
마지막이란 말 (This is our last)
하지 마 영원히 (Never ever say it)
내가 너의 곁에 남아있을 테니
(I'll stay by your side, so)"

After the second chorus, Jun began his unique way of conveying the bridge. It was his idea to rather narrate his part and it turned out good and very enticing.

"우린 정말 무슨 일 있어도
(Even if something were really to happen to us)
언제나 그랬듯 함께 있을 거예요
(We'll  always be together like we have been)"

"마지막이란 말
(This is our last)
하지 마 영원히
(Never ever say it)"

Just eight simple words yet so powerful and DK's beautiful voice justified that.

"무슨 일 있어도 우린 늘 그렇듯
(Whatever Happens)
웃음꽃 피워요
(We will always, like we have, have smiles blossom)"

What supposed to be just a simple ending bridge with Jisoo strumming the guitar took a suprising turn but beautiful one as Seungkwan unexpectedly began whistling along with Jisoo still strumming the melody.

The two of them lead the bridge with their short but lovely duet. Seungkwan softly quietened his whistles, giving way for Wonwoo to do his solo and he delivered just as emotionally expressive as the others.

"언제 어디에 있어도
함께하지 못해도 우린 늘 그렇듯
(No matter when and where you are, Even if we're unable to be together)
웃음꽃 피워요
(We will always, like we have, have smiles blossom)"

"그대 미소에 봄이 돼줄게요
(I will become the spring to your smile)" Jisoo sang his part in an almost hushed tone and a few more strums on the guitar and the song has ended.

The audience was silent for a while as they are still in awwe. Then One by one the audience began to clap until they errupted in loud cheers. The Judges were on their feet, clapping and cheering, much to the boys' surprise.

Seungcheol stood up and bowed to the judges, the boys copied their leader's actions and they now stood in one line and bowed altogether.

The clapping and Cheering got so loud that the people from backstage began peeking from behind the curtains or are gathered by the side entrances of the stage.

The Judges sat back down with a wide bright smile still on their faces.

"One word. Impressive."