CH 3

Chagyeom furrowed his eyebrows. There was reluctance in his eyes at Sugyeom's proposal. Although Sugyeom previously hated their coupling, it couldn't have been pleasant for Chagyeom either.

However, it couldn't be helped. The year-end Gayo Daejeon had a much higher viewership than other programs, so they couldn't just just blow it off.

In other words, if they wanted to catch the most attention, they had to start from Cheonggyecheon.

"Let's do it, okay? The choreography doesn't change anyway, only our movements go a little deeper."

"...Okay."

Chagyeom replied hesitantly. Although he didn't seem receptive to the idea, Sugyeom was relieved when he heard his answer.

"Then let's practice! Come on."

"Hyung, are you sure you're okay? I think you fell down pretty hard. Even now, don't you think you should go to the hospital?"

"Yes, I'm really fine. Thanks for your concern."

At Hansol's remark showing concern, Sugyeom smiled at him.

What he said wasn't a lie. Everyone had said that he fell, but he felt so fine that he doubted if it had really happened.

He recalled falling down the stairs, but it seemed to have nothing to do with his current life, so he thought he could ignore it.

His condition truly felt as good as new. Not only was his body fine, but it was vigorous as if he had gained a new body.

Well, more specifically, he became five years younger in an instant, so it wasn't entirely wrong.

"Come on, everyone get ready!"

Sugyeom shouted energetically as he played the song that was planned for the Gayo Daejeon on a notebook.

Although the other members still showed worried faces, when the song came on, they naturally started the pre-arranged choreography.

He also quickly found his rank among the members after turning on the music.

Fortunately, perhaps because his body remembers the choreography, but there was no awkwardness in his movements even though it had been five years.

* * *

Whiii–

Along with a harsh sound, a cold breeze blew towards a waiting area. As a result, U-PITE's staff that were on standby inside shrieked.

Sugyeom, whose entire body was wrapped in a pink blanket, was also shivering helplessly in the freezing cold.

"Taewon-hyung, please check if my nose is gone."

Sugyeom said playfully to Taewon next to him.

Since his days as a trainee, the two had always been close. Playful banter with Taewon who had taken care of him like his own brother was his only joy when he was still a trainee.

"Huh, your nose was blown over there."

"Ah, you're right!"

Sugyeom burst into laughter and tapped Taewon on the shoulder in response. He was the one who started it, but he had found it funny to receive it so naturally.

However, he couldn't continue laughing because of the truly fierce wind that seemed to have blown his nose away as Taewon had said.

He touched his nose with his hand while holding a heat pack. The sensation at the tip of his nose was long gone in the biting cold.

It was bearable during rehearsals because the sun was still out, but the Gayo Daejeon started at night when the sun had set. As a result, his body felt colder now than during the day.

There were naturally tents and large heaters placed on site, but the weather was so cold that there was a limit to its effectiveness.

In the past, he would have cursed broadcasters who would push ahead with an outdoor stage in such weather. However, now it meant nothing to him who was going to take the stage again after five years.

"Wow, it's really nice."

"How can you say it's nice even though it's this cold?"

Taewon responded as if he was dumbstruck.

After all, Sugyeom was originally very sensitive to the cold. He was so vulnerable to the point he would completely wrap himself on days that weren't cold. As such, it was surprising he would say it was nice today where it was no different from being in a freezer.

However, he was truly happy.

He had thought taking the stage again was just a distant memory for someone like him. But now he was given another chance. With Taewon who he was close to no less.

His heart throbbed again. He didn't know how such a miracle could happen. To him who had thought everything was over, it still felt like a dream that such an undeserved opportunity had come.

"It's nice. To be able to perform on stage at the end of the year. I had really, really, wanted to perform on stage with hyung."

"Hey, why are you giving me goosebumps? Don't fool around. I already have goosebumps from the cold."

Taewon exaggeratedly slapped Sugyeom's arm.

His reaction was understandable. Sugyeom's personality was originally a person who couldn't say anything that was embarrassing. Even saying thank you, I'm sorry, or I love you. It was all simply too difficult for him.

However, Sugyeom's heart had changed after his rebirth. With a new lease on life, he didn't want to hide his overflowing emotions. He had already realized the bitter regret of what he couldn't say.

He smiled at Taewon.

"I'm not fooling around. Why would I joke about this? It's too good to be true. I can't believe I'm with hyung like this. It feels like a dream to be able to perform on stage with my favorite hyung."

"...What, really."

Taewon looked away, embarrassed by Sugyeom's sudden words.

Sugyeom quietly smiled at his reaction while thinking why he would be embarrassed over nothing.

As a result, there was an unusual silence between the two.

He had no choice but to endure the awkwardness in agony, wondering why Taewon was so embarrassed.

"Hey, Chagyeom! Chagyeom!"

Sugyeom happily called out to Chagyeom when he saw him coming into the waiting area. He was a good prey for him to escape the current awkward silence with Taewon.

Since he was wearing a long padded jacket that reached his ankles and was wrapped in several layers of blankets, he waddled towards Chagyeom like a penguin.

And because of the pink blankets that matched his pink hair, it seemed as if a giant pink doll was moving.

"Why did you call me?"

Chagyeom's tone contrasted Sugyeom's happy greeting. In the past, Sugyeom wouldn't have taken the initiative to speak to him because he disliked Chagyeom's way of speaking, but it was different now.

In any case, there was nothing to be bothered by in a situation where they had decided to attract attention on stage with a bang. And since he had decided to accept his role as a 'bottom,' it was better to continue to have a good relationship with Chagyeom from now on.

Chagyeom's way of speaking became less of a concern from the moment he had decided to become a couple.

"I called you to say let's do well."

"What?"

Sugyeom tilted his head when Chagyeom raised his voice as if he was surprised.

Was it weird to say they should do well on stage later?

"Why are you so surprised?"

"..."

Even though Sugyeom had asked with his eyes wide open, Chagyeom didn't answer.

Looking at Chagyeom who had become tight-lipped as he narrowed his forehead, Sugyeom clicked his tongue inwardly. At any rate, he knew it would be difficult to adjust to Chagyeom's pace.

Chagyeom's shell was somewhat hard to crack, but in retrospect, he was a rather kind and decent guy. Knowing that fact, Sugyeom smiled brightly at him.

"I mean, please take care of me. We're the Gyeom-Gyeom couple!"

"..."

Sugyeom had even mentioned the official 'Gyeom-Gyeom' coupling and said to take care of him, but Chagyeom didn't say anything this time either.

Feeling awkward by Chagyeom's reaction, he tried to scratch his well-set hair, but quickly lowered his hand when he sensed the eyes of the hair stylist's noona staring fiercely at him.

"U-PITE, get ready."

A stage staff of the Gayo Daejeon entered U-PITE's tent and said.

"Yes!"

Sugyeom replied with joy to escape the awkward situation.

Taking off the mink blankets and the long padded jacket, he left the waiting area with quick steps.

On stage, a ballad duet grew louder as it headed towards the climax of their song.

Following after was a collaborative performance by members of different girl groups on the main stage. The performance from the main stage was to be broadcast live on screen.

And finally it would be U-PITE's turn.

While waiting for their turn, Sugyeom repeatedly hopped in place to beat the cold.

His stage costume was a deep-cut white silk blouse and a red tartan pattern suit on top.

"Hey, Song Sugyeom. Stay next to me."

Chagyeom grabbed Sugyeom's arm and pulled him closer when he saw Sugyeom shivering like a puppy in the rain. Sugyeom widened his eyes at the sudden action, but soon smiled wryly when he thought that what he had said earlier had worked.

"Thank you."

Sugyeom stood close to him. Warmth rose little by little around the area where they touched. By the time the warmth gradually spread,

"U-PITE, go up!"

The cue sign from a staff of Gayo Daejeon fell.

Sugyeom put a dangling earpiece from his neck around his ear.

It was time to begin again the stage he had desperately wished for.