Chapter 99: Debut (22)

Chapter 99: Debut (22)

The final shoot for Chronos History had just concluded, and all that remained was to tidy up and bid our farewells. I had expected cheerful goodbyes after our playful shooting, but the tender gazes of the production crew stirred an unexpected pang of sadness in us.

“How's everyone feeling now that it's all coming to an end? Let’s start with Jin-Sung," I asked.

“Umm, I'm not sure. We've bonded with the crew, and now suddenly it's the finale. It feels surreal to me," he replied.

The sentiment passed from Jin-Sung to Goh Yoo-Joon, Park Yoon-Chan, and finally me.

“What about you, Hyun-Woo?"

“I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. Even now, your kind gazes are upon us, and you've always been our pillars of support. I'm immensely thankful to the crew and our fans for this journey. It means the world to us.”

After I expressed my appreciation, Joo-Han also shared his feelings. “It's been a period filled with gratitude. We've learned so much from our first stage to our first broadcast with this incredible team. While we will gather more experiences in the future, this unique feeling and journey will forever hold a special place in our hearts."

- Everyone's worked so hard. We will keep cheering for Chronos. Shall we wrap up with a final goodbye?

Director Lee Won-Jae suggested. After that, Joo-Han glanced around at us and said, “Thanks for watching!”

“Cut! Well done, everyone!" A collective sigh of relief echoed as we basked in the completion. It was a mix of relief and nostalgia, but I was content we'd wrapped up well.

“Thank you, everyone!”

I made sure to personally express my gratitude to each crew member, noticing the mixed emotions in their faces. Park Yoon-Chan and Lee Jin-Sung were visibly moved, tears and all. Even Dong-Woo, my cameraman, was moved to tears.

***

With our final farewells exchanged, we boarded the van back to Seoul, leaving the Chronos History chapter behind us.

“They approved the dance challenge. But what exactly is Teen&Talk? Is it truly that famed among teens?"

I replied, “So it seems. I only got wind of this dance challenge recently.”

“The planning team loved your idea. How did you come up with it?" our manager asked.

“It just hit me. But hey, I've already got Jin-Sung's dance challenge filmed at the house. Can I capture another one at the rest stop?"

“Sure, just find a quiet area where no one is around.”

Joo-Han passed me the phone, and I tapped the video icon, surveying the other members.

“Goh Yoo-Joon, how about pairing up with me?"

“Sure, why not." We understood not everyone needed to participate, especially in the hustle of a rest stop. Plus, it would be awkward for only one person to dance around these many people.

Once there, Yoon-Chan, Goh Yoo-Joon, and I scouted for an ideal location, which proved challenging given our need to avoid crowded areas and unwanted attention. Finally, we chose a secluded spot behind the restrooms, shrouded by trees and teeming with ants.

“Don't fret about mimicking the choreography exactly. The essence of a dance challenge is to reinterpret the original moves in your style."

“So, just the chorus?"

“Exactly... just the chorus," I confirmed.

“Should I cue the music, hyungs?" Yoon-Chan asked.

This would not work. Without playing our trump card, he'd keep refusing.

I muttered quietly, “Royalties..."

At my utterance, Joo-Han's gaze snapped my way, and he whispered back, “Royalties. First place. A cushion of money."

Joo-Han's reaction was immediate. Catching on the situation, Mr. Seong said, “Royalties. Independent from group earnings. Exclusively for Joo-Han."

“Separate from... the group pay?" As Joo-Han started to waver, everyone in the room started muttering about royalties.

“Royalties..."

“...but, how could..."

“Royalties..."

“Still, how can we..."

“Royalties..."

‘What should I do with such a materialist hyung?’

Finally, Producer Do, who had been silent to keep his charismatic image, murmured, “Parade... monthly revenue seventy thousand dollars..."

Joo-Han stood up abruptly, his eyes ablaze with a mix of greed and realization. He and Producer Do were locking their eyes. Eventually, Joo-Han conceded. “Yes, let’s do it.”

‘Money talks, after all.’ Joo-Han quietly withdrew his opposition, and so his self-composed song transformed from a simple unreleased track to our official follow-up song.

***

I accompanied Joo-Han to the practice room with the finalized self-composed track in hand. We also had to shoot his dance challenge video and brainstorm choreography.

“Hey, isn't this the first time in eight years we've come to the practice room with just the two of us?"

“Yeah, now that you mention it, I've never had a practice session just with you." While I had frequently visited the practice room with Goh Yoo-Joon or Lee Jin-Sung, Joo-Han typically headed straight back to the dorms after group practices.

“Hyung, have you decided on the name of your self-composed song?" I asked as I set up the camera on its tripod.

“Not yet. I'm still pondering, but all that comes to mind are mundane titles."

“How about Blue Summer Night?" I suggested tentatively, and Joo-Han chuckled.

“Oh, that. Because of Yoo-Joon's lyrics, right?" It was a very ordinary title indeed. But since we couldn't keep referring to it as “the self-composed song”, I mulled over a title while Joo-Han prepped for his dance challenge. Brimming with a drunkenly joyous vibe, the tune kept leading me back to the names of alcoholic drinks. Hmm... but that might not fly, given all the members except Joo-Han were underage.

“Oh, right, Hyun-Woo."

“What's up?"

“I have something for you," Joo-Han suddenly said.

‘Ah, yes. I vaguely remembered him mentioning it before.’

Joo-Han pulled out his phone, sat down beside me, and said, “You were curious about this song, right? Listen to it."