"I chased the sun on endless summer days.
I laughed with friends, engaged in fun and plays."
June's voice, clear and crisp, reached the audience through the speakers. It was like a melody plucked from a dream, a sweet and soothing serenade that wrapped around the hearts of those in the audience. As he sang, his smile embodied pure joy, a radiant light that drew everyone's gazes.
"With my hands, I grasped at dreams so high.
In the blue sky, I spread my wings to fly."
Ren took over, his voice carrying a unique nasal quality yet nonetheless soft vibe. His vocal tone added a contrast, contributing a fresh flavor to the song. His confidence was evident, quite different from the person he was before, and June couldn't help but feel proud of him.
"Recess bells would ring, and the playground felt so wide.
In games so fun, I'd leap, I'd cry, I'd hide.
The taste of candy on my eager lips,
Sweet nostalgia, in my memory, it sits."
Jangmoon, the once-stiff performer who had drastically improved over the course of the competition, followed with his vocals. His voice was still underdeveloped, but it was a great addition to the song, only adding to the childlike aspect of their performance.
"Oh, when I was a child, such a sweet chime.
Yet I yearned to grow up, one day, some time."
Ren once again sang the pre-chorus before blending into the chorus.
"Now I yearn for days when life was pure and free,
But time's river flows and I can only see,
The past through the prism of what used to be,
A beautiful, fading dream, in my heart, a memory."
The chorus was led by Casper, whose baritone voice was an unexpected but beautiful surprise. His voice was like a rich, velvety layer that complemented the sweetness of the song. Despite his deep vocal timbre, the chorus sounded surprisingly cute.
Throughout the performance, the boys danced with infectious excitement, their movements reflecting the joy of children playing.
The unexpected performance was a fun, heartwarming experience that left the audience, trainees, and mentors alike in awe. The boys, whom they never thought would pull such a concept off, were actually performing with so much ease.
As the second verse of the song began, Daeho stepped up to the center. He had written this verse himself, and his passion for the lyrics was heard in his delivery. The audience, already entranced by the performance, listened intently as Daeho's heartfelt words flowed.
"In the flicker of a campfire, beneath the night's cloak,
We'd share stories, laughter, and tales bespoke,
Marshmallows toasted to a golden, sweet delight,
Underneath the endless starry night."
Casper followed, delivering his own verse with a deep, resonant tone.
"We'd build castles in the sand, by the ocean's sway,
With dreams and hopes that never fade away,
With seashells and sunsets, whispers in the breeze,
Oh, those days of wonder make our hearts at ease."
June, dancing at the side during the verses, couldn't have been prouder of his teammates. He knew they had done a great job with their verses, and he acknowledged it with a warm smile.
He only sang one line at this point, but he didn't mind it. The focus wasn't on individual lines or parts; but on the beauty of their performance.
"Oh, when we were children, such a sweet chime.
Yet we yearned to grow up, one day, some time."
As the performance continued, June found himself swept up in the joy of the moment. The audience's positive energy only fueled his own enjoyment. His smile widened as Daeho sang the pre-chorus. June was in his element, looking ecstatic to be sharing the stage with his team and basking in the cheers of the audience.
On their elevated seats, the mentors discussed June's performance, noting that he was truly shining on stage and looking cuter than ever. The trainees, too, saw that they were fully immersed in the moment, and despite hoping that Team Adorbz wouldn't do too good, they couldn't help but root for them since their genuine happiness was contagious.
The audience also couldn't help but be captivated by the transformation they were witnessing. This type of concept actually suited June very much, and they were all silenced by his aura that radiated pure cuteness and joy.
As the next chorus arrived, Ren and Jangmoon took the lead, their voices blending beautifully with each other in a harmonious duet.
"Now I yearn for days when life was pure and free,
But time's river flows and I can only see,
The past through the prism of what used to be,
A beautiful, fading dream, in my heart, a memory."
Meanwhile, a pair dance began, with the the members showcasing their synchronized movements. June stood in the middle, and he danced naturally, swaying his hips to the beat.
He performed a series of cute gestures that added a charming layer to the performance, making the audience go wild with excitement. His playful expressions and endearing moves were like a burst of sunshine, drawing smiles from all who watched.
As the chorus ended with its usual sweet and upbeat melody, there was a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The other instruments began to tune down, gradually fading into the background, leaving a sense of anticipation in the air. Then, like a gentle music box that had been wound up, a lone xylophone and piano piece emerged, casting a spell of nostalgia that enveloped the watchers.
The ethereal, haunting notes of the music box took people on a journey through time, evoking memories of a bygone era. The melody was bittersweet, like a window into the past, and the 'Bubblegum Pop' song suddenly felt…lonely?
It was time.
This was the moment that June had been waiting for. Throughout the song, he had only one line, but he knew that the bridge and the outro were where he truly belonged. The other aspects of the song, including the verses and chorus, had been brilliantly written by his teammates. However, the bridge and the outro were written by him, and it carried a certain emotional depth that June felt a strong connection to.
And so, with mellow dance moves, June once again stood at the center and sang the lines that came from his heart.
