444 Dear Little Me (2)
Snippets of their journey during Rising Stars were shown on the big screen. From the moment they entered the big stage to the times they performed together and until their names were called for the debut spot. Afterward, a few clips of their preparation for the debut stage were also incorporated, showing off the hard work that couldn't be seen from behind the scenes. It felt like those montage videos of the beautiful wife who died in a crime movie…or a flashback to the beautiful, much simpler times in superhero movies. As cliche as it may seem, the boys and their fans loved it very much. Those who had supported them since the very beginning were the most emotional. It was unreal how people get attached to certain people so quickly, even if they haven't personally met. But this is what an idol is. Watching a short video or having a small update from them was enough to make your day. As EVE's journeys were displayed on the screen, the fans were transported back to the time when they were just getting to know them—the feeling of excitement and new territory.
Proud was an understatement for what Jia felt. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at the screen. Truly, the boys had become a part of her mundane life, and she was ready to be with them until her love faded. The audience was snapped back to reality when June stepped forward, placing the mic before his lips. Arin's breath got caught as she looked at the man standing in the very middle of the stage.
He looked a lot like Jin, his character, with the uniform he was wearing. However, Arin's focus was on June—just June. June, with solemn eyes, delivered a melodic rap that made even the members of EVE tear up. "Dear Little Me, take a look around. In the quiet whispers, hear a distant sound.
Now, you've got people who love you—in the audience they reside. Or maybe they're the people who're right by your side."
June glanced at his members with a fond smile. He didn't have many opportunities to thank them for the friendship they had granted him, so he took this moment to portray his inner feelings. He knew he wouldn't be able to tell them in a casual conversation otherwise.
"Met strangers with dreams, chasing the same sun. Who knew a simple dream could change the course of fate. Who knew a simple smile could turn into something so great." The members of EVE had heard June's bridge plenty of times during their practice, but it still managed to touch their hearts. The idols watching backstage and in the audience felt more grateful to their teammates.
Their friendship wasn't something that was explicitly addressed, but deep inside their hearts, they knew that these people had become very important in their lives. It seemed like EVE's performance had transcended the competition. All of them had realized what being an idol truly was. Haruki nodded to himself, already accepting his defeat. He was yet again determined to win the mission and widen their gap from other groups even further. However, as EVE's performance progressed, he realized he wouldn't be mad if they won. They deserved it. "Dear little me, keep embracing your dreams. The sadness in the journey is not as bad as it seems. There's still a long way to go, and that's okay.
Because in the end, you've also come a long way."
"Keep it in," Akira humorously whispered to Jaeyong when he noticed his teary eyes. Their leader pursed his lips and let out a deep breath before walking to the front for their final formation.
The video ended along with June's rap, and then it segued into the last chorus with the members of EVE in a tight-knit formation that resembled a group hug. As they broke away from each other, the smiles on their faces spoke volumes. The journey to becoming an idol may have been tough, but they were thankful for all the support they'd received and the friendships they'd built along the way.
The last chorus came, and it was different from the former ones. It appeared to be a response to the questions asked within the chorus, and it served as a great closure to the song.
"I'm proud of what we've become. Let's look back at where we came from. We've come a long way, I know…
…and there's still a long way to go."
As the final notes echoed in the venue, the lights dimmed once again. The members, breathless but elated, took their final bow. And at that moment, the applause thundered. It felt like a celebration of not only their performance but of their shared dreams, struggles, and their friendship. The lingering smiles on their faces show their fulfillment of the performance, and it touched even the hearts of the people who didn't know much about their group. However, in contrast with the loud cheers in the studio, the idols backstage were stunned into silence. They weren't expecting to feel so touched in a mission where they thought only upbeat performances would be arranged. However, in the end, she proved something else.
23:16
"Maybe I am crazy, after all," she muttered. "Ah, I don't think we deserve to be called their rivals anymore," Seven sniffed, thankful that they performed first since he would definitely be a mess if they performed right now. "They're so good. How can they think of such a concept?" he continued. Ocho, who had always been wary of EVE's presence since they were labeled as 'rivals' from the get-go, also pursed his lips in acknowledgment. Uno smirked as he leaned back against his chest. He knew EVE had never beaten them in terms of records, album sales, views, and even music shows. However, Uno conceded defeat at this very moment. As he gazed at June, his rival, he felt his heart pumping with excitement. He found yet another reason to continue improving himself.
The members of SPADES collectively sighed as soon as their performance ended. "Rookies these days are so scary," Chan said. "Why do they feel like seasoned idols already?" "I think it's just this group," Y muttered. "How could such a combination of people come to be? It's like they were chosen from the best of the best." "I think we can disband peacefully now," Jordan said, standing from his seat and facing his members. His members' eyes widened in surprise. "What are you talking about?" Nico asked. "We still have a couple of months!" "I know," Jordan smiled, a melancholic glint in his eyes. "I'm just hopeful—I believe EVE will achieve the things we wanted to achieve but failed to do so." Those in the audience were still captivated even after THRICE had finished giving their comments. The feeling lingered even after Kim Wonbin declared the end of the shooting.
Arin, who was in the middle of the room, couldn't get herself to move her feet. Other people were already making their way out of the venue, yet she remained. As she gazed at the stage, EVE's performance repeated over and over again in her mind. The reason why she came today was because she wanted to prove she wasn't going crazy because of June. However, in the end, she proved something else.
"Maybe I am crazy, after all," she muttered.
