?"Make it faster."
One of the crew members urged EVE to go to the stage. Due to their dramatic group discussion, they were late for their performance. In the end, Haemin and Wonbin had to do more ad-libs than usual to fill in their absence.
They didn't have time to speak with the audience, either, so they went to their formation right away.
The audience murmured in confusion, wondering why EVE didn't introduce themselves, unlike the other groups. However, they quickly dialed down in anticipation of their performance.
- My mind is still hung up on CHAOS' performance.
- CHAOS' performance will not be topped. Mark my words.
- Stfu. EVE isn't even done performing yet.
- By the way, why did EVE not introduce themselves?
- My dad works as a crew member in SBC. He said that the EVE kids had way too much fun talking among themselves that they missed their cue. They can't afford to extend since it's a live show, so they decided to forgo the group's introduction.
- If that's true, then they're really cute!
- Ya'll believe everything on the internet these days.
"I can't see them," Jia whispered to Bora, who was right by her side.
Bora clicked her tongue and poked her friend's shoulder. "Of course, you can't. The lights are off!"
Meanwhile, the idols backstage waited for EVE to reveal their outfits. CHAOS, who settled backstage to watch EVE's performance, also paid great attention to the large screen before them.
As much as Haruki hated to admit it, EVE came up with the greatest concepts out of everybody in the entire show. Each week, they brought something different to the table. Sometimes, it made him want to perform on such stages, too.
EVE was also the reason why CHAOS went for the emotional route this time. Haruki was determined to show the audience that they, too, could pull off that kind of concept.
Finally, the stage was illuminated by simple white lights, casting a glow on the members of EVE.
The members were standing in the middle the stage, lined up horizontally. It wasn't their usual formation for Oasis, so it left the audience guessing how they were going to perform the song.
However, their focus was brought away from EVE's formation when they saw the kind of outfits they were wearing.
Gasps and murmurs rippled across the audience as they finally realized the type of clothing that the members of EVE had.
"Kings?" Jia muttered, feeling breathless as she stared at the handsome men in the very middle of the stage.
- My prince charmings! They're so handsome <3.
- There are so many eye candies on the screen. I don't know where to focus my gaze.
- They really dressed like kings for King of Kings. Genius behavior!
- Everyone, look at them. How can you hate these kings?
- I have to admit, they have the best outfits among all the participants right now.
- Their outfits are fit for kings. But will their performance live up to it?
EVE was clad in regal attires—on-brand with the title of the show 'King of Kings.' They wanted to show the audience and the participants that they were the Kings of K-pop—literally.
Their red velvet sweaters, adorned with intricate black buckles, draped over their frames like robes of royalty. Each member wore fitted slacks that accentuated their lean forms, the fabric hugging their legs like a second skin, elongating their stature to godlike proportions.
However, their hair was a sharp contrast to their outfits. They were tousled in controlled chaos and spoke rebellion against the conventional image of a king—a defiance that only enhanced their allures.
June, at the center, had a crooked grin. He excluded an aura like a mad king—a ruler untamed by society's norms. However, he didn't look unkempt at all. His handsome features still made him look like a king despite his disheveled locks.
The cherry on top were the capes behind their backs, a darker crimson than their velvet sweaters. Even under the simple lights, they appeared like rulers of the world.
- I wouldn't mind being dominated by them.
- You mean, ruled?
- No…dominated.
- Oh goodness, the world is truly ending.
As the first strains of music filled the air, the audience braced themselves for the familiar beats of Oasis—the bright anthem that was still in the charts even three months after its release.
However, they frowned in confusion when a simple and ambient melody was revealed. It was slightly haunting, almost something you would hear from a church. However, at the same time, it sounded beautiful.
Y frowned as he felt something brew inside of him. They hadn't sung yet, but he already had a feeling that he was going to be blown away by their performance.
Shivers ran down the spines of the spectators as the ambient sounds enveloped them.
Though the room was devoid of any air conditioning, it felt as though a gust of wind had swept through, stirring their very souls.
Then, as if emerging from the depths of a forgotten dream, June's voice pierced through the ambient silence.
It was a departure from the norm that left the audience, especially the fans, surprised.
For June to take the lead in the song's intro was unprecedented. Typically, the center's parts were focused on the bridges and endings of their performances. His sudden ascent to the first part of the song was an unexpected yet delightful treat.
However, that wasn't really what impressed the audience the most.
What truly captivated them was the power in his voice. June's voice had been on the softer, more stylistic side, even during Rising Stars. Sure, he has done quite a lot of high notes, which suited him well, but being able to belt them was another story.
However, right now, as he sang the chorus of the song almost half an octave higher than the original key, those who knew of his original talent were blown away.
Uno's eyebrows furrowed as he leaned against his knees, staring at the screen with piercing eyes.
"What's this?" he muttered under his breath.
Had June somehow surpassed his own limits and transcended the boundaries of his singing skills once again?
