?- Are we hearing him right now?
- What the heck? Since when did June sound like this?
- I realized I hadn't heard June sing in such a long time.
- Yeah, now that I think about it, he's been rapping for the past two weeks.
- I don't think he ever sounded like this in his life.
Xion, too, couldn't help but pay more attention as June stretched the high note of the last part of the chorus.
When they performed 'Father' together, he had to admit that June had a great voice. It was the type of voice that would draw you in the moment you heard it.
Xion honestly thought that his natural voice was a cheat. Anybody who had that great natural tone would be considered a great singer. However, it still had some limitations.
June's soft and R&B type of voice wasn't suited for songs with more powerful and more 'belty' parts.
However, for this particular performance, it seemed like he had broken out of that barrier and sang without those limitations.
It made Xion wonder if he had made a mistake in judging the versatility of June's voice.
Meanwhile, June, who had just finished with the introduction part of their performance, internally smirked as he saw the agape mouths of the audience members. Even those holding other groups' lightsticks looked at him with sparkly eyes, making him proud of the progress he had made with his vocal skills.
The improvement was definitely linked to the upgrades he had gotten, which led him to have a vocal skill grade of SS. However, he also wanted to pat himself on the back because he wouldn't have improved in such a short amount of time without the vocal lessons with Magic Mama.
June reclaimed his rightful place at the center of the stage. The rest of EVE converged around him before joining June in singing the first verses of the song.
"In the embrace of waves, where the sun meets the shore,
A life lived in water, forever wanting more.
Rise like the sun. Rise with the tides.
Hold on tight for this hot, wild ride."
Their voices blended in perfect harmony. There was a transcendent quality of their performance, almost like the audience was listening to a performance in a king's castle.
It was reminiscent of a chorale, with the baritones and tenors singing together without outshining the others. In this stage, all of them shined brightly, contributing to the harmony that serenaded the audience.
"Underneath the moon, we share our stories.
In the blue embrace, unforgettable memories.
Experiences we've shared held by the sandy shore.
Our oasis, forever we adore."
The first verses ended, and just as the audience settled into the hypnotic rhythm of the chorale arrangement, a sudden change in the music sent shockwaves through the studio.
It was a startling sound, making even the participants watching backstage jump in their seats.
Seven placed his hand over his heart and tried to steady his breath.
"What the heck? That came out of nowhere!" he exclaimed.
The 17-year-old idol was sure that EVE was going to continue with the royal chorale concept, yet now, the ambient sounds faded into the background, replaced by a surge of intense synth beats.
However, despite the sharp change, it didn't sound like a chaotic cacophony. Thanks to June's and Ren's masterful production skills, the transition between the serene and the intense sound was executed seamlessly.
It almost seemed like the audience was watching a royal kingdom burst into flames after a peaceful gathering—like the calm before the storm.
As the music grew louder, EVE unleashed the storm on the stage. After their harmonious singing, they now broke into an intense dance break that was as synchronized as dance crews.
It was a mesmerizing display of agility and control that left the audience breathless in its wake. They jumped high in the air, yet their feet were still on the same level despite their different heights.
Hours of practice-led EVE to achieve this kind of synchronization. It was definitely a tiring run, especially for June, who had to go to different schedules because of his new role in acting. However, it was all worth it in the end as they saw the audience's amazed expressions.
- I just took a screenshot of their jump. All of their knees are on the same freaking level! Do you know how hard that is?
- It's like they're moving as one. EVE has such different dancing styles, yet they still manage to make it work.
- I love CHAOS, but dang, this is good.
- And it isn't even over yet!
Truly, it wasn't over yet.
EVE wasted no time in delivering yet another masterpiece as the genre shifted once again.
The intense synth beats that dominated the previous segment gave way to the primal pounding of organic drums. The sudden shift in sound transformed the atmosphere, infusing it with the raw, untamed energy of a rock band.
The chorus erupted like a volcano, and EVE sang the chorus with ease despite the intensity of their dance break just seconds ago.
"Oh, oh, oasis
Oh, oh, my life is
Where the waters intertwine...
Where love is deep, like the ocean's endless line.
With friends by my side, beneath the azure dome,
In this haven, I've found my true home."
They continued to dance; however, the intense gyrations of the dance break were replaced by a stylish choreography that oozed the effortless charisma of a seasoned rock band.
The audience members started to stand, allowing themselves to enjoy the performance more by jumping with the members of EVE.
Haruki's eyes narrowed as he watched the scene before him. They had performed three genres so far, yet it still felt like one singular performance.
Meanwhile, MORPH3D, who had been intently watching from the start, bobbed their heads to the beat once the chorus hit.
"This beat is really nice," Rex said.
Zibo pursed his lips before nodding in agreement. Despite not wanting to admit that EVE's performance was good because of his past interactions with June, he still couldn't deny that this certain arrangement was also his preferred style.
Meanwhile, in OCTA's room, Ocho suddenly stood like he just had an epiphany.
His members were shocked, turning to him with wide eyes.
"What's wrong?" Seven asked, confused by his behavior.
Ocho was silent for a moment before finally responding.
"The second part of the song," Ocho started off.
His members intently listened to him.
"I think it's us."
