Chapter 79: Showcase (2)

Behind the stage,

"Whoaaaaah!"

"Kyaaaaaah!"

As soon as the VCR video ended, loud cheers from the fans erupted.

The sizzling heat that seemed strong enough to shake the floor was transmitted all the way here.

Seohan swallowed dryly and bit his lower lip.

He had been nervous during the press showcase, but the pressure on this stage was something else entirely.

There was no way not to be nervous.

The fans were right out there like that.

To be honest, it didn’t seem like anyone here was completely calm.

Kang Siwoo also scanned the members’ expressions with a stiff face.

"Everyone okay?"

"I don’t know. I’m crazy nervous…."

"Sehyun?"

"I always have a steel mentality. I’m fine."

Tremble tremble tremble—

His hand holding the water bottle was shaking that much, and yet he said that now? That didn’t inspire any trust.

Seohan held back a laugh and clicked his tongue.

Just then, Seohan’s gaze happened to meet Cha Seongbin.

‘Is he okay?’

Even though he had the mental strength of an ocean sunfish, he was always confident on stage.

He had faltered badly during the mid-evaluation, but when it came to the real deal, Cha Seongbin had always pulled through.

Having performed with him, Seohan had developed a certain trust in him.

But.

‘He’s a bit nervous today.’

Maybe there was a reason he earned the title of ocean sunfish.

In contrast to his striking blue hair, his complexion was rather pale.

Was it because the press showcase earlier had drained his energy?

If not….

‘Did that anonymous account incident hurt his confidence after all.’

In fact, Cha Seongbin had been very worried even before getting on this stage.

Even after his classmate posted an apology, there were still people who tried to stir up the same rumors nonstop.

Most of them probably deleted their posts after getting flamed, but… that was just how life was.

You only ever see the one hateful comment among hundreds of compliments.

He had been shrinking back, afraid that his fans might have been disappointed by that incident.

Watching him closely, Seohan asked in a quiet voice.

"Hyung, are you alright?"

"Whew… I’m okay. My heart’s just beating a bit fast? Is it arrhythmia?"

Cha Seongbin brushed his chest and joked nonchalantly.

Even at that moment, fans’ screams echoed from beyond the stage.

"Kyaaaaaah!"

"Congratulations on debuting, Stardust! We love you!"

"Stardust! Stardust! Stardust!"

As if they knew we were listening, Dusty’s cheers grew even louder.

Cha Seongbin smiled brightly.

"Still, it gives me strength."

"Yeah? Actually, I brought something just in case…"

Thinking it might help, he brought something that could give him strength.

Seohan rummaged through his pocket and pressed something into Cha Seongbin’s hand.

"Hmm?"

"I bought it on the way here."

Cha Seongbin widened his eyes and opened his tightly clenched fist.

“What is this.”

It was a four-leaf clover, neatly laminated.

Seohan didn’t know whether Cha Seongbin believed in superstitions like this, but ocean sunfish types with weak mental strength tended to cling to anything they could.

"Thanks."

Cha Seongbin smiled faintly and put the four-leaf clover in his pocket.

Seohan added calmly.

"You’ll do well, just like you always have."

Of course.

Cha Seongbin grinned and gave a thumbs-up. Maybe it was because of the clover, but his voice was noticeably lighter.

"Ah. Cha Seongbin is going to slay the stage~."

"Let’s all slay it together."

"Sounds good!"

With Kang Siwoo’s loud shout, they all chanted together.

One.

Two.

Three.

"Shine bright! Stardust fighting!"

"Fighting!"

The stage, veiled in deep darkness.

Click—

As a soft light turned on, seven boys revealed themselves.

Behind them, the clean font of their name lit up.

Thud.

[STARDUST]

"Whoaaaaaaaah!"

"Kyaaaaah!"

"Aaaaaaah! We love you, Stardust!"

At the same time, the studio echoed with deafening cheers.

Fans had come from all over the country just for this stage.

With countless placards fluttering like waves before their eyes, the ground shook with a thump.

Seohan stood right in the middle of it all.

And smiled as if he were used to this tremble.

He was nervous to the point of madness, but it felt closer to excitement.

Because he was ready to have fun.

Let’s tear up this stage.

The rhythmic intro of Spacewalk began to play.

Seohan stepped forward confidently, without a hint of hesitation.

Twisting his body gently like he was floating, he reached out while keeping his balance.

This is my universe

I swim through the universe—

Across a distance of more than 500 light years

What can reach is only light and me

A blue planet located over 500 light years away.

For the girl waiting for him there, the boy takes a powerful leap.

Lyrics that say he can do anything to reach her.

Seohan’s smirking face filled the entire billboard.

Folding the universe in half

Staring straight ahead without a flinch,

Seohan lightly brushed his lower lip with his hand.

I’ll catch up with the time that has passed

"Kyaaaaaaah!"

"Is Do Seohan crazy?"

It was clear his stage presence had increased since their debut.

Otherwise, how could he be showing off like that so boldly on stage?

"Do Hamjji’s insane."

"Aaack, Seohan!"

The youngest, who completely bewitched the hearts of the Dusties, quickly stepped back.

The members spread out like they were floating and then regrouped again.

Swimming through the dark space, the members slowly orbited around the Earth.

They waited, revolving daily around a star 50 billion light years away that they could never reach.

To find the time when they could meet you.

To find that perfect intersection where parallel lines of time touch.

Pushing through the surrounding members, Kang Siwoo burst out powerfully.

His hot, clear diction slammed into Dusty’s ears without a moment of hesitation.

It’s been a long time

So many things changed during that long time

Turn back the clock, fix it, so I can hold you

Can you catch my time?

Cha Seongbin took over with his cool rap, following Kang Siwoo’s crisp diction.

He ran a hand through his blue hair and let out a small laugh.

Missing that planet, I draw you again

Soar, I fly to touch your sky

The two of them bumped fists and laughed lightly.

"Are they insane, that combo?"

"The partner choreography is crazy."

Each word hitting just right—it was what you'd expect from Stardust’s trusted main rapper line.

A perfect result born from countless hours of practice.

The precisely measured spacing in the choreography left Dusties gasping in awe.

They might be rookies, but they’re still human.

How can they perform group choreography this sharp?

‘Our boys really came with their teeth bared.’

And no wonder.

This stage had been honed with several times more intensity than their Starf days.

Between the softly flowing movements, Choi Myunghwan’s devilishly difficult choreography sliced the beat with precision.

Even as they gasped from the exhausting moves, their live vocals barely wavered.

Having once reached utopia

That planet is piercingly blue

Unforgettable because it’s so beautiful

I’m stuck in you

As if their hearts were beating, they clenched their fists.

The seven tilted sideways as if collapsing, then pushed off the ground and rose again.

Toward you, spacewalk

Even if I die and can’t make it, I’ll be okay

Running to that planet

Even if I collapse without reaching, I’ll be okay

That lyric about being okay even if you collapse without reaching—maybe it was really about their passion for the stage.

They poured everything into this performance, enough that they’d be okay even if they collapsed on it.

They performed the choreo they had practiced tens, hundreds of times, smoothly and cleanly.

It was hard to believe they’d prepared all this in such a short time—the moves were etched into their bodies.

Having once reached utopia

That planet is piercingly blue

Unforgettable because it’s so beautiful

I’m stuck in you

The stage was piercingly blue,

So beautiful it was unforgettable.

Toward you, spacewalk

Even if I die and can’t make it, I’ll be okay

Running to that planet

Even if I collapse without reaching, I’ll be okay

So, it was just wonderful.

For the Dusties sitting in the audience.

And for Stardust, running on that stage.

Even if I collapse without reaching, I’ll be okay

It was their first stage—a moment that would shine brilliantly in memory.

.

.

.

.

Even after a long while, the fiery heat didn’t subside.

Dusties shook their placards with all their strength until their arms nearly fell off.

Maybe because there was no other way to express their excitement.

Thanks to that, even from far away on the stage, every single placard was clearly visible.

[Thank you for debuting, Do Seohan]

[I’ll become the dust in your room]

[Seohan’s future is brighter than mine]

[Ultimate Sexy Do Seohan]

There were touching messages that stirred emotions, and witty placards that made you laugh just by looking.

Seohan smiled and waved toward the audience.

"Whoaaaaaah!"

"Stardust! Stardust! Stardust!"

"Kyaaaaah! Congratulations on your debut!"

Their first stage had been overwhelming, to the point that sweat dripped and their breath caught in their throats.

But overcoming that pressure and standing here was more than worth it.

This is why we debuted.

To feel this electrifying tremble.

To stand on stage.

“Haa… ha.”

Even as he gasped for air, Seohan smiled brightly.

Knowing that their presence made the stage even more beautiful, he wanted to read every single placard out loud.

But he couldn’t—not when there were more stages to come.

There was still so much to show.

Alright, then. Time for a quick thank-you.

"Our members—"

Kang Siwoo flashed a grin and signaled the others.

And then,

With a booming voice, he declared:

"We will now greet you officially!"

Stardust’s first official greeting.

"Shine bright! Hello, we are Stardust!"

The lips of all seven opened in perfect unison.

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