The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 205

‘The most memorable moment.’

When I endured hell and returned to reality.

When I could dream of being an idol again.

When I was able to debut as the final first place.

When we achieved our first first place as CENTIX.

When we received tremendous awards at year-end award ceremonies.

All these moments are memorable.

But what moment would the current me want to remember for life?

“……Mine is also simple.”

“I know that expression. He’s definitely going to drop another memorable quote with that expression.”

Ignoring Kang Seon-woo’s comment lightly, I spoke the thoughts that came to mind without holding back.

“The moments other members mentioned are all memorable too. They’re all precious moments for CENTIX, days we should remember for life. But if you’re asking me right now at this moment, well, hmm.”

I paused slightly and smiled.

Even though I think it’s a bit cringey, what does it matter.

These are words I could never say if it weren’t a day like this.

“Right now, being able to enjoy this moment with the people I treasure most. This very moment where the current me is breathing is the most memorable.”

I wanted to sincerely say that I want to keep remembering this moment.

“Ah, everyone, look! Ryu Si-hwan is trying to monopolize all the cool lines again!”

“Brother, what does that make us?”

“That’s mean.”

“That was mean.”

The touching moment was brutally shattered by Ryu Si-hwan bullying that started with Kang Seon-woo.

As I fumbled with the microphone, slightly flustered about how to react, the audience was drowning in laughter.

“Still, you’re cool!”

“Thank you. At least one person recognized my sincerity.”

I expressed gratitude after hearing a MILLENNIUM’s comment that cut through the loud noise.

Then that MILLENNIUM with a very high pitch possessed a pterodactyl and shrieked even louder.

I’m worried they might cough up blood from their throat.

Kang Seon-woo, whose mood had risen after successfully teasing me, immediately moved on to the next question.

“Now, our kindergarteners, the next question! We’re so curious about CENTIX at the dorm. Which member wakes up first and which member wakes up last? And do you eat breakfast properly every time?”

“This one’s super easy?”

“Too easy!”

Seong-hwi and Yu Ha-woon reacted simultaneously, then pointed at each other at the perfect timing.

“This is definitely you.”

“No way, it’s definitely Brother! I’ve seen it so many times right next to you!”

While the two (former) roommates started a petty argument, the rest of the members held a serious discussion.

“Weren’t it Hwi and Si-hyeok who always slept in?”

“But Brother Si-hyeok sometimes wakes up early to make breakfast.”

“I don’t sleep in that late. I’m wrongfully accused.”

“Sorry.”

I gently patted Ma Si-hyeok’s broad back.

He’s like a big dog.

“From what I remember, Ha-woon was always the last one to enter the kitchen?”

“That’s right.”

“If Chae Ha-ru with absolute memory says so, it must be true, right?”

“Ah, but Brother Hwi is no joke either when it comes to sleeping in.”

“……Can’t we just say both of them?”

“Si-hwan wakes up first for sure. Ah, I don’t know. Just vote for one of the two.”

The result was a miraculous tie: Yu Ha-woon 3 votes, Seong-hwi 3 votes.

This was the moment CENTIX’s official sleepyheads were confirmed as two people.

After discussing about 5 more questions, the first talk time ended.

We left saying we’d see them again soon and hurriedly moved our steps to backstage.

“It’s time for the group performances! Let’s quickly change outfits first.”

“Yes!”

This section is the busiest.

Both members and staff have to finish changing outfits and putting on equipment in about 80 seconds.

“After 〈Polaris〉 comes 〈Back in the Time〉, and last is 〈Shooting Star〉, right?”

“How can you still be confused about that when it’s 1 minute before going on stage?”

“Ah, of course it’s all in this head! I just double-checked because I’m nervous.”

“Just do some deep breathing.”

It was something I said to tease Kang Seon-woo, but in reality breath control is important for him.

We had relatively more leeway since we just had to listen to questions and answer, but Kang Seon-woo had to host at the same time, so it was bound to be tiring.

“Phew. It’s fine, it’s fine. This much is easy.”

“But I’m really nervous about 〈Polaris〉 and 〈Shooting Star〉 too. It’s completely the first time doing them.”

The b-side tracks included in the first full album haven’t been sung much except during recording.

Plus having to perform the choreography we briefly practiced over the past two months, there’s bound to be some tension.

“What’s there to be nervous about? We practiced like crazy, so our bodies will follow along automatically. Right, Si-hyeok?”

“That, that’s true.”

“Why are you going into timid mode again?”

“I’m not.”

“Yeah, I think you are.”

Seong-hwi, who raised the corner of his mouth slightly toward his same-age friend, walked toward the lift first.

Then Ma Si-hyeok muttered “I’m really not……” and trudged after him.

“Should we go too?”

“Yeah.”

I lightly bumped fists with Chae Ha-ru and grinned.

Our first concert was already flowing through the mid-to-late stages.

* * *

「So we can get closer to each other

So I can reach you

I’ll be your Polaris」

Seong-hwi’s soft tone decorating the last verse.

The members sat on the floor in a circular formation to match the gently resonating piano sound.

As a star twinkled on the large screen and gradually dimmed its light, the stage lights also faded.

‘The song is so good!’

Song Ji-won had been streaming CENTIX’s b-side tracks on infinite repeat as well.

So this song Polaris was naturally one she’d heard dozens of times, but watching it live felt different.

She never imagined there would be choreography for such a gentle song, but CENTIX presented beautiful movements like swimming underwater, drawing a perfect image.

‘I should drink some water.’

She had already drunk two whole bottles of water from shouting so much.

Time-wise, there was still half the concert left, and at this rate, the water she brought would disappear way too quickly.

So she was hoping for songs that would give her throat at least a little rest.

「I want to go back to that beautiful moment

To that time when you and I were together」

The dreamy sound of future bass came out as six figures stood up in unison.

Song Ji-won had been remembering exactly where Ryu Si-hwan was sitting, and she caught her bias taking something out of his pocket.

「I’m going back in the time when we were young

That era when every moment was beautiful」

The moment they heard the chorus that appeared first due to the arrangement, all MILLENNIUM in Gocheok Dome roared with cheers.

The stage from 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉 that had truly left a sensation.

That very song that had allowed Ryu Si-hwan to sit in overall first place.

As blue lights descended like sunlight, the white lace the members wore around their necks fluttered.

CENTIX, dressed in cream-colored shirts, showed light movements like beautiful butterflies.

It was the complete 〈Back in the Time〉 after a long time, but in Song Ji-won’s heart, the sensation from when she first saw 〈ISL 2〉’s second round stirred.

Because nothing had changed from back then.

It felt like precious emotions were coming back to life.

「Flying through the stars and the moon

Singing like this toward you whom I had forgotten」

Ryu Si-hwan’s solo part where he kept the original key.

This time too, without fail, his voice soared high enough to touch the dome’s ceiling.

Feeling chills, Song Ji-won made no sound while looking at his strained throat.

The dance break that came after the reverse cymbal was unchanged too.

The members roughly untied the lace around their necks and performed choreography mixed with contemporary dance.

In this heightening moment, she couldn’t take her eyes off CENTIX more than ever.

MILLENNIUM went wild at every single movement of arms and legs sweeping down.

CENTIX’s cheers from Song Ji-won’s left and right grew even louder.

When she felt like she could no longer describe this catharsis, she too broke her silence and shouted.

“Guys, I love you so much―!”

And the moment that shout cut through the air, the 〈Back in the Time stage〉 ended.

The members, who had stopped briefly to catch their breath, slowly walked forward.

Until reaching the extended stage, CENTIX responded with sincere gazes toward fans who were enthusiastically waving their hands.

「Like a starlight

This light shining ahead

I worried it might disappear somewhere」

Medium-tempo synth pop.

Song Ji-won’s ears instinctively realized it was the b-side track 〈Shooting Star〉 inserted as the sixth track of the first full album.

Though it didn’t feel as officially released as CENTIX’s first fan song 〈Reminder〉, looking at the lyrics one by one, you could tell it was clearly written for MILLENNIUM.

While humming along to the easy-to-follow melody, the light in Song Ji-won’s light stick automatically turned on.

‘It’s blue.’

Song Ji-won looked around.

All the other MILLENNIUM standing around her were also holding up light sticks emitting blue light.

That light festival extended beyond the standing area to the second floor. And all the way to the seats at the farthest point of Gocheok Dome.

A beautiful scenery she wanted to remember for life.

For 3 minutes, she sang along to 〈Shooting Star〉 with the members.

She was so happy feeling connected to them through something invisible.

「That light will soon become me」

Chae Ha-ru, who finished the last verse, closed his eyes tightly and smiled faintly.

That image was broadcast on all screens in Gocheok Dome, causing waves of moved exclamations to spread from the audience.

“Thank you!”

“Wow, isn’t this song really too good?”

“Among the songs on our full album, I liked this one the most. The lyrics are so good.”

The members who finished the stage wiped their sweat while breathing heavily.

Still, seeing them grin and give comments naturally brought out maternal smiles.

“How is it, MILLENNIUM? Are you having fun?”

At Seong-hwi’s question, a tremendous “Yes!” echoed.

“You still need to save your voices since there are many stages left.”

“That’s right, the real thing starts now.”

“I told you not to use lines that would come from anime, Yu Ha-woon.”

“Ehehe!”

While Ryu Si-hwan playfully tapped the youngest’s head, Kang Seon-woo introduced the next stage with meaningful tone.

“The next stage, MILLENNIUM. There’s someone who came to congratulate our CENTIX’s first solo concert.”

“You must be really curious who it is! Curious, right!”

Learning there was a guest waiting, MILLENNIUM immediately started buzzing.

Song Ji-won also thought hard about who might appear, but it was too broad to get any sense of it.

“Then if everyone’s ready, shall we go right away?”

“Sounds good!”

With Yu Ha-woon’s energetic voice, the spotlight on stage went out with a pop.

Soon a rumbling bass beat began coming from the speakers.

And someone’s whisper reached her ears from behind the stage.

「Sing it with me

Our time of victory」

The large LED screen split in half, and a tall figure walked out confidently with red lighting behind them.

Song Ji-won squinted and struggled to identify who it was, then immediately jumped up and down in place.

It was a face she hadn’t seen in such a long time.