Second Try Idol

Chapter 363: Choose (6)

As the unyielding sunset finally began to descend, the sky slowly darkened. I let go of my tangled thoughts and surrendered to resignation. Only then did the once cold wind feel somewhat refreshing. I spoke to the creator god who was undoubtedly watching me from behind.

“Stay away from me, you motherfucker. Don’t ever show up in front of me again.”

Laughter immediately erupted from behind me. “No, not yet. I still have things to do with you.”

“Things to do? We’re done here.”

“Hmm, nope! Still a long way to go before you’re fully synchronized.”

‘Is the world where Chronos exists really paused? What will happen if I go back? Can I live like I did before? And what about the trauma he mentioned?’

I ignored the god's words and stepped onto the plane’s stairs. As soon as my foot landed on the first step, my breath caught, and I started trembling.

‘Will it take off if I board?’

If this world was truly built from my trauma, this plane would undoubtedly crash.

My heart pounded painfully, so hard that I clutched my chest and collapsed on the stairs with a gasp. As expected, no one was there to help me up. If the Chronos members were here, they would’ve rushed over immediately and asked if I was okay.

“Ugh.” I used the stair railing as support and got up. A cheerful voice called out from behind me.

“Goodbye! See you next time.”

What a load of crap.

Gritting my teeth, I climbed the stairs. There was no need to be scared. Why should I be afraid? Even if the plane crashed, the pain and fear would be momentary. It would just be a temporary pain to see my family and group members again. It was merely a trial to get back on stage.

‘Just endure this once.’

“Wow, you look pale as a ghost.”

The god’s annoying voice echoed behind me. He approached with slow and unsteady steps and pushed me up the stairs as if supporting me.

“I wanted to see you off, but you’re taking forever.”

“Shut up. Do you think dying is easy?”

“Who said you’re gonna die? Are you scared of a plane crash? Oh, come on, I’m not that cruel.”

“You’re not even human.”

The god muttered a curse and backed off. In the quiet airport, there were only five steps left to board the plane. That was it. There was no need to fear the plane. I had died once, and I could die again. Fear of dying comes from having something to lose, but I had nothing.

I clenched my trembling hands into fists and slowly moved my shaky legs. I decided to ignore the cold sweat and rapid breathing. There was no other way for me but to go back.

Honestly, how could anyone not be scared? It was terrifying. The sensation of floating for a moment before gravity took over, followed by the crash and the searing flames. Who would want to go through that again?

Even after reaching the top of the stairs, I hesitated at the entrance. I heard the god sigh several times, but I didn’t care enough to feel pressured. I didn’t want to board.

“Just think of it as practice and hurry up. You will be flying a lot as a singer. Are you going to freak out every time?”

“No.”

“Come on, you can do it.”

It was time to go. I stopped hesitating and faced the entrance.

‘I can do this.’

Taking a deep breath, I took a step forward. One foot landed inside the plane. Then, when I took another step and was fully inside, the god’s satisfied voice echoed, “Well done.”

A system window appeared before my eyes.

[You have made a choice for the Final Event.]

[Regression conditions have been met.]

- Synchronization is possible. Please select the world to synchronize with (multiple selections allowed!).

- Due to the events, {Status: Trauma (1), (2), (3)} will be removed.

- Since the event has ended, the System Viewing ability will disappear.

- Since your System Viewing ability is no longer available, synchronization decisions/settings will be entrusted to {Contractor: Creator God}.

‘What the hell? After all the trouble I went through, the synchronization system, which seemed incredibly important, goes to the creator god?’

“Wait a minute, this can’t be right.”

Just as I turned to look at the creator god, the plane door closed. Through the window, I saw the bastard waving with a wide smile.

“Goodbye! I will handle the synchronization.”

Even though I was inside the plane and far from him, I heard his smug voice clearly, as if he was whispering in my ear.

“...Ah!” I stared at him in shock before quickly sitting down. How could the plane take off when I hadn’t even buckled up?

As I hurriedly fastened my seatbelt, my vision blurred. It felt like severe motion sickness, making my stomach churn. My head spun like I was about to pass out.

A thought crossed my mind. ‘Since I’m already on the plane, maybe it’s better to just faint?’ It seemed like a very good idea.

‘Please, let it be painless,’ I pleaded to the vanished god and let go of my consciousness.

[Third Condition: Choose] completed.

- Moving to the world designated by the contractor.

***

I woke up with a deep breath, gasping for air.

“Huff... huff...”

Have I returned? The familiar ceiling of the Chronos dorm came into view. I sprang up and looked around. The room was much larger than the one-room apartment I used to live in. The soft bed, the scent of the diffuser, and the moonlight streaming through the window were all that I longed for.

“Hyung, let’s have some ramen together. We won’t gain weight after the concert.”

“I can handle it, but not you. How much meat did you have after the concert? Do you want to go on stage tomorrow with a bloated belly?”

“...No. Then you eat the ramen, and I will just have a bite.”

“Sure, you’ll just have one bite and slurp up all the noodles. Just go to bed before I call your mom.”

“Wow, seriously? Don’t treat me like a kid, hyung. You said I’m not cute anymore because I am too muscular. That hurt.”

“Jin-Sung is pouting!!!”

Joo-Han’s nagging, Jin-Sung’s whining, and Goh Yoo-Joon teasing them were all those familiar voices echoed from outside my room.

“...Ah...” A sob escaped my lips.

I had returned. I was back here again. I couldn’t describe how much I had missed this place over the past few days. My daily life with my group members were the only things I wanted.

I bit my lip to hold back the tears, and my sobs caught in my throat. I thought I’d never be able to return. Climbing onto a plane that would likely crash was less terrifying than the thought of never coming back. I hid under the covers and tried to stifle my sobs, but the oblivious Jin-Sung slightly opened the door and walked in.

“Hyun-Woo hyung, do you want to eat ramen with me? No one else wants to eat with me. They told me not to eat.”

“...”

“Hey, you’re not sleeping. Are you going to eat or not? Yoon-Chan hyung is asleep, so there’s no one else but you... Are you really asleep?”

“Jin-Sung, don’t wake Hyun-Woo if he’s sleeping. Come back.”

Thanks to Jin-Sung’s interruption, I managed to avoid breaking into full-blown sobs. I got out of bed and looked in the mirror. My eyes were red and my hair was a mess, but there were no burn scars on my face.

I suppressed the surge of emotions and washed my face before leaving the room.

“Jin-Sung woke me up. I’ll eat ramen.”

“See! Only Hyun-Woo hyung understands me!”

“Weren’t you always saying Yoon-Chan is the best?”

“Yoon-Chan hyung is asleep.”

It wasn’t that I particularly wanted ramen. I just wanted to sit with my group members and talk a little longer.

***

It was the second day of the concert.

“Hyun-Woo seems to be in a really good mood today.”

“Right? It’s not just me who noticed. Hyun-Woo is in top condition today.”

Kim Go-Ri nodded. Yesterday, he also seemed in good spirits as he bounced around the stage and engaged with the Rings. But today, there was more to it. Maybe it was because he was less nervous compared to the first day, or perhaps it was the louder cheers from the fans. But yeah, today’s Suh Hyun-Woo seemed completely at ease.

For instance...

“Hyun-Woo, you’re amazing!!!!”

“Oh, you came again today, noona? I’m so happy to see you.”

“I told you I’d come! Hyun-Woo, you are incredible on stage, really!!”

“Thank you so much!”

Hyun-Woo jumped off the stage and quickly approached Kim Go-Ri because he recognized her. He greeted her warmly and even held out his palm. It was an invitation for a high-five, like he did with the other Rings.

Kim Go-Ri suppressed the surge of affection and the urge to scream. She high-fived him and quickly let go. After yesterday’s high-five incident where fans clung too long, the fan club had issued a notice not to grab his hand for too long.

Rings were aware that Suh Hyun-Woo struggled with social anxiety and a panic disorder. It was obvious. So, at fan meetings, concerts, or any in-person events, Rings were extra careful to respect his space except for a few clueless or overly enthusiastic ones.

But today, Suh Hyun-Woo was different. He mingled with the Rings without hesitation, more openly than ever before.

‘This is amazing, but...’

A part of her worried if he was pushing himself too hard.

However, Kim Go-Ri quickly brushed off her worries. Seeing him dragged back on stage by Kang Joo-Han, looking happier than ever, all concerns melted away. As a fan, nothing made her happier than seeing him this joyful.