PD Kwon's voice boomed through the speakers, amplified and theatrical.
"And now, for our final performance of the night—"
My pulse hammered against my ribs.
"—please welcome Spicy Team B with their original concept, 'Silk & Fire'!"
The production assistant pushed us toward the stage entrance.
"Go, go, go!"
My legs moved on autopilot, following through the darkness of the wings.
Then we emerged onto the stage.
The audience hit me like a physical wave—a sea of faces stretching back into infinity, thousands of eyes reflecting the stage lights. Glow sticks waved like stars in the darkness beyond the first few rows.
I'd never seen this many people in one place.
My breath caught.
If only Haejun were here to see this.
The thought struck without warning, sharp and unexpected.
He'd designed this. Choreographed every movement, selected every visual element.
And now he was lying in a hospital bed while we—
The stage lights cut to black.
Silence fell.
No turning back now.
