AN: After a very constructive review, we added some more scenes to chapter one and inserted a prologue here. Please see the chapter after this prologue for the new first chapter.


Prologue: The Incident

Two Years Ago…

Tokyo, Japan

Konoha Imperial Arena

There was something in the collar of his jacket that dug annoyingly into the back of his neck. The makeup on his face felt like it was melting and he hadn't even started dancing yet.

He shifted, wondering why his lips felt like they were stuffed with cotton. He swallowed, his mouth so dry it was uncomfortable. He thought he had asked for some water, but the aide hadn't returned and time was running out.

God, he was tired.

Aware of the numbness in his fingers, he curled his hands into fists, his fingernails biting into his palms and sending a rush of pins and needles through them. He sucked in a breath, battling the black that nipped at the corners of his vision, against the dizziness, against the compulsion to ask if he could sit this one out.

One more song.

Just one more.

He hadn't slept in far too long. The flurry of never-ending activity in preparation for this concert, from practicing to talk shows to variety shows to interviews and video recording and long nights in the studio and just never seeming to get a proper rest, was coming to an end. Rest was finally in sight.

His ears rang and the darkness of backstage seemed to close in on him. He forced himself to stay upright, he had to.

Just one more song and he could rest.

His body felt hot, and he was more nervous than normal, but he didn't know why. He shouldn't be this nervous. His vision blurred but he blinked until he regained focus.

"Ya… it's time…" a hoarse voice whispered from behind and to his left.

He stumbled forward and found his place on the stage. The screams of the fans, a sound that usually warmed his heart and filled him with confidence, now crushed his soul with pressure and expectations.

One more song.

He couldn't hear anything, but out of the corners of his eyes he could see the others starting the choreography. He knew the entire routine like the back of his hand.

He could do this.

He focused on the beat that resonated within him, on the desperation to just finish this so he could rest, the determination to never let down his group or his fans.

And so he danced.

He sang, hoping his voice was doing what it was supposed to. Hell, he would be the last to know if it wasn't right now.

His dance solo was coming up.

One more minute.

Then he could rest. Just one minute more.

'Han pun-man deo. Halsu isseo. Haeya dwae, naneun,' he thought. 'Just one more minute. I can do it. I have to.'

He made it to the end.

Stepped forward with his bandmates, bathed in light and sweat and screams.

For one moment it was excruciatingly bright. Excruciatingly good. Then excruciatingly painful and silent. He staggered, body swaying as he fell to the floor.

'I'm sorry...I'm sorry everyone,' was his final thought.

Then it all went dark, and the last thing he heard before the pain blocked the world out was the sound of his name on the tongues of his fans and the terrified yells of his bandmates.

It was the last time he'd danced. The last time he'd breathed.

It really had been only one more song.


Present Day...

Seoul Grand Stadium

Seoul South Korea

7:05 pm

The electronic beat of the Cheonsa theme song pulsed across the crowded stadium, deafening screams of thousands of fans echoing through the night sky.

A sea of lighted 1004 signs waved from side to side, luminescent against the darkness of the night. Then the lights on the stage flared to life and twelve well guys jogged onto the stage, waving and bowing as they entered.

Spotlights followed their movements and strobe lights beamed in all directions. The fans roared louder, chanting the name of their favorite pop group.

Cheonsa had arrived.


AN: Ohohohoho review review review! Whoever solves the mystery of 'the incident' will receive a special reward! Hehe so get thinking lovely readers!