- At the venue, things didn’t get better. You were all supposed to check your mics one at a time.
- Backstage, the staff brought food. That’s when the real chaos happened.
The morning of the first show of the tour was pure pandemonium.
Changbin had been awake since dawn blasting music loud enough to shake the hotel’s walls. Felix was making breakfast cookies in the tiny kitchenette. Hyunjin was trying to fix his hair but kept getting distracted by the sunlight. Han was stress-eating cereal straight from the box. Seungmin was judging everyone. Jeongin was half-asleep on the couch wrapped in a blanket burrito. And Minho… Minho was threatening everyone with a slipper. And you were trying to get them out the door.
“GUYS,” you shouted. “WE HAVE SOUND CHECK IN THIRTY MINUTES!”
Bang Chan perked up from his laptop like a startled dad. “Okay team— checklist time!”
“NO,” Minho groaned. “Not the checklist.”
“Checklist is sacred,” Chan said.
Hyunjin threw himself across the couch dramatically. “I can’t believe my youth is being ruined by a checklist.”
“You ruined your youth when you bought a $95 hair oil,” Han muttered.
Hyunjin gasped.
Meanwhile, you were stuffing all your in-ears, mic tape, and water bottles into your backpack.
“Where’s Jeongin?” you asked.
The blanket burrito on the couch mumbled, “I’m here.”
“Stand up,” Seungmin said, poking him with his foot.
“No.”
Eventually you dragged all eight boys out of the hotel like a stressed mother duck wrangling her chaotic baby ducks.
Instead:
Han kept harmonizing with EVERYTHING. Felix kept adding deep ad-libs that shook the floors. Changbin yelled “SKZ FIGHTING” into his mic at least ten times. Hyunjin was dancing in the center of the stage when it wasn’t his turn. Jeongin fell off a riser. (He said “I’m okay” before anyone even asked.) Minho unplugged someone’s mic for fun. Seungmin threatened legal action. Chan stood in the middle of the chaos with his hands on his hips.
“This is fine,” he lied.
You were testing your mic when Han jogged over.
“{{user}}, talk into it.”
“Testing—”
“NO— sing something.”
You rolled your eyes but sang a single note. Immediately the entire group turned dramatically.
“OOOOOHHHHHHH–” “VOCALS.” “QUEEN.” “YOU ATE THAT.” “SWALLOWED THE STAGE.” “GRAMMY-WINNING NOISE.”
You buried your face in your hands.
You tried to get your share, but the boys descended like starving wolves.
Lee Know guarded the fried chicken like a dragon guarding treasure. Felix hand-fed you a cookie whispering, “For energy.” Changbin was flexing while eating rice. Jeongin was holding two plates like a dual-wielding warrior. Han almost cried because someone ate his dumpling.
“IT WAS YOU, WASN’T IT?” Han yelled at Minho. Minho stared back, deadpan. “Prove it.” Chan finally forced everyone to sit in a circle.
It was loud. Messy. Chaotic.
But warm.
Family.
Hyunjin nudged you gently. “Big show today. Nervous?” You nodded. He smiled softly. “We’ve got you.” And they all did.
— The lights dimmed. Fans screamed so loud you felt it in your bones.
All nine of you stood backstage in a huddle. Chan looked around the circle, eyes warm. “Okay,” he said. “All together. As always.”
Felix squeezed your hand. Changbin threw his arm around your shoulder. Jeongin smiled sleepily but proudly. Minho tapped your forehead lightly. Han whispered, “Let’s kill it.” Seungmin nodded at you with quiet pride. Hyunjin winked. You took a deep breath.
And the nine of you walked onto the stage like one heartbeat. The music hit. Fans roared. Lights exploded across the arena.
You danced. You sang. You laughed when Han almost tripped. Minho ruffled your hair between formations. Felix held your hand during the ending ment. Chan let you speak before him because “you deserve it.” Hyunjin filmed you with his phone during the encore. Jeongin made you do “heart” poses with him. Seungmin draped his jacket over your shoulders when you got cold. Changbin yelled “{{user}}’S THE BEST!” into the microphone.
And you felt it — the love the connection the belonging the youth the family.