The '5 Emperors' arrived at the school on the given date and time.
In truth, it wasn't the first time they were visiting the school because they had spent most of the last night getting used to the auditorium stage the school had to offer.
The staff and the students alike were not informed about their arrival until an hour before their performance. Only the principal of the school was made aware of it so as to avoid all the unnecessary attention on the proceedings of the school. Also, it made sure that the boys and their crew got enough free reign without anybody's interruption to prepare for the performance.
Thus, when the members all arrived they were momentarily startled by the screams of the school's populace. They didn't expect to receive such a cheerful welcome. From what they were told, their visit was supposed to be a surprise until their performance. All they could do was to put on pleased expressions and grin happily at cheering and screaming young fans.
There were banners, screaming students and teachers. Some were crying in happiness while some were jumping up and down in excitement. As time passed the kids and staff from the neighbouring school joined in on the festivities. After all, no matter how lowkey the band was with their activities, it was a dream yet to be achieved- Almost everyone loved and were in awe of them. Thus, the scale of the performance unexpectedly rose from one school to two schools.
They were enthusiastically welcomed by both students and teachers alike. It was no secret that they had a huge fan base ranging from teens to middle-aged people.
The deafening noise- of a single school populace- at their arrival confirmed their popularity as superstars. Their long break as a group hadn't let their popularity dimish in the least.
***
After the- unexpected- grand welcome put up by the schools, the members were getting ready in the waiting rooms assigned to them. No one was allowed here other than their crew and it helped them relax and get into the right state of mind.
Even though they were a bit doubtful about performing at a school they would give their best as they always did.
It wasn't their first time to perform at a school. They had done it in the past- just after their debuts. It was their first time after a very long time and it somewhat unsettled them.
The stage was set and they were ready. They were more than ready, this is what they loved to do and the stage was more than home to them. The auditorium of the school was set and it was already packed with the audience waiting with bated breath for the show to begin.
The music started and the crowd went berserk. It was their intro song from their very first album. It was their debut song.
Timo started with his lines, his deep voice painting the picture of a young boy dreaming of reaching the stars one day and holding them in his little hands.
Then came Kai with his rap in the first verse,
That boy, at the beginning of the song, met with people whom he called his friends and they all set out on an adventure of catching the bright shining stars. It proved out to be a journey filled with dragons more than roses.
The boys in the song all overcame all the tests thrown their way with their determination and hard work. When one of them fell they helped each other and made sure to reach those elusive stars together. By the time they held the star in their hands, they had all somehow grown up. Their once little hands were now big, rough and strong. Their faces were shaped with the scars of various experiences and their eyes were filled with tears for all that they had lost in the way and all that they had found along. It was a bittersweet memory.
The group came out in sync and started dancing to the music by the time when Kai sang again followed by Ray, Mui and Vic.
It was rare for any group to have such solemn debut song but it was result of their own life experiences as young trainees and the time they had spent worrying about their dreams never becoming a reality. Also, combined with upbeat music it was a huge hit as soon as it was released almost a decade ago.
The intro song pumped more energy to the atmosphere which was already charged. The students and teachers were all singing and dancing with them, cheering them to rock the show as they were promising in the song. The song reminded them of their own struggles and how they battle the demons to make the ends meet.
The song ended and the stage was thrown to darkness.
Before long Ray started to sing softly into his mic as lights came on
His voice was sweet and mellow, with a little huskiness to it. It was known to charm panties off any grown woman. And most of those women were all heartbroken when Ray announced that he was already taken.
What was worse was that it was their new song, which they had yet to perform live. The people who were still reeling from the previous song were all jolted back to reality. This was the current most popular song. It was a chart-topper and the audience didn't know whether to cheer their idols or cry in misery. It was such a huge surprise that they didn't have any fan chants prepared. They were all going to be mocked by other fans for being lousy in the face of an emergency. But it didn't mean they were all going to dwell on some trivial aspects and miss on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Gathering their scattered wits, the audience happily sang along.
The response was thunderous and shook the auditorium walls.
After that, it was now time for the song which brought both name and fame to them. The song which made them famous as a pop band across the globe.
Later Timo and Ray performed some of their solo songs to which an electrifying response was given. The stage was in darkness for some time.
When the light came back on it was Timo standing on the stage with eyes closed and mic placed near his mouth.
The music started again, he swayed to it still eyes closed and started to sing reminiscing the day when he had met the most beautiful girl in his existence. They had filmed the video for this song when he met her. He-subconsciously- dedicated this song to her and wished to see her one more time.
He opened his eyes when Mui picked up his lines-
"Every day and night I am so mean, cuz I am so real, I'm so sorry.."
Timo was about to pick up the song with next part but he froze on the stage in middle of the live performance. His eyes went wide at seeing someone in the crowd.
He couldn't- more like didn't want to blink in the fear of losing the image in front of him.
He felt like flying and jumping all over the stage at that precise moment.
It hadn't been even two seconds when the rest of his group noticed him to be lost somewhere.
To save the song/performance Kai sang Timo's's part. It was a perfect save.
While performing Ray made sue to hit Timo lightly to bring him back to his senses. Blinking and coming back to earth Timo immediately focused back on the job at hand. The song was almost over.
With renewed energy he got back to the flow of the music and let it consume him. With a wide, teeth showing smile on his face he sang his lines perfectly while still looking at the lone person in the crowd who was equally enjoying the song.
She had her eyes closed and a cute smile adored her face. He had finally found 'that girl.' Maybe somebody in heaven was very happy with him. She looked even more beautiful to him if that was possible. She was the same as he remembered from that day. Only a bit more slender but a clear face and an innocent smile on her sexy red lips.
He gathered back his thoughts and ended the song with a deep bow to the audience.
He was relieved that it was over and he was free until the next song.
He wanted to use this opportunity to observe her more but when he came to do what he had decided, he couldn't find her anywhere in the crowd. She had disappeared again.