Chapter 107
The strong friendship and teamwork shown by the team moved the hearts of many national managers who were watching the broadcast.
Led by Karis von Walden, who kept the team members' spirits up and showed tremendous performance, all the trainees entered practice with more motivation.
And another famous scene emerged due to this influence.
[To be precise... I think I can tell you how to make it feel alive.]
Ji Yoon-chul personally raised his hand and said that he would help the trainees!
Those who saw this absurd sight were left speechless.
Well, it was so different from the way Ji Yoon-chul had appeared in
From the 1st to the 3rd round, he only followed his teammates' instructions and never once expressed his own opinion.
He kept an indifferent expression and didn't say much during practice.
It's amazing that Ji Yoon-chul, who is that kind of character, was the first to raise his hand and volunteer for this role.
The national managers, especially those who favored Ji Yoon-chul, could not believe this scene.
―Is this what our Yoon-chul has been pulling all this time to show?? My heart is pounding ㅠ ·̫ ㅠ
―Why is your speech so stiff?! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Oh my gosh, it's so annoyingㅠㅠ ♥♥♥
―Just look at the story of Ji Yoon-chul's growth coming out in one go... I think I'm going to cry, friends.
└It's the final, but if it continues like this, it's going to be X... It seems like he sensed that and volunteered to be a teacher with his survival instinct.
└The fact that he realized that is itself a sign of growth. Yoon-chul is in [Awakening] mode right now.
└What are you talking about, you nerd ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
―I think Yoon-chul's personality has become a lot more sociable these days. Is it just me? LOL. But I think Karis played a big part in that.
└ㅇㅇㅇㅇㅇ I'm really curious how they did itㅋㅋㅋ I don't think Yubin would have gotten this far if he didn't have Karis
└This is heartwarming news from handsome friends... ^^
―(Video) Hyung-ah, I like you, cool cat ˃̵͈̑ ·̫ ˂̵͈̑ #Ji-yoon-chul #Karis
└Our baby has changed so much....
└ Wow, since I've been cutting and pasting everything since he first appeared, I can feel that he has changed a lot ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└I told you, it was Dr. Suma Eun-young?? He must be operating a counseling center when the camera is off.
The sight of Ji Yoon-chul giving special training to Heo Yu-bin and Kang Dong-hwi, who are relatively behind in their understanding of dance, really gave a strange feeling.
In conclusion, the indifferent attitude that had worried some fans actually became a turning point in the final round.
This is good material to refute those who said that Ji Yoon-chul would not be able to get along well with the members even if he debuted.
And the person who contributed the most to continuously showing Ji Yoon-chul's unique side was none other than Karis.
Effectively resolve emotional issues between team members.
He also helped them stabilize their shaky mentality.
Because it created an indescribable intimacy that even changed the trainees' attitudes.
It was a team practice narrative where numerous events occurred, but in the end, all the important points went back to Karis.
It's not just his face that's handsome.
He has the ability to carry the weight well in the center, and above all, he also plays the role of the team's focal point.
The team members improved their teamwork based on Karis' influence and overcame crises they encountered during practice.
Even with trainees with whom he had almost no connection, he unknowingly formed good relationships and even showed chemistry.
The flaws that the national managers found fault with are completely offset.
The team's efforts quickly paid off.
[... Wow. You guys really worked hard.]
They achieved perfect restoration, receiving meaningful praise from Ha Sang-pil, who came to inspect it.
When Ha Sang-pil's moved face, who had been giving such harsh criticism during the midterm evaluation, appeared on the screen, the national managers' interest and expectations for the main stage soared even more.
-Please hurry
―The song is so my style ㅠㅠ This kind of overtly sexy concept is completely new to me. I wish they had at least released the song in advance.
-I feel like storming into Knet headquarters
―Yoo Min-ha and Heo Yu-bin sexy concept << I can't even imagine it, please....
After one commercial break, the long-awaited moment finally arrived.
* * *
The atmosphere on the scene was, in a word, extremely excited.
'Oh, if I had a smartwatch, my heart rate would have been 130.'
Homma looked at the darkened stage, holding her pounding heart.
The content of the practice narrative was perfect for her, who had Karis as her favorite.
The amount of time it takes to build a connection with the trainees.
The image of a perfect mediator who can ease conflicts.
Everything went in Karis' favor.
Now all that remains is the main stage.
If only he could prove again the overwhelming performance and visuals he had shown so far.
The dream of winning first place that Karis' fans, including Homma, have been talking about is no longer just a pipe dream.
A tense atmosphere permeated the gym, as if something was about to happen at any moment.
The moment when all the audience was staring at the stage with bated breath.
「Uh hoo―」
Along with the thin falsetto's ad-lib, the sensual and dreamy beats of urban pop began to flow out through the speakers.
The spotlight that poured simultaneously into the center of the stage illuminated the seven trainees dressed in suits.
And in the middle of it all, there was a trainee who put his hands in his pockets and slowly turned his head.
「Yeah, eh eh
(Addicted)」
Karis von Walden whispered the last ad-lib with a look in his eyes that seemed intoxicated by something.
His bangs were hanging down much lower than usual, perhaps because his hair was styled in a way that gave it a wet feel.
It went along the brow bone, almost covering the eyes.
Perhaps because of the shadow cast by his hair, Karis' eyes became deeper, creating a unique atmosphere.
'Cra, crazy!'
For a moment, it felt like electricity was flowing through Homma's entire body.
It was clear that her mouth was open and she was about to let out a scream, but no sound came out.
As if all the nerves in the brain were focused solely on Karis' face.
No other acts were permitted.
「Eyes meet eyes
Brushed your collar
This meeting is definitely like deja vu」
Karis is standing in the center, swinging his arms flexibly.
On either side of him, six trainees crouched down and raised their hands as if to cover their entire bodies.
The trainees all raised their arms in unison to the beat, which felt like raindrops were falling.
Karis jumped forward at that precise moment, covering his eyes with his hands.
Falling in love with his unseen eyes, his mouth, clearly captured on camera, formed a perfect smile.
「In the overlapping gazes
In that moment, everything stops」
Karis, who had his eyes covered, fell back, and Chae Eun-gyu slid out in his place.
Kang Dong-hwi took over the part while holding onto the collar of Chae Eun-gyu's suit, who was pumping his chest with simple movements.
「As if time had stopped
My whole body reacts to you」
The dreamy beats of urban pop resonated even louder.
The trainees quickly changed the formation by spreading out around Baek Si-hwa.
「I was drawn to you
A fate like destiny
Finally light the fire
Oh my Oh my」
At the right end of the formation that had changed into a W shape, Ji Yoon-chul stood up alone and swept his chin.
It may have been because the rest of the trainees were sitting on the floor, but Ji Yoon-chul, with his superior physique, showed off his outstanding presence and sang the pre-chorus.
「Maybe everything
It's all in your plan
The moment of realization
Strangle my neck」
Just like Karis did during the intro, Ji Yoon-chul whispered the last lyrics softly.
Then, all of a sudden, the accompaniment became quiet.
Karis spun around and stood up, then came to the front of the stage and smiled again.
「I'm addicted addicted
to this move and this scent
I can't move, and I can't breathe」
It was the chorus choreography that the trainees had the most difficulty with during practice.
The feet moved flexibly, sliding from side to side.
His arms crossed over each other and quickly descended from his neck to his chest.
After the crossing choreography, the group did a movement where they slightly grabbed their necks.
Karis, who raised his head sharply toward the sky, soon looked straight ahead again and snapped his fingers.
And Homma, who witnessed this scene on the spot, felt her heart ache.
"Heok."
Strangely enough, it felt familiar.
This feeling of wanting to kneel down at any moment.
I would like to express my gratitude for being able to see that noble face with my own two eyes.
I want to give up everything and shout only Karis' name.
Yes, that's right.
Just like the first time she saw Karis on stage.
Her mind is in disarray, and her gaze fixed on Karis shows no sign of moving elsewhere.
「I'm addicted addicted
to our every moment
I'm getting deeper and deeper into it and there's no turning back」
Heo Yu-bin, who took over the chorus, showed off a solid and clear vocalization that was the opposite of Karis's feeling.
Heo Yu-bin once again clearly showed how much the perfection and stability of a song increase when a team has an outstanding main vocalist.
The footwork that continued to move separately from the live performance was impressive.
If before it was a sliding motion from side to side, now it has changed into a motion where it catches an angle and bounces strongly.
She can't even imagine how much effort the seven trainees put into getting that sharp angle right in such a short amount of time.
「As if I were wandering in a dream
This dizzy moment
Even if I stretch out my hand
Oh my Oh my」
As they moved on to the second verse, the trainees' dancing became more intense.
Powerful and restrained movements contrast with sensual and dreamy beats.
The national managers who were watching the stage on site became even more immersed in the strangely fitting combination.
And the leader of that temptation was, of course, Karis, who stood at the center.
「I'm addicted addicted
to this move and this scent
I can't move, and I can't breathe」
The light in his eyes was more intense than during the first chorus.
An overwhelming presence and aura that cannot be described in words.
This time too, it was Homma who didn't even think about giving the other trainees a second glance.
'... It's a face that I never get tired of looking at.'
Immediately after the second verse chorus ended, Yoo Min-ha stepped twice and came to the center.
And he poured out tight raps in a low voice.
「I want it more & more
I can't stop no more
You know what I'm trying to say now.
I want something like you so deeply」
Just then, Yoo Minha leaned back.
Karis, who had been supporting his shoulders from behind, placed his hand on his chest as if squeezing his heart, then removed it.
At that moment, Yoo Min-ha bounced his body, showing off his incredible elasticity.
The trainees followed him to the front of the stage with both arms raised, changing formation again for the finale.
「How much how much more
Like this, like this, like this
Ha ha, I don't think so
A trapped mind has no intention of breaking free」
Yoo Minha's rap, which hit the ears, passed by like a storm.
The exhilarating beats of EDM are layered over the accompaniment of urban pop.
Heo Yu-bin successfully completed a high-pitched ad-lib, bringing the song to its climax.
「A feeling that I don't want to get away from
Oh, oh yeah」
The dance break follows immediately.
The tireless trainees took large steps and formed a triangle formation.
Legs were spread wide, firmly planted on the stage.
Everyone covered their eyes with both palms and moved their bodies slowly to the left and then to the right.
And the moment they move to the right,.
Karis stood up a beat earlier than expected and roughly brushed away his tangled bangs.
His white forehead and eyebrow bones, which his fans are so crazy about, were revealed.
The strangely ferocious look in Karis' eyes was added to create a tremendous impact.
'If, if you go that far!'
Homma's thought circuits stopped.
National managers screamed from all directions as they witnessed this scene captured perfectly on the gym's giant screen.
People on both sides of Homma were no exception.
Her ears rang from the tremendous decibels that leaked out even with her mouth covered.
「Keep me by your side」
The trainees, who had raised their bodies, crossed their arms again and swept their necks and chests.
Karis, who was standing in the center, raised his head and turned to the side, unlike the other team members.
His fingers gently traced along his sharp jawline.
With Karis' signature smile.
'... I don't even have the strength to scream.'
It was destructive.
Nothing else came to mind than this word.
Karis had thoroughly broken her spirit over and over again.
The trainees poured out their last bit of strength and performed the dance break.
The atmosphere that had peaked at the climax subsided again, and only the dreamy sound of raindrops falling echoed throughout the gym.
「I'm addicted, I'm addicted」
The stage ended with everyone covering their faces with one hand and bowing their heads.
"Whaaaa ..."
"You guys did a great job!"
"This is crazy! "
And as if by agreement, the national managers shouted in unison so loudly that the entire gymnasium might break.
Homma, who was more immersed in the stage than anyone else, felt the strength leave her legs.
She almost fell to the ground, but luckily she was able to grab the barricade and avoid any mishaps.
'... Karis.'
After seeing the stage, only this name remained in her mind.
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