Meanwhile, in the sleek, modern confines of Lumina's private rehearsal studio, Kai stood before the mirror, adjusting his jacket in preparation for their next performance. His reflection stared back at him, expression unreadable, but his mind wasn't on the show. It was stuck on her.
Hana.
He hadn't expected to see her again after their first awkward encounter the other night, and yet, there she was, turning up in restricted areas like she belonged. Kai had thought he'd brushed off the strange feeling from that night, but seeing her again had brought it all back—the fiery way she had stood up to him, unflinching, unlike anyone he'd met in years.
"Are you ready?" Min-soo's voice broke into his thoughts as he leaned against the doorframe, watching Kai with an amused look.
Kai glanced over his shoulder, shrugging. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Really? You've been distracted all day," Min-soo pointed out, crossing his arms. "Is it because of that girl? Hana?"
Kai's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, turning back to the mirror to fix his hair. He didn't like how easily Min-soo had picked up on his distraction, but he wasn't about to admit it either.
"I'm not distracted," Kai said flatly. "I'm focused."
Min-soo smirked. "Sure you are. You've been quiet ever since she showed up backstage yesterday. Who is she, anyway?"
Kai clenched his jaw, unsure how to explain. Hana wasn't like the girls who usually showed up around Lumina—idol-chasers who obsessed over the group. She didn't seem to care at all about who he was. In fact, it almost felt like she was annoyed by him, which was new. People usually did everything to get on his good side, but not her. She challenged him, and something about that had caught him off guard.
"She's nobody," Kai finally said, trying to shrug off the conversation.
But Min-soo wasn't buying it. "Nobody? For someone who's nobody, she sure has you worked up." He chuckled lightly. "Is it because she didn't treat you like a superstar?"
Kai shot him a glare. "I'm not worked up. Drop it."
Min-soo raised his hands in mock surrender, but the knowing smile never left his face. "Alright, alright. But, you know, maybe she's different. Might be good for you."
Kai frowned, ignoring his friend's comment as the other members of Lumina started filtering into the room. The pre-show atmosphere was buzzing with energy, but Kai felt disconnected. It wasn't like him to be so thrown off, especially not by someone who didn't seem to care about his fame.
As the band prepared to head out for their next performance, Kai couldn't shake the image of Hana's defiant stare from his mind. He remembered the way she had brushed past him, unimpressed by the fact that he was an idol. It was irritating, yet oddly refreshing. She hadn't fawned over him like the usual fans—she had been herself, unapologetically.
And now, here he was, letting it get under his skin.
"Focus, Kai," he muttered under his breath, but the words rang hollow. His thoughts kept drifting back to her, and no matter how hard he tried to push it away, something about Hana lingered.
Maybe Min-soo was right—she was different. But that didn't mean he had to care.
Did it?
The thunderous cheers of the crowd snapped Kai back to reality as the platform beneath them began to rise. The blinding stage lights pierced through the darkness, illuminating the sea of glowing lightsticks waving in unison. Kai adjusted his in-ear monitors, his heart syncing with the rhythmic beat of the opening track.
Min-soo's powerful voice cut through the deafening roar, his smooth, melodic vocals kicking off their opening number. The fans screamed louder, chanting Min-soo's name as he glided effortlessly across the stage. Kai followed closely, sliding into his position as the choreography demanded.
The heavy bassline reverberated through the arena, and Kai moved with precision, every step sharp and deliberate. His usual energy returned as the adrenaline kicked in, pushing away the intrusive thoughts that had been clouding his focus. This was his element, the place where nothing else mattered but the music, the performance, and the connection with the fans.
"Let's go!" Joon's voice boomed through the speakers as he took center stage, his rap verse igniting the crowd. His rapid-fire delivery and commanding stage presence sent the fans into a frenzy, their cheers almost drowning out the music.
Hwan followed with his own verse, his deeper tone adding a gritty edge to the track. His movements were sharp and synchronized, blending perfectly with the group's intricate choreography.
The way he switched seamlessly between rapping and dancing left the crowd in awe, their chants growing louder with each line.
Sungmin, despite his recent injury, nailed his high notes during the chorus, his voice soaring effortlessly above the music. His angelic tone added a layer of emotion to the performance, earning a massive cheer from the fans.
Kai took the center position as his part approached, his deep voice resonating through the venue. He delivered his lines with a smirk, his usual charisma shining through.
The fans went wild, their voices blending into one as they sang along with him. He felt the rush of their energy, feeding off their enthusiasm to push himself even harder.
As the song reached its climax, Min-soo moved to Kai's side, their vocals harmonizing flawlessly. The chemistry between the members was palpable, each one contributing to the synergy that made Lumina a force to be reckoned with.
Kai's movements were fluid, his stage presence undeniable. From the sharp angles of the choreography to the sly winks he threw at the fans, he played his role to perfection. The crowd responded with deafening screams, their excitement washing over him in waves.
For a moment, as he looked out into the sea of fans, he caught himself wondering if Hana was out there, hidden among the thousands of faces. The thought was fleeting, disappearing as quickly as it came.
By the time the final notes of the song faded, the arena was filled with unrelenting cheers. The members regrouped, exchanging knowing smiles as they prepared for the next song.
"Great energy tonight," Min-soo said, clapping Kai on the back as they moved to their next positions.
Kai nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Yeah, let's keep it up."
He wasn't going to let anything—or anyone—get in the way of the show. Not now, not ever.
The lights dimmed momentarily, signaling the transition to their next performance. The crowd hushed in anticipation, their excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. As the music started again, Kai gave himself over to the rhythm, immersing himself fully in the performance.
Whatever thoughts he'd had before were irrelevant now. On stage, he was invincible. The only thing that mattered was the music and the bond he shared with the fans who adored him.