Second Try Idol-Chapter 423: Reunion (3)

"The Chronos seats are right in front of the camera, the most visible spot! Our Season One winners deserve special treatment!"

As the members entered the venue of the Pick We Up live broadcast under the guidance of the familiar production staff, they looked around the auditorium in a daze.

"Woah!!! Hyun-Woo!! Yoon-Chan, Joo-Han!!!"

Fans cheered fervently by calling out our names and waving. The three Elated members, following Yoon-Chan and me, waved back warmly, although they seemed quite surprised. It was probably due to the very different reactions from the audience and the production staff compared to their time in Elated.

I nudged Lee Jin-Sung who was standing next to me and asked, "Why so surprised? You said you have all the memories of being with Chronos."

"It's one thing to know, but it's another to experience it." He shrugged, then added somewhat reluctantly, "It feels strange. We've never watched Pick We Up as Elated."

Elated didn't achieve much in Pick We Up. They didn’t rank badly, but their appearance didn’t lead to popularity. In the end, they disbanded without a contract renewal. In contrast, Lee Jin-Sung was famous for his dancing since Pick We Up even after Elated’s disbandment, so he continued participating as a Pick We Up judge. Joo-Han composed and wrote mission songs for participants.

For Elated, Pick We Up was somewhat of a dark history as it was considered by many to be just a backdrop. So, it must have been quite astonishing for the three to see how much that had changed here.

"It's probably because of you that we’ve changed so much," Lee Jin-Sung said bitterly.

I just nodded silently in response. Jin-Sung glanced around nervously before getting up and heading towards Goh Yoo-Joon. Yoon-Chan took the empty seat next to me.

"Hyung, do you think the members might have fought?" Yoon-Chan asked with the same perplexed look he had in the morning.

"Why do you think that?"

"Well, Jin-Sung tried to switch seats with Yoo-Joon hyung, but Yoo-Joon hyung made him get up."

"They didn’t fight. Maybe he just liked that seat better," I responded, gesturing for him to smile. Anyone watching might think we truly had a fight. While we could hide our conversations because the microphones weren't on, we couldn’t hide our expressions or the overall atmosphere of the group.

This was why the Elated members couldn’t just mimic Chronos. If they were really Chronos, they would have caused a commotion before the shoot, with Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung rushing over and being pulled away by Joo-Han. Right now, the three were just waving to the fans and waiting quietly until the shooting started, utterly mature and adult-like.

It was good that Yoon-Chan didn't seem to feel left out. He tilted his head but still sat down next to me. "I was surprised Yoo-Joon hyung didn’t want to sit next to you, hyung."

I brushed it off. "We didn’t fight. Don’t worry. Can you send Goh Yoo-Joon over here? He’s probably up to some mischief again."

Yoon-Chan quickly nodded and went over to Goh Yoo-Joon. After exchanging a few words, Goh Yoo-Joon looked at me and slowly walked over to sit down.

"I sent Yoon-Chan because I thought you’d feel awkward."

I scolded him. "It would be ridiculous if you and I were awkward in Chronos. You said you’d handle the change well, didn’t you?"

"That's true, but..."

"We aren’t awkward in this timeline."

"Right, got it."

Fortunately, just as we were out of topics to talk about, the shooting started. My gaze, which had been sneakily glancing at Goh Yoo-Joon, was now forward. The majestic soundtrack began to play, and bright lights swept rapidly across the venue. The audience cheered, and we, the artist participants, stood up and clapped along.

As the lights darted around in sync with the music, they suddenly converged on one spot.

"It’s time to see K-Pop stars of the future all in one place! Pick We Up Season Two starts now!"

The lively hosting was done by Jeong Gyu-Chan, the host of Pick We Up One. The big screen behind the stage intermittently flashed our faces, keeping the cheers nonstop.

Normally, Chronos would have playfully interacted with the camera whenever we appeared on the screen. But today, we just waved calmly and maturely as we felt somewhat unaccustomed to this senior artist-like demeanor when we watched the juniors perform on stage.

And soon, the performances of the Pick We Up Two contestants began. One group after another showed their practice, interviews, and special footage on VCR, which then transitioned to their performances. From the moment the stage lights came on, every member was fully focused on the performances.

Lee Jin-Sung was now fully in his role as a judge, and he watched with a critical eye by following the dance moves closely. Meanwhile, Goh Yoo-Joon, who I thought wouldn't say much, occasionally commented and complimented them.

"They are really good. What great voices."

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Every group was fascinating. Their skills were impressive, and the stage setups were as grand as those seen at year-end award shows. As the finals approached, you could see every group and their agency pushing their limits by visibly striving to put on their best performances. As a spectator, I found it hugely entertaining. But the better they performed, the more I worried.

Would Sequence be able to match these performances? Of course, being one of the groups that consistently ranked high in Pick We Up Two, they were well prepared. However, the impact of the other groups was so significant that it must have been daunting.

"That kid's power when dancing is no joke. He'd do well even in the center spot," Goh Yoo-Joon murmured again. I glanced briefly at the member he pointed out before scanning the rest of the Chronos members. Was I the only one concerned about Sequence?

However, my subtle unease was quickly dispelled as Sequence's turn came around and their VCR started playing.

"Ah... Ah! Isn't that Han Jun?" Goh Yoo-Joon exclaimed as he pointed at the screen in surprise.

"...You’re just realizing that now? Hasn't your memory returned?"

"...Right? I remember now. Aren't the other hyungs also in Sequence too?" Goh Yoo-Joon's voice was louder than I had ever heard it since he became Elated's Goh Yoo-Joon. Not only him, but Joo-Han and Lee Jin-Sung beside him were also whispering in surprise.

They had all the memories of being Chronos, but memories of Sequence didn’t seem important enough to remember until now. Goh Yoo-Joon's eyes sparkled with realization. "So, Jun has debuted here."

"And not just Jun. Il-Seong hyung too," I added. In the past, Il-Seong hadn't debuted as an idol but had rigorously trained to become an actor.

Goh Yoo-Joon, along with Joo-Han and Lee Jin-Sung, seemed profoundly moved by this revelation. It made sense. In their world, both Han Jun and Il-Seong had failed to achieve what they had hoped for.

"It feels really strange. Truly odd," Goh Yoo-Joon commented.

"Right? I felt the same when I first saw Sequence," I reminisced. Watching trainees who hadn’t debuted in my original timeline receive such acclaim was surreal. My favored student had even switched agencies to join them. It was a bizarre feeling to see how destinies changed.

The members of Sequence, through the VCR, declared their ambitions with determination.

- We really want to do well. We've given it our best, and we intend to live up to the expectations that greeted our debut!

- Our goal is simple: to be recognized not just as a junior group to Chronos or as a successor, but as Sequence in our own right.

The VCR ended with Sequence members stating their determination not just to be known as Chronos's junior group or a group emerging from Chronos but to be recognized simply as Sequence. The stage went dark. A sound, more like an indistinct noise than music, blared through the speakers. Goh Yoo-Joon leaned forward a bit.

Thud! Thump!

A constant sound like a heartbeat echoed. It quieted the cheering crowd as they focused on the imminent appearance of Sequence. Soon after, a dim spotlight fell on On-Sae, who walked out and stared straight ahead. The crowd erupted with cheers.

"Waaaah!"

On-Sae was steady and unmoved. He began to dance in sync with the accelerating beat. Although the performance theme seemed dark, On-Sae was known for his cuteness even within Sequence’s usually bright and adorable concept.

Perhaps due to the new concept he was trying, he received unusually loud cheers for each movement. The expressions of the members watching On-Sae’s solo became noticeably more serious.

On-Sae flawlessly finished his solo, and he was followed by the other members of Sequence. They walked out in line and revealed themselves one by one, which visibly moved Goh Yoo-Joon and the others even more.

Goh Yoo-Joon covered his mouth dramatically and muttered, "They’re dancing and singing on the stage. They've all debuted!?"

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the venue shifted. There was a murmur, and though it was faint, there seemed to be some snickering. I felt something was off and glanced around. I saw the live streaming screen below the stage. My heart nearly stopped when I saw Goh Yoo-Joon’s face and his hands covering his mouth in genuine amazement, being broadcast in a close-up for all to see.